Remeber! You are a blessing to your Mom and Dad

S - Scripture
Psalm 127 v. 4-5 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.

O - Observation
Quiver of potential. Keeping up with the analogy, having a quiver full of arrows means, 1) Provision - using arrows to hunt for food, 2) Growth and Protection - using arrows to defeat enemies, 3) Enjoyment - using arrows for games, archery tournaments. Having Children is a complete blessing from God. Having children allows one to grow his sphere of influence, gives great enjoyment. But as any weapon, one need to know how to handle them or they many get hurt or break the arrows. Proverbs 2 v. 6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

A - Application
What are you doing, or will be doing with your quiver of arrows?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for my quiver of arrows. Love Will

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Consider your Heritage

S - Scripture
Psalm 127 v. 3 Lo, sons are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

O - Observation
Heritage. Webster defines heritage as "ways of life and values passed on by society from one generation to another." Son's, your children are a gift from God. They help to create the family tree. They help to pass on values to future generations. We serve as an Anchor for the next 2 -3 generations. We will see not only our kids, but our grand kids and if blessed, great grand kids. Think of the Heritage, think of the influence you can have over so many people. Think of the CRITICAL importance of " The way of life", a Christian life, that you can pass on. 3 John 1 v. 4, "No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth."

A - Application
What is the Heritage that I am passing on?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for Shannon, Paul and Paige!!!  Love Will

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Proclaiming

 Proclaiming

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE:

Acts 28:31 PROCLAIMING the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

O - OBSERVATION: For a church who is engaged in a vision process this verse hit me in my heart. This is as our Pastor said the unfinished mission of the church. If that’s the case, shouldn’t this in some way be a part of our vision and maybe even a part of our vision statement in some way. Proclaiming His word is central to several passages of scripture that come to mind: Matthew 28:19,20, 1 Peter 2:9, Romans 10:17, 2 Corinthians 5:20, to name a few off the top of my head. All of these verses either pertain to sharing what God has put in out heart, or tell of the importance of hearing the Word of God, for without the Word, faith has no chance.

A - APPLICATION: What about me, am I doing all I can? The answer is I am not, I can rationalize that I have a full time occupation and I praise God for that and in that every day. The nature of my work gives me a unique opportunity to see God at work all around me. I always thank HIM for that, but I keep wondering can I do more. I think God has maybe given me a gift to communicate His grace and His love to people. Can I do more if I give up the farm and volunteer to do that in some way that helps His Mission? That’s actually a question for all of us to answer at some point in our life.

P - PRAYER: Lord God, set my heart at ease as I seek to follow Your lead with all I am and have. In Jesus Name, Amen

Don't waste your time!

S - Scripture
Psalm 127 v. 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

O - Observation
Don't waste your time. Buy not involving the Lord, Jesus, in your plans, is wasted time. We need to recognize the one who made the physical (heaven and earth) and the relational (Man and woman.) Why wouldn't we go to the master builder for the things we do and build? Proverbs 3 v. 5, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Each day at the beginning of the day, one should spend time in prayer and/or in God's word. This habit, this discipline is how one gets in a partnership with the Lord on the things that you do. Jesus may not give you blue prints , but he will give you discernment and wisdom to your approach.

A - Application
Am I building with the Lord?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Give me wisdom for the things I need to do today. Love Will

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Remeber who created the Heaven and the Earth

S - Scripture
Psalm 124 v. 8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

O - Observation
Maker of Heaven and Earth. Given all the controversy regarding the origin of life and this world, if one believes in the maker of Heaven and Earth, why wouldn't thy believe that he would help you? John 1 v. 1-4, "In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; ALL THINGS were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men." Jesus was present at the time of creation. Jesus is aware of all the complexities of our life. No problem is to great to complex for him to solve.

A - Application
Do I believe that God created the Heaven and Earth?

P - Prayer
Jesus, My help is in you, creator of Heaven and Earth. Love Will

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Walk with Jesus

S - Scripture
Psalm 121 v. 8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever more.

O - Observation
Side by side. This verse is all about walking side by side with Jesus. We need to be in touch with him on a daily basis, not just on Sundays. Our sinful nature will inherently distance ourselves from Jesus. We need to keep him visible in our lives. God's word to the Israelites is applicable today as it was back then. Deuteronomy 6 v. 7b, 9, "Shall talk of them (God's words) when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when your rise. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." God knew that the magnet of Satan combined with our sinful flesh would pull us away from him. Thus the critical nature of his instructions. Walk with me, side by side, day in and day out.

A - Application
Am I walking side by side with Jesus?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Keep my going out and coming in to be with you. Love Will

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Build your life on God's Foundation

S - Scripture
Psalm 121 v. 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. 

O - Observation
Help. Webster defines this as, "aid, or something that makes life easier." Life is challenging. The world seems to be spinning out of control, economy's tough, country is bankrupt, countries are in total turmoil, natural disasters seem to be hitting more frequently and harder. How can we cope? We need to receive help from the maker of what we know. It has to be our foundation. Matthew 7 v. 24b-25, "Be like as wise man who built his house upon the rock; an the rain fell, and the floods come, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." God's aid to our life is not one time. Its foundational. Its designed to last.

A - Application
Where is your aid coming from?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for my foundation and aid.   Love Will

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Climb Mountains!

S - Scripture
Psalm 121 v. 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come?

O - Observation
High places. O how I love them I love climbing up mountains, river bluffs and buildings. There is a strong attraction to me. Why? The views are awesome! You can see a bigger picture of things. Being on the mountain top with God as your guide helps you to put a perspective on things. Romans 8 v. 28, " We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." So knowing that God has your best interest, gives one confidence to face the  trials of today. To get to the top of a hill, mountain, river bluff requires some work. Such is our life with Jesus. It requires commitment. Philippians 3 v. 14, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
 
A - Application
Am I climbing the mountains with God?

P - Prayer
Jesus, I lift my eyes up to the hills.  Love Will

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Follow the Law - It will give you Peace

S - Scripture
Psalm 119 v. 165 Great peace have those who love thy law; nothing can make them stumble.

O - Observation
The Law. That word stirs so much emotion. We think of the Law We think of restrictions. We sing about it. I like the Clash's version of "I fought the law and the law won." It's human nature to challenge something that doesn't make sense to me, or limits my freedom. Sometimes, however, laws that once made sense to longer do. That being said, God's law is timeless. God's law provides us with protection. It protects our soul (1st three commandments). It protects our body (Thou shall not Kill). It protects our relationship with each other (slander, covetousness, adultery). God's law in 10 simple commandments is the recipe for peace.

A - Application
How peaceful am I? Am I following God's law?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for the 10 Commandments.  Love Will

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The Viper

The Viper

Guest Blog Post by Gary Riedel 

S - SCRIPTURE: 

Acts 28:3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.

O - OBSERVATION: 

Yikes! A huge storm while on the sea, a shipwreck which they survived and now a viper attaches itself to Paul’s hand. I’m reminded of Numbers 21:4-9. The children of Israel were grumbling again against the Lord God, He sent fiery serpents among them and the bites killed many Israelites. They cried out for mercy and the Lord told Moses to make a brass serpent and hang it on a pole. All who looked at the serpent on the pole would live. Now Paul who has courageously testified about salvation through Jesus even at the risk of death was bitten on the hand by a viper. All waited for him to swell up and die, but he did not, he went on as though nothing had happened. Why was he ok? Because he looked to the cross of Christ for his salvation. God had

more kingdom work for him to do and preserved him in spite of the viper’s bite.

A - APPLICATION: What does all of this have to do with you and I?God chose us to be His own, to be His ambassadors for Christ. 2Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ’s Ambassadors as 

though God were making His appeal through us. We are to spread the reconciliation of Christ Jesus among our fellowman. Therefore we should move ahead with the task, and not be deterred by a serpent, or by a disease of the devil called Covid. God has important work for His ambassador’s and we must not be deterred. When we are on His mission, He will be with us until the end of the earth, Matt. 28:20. Therefore we will not fear, not because we are foolish braggarts, but because we belong to Him, and humbly we sing, “Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee.”

P - PRAYER: Almighty God, You have my life in Your hands, help me to serve you with all that I am and have. In Jesus Name, Amen 

Photo by Chris Curry on Unsplash

Use your Spiritual Flashlight!

S - Scripture
Psalm 119 v. 105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.

O - Observation
Clarity. God's word provides clarity to life. The analogy is great. I think of walking around the campsite after dark.  There's sticks, stones, branches, uneven paths. Walking without a flashlight is an adventure. But, once he flashlight is on, all of the "hazards" are revealed , are clearly seen. Webster defines clearly as, "in a way that is easy to see, hear or understand." God's word, the Bible, is our spiritual flashlight. There are lots of "hazards" in life. We need to read and meditate on his word - daily!! What good is a flashlight if you don't turn it on? Proverbs 30 v. 5, "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield for those who take refuge in him."

A - Application
Are you using your spiritual flashlight?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Your word is a light to my path.  Love Will

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Be smart in what you feed yourself

S - Scripture
Psalm 119 v. 103 How sweet are thy words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

O - Observation
Taste buds. We all know what we like to eat. It tastes good!!! (Smell is helpful too!) Conversely we know what tastes bitter and awful. Obviously we can't taste God's words with our tongue, but God did place in
us the Spiritual taste buds of our conscience. Webster defines conscience as "a feeling of the difference between right and wrong." Sweet or bitter, right or wrong. The words that we hear have a distinct "taste" to them. Words inspire, words move people. What we read and listen to will shape our lives. God's word, because it is based on truth and love provides the best "tasting" meal that we will ever get.
 
A - Application
What am I "feeding" myself? How does what I read, watch or listen to taste on my spiritual taste buds?

P - Prayer
Jesus, How sweet are your words!!!  Love Will

Image by Дарья Яковлева from Pixabay

Learn how to give Good Judgement

S - Scripture
Psalm 119 v. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in thy commandments.

O - Observation
Good Judgment. That is what everyone craves. We are all faced with many decisions, choices. Lots of them are murky decisions, no clear cut wrong or right answer. Sometimes, its the "lesser of evils." How do we get good judgment to handle these? The second half of this verse is the key. "For I believe in they commandments." God has given us his word to study, to learn, to help us develop Good Judgment.  2 Timothy 3 v, 16-17, "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in  righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. " Yes to get Good Judgment, one must spend consistent time reading, studying, meditating and praying over God's word.

A - Application
Do I have Good Judgment? My judgments are based on what?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Teach me good Judgment and knowledge.  Love Will

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Be wise with what you let in

 S - Scripture
Psalm 119 v. 11 I have laid up thy word in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.

O - Observation
The door knob, the heart. The heart is what shapes or influences what a person does.  We make conscious decisions to open our hearts to things. After all, Matthew 6 v. 21, " For where your treasure is, there will be your heart." The problem is - there's a competing war for control of the door to your soul. We battle our sinful nature, fueled by the devil's encouragement. Jesus recognized this when he said in Matthew 15 v. 19, "For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander." How do we combat that? We need to see who's knocking at our Door. Revelation 3 v. 20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in into him and eat with him and he with me."

A - Application
Whom or what am I letting in?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Come Lord Jesus, Come into my heart.  Love Will

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Stay Focused

S - Scripture
Psalm 119 v. 10 With my whole heart I seek thee, let me not wonder from thy commandments.

O - Observation
Wandering away. That is the MOST scariest thing I can think can happen to a person. Wandering away from the faith. People that wander lose focus. Webster define focus as "the center of attention or interest. " How do you NOT wonder? Keep Jesus as your center. The first half of this verse says it all. "With my WHOLE HEART I seek thee." The great news is when we seek the Lord we will NOT be disappointed. Matthew 7 v. 7, "Ask and it will be give to you, SEEK and you will FIND. Knock and it will be opened to you." The world, Satan, will throw many distractions our way. Some of them may not be in itself sinister or evil, but if these things pull our focus from Jesus, distract us from keeping him in the center of our lives - then watch out!!

A - Application
What is my focus? What is the center of my attention?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let me not wander from thy commandments.  Love Will

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Each Day is a Gift from God

S - Scripture
Psalm 118 v. 24 This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

O - Observation
This is the day! Carpe Diem. Size the Day. Every day, every morning  when we wake up is a gift from God. Lamentations 3 v. 22-23, " The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to and end; THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; great is thy faithfulness." Since the Lord has given us this day, what will we do with it? This psalm gives us a start on a long list that we can make. Rejoice! Be
Glad. Give thanks.  Psalm 118 v. 1, "O give thanks to the Lord for his is good, his steadfast love endures forever!" Everyday, as we start the day, we should give thanks to our Savior. It helps put things in perspective. Philippians 4 v. 11b, "For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.

A - Application
How do I start my day?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Today is the day you have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.  Love Will

Kicking Against the Goads

 Kicking Against the Goads

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: 

Acts 26:14b “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

O-OBSERVATION: These are the words of Jesus as He spoke to Paul on the way to Damascus. First of all a goad is a stick, blunt on one end, and sharpened on the other. It is used by those driving teams of oxen. When the ox would bulk at pulling the load, the driver would prod it gently at first, to help the ox make up his mind. Sometimes a stubborn ox would kick the goad, which hurt considerably more. So, when Jesus confronted Saul the persecutor on the road to Damascus, the statement fit perfectly, for Paul, rather than listening to the words of the disciples and perhaps the gentle nudging of God’s Spirit, was kicking against the goad and Jesus got his attention by blinding him. The point of the stick, blindness, forced Saul to listen.

A - APPLICATION: What about you and I, when Jesus is urging us to step out for Him, how often have I kicked against the goad? As a farmer how many times have I used my profession as an excuse not to come to an important meeting at church. How many times do we simply say I’m too busy! In my job I’m finally beginning to understand the harvest is His. He gives me the ability to plant the crop, He gives the rain and sunshine in proper increments, He harnesses the storm

to protect the crop. I’m only a simple steward of the land He graciously gives me for the years he has preordained for me, Psalm:139:16. Psalm 24:1a The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. You see, the land is His, the harvest is His, thankfully, I am His! For that I will sing His Praises with every breath that I am able until I’m with Him forever!

P - PRAYER: Oh Gracious Father, help me to never kick against the goad again, but rather let me heed your call on every part of my life. Help me to surrender all to You, In Jesus Name, Amen

Reject the World's rejection of Jesus

S - Scripture
Psalm 118 v. 22 The stone which the builders rejected has  become the head of the corner.

O - Observation

Rejection. This verse is abut rejection. The world rejects Jesus, but he is the cornerstone, the foundation of our heavenly life. Webster defines reject as to "not accept". We can't accept what the world says about Jesus. 1 Corinthians 1 v. 19, For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." We can't accept what the world says about our priorities, about what we spend our time pursuing. Jesus tell us in Matthew 6 v. 33, " But seek first his kingdom and all his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well."  We can't accept what the world says about status and Power. Jesus said in Mark 9 v. 35b, " If anyone be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." So the reality is, we must reject the rejection of the world.

A - Application
What am I rejecting? The world or Jesus?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to reject the worlds rejection of you.  Love Will

Get Personal!

S - Scripture
Psalm 118 v. 14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

O - Observation
Its personal. This verse makes our faith, our relationship with Jesus personal. My strength. My song. My salvation. How do we make it personal? After all he has BECOME my salvation. How do we go about becoming? It's like any other relationship, you got to spend some time, some cycles with that person. Romans 10 v. 17a, "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ."" Where can we find this preaching? Read the Bible, especially Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. There it is, Jesus words to the people. Its as applicable today as it was back then. Hebrews 4 v. 12, "For the word of God is living and active."

A - Application
Am I spending time in God's word? Am I working on this relationship?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You are my strength, song and Salvation.  Love Will

Make the Right Choice!!!

S - Scripture
Psalm 118 v. 8  It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

O - Observation
The right choice. All of us have a choice in life. Do we rely on the Lord, his word, his promises, or do we rely on our own wealth, position or other people's wealth and status? Do we rely on the seen vs. unseen? Mary and Martha had this choice when Jesus visited them. One spent the time getting things ready (Martha), the other spent time listening to Jesus (Mary). Jesus response to them was, Luke 10 v. 41, "Martha, Martha you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needed, Mary had chosen the good portion which will not be taken from her." What you rely on, is where you put your energy and focus on. Jesus tell us in Matthew 6 v. 19-20, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." This is where non of those things can touch it!!

A - Application
What is my choice? Where am I putting my confidence?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You are my rock and refuge.   Love Will

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