We have to manage the emotion of Pride!!!

Major Prophets - Old Testament
S - Scripture
Isaiah 3 v. 16  The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, strutting along with swaying hips, with ornaments jingling on their ankles.

O - Observation
Pride. The most DANGEROUS emotion there is. Self pride is a killer. This verse is the first half of an If/Then statement. If Prideful, then verse 17, which has the words - smite and lay bare. Self pride is a one way ticket to God's punishment. In fact, it is the very first thing on the list of things God hates. Proverbs 6 v. 16a, 17a, "There are six things which the Lord hates, haughty eyes." Self pride is what did Satan in, why he was kicked out of heaven. But, Pride can be O.K. especially if it is focused towards things eternal. 2 Corinthians 10 v. 17, "Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord."

A - Application
How am I handling the emotion of Pride?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Keep my eyes and heart focused on you and not myself. Love Will

We desperatly need Jesus

Wisdom - Old Testament
S - Scripture
Ecclesiastes 3 v. 16 Moreover I saw under the sun that in the place of Justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.

O - Observation
No one is perfect. All of us has fallen short of God's expectations, of God's laws. No one, regardless of how good they are, has ever been perfect. Isaiah 64 v. 6, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." Really, this verse is all about John 3 v. 16. It points out how truly desperately we need Jesus. The fact that God sent his Son to Jesus to take away our sins so that we may have eternal life with him, is cause for celebration. We just need to stay focused on him, what he has done for us, and shift our focus away from us and our sin.

A - Application
Do I realize how desperately I need Jesus?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for dying and rising again so that I may live with you forever. Love Will

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Be a student of God's wisdom

Wisdom - Old Testament
S - Scripture
Proverbs 3 v. 16 Long life is her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor.

O - Observation - A descriptor of wisdom. This verse is in the middle of a cluster of verses that describe wisdom. Wisdom produces the things of life that we all want, a good life. So where do we get this wisdom? Proverbs 1 v. 7a, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." And.. Proverbs 1 v. 33, "Bu the who listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of evil." Wisdom comes from following God's word. Wisdom comes from trusting in God's master plan, accepting Jesus as your savior. Accepting that he died for yours and mine sin. Proverbs 3 v.  5-6, " 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."

A - Application
How wise am I? Am I seeking Godly wisdom?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to be a student of your wisdom. Love Will

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Remove the veils of your life!!!

Wisdom - Epistles - New Testament
S - Scripture
2 Corinthians 3 v. 16  But when a man turns to the Lord his veil is removed.

O - Observation
God's logic becomes logical when you have faith. One can hear the word of God, but its not until the Holy Spirit enters into their lives that they can actually listen and turn to God and understand. Our prideful sinful selves simply put a veil over our eyes to prevent us from seeing clearly. 1 Corinthians 1 v. 22-23, 25, "For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the gentiles. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." So how does one take off the veil? Romans 10 v. 17, "So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes from the preaching of Christ." Digest these deep thoughts, read the Bible, go to church, but most importantly, pray for the Holy Spirit to enter into your lives. 1 Corinthians 12 v. 3b, "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit.”
 
A - Application
Is the veil still over my eyes?

P - Prayer
Heavenly Father, Send your Holy Spirit into my life.  Love Will

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You are God's Temple!!!

Wisdom - Epistles - New Testament
S - Scripture
1 Corinthians 3 v. 16  Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?


O - Observation
My BODY is NOT my TEMPLE - but Gods. How well are we keeping the temple? We get some instruction on temple upkeep in 1 Timothy 4 v. 7b-8, "Train yourself in Godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Temple upkeep requires spiritual discipline. We need to read the bible daily. Pray. Meditate on God's word. Fast. Follow God's word. Strive to follow his instructions. A key sin that wrecks the temple is immorality. 1 Corinthians 6 v. 18, 19b-20, "Shun immorality. Every other sin which man commits is outside of the body; but the immoral man sin against hi own body. .... You are not your own: you were bought with a price."

A - Application
How is my temple upkeep?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Help me to be a good steward of your temple, both spiritually and physically. Love Will

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Seek First the Kingdom

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:33 Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all of these things shall be added unto you.

OBSERVATION: If we read the previous verses, Jesus is cautioning us about the dangers of working or obsessing so much about THINGS that we focus on rather than on Him. He is not telling us we shouldn’t work to earn a living, but don’t make an idol out of work or anything we gain by working. Things will not take us to heaven, only faith in Jesus. Therefore we should seek first His Kingdom, and learn to rely on Him rather than self.

APPLICATION: When we live our lives, do our job, provide for our family, God expects us to do such things. What He doesn’t want us to do is get so caught up in earning a dollar and building a career that we lose sight of who it is that gives us all things, even the ability to work and the 
work itself are His gifts to us. Be thankful always for God’s gifts to us, especially the gift of eternal life through faith in His only Son.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for food and drink, clothes, and work. Help us Lord to never forget that You are the giver of all good and perfect gifts. Most of all let us never be consumed by greed, but May we always put our faith and trust in You alone. In the Name of Your
Son we pray. Amen

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Remember why we need a Savior!

Wisdom - Epistles - New Testament
S - Scripture
Romans  3 v. 16  In their paths are ruin and misery.

O - Observation
The Power of sin. This verse is in the middle of a description of the Power of Sin and the results of it. Webster defines sin as "the breaking of the law of God." God developed these laws for our protection, not our punishment. But, when we sin, it results in ruin and misery. We can't help it we are born sinful. No one is perfect. Thus God sent his Son Jesus to save us from our inability to keep God's laws. In Matthew 5 v. 17 Jesus says, "Think not that I have to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come NOT to abolish them, but to Fulfill them."  Jesus being perfect, fulfilled the Law of God on our behalf. This saves us from the eternal aspect of sin. God will punish all sinners, unless they call upon the name of Jesus. Knowing those facts does not change our approach to strive to follow God's words. It will bless your time on earth.

A - Application
How am I dealing with the sins in my life?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for fulfilling the laws since I can't.  Help me to strive to follow your words.  Love Will

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Troubles have a purpose!

History - Old Testament
S - Scripture
Job  3 v. 16  Or why was I not as a hidden untimely birth, as infants that never see the light?

O - Observation
Desperation. In this verse Job is wishing he wasn't even born since his life was sucking so bad. I can relate. There are times when life simply stinks. Why do we go through these bad times? Psalm 50 v. 15 gives us a clue. "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." God allows these bad things to happen as a way to make you desperate for him. At the time when you are most venerable is the time you take down the shield of self pride and allow God to take control. And he will deliver you. That is a promise. We need to be desperate for him and he will deliver. Jeremiah 29 v. 13, "You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all you heart." Seek - Find - Deliver - Glorify. An amazing chain of events.
 
A - Application
Am I desperate for Jesus? Am I seeking, calling him?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for delivering me. You are most glorious.  Love Will

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We all have a part to play!

History - Old Testament
S - Scripture
Nehemiah 3 v. 16  After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Bethzur, repaired to a point opposite the sepulchers of David, to the artificial pool, and to the house of the mighty men.

O - Observation
We all play a part. Chapter 3 of the book Nehemiah lists who was assigned to what part of the wall to repair/rebuild. Jerusalem's walls were in complete disrepair. Nehemiah, was called to rebuild them. He organized and rallied the people of Jerusalem to repair the walls. We to are called to build something. Matthew 28 v. 19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." How do we approach such a grand task? We work together, use the gifts that we have in conjunction with each other. 1 Corinthians 12 v. 6-7, "and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common Good."

A - Application
Am I playing a role in God's command? Do I know what my assignment is?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Make it abundantly clear to me what my assignment/role is for your command.  Love Will

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God is a God of Detail

History - Old Testament

S - Scripture
2 Chronicles  3 v. 16  He made chains like a necklace and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.

O - Observation
We are fearfully, wonderfully, and intentionally made. This verse is the beginning of the detailed description of the temple of the Lord that Solomon built. The one thing that is very evident as I read through the Bible, God is a God of detail, each part for a very specific use. How about ourselves? Psalm 139 v. 13, "For thou didst form my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mothers womb." God provides further clarification in 1 Corinthians 12 v. 22-24, " On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those parts of the body which we think less honorable, we invest with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts which are treated with greater modesty."

A - Application
Have I pondered how complex my body really is? Do I give thanks to God for his attention to detail?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for your attention to detail on all things. Love Will

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Take advantage of your time on earth!!!

History - Old Testament
S - Scripture
1 Chronicles  3 v. 16 The descendants of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.

O - Observation
Come and gone. This verse to me points out how short a time we have on earth. 200 years from now, I'll be just a name on a list. The things I said and did more than likely will be a distant memory. Psalm 144 v. 4, "Man is like a breath, a passing shadow." So if our time is so short, does that mean we have nothing to live for? No Way!!! I find it interesting that this verse points out to the generations. We have the ability to influence three maybe four generations. The choices we make will impact not only our kids, but our grand kids as well. What is the most important choice? Proverbs 22 v. 6, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." It is CRITICAL to have Jesus Christ as the center of your life.

A - Application
How can I take advantage of my time on earth?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for my life. Help me to influence generations.  Love Will

 

Never forget the absolute power of Jesus

History - New Testament
S - Scripture
Acts 3 v. 16  And his name, by faith in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the faith which is true, Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

O - Observation
The Power of Jesus. In this verse, Peter is explaining to a crowd at the temple how a lame beggar was able to walk.  He was healed in the name of Jesus. Think of the absolute Power of Jesus. Demons tremble at his name. Matthew 8 v. 28, 29, "Two demonic meet him (Jesus) coming out of the tombs, and behold they cried out, "What have you to do with us O Son of God?"  He gives us strength. Philippians 4 v. 13, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me. He controls every thing. Psalm 24 v.1, "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein."

A - Application
Do I recognize the Absolute Power of Jesus?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for being my God.  Love Will

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His Teaching and Freedom

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: John 8:31,32 Jesus said: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

O - OBSERVATION: There is a lot of talk in this country about losing our freedoms, the government has gotten too big etc. But regardless of your political leanings and your idea
of what government should look like, Jesus is not talking about that kind of freedom. Rather He is talking about freedom from the consequences of sin, death and the devil. The truths of Jesus absolve the penitent sinner, you and me of our sin. 1 John 1:8,9.

A - APPLICATION: So what does that mean for my life? It means everything! It means that we need not worry about the future, because the real future is eternal life and freedom with Jesus forever in eternity. Whether you are ill, have a scary operation or procedure in your future, always remember that Jesus is your real future whether you live or die, He is with you and holds you in His everlasting arms all the way into eternity and forever. So hold to His teachings and know the freedom that comes from knowing beyond the shadow of a doubt that you are HIS forever!!

P - PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Your grace is sufficient for us for Your strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Help us through prayer, the Word, and the power of the Spirit to always trust You and Your Word. For in faith, Lord, we believe Your teaching grant us freedom. In Jesus Name, Amen

God will deliver on his promises!!!

History - Old Testament

S - Scripture
2 Kings  3 v. 16  And he said, "Thus says the Lord, I will make this dry stream bed full of pools.

O - Observation
God stays true to his promises, even the hard to believe ones. This verse is in the middle of the account where the Kings of Israel, Judah and Edom were planning to make ware against the Moabites. The problem was, big army and no water. No signs of water. Nothing. So they sought Elisha the prophet. Elisha delivers the news to the kings in today's verse. Here's the results. 2 King 3 v. 20, "The next morning... behold, water came from the direction of Edom till the country was filled with water." What other promises has God made that seem hard to believe?  1) Sending his son to save the world. See Isaiah 9 v. 6-7.  2) That he will be with us always. See Matthew 28 v. 20b.  3) That he will come again to Judge everybody. See Hebrews 9 v. 27.

A - Application
Do I believe that God will deliver on his promises? Even the hard to believe ones?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You are all knowing and all powerful. Remind me of that. Love Will

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

 

Let go of your agenda and follow God's agenda

History - Old Testament

S - Scripture
1 Kings  3 v. 16  Then the two harlots came to the King and stood before him.

O - Observation
God delivers in his way. This verse is the beginning of God revealing his promise to Solomon, that he would be the wisest man ever. So, instead of Solomon just heading to the biggest issue of the day and flexing his newly provided wisdom, God instead sends him the interesting dilemma of the two whores. Trailer trash. Both claimed that a child was theirs. Both said that the other woman's child died at night while sleeping/nursing. An unsolvable riddle. But, this was God's way of revealing his promise to Solomon. Solomon rendered judgment on who's child it was that was logical and true. The whole kingdom heard the results and where amazed. Read 1 Kings 3. Fast forward several hundred years. God delivered his promise of Salvation. Jesus came to be a King. But not an earthly King, not just for the Jews, but for Everyone.

A - Application
Do I get frustrated when things don't go the way I want them to? Can I let go of my agenda and follow God's agenda?

P - Prayer
Jesus, You are in control. I will follow. Love Will

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People's lives are messy - Jesus can clean them up!

History - Old Testament
S - Scripture
2 Samuel 3 v. 16  But her husband (Palti) went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, "Go, Return."  And he returned. 


O - Observation
Goofed up situations. This verse is in the middle of a very Goofed up situation. Here, David is trying to make a covenant with Abner the son of Saul. Saul is trying to kill David. Saul is pissed off at Abner. And... Saul gave away Michal, his daughter to another man, even though she was married to David.  1 Samuel 25 v. 44a, "Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to Palti the son of Lassh." Not a wonder her husband was crying. He was getting ready to meet David, the original husband, and a great warrior. This story really reminds me that People's lives are messy. They can be complicated and fraught with conflict. But, there is great news. Jesus came to this world to unmessy the mess. We just need to call upon him.

A - Application
Am I trying to fix my own goofed up situations without calling upon the Lord?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Save me from my goofed up situations.  Love Will

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Be Ready when you are called!

History - Old Testament
S - Scripture
1 Samuel  3 v. 16  But Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." And he said, "Here I am."

O - Observation
Be ready when you are called. Prior to this verse, God told Samuel that he was going to punish Eli since Eli let his sons go wild. Samuel was called to deliver a message that was hard to hear. But yet, he did. God was with him. We are called to deliver news that the World does not want to hear. 1 Peter 3 v. 15b, "Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you." This may be hard, since the world does NOT see it your way. We need to remember 1 Corinthians 1 v. 18, "for the word of the cross is folly to those perishing, but to us who are saved it is the Power of God." What will we do when called? We must be like Isaiah when he heard the voice of the Lord ask, who will go for us? Isaiah 6 v. 8b, "Then I said, "Here am I, send me."

A - Application
How am I responding to the voice of God? Am I living and sharing what God has told me thru the Bible?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Here I am. Send me. Send me!!!!  Love Will

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You are being observed!

History - Old Testament
S - Scripture
Ruth 3 v. 16 And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "How did you fare, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her.

O - Observation
You are being observed. This is the story of Ruth. What set this story in motion was Ruth's decision to stay with her Mother-in-law even after her own husband died, even though she was in a foreign country. She had a choice. Stay with her Mother-in-law, stay in her beliefs, in the one true God, or go back home. She chose to stay. People saw that and talked. The word got to Boaz, and he gave Ruth special privileges in gleaning wheat for food. So it is with us. We are being observed. The things we do are being discussed. Our actions our decision in life, will impact us and our immediate circle, but it will also cause ripples beyond what we are aware.

A - Application
My life, my choices, what sort of ripples am I sending out?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Let my actions and my choices reflect you.  Love Will

Photo by José Martín Ramírez Carrasco 

When facing troubles - face the Lord

History - Old Testament
S - Scripture
Judges 3 v. 16 And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length; and he girded it on his right thigh under his clothes.

O - Observation
God will send a deliverer. Prior to his verse the Israelites were under the rule of an evil King. The Israelites cried to the Lord for help. Judges 3 v. 15a, "But when the people of Israel cried to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliver, Ehud." Ehud ended up slaying the King and leading the Israelites over his army. The result was 80 years of rest. We need to realize that when we face troubles, we need to instead face the Lord. Psalm 50 v. 15, "And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." I love the logic of this verse. Call upon God, He will deliver, we will sing his praise. Makes me think of the ultimate deliver. Jesus. How awesome it is that God sent his only son to deliver us from our sins.
 
A - Application
Am I calling upon the Lord in the Day of trouble?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for sending your son to save me from eternal damnation. Love Will

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Losing in Order to Save

 Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: Luke 9:24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it.

O - OBSERVATION: At first glance this would seem like a very controversial verse, but one has to consider that these are the words of Jesus as He is speaking to His disciples. Immediately preceding this verse is verse 23 which says; “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” It is not an easy task to follow Jesus and give up everything that you have been doing as the disciples did, hence the reference to taking up their cross daily. They could never go back to doing their own thing, but only the things of Jesus.
Therefore we must lose our own life, our old way of doing things in order to be saved. Romans 6:4 speaks of how baptism works in us to help us live a new life.

A - APPLICATION: Following Jesus is just as difficult today as it was at the time Jesus spoke these words. Laying down our old habits, our old ways of doing things for ourselves, saying no to all of the electronic distractions, is indeed difficult, but if we want to allow Jesus to save us, we need to put Him first! We need to lose our ways so the space can be filled with His ways. The first Commandment is; “Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me!” If we put our desires ahead of Jesus, we are not losing our life in order that it be saved. To lose our lives, brothers and 
sisters is a daily discipline, which requires the help of Jesus.

P - PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us Lord to lose our old selfish lives in order to find the new life in You. Help us to lose in order that we might be saved by faith in Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen