Don't ever forget the Value of Life!

S - Scripture
Psalm 139 v. 13,16  For thou didst from my inward parts, thou didst knit me together in my mother's womb.

O - Observation
We are God's craftsmanship. This verse is Key in understanding how valuable we are. God personally has been involved in creating you. The whole miracle of birth. The creation of life. God is the giver of life. He has a specific plan for each person. Psalm 139 v. 16, "the eyes behold my unformed substance, in thy book were written, everyone of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them." Yes, there's a plan for you and I. Which is why abortion is such a dangerous proposition to get into. We play God and determine what is right vs. wrong. Abortion is halting God's personal craftsmanship, and no one likes being interrupted. Abortion is taking away life. Speaking from personal experience, one never knows what God has in store for the life a child that may have been aborted.

A - Application
Do I value life, even the life of an unborn child?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for your craftsmanship on me.  Love Will

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Your Mind leads your body!

S - Scripture
Psalm 139 v. 1-2 O Lord, thou hast searched me and know me! Thou knowest when I sit down and when I rise up; thou discreet my thought's from afar.

O - Observation
Inside out. God knows us inside and out. He knows where we go and what we are doing. Every moment. He knows what is going through our mind. All the time. Romans 14 v.12, "So each of us shall give account of himself to God." So everything is being recorded. We can't hide anything from God. Knowing this should motivate us to do things that are pleasing to God. My good friend Eric has a great saying, "Where the mind goes so follows the body." Philippians 4 v. 8, "Finally brethren, whatever is true whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS."

A - Application
Where is my mind leading my body? Am I cool knowing God knows everything I do?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Guide me to live my life for your glory.  Love Will

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While We Were Sinners

 While We Were Sinners

Guest Blog by Gary Riedel

S - SCRIPTURE: 

Romans 5:8 But GOD shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

O- OBSERVATION:

What a beautiful verse of scripture! What makes it really sweet to me is that it reminds me in such a powerful way that my sins don’t doom me. God’s love for those He created is so great that while we were yet sinners He sent His only Son to die on the cross that you and I and  all who believe in Jesus might have eternal life. You see there is nothing you or I can do to earn eternal life for ourselves, “Jesus paid it all”, as the old Hymn says. Or the words of Jesus in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Jesus has reconciled us to God by His death!

A - APPLICATION: 

The sins of my past, present or future are all paid for by Jesus, I need only to repent and believe the words of 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He, is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!

P - PRAYER: Oh Gracious Father, thank YOU for loving us even while we were sinful, thank YOU for sending Jesus to free us from the consequences of our sin. All praise and thanks I give to you! In Jesus Name, Amen 

God has given you a purpose

S - Scripture
Psalm 138 v. 8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; thy steadfast love O lord endures forever. Do not fore sake the work of thy hands.

O - Observation
Purpose. The great question each of us asks. What's our purpose? Why are we here? This psalm gives us the foundation for the answer to the question. The Lord has a purpose for you. That's where we need to start when working to find the answer to this question. We need to turn our eyes, our focus on God vs. what the would provides as an answer. Romans 12 v.2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." How do we find out what God's will is for us? Pray, read the Bible and then do. You will never know what your purpose is if you don't get into the game.

A - Application
Am I seeking out what my Purpose is?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Fulfill, reveal your purpose for me.  Love Will

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God is with you!

S - Scripture
Psalm 138 v. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me.

O - Observation
Armor all. Godly version of Armor all. "God must protect his house!" As Christians, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have a special unique difference. We house God's spirit. 1 Corinthians 3 v. 16, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and God's spirit dwells in you?" This is what helps to separate us from other folks. The Holy Spirit helps us to be unique. Galatians 5 v. 22-23a, "But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, joy , peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, genteelness, self control. " Because we are Gods and part of Gods' temple, he is zealous for us. After all, the first 3 commandments are about worshiping and honoring the one TRUE God.
 
A - Application
Do I fully realize what it means to be a Christian?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for being zealous for me. Love Will

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God understands - What a relief

S - Scripture
Psalm 138 v. 6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he knows from afar.
 
O - Observation
Willing to muck in the mud. I love this verse. This verse states the fact about our God. The one that created everything, heaven and earth, is willing to be personally involved in our lives. He is and was willing to personally live his life on earth for us. That would be like us willing to be an ant in an ant colony. Uggh. Who wants to do that? Because Jesus has done this for us, it creates  the ability to have a personal relationship with him. After all, he was human, he understands hot and cold, love and hate, hungry and full, sadness and happiness. Since we have this connection, it makes Hebrews 4 v. 16 all the more real, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need."

A - Application
Have you paused to think how awesome it is to have a relationship with the maker of Heaven and Earth?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Thank you for regarding me. Love Will

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Think about how Awesome is God

S - Scripture
Psalm 138 v. 5 And thy shall sing O the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.

O - Observation
Great is the Glory of the Lord. Its hard not to sing praises to God when you think about how awesome he is. The things you see proclaim his glory. Psalm 19 v. 1, " The heaven are telling the Glory of God, and the firmament proclaims to his handiwork."  Psalm 24 v. 1a, " The earth is the Lords, and the fullness thereof. " The acts he has done proclaims his glory. 1 John 4 v. 19b, "because he FIRST LOVED us".  Which leads to Romans 5 v.9, "But God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Now THAT is amazing! The way of our Lord is LOVE. Love beyond what we can comprehend.

A - Application
Am I singing of all the amazing ways of the Lord?

P - Prayer
Jesus, Lord, I'm amazed by you!! Love Will

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