Blessed or Happy is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord vs 7
I is a wonderful thing to trust in the Lord as we journey through life's ups and downs but it is far greater to come to the realization or should I say revelation of the God in whom we trust.
For he will be like a tree planted by the water...vs8 Let me point out 5 things a person will learn when they completely trust God.
knows how growing deeper
knows how to face challenges
knows how to prosper
Knows how to weather a storm
knows how to remain fruitful
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Luke 22
In Luke 22 Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples. This passover would be different because it would make 2 important transitions for the followers of Jesus.
1. It would transition the disciples from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. The bread was His body and the wine was His blood. No longer would there be a covering of sins but now there would be the removal of sin.
2. It would transition the believers from Israel to the Church. The Gospel would be good news for the world. Jesus would die, be buried and rise again for whosoever would believe(Jew or Gentile).
1. It would transition the disciples from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. The bread was His body and the wine was His blood. No longer would there be a covering of sins but now there would be the removal of sin.
2. It would transition the believers from Israel to the Church. The Gospel would be good news for the world. Jesus would die, be buried and rise again for whosoever would believe(Jew or Gentile).
Friday, April 18, 2008
Hosea 10:12
"Sow with a view to righteousness, reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground. For it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you."
Every person sows seed. The Bible says if we sow in the flesh we will reap the flesh but if we sow in the Spirit we will reap in the spirit(Galatians 6:7). When we sow we should look at what we are planting. We should keep in view what we are trying to achieve.
Seeking the Lord should be a priority with every believer. Seeking the Kingdom of God should be our pursuit.
We should learn how to wait on the Lord. The Lord has an answer. The Lord brings good things to those who wait.
Every person sows seed. The Bible says if we sow in the flesh we will reap the flesh but if we sow in the Spirit we will reap in the spirit(Galatians 6:7). When we sow we should look at what we are planting. We should keep in view what we are trying to achieve.
Seeking the Lord should be a priority with every believer. Seeking the Kingdom of God should be our pursuit.
We should learn how to wait on the Lord. The Lord has an answer. The Lord brings good things to those who wait.
Monday, April 14, 2008
John 19
Several statements are made in Verse 1-30 of the chapter.
"I find no guilt in Him" (vs 4) Jesus was sinless. He was perfect.
All authority is given by God in the affairs of men (vs 11) What rulers think they are doing of there own accord is allowed or not allowed by God.
"Women behold your son"..."Behold your mother" (vs 26-27) Jesus was reminding us that we must take responsibility for each other. In the kingdom of God we are a spiritual family.
"I find no guilt in Him" (vs 4) Jesus was sinless. He was perfect.
All authority is given by God in the affairs of men (vs 11) What rulers think they are doing of there own accord is allowed or not allowed by God.
"Women behold your son"..."Behold your mother" (vs 26-27) Jesus was reminding us that we must take responsibility for each other. In the kingdom of God we are a spiritual family.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Luke 19 1-10
In Luke 19 we have a great story that has so many different lessons for us to learn.
vs 1- When Jesus was on the earth He would travel different places. For those who had heard about the things Jesus was doing this became there opportunity for change.
vs 2- Zaccheus was a man who had traded his identity for money and it had paid off but he was poor spiritually.
vs 3- Zaccheus was faced with challenges. First he didn't know who Jesus was(greatest challenge). Secondly He had a large crowd to contend with. Thirdly he was small in stature.
vs 4- Zaccheus did something about his challenges. He put himself in a position to see the Lord.
vs 5- Jesus took notice
vs 6- Zaccheus responded
vs 7- People got angry
vs 8- Zaccheus repented
vs 9- Jesus brings salvation to Zaccheus
vs 10- Jesus states His purpose for coming to earth "to seek and to save that which was lost".
vs 1- When Jesus was on the earth He would travel different places. For those who had heard about the things Jesus was doing this became there opportunity for change.
vs 2- Zaccheus was a man who had traded his identity for money and it had paid off but he was poor spiritually.
vs 3- Zaccheus was faced with challenges. First he didn't know who Jesus was(greatest challenge). Secondly He had a large crowd to contend with. Thirdly he was small in stature.
vs 4- Zaccheus did something about his challenges. He put himself in a position to see the Lord.
vs 5- Jesus took notice
vs 6- Zaccheus responded
vs 7- People got angry
vs 8- Zaccheus repented
vs 9- Jesus brings salvation to Zaccheus
vs 10- Jesus states His purpose for coming to earth "to seek and to save that which was lost".
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Isaiah 42
Vs 4- "He will not be disheartened or crushed..." All of Isaiah 42 is about Gods hand of direction leading us. We live and experience seasons of revelation and those times will come to an end, but then God says Vs 9- "Behold the former things have come to pass, now I declare NEW THINGS before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." WOW! God has a plan and His plan includes the beginning of new things and the end of old things and then the beginning of new things.
How do we know when something is ending and something new is starting?We need to use our spiritual senses.
Open your ears and listen to Gods voice
Open your eyes and observe Gods signs
How do we know when something is ending and something new is starting?We need to use our spiritual senses.
Open your ears and listen to Gods voice
Open your eyes and observe Gods signs
Friday, March 14, 2008
Zechariah 7:1-14
Thinking out Loud
Everybody wants the favor of the Lord. verse 2
Favor does not come through formulas we devise. Favor is part of the plan when we simply follow the lord with all of our heart. Favor is not a reward. Favor should not be sought. Favor comes to those who submit to the ways of the Lord.
There are things that God will ask of everyone.
1. Learn spiritual disciplines
2. Demonstrate true righteousness by helping others
There are ways that we can respond to God.
1. We can make our hearts soft or hard
2. We can listen or not listen
We can turn something good into something difficult. verse 14
Everybody wants the favor of the Lord. verse 2
Favor does not come through formulas we devise. Favor is part of the plan when we simply follow the lord with all of our heart. Favor is not a reward. Favor should not be sought. Favor comes to those who submit to the ways of the Lord.
There are things that God will ask of everyone.
1. Learn spiritual disciplines
2. Demonstrate true righteousness by helping others
There are ways that we can respond to God.
1. We can make our hearts soft or hard
2. We can listen or not listen
We can turn something good into something difficult. verse 14
Friday, March 7, 2008
Isaiah 34
As I looked at this chapter the very first words spoke to my heart "Draw near". Drawing near can mean a couple things.
1. Taking a closer look at what is happening. Have you ever noticed that when there is an accident on the road people will slow down and even stop to see what has happened. God says take a good look at all that is happening in the world today. Lets make it more personal. Take a look at what is happening in your life right now. There are consequences to our actions. Some people don't like the word wrath, lets be real, it happens. verse 1-2
2. To get closer to God is what life is all about. God wants us to have a close relationship with Him. God says draw near to me and I will draw near to you. When we draw near we find out that God has better things in mind for us than we have for ourselves. In the process of finding Gods best we are challenged to make some changes that result in a better life.
How can we draw near to God?
1. By praying
2. By reading the Bible
3. By putting our mind on Him
4. By making a decision to do it
1. Taking a closer look at what is happening. Have you ever noticed that when there is an accident on the road people will slow down and even stop to see what has happened. God says take a good look at all that is happening in the world today. Lets make it more personal. Take a look at what is happening in your life right now. There are consequences to our actions. Some people don't like the word wrath, lets be real, it happens. verse 1-2
2. To get closer to God is what life is all about. God wants us to have a close relationship with Him. God says draw near to me and I will draw near to you. When we draw near we find out that God has better things in mind for us than we have for ourselves. In the process of finding Gods best we are challenged to make some changes that result in a better life.
How can we draw near to God?
1. By praying
2. By reading the Bible
3. By putting our mind on Him
4. By making a decision to do it
Thursday, March 6, 2008
2 Chronicles 18:1-34
In this chapter there are so many life lesson that we could expand on but I will narrow it down to a few.
1. Sometime people will do something for us because they really want something from us.
verse 2
2. It is easy to find others to agree with us if that's what we want hear. verse 5
3. We must be willing to look at what someone has to say even if they don't agree with us.
verse 6
4. It is not easy to speak the truth among people who don't want to hear it. verse 12
5. There are deceiving spirits at work whose desire it is to destroy us. verse 21
6. Speaking the truth will at time put you on the bad side of people who will mistreat you for it.
verse 26
7. You can fight battles that you were never intended to fight. When that happens your decisions will be wrong. verse 29
8. The enemy will target you if you are a leader. verse 31
9. The enemy can and will find a gap in your armor if you act foolishly and out of Gods will.
verse 33
10. Life is serious business when you have the lives of others in your hand. We can lose it all when we don't follow good counsel and do things in our own strength. verse 34
1. Sometime people will do something for us because they really want something from us.
verse 2
2. It is easy to find others to agree with us if that's what we want hear. verse 5
3. We must be willing to look at what someone has to say even if they don't agree with us.
verse 6
4. It is not easy to speak the truth among people who don't want to hear it. verse 12
5. There are deceiving spirits at work whose desire it is to destroy us. verse 21
6. Speaking the truth will at time put you on the bad side of people who will mistreat you for it.
verse 26
7. You can fight battles that you were never intended to fight. When that happens your decisions will be wrong. verse 29
8. The enemy will target you if you are a leader. verse 31
9. The enemy can and will find a gap in your armor if you act foolishly and out of Gods will.
verse 33
10. Life is serious business when you have the lives of others in your hand. We can lose it all when we don't follow good counsel and do things in our own strength. verse 34
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
1 Kings 1:1, 29
"Now King David was old, advanced in age, and they covered him in clothes, but he could not keep warm" verse 1
We are all getting older. One day we will all die. King David had lived his life and now he was at the end of it.
David had done some great things over his lifetime but he had also made some major mistakes.
In the end David says "As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress" verse 29
In his old age David had made his peace with God or should we say God had given His peace to David.
We are all getting older. One day we will all die. King David had lived his life and now he was at the end of it.
David had done some great things over his lifetime but he had also made some major mistakes.
In the end David says "As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from all distress" verse 29
In his old age David had made his peace with God or should we say God had given His peace to David.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
2 Corinthians 13
We all have a responsibility to deal with our sin. Paul says that through the authority of Gods Word we must seek to make sure we are right with our Lord. Verse 1-4
We must ask ourselves if we are walking in accordance with what the truth is. We must remember that the Spirit of God lives within us. verse 5
Paul seeks to show that he understands how to walk in humility and that his ministry is about building up others and not tearing down anyone. verse 6-10
Paul exhorts his brothers in Christ to enjoy peace and comfort made possible through unity and Gods love. He reminds his brothers to stay in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. verse 11-12
We must ask ourselves if we are walking in accordance with what the truth is. We must remember that the Spirit of God lives within us. verse 5
Paul seeks to show that he understands how to walk in humility and that his ministry is about building up others and not tearing down anyone. verse 6-10
Paul exhorts his brothers in Christ to enjoy peace and comfort made possible through unity and Gods love. He reminds his brothers to stay in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. verse 11-12
Friday, February 22, 2008
Matthew 8
"When Jesus came down from the mountain"...the question is why did Jesus go up the mountain? In my opinion it is very hard for us to understand the intensity of Jesus. He had much to do and so little time to do it. A three year ministry and the mission of the Father to lay His life down for the sins of man.
His time on the mountain was for several reasons
1. To Pray 2. To rest 3. To meditate 4. To receive new strength 5. To prepare, and I am sure a great deal more than what I have listed. Verse 1
"Large crowds followed Him"...Who were these people? verses 2-13 give us 2 types of people.
The Leper verse 1-4
1. represents the sick and the dying
2. represents those who have no hope
3. represents those humbled by the circumstances of life
4. represents those who have lost everything
The Centurion verse 5-13
1. represents the powerful of society
2. represents those who have it all
3. represents those who have learned to depend on self
4. represents those who know there is more to life and searching
The common ties between them both
1.They both turned to Jesus for help
2. They both demonstrated faith
3. they both humbled themselves before the Lord
4. They both received there request from the Lord
The Truth: Every person needs Jesus. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, we all have all have sinned and need the saving grace of Christ.
His time on the mountain was for several reasons
1. To Pray 2. To rest 3. To meditate 4. To receive new strength 5. To prepare, and I am sure a great deal more than what I have listed. Verse 1
"Large crowds followed Him"...Who were these people? verses 2-13 give us 2 types of people.
The Leper verse 1-4
1. represents the sick and the dying
2. represents those who have no hope
3. represents those humbled by the circumstances of life
4. represents those who have lost everything
The Centurion verse 5-13
1. represents the powerful of society
2. represents those who have it all
3. represents those who have learned to depend on self
4. represents those who know there is more to life and searching
The common ties between them both
1.They both turned to Jesus for help
2. They both demonstrated faith
3. they both humbled themselves before the Lord
4. They both received there request from the Lord
The Truth: Every person needs Jesus. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, we all have all have sinned and need the saving grace of Christ.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Psalms 40
We read the Bible sometimes and we are tossed back and forth with grief and relief. We read the words of God and realize just how much we have failed(grief) and then we read the about Gods love and grace(relief) and we marvel at it all.
We may think that our prayers are not being answered but think again. Be patient. God is listening to our cries. Verse 1
We fall into pits or get stuck in problems and God is there to get us out. verse 2
God has a path that is solid. Gods plan is to get us on that path. verse 2
God wants to give joy through purpose and trust. verse 3
Others may not understand it and be critical of you but others will rejoice and praise God because of what He has done. verse 13-16
We must remember to stay humble before God and always recognize where our help really comes from. verse 17
We may think that our prayers are not being answered but think again. Be patient. God is listening to our cries. Verse 1
We fall into pits or get stuck in problems and God is there to get us out. verse 2
God has a path that is solid. Gods plan is to get us on that path. verse 2
God wants to give joy through purpose and trust. verse 3
Others may not understand it and be critical of you but others will rejoice and praise God because of what He has done. verse 13-16
We must remember to stay humble before God and always recognize where our help really comes from. verse 17
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Joshua 8
The very first place I opened the Bible to start this journey is Joshua chapter 8. Wow! The very first verse says "Now the Lord said to Joshua". God is speaking. I just want to start by saying if you are reading these words God is speaking to us. As I read these 32 verses here is what I got.
1. You may be fearful and dismayed about some of the things going on in your life but God is saying put away your fear, put away your discouragement. verse 1
2. God has given us the victory even before the next battle has begun. verse 1
3. God has a personal plan for us to succeed and it has to do with things we already know to do or
have done. verse 2
4. God has a strategy for us to follow. God will give an objective but we must use our abilities and
strength to move ahead. verse 3-17
5. In the middle of difficult sitiuations keep seeking the direction and voice of God. verse 18
6. Don't expect that God will ever deviate from what He has asked us to do. God has a reason
why we must destroy the things that seek to destroy us. verse 19-25
7. Staying with a task until it has been accomplished is huge in light of destiny. verse 26-28
8. We must remind ourselves of those things that seek to take authority over us and remember
the consequences of past failures. verse 29
9. We need to thank God for the victories He gives us. verse 30
10. We must learn to follow the instructions of Gods Word daily. verse 31-32
1. You may be fearful and dismayed about some of the things going on in your life but God is saying put away your fear, put away your discouragement. verse 1
2. God has given us the victory even before the next battle has begun. verse 1
3. God has a personal plan for us to succeed and it has to do with things we already know to do or
have done. verse 2
4. God has a strategy for us to follow. God will give an objective but we must use our abilities and
strength to move ahead. verse 3-17
5. In the middle of difficult sitiuations keep seeking the direction and voice of God. verse 18
6. Don't expect that God will ever deviate from what He has asked us to do. God has a reason
why we must destroy the things that seek to destroy us. verse 19-25
7. Staying with a task until it has been accomplished is huge in light of destiny. verse 26-28
8. We must remind ourselves of those things that seek to take authority over us and remember
the consequences of past failures. verse 29
9. We need to thank God for the victories He gives us. verse 30
10. We must learn to follow the instructions of Gods Word daily. verse 31-32
Just open and Read
Have you ever heard someone say that they needed guidance and they picked up the Bible and they opened it up to the exact words they needed? I am going to show how I believe that God speaks to us through the words of the Bible if we will just pick up the Bible.
I will put down my thoughts on what I beleive the Bible is saying for that day. This will not be systematic it will be at random. Why? I love the Bible and believe it is the word of God. I love people and I believe some will be helpled by this.
Let the insight begin.
I will put down my thoughts on what I beleive the Bible is saying for that day. This will not be systematic it will be at random. Why? I love the Bible and believe it is the word of God. I love people and I believe some will be helpled by this.
Let the insight begin.
Monday, February 18, 2008
What does the Bible Say
I believe that the Bible is Gods Word. I belive that the Bible is able to speak to us when we read it trusting in its truth and accuracy. "Faith come by hearing and hearing by the word of God".
Our journey will be one of practical insights into what God is saying right now. I hope and pray that the words written here will encourage you to pick your Bible today.
Our journey will be one of practical insights into what God is saying right now. I hope and pray that the words written here will encourage you to pick your Bible today.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Thoughts on the Word
I will be using this blog space to give my thoughts and comments on my personal Bible Study and sermon notes.
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