Today was my daughters first day of school. Oh how they grow so fast. Here is my thought to start out the devotion for today. We all know how important an education is right? We would not think of keeping our kids home from school because for the rest of our lives we need to be able to read and write, do math and all the other things school teaches us. Why then do we feel we can miss church and Sunday school when it is preparing us for eternity? Think on that as you read the scripture for today.
Psalm 63:2
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
King David it appears found it very important to search for God in the sanctuary. He says he seen God's power and glory! That is so awesome. Have you ever expirienced God's power and glory? You can every week in worship at the house of God. You also can outside of church by living for Jesus in every area of your life. I can not figure out how so many people are fooled by the devil every week by staying at home from worship but yet claiming they have a relationship with God. I have heard all the excuses believe me. They say hypocrites are at church. Yeah that's right and they are everywhere else in life too! You are not there for them you are their to worship God and the church is the hospital for sinners remember that! They also say I can worship God in the woods or on the water or watching football, ect, ect. Yes you can but God set the sabbath asides for rest and worship and one other thing He says in Hebrews 10:25.
Hebrews 10:25 (New King James Version)
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hmmmmm as is the manner of some! How many are falling into that category? The day approaching is Jesus return. The bible says it will be like a thief in the night. I wonder how many will be caught unprepared??? I hope it won't be you!
It is our job folks to seek Jesus and if we think school is so important and it is....how much more is church and Sunday school???
Witness the power and glory of God yourself and get involved in church today!
Love and peace to all in the name of Jesus....Tom
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
God....are you seeking Him?
Good Monday morning. I greeted at the High School doors this morning as the kids arrived. Some were excited and some were not. The first day of school. I was thinking this morning...Are the kids their seeking an education or just because they are forced to go?? This brought me to this passage this morning:
Psalm 63
A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
Are we seeking God? Or do we follow God as a duty? Or maybe not at all....drop outs! Psalm 63 is a dandy. I like how David starts out You are my God! Can you say that this morning? We should want to shout it from the roof tops!! David goes onto say early I will seek you. As I write this it is only 9:00 a.m. Have you searched out God this morning? Stop and do it now if you have not. We need to start our day with God!! David says his soul thirsts for God. To be honest all our souls have a thirst for God. We will not have the peace only God can fill is we are not filling this thirst with Jesus Christ. He is the only thing that will satisfy this thirst...the Living Water! David continues and says his flesh longs for God. To me that means David had his heart right with God at this point. For our flesh in it's natural environment does not long for God but the world. So David was right with God.....is your flesh right with God? A good check on that is to see where your desires lie. Are you desiring Godly things or the things that the world has laid out there for us. If you are wondering what those things the world is offering you better dive into your Bible because that is where God tells us!!
David goes onto tell us we live in a dry and thirsty land. Oh how I love the Word of God and how it is still alive and on the money for us today! Are we in a dry and thirsty land...you bet your bottom dollar we are. The world is dying of thirst and the water(Jesus Christ) is right there in front of them! What more can God do for us?? Absolutely nothing. Thank you Jesus!
Take time today and thin about this opening verse in Psalm 63. It should really speak to us!
Have a great Monday!
Tom
Psalm 63
A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
Are we seeking God? Or do we follow God as a duty? Or maybe not at all....drop outs! Psalm 63 is a dandy. I like how David starts out You are my God! Can you say that this morning? We should want to shout it from the roof tops!! David goes onto say early I will seek you. As I write this it is only 9:00 a.m. Have you searched out God this morning? Stop and do it now if you have not. We need to start our day with God!! David says his soul thirsts for God. To be honest all our souls have a thirst for God. We will not have the peace only God can fill is we are not filling this thirst with Jesus Christ. He is the only thing that will satisfy this thirst...the Living Water! David continues and says his flesh longs for God. To me that means David had his heart right with God at this point. For our flesh in it's natural environment does not long for God but the world. So David was right with God.....is your flesh right with God? A good check on that is to see where your desires lie. Are you desiring Godly things or the things that the world has laid out there for us. If you are wondering what those things the world is offering you better dive into your Bible because that is where God tells us!!
David goes onto tell us we live in a dry and thirsty land. Oh how I love the Word of God and how it is still alive and on the money for us today! Are we in a dry and thirsty land...you bet your bottom dollar we are. The world is dying of thirst and the water(Jesus Christ) is right there in front of them! What more can God do for us?? Absolutely nothing. Thank you Jesus!
Take time today and thin about this opening verse in Psalm 63. It should really speak to us!
Have a great Monday!
Tom
Friday, August 7, 2009
You need....God gives
Good Friday to all. Let's read our scriptures this morning.
Philippians 4:14-20
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
What I want you to take away from these verses this morning is God will supply for your needs. There are two main points I want you to see here though.
1. Paul was working full force for God and His Kingdom.
God takes care of His own. I am of full belief that God provided for Paul and meet every need that Paul had and he will do the same for you and I. But you must put your belief and trust in Jesus. When we put our trust in Jesus we should automatically start working for the Lord. Small steps t first and then increase along the way. The book of James says "faith without works is dead." Paul's faith was certainly not dead. Ask yourself this question this morning....is my faith dead?
2. God said He would meet his needs not his wants.
A need is what is needed to survive. Think of all the things Paul could have thought was a need but learned it was not like....not being physically harmed(He was beaten many times), physical health(he had some kind of health problem but God did not heal it), release from prison(he spent a long time here), and the list can go on. In our minds many of these things would be needs but not to God or Paul. God made sure He had food and water. The churches helped provide sometimes for Paul.
As I think on this this morning it sure does remind me of how blessed I am. Wow. I am so unworthy. So many things I pray about are not needs. Lord help me to have just a portion of will to serve you that Paul did.
Take time and really think about this lesson...it has smacked me right in the face.
Have a good weekend and serve the King!
Tom
Philippians 4:14-20
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
What I want you to take away from these verses this morning is God will supply for your needs. There are two main points I want you to see here though.
1. Paul was working full force for God and His Kingdom.
God takes care of His own. I am of full belief that God provided for Paul and meet every need that Paul had and he will do the same for you and I. But you must put your belief and trust in Jesus. When we put our trust in Jesus we should automatically start working for the Lord. Small steps t first and then increase along the way. The book of James says "faith without works is dead." Paul's faith was certainly not dead. Ask yourself this question this morning....is my faith dead?
2. God said He would meet his needs not his wants.
A need is what is needed to survive. Think of all the things Paul could have thought was a need but learned it was not like....not being physically harmed(He was beaten many times), physical health(he had some kind of health problem but God did not heal it), release from prison(he spent a long time here), and the list can go on. In our minds many of these things would be needs but not to God or Paul. God made sure He had food and water. The churches helped provide sometimes for Paul.
As I think on this this morning it sure does remind me of how blessed I am. Wow. I am so unworthy. So many things I pray about are not needs. Lord help me to have just a portion of will to serve you that Paul did.
Take time and really think about this lesson...it has smacked me right in the face.
Have a good weekend and serve the King!
Tom
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Can you say...am I content?
My friends stop for a moment this day and just praise the King. He deserves it for He is God.
Today's devotion as always when we are in God's word is tough. When I answer the question asked in the title I can't honestly say that I am always content. It seems as though we think we always need more or less of something. Maybe we should realize God has us right where we are for a reason and take our life at that. Paul did and we should too!
Here are our verse's:
Philippians 4:10-13
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
In verse 10 Paul praises the Philippians church for their care. The in verse 11 Paul says really he has no need! WOW no need??? He is in prison and has been through beatings, shipwreck, snake bites, and all sorts of persecution but he is content. Brothers and sisters this is something we must grasp onto. A very important teaching. God does not promise comfort now....only in eternity. Matter of fact Jesus basically promised persecution if we are following Him! Do you now why Paul was content? Because He was in the center of God's will and he knew it. Are you content? Are you in God's will? Are you being persecuted? Our answers to these questions can tell us much about our faith.
In verse 12 Paul tells us he can be abased...the word abased means lower reputation or to be humble...after meeting Jesus in the way He did I don't think Paul had a problem with where he ranked in man's opinions. Paul also said He knows how to abound...abound means rich or filled up...Paul at one time had everything materially he could ever want he found only Jesus satisfies and now he is full! Then Paul says in verse 13, one of the most used verses in the Bible, he can endure anything through the strength of Christ. He proved this verse didn't he? This verse is used in the wrong way often. Here is what I mean. Athletes use this verse often in the sense that God will provide for them to overcome on the field. Does God really care if I hit a home run or score a touch down? I doubt it. What God does care about is spreading His word and bringing others to Him and when we are facing persecution in doing so He will give you the strength you need to get it done!
So my brothers and sisters are you content? Even in suffering? Hard question huh?
Have an awesome day!
Tom
Today's devotion as always when we are in God's word is tough. When I answer the question asked in the title I can't honestly say that I am always content. It seems as though we think we always need more or less of something. Maybe we should realize God has us right where we are for a reason and take our life at that. Paul did and we should too!
Here are our verse's:
Philippians 4:10-13
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
In verse 10 Paul praises the Philippians church for their care. The in verse 11 Paul says really he has no need! WOW no need??? He is in prison and has been through beatings, shipwreck, snake bites, and all sorts of persecution but he is content. Brothers and sisters this is something we must grasp onto. A very important teaching. God does not promise comfort now....only in eternity. Matter of fact Jesus basically promised persecution if we are following Him! Do you now why Paul was content? Because He was in the center of God's will and he knew it. Are you content? Are you in God's will? Are you being persecuted? Our answers to these questions can tell us much about our faith.
In verse 12 Paul tells us he can be abased...the word abased means lower reputation or to be humble...after meeting Jesus in the way He did I don't think Paul had a problem with where he ranked in man's opinions. Paul also said He knows how to abound...abound means rich or filled up...Paul at one time had everything materially he could ever want he found only Jesus satisfies and now he is full! Then Paul says in verse 13, one of the most used verses in the Bible, he can endure anything through the strength of Christ. He proved this verse didn't he? This verse is used in the wrong way often. Here is what I mean. Athletes use this verse often in the sense that God will provide for them to overcome on the field. Does God really care if I hit a home run or score a touch down? I doubt it. What God does care about is spreading His word and bringing others to Him and when we are facing persecution in doing so He will give you the strength you need to get it done!
So my brothers and sisters are you content? Even in suffering? Hard question huh?
Have an awesome day!
Tom
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
What are you meditating on?
Good day to all. We were blessed with some more rain here last night. Thank you Jesus for watering the crops again!
Today's devotion is very important to our walk with God. Where is our mind at? Here are today's verses:
Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
In verse 8 Paul tells us to meditate on some things. Why? Pretty simple it will keep our mind on the things that er of God and not of the devil. The first is true. We are fed lies everyday and we must sift through them to concentrate on the truth. The best way to do that is to stay in the Word. It helps us to find the truth! Next Paul says noble. One of the definitions of noble is of an admirably high quality; notably superior; excellent. Keep our thoughts on Jesus and that pretty well can sum that up huh? Next Paul mentions things of high report. A report is a statement or announcement and what Paul was referring to hear was keep in your thoughts the work being accomplished for Jesus Christ. That will keep you focused. Forget the bad and remember the good! Virtue means conforming to moral and ethical principles. So here Paul was most likely referring to those who were turning their lives over to Jesus for that is definitely praiseworthy. Paul says meditate or think deeply on these things. So let me ask again what are you meditating on? Dr. Phil? Oprah? Your problems? Change your thought pattern and see what a difference it makes in your life!
Then Paul says in verse 9 what you have learned , saw, and heard in me.....DO! Paul was not being boastful....he was totally sold out for Jesus and was living a life worthy to be followed as an example. So are so following Paul's example today??
God bless...Tom
Today's devotion is very important to our walk with God. Where is our mind at? Here are today's verses:
Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
In verse 8 Paul tells us to meditate on some things. Why? Pretty simple it will keep our mind on the things that er of God and not of the devil. The first is true. We are fed lies everyday and we must sift through them to concentrate on the truth. The best way to do that is to stay in the Word. It helps us to find the truth! Next Paul says noble. One of the definitions of noble is of an admirably high quality; notably superior; excellent. Keep our thoughts on Jesus and that pretty well can sum that up huh? Next Paul mentions things of high report. A report is a statement or announcement and what Paul was referring to hear was keep in your thoughts the work being accomplished for Jesus Christ. That will keep you focused. Forget the bad and remember the good! Virtue means conforming to moral and ethical principles. So here Paul was most likely referring to those who were turning their lives over to Jesus for that is definitely praiseworthy. Paul says meditate or think deeply on these things. So let me ask again what are you meditating on? Dr. Phil? Oprah? Your problems? Change your thought pattern and see what a difference it makes in your life!
Then Paul says in verse 9 what you have learned , saw, and heard in me.....DO! Paul was not being boastful....he was totally sold out for Jesus and was living a life worthy to be followed as an example. So are so following Paul's example today??
God bless...Tom
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Are you anxious??
The youth group and myself had a great day in God's wonderful creation. We went to Nashville shores. Yeah I know suffering for Jesus...haha! Thank you Jesus!! Now onto the devotion.
Keep in mind as you read this scripture Paul is writing this from prison!
Philippians 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I believe if I was in prison I may be a little anxious to get out of there! I want you to take a moment and evaluate your life right now. What are you anxious about? Is it your job? Your children? Or maybe your relationship with your husband and wife. What ever it is Paul tells us how to solve the situation. Bath the situation in prayer and supplication. Prayer is talking to God just like I am talking to you. Pour yourself out to Him. That is what He wants. A relationship with you. I know it is hard to believe the Almighty God wants to a relationship with you or me but it is true! I want to share something with you to help you in your prayer life that will help you keep from just being selfish in your prayers. Use the word ACTS to help you pray. This is how it works.
A----Stands for adoration. Tell God how you adore Him. Call out ways you adore Him such as comforter, refuge, peacemaker, Almighty, ect. Basically just let Him know how much you adore Him.
C----Stands for confession. Confess to God where you failed Him. Be honest and let it go....He knows anyway but wants you to confess it daily. You will be amazed at how much more pure your relationship with Him will be.
T----Stands for Thanksgiving. Thank God for all that He has blessed you with. When you do this it will humble you greatly knowing how good God really is!
S----Stands for supplication. This is where we pray for a lack of better words petition God for ourselves and for others. Humbly pour your requests to God and then believe He will answer the way that is best for He is God!!!
I hope this may help you, as it has me in my prayer life. It helps keep you focused and not just concerned with self.
Verse 6 tells us we need to make our requests made known to God! He wants to hear them. That is some great news for us today!
Verse 7 is something that I have learned in my Christian life about prayer and anxiousness. When we truly turn it over to God no matter what it is God gives you a peace that is undescribable. I honestly can't tell you how many times this peace has been provided to me. Here is the key....you have to give it to God and let go of it. Trust me He can handle it. Also remember His answer may not be what you are expecting but God always knows best!!!
This lesson has really encouraged me and reminded me of some things this morning..thank you Jesus. I pray it does the same for you.
Have a great day in the Lord....Tom
Keep in mind as you read this scripture Paul is writing this from prison!
Philippians 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
I believe if I was in prison I may be a little anxious to get out of there! I want you to take a moment and evaluate your life right now. What are you anxious about? Is it your job? Your children? Or maybe your relationship with your husband and wife. What ever it is Paul tells us how to solve the situation. Bath the situation in prayer and supplication. Prayer is talking to God just like I am talking to you. Pour yourself out to Him. That is what He wants. A relationship with you. I know it is hard to believe the Almighty God wants to a relationship with you or me but it is true! I want to share something with you to help you in your prayer life that will help you keep from just being selfish in your prayers. Use the word ACTS to help you pray. This is how it works.
A----Stands for adoration. Tell God how you adore Him. Call out ways you adore Him such as comforter, refuge, peacemaker, Almighty, ect. Basically just let Him know how much you adore Him.
C----Stands for confession. Confess to God where you failed Him. Be honest and let it go....He knows anyway but wants you to confess it daily. You will be amazed at how much more pure your relationship with Him will be.
T----Stands for Thanksgiving. Thank God for all that He has blessed you with. When you do this it will humble you greatly knowing how good God really is!
S----Stands for supplication. This is where we pray for a lack of better words petition God for ourselves and for others. Humbly pour your requests to God and then believe He will answer the way that is best for He is God!!!
I hope this may help you, as it has me in my prayer life. It helps keep you focused and not just concerned with self.
Verse 6 tells us we need to make our requests made known to God! He wants to hear them. That is some great news for us today!
Verse 7 is something that I have learned in my Christian life about prayer and anxiousness. When we truly turn it over to God no matter what it is God gives you a peace that is undescribable. I honestly can't tell you how many times this peace has been provided to me. Here is the key....you have to give it to God and let go of it. Trust me He can handle it. Also remember His answer may not be what you are expecting but God always knows best!!!
This lesson has really encouraged me and reminded me of some things this morning..thank you Jesus. I pray it does the same for you.
Have a great day in the Lord....Tom
Monday, August 3, 2009
Are you gentle?
Good Monday morning to all. This is a verse I know I need to continually work on. Here it is:
Philippians 4:5
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Seems very simple huh? We live in a very harsh tough world where everyone is out for themselves and it don't matter who gets in the way! When we examine this verse that kind of thinking goes down the drain real fast. We are to be gentle to all men.
gen⋅tle
1. kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.
2. not severe, rough, or violent;
Do these words describe you? They sure describe Jesus and that is what our life is to be all about. I know for myself I would not describe myself as gentle and that is why it is a constant work for me. To be an effective witness for the Lord being gentle with the Word can sometimes be the key to bringing that person to Jesus. So are you known as being gentle to all men? If you are a man reading this word it sounds kinda funny to us to even say that doesn't it? That is because that's what the world has taught us! Being gentle doesn't mean being a wimp matter of fact it takes more strength to be gentle then it does just to fly off the handle all the time!
The verse ends with the Lord is at hand...remember Jesus can come at any time and we all want to have our lives conformed as close as we can with the Word of God so let me ask again...are you gentle?
Have a great week...Tom
Philippians 4:5
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Seems very simple huh? We live in a very harsh tough world where everyone is out for themselves and it don't matter who gets in the way! When we examine this verse that kind of thinking goes down the drain real fast. We are to be gentle to all men.
gen⋅tle
1. kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.
2. not severe, rough, or violent;
Do these words describe you? They sure describe Jesus and that is what our life is to be all about. I know for myself I would not describe myself as gentle and that is why it is a constant work for me. To be an effective witness for the Lord being gentle with the Word can sometimes be the key to bringing that person to Jesus. So are you known as being gentle to all men? If you are a man reading this word it sounds kinda funny to us to even say that doesn't it? That is because that's what the world has taught us! Being gentle doesn't mean being a wimp matter of fact it takes more strength to be gentle then it does just to fly off the handle all the time!
The verse ends with the Lord is at hand...remember Jesus can come at any time and we all want to have our lives conformed as close as we can with the Word of God so let me ask again...are you gentle?
Have a great week...Tom
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)