Devotional Thoughts #3

1. Proverbs 10:3 - The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry.
2. Proverbs 10:19 - When words a re many, sin is not absent.
3. Proverbs 11:18 - The one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
4. Proverbs 11:25 -  Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
5. Proverbs 12:18 - " The words of the reckless pierce like swords,but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
6. Proverbs 13:3 -  Those who guard their lips preserve their lives.
7. Proverbs 15:32 -  Those who disregard discipline despise themselves.
8. Proverbs 16:3 - " Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
9. Proverbs 16,1,4,9; 19:21 - The Lord has the final word in everything.
10. Proverbs 16:18 - " Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
11. Proverbs 17:5 - "...Whoever gloats over someones disaster will not go unpunished."
12. Proverbs 17:9 - "Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends."
13. Proverbs 17:27 - " The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered."
14. Proverbs 21:31 - " There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord."
15. Proverbs 23:17 - "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord."
16. Proverbs 24:11 - "Rescue those being led away to death;..."
17. Proverbs 25:15 - "........ a gentle tongue can break a bone."
18. Proverbs 27:1 - "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."
19. Proverbs 27:2 - "Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;...."
20. Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
21. Proverbs 29:7 - " The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern."
22. Proverbs 31:8 - " Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute."
23. Proverbs 31:30 - " Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
24. Ecclesiastes 3:11-14 -
      1) God made everything beautiful in His time.
      2) God desires us to be satisfied with what we do and have.
      3) Everything that God does will endure.
      4) He has put eternity in the hearts of men.
25. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - There is strength in numbers.
26. Ecc. 5:1-2 - Be careful how you approach God.
27. Ecc. 7:9 - Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit.
28. Ecc. 7:18 - The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.
29. Ecc. 12:13 - "...  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind."
30. Isaiah 1:15 - God does not listen to the prayers of the wicked.
31. Isaiah 1:17 - Encourage the oppressed, and defend the orphans and widows.
32. Isaiah 5:20 -  " Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,..."
33. Isaiah 5;21 -  " Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes  and clever in their own sight."
34. Isaiah 9:6 - Jesus is the  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,  Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
35. Isaiah 26:3-4 - "You will keep in perfect peacethose whose minds are steadfast,because they trust in you.Trust in the Lord forever,for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
36. Isaiah 26:7 - The path of the righteous is level.
37. Isaiah 26:9 - "My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you..."
38. Isaiah 26:12 - "... all that we have accomplished you have done for us."
39. Isaiah 32:17 - " The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever."
40.Isaiah 40:28 - "... He will not grow tired or weary,and his understanding no one can fathom."
41. Isaiah 40:30-31 - Those whose hope is in the Lord will renew their strength. 
42. Isaiah 41:10 - " So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;...."
43. Isaiah 41:11 - Do not fear those who oppose you. They will be ashamed and disgraced.
44. Isaiah 43:2 - God protects us in the midst of trials and storms of life. 
45. Isaiah 43:18-19 - " Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?I am making a way in the wildernessand streams in the wasteland."
46. Isaiah 44:7 - "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster;....."
47. Isaiah 46:9-10 - " I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster;..."
48. Isaiah 48:10 - "See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction."
49.  Isaiah 48:11 - God will not yield His authority to another.
50. Isaiah 48:17 - "....... I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."
51. Isaiah 53:4-5 - By Christ's wounds we are healed spiritually and physically.
52. Isaiah 54:2 - Make preparation for God's increase and expansion.
53. Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon formed against God's servants will prevail.
54. Isaiah 55:1-2 - Only Christ can truly satisfy.
55. Isaiah 55:8 - " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord."
56. Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word will not return empty, but will accomplish its purpose.
57. Isaiah 59:2 - Our unrepentant sin separates us from God.
58. Isaiah 61:1-3 - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.
59. Isaiah 63:9 - When we are distressed God is distressed.
60. Isaiah 63:10 - The people of Israel grieved the H.S.
61. Isaiah 63:10 - When His people live in disobedience, He can fight against them.
62. Isaiah 65:2 - All day long God holds out His hands to His saints who are in disobedience and rebellion towards Him.
63. Isaiah 65:13-14 - God is able to protect His faithful in the midst of judgement.
64. Isaiah 66:2 -  "... These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word."
65.  Jeremiah 7:1-4, 9-10 - We can't live like the world, then come to church and think your safe.

66.Jeremiah 17:5 - "This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord."

67. Jeremiah 17:8 - The man who fears the Lord and walks in His way. He will not weary in times of trouble, and bear fruit always.

68. Jeremiah 25:9 - God can use the wicked for His purposes.

69.  Jeremiah 33:22 - I believe a prophesy of God's church as a priesthood.

70. Jeremiah 48:10 - “A curse on anyone who is lax in doing the Lord’s work!....."
71. Lamentations 3:31-33 - God will disciple us for a season, but He finds no pleasure in it because of His great love for us.
72.  Lamentations 3:38 - "Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should the living complain when punished for their sins?"
73. Lamentations 3:40 - " Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord."
74. Ezekiel 18:19-20 - Each man will be judged according to their sins, not the sins of others.
75. Ezekiel 18:23 - "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
76. Ezekiel 18:24 - "If a righteous man turns away from righteous living, all his righteous deeds will not be remembered. He will be judged for his sinful ways.
77. Ezekiel 22:30 - God is looking for those who will stand in the gap on behalf of the land.
78. Ezekiel 33:1-9 - We are to show the sinner the error of hsi way, if not we will be held accountable.
79. Ezekiel 33:12-16 - Our many acts of righteousness does not cover future sins. One righteous act does not balance out one sinful act.
80-. Ezekiel 34:1-6 - 
       A shepherds responsibility:
       - Strengthen the weak
       - Heal the sick.
       - Bind the injured.
       - Search for the lost.
       - Rule them gently.
81. Ezekiel 47:1-12 - There is a river that flows from God that brings life and healing.
82. Hosea 4:1 - When man forgets or abandons God's principles, the land suffers.
83. Hosea 6:1 - God desires mercy, not sacrifice.
84. Hosea 9:7 - Sin blinds poeple to wisdom and truth.
85. Hosea 10:12 -  Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
86. Joel 2:13 - "  Rend your heart........... Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity."
87. Nahum 1:7 - " The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,"
88. Habakkuk 3:17-19 -  Even in the worse times, we need to rejoice and be joyful, knowing that God is our salvation. He enables me to be on the mountains while my feet are still in the valley.
89. Zephaniah 1:12 - God will punish those who are complacent.
90. Haggai 1:5-12 - Those who put their desires over God's will not prosper.
91. Zechariah 3:7 - It is those who walk in obedience that will govern God's house and his courts, and will have a place of standing among the servants of God.
92. Zechariah 4:6 - ".... ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty."
                               It is only through God's Spirit that anything of alsting value will be accomplished.
93. Zecharaih 7:13 - "“‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty."
94. Matthew 4:4 - God's Word is bread and life.
95. Matthew 4:23 - There is no disease  or sickness that God can not heal.
96. Matthew 5:13-14 - We are the salt and light of the world.
97. Matthew 5:16 - " In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
98. Matthew 5:19 - Those who obey God's law will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
99. Matthew 5:44 - " But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,"
100. Matthew 7:25 - " The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
101. Matthew 7:7-11 - God is a loving Fahter, and gives good gifts to His children if only they would ask.

Zeal for God's House

Psalms 69:9 - " for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me."

 

Are you zealous for the Lord? Are you passionate about God? Do you take it personally when someone speaks badly about Christ or the Good News of Jesus Christ? Do you feel like you are slapped in the face, when Christ's church and His people are mocked?

 

Most people take it quite personally when their father or family is insulted. They take it upon themselves to defend the honor of their family. Do we do this with the family of Christ?

 

We are all passionate about many things. Think about the thing that is most important to you or the thing that you are most passionate about. It could be your political view. It could be a certain sport or activity. It could be a certain person. It could be your job, making money or advancing yourself.

 

Whatever it may be, we should be as consumed by God as we are consumed by it. How do we know that something consumes us?

 

We give most all our time, money, energy and thought to them. We speak about it all the time. We are hurt or offended when someone does not like it or agree with us, and quickly defend it.

Lord help me to be consumed by you and for you, and take personally the attacks made upon you.

Wait Expectantly

Psalms 5:3 - "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."

 

There are two important points in this verse. First, the Psalmist every morning went to God in prayer. Secondly, he expectantly waited for the answer to his request.

 

A definition of expectantly - with an excited feeling that something is about to happen, especially something good.

 

The root word here in Hebrew is to lean forward, and to peer into the distance.

 

Are you praying in faith? Do you believe God will answer your request?

 

James 1:6-7 - "But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."

Stand Your Ground

There is a battle raging over the souls of men. It is a spiritual battle being played out in the physical realm.

 

John 10:10 - "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

 

Many of us are discouraged. Some of us are giving up the fight, and others are fleeing out of fear. Yet, God is calling us to stand firm. As we do this, the Lord will bring the victory.

 

2 Samuel 23:10-12 - "but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory."

 

Remember, you are not standing alone in this fight. God and others are standing with you.

Ask God how should you stand. How should you fight. We each have a position (role), in the battle. **

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS.

 

2 Chronicles 20:15 - "He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s."

 

As we see what Haiti is going through, it can be very discouraging, and make us fearful. Often we are very stressed over all these things. At times like this, we need to remember, the battle is not ours, but God's. This attitude will transfer the wait of it all from us to God. Yet, we have a part in this.

 

2 Chronicles 20:17 - "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

 

If you read further on in this chapter, you will see that the army of Israel went out to face an army greater then them. Yet, they went out in faith, and praise with the worship team going before them.

 

If the battle is the Lord's, what are we to do?

We are to stand in prayer, faith, praise, and in obedience to God's Word.

Truths from the Song of Moses

The final words of Moses to the people of Israel before his death and them entering the promise land included a powerful song in Deuteronomy 32:1-43.

1) We are to listen to the teachings of God, and be drenched by them to our very root for they will bring life and refreshment to us.
2) We are to praise and worship Him because He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.
3) We are foolish and unwise if we do not live godly lives. When we do not obey Him we lack understanding and respect for our Father, and Creator.
4)  God shields us and cares for us; he guarded us as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. He not only protects us, but teaches us to fly with Him in the high places, where He wants us to dwell.
5) God abundantly provides for His people.
6) If we turn our back on God our Rock and Savior to live unholy lives, God will punish us or discipline us and even reject us if we continue in our rebellion towards Him.
7) Yet, God's punishment and discipline will not last for ever when we recognize our sin and turn back to Him.
8) God puts to death and brings life. He wounds and  heals. No one can deliver out of His hand.

Do Not Neglect the Body of Christ

It is all about the Body of Christ

I have been reflecting on the body of Christ, His church today. Apostle Paul put great importance on the body of Christ.

Romans 12:4-5 - "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

I see that many people in the church have gone to individualism. It is all about them and their relationship with Christ with little or no connection with the body of believers, and often no genuine commitment to the whole body, Christ's church.

I love how Paul says it here, "each member belongs to all the others." I am not my own master".
It is not me and Christ. It is us and Christ. Yes, I am part of the us, but it is not about me. It is about Christ's body (church) and Christ's purposes for His church in the world. Yes, I am a member of the body, and I should care for the health of me the member. Yet, the member must be connected, and the purpose of being healthy spiritually is to be a strength to the rest of the body to fulfill the purposes of Christ who is the head.

The apostle Paul believed so much in the body of Christ (the church), that he made great personal sacrifices for the benefit of the whole.

Colossians 1:24 - "Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church."

What sacrifices are you making for the betterment (well being) of the body of Christ?
Are you coming together on a regular basis with other believers to strengthen one another and work together for the furthering of God's purposes?

Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

We need each other more today than ever. We need every member of Christ's body, His church. I need you and you need me. I need you to speak into my life as the Holy Spirit leads you and visa-versa. We draw strength from each other.

 

Finally, body life is more then coming together for church. It is not a 1 or 2 day activity. It is being daily in connection with others in the body, and functioning as Christ's body through the week. As so often said, we are the arms, hands, feet, and mouth of Jesus. We are to be serving the body of Christ through out the week, and show the world Christ who is in us.