Prov 19-21; Rom 13

Scripture - Rom 13:11-14 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Observation - Paul is instructing the people of Rome to live at a high standard of moral code. His words tell us that he is dealing with a people that have allowed personal desire, even sensual desire to drive their decision making and their standard of living. He says a bit earlier in the chapter that to do no evil will draw praise from the father. Paul understands that time is short, the soon return of the Lord is eminent and life must be lived correctly. He says make not provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts - in other words don't cater to selfish, sensual even greedy desires but live by the Spirit.

Application - In our world today the exact opposite of this scripture is how we live, making complete provision for the flesh. Living by the desires of flesh, driven by the feelings of our flesh and making spiritual decisions based on a fleshly foundation. Our standard of living should be much higher that this. Gal says to walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. The appetite of the flesh is insatiable and unsustainable. But the Spirit is fulfilling and will endure to the end. Let's put on Christ today!

Prayer - Father help me to be drawn by the works of the Spirit and the desires of the Spirit all day and everyday. Eliminating the selfish desires of the flesh, not even making provisions for them. I love you and desire to do your will!

1 Kings 7; 2 Chron 4; Ps 98; Rom 2

Scripture - Rom 2:28-For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Observation - Paul is writing to the church at Rome and talking about the true relationship with Christ. Because of Roman background Paul is giving them a clear understanding of Christ-like expectations and Christian values. He encourages them in their faith and then here in 2:28 he says "don't have an outward appearance that is different from your inward appearance." What you live and believe on the inside you should show outwardly and more importantly what is on the outside should match with what is on the inside. Paul knew that he could teach the law and they Romans could become well versed in the law but if their heart is not on fire for God, chasing the inward transformation it is impossible to experience right standing with God. Remember God does not look as man looks, God judges the heart.

Application - This is a very difficult position for most people. To fight the outward appearance with the inward or secret actions. Living one way and doing or believing another. Some people call it putting on the show. We don't want to appear weak or frail. People including the people of God, feel some sort of compulsion to always appearing strong and together and therefore the risk is that we are hiding hurt, pain or sin thinking no one will know. God knows. He sees the heart, he sees in the secret place, he sees in the private times. God wants our private lives to match our outward display. If we live righteous and act righteous we have power and dominion in this life.

Prayer - Father, help me always to live the way I show. I don't simply want to look like a Christian, I want to BE a Christian. Help me to take the outward law and apply it always to my inward actions.

2 Sam 10; 1 Chron 19-20; Ps 20; Mt 22

Scripture - Ps 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Observation - The advanced nations used chariots and horses and advanced weaponry for battle. They had money and financing for their war efforts and were totally armed for victory. They were relying in battle on their technology and on their financial base to help them win the war. Israel on the other hand, had a more primitive arsenal. Their weaponry was far inferior to the nations they were fighting. They were antiquated and archaic and yet the Israelites still went to battle with every intention of winning. David describes here that their hope and trust is not the advanced weaponry or financial backing. Their trust is in God. No matter how the odds stack up - God's people will always end up on top. Our trust in not in the things we have but the God we serve.

Application - Man how appropriate is this today. Right in the middle of a battle against finances and time. The trust however, is not in the things, or the financial backing or in the maneuvering we can do - trust is in God and Him alone. God will provide and supply all the needs according to His riches in Glory. My God WILL supply ALL my needs! Trust in Him and lean not on my own understanding but in all ways acknowledge Him. God is able to bring victory out of the worst situations. Today and everyday our trust must be in the Lord - we must remember the places he has brought us from and the places he is taking us. God will not disappoint.

Prayer - Father I love you so much. God you WILL always take care of your people. Meager weapons or not - if we are armed with you we are armed for battle.

2 Sam 7; 1 Chron 17; Ps 2; Mt 20

Scripture - Matt 20:8-16 "So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?'

Observation - Jesus is teaching his disciples in the this parable about the sovereignty of God and God's unending wisdom and mercy. In this parable Jesus relates the story of a landowner who hired a bunch of guys to do some work on the land. He hires them at all different hours of the day yet pays them all the same wage. Being disgruntled about how things played out the men began to complain. The landowner explains several things: 1. It was his money 2. He could do what every he wanted with his things 3. Each person received exactly what they were promised 4. Any issues they had regarding the pay was strictly due to their misunderstanding of the situation. Jesus explains through this parable that God is sovereign and holy and can do with his kingdom exactly what he wants, he explains that even those chose last will have a place in the kingdom and that we should rejoice over others blessings.

Application - So often we get disgruntled when others are being blessed. That some how we are deserving of more because we have been serving more. The truth is that we are serving so that others can be blessed. I am reminded today to rejoice in others blessings, to be happy when others are brought in and to get excited about God choosing others to take part in kingdom relationships.

Prayer - Father help me to look at others with eyes of joy and bless those that are being blessed. God help me to rejoice with them in their blessings.

1 Sam 22; Ps 17; Matt 6

Scripture - Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Observation - Jesus is giving instruction to the disciples and the rest of the congregation. Tucked in the middle of a sermon is this bit of encouragement. Do not worry. Jesus tells us to place our focus on him and him alone and not to be looking to all the distractions of this world. We can get lost in our focus on them and they undoubtedly cause; anxiety, stress, preoccupation and pressure. Jesus speaks against this kind of worry and asks us to place our focus on seeking the kingdom and everything else will be taken care of.

Application - It is interesting. This is my favorite verse in the bible. Just the other day I was speaking with a woman in our congregation and asked her to read this chapter and focus on vs 25. Then tell me what it spoke to her. The verse brought peace and comfort to an otherwise stressful situation. This verse has a voice in my life. As I begin planning and driving to reach my destination - I always come back here and can find rest in the words of Jesus. "Do Not Worry!"

Prayer - Father keep me in peace - the kind of peace that passes understanding. I love you and know that you are in total control no matter how chaotic life can get.

1 Sam 19; 1 Chron 6; Ps 11; Matt 3

Scripture - 1 Sam 19:10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good escape.

Observation - Saul is under complete understanding that his kingdom is no longer his kingdom. God has already told him that the kingdom would be stripped from him and given to another. Saul is trying with everything in him to protect that position. He is so angry with David and continually tries to kill him and David always escapes. Chapter 19 gives so much instruction on how to live when the world is trying to pin you to the wall. David escapes every time. Even in the last few verses when Saul brings men to attack David a Naioth, God pours his spirit on them and they begin to prophesy, Saul ends up spending the entire night naked, prostrate before God and prophesying. God truly protects the anointed ones.

Application - When we are grafted into the family of God - the full benefit of heaven becomes ours. God will move heaven and earth to protect us. There isn't an enemy designed that can pin a Christian to the wall or take the life of anyone God does not allow. Just as Saul tried to kill David on multiple occasions and David made good escape - we do the same thing. God is holding back the devourer for us - He fights our battles - "the battle is mine says the Lord!"

Prayer - Father - today I will understand that we battle not with flesh and blood and that the battle is yours. God protect and advance your man. Let today be profitable for the kingdom.

1 Sam 13; 1 Chron 2-3; 2 Cor 12

Scripture - 1 Sam 13:8-13 8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And he offered the burnt offering. 10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. 11 And Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 12 then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.' Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering." 13 And Samuel said to Saul,"You have done foolishly.

Observation - Samuel had given Saul instructions and a set of plans that he was to operate by according to the Lord. The priest gave instruction directed by God to establish Saul's kingdom forever through his faithfulness. This like many other things in his life was a test of his obedience to the Lord. Just like many of us Saul jumped the gun and when he saw the circumstances unfolding in front of him, did not wait for God to take care of it but decided to handle it himself. He offered and unlawful offering to the Lord. This action was "foolish". He should have waited to see what God would do. Too often we don't wait to see what God will do. We are jumping the gun all over the place and consequently shooting the wrong people. God wants us to trust in His word and His direction and not get so excited about the circumstances that we miss the goal all together.

Application - I have been in situations before, where I am waiting on something major to happen and just before it does, that moment that seems like nothing is happening, I take matters into my own hands, mess things up and then right afterward the solution is revealed. I know many times I have felt so foolish that I didn't just wait a little longer. If we can train ourselves to wait a little longer than normal, not be in such a rush, not look to the quick fix, but just wait - God will bring the answer and the resolution. We have to understand that it is all in his timing. Not in ours. We look foolish when we move too fast.

Prayer - Father help me to slow down and wait for you.

1 Sam 3-5; Ps 77; 2 Cor 8

Scripture - 2 Cor 8:7 But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Observation - Paul is encouraging this community of Corinth; which is a very modern, advanced culture. They are an industrious people that have capitalized on the trade industry by creating a thruway to deliver goods throughout the Asia minor region and the middle east. Paul tells them just as you have excelled in other areas excel in giving. Be better than you were, go for a higher standard. Up to this point the people of Corinth have had a lack of participation in giving and yet were excelling in other areas of their Christianity.

Application - Years ago after giving my life to Jesus I began to learn about the grace of giving. Admittedly it was challenging for me at first. Having the background of a banker I understood cash flow and income statements and that when you subtract 2 from 2 you get 0. Yet somewhere in me God began to challenging me that giving was a part of my relationship with him. So way back then I made the commitment - if God demands 10% then 10% he will get. Since then there have been times in my life where giving was difficult for us financially but never has their been a time where I struggled emotionally to release what God was asking. In fact Saundra and I are diligent not only to give our 10% but to find ways to give offerings.

Why then do people struggle to give tithe (10% of their income) and offerings (financial gifts to meet spiritual needs):

• Fear - they are just simply afraid that if they give up their tithe they won't have enough to fix the car if it breaks down or the stove if it goes out.
  
• Can't Afford It - kind of like fear but when they look at the in's and outs of cash think that if they give they won't be able to make it on what's left. When in fact God promises to make what remains go farther than if they hadn't given at all.
• Failure to take ownership - they haven't fully invested in the work that God is doing. Believing that all the needs are being met by others and failing to take an ownership interest in the work therefore is someone elses' responsibility.
• Comparison - in their minds they are probably doing more than the average person already and therefore to do what is required by God is not really necessary.
• Disobedience - refusing to give -Regardless
• Covetousness - the more they see, the more they want even if they have to spend God's money to get it.
• Greed - feel like its theirs and they aren't giving it up when in reality it isn't theirs and they are going to give it up one way or the other.

Prayer - Father help me to excel in giving. To make it an even greater part of my life. I know the blessing that I receive my making this part of my life and the honor you gain from my obedience.

Ruth 3-4: Ps 64-65; 2 Cor 6

Scripture - 2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Observation - Paul is making proclamation that today is the day. If God's favor was ever on His people it is today. He is opening up the door of salvation to all that would come in. Today is the day. We constantly wait for God's timing and for His favor to point us in the right direction. Today is the day God has called. We must not wait. Paul is telling the fellow workers of Corinth not to waste what God has done. Done take grace in vain. It is for a purpose. God says that in a time of favor - He is listening to us. Our requests can be made know to him. He will answer. In time of favor salvation will come easy. People will be hungry for the heavenly meal and take part in God's divine plan.

Application - Today is the day. Everything has aligned in God's plan for today. We can't take His grace in vain. He has given favor today for today. We must seize every opportunity today. We are a favored people, walking in favor and occupying the place of God's purpose. We can see the doors of opportunity opening and God's favor upon His people. To take the land and claim righteousness throughout the land. God will be glorified.

Prayer - Father help us to take this day of favor and to expand the borders of your kingdom today.

Judges 9-10; Ps 49; 1 Cor 16

Scripture - Ps 49:13-15 13 This is the way of those who are foolish, And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah 14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them;
The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. 15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.

Observation - Psalms discusses a man who puts too much trust in his own ways and his own devices. He believes he is righteous but truly he is deceived and those that follow him are also deceived. It is amazing how many trust in their own ways and then begin convincing others that their way is correct. They are all led to the grave - death will begin to feed on those lives. Life comes through a relationship with Jesus. Allowing His righteousness to guide our lives and His opinions to supersede ours leads us to a redeemed life.

Application - When I think I have it all figured out, that is the moment to begin to stress. Understanding that I am what God has made me and I go where He tells me - is the only path that is right. God will not lead me astray. The bible says "Lean not on your own understanding but all your ways acknowledge him." Today I will allow God to lead my footsteps and go where He tells me to go.

Prayer - Father my life is in your hands. As always I give you permission to direct every footstep and every conversation today.

Judges 1-3; 1 Cor 12

Scripture - Judges 1:6 Adoni-Bezek fled, but they chased him and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes.

Observation - I was thinking about why the Israelites do such a thing. Adoni - Bezek had done the same thing to people that he had captured and they were serving his table and picking up scraps. Looking deeper shows you that someone with no big toes and no thumbs is unfit for battle. The big toes carries 40% of the weight of the body and is the thrusting point for movement. The thumbs allow you to hold the sword and weapons of battle. Basically this man was no longer a warrior. He was stripped of all dignity and honor. We was only fit for picking up scraps. Too often the enemy tries to cripple us by taking our spiritual big toes and thumbs. He makes us Ill-equipped for battle.

Application - As we read in 1 Cor 12 we need all body parts to function. Too often the enemy tries to steal our thumbs and toes by having us touch unclean things and walking where we don't belong. It may not completely kill us but it makes us unfit for battle. Time to touch only holy things and walk according to the scripture.

Prayer - Father keep the unholy from my sight, my grasp and my walk.

Joshua 23-24; Ps 44; 1 Cor 11

Scripture - 1 Cor 11:29-32 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

Observation - Paul is giving some fairly strong instruction here in this passage. He is telling the church - when you take part in the Lord's Supper it is a very serious issue. If you eat and drink in this manner and have not taken a serious look at yourself you are setting yourself up for judgment. Paul says that we should take a close look at our actions, take a close look at our heart and judge ourselves so that we do not come under judgment. He goes on to say that this is the reason so many of us are weak, sick and asleep. That we fail to take a close look at ourselves and make corrections. We are afraid to evaluate our performance and discern the weak areas of our heart and actions. This is causing too many to fall away. Self evaluation is the key to growth in business. Business take a very serious approach to looking internally and evaluating performance, process, operations, corporate citizenship, effectiveness and vision. Believers won't do this and therefore are weak, sick and asleep. There is something about looking inside that keeps you alive, keeps you growing, keeps you looking for something more.

Application - The key to growth is looking for points of weakness and correcting them. Understanding that "We all sin and fall short of God's glory" puts us in good company. We all have some weak points. Looking internally at the ones that are causing judgment and correcting them, repenting of them is key. God cannot discipline for growth if we will not look and evaluate what is happening in our lives and in our hearts.

Prayer - Father - help me to continue to look deep inside to those places that are causing hindrance. Father I need you to help me not only identify the weak spots but to correct them.

Joshua 15-17; 1 Cor 8

Scripture - Josh 17:14-18 Then the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, "Why have you given us only one lot and one share to inherit, since we are a great people, inasmuch as the LORD has blessed us until now?" 15 So Joshua answered them, "If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you." 16 But the children of Joseph said, "The mountain country is not enough for us; and all the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are of Beth Shean and its towns and those who are of the Valley of Jezreel." 17 And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph — to Ephraim and Manasseh — saying, "You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, 18 but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong."

Observation - The people of Joseph are complaining about the size of their inheritance. They are concerned that they don't have enough room and that their portion of land is too small to fit the people. Joshua responds - "if you think your land is too small go take some more. There is plenty of land in the hill country and the forest." But fear comes from Ephraim and Manasseh and they begin to look at the strength of the enemy. The iron chariots and the many soldiers. Joshua speaks as we should today - If you want more territory go do the work and you will get more territory. Some things are not free. Actually most things are not free. God knock down a few trees and drive the enemy out of your territory.

Application - Saundra and I have been dealing with this very issue as of late. We want more territory from God and the enemy is showing us his strength. His affliction and distractions continue to show us that he is very real and very present. While he doesn't have iron chariots and swords - he does have affliction, pain, distraction and sickness. I believe God wants us to drive them out today. God is telling us to cut down the trees right now and to take possession of the land. We need to keep clearing and keep cutting until we have complete control of the land around us. God is the victor - though they are strong we will possess the land.

Prayer - Father I speak right now to the enemies of our life and our ministry. I ask God for advancement not retreat. I ask for blessing and not curse. I speak life into our house, our church, our family and our ministry. God Bless abundantly.

Joshua 12-14; 1 Cor 7

Scripture - 1 Cor 7:14-16 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Observation - In this portion of scripture Paul is trying to clear up some major misconceptions about the relationship of marriage and the eternal impact actions of married and unmarried people have. He is trying to explain the sanctity of marriage at the same time encourage men and women to not be desperate to marry but to focus on their call from God. In verses 14-16 Paul gives some encouragement to those living with unmarried spouses. While frustrating to be in a home where the beliefs and views are completely different - Paul says stay there because you have great impact on the unbelieving spouse. You don't know - you might get them saved. He goes on to say that the unbelieving spouse is sanctified or made holy by the believing spouse. In my mind - it shows me God's great concern for this person. God would flow over the grace to that person to encourage them to come to a saving knowledge of His son.

Application - I am reminded of this couple we used to know. The wife came to church and gave her heart to the Lord. She was in some tough situations and began to clean up her actions and change her life. She plugged in to some serving areas of the church and for a few years prayed desperately for her husband to share her faith. I remember the discouragement as we walked through this relationship with her. He would come on special occasions but never really was impacted by Jesus. Then one day about 7 or 8 years later - I heard that he came to church, connected with the pastor, was encouraged to come for a consistent period and then soon after gave his heart to Jesus. Their marriage is better than ever and God is moving greatly in their lives. We toss aside relationships too quickly - we need to hold on and see what God can do.

Prayer - Father help me to encourage those with unbelieving spouses and to pray continually for their salvation.

Deut 13-15; Gal 1

Scripture - Gal 1:6-7 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Observation - Paul makes an assessment of the church at Galatia that really could be made today. This church was passionate about their conversion and the power that Jesus placed in them, but very quickly began to turn to their old ways. They would listen to every wind of doctrine and be turned away to another direction. Paul submits that there is only one gospel and that they should subscribe to it and to it alone. There is only one doctrine - there are not multiple ways to Christ and you must keep singularly focused on the goal.

Application - So many things cause us to be distracted. We take on too many projects, we listen to too many voices, we go in too many directions. Singular focus on the goal to keep ourselves moving forward with Jesus. There is only one way - not multiple ways to Christ. We must focus ourselves on the prize and not be turned side to side on every great idea that comes along.

Prayer - Father keep my mind, my spirit, and my heart focused.

Deut 10-12; Mark 16

Scripture - Mark 16:15-18 "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

Observation - Jesus words - Go into all the world and preach the gospel - he who believes and is baptized will be saved. Speaking with new tongues, casting out demons, laying hands on the sick - it is time for a revival. Jesus call on our lives is to go into all the world and preach the gospel - getting people saved - healing the sick - casting out demons. It is time to rise up and take our position to move on our land with a great move of God and get some folks saved.

Application - We talk a lot about witnessing, compassion, prayer and power in the holy spirit. I believe it is time for a revival of the kind of belief that will cause us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. I would love to see more missionaries being sent, more evangelists being sent, more preachers being sent. God raise us up to go...

Prayer - Father raise us up out of our places and send us to all the world.

Deut 7-9; Mark 15

Scripture - Deut 7:1-5 "When the LORD your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, 2 and when the LORD your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. 3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly. 5 But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their carved images with fire.

Observation - Reminded that Deuteronomy is a recap of the books of the law and that Moses is again telling and reminding the people of what God had commanded - it brings new emphasis to this portion of scripture. God is telling the people - I am bringing you into this new place and there are seven nations greater than you that I am going to conquer for you and when I do - don't coexist with them. Don't mingle their stuff with your stuff or their families with your families. It brings a renewed emphasis that when we come out of our old lives and into this new life with Christ we must separate ourselves from the things that cause us to stumble. So many people get saved and spend their days in the same things that got them into trouble to begin with. Salvation is a change of heart - but the change of actions is up to us. We need to discipline ourselves not to coexist with sin but to totally avoid it.

Application - Holy things are holy. God is calling us to dominion and to a life that is lived separate of the old things. Things that co-mingle with us from our past can only cause us to stumble today. Today I must keep holy the things that are holy and avoid the things that are not - to keep them completely removed from my life.

Prayer - Father give me strength and power to conquer lands but to remove the enemy in them and not to co-exist with them.

Deut 1-2; Mark 12

Scripture - Mark 12:29-31 Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

Observation - To understand the greatest commandment ever given. One of the teachers of the law in the midst of great debate over the scriptures comes and asks that very thing'; What is the greatest commandment? - Jesus replies "To love God will all your heart and your neighbor as yourself" To think that it all comes down to these two things. All of the law is held on these two things. Really all that God wants is for His people to love Him and to love each other. We get this so wrong. Trying to find the right doctrine, fighting amongst ourselves. Could you imagine a world focused on loving God and loving each other.

Application - In the midst of all the programming and plans - the greatest lesson we can teach is to love God and love each other. Everything in hinged on this...

Prayer - Father, make it my focus not only to love you and love those around me, but to teach that word continually.

Num 32-33; Mark 10

Scripture - Num 32:1-8 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, 2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 3 "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the country which the LORD defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." 5 Therefore they said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan." 6 And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: "Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here? 7 Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?

Observation - The children of Reuben and Gad came to Moses and wanted to settle outside of God's plan - in a land that looked like it was pleasurable and sustaining. They had surveyed the land by their own human estimation and determined that it was good for their business. They proposed to Moses that they stop their and dwell in that land. Moses' response was quite direct. He said "Why would you stop here while the rest of us are fighting for the land God intended" "Why do you want to discourage the whole group with your actions". It is amazing to me the principle nestled in here. When we stop in a place that looks right but is shy of God's purpose - not only do we abandon the greater mission, we discourage the rest of the troops. We never want to stop shy of God's ultimate plan for our life. We need to keep fighting and keep moving forward to walk in the land HE has provided - not one that meets most of our earthly criteria.

Application - The land we are in may not be the land we are designed for. Even though the results are relatively good - God wants phenomenal results. We need to keep moving and taking ground until we have been given a release from God.

Prayer - Father - Don't let me survey the land based upon my assessment. This is all yours and I am simply honored to be a steward over it. Help me to keep my eyes on the real prize.

Num 30-31; Mark 9

Scripture - Mark 9:40 For he who is not against us is on our side.

Observation - In this portion of scripture Jesus is dealing with the disciples about someone getting involved in ministry that is not traveling with the disciples. This man was driving out demons and ministering to people and the disciples tried to stop him - but Jesus said "whoever is not against us is for us" - I get the feeling from the words Jesus is asking "Whose side are you on?" You are either for Jesus or you are against Him. There is no in between - kind of goes back to that lukewarm scripture. Too often we try to stop people from doing ministry because they haven't been with us - but what we end up doing is pushing them to the other side.

Application - Once we determine that we are for Him. We should let people grow into their ministry maturity. I can see the disciples assessing the situation with this man and determining that he isn't doing it right, he isn't saying it right, he isn't telling it right - when people only get it right when they are allowed to do it wrong enough. There was this story of this new employee that was working with this very large customer. The employee put together a transaction for this client and it was placed incorrectly. The deal ended up costing the his company over $1 million dollars. When the new employee realized what was done - he began to pack up his office and leave the company. The owner came by and asked - "what are you doing?" The employee responded - "I am leaving, you couldn't possibly want me here after a mistake like that?" The owner asked "Are you going to do it again? And did you learn anything?" The employee responded "Of course, I will never do that again" The owner said "Then get back to work - we just spent over a million dollars training you".

People need a chance to fail in order to succeed.

Prayer - Father help me to see the failures as an opportunity to learn and to grow. To invest in those that are working in your business and remembering that they are not against you but for you.

Numbers 17,18; Ps 29; Mark 4

Scripture - Mark 4:11-12 And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,

Observation - Jesus speaking to the disciples the importance of the parables. He is making known the miracles and mystery of the kingdom so that those outside are not just perceiving the principles but actually seeing the principles. It is interesting to see that Jesus says that those on the inside, those that are walking with Him, are given the knowledge of the mysteries. We are given knowledge of the kingdom. It is in that knowledge that we have power and can overcome the enemy. The enemy works in the ignorance and not in the knowledge. Each one of us that is walking on the inside track with Jesus, comes to the place where we know and don't have to guess the principles of kingdom dynamics.

Application - Staying on the inside and not the outside is the key to knowing the mysteries of the kingdom. Too often we find ourselves on the outside looking in to the workings of God. We find ourselves without knowledge and without understanding. Jesus wants to make it plain. His desire is to teach us the ways of God so that we can walk circumspectly before Him. Too often we say "we don't understand the kingdom principles." In many cases it is do to removing ourselves from God's presence.

Prayer - Father, help me stay on the inside.

Numbers 14-16; Mk 3

Scripture - Mark 3:27 - No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

Observation - Jesus is teaching the disciples that unless they clean out the evil from an area and become the dominant spiritual force in any situation - they will not be able to gain the full result of harvest and fruit. Jesus is showing here that he is not aligned with satan or his ways but is standing not only in direct opposition to him but also has authority to bind him. Jesus shows through his words that he is not only no aligned with satan but has power over him.

Application - Taking control of the strong man - so often we approach situations in our life and never take control of the strong man. We try to bear fruit, we try to gain success, we try to move forward, but haven't stopped to bind the strong man in the area. Spiritually speaking, the strong man poses great resistance to a move of God or the movement of the church in any area. As a church we must make it every clear that we not only are not divided but we have the authority and the power to bind the strong man. Once the dominion is established we can and will plunder the area.

Prayer - Father help us to identify the strong man in our lives, the things that are keeping us from the heavenly plunder. Jesus you are the one that can and will bind the strong man in our lives. Allow us to walk in alignment with you.

Numbers 12-13; Ps 90; Mk 2

Ps 90:15-17 Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil. 16 Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children, 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes establish the work of our hands.

Observations - The psalmist in these scriptures is asking God to establish works of mercy and salvation in their midst. Understanding that God is all and we are not. That the work that we must do is from God and for God. In the previous scriptures there this this real understanding of man's temporary state and God's eternal state. The psalmist begins to describe man's limited time here and that God must establish His eternal purpose on earth.

Application - This concept of God's work being established has become a real eye opener for me. For God to establish His work, His way and that really Eric needs to just be used. As a pastor it can be really easy to come up with the greatest ideas ever to build the church and to bring in the harvest - but the great reality is that God establishes the work and brings the harvest and our job is to tend to the harvest. To work with what God has given us and to rejoice in that.

Prayer - Father let me restate the psalm. Please Lord establish the work of my hands. You are God and You know the work that must be done - please Lord show me and lead me.

Lev 18-19; Ps 13; Acts 19

Scripture - Lev 19:23-25 "When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, don't eat the fruit for three years; consider it inedible. 24 By the fourth year its fruit is holy, an offering of praise to God. 25 Beginning in the fifth year you can eat its fruit; you'll have richer harvests this way. I am God, your God.

Observation - Moses is being taught by God how to reap the best harvest of the land. He says for 3 years don't even bring in the harvest, consider it inedible, the fourth year give to God and the fifth year eat. This is principle for building God's work. The first 3 years in our new land should be consider laying the foundation for God's harvest, the fourth year should be a praise year and the fifth year we begin to break out. I had a pastor tell me one time "don't even begin to count for five years, God doesn't build his kingdom overnight and the only thing growing fast is weeds."

Application - Building a church for God is one of the most rewarding yet difficult tasks ever attempted. As an executive in the banking industry, I am used to rather quick results and success that takes place nearly immediately. In the kingdom, the first 3 years have been invested in the land, this fourth year has been one of praise and focus on God's heart - I am so looking for year 5 and reaping the harvest. As a pastor, I believe God is challenging me to look at 5 year increments in the things I do,. This scripture can apply to so many things in our life and ministry. Nothing happens overnight - building a great church, building a great life, building a great relationship. Everything takes time.

Prayer - Father help me to keep my eyes on the 5th year.

Lev 10-12; Acts 16

Scripture - Lev 10:9-11 It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, 10 that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, 11 and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by the hand of Moses."

Observation - Nadab and Abihu had just been consumed because they didn't pay attention to the precepts of God. The did not distinguish between right and wrong. Moses begins to teach the priests that they must determine what is holy and what is common, what is clean and what is unclean. In the kingdom of God this is not a blurred line. There is a distinct difference between right and wrong. Nadab and Abihu decided that God's principles could be casually accepted. They offered fire - even though the fire was not the right fire - they were close. Some might say "What is the difference?". The difference is that obedience is better than sacrifice. When we get instruction from God - it is not to have our opinion laced upon it. God is holy and is ways are above ours.

Application - This passage of scripture makes me think about the "shades of grey" idea that floats around our society. We no longer distinguish between right and wrong, clean and unclean, holy and common. We simply say "If it feels right do it" or "don't be so religious". Standards of character and non-negotiable. God's holiness is not up for negotiation. Something are right and some things are just wrong.

Prayer - Father help me to follow the right path today!

EX 30-32; Acts 8

Scripture - Acts 8:4-8 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

Observation - In this passage a great persecution had just taken place against the church. Saul was going everywhere taking men and women from their homes and dragging them to prison. There was a great movement to stop the progress of the church. When reading verses 4-8 I am so energized at the resolve of the church. No matter what comes against the church it will rise and continue on. The bible says that those that were scattered went about preaching the word. Just because we can't meet in a building doesn't mean we can't spread the word. Jesus resides in the heart of men and women not in a building or location. No matter what persecution comes we must continue to have the resolve to move forward.

Application - You can't stop the church. No matter what comes our way, what problem, what persecution, what legal demands, you can't stop the church. Even if we are scattered we must look for ways to spread the word. Philip ended up witnessing to an Ethiopian Eunuch on the side of the road. Each of us should take the church with us where ever we go and keep it moving forward.

Prayer - Father help me to keep moving forward no matter what comes my way.

Ex 12-13; Ps 21; Acts 1

Scripture - Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Observation - The disciples have a meeting here with Jesus, previously Jesus had promised that they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and receive power from on high. They were waiting in anticipation for that moment - now Jesus reiterates the promise and says don't leave here until it happens. They had an expectation for this power - interestingly though - the power was for a purpose "to become witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria and to the end of the earth." In other words we are to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to witness. To take the message of Jesus out of the four walls of the church and into the streets and homes and businesses of our community and around the world.

Application - Man we need to grasp this word. We spend alot of time focused on the Holy Spirit and I believe the Holy Spirit is necessary for each believer. The problem is that it seems like the power we have been given does not translate into witnessing. Something I would like to see is the people of God - actually taking the message outside the church and let the Holy Spirit help them to witness and make Jesus famous in our community.

Prayer - Father help me to be a better witness and inspire my congregation to follow.

Ex 9-11; Luke 24

Scripture - Luke 24:17 And He said to them, "What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?"

Observation - Christ has been crucified and was risen and was walking with them. He was listening to their conversation and how they were in dreadful despair of what had transpired in Jerusalem. They were talking about Christ death and how tragic it was. In the following scriptures - Jesus rebukes them and says - ought not the Christ have died to bring forgiveness to Israel. In other words - this is exactly what is supposed to happen. We are not to be down about what is taking place but to rejoice in the good news that He is risen. We are to rejoice in tribulation that we are partakers of Christ suffering. Too often we look at our situations as tragic instead of looking at them as bringing a new life to our world. Jesus is still in control of everything and knew exactly what would happen to him and he knows what is happening to us.

Application - We should control our conversation to discuss the holy things of God and the powerful testimony of our Jesus that is risen. So many of us crucify him over and over again because we only think of tragedy instead of talking about the glorious resurrection. The power was not in the death but in the life that followed.

Prayer - Father help me to constantly proclaim the good news!!!! Forever!!!!!!!!!

Ex 6-8; Luke 23

Scripture - Luke 23:39-43Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

Observation - It is amazing how in this tragic situation the different responses that the criminals had. The one was mocking and arrogant and the other was repentant and humble. The response to the humble man was amazing - he said "today you will be with me in paradise". I love how the way that we come to Jesus determines His response back. If we come arrogant and condescending, he will respond harshly - but when we come with compassion and mercy. Even when we are hanging on our cross dealing with our deeds. Even at the very end of our life - Jesus will come and tell you that everything is about to change. Repentance brings the mercy of God and the compassion of Jesus.

Application - I know that we all sin and fall short of God's glory. Some things in life seem irreparable and unchangeable. Yet when we come to Jesus with are heart of repentance understanding that we probably deserve the death sentence - Jesus is quick to forgive and deliver us from the treachery and the death sentence. He brings life in an abundant way.

Prayer - Father help me always to turn to you. I know that I am not perfect and probably make too many mistakes - but I ask your forgiveness today - let me live with you in paradise.

Ex 3-5; Luke 22

Scripture - Ex 3:10-12 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." 11 But Moses said to God,"Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" 12 So He said,"I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."

Observation - God is sending Moses back to Egypt to face Pharaoh. Remembering the history of Moses one will find that Moses was being chased out of Egypt for killing one of the Egyptians. He was caught between his life and his calling and was trying to do what was right but missed the mark. Pharaoh wanted to arrest him for his crime - but Moses fled. Now God is sending him back to face the problem and to bring deliverance. Israel can't be delivered without facing the thing that has control over their lives. Pharaoh represents a stronghold over them - represents control over them - represents their oppression - once that is faced there can be freedom - remembering always that God says "I will certainly be with you!"

Application - Too many of us keep running from the thing God wants to deliver us from. He is trying to get us to face our fears, our oppressor, our addiction, our struggles. But instead of facing it we run from it and while running we are kept in bondage to that very thing. It is time to face our oppressor. It is time to look the one thing that has us under its control and tell it to let us go. God said go speak to Pharaoh. We need to tell that thing our God has intended to deliver us and we are on our way out.

Prayer - Father - help me to face the very things that try to control me. Help me to face the things in my life that try to keep me from reaching my greatest potential. Help me to tell it "I am outta here!"

Ex 1-2; Ps 88; Luke 21

Scripture - Ex 1:11-13 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.

Observation - Times have changed, Kings have changed and the circumstances have changed. The new king in Egypt did not know Jacob, Joseph or any of the legacy of the Israelites. He simply saw that they were multiplying and growing in influence and in size. He became fearful of their power. Pharaoh began to try to eliminate them and keep them from growing. He placed oppression on them and pressure - he tried to eliminate them at birth to eradicate the people but not matter what he did God's favor was on His people. He blessed them and multiplied them, the more pressure the more they grew.

Application - This story reminds me of the diamond. Diamonds begin beneath the earths surface as coal. When the coal is under tremendous pressure the substance changes into a diamond. Something that is very precious and very valuable. The more pressure the more purity in the diamond. If the substance is removed from the pressure it does not have what it needs to become a diamond and stay a fuel that is burned and consumed. Pressure in life is the same way. God uses the pressures that face us to perfect us and make us pure. Under the pressure is when our lives become valuable and we will grow and multiply.

Prayer - Father as I look at my life and see the pressure points. Help me to endure all that comes my way so that I may be pure and valuable to the kingdom.

Gen 49-50; Psalms 8; Luke 20

Scripture - Ps 8:1 and 3 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!...3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

Observation - The whole world testifies of the greatness of God. It is overwhelming to think of God's wonderful mercy and grace in light of the majestic presence in this world. Looking around at the moon and the stars and the earth and all its fullness causes me to rejoice in the greatness of the God that I serve. This world is full of reasons to be depressed and down, but to see God's creation and all its majestic glory brings warmth to the soul and a smile to the face.

Application - When we begin to think of how overwhelming our problems are and how gigantic our issues become - we need to stop and consider the majesty of our God and the greatness of His creation. Stop to look at the power of His creation and the majesty that our king commands.

Prayer - Father, thank you for your majesty and your wonderful presence. You have made the moon and the stars to remind me of your greatness. God I love you and all your wonder.

Gen 47-48; Ps 10; Luke 19

Scripture - Luke 19:42-43 "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.

Observation - Jesus is instructing us to know the time. We are so oblivious to the time that we are in. The time that is made for our peace and made for our advancement. We don't understand the things that unfolding before our eyes and if we are not careful they will just pas us by and we will not have accomplished the things God has placed before us.

Application - We need to be keenly aware of the season we are in. Now is the time to take advantage of the opportunities of God. We need to be aware of the time and the direction from the Lord - to take the territory for Jesus.

Prayer - Father help me to know the time we are living in and the season. It is time!

Gen 44-46; Luke 18

Scripture - Gen 45:16-20 Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, "Joseph's brothers have come." So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, 'Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. 18 Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. 19 Now you are commanded — do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. 20 Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.'"

Observation - A pagan nation, a non-believing Pharaoh in a land that is not theirs and yet God's favor continues to dominate the situation. Because of Joseph's faithfulness, Pharaoh blesses all of Josephs family. Jacob to Benjamin received from Egypt. God can take the most unholy environment and cause it to bless the people of God. So many of us pray to be delivered from the ungodly work environments and the truth is that God can take the leaders of those organizations and use them to bless the people of God. Take from the unrighteous and give to the righteous.

Application - No matter what situation we are in, we need to glorify God and be honorable in our actions. Be faithful with little and we will be blessed with much. The rulers of our earthly world can be used to bless the kingdom of God. God can take the most difficult environment and cause it to bless the kingdom. As a pastor, many of people ask to pray to be put into Christian organizations or jobs with more believers - truthfully we need to be the light in the darkness, the bible says not to hide the light under a bushel but let it shine. God's house could be blessed by the faithfulness of our lives on the job.

Prayer - Father let me take every situation, every environment and through faithfulness bless the kingdom.

Gen 42-43; Ps 5; Luke 17

Scripture - Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Observation - Forgiveness is something that we all need to understand. Jesus was teaching here the capacity to forgive. He said that if your brother comes to you seven times in a day and repents, then forgive him. The concept is that there is no maximum number of tries that a person gets. We are not to be limited on our forgiveness, no matter the number of times someone disappoints us. Jesus said to keep forgiving - no matter how many times they sin against you. No matter how much they talk about you, no matter how many times they are rude to you, forgive them if they ask forgiveness.

Application - Some of us keep track of the offenses. We keep track of the amount of times that we have forgiven someone and if they get to the place that they are maxed out on offenses, they are done. We toss them out like an old pair of shoes and don't allow them to be restored in our lives. People are too valuable for that mode of operation. Relationships are too valuable to be tossed aside. We need not think of people as expendable, but as valuable and a blessing in our life. People will make mistakes and will need forgiveness - as the people of God let's be quick to forgive.

Prayer - Father make me quick to forgive and even quicker to forget. Father so many will disappoint, but help me to overlook the disappointment and see the hands of grace you have for them.

Gen 39-41; Luke 16

Scripture - Gen 39:6-9 Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And it came to pass after these things that his master's wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said,"Lie with me." 8 But he refused and said to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

Observation - Joseph had just been placed in a very esteemed position by Potiphar. What his brothers had intended to hurt him, God intended to bless him. Joseph continued to find favor with God and with man because of God's blessing on his life. Joseph was doing exactly what he was supposed to do - tending to the business of the house. Joseph was striving to fulfill God's call and God's direction and was working diligently to honor God with everything he was doing. Potiphars wife saw the favor of God on Joseph and attempted to sleep with Joseph - she was a snare to his life and his ministry.

Application - Even though you are doing everything right, you are striving for excellence and striving to bring honor to God with all of your actions - the enemy is sent as a snare to you. The enemy will attack in your prominent hour, he will attack right in middle of the best job in the world. Right when you think - man I am moving ahead with God, I want to serve him with all my heart and will honor him with my actions - something will pop up and want to cause you to stumble. Joseph was honorable in his actions and withstood the temptation. He did not give in, even though no one would know, God would see and be disappointed.

Prayer - Father allow my actions in secret and in public to please you. Let me be aware of the temptation of the enemy and to act honorable in-spite of the offers.

Gen 37-38; Ps 7; Luke 15

Scripture - Luke 15:28-32 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31 "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

Observation - The older brother in this passage of scripture had always been with the father, he was always doing the right thing and was constantly and consistently serving his father. When his brother that went out and squandered his possessions came back - he was angry that his father was celebrating the disrespect instead of the consistent. The fact is that he was so comfortable in the house of his father that he no longer had compassion for those that were lost. He was no longer excited about those that are found.

Application - It is easy to get comfortable in our fathers house. We have the spirit of God, the constant preaching of the word, good wholesome fellowship, constant goodness all around us. But there are those that are lost that do not understand this life - we must have compassion on them - when they come in and come back - our hearts must be to embrace them and give them the warmest welcome with the greatest celebration. I recently met a young man that was saved in the churches in Vera Cruz. He is so excited to be part of the kingdom and part of God's family. He brings a renewed sense of excitement to serving God.

Prayer - Father never let me lose the heart to celebrate newly saved people. Those that come home - help us to roll out the red carpet in our lives and bring them in with a party.

Gen 34-36; Luke 14

Scripture - Luke 14:25-33 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it — 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Observation - Jesus is teaching the disciples the cost of following him. I have seen many use the first part of this scripture to say that if you follow Christ you must literally hate your family. What is being said upon further research is that; to follow Christ you must love your family less. Christ is telling the crowd and the multitude that you mist place your primary affection on Him. He will not come second - only first. He goes on to explain that even people in the world know what it costs to build or to go to war - they know the last dollar and the last soldier that they will pay for their victory - do we understand what it takes to follow Him. Have we truly stopped to look at the cost and then decide to pay it willingly?

Application - Serving Jesus is not free. It comes at a cost - the cost was paid by Jesus to allow us the opportunity to serve Him. But there is a cost on our side as well. We must give everything to serve Him. I was thinking about this 21 days of fasting and how this is a true symbol of laying it all down to serve Christ. To not eat or limit our food intake for 21 days to focus our attention an prayer and communicating with God - Jesus is truly being worshiped. He is the focus of our attention - we must live a fasted lifestyle the remained of the year. Laying it All down for Him.

Prayer - Father, help me to live fasted - a lifestyle that is totally dedicated to you and your desire for my life.

Gen 31-33; Luke 13

Gen 32:26-28 Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." 27 The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered. 28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

Observation - Struggling with God and with men. Jacob wrestled for his blessing. he did not want to let go until he was blessed. He was even injured in the process but struggled with God until he received the blessing. Jacob was not distracted by anything - not even the daybreak - he would not let go. He wanted the blessing.

Application - Sometimes I think we need to wrestle until we get breakthrough. We give up too easy or don't want to go through the trouble. We don't want to put up the fight to get the blessing we need in our lives. The enemy has worn us out - he has tattered us and torn us and totally worn us out that we don't have any fight left in us. It is time to get back in the fight and wrestle until the blessing comes.

Prayer - Father give me the fight to get the blessing - I will not quit - I will not quit - I will not give up - I am in this til the blessing comes.

Gen 29-30; Luke 12

Scripture - Luke 12:15 Watch out! Be on your guard against all kind of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Observation - Jesus was teaching his disciples to focus on spiritual gain over worldly possessions. Money, wealth, and possessions only serve to distract us from the real purpose of life. Scripture describes a man with overflowing barns and didn't know what to do. So he built bigger barns. Those possessions should have been used to bless the kingdom - but the focus was on the possessions not on the kingdom.

Application - Be on guard - words of wisdom and caution. It is so easy to focus on the wrong things in life. To focus on making money even earning wages as your main focus can distract you from the provision of God. Jesus said "Your father in heaven knows you need them - BUT seek first the kingdom. Seek first the kingdom and all will be added. Seek first is the key - it isn't the possessions that becomes the issue or earning wages - both are good things for believers to do - its the seek first part that is key.

Prayer - Father - simply keep the main thing the main thing - ALWAYS!

Gen 27-28; Ps 4; Lk 11

Scripture - Luke 11:34 Your eye is a lamp of your body, When your eyes are good your whole body is good. But when your eyes are bad your whole body is full of darkness.

Observation - Jesus is teaching the disciples to control what they look at and what goes in. Garbage in garbage out (to quote an old computer cliche). The eyes are the gateway to the heart and we need to make sure that what we gaze upon will bring life to our whole body. The scripture says that when our eyes are bad our whole body is in darkness. Sometimes the dark cloud we feel around our lives has more to do with what we see than with where we are.

Application - Bouncing eyes is a term that I heard recently. It was in a seminar about sexual purity and maintaining a pure heart. Bouncing eyes means that when your eye gets to something you shouldn't be looking at, that you bounce your eyes to a good place. Guarding your vision and where you look is very important to our spiritual health. When we see dark things our life will resemble those things - but when we see life our life will resemble that. Keep looking at the good that God is doing.

Prayer - Father - help me always to see the good in everything. Let me see the good vision, the good in people and the good in life.

Gen 25-26; Ps 6; Luke 10

Scripture - Gen 25:6 But while he was still alive, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

Observation - I am so impressed with Abraham to not only prepare inheritance for Isaac but while he was still living he was giving inheritance to his other sons. Abraham passed on to his sons more than just wealth. He passed on care and compassion and the Godly wisdom to take care of your family. Inheritance was an issue of Godly direction and value as a father. It was considered problematic if you had nothing to pass on to your children.

Application - What are we passing on to our children? What inheritance are we leaving them. Abraham left legacy with his children. Are we investing in our sons and daughters while we are still living? Are we giving them the knowledge of God and the wisdom of Godly principles? Or after we are gone are we leaving them to scramble and find them for themselves?

Prayer - Father help me to be the model for my children. Help me to pass on a rich inheritance of Godly wisdom and Godly living that will bless them for generations to come.

Gen 23-24; Luke 9

Scripture - Gen 24:18-21 18 So she said, "Drink, my lord." Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, "I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking." 20 Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Observation - Rebekah had not idea what blessing she was in for as she served the man at the well. Abraham's servant went looking for a bride for Isaac - one to whom he would give all the wealth and riches that had been gained. Rebekah was simply being faithful to serve the man. Her kindness and compassion to bring give the man a drink and then water his camels was the very character quality God was looking for. I don't think we take time to understand what she really did. The bible said that she gave water to the camels til they finished drinking. Camels don't drink water for large periods of time - when they drink they can drink up to 20 gallons of water each. There were 10 camels for a total of 200 gallons of water. Assuming the pot she was carrying was 5 gallons (unlikely) she would have had to go to the well 40 times. Not to mention filling each jar, pouring the water, carrying the water up the stairs - each 5 gallons weighing some 40 pounds.

Rebekah did all this for a stranger. What a quality. And she reaped a great reward for her efforts. Can you imagine the blessing we would reap if we would be half as compassionate and half as faithful.

Application - All too often we assess the amount of work that we will have to do to bless someone and weigh that against the reward. Rebekah simply served the stranger. She did all that work to bless the man, a man she didn't even know. I believe we need to start serving the strangers around us. Serving them and filling them with living water. Blessing them until they finish drinking. Stop evaluating how much work goes into the blessing and just give ourselves fully. Let God take care of the reward and recognition. How many pots of water can I carry today.

Prayer - Father help me carry pots of water to the strangers in my life. Help me to serve without regard to what is in it for us. Without measuring the results. Just SERVE!

Gen 20-22; Luke 8

Scripture - Luke 8:16-18 "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

Observation - Jesus is trying to educate the disciples on the importance of the Word. He tells them that it is meant to be a light and to shine so that all can notice - not hidden under a bushel. When that word is in you it is meant to beam out of you like a beacon for All to be pointed to Jesus. Not kept as some secret that no one can understand. Gods wants us to take the word in us and set it on top of our life. The LIFEJournal allows an intimacy with the word and the sharing of the word allows that light to shine.

Application - We can't stop sharing what we are learning and hearing from God. He wants us to not only take the word we are studying and apply it to our lives but to share it with all that will listen. Not everyone will listen but some will hear and want more.

Prayer - Father make us ALL beacons of light!

Gen 18-19; Ps 3; Luke 7

Scripture - Luke 7:11-15 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

Observation - It would be foolish to read this passage of scripture and not celebrate the major miracle that had taken place. The men were carrying this young boy in a coffin and Jesus speaks to him and he gets up and pops out of the coffin. Can you imagine what the crowd was saying. Inf act the scripture says "they were in awe and praised God" I was thinking however, as I read, how often we have things in our life that we put in coffins and are on the way to bury long before God has finished His purpose with those items. This young boy had a role to fulfill in life. He was the only child of his mother, he would be the only one to carry on the name of his father, she could not be provided for without him and the lives he would touch would not be touched. In short this young boy had purpose. He passes away too early and Jesus speaks to the coffin and the boy awakes. Amazing how all hope was lost in the sight of the people but not to Jesus. One word and he is back in business (so to speak).

Application - I think that too often there are things in our life that have great purpose and potential and because maybe it gets too difficult or it seems to not get legs and go, we pronounce it dead. We carry those things to the grave yard in the coffin and attempt to bury them long before they fulfilled their purpose. It seems like we do this with relationships, with jobs, with churches, with family, with many other areas and activities. We are burying them pronouncing their death before we can see the miracle bring them out. Jesus can speak to those things that are in coffins in my life. Those things that are dead that should be living. Those things I have tried to bury that should have life. Jesus can speak to them and when they live we should stand in awe and praise the Lord.

Prayer - Father help me not to write anything off too early. All things work together for the good of those who love You. Father, I love you - help me to pray life into the dead places and perform and coffin miracle in me.

Gen 15-17; Luke 6

Scripture - Gen 17:4-8 "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God."

Observation - God is unfolding the plan for Abraham's life right here. He is telling Abraham what is going to happen to him and what his promise is for Abraham's life. God said "I am naming you Abraham because I have made you the father of many nations". Abraham was not currently the father of many nations and really didn't see any physical proof of that being possible. Sarah was old, he was old, really it didn't make sense. But God had the plan already in place even when the physical evidence speaks to the contrary.

Application - I am reminded everyday of the physical limitations that face my life. Financial limitations, time limitations, people limitations and the list goes on and on. There is a promise burning inside of me that God has placed there. This promise was not given based upon any human limitation but based upon God's ultimate design. When He makes a promise He already knows the end of the story. I love that He told Abraham - "I have made you" even before it was a reality to Abraham. God let me respond as Abraham responded "I believe!"

Prayer - Father help me to see the plan as you see it. Let me know that your plan and your promise is not dependent on anything I can or will do but upon your word only. This whole world was put in place by your spoken word - Father speak over my life.

Gen 12-14; Luke 5

Scripture - Luke 5:1-8 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying,"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

Observation - Peter and the men had been working all night to catch fish. This was their profession. They were skilled, trained and professional. They knew the right fishing spots, the places that were profitable to catch fish. Yet they didn't catch anything. There they were frustrated and broke with nothing to show for their efforts. Jesus enters the boat (at the wrong time of the day for fishing) and tells them to push out and let down for a catch. It is amazing that the only change is Jesus in the boat and his word spoken in their direction. They catch so much that they have to call partners in to help them. The blessing of Jesus flowed over their boat into the boats around them.

Application - It is amazing how you can work and toil all night doing what you have been trained to do, what you are skilled to do, maybe even what you are an expert doing with very little results. The production and return can be so disheartening, but one word from Jesus and the whole situation changed. These men knew what they wee doing and Jesus gets in the boat and says push our and let down - now everything is different.

Push out - some of us aren't going deep enough. We need to push out into new depths - new areas that we haven't approached yet, maybe because of fear or whatever, we need to push out today. He also said let down, we need to let down our guard, let down our attitude, let down our control and let Jesus speak a word over our situation. Let him get in the boat and tell me where to put the nets in. Even if its the wrong time of the day. Jesus makes all the difference.

Prayer - Father - I am pushing out today. I am going deep. Letting down my guard and allowing you to speak over my situation. I need you to touch every area of my life and let the catch come in.