Gen 6-8; Luke 3

Scripture - Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are my beloved Son; In You I am well pleased."

Observation - This scripture always reminds me of my own baptism. Being recently converted their came a moment when the pastor announced the baptism service for that Sunday evening. I was adamant that I had already been baptized as an infant and didn't need to go through the ritual again. Arriving home from the morning service a deep sleep came over me. I don't usually nap - but for some reason this day I was extremely tired. Upon waking I was in a near panic frantically searching for Saundra to see if it was too late to be baptized. You see while I was asleep, I was dreaming that I was speaking with Jesus. He was telling me of all the wonderful things He had done in my life to protect me, to keep me, to lead me. How he had blessed me even when I didn't know Him. He began to tell me how He loved me so much that He laid His life down for me and even if I were the only one, it would be worth it. At the end of the dream Jesus said "I love you this much, how come you won't tell the people how your heart is renewed and cleansed. Why won't you publicly testify about me, even I was baptized?"

Application - God is so good. He put is stamp of approval on His son through the testimony of the Holy Spirit. In baptism we share in Jesus life experience and testify God's eternal love for us through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Prayer - Jesus, I do love you and thank you daily for everything you have done for me and my life. I will shout from the mountain tops your love.

Gen 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture - Gen 4:13-15 And Cain said to the Lord "My punishment is greater than I can bear! Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me." And the Lord said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold." And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

Observation - Cain had brought a disrespectful offering to the Lord. In essence he sinned before God, then murdered his brother because of the jealousy in his heart. Cain was full of anger and bitterness and disrespect and the Lord punished him. Yet at Cain's response to the severity of the punishment, God placed an mark on him signifying his protection from the Lord. In his unrepentant state God still loved Cain enough to protect him. God looked at his creation with love and compassion and would not allow anyone to take vengeance on Cain. God's punishment is sufficient - the world does not get to take vengeance on God's creation. God appoints the time to die and the time to live.

Application - So many times we look at people with disdain or disgust or even frustration because of their actions. We don't understand how they could live a life apart from God even denying his very existence. In society today, God is in question! His existence is being challenged almost daily, his purity and principles are in question daily. From same sex marriage to premarital sex to drug and alcohol addiction. Yet God has such love for his creation that He has marked them for protection. God has placed a mark on His people and "would that none should perish but come to repentance". God's everlasting love is for His creation. It's time to see His people through His eyes.

Prayer - Father as we make it through 2011 and beyond, help us to see your creation and the love you have for us, sinner and saint. God we love you and ask for your direction as we put together outreach, evangelism and events that attract your creation to your church and ultimately to you.

Gen 1,2; Luke 1

Scripture - Gen 1:2-3 And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be..."

Observation - This is one of the foundational scriptures in the whole bible - the beginning of God's creation. God's Spirit hovering over the earth in its formless, void state and speaking into existence the entirety of what we know today as life and substance. God looked over the earth and began His work to create. He started by saying "Let there be..." God's spoken word has power to form, to complete, to engage. Let there be... speaks to us to day of possibility. Whatever God wants there to be there will be.

Application - As I look at this year of 2011, God has promised so many things. Let there be... are words that I will be repeating throughout this year. My pray will be God let there be souls saved, healing miracles, church growth, campus expansion, teams formed. Create ministry this year God that will bless our entire region and our entire country. There are so many things that God has placed in my heart to do - I pray His words "Let there be" become resounding and that those dreams become reality. 2011 is full of possibility - we simply need to make the decision to allow God to "Let There BE!"

Prayer - Father let there be life in the things you have given me to do. Let there be life in the ministries you have put in my hands. Let there be souls abundant this year. Give us hundreds saved, restored and redeemed. Father "Let there be" should be the song of my heart for this year. Let your creative ability come to full measure this year.

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.