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!