Month: March 2022

Scripture: James 4: [17] Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

Observation: Sometimes I feel as long as I don’t sin that should be good enough, but this scripture is a little scary. During the course of each day there is always opportunities to do good, treat people better and witness to others. Most of the time I let those opportunities go by. I wish I can say I don’t know the good I’m supposed to do , but that would be a lie and a sin.

Application: Laziness and selfish desires is what stops me most of the time from doing the good God desires of me. I need to remember I’m going to have to answer to God one day about those times. Is someone burning in Hell because I was not concerned enough to help guide them in the right direction? One day I’ll know and I’m afraid of the answer. I need to live each day with my eyes wide opened and aware of the good I should be doing.

Prayer: Dear Lord I’m sorry please forgive me for all of the missed opportunities to do good in your name. Give me wisdom to see the things you desire of me and place the words in my mouth that you want me to share. I can’t wait to come home help me make it a wonderful home coming.

Scripture: James 3:9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.

Observation: Out of the overflow of my heart I speak, unfortunately my heart must not be fixed on Jesus. During the course of the day I seem to make some sarcastic remark and try to pass it off as funny, but all that remark is doing is hurting my witness to others. How I act and what I say speaks loudly to others if it’s loving and kind it can help draw others close to God, knowing that I’m a Christian, or if sarcastic make me into the biggest hypocrite that they have come across.

Application: I need to think before I speak. Does what I say honor God and draw them close or make my belief in my Lord a wasted effort. All through the word it tells me to comfort others with my word and that should be my goal each day to make someone feel better because I was able to speak a kind word into their life.

Prayer: Dear Lord soften my tongue and open my eyes to realize how I’m treating others. Help me be like Jesus and have a heart to help and love. I’m your ambassador may I direct others into your kingdom.

Scripture: James 2: [17] In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Observation: If we say we have faith and love God, but do nothing to prove it would good are our words? If I tell my wife I love her yet do nothing that proves my love why should see believe me and If I really do lover her why wouldn’t I show her. Basically God deserves our very best and our best isn’t just talking about it. We not only need to act out our faith for our Lord, but also for others so that they may be able to see God through our actions.

Application: I was planning a Christmas party and it’s not going exactly like I would like , so I’m thinking of cancelling it which leaves me nothing to do, which is what I seem to do best. I need to persevere and put actions to my words. Tonight I have an opportunity to teach again in the Depression class and I need to instill in each person that they must have actions for their faith.

Prayer: Dear Lord help get me moving for you. May my love for you be seen and not just heard. I’m called to serve and I can’t serve unless I’m doing something. Guide me today and what you would like to see me do and assist me in doing it.

Scripture: James 1: [4] Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Observation: Persevering is definitely not one of my strong suits. I give up easily and quickly, making excuses and giving God reasons why I can’t go on. Whenever I start a project that can honor God my laziness takes over or my pride to stop my momentum. I will be mature until I finish what I’m called to do. I can never graduate until I finish the course.

Application: I need to know that the enemy does not what me to persevere, but desires me to give up. He will help throw up road blocks in my path, but I need to focus on the prize, pleasing my Lord and fulfilling the purpose I was created for. I have gifts I can use to serve my Lord and to help others and I need to be using them every opportunity I get.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me persevere through this life so that I might finish this race well. Guide me so that I may mature and be more useful to you. Use me to lead others to you. I love you Lord and desire to please you, fill me with the Holy Spirit and show me how.

Scripture: Hebrews 13: [16] And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Observation: You would think doing good would be natural, but it’s not. Even God calls it a sacrifice and when you think about it is. Normally when you do something good for someone else you’re not doing something for yourself and that is a sacrifice to us. We are so involved in what we want that anything else is going beyond what we want to do. We do live in a fallen world with a sinful nature so it takes more of an effort to please God with our time.

Application: My memory is poor and at times I forget to do good because I’m so focused on me, but that needs to change. My focus needs to be on others needs because that is what God calls me to do. I tell God every day that I want to please Him and I know He appreciates my prayers, my Bible study and the things I do in private, but what really pleases Him is for me to sacrifice the precious time He blesses me with and give it to others as a living sacrifice.

Prayer: Dear Lord I’m lazy and selfish two traits that dishonor you. I need your strength and guidance to be the man that would be pleasing to you. Help open my eyes and give me strength that this life would be pleasing to you. I love you Lord and don’t want to leave here until I can come home pleasing you.

Scripture: Hebrews 12: [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Observation: In my class I teach about how our focus reflects our thoughts. I need to do that in my own life and always focus on Jesus. It should be easy He is all around me and never leaves or forsakes me.. If I know Jesus is the answer to anything that might come my way I won’t grow weary or lose heart, because I know He loves and cares for me.

Application: I need to stay focused on God’s plan for my life. I need to b able to see Jesus in all of my situations every day. I can’t allow myself to get distracted and take my focus off of Him. God has a purpose for this life and to touch the hearts of others I need to be walking in the path God has placed me on with my focus on Jesus so I don’t get off course.

Prayer: My Lord please always stay close to me and open my eyes so that I might see you in every situation. Give me strength so I don’t grow weary and give me hope so I don’t lose heart. I love you Lord, may I live today showing you how much.

Scripture: Hebrews 11: [6] And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Observation: Faith the thing I need so desperately. I can talk a good game but when things get tough my knees buckle. Yet the times I do step out in faith God has always blessed them and me in the process. I know my Father exists I talk to Him every day, but when my focus is off of Him my faith seems to disappear.

Application: Faith is an action , a commitment, the knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt and is the one thing my Lord tells me I must have. He’ll always be there to help me, but I need to trust Him and allow Him to take charge of this life He has given me. My ultimate goal each day is to bring a smile to my Father’s face and know that He is pleased with me, but only through faith.

Prayer: My Lord I belief, help me with my unbelief. I so desperately want to please you and live a life that glorifies you, but I need your help to do it. Increase my faith and help me stay focused on you. I love you with all of my heart, mind and soul, draw me close.