Month: December 2022

Scripture Judges 2:10 When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.

Observation: Each generation seems to get farther from God. Our society makes it difficult to serve or praise God. We are close to Christmas and the day has been replaced with Happy Holidays and on the news I saw that a community is going to be changing the name of their Christmas Parade to a Holiday parade. The number of teenagers that drop their faith are on the rise as each generation moves away from our Lord. Christians don’t fight for their rights while others fight to take what little Christians have away and we stand by and do nothing about it.

Application: We need to help teach our children about our Lord. We can start with our children and grandchildren and help guide them to God. I then need to get involved with the things that are turning people away from Jesus and be there to fight for my Lord. I do so little and so much needs to be done.

Prayer: Dear Lord forgive me for my laziness and give me strength to make a difference in this generation. I’m only here because you desire me to be, so use me for your glory and give me wisdom to help bring others to your name.

Scripture Judges 1:1 Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass that the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, “Who shall be first to go up for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?”

Observation: That is something we should do all of the time ask God what he desires and ask for His guidance. How many decisions do we make in a day and how many do we ask God about. We get self-reliant and don’t think we need to ask God on our day by day decisions only when we get ourselves in a jam do we ask God for guidance. God is not looking for people who are independent, but dependent on Him. He knows all and sees all and He has the right answer and all we need to do is ask.

Application: I want God involved in my life, after all it is His creation. I need to ask Him about all of my decisions, because those decisions can result in either a closer relationship with Him or it may separate me from my Lord. I make so many decisions each day without giving God a thought in them and those decisions effect other people, God’s children. To be a better person, which I strive for I need better direction on how to live this life.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me please make the decisions I must make each day. I disregard your counsel, because I don’t ask for it. I want to be dependent on you and I need your wisdom to do what is right. This world is fallen and I need to think outside of its boundaries and have the heart of my Lord. Help me each day draw closer to you in thought word and deed.

Scripture Josh 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Observation: This is one of the most popular scriptures where many Christians have this displayed somewhere in their home. However how many households actually obey what this scripture says, we will serve the Lord. I know I have good intentions, but good intentions doesn’t serve God, actions do. To do good works and to bear fruit takes much more than good intentions it takes the strength that comes from asking God to guide you. This Thanksgiving we are going to have a Thanksgiving dinner and people have signed up as families to serve others in Jesus name. That is more than a desire to do good this is making a commitment and doing it, which I know will honor God.

Application: I serve God from time to time, but that isn’t even close enough to what He deserves from me, He deserves all I have and all that I am, all of the time and I don’t come close to that. Teri and I serve together and Erin and her family will help this Thanksgiving, but serving God isn’t a once in a while endeavor but a way of living. I need to be a better servant and a committed one for my Lord, no more halfhearted effort, but I need to be totally sold out for my God.

Prayer: Dear Lord I want to serve you completely and with a thankful heart. I want to be able to bless you with the way that I live and draw closer to you each day. You deserve everything from me, all of my love, obedience, praise and time. Give me wisdom and strength to deliver this to you.

Scripture Josh 23:3 You have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has fought for you.

Observation: I’m only here today because God loves me and as fought for me. Sometimes he had to even fight me for my sake. I look back on my life to see where I couldn’t go any more, because of all the obstacles in my way and even though I didn’t know my Lord back then He still removed the obstacles in my life so that I would continue another day. My Lord still fights for me every day sometimes against the obstacles Satan puts before me and sometimes my own thoughts that have hindered me so many times in the past. If God is for me who can be against me is a verse that is true in my life.

Application: I know my Lord fights for me, but I need to be a better partner in this battle. I need to arm myself with the shield of faith and sharpen my sword, His word. Every day is a battle and I need to be prepared to fight alongside my Lord, putting on the full armor of God. I need to get this temple strong and ready so that as long as I’m here I’m fighting against those who stand in the way of my Lord.

Prayer: My Lord thank you for not giving up on this unworthy soldier of yours. I thank you that you fight for me each day and I will always need your support and guidance. Help strengthen me again our enemies and make me wise in your battle plan for my life. It is such an honor to serve with you.

Scripture Josh 22:5 But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

Observation: First we must know the Lord’s commandments and laws so that we may obey them, because obeying God’s law is the only way we can show Him that we do love Him. To disobey is to sin and move away from God. The more we know about our God the easier it is to love Him a loving caring Father who wants the best for us and watches over us with love and mercy, how can you not love Him? To serve God is to show Him that you love Him and when you serve you can’t do it begrudgingly but with all of your heart and soul. He knows us better than we know ourselves and He desires us to come to Him with love and trust.

Application: I need to serve other out of the love I have for my Lord. To serve others is to serve God as Jesus said in Matthew welcome those who gave him drink when he was thirsty, food when he was hungry, visited Him when He was sick and as we ask Him when did we do these things for you he told us whenever we did these things for the least of our brothers we did it unto Him. I need to see others as Jesus does and know that I’m serving God by serving His children.

Prayer: Dear Lord help me be a better servant for you. I’ve been so lazy and looking after my needs instead of the needs of others and your desires. My mind is racked with so many things I can’t see clearly and I need your peace in my spirit so that I may serve with my whole heart and soul.

Scripture Josh 21:45 Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass

Observation: God’s word never comes back void. God is perfect and so is His word. He keeps His promise and never leaves us or forsakes us. We can totally depend on God and trust Him with all of our heart, mind and soul. So if that’s the case why don’t we, myself included? His word tells us if we believe in His son we have eternal life and a home with Him forever, so with that this short life should be lived in a way that we build up our treasures in Heaven and glorify God. There is no trial on this earth that can’t be handled with God. We need to first know His word and then when we know it we need to stand on it and trust it.

Application: I need to continue to study God’s word and gain a knowledge of it so that I can stand firmly on it and help others understand. I need to know and live my Lord’s words and put them in practice every day. I only have a short time left on this earth before going home and I need to make the most of the time I have left bearing fruit and doing good works that will glorify God.

Prayer: My Lord you know my heart and how desperately I want to honor you. Why do I come up so short every day? I need to live your word each day and hear your voice guide me through this journey until I come home to you. Help me please follow your commands and bear fruits in every good work.

Scripture Josh 20:1 The LORD also spoke to Joshua, saying,

Observation: Does God speak to us today? I believe He does, but the problem is we aren’t listening. We may not hear is voice verbally, but He surrounds us with signs and His word so we know what He is telling us. God has used the people He surrounds me with to speak to me and often to protect me. I know it doesn’t please Him for me to do nothing or very little each day for His glory and I want to hear Him, but my mind is so full of this world I can’t hear Him.

Application: I need to know God loves me and has a purpose for me and I need to hear from Him so I can get on track. I pray to Him each day, but I need to take time to listen and wait for His guidance. I’m so tired all of the time and I need strength to be busy for my Lord. I need to know I’m a servant of the most high and I need to listen for His commands so I will be an obedient servant, the desire of my heart.

Prayer: My Lord help me. I’m sitting here writing and deciding what to do after I’m finished. Give me guidance and open my ears to your voice. I don’t want to waste any more of this life on things of this world, I want to build my treasures in heaven as you require me to do. Help me please lead a life that will glorify you. I love you and want to please you.