Month: April 2023

Scripture 1 Chron 9:13 and their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses–one thousand seven hundred and sixty. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.

Observation: God has made us able to do His will. So to be ready to do the work and fulfill the purpose they were created for. I believe these men studied God’s word, stayed in prayer and served as Jesus calls us to serve putting the needs of others above our own personal needs. God has given us what we need and it is up to us to get prepared and ready to serve. Desiring to please God and do the work He puts before us is a decision, are we going to serve God or ourselves. Our eternity is dependent upon our answer.

Application: I’ve stepped out to do different ministries in our church, from speaking on Heaven on Wednesday night, sharing my testimony with others, giving a class on Getting over Depression and serving using my gifts in food service. All I need to do is keep stepping up and God does the rest. I don’t have to be personally qualified if God calls me He will equip me to do His will. I need to stop being selfish with this precious time that God has given me, I need to share it with others in any way I can.

Prayer: My Lord I thank you for all that you have blessed me with, especially this precious time I have. I would never have believed before I came to receive your Son as my Lord and Savior that I would still be alive today. This time I have is yours, please use it to glorify your name. I love you and desire to serve you always.

Scripture 1 Chron 8:40 The sons of Ulam were mighty men of valor–archers. They had many sons and grandsons, one hundred and fifty in all. These were all sons of Benjamin.

Observation: when everyone in a family shows the same character traits it is safe to say they saw it demonstrated by someone in their family, most likely the father. The father sets the example whether good or bad the children will pick it up. If a father has no distinct qualities the children will look for someone to emulate. Our earthly father may not be someone you want to imitate, but we have a Heavenly Father in whom we should be like. God is our example and Jesus was that example on earth, Jesus said if you see me you see the father.

Application: God has sent me an example and he wants me to be a mighty warrior for Him. I need to do everything I can to be ready for battle against the enemy of God. I need to have my sword and armor on at all times and do what God commands me to do. I need to stop sitting on the side lines and get ready for battle and be the man that my father calls me to be.

Prayer: My Lord, my Father I thank you for the example you have set for me to follow. I know I will never come close to being perfect like You, but help me be the warrior you call me to be and that I will fight effortlessly for you. May my eyes always be focused on you so that I may know you and do as you want me to do.

Scripture 1 Chron 7:40 All these were the children of Asher, heads of their fathers’ houses, choice men, mighty men of valor, chief leaders. And they were recorded by genealogies among the army fit for battle; their number was twenty-six thousand.

Observation: We are called to be ready to battle at any time. If we are a Christian we should have been trained and have been distributed a belt, helmet, shoes, breastplate and a sword as described in Ephesians. We are not called to be passive, but to hate evil and to love others. To love them so much to not let the enemy have them. The Heaven study last week was about telling the people we know about Jesus and saving them for eternal damnation and lead them to eternal life with God. It will be a battle. I wrote to my son and the letter that came back was harsh, but deserved. I can’t give up, I must fight to the end.

Application: That is what I need to do is fight. Fight for the people that God placed in my life, fight against temptation and evil thoughts. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t struggle with something the enemy has thrown at me and I need to be ready to defend myself and attack when necessary.

Prayer: My Lord get me ready for battle. Please stand next to me and fight with me, I can’t take the enemy I’m not strong enough. Help me be victorious and win against my attackers. I need to prevail against all that comes at me in this life so I may enter into your kingdom with honor.

Scripture 1 Chron 6:31 Now these are the men whom David appointed over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after the ark came to rest.

Observation: As David appointed people to do different services, like song, God appoints us for service. In that service it is something we are gifted and have a desire to do. There are no exceptions everyone has a job to do. I don’t believe mine is in song, however God has gifted me with an ability to organize food related events, to cook and a gift of detail and instruction. Lately God has called me to speak as I’m just about to finish the Heaven study, which has been one of the most wonderful things God has allowed me to do.

Application: I need to step up more and never say no to someone asking my help. I need to stay in prayer and ask for direction on how God wants me to use the gifts he has given me and ask for even more gifts to glorify His name. I need to stop being so lazy and get off my butt and start making a difference for God’s glory.

Prayer: Dear Lord get me going for your glory and not mine. Use me please and all you have given me to make an impact for you on this earth. Whether serving, speaking or helping others use me that I may finish well and please you. I love you Father and only want to please you.

Scripture 1 Chron 5:20 And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.

Observation: In one of the Heaven studies I had God’s trustworthiness as one of his attributes. God is the only one we can trust and we have a hard time doing that. We would rather put our trust in someone knowing that they are not any more trustworthy than we are. The only way God will answer our prayer is that we trust Him to answer it. When we pray we must trust that He will answer our prayer in a way that will be best for us, not necessarily the way we think it should be answered. Once we trust God completely we will be able to see exactly what He has in store for us.

Application: God has proven himself trustworthy again and again in my life and I still can’t seem to trust Him always. I need to let go and prayer with trust that He will do what is best for me. Then I need to come before Him with an open heart and ask what He desires from me. I need to be answering and doing God’s desires in my life. The only way that I can earn rewards is by doing what is right in His eyes and do them for Him only. Once I trust in Him and do what He calls me to do, then I will be on the path He desires for me.

Prayer: My Lord take all this mistrust I have in my heart and destroy it. May I trust you completely and do your will in my life. You only are worthy of all of my trust, love and praise, may I live the rest of my life this way that it will please you.

Scripture 1 Chron 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Observation: It wasn’t that long ago I started saying the prayer of Jabez as part of my morning prayers. When I ask God to expand my territory I ask that He will allow me way to share my testimony and love with others. Since then He has allowed me to do a Heaven Study and I will share my depression testimony at church in a couple of weeks. When I ask Him to bless me I ask Him to bless me because that is His desire for me. I know God answers all of my prayers and like Jabez He answers mine.

Application: I need to keep on praying His will for my life and to keep seeking what His will is. I need to be a righteous man, as difficult as that might be. I need to talk to my Father throughout the day and stay close to my Savior. Time is getting short for me and if I’m going to complete the purpose God has put before me I will need His hand upon me, because without I can’t do anything, but with Christ I can do all things.

Prayer: My Lord I want to finish well. Please keep those opportunities coming so I may honor you with this life. Heal your servant and take this pain from me, but not my will your will be done. May I go to you throughout the day and listen to what you are telling me. I love you Lord, please guide me.

Scripture 1 Chron 3:1 Now these were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second, Daniel, by Abigail the Carmelitess;

Observation: Your family and where you come from is important. Through first and second Kings and Chronicles it goes through the family lines and who was born to whom. It’s amazing on how one king who followed God can have a son who did the opposite. Sometimes our children follow in our footsteps and when you don’t get along with your children they want to be different from you. So it’s more than telling our children about God we need to treat them the way God would treat them with love and discipline.

Application: I was a terrible father and I haven’t talked to my son in over 10 years. He seems however following in my old footsteps, with depression and not following God. I reached out to him via email and haven’t heard anything back and probably won’t. My daughter on the other hand has kept in touch with me and I call every Tuesday to hear her voice. I miss here and if I’m lucky I get to see her once a year for a visit. My children are grown, but I can still set an example of a godly father even if it’s long distance.

Prayer: My Lord I want to be a better father and a better child to you. I’ve messed up my life in the past so badly, because I didn’t know you then and I need your guidance now to help repair broken relationships. Help me do better in glory and honor to you.