Month: March 2024

Scripture Isaiah 4:2 In that day the Branch of the LORD shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped.

Observation: We as Christians are now the branch of the Lord. Jesus tells us if we will abide in him that He will graft us into the vine. He has set us apart to produce fruit and to be excellent and appealing to the world around us, but instead of grafting into the Lord most of us have blended into this world and have become unnoticed and ineffective.

Application: We need to be separated from this world and to be a light to others. Our lives should be different and appealing to the world and point the way to Jesus. If we do not the world has no hope, but if we do what God has called us to do, we can bring others with us and they will not have to perish.

Prayer: My Lord it is so easy to blend in, help me stand out in glory and honor to you. Help me be a light to this dark place and to accomplish the purpose you have created me for.

Scripture Isaiah 3:5 The people will be oppressed, every one by another and every one by his neighbor; The child will be insolent toward the elder, And the base toward the honorable.”

Observation: People have been oppressed throughout history. We are not oppressed by just our government but by people around us, whether because of something we lack or a position that is held people go out of their way to oppress us to make themselves feel better. With social media it is even worse since now everyone has a voice and the young feel they have rights and try to enforce those rights on the elders. Satan has us fighting against each other so we won’t see the real enemy, which is him.

Application: I need to be a voice of reason in this unreasonable age. Instead of oppressing I need to be encouraging and help point the way to Christ. I have no power or rights, but I have something much more powerful, the gospel.

Prayer: My Lord give me strength to fulfill the purpose you have called me to. It is so confusing here and it is one distraction over another, but keep our hearts and minds focused on you. I love you Lord.

Scripture Isaiah 2:11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, And the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Observation: Everyone wants to be noticed and looked up to. The news is full of people that are trying to make a name for themselves, no matter who it might hurt. It is our sinful nature to be prideful and to put ourselves above others. We are so full of ourselves that we leave no room for our Lord and His desires for our lives.

Application: I need to live a humble life, putting the needs of others above my own to honor God. This life does not belong to me, but I’m here as a servant of my Lord and I need to obey His commands and desires.

Prayer: Lord humble your servant before you. Take the heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh. Help guide me to be obedient to you and finish this race to please you.

Scripture Isaiah 1:23 Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes, And follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.

Observation: This really describes today’s government. Everyone is out for themselves and they don’t care about anyone. Abortion is becoming more murderous and they define when you can kill a baby and now they want it to be after birth. The corruption in the government is on the news every day and how are leaders are stealing millions of dollars. It is becoming more and more like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Application: I can’t fall into the trap of wasting my time trying to change what I can’t change, but be a light to people that the Lord surrounds me with each day. To do what I know what is right and follow God’s guidance and not the governments.

Prayer: Dear Lord I pray for this country. We need you more than ever to lead us out of this sin and corruption. Help me be a part of the solution no matter how small and to be a light in this dark place.

Scripture Song of Songs 8:6 THE SHULAMITE TO HER BELOVED Set me as a seal upon your heart, As a seal upon your arm; For love is as strong as death, Jealousy as cruel as the grave; Its flames are flames of fire, A most vehement flame.

Observation: Jealousy is cruel and I’ve seen it break up friendships and marriages. Jealousy is that desire to have something or someone that someone else has. It’s not being content with what you have and wanting more than what God has blessed you with. We forget the blessings we have when we are focused on wanting what others have.

Application: To be more focused on all that I have and to thank God for all of the blessing He has given me. I have nothing to be jealous of, I have so much more than I deserve and I should be more giving to others.

Prayer: My Lord, you have truly blessed me and I want to tell you now that I love you and appreciate all you’ve done for me. Help me be the man you call me to be.

Scripture Song of Songs 7:6 How fair and how pleasant you are, O love, with your delights!

Observation: As I’ve been reading Song of Songs it is a romantic story. Most of it comprised of lavished compliments. I’m sure a lot of women and men would feel wonderful if the person they love would say such things to them. But love is so much more. Compliments are just words and without anything to back them up they are empty. Love is an action word and needs action to be true. If we say nice things and do nothing to prove our love what good is that? That doesn’t only go for our spouse our loved ones, but for God. If we say we love Him and live our life for us, how can that be love?

Application: I need to show God that I love Him with all my heart, mind and soul. He deserves all of that plus my time. My time needs to be used for His glory. I can’t just say the words in a prayer that I love Him, but I need to show my Lord and others around me that God is my first love.

Prayer: My Lord, I do love you, but I know I haven’t been showing you love for a long time now. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and show me what I should be doing to show that love.

Scripture Song of Songs 6:3 I am my beloved’s, And my beloved is mine. He feeds his flock among the lilies.

Observation: Teri is not only my wife, but I’m also her husband. I know that might be a redundant statement, but do we look at our marriages that way, that we are each other’s? I almost always say that Teri is my wife and by that it sounds that she has certain duties to perform as wife, but I’m also her husband and I do have the duties of the husband to perform according to God. We are called to be one and each one of us deserves the love and respect that God calls us to give to each other.

Application: To focus more that I’m Teri’s husband and she should depend on me doing the duties of a husband. God has created me with the ability to control one thing and that thing is me and to only focus on what I should be doing as the husband in this relationship.

Prayer: My Lord next to being your child the greatest blessing I have is being Teri’s husband. I thank you for this precious gift and I ask guidance as we continue along the path you have chosen for us.