Body of Christ

  

Scripture I Corinthians 12:7, 11-12, 14, 18, 22-27

12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many. 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

Observation God has put members of the body of Christ, the church, in unique positions and with unique gifts but all working together to carry out His plan, to honor Him.

Application  I have a unique part/function within the body of Christ, the church.

Prayer Father, open my eyes to the unique place/function You have for me within the body of Christ, Your church and that I would carry it out with all my heart.

Promise Keeper

 

Scripture Joshua 23:5-6-The Lord your God will expel them from before you and drive them out of your sight. So, you shall possess their land, as the Lord your God promised you. Therefore, be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, lest you turn aside from it to the right hand or to the left.

Observation God is a Promise Keeper.

Application I will trust the Lord to keep His Word.

Prayer Father, I will trust You to be a promise keeper.

Trustworthy Doer

 

Scripture Joshua 22:5-Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.  

Observation God is a keeper/doer of His Word.

Application I would put my faith/trust in God’s Word.

Prayer Father, today I am thankful that I can put my complete faith/trust in You and Your Word.

Eternal Focus

 

Scripture I Corinthians 9:25-26 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight not as one who beats the air.

Observation We must run the race with certainty and focus with our eyes on things eternal.

Application Focus on things that are eternal.

Prayer Father, help me to live with focus and certainty with eyes on things eternal.

 

One God and One Lord Jesus Christ

 

Scripture I Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

Ephesians 4:5-6, 1 Timothy 2:5, John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17, Hebrews 1:2, Romans 5:11, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:9-10

Observation There is one God, our Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ.

Application God is my Father and Jesus Christ is my Lord and my life.

Prayer I am thankful to have You, God, as my Father and Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

Immeasurable Price

 Scripture I Corinthians 7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.- 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Revelation 5:9 

Observation Jesus paid a high price for us, for our souls.

Application Remembering the high price Jesus paid for our souls should focus our true allegiance on Him.

Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for the high, immeasurable price You paid to save my soul, each day I would remember and seek to honor Your sacrifice.

My Body is Your Temple

 

Scripture I Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

John 2:21; 1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16, Rom. 14:7, Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 7:23; Gal. 3:13; 1 Pet. 1:18; 2 Pet. 2:1; Rev. 5:9

Observation God paid a high price for my soul through His Son Jesus.

Application I would seek to glorify/honor God in this body, this temple of His Holy Spirit.

Prayer Thank You Father for sending Your Son, Jesus, to pay the immeasurable cost to redeem my soul, to place Your Holy Spirit in me and purchase for me the gift of eternal life.

Mercy and Salvation

 

Scripture Psalm 69:13-But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.

Observation The Lord is abounding in mercy. He only is my salvation.

Application My faith and trust is in a merciful God, He alone is my salvation.

Prayer Thank You Lord for being merciful to me. You alone are the God of my salvation.

Getting Your Feet Wet

 

Scripture Joshua 3:13-16  it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of the Jordan, that the waters of the Jordan shall be cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and they shall stand as a heap . . . and as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water . . . that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away . . . and the people crossed over opposite Jericho.

Observation Obedience to God can result in miraculous things happening.

Application If I will trust God, even when what He is leading/asking me to do seems, well, scary undoable, He can and will do miraculous things that will impact many lives.

Prayer Father, I want to trust/believe You no matter what . . . to be willing to get my feet wet.

Strong and Courageous 2

 

Scripture Joshua 1:8-9  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you  shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.- (Psalm 37:3-7, 23-24, 30-31, 39-40)

Observation Meditate upon and be a doer of God’s Word and you will prosper and be successful. Be strong and courageous for God is always with you.

Application/ Prayer  I would trust in and be a doer of Your Word. I would draw strength and courage from Your ever abiding presence.

The Eternal Wisdom, Power, and Spirit of God

 

Scripture I Corinthians 2:4  my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

I Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.

I Corinthians 2:9-10, 13, 16

Observation We have access to the Spirit, power, and the eternal wisdom of God.

Application I would tap into the eternal wisdom and power of God.

Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for giving me access to God’s eternal wisdom and power.

Strong and Courageous

 

Scripture Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:8, 31:23, Psalms 40:16, Ephesians 3:20-21

Observation Strength, courage, calmness, confidence in the face of whatever comes my way, whatever the situation or circumstance, He provides all of these and more through His ever-abiding presence.

Application Whatever comes my way, no matter how challenging or beyond my strength it may seem to be, the constant abiding presence of the Almighty God of all creation, living and abiding in me is infinitely more sufficient.

Prayer Thank You, Almighty Father for Your ever-abiding presence giving me strength and courage beyond measure amid whatever may come my way.

Bear Their Burdens

 

Scripture Galatians 6:2- (Acts 20:35; Rom. 15:1; 1 Thess. 5:14) -Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill (James 2:8, Philippians 2:2-5) the law of Christ.

Observation We are like Jesus when we bear one another’s burdens.

Application Be not only on the look out for but ready and willing to meet the needs of others.

Prayer Father, I would have eyes to see and a heart to meet the needs of others.

Fruit of the Spirit

 

 Scripture Deuteronomy 26:11-Then . . .  you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household.

Galatians 5:16-I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Observation  Walking in the Spirit will produce fruit.

Application I will seek to walk in the Spirit.

Prayer Father, thank You for all the good things You bless me with, above all, the presence of the Holy Spirit living/abiding in me. May my life bear fruit for Your glory.

ST. PATRICK-The True Story

 Today is the day that the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick, is honored. A native of Britain, he was captured in the late fourth century A.D. by Irish pirates at age sixteen and enslaved for six years in Ireland. During that time he committed himself to Christianity. He escaped and returned to his family in Britain where, a few years later, he had a vision of the Irish calling him to return and minister to them.

Rather than resenting his years as a slave to the Irish, Patrick used the time as a shepherd to contemplate what it meant to know Christ, what it meant to know God’s forgiveness. He left Britain as an unconverted teenager but returned as a believer in Christ. Without those six years of suffering, who knows how different Patrick’s life might have been. And who knows how many Irish might never have heard the Gospel through Patrick’s ministry in Ireland in the fifth century?

Thankful for those who answer the call to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the Earth.

FOREVER FAMILY-Thank You Jesus

Scripture Galatians 4:4-7 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, Abba, Father!” Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Romans 5:8, Romans 8:11, 15-18

Observation At just the right time God sent Jesus to redeem us so that we might be adopted into God’s family, that His Spirit might abide in our hearts, that we may be God’s children and heirs.

Application I am God’s child/heir, redeemed by Jesus, adopted into His family, and His Spirit lives in my heart.

Prayer Thank You, Jesus, for coming for me, for paying the price that I might become part of God’s forever family. THANK YOU LORD FOR SAVING MY SOUL – SETH AND BESSIE SYKES https://discerningmusic.wordpress.com/2015/10/24/thank-you-lord-for-saving-my-soul-seth-and-bessie-sykes/  https://jimdavenport.me/2015/10/21/thank-you-lord-for-saving-my-soul-seth-and-bessie-sykes/ 

God's son through Faith

 

Scripture  Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Observation/ Application  Through/by placing our faith in Jesus Christ we become sons of God.

Prayer Thank You Father for sending Your Son Jesus so that I through faith in Him may become Your son.

My Constant Helper

 Scripture Psalms 38:9-Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You.

Psalms 38:15-For in You, O Lord, (Ps. 39:7)I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.

Psalms 38:22 Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Observation The Lord, my helper, my salvation, my hope, will hear when I call  out to Him.

Application I will cry out to the Lord; my Helper, Hope, Salvation and He will hear me.

Prayer Dear Lord, thank You for my salvation, thank for being my Hope and Helper, for always being there when I cry out to You.

Faithful Follower

 

Scripture Deuteronomy 13:4- You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.

Observation/ Application  Walk after the Lord, reverence Him, keep His Word, obey His voice, serve Him, unchangeable.

Prayer Father, I would have a tenderheartedness toward You and Your Word and follow You faithfully with my whole heart.

All that I am

 

Scripture Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

Observation God desires our wholehearted love and devotion.

Application I would desire to love and revere the Lord my God with my all that I am.

Prayer Father, my desire would be love, revere, and serve You with all of my heart.

Every Knee Will Bow

 Scripture Mark 15:19 Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Observation They mockingly worshiped Jesus.

Application One day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Prayer Thank You Jesus that the next time my knee will ever touch the ground it will be in worship to You.

Love, Light, Look

 

Scripture

Deuteronomy 6:4-6 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. “

Psalms 43:3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle.

 Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Observation Love with all, be led by Light and Truth, be on the lookout and be prayerful.

Application I would Love the LORD with all my being, let His Light and Truth guide me, and always be on the lookout and prayerful.

Prayer Father, I would love You with all, be led by Your Light and Truth, and always be looking out and in prayer.

 

Victory in Jesus

 

“Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever, He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood, He loved me…and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.”- E.M. Bartlett, 1939

Mr. Bartlett suffered a paralyzing stroke that left him unable to walk or even speak and for the most part, he was bedridden. Many felt the stroke ended his teaching ministry, yet It was during these dark days that Eugene would write his best-known hymn, Victory In Jesus

Thank You Jesus for so loving me. I want to love You more and share Your love. I’m pretty sure I first heard this hymn at Allen Park Church of the Nazarene because my sweet Mom took us from my earliest memory. Thanks, mom,  I will always remember and be thankful that I first heard about Jesus because of you.

Strong and Courageous

 

Scripture Deuteronomy 3:28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.

Deuteronomy 31:3, 6-8, 23 Deuteronomy 4:29

Observation God gave Joshua strength, direction, and encouragement to carry out His plan.

Application Whatever God would call me to do, He will give the  encouragement, strength and direction needed.

Prayer Father, open my eyes/ears/heart to Your plan for me and give me the strength, encouragement, and direction I need to follow through.

Strong Arms

 

Scripture Deuteronomy 1:31 in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.

Observation God carried the people through the wilderness just like a father carries his son.

Application God makes a way for us when there seems to be no way. God is a Father Who picks us up when we are unable to pick up ourselves.

Prayer Father, thank You for the times over the years when You picked me up and carried me, using the strong arms and hands of my earthly father as well as the strength of others, when I was unable to do so myself. Thank You that in my weakness You are strong.

No Doubt Prayers

 

Scripture Mark 11:23-24 For assuredly , I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Matt. 17:20; 21:21; Luke 17:6, Matt. 7:7; Luke 11:9; (John 14:13; 15:7; 16:24; James 1:5, 6)

Observation Ask, pray, do not doubt, believe, receive.

Application When I pray, I  should do so with wholehearted belief that God will answer.

Prayer Father, I would get out of the general and into specific wholehearted praying/prayers.

Only Jesus

 

Scripture Mark 10:27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Job 42:2; Jer. 32:17; Matt. 19:26; Luke 1:37

“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”- Mark 10:33-34

Observation Two chapters in a row, about what is and is not possible. The third time Jesus tells of His death and resurrection. What’s impossible for man is possible for God.

Application My faith and trust is in an omnipotent God.

Prayer Father, I trust that You can do what I cannot. Thank You for sending Jesus to pay the price for me to have eternal life.

 

All Things are Possible

 

Scripture Mark 9:23- Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Matt. 17:20; Mark 11:23; Luke 17:6; John 11:40

Observation -Belief is a strong thing. Nothing is impossible to him who believes. With God nothing’s impossible to/for us.

Application Jesus' the same yesterday, today, and forever. What He spoke then still holds True today. Trust Him and take Him at His Word. Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.-1 Peter 5:7

Prayer Father, how many times I’ve read these words and the Truth never changes, I would trust/believe You and Your Word with all of my heart that all things are possible with You.

Open My Eyes and Ears

 

Scripture Mark 8:18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Observation Jesus was basically asking the disciples if they were paying attention.

Application I would have my eyes open to see and ears open to hear what Jesus is doing in and around me.

Prayer  Jesus, I be more aware that You are at work in and around me, I would be paying attention, have a sensitivity to Your presence, have a tender heart and an open spirit.

Glorious Forever Day

 Scripture For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but THEN FACE TO FACE Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.- 1 Corinthians 13:12

 Observation One glorious forever day I will see my Savior Jesus face to face.

Application Every day I would seek to know my Jesus better until I see Him face to face in all His glory.

Prayer  Thank You, Jesus, for making a way, paying the price so that I may spend eternity with You.

Look and Listen . . . Trust and Obey

 

Scripture Numbers 21:2,3-Israel made a vow and the Lord listened and answered. Numbers 22:18,20-I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more . . . “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you—that you shall do.” Numbers 22:31-Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes . . . and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. Numbers 22:38b-The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak. Numbers 23:3-Whatever He, the LORD, shows me I will tell you. Numbers 23:19-God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

Observation The Lord listens and answers. The Lord spoke and Balaam did. The Lord opened Balaam’s eyes and he bowed in obedience. The Lord gave Balaam a word to speak and that he spoke. The Lord God speaks the truth and will follow through on what He has spoken.

Application When I pray, I can trust that God is listening and will respond. When the Lord speaks, I would obey. I would be obedient as God opens the eyes of my heart. I would speak the words the Lord gives me to share. I would trust in and be a doer of God’s Word. I would trust that God will keep/be true to His Word.

Prayer Father, today I am listening for/to You. Today I am looking to You. I would be a doer/sharer of Your Word. I would trust You and Your Word with all my heart.