Bible Reading: 2090520

John 12-15

 

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.” John 12:24-26

 

Lord, I pray that You would help me not to love my life but to lose it for Thy sake. Lord, there are many things that are heavy on my heart at the moment and I pray that Your word would bring me comfort. Help me, as things are transitioning, to take heart knowing that You are faithful and have lead me every step of the way.

Bible Reading: 2090518

John 8-11

 

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” John 8:12-19

 

What a sad verdict from the Son of God to the Pharisees. Though they were considered religious leaders, never in their entire lives had they truly known God. If they had known God, they would have accepted Jesus Christ and His witness as truth and would have known true salvation. But they were in darkness and undoubtedly are still there today. Lord, though I have accepted the light of Jesus Christ and one day will see that light face to face, I pray that my own opinions and desires would never take the preeminence in my life. Lord, help me as a witness of that light to shine forth that others may know Thee and Thy salvation.

Bible Reading: 2090513

John 4-7

 

“Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39

 

Dear God, thank You for the salvation that is found through Thy word. Thank You for Jesus Christ who has saved me from my sins. Lord, Thy testimony is that salvation is found through Thy word because it testifies of Jesus Christ. If this be true, and it is, how much more do the scriptures show how those who have found that salvation can live for Christ. Lord, help me to stand fast in Thy word. Today I am feeling wearied so I need you so much the more. Help me to live for You today and to apply Thy word to my life.

 

“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.” John 6:5-6

 

I love how the scriptures say that “…he himself knew what he would do.” I love the confidence that Christ had, knowing that he was going to prove himself. If only I had the same confidence in Christ for my everyday life. Lord, this passage is where you fed over 5,000 people with very little. I can attest that You are faithful and that Cindi and I have never been without provision. Lord, I am not entirely sure what You are teaching me but I know that my faith is small and weak. I pray that You would help me to stand firm in my faith toward Thee and help me to continue to diligently seek work. Thank you for the opportunities you have sent my way and help me to be wise as I pursue them.

Bible Reading: 2090512

John 1-3

 

“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

 

Dear God, thank You for Thy grace and truth. Thank You for the freedom and liberty we can know through Jesus Christ. Lord, help me to stand fast in Thy truth and to tell the world of Thy grace that they might be saved.

 

“And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” John 1:46-51

 

Dear God, Nathanael believed on Thee because of something so simple that it even cause You to wonder. Lord I pray that You would help me in this time to believe Thee no matter what comes my way. Lord, I have been without work for some time now and I thank You for Your provision but it has still been difficult maintain faith in what You are doing in my life. I pray that You would help me to stand and to work diligently to find work.

Bible Reading: 2090511

Luke 20-24

 

“And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:1-4

 

Lord, thank You for the example of the poor widow and her two mites. I pray Lord, that I would always give to Thee out of my desire to serve Thee, and not to be seen of men. I pray that You would help me to shun the approval of the world and to desire only Thy approval.

 

“It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.” Luke 24:10

 

Again we find the women that were mentioned in Luke 8:1-3 that ministered unto Jesus with their substance are here at sepulcher, coming to anoint Jesus’ body. These women were not people who came and went but people who were with Him on a continual basis ministering unto Him. In the previous chapter, we find that after Christ had been brought to Pilate the first time, that he sent him unto Herod who was in Jerusalem at the time. We also find that when Jesus was sent to Herod, that Herod was glad because he had hear many things of Jesus. Again, I find it interesting because Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward was still with Christ. Lord, help me to be like these women in that they continually ministered unto Thee with their substance. Also, if it please Thee, help me to be like Joanna, who not only was a woman of great means, but also one of great influence on many leaders within their realm. I know that much must be done in my life if that is what I am to be so I ask You to help me dedicate myself to Thy word and to the study of my and many other vocations that I might be able to stand in that place.

 

“Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulcher; And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulcher, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.” Luke 24:22-24

 

I also find it interesting that of all the people who accompanied Jesus in His travels and ministries, none of the twelve nor His disciples were given the opportunity to find the sepulcher empty, but the women who ministered unto him with their substance were the ones who were given the joy of seeing Christ risen from the dead first and hearing the glad tidings from His lips.

Bible Reading: 2090508

Luke 16-19

 

“Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offenses will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” Luke 17:1-2

 

Lord, help me with both my Sunday School and Master Clubs classes. I desire to be a good teacher and to draw these young children unto Thee. Lord I thank you for them all. I pray that you would be with Samuel, Mateo, Chase, Tyler, Michael, Erasmo, Yashua, Jericho, Ezekiel, J.J., Holis, John, James, David and anyone I may have missed.

 

“And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:17

 

Of all the different accounts of this parable, I like this one the most because it puts and emphasis on the words “very little.” Is it not the truth that we truly do very little, if not nothing, in God’s plan, yet God is faithful to reward that which is done. Lord, thank you for Thy loving kindness because, if it was not for Thee, I would have nothing, be nothing and could do nothing.

Bible Reading: 2090507

Luke 12-15

 

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15

 

Lord, help this always to be in my mind as I endeavor to serve Thee. I very easily can be swept aside by the cares and riches of this world, but help me always to have my eyes on Thee.

Bible Reading: 2090506

Luke 8-11

 

“And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.” Luke 8:3

 

I find it interesting that the wife of Herod’s steward ministered unto Jesus with her substance. Jesus had business men and women that were with Him as he traveled, preached and ministered.

 

“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.” Luke 8:14

 

Lord, I fear above all other examples in this parable, that the seed which fell among thorns is what I am in most danger of becoming. If not for riches and pleasure, then for the cares of this present world. Dear God, I pray for Your protection against evil. I pray that You would lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil. Help me to stay close unto Thee and Thy word that I might not sin against Thee.

Bible Reading: 2090504

Luke 4-7

 

“And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country, But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elijah sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.” Luke4:24-29

 

Lord, this is a very hard saying. To think that because of the hardness of the hearts of Thy people and of their king, You chose to provide for Your man Elijah through a widow from a heathen nation. Also, of all the people in Israel that were afflicted with the disease of leprosy, none of them came to Elisha for cleansing, but an idol worshiping king named Naaman came and was cleansed because of his faith in Thee. Lord, why is it that Thy children, myself included, always seem to turn from faith in Thee and trust in their own strength? Why is it that we abuse and neglect the men of God who stand for truth and desire to be used of Thee. How is it that we have moved so far from Thee and Thy loving kindness? It is because we have neglected Thy word for the lust of our own flesh. I myself have neglected to discipline myself to read Thy word on a daily basis. I have made excuse day by day and as a result, my heart is far from You and my desires are fleshly and carnal. Lord, forgive the trespass of Thy servant once more and help me to stand in the day of adversity. My strength is small and my flesh weak. Lord, I desire that my thoughts would be established and according to Your word, I must first commit my works unto Thee. Help me now, today, as I start anew. I, no longer can suffer excuses in my life. Help me to stand firm on the foundation of Thy word.

 

“Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.  And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.” Luke 7:6-10

 

Lord, once again, a very hard saying. A Roman Centurion, though a part of a heathen system and heathen nation, had become a follower of God. Someone who most likely had been raised to follow a multiplicity of false gods, came unto Thee and loved Thee, and Thy people so dearly that he was willing to give in such a way that he gained the honor and respect of the Jewish elders. The joy that this Centurion had found in God caused him to have so great a faith that it made the very Son of God marvel. But how sad it was when Jesus said of His people that he had not found so great a faith as in this man who may have been at one time a worshiper of false gods. Lord, why do I and why do Thy people have such small faith? Your word says that “faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” It is in this that we find the source of such unbelief. Lord, help me to commit anew, today and every day to Thy word. No longer can excuses be made for my negligence to read and meditate therein day and night. Help me to fill my heart with Thy word so that I might not sin against Thee and so that my faith may be as this Centurion’s.

 

“And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” Luke 7:44-50

 

Lord, have I loved Thee so little because I have been forgiven of so little? As I read this scripture my heart is smitten within me and tears are falling down my cheeks because my heart is broken for the sin of my life and how unthankful I have been in my life for the salvation of my soul and for the goodness You have shown to me. Dear God, it is utterly amazing the mercy Thou hast shown unto me in that I have not been destroyed! Lord, I am so worthy of Thy judgment and wrath…yet Thy love to me has been sweet, tender and merciful. How can I, who was a slave to sin, continue anymore therein seeing that I have been made free. Revive my heart O’ God and renew a right spirit within me. Give me a heart of flesh and draw me close to Thee. Help me to know Thee and love Thee with my whole heart. Thank you for Thy word and the redemption from sin that Thou hast given me. Help me now to speak of Thy love that sinners would be converted unto Thee.

Bible Reading: 2090501

Mark 16-Luke 3

 

“But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.” Mark 16:7

 

Lord, this verse is always a reminder to me how even though I fail You, I am always welcome in Thy presence. Thank You for Thy forgiveness and Thy love.

 

“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37

 

Dear God, I thank You for the message this morning concerning the faith of Abraham. Lord, I have been doubting Your plan for my life of late and I ask Your forgiveness. Lord, my desire is to be used of Thee and to follow Thee even if it means that I do not understand or know where I am going. I know that You can do the impossible in my life and that You want so much more from my life that I could even imagine. Lord, nothing I do for Thee is in my own strength and I beg of Thee to help me to commit my works and thoughts unto Thee on a daily basis.