Daily Scripture Verse – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
September 26th, 20071 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
What a challenge Paul poses to the Thessalonians in the closing of his first letter to them! ‘Be joyful always‘…that’s a tough proposition for anyone…but should it really be for a true Christian? We have had the ultimate sacrifice paid for us while we were still sinners! We were facing eternal damnation in the lake of fire…and were rescued. Isn’t that reason enough to awake each morning in joyful celebration?!?
Pray continually. I have good days and bad days in this department. I might be the opposite of some people, but I find my self feeling closer to God during the positive in my life and having a strong relationship during those times. During stressful and busy times, I basically can’t find ‘time’ for God, and my prayer life suffers. Really, it should be the opposite.
Give thanks in all circumstances. All circumstances?…Surely he can’t mean this. I mean there are times when you shouldn’t give thanks, right? Like if somebody dies. Why would I thank God for that? This is where we need to take a lesson from Job. ‘The Lord gives and the Lord taketh away…Blessed be the name of the Lord’. In all things we can find a reason to be thankful. When someone leaves us…it’s not permanent. We’ll see them again. Also, we were privileged with being able to know and love that person. We can thank God for all the amazing memories we were able to make. No matter the circumstance, there is something to be thankful for.
Prayer
Father,
I come to you today, joyful in the life You have given me, the blessings You shine on me everyday, and the numerous opportunities I’m given each day to serve Your purpose. I am thankful for all the challenges and joys that each of these brings me. I thank you for the breath I am taking right now. Use each of them to Your glory.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.
Daily Scripture Verse – Romans 12:6-8
September 25th, 2007Romans 12:6-8 - 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7f it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
What’s your gift? Do you have trouble answering that question some days? I know I sure do. If someone were to walk up to me and ask that right now, I’d have a tough time just picking one thing. Paul points out that each of us has different gifts according to God’s plan for us. The context around the verse of this chapter is about becoming a living sacrifice for God and submitting to being our portion of the body of Christ here on earth. Each one of us have gifts to support that body.
This is also a good lesson for those of us that try to do ‘everything’. I don’t think being ‘obsessive-compulsive’ is one God’s true gifts 
. It’s just a sign that we don’t trust other’s to use their talents to complete the tasks. It’s impossible to do everything yourself. You will need someone else’s help. You will need God’s help. It’s a fact of life. It’s part of God’s plan as well. He asks us to submit to one another in service and in love.
Prayer
Father, Thank you for the gifts that You have given to me and the enjoyment I receive from utilizing my talents. Help me today to see where I may use those talents to further Your kingdom, to server others, and to allow others to serve me. I praise all the amazing gifts that I see in myself and the others around me. Let us be blessings to each other as long as we live.
In this day, just as yesterday, Your grace is sufficient for me.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Daily Scripture Verse – Epeshians 6:7-8
September 24th, 2007vEpeshians 6:7-8 - 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, 8because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
This verse struck me yesterday with a strong conviction. I have many days were I’m just doing what I need to do to ‘get by’. I waste time doing things that don’t matter and, most often, that are selfish indulgences. Television, needless web surfing, lazying about the house when there’s work to be done…these are all things I’ve been guilty of this last week. Today I want to change that. I will change that. Not all at once maybe… During my 26 years on this earth I’ve learned lots of things. One of the more important ones is that change is not immediate. It doesn’t happen overnight. It is a slow, tedious, and sometimes painful process. It takes courage, determination, and faith to bring about change.
Today is a new day…today I pray for change…today I begin my change.
Prayer
Father,
I come today as a person ready for change. Prepare my heart, my will, my entire being for the journey that is change. Let my purpose be defined by the steps you’ve laid for me. Let your entire will for me take hold and be perfectly fulfilled in this.
Amen.
Daily Scripture Verse – Proverbs 28:23
September 18th, 2007Proverbs 28:23 – 23He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.
Another bit of wisdom from Proverbs today. How often have you had someone try to ‘suck up’ to you? It can be a flattering experience…but often wanes very quickly. We were designed to rise to challenges, to change and adapt to our environments. We have an urge to be tested. In my own personal experience, I surround myself with people that are extremely skilled in some area in their life. They challenge me and are a source of learning on new and diverse topics. It is such a blessing to have people like this in your life. Make a point to actively seek these people out and be willing to challenge them as much as they challenge you.
Prayer
Father, I pray today for the fortitude of conscience. That I will speak my mind when I feel it necessary. That I won’t shrink back from the challenges of others and from challenging others. It is on Your foundation alone that I attain true wisdom. Help me to use that wisdom to the glory of Your Kingdom.
Amen.
Daily Scripture Verse – Proverbs 4:1-6
September 6th, 2007Proverbs 4:1-6
Wisdom Is Supreme
1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a boy in my father’s house,
still tender, and an only child of my mother,
4 he taught me and said,
“Lay hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or swerve from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
The book of Proverbs talks frequently about wisdom. The old statement of ‘Knowledge is power’ rings true through out it. Solomon, one of the most powerful and wealthiest rulers of all time, was known to be one of the wisest as well. He specifically asked for that gift when the Lord asked him what he wanted as a young man. That wisdom was already beginning to show in his response.
Prayer
Lord, Help us to seek your wisdom every day. Let our hearts and minds be filled with the knowledge of the scriptures to guide us through the perils of this earthly place.
Amen.