Psalm 116:1-2

1  I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.

Do you struggle to realize God's grace in your life?  Remember, if you are in Christ, you are 100% His, and no sin is not ALREADY covered by His blood.  His ears are always open to hearing your prayers and wants to comfort you in your troubles.
Additional content from YouVersion:

God is so responsive that you can always reach him. He bends down and listens to your voice. This writer's love for the Lord had grown because he had experienced answers to his prayers. If you are discouraged, remember that God is near, listening carefully to every prayer and answering each prayer in order to give you his best.

February 22, 2011 - My Thoughts

Psalm 39:4

4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.  Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.

Often we go about our days and weeks, living life trying to keep up with society, wanting the newest, best things that are offered to us.  But we often don't think about our life in the eyes of God.  Think about 2 Corinthians 5:20, God's Word tells us that "²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."  In other words, we are "sent" by God into this world to bring a message to non-believers, we are as the scripture says, "ambassadors" of God, sent to speak to people on His behalf.  If we are sent by God, then someday, He will call us back home when our assignment is complete according to His purposes.  Only He knows the precise time when we are to go be with our Maker.  It is important to pray to Jesus that He reminds us every day that our lives are not ours, we have submitted them to Him, and that He bought our lives with blood on the cross.  And although our lives seem like 100 years on earth, if you compare the average human life of 62.7 years (2010 est.)(Wikipedia), and compare it to the beginning of creation (roughly to our knowledge) 6,000 years (4,000 B.C.), then our lives so far at an average, account for 0.01045 percent, or 1.045 % of time since creation, so how much less is our lives compared to eternity.  It is ultimately important to realize that our lives are minimal in the grand scheme of things and that we need to make the most of them as "ambassadors" on Earth, to each other, sent by God and to be someday called from our visitation on Earth back to God's kingdom at an appointed time.  I pray that my thoughts encourage you step back from your daily living, and take a breath, and step back in line with Jesus if your not already doing so.  Time is short, make it matter!

Love you all!
John

Additional Content

Life is short no matter how long we live. If there is something important we want to do, we must not put it off for a better day. Ask yourself, "If I had only six months to live, what would I do?" Tell someone that you love him or her? Deal with an undisciplined area in your life? Tell someone about Jesus? Because life is short, don't neglect what is truly important.

February 21, 2011

Psalm 37:1

A psalm of David.

1  Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.

 

We should never envy evil people, even though some may be extremely popular or excessively rich. No matter how much they have, it will fade and vanish like grass that withers and dies. Those who follow God live differently from the wicked and, in the end, will have far greater treasures in heaven. What the unbeliever gets may last a lifetime, if he is lucky. What you get from following God lasts forever.

February 20, 2011

Psalm 33:11

11  But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

"The LORD's plans stand firm forever." Are you frustrated by inconsistencies you see in others, or even in yourself? God is completely trustworthy-his intentions never change. There is a promise that good and perfect gifts come to us from the Creator who never changes. When you wonder if there is anyone in whom you can trust, remember that God is completely consistent. Let him counsel you, and trust in his plans for your life.

February 19, 2011

Psalm 32:5

5  Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

What is confession? To confess our sin is to agree with God, acknowledging that he is right to declare what we have done as sinful, and that we are wrong to desire or to do it. It is to affirm our intention of abandoning that sin in order to follow him more faithfully.

February 18, 2011

Psalm 25:14

14  The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.

 

"The LORD is a friend to those who fear him." God offers intimate and lasting friendship to those who revere him, who hold him in highest honor. What relationship could ever compare with having the Lord of all creation for a friend? Your everlasting friendship with God will grow as you revere him.

February 17, 2011

Psalm 25:4

4  Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.

 

David expressed his desire for guidance. How do we receive God's guidance? The first step is to want to be guided and to realize that God's primary guidance system is in his Word, the Bible. By reading it and constantly learning from it, we will gain the wisdom to perceive God's direction for our lives. We may be tempted to demand answers from God, but David asked for direction. When we are willing to seek God, learn from his Word, and obey his commands, then will we receive his specific guidance.

February 16, 2011

Psalm 22:30-31

30  Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord.

31  His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.

 

If we want our children to serve the Lord, they must hear about him from us. It is not enough to rely on the church or those with more knowledge to provide all their Christian education. We must reinforce the lessons of the Bible in our homes.

February 15, 2011

Psalm 19:14

14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God first? David asks that God approve his words and thoughts as though they were offerings brought to the altar. As you begin each day, determine that God's love will guide what you say and how you think.

February 14, 2011 - Happy Valentine's Day!

Psalm 19:3-4

3  They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.

4  Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.

The apostle Paul referred to this psalm when he explained that everyone knows about God because nature proclaims God's existence and power. This does not cancel the need for missions because the message of God's salvation found in his Word, the Bible, must still be told to the ends of the earth. While nature points to the existence of God, the Bible tells us about salvation. God's people must explain to others how they can have a relationship with God. Although people everywhere should already believe in a Creator by just looking at the evidence of nature around them, God needs us to explain his love, mercy, and grace. What are you doing to take God's message to the world?

February 13, 2011

Psalm 18:2-3

2  The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

3  I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

 

God's protection of his people is limitless and can take many forms. David characterized God's care with five military symbols. God is like (1) a rock that can't be moved by any who would harm us, (2) a fortress or place of safety where the enemy can't follow, (3) a shield that comes between us and harm, (4) a horn of salvation-a symbol of might and power, and (5) a stronghold high above our enemies. If you need protection, look to God.

February 12, 2011

Psalm 17:8

8  Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

Just as we protect the pupils (literally, "apples") of our eyes, so God will protect us. We must not conclude, however, that we have somehow missed God's protection if we experience troubles. God's protection has far greater purposes than helping us avoid pain; it is to make us better servants for him. God also protects us by guiding us through painful circumstances, not only by helping us escape them.

February 11, 2011

Psalm 16:9

9  No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.

David's heart was glad-he had found the secret to joy. True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us. As we contemplate his daily presence, we will find contentment. As we understand the future he has for us, we will experience joy. Don't base your life on circumstances, but on God.

February 10, 2011

Psalm 16:7-8

7  I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.

8  I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

 

It is human nature to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. Instead, we should seek God's will first. By constantly thinking about the Lord and his way of living, we will gain insights that will help us make right decisions and live the way God desires. Communicating with God allows him to counsel us and give us wisdom.

February 9, 2011

Psalm 13:5-6

5 But I trust in your unfailing love.  I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.

These verses really have a humbling effect on me today.  Last night, I fell again, and then to read this breaks my heart.  It seems so difficult at times, but in verse 5, I can read, "...you have rescued me."  I am no longer in bondage to sin, I am however still battling it.  Does that make it right to sin?  Absolutely not!  As hard as it may seem I know that I can trust Jesus to fight the big fight for me, and not give into the temptations because as it says in the earlier part of verse 5, Gods "...unfailing love" means exactly what it says, UNFAILING LOVE.  Unfailing means "to never fail"  which means that Jesus's love will never fail us.  And whether we pray, praise, sing, share with others, or journal success in overcoming sin, it will be a song to God in all ways as we thank Him for showing us the path and lighting the way.  God is good to us, and often we tend to overlook what He has (delivered me from an immoral past) and is doing (renewing my heart, mind and soul) and is going to do (deliver all belivers and followers of Him from this twisted world that Satan calls his own.

February 8, 2011

Psalm 12:6

6 The Lord’s promises are pure,like silver refined in a furnace,purified seven times over.

Sincerity and truth are extremely valuable because they are so rare. Many people are deceivers, liars, flatterers; they think they will get what they want by deception. As a king, David certainly faced his share of such people, who hoped to win his favor and gain advancement through flattery. When we feel as though sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, we have one hope-the Word of God. God's words are as flawless as refined silver. So listen carefully when he speaks.

February 7, 2011

Psalm 11:4

4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple;the Lord still rules from heaven.He watches everyone closely,examining every person on earth.

When the foundations are shaking and you wish you could hide, remember that God is still in control. His power is not diminished by any turn of events. Nothing happens without his knowledge and permission. When you feel like running away-run to God. He will restore justice and goodness on the earth in his good time.

February 6, 2011

Psalm 9:13-14

13 Lord, have mercy on me.See how my enemies torment me.Snatch me back from the jaws of death.


14 Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates,so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.

All of us want God to help us when we are in trouble, but often for different reasons. Some want God's help so that they will be successful and other people will like them. Others want God's help so that they will be comfortable and feel good about themselves. David, however, wanted help from God so that justice would be restored to Israel and so that he could show others God's power. When you call to God for help, consider your motive. Is it to save yourself pain and embarrassment or to bring God glory and honor?

February 5, 2011

Psalm 8:3

2 You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,silencing your enemiesand all who oppose you.

Children are able to trust and praise God without doubts or reservations. As we get older, many of us find this more and more difficult to do. Ask God to give you childlike faith, removing any barriers to having a closer walk with him. Get in touch with this childlike quality in yourself so that you can be more expressive.

February 4, 2011

Psalm 7:17

17 I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.

My Thoughts:
David here in the Psalms is reflecting on his heart attitude towards God.  David is not saying that he should, or he'll think about it, rather David, showing God reverance, is saying "I will give thanks to the Lord..."  We need to remember that no matter what we go through, need must give thanks to Him who brought us into this world.  Lets look at more of the passage, the sentance goes on to say "I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness;"  David is giving empty thanks, there is reason behind it.  God is the only one that can say something to us, and deliver on it 100%.  God is always faithful to His word and therefore, like David, we need to always be thanking Him.  Next time you're worshiping at church or whatever, think about the words that are in the song, and pray to God that He places on your heart a desire like Davids to always be thanking and recognizing what we have been rescued from.

Psalm 7:17 Additional Content:

During a time of great evil and injustice, David was grateful that God is righteous. When we wonder if anyone is honest or fair, we can be assured that God will continue to bring justice and fairness when we involve him in our activities. If you ever feel that you are being treated unfairly, ask the one who is always fair and just to be with you. Then thank him for his presence.

February 3, 2011

Psalm 7:9

9 Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure — you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

Nothing is hidden from God-this can be either terrifying or comforting. Our thoughts are an open book to him. Because he knows even our motives, we have no place to hide, no way to pretend we can get away with sin. But that very knowledge also gives us great comfort. We don't have to impress God or put up a false front. Instead, we can trust God to help us work through our weaknesses in order to serve him as he has planned. When we truly follow God, he rewards our effort.

February 2, 2011

Psalm 4:3

3  You can be sure of this: The Lord set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him.

 

The godly are those who are faithful and devoted to God. David knew that God would hear him when he called and would answer him. We too can be confident that God listens to our prayers and answers when we call on him. Sometimes we think that God will not hear us because we have fallen short of his high standards for holy living. But if we have trusted Christ for salvation, God has forgiven us, and he will listen to us. When you feel as though your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling, remember that as a believer you have been set apart by God and that he loves you. He hears and answers, although his answers may not be what you expect. Look at your problems in the light of God's power instead of looking at God in the shadow of your problems.

February 1, 2011

Psalm 2:11-12

11 Serve the Lord with reverent fear,and rejoice with trembling.  12 Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry,and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—for his anger flares up in an instant.But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

We must surrender fully and submit to the Son. Christ is not only God's chosen King, he is also the rightful King of our hearts and lives. To be ready for Christ's return, we must submit to his leadership every day.

January 31, 2011

Psalm 1:2

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.


My Thoughts:
But I'd like now to look at this one scripture in its context.

Psalm 1:1-2

1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.

Blessed, or "happy" is the one.  Not only will God bless us in our lives when we walk in His ways, but He also says "HAPPY is the one...."  It is important to remind ourselves that if we are not being encouraged by some of our friends, then we should not always be hanging out with them.  We do need to discern those who God has called us to witness to though.  Verse two goes on to say, "but those who delight..."  or in other words "but those whos JOY is in the law of the Lord,"  God tells us that not only will we be happy when we are not partaking in the sinful nature of the rest of the world, but that we will be joyful, and our joy will be in something, in what?  In the Law of the Lord, and we know that the law of the Lord is made complete in Jesus.  Knowing that we can say that our joy will be in Jesus!  And we can read in Ezekiel 36:26-27, that the Lord says, “I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my ways.”  The Sprit of God is also the Spirit which is in Jesus, as well as all followers of Him. Verse two ends with ..."meditates on his law day and night."  Notice that the "his" is not capitalized.  I think what God wanted us to learn here is we need to see that it says "his law" meaning, to believers, including me, "his law" is my law and your law, is also your example of how to live, rules to live by, not the Commandments.  When I read this, I thought, Jesus, we need to meditate on Jesus day and night!  What a vision! 

So lets look this over again, I'm being told that I will be happy when I'm not partaking in sinful activities, that my joy will be found in Jesus when I'm not sinning, and that I should meditate on Jesus day and night, for that joy.

We'll I hope my thoughts on this piece of God's Word is inspiring to you as you go about your day.

Here is some additional content that YouVersion.com provides.  Have a blessed day.

Psalm 1:2 - Additional Content

You can learn how to follow God by meditating on his Word. Meditating means spending time reading and thinking about what you have read. It means asking yourself how you should change so you're living as God wants. Knowing and meditating on God's Word are the first steps toward applying it to your everyday life. If you want to follow God more closely, you must know what he says.

January 30, 2011

Psalm 1:1

1  Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

This psalm begins extolling the joys of obeying God and refusing to listen to those who discredit or ridicule him. Our friends and associates can have a profound influence on us, often in very subtle ways. If we insist on friendships with those who mock what God considers important, we might sin by becoming indifferent to God's will. This attitude is the same as mocking. Do your friends build up your faith, or do they tear it down? True friends should help you to draw closer to God, not hinder your relationship with him.

January 29, 2011

Job 21:22

22 "Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?

Although baffled by the reasons for his suffering, Job affirmed God's superior understanding by asking, "Who can teach a lesson to God?" The way you respond to your personal struggles shows your attitude toward God. Rather than becoming angry with God, continue to trust him, no matter what your circumstances may be. Although it is sometimes difficult to see, God IS in control. We must commit ourselves to him so we will not resent his timing

January 28, 2011

Job 7:20

20 If I have sinned, what do I unto thee, O thou watcher of men?

Job referred to God as a watcher or observer of humanity. He was expressing the feeling that God seemed like an enemy to him-someone who mercilessly watched him squirm in his misery. We know that God does watch over everything that happens to us. We must never forget that he sees us with compassion, not merely with critical scrutiny. His eyes are eyes of love.

January 27, 2011

Job 1:9-10

9 Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

 

Satan attacked Job's motives, saying that Job was blameless and had integrity only because he had no reason to turn against God. Satan wanted to prove that Job worshiped God not out of love but because God had given him so much. Satan accurately analyzed why many people trust God. They are fair-weather believers, following God only when everything is going well or for what they can get. Adversity destroys this kind of superficial faith. But adversity strengthens real faith by causing believers to dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand storms. How deep does your faith go? Put the roots of your faith down deep into God so that you can withstand any storm you may face.

January 26, 2011

2 Chronicles 20:15

15  He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

We may not fight an enemy army, but every day we battle temptation, pressure, and Satan, who wants us to rebel against God.  Remember, as believers, we have God's Spirit in us.  If we ask for God's help when we face struggles, God will fight for us.  And God always triumphs.

January 25, 2011

2 Chronicles 6:30

30 then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart.

Have you ever felt far from God, separated by feeling of failure and personal problems? In his prayer, Solomon underscored the fact that God stands ready to hear his people, to forgive their sins, and to restore their relationship with him. God is waiting and listening for our confessions of guilt and our recommittment to obey him. He hears us when we pour out our needs and problems to him, and he is ready to forgive and restore us to fellowship with him. Don't wait to experience his loving forgiveness.

January 24, 2011

2 Chronicles 6:18

18  “But will God really live on earth among people? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built!

 

Solomon marveled that God would be willing to live on this earth among sinful people. We marvel that God, through his Son, Jesus, lived among us in human form to reveal his eternal purposes to us. In doing so, God was reaching out to us in love. God wants us to reach out to him in return in order to know him and to love him with all our hearts. Don't simply marvel at his power; take time to get to know him.

January 23, 2011

2 Samuel 22:47

47  “The Lord lives! Praise to my Rock! May God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted!

 

David praises God wholeheartedly. Praise is not just a song about God; it is a song to God. Praising God has several aspects to it: (1) Say thank you to him for each attribute of his divine nature; (2) focus our hearts on him; (3) thank him for his many gracious gifts to us; and (4) thank him for our relationship with him.

January 22, 2011

2 Samuel 8:15

15  So David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.

King David's reign was characterized by doing what was "just and right." David was fair in interpreting the law, administering punishment with mercy, respecting people's rights, and recognizing people's duties toward God. Is it any wonder that almost everyone trusted and followed David? Justice should characterize the way you relate to people. Make sure you are fair in the way you treat them.

January 21, 2011

1 Samuel 12:24

24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.

Samuel reminded the people to take time to consider what great things God had done for them. Taking time for reflection allows us to focus our attention upon God's goodness and strengthens our faith. Sometimes we are so progress- and future-oriented that we fail to take time to recall all that God has already done. Remember what God has done for you so that you may continue your life accompanied with gratitude.

January 20, 2011

1 Samuel 1:11

11 And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”

Be careful what you promise in prayer because God may take you up on it. Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she was willing to strike a bargain with God. God took her up on her promise, and to Hannah's credit, she did her part, even though it was painful. Although we are not in a position to barter with God, he may still choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise. When you pray, ask yourself: "Will I follow through on any promises I make to God if he grants my request?" It is dishonest and dangerous to ignore a promise, especially to God. God keeps his promises, and he expects you to keep yours.

January 19, 2011

Judges 18:24

24  “What do you mean, ‘What’s the matter?’” Micah replied. “You’ve taken away all the gods I have made, and my priest, and I have nothing left!”

 

Micah made idols and hired a priest to run his personal religion. When the men of Dan took his idols and priest, nothing remained. What an empty spiritual condition! An idol is anything that takes God's place in a person's life. Some people invest all their energy in pursuing money, success, possessions, or a career. If these idols are taken away, only an empty shell is left. The only way to protect yourself against such loss is to invest your life in the living God, whom you can never lose.

January 18, 2011

Joshua 24:15

15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

 

The people had to decide whether they would obey the Lord, who had proven his trustworthiness, or obey the local gods, which were only handmade idols. It's easy to slip into a quiet rebellion-going about life in your own way. But the time comes when you have to choose who or what will control you. The choice is yours. Will it be God, your own limited personality, or another imperfect substitute? Once you have chosen to be controlled by God's Spirit, reaffirm your choice every day.

January 17, 2011

Joshua 1:5

5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

 

Joshua's new job consisted of leading more than two million people into a strange new land and conquering it. Every new job is a challenge. Without God it can be frightening. With God it can be a great adventure. Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our new challenges. We may not conquer nations, but every day we face tough situations, difficult people, and temptations. God promises, however, that he will never abandon us nor fail to help us. By asking God to direct us we can conquer many of life's challenges.

January 16, 2011

Deuteronomy 14:22-23

The Giving of Tithes

22  “You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23 Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.

The Bible makes the purpose of tithing very clear: It teaches us to fear the Lord and put him first in our lives. We are to give God the first and best of what we earn. For example, what we do first with our money shows what we value most. Giving the first part of our paycheck to God immediately focuses our attention on him. It also reminds us that all we have belongs to him. A habit of regular tithing can keep God at the top of our priority list and give us a proper perspective on everything else we have.

January 15, 2011

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

A Call to Love and Obedience

12  “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. 13 And you must always obey the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good.

Often we ask, "What does God expect from me?" Here Moses gives a summary that is simple in form and easy to remember. Here are the essentials: (1) Fear God; (2) Live in a way that pleases him; (3) Love him; (4) Serve him with all your heart and soul; and (5) Obey his commands. Too often we complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations, and requirements. Are you frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on his real requirements and find peace. Respect, follow, love, serve, and obey.

January 14, 2011 - Happy Birthday Sis!!!!

Deuteronomy 5:16

16  “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Obeying our parents is our main task when we are young, but honoring them should continue even beyond their deaths. Honoring involves all that sons and daughters do with their lives-the way they work and talk, the values they hold, and the morals they practice. What are you doing to show respect to your parents? Are you living in a way that brings honor to them?

January 13, 2011

Leviticus 25:23

Redemption of Property

23  “The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me.

God was saying that the people would one day possess land in Canaan, but in God's plan, only God's ownership was absolute. He wanted his people to avoid greed and materialism. If you have the attitude that you are taking care of the Lord's property, you will make what you have more available to others. This is difficult to do if you have an attitude of ownership. Think of yourself as a manager of all that is under your care, not as an owner.

January 12, 2011

Exodus 34:7

7  I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected— even children in the third and fourth generations.”

 

Why would sins affect children and grandchildren? This is no arbitrary punishment. Children still suffer for the sins of their parents. Consider child abuse or alcoholism, for example. While these sins are obvious, sins like selfishness and greed can be passed along as well. Be careful not to treat sin casually, but repent and turn from it. The sin may cause you little pain now, but it could later sting in a most tender area of your life-your children and grandchildren.

January 11, 2011

Exodus 28:3

3 Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service

The tailors who made Aaron's garments were given wisdom by God in order to do their task. All of us have special skills. God wants to fill us with his Spirit so we will use those skills for his glory. Think about your special talents and abilities. What ways could you use them for God's work in the world? As you focus on helping and giving to others, God will show you the best ways to do it and give you wisdom to accomplish the task.

A NEW VISION FROM GOD

So 2011 has been a great one so far.  I feel closer to God than I have in about two years, and I feel as if He is planning big changes in the coming years.  I recently got some information about possibly working on an Indy Lights (http://www.indycar.com/fil/ ) to work on and learn some about racecar engineering.  Also, I may be in a position for a promotion to shift supervisor at Starbucks, and Crystal recently found out that her job, R.H. Donnely, is opening up her position to a "hired" position which means that she would be hired by the company, rather than a hiring agency.  All this is good news and I am so thankful that God is working in our lives. 
I am beginning to get real excited about the wedding.  I mean its only 6 months away as of January 16.  But Crystal and I have talked, and my focus is to be on college, and she is taking the brunt of the wedding planning.  She is so wonderful, and I am so thankful to have such a hard working woman to marry.  God has most certianly blessed me.

Well, time to do some studying, so I will leave for now. 

In Him, Christ Jesus,

Johnathan Thurman

January 10, 2011 - Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Exodus 17:2

2 So once more the people complained against Moses. “Give us water to drink!” they demanded.

“Quiet!” Moses replied. “Why are you complaining against me? And why are you testing the Lord?”

The people complained about their problems instead of praying. Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions, and prepares us to listen.

January 9, 2011

Exodus 4:10-13

10  But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”

11  Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

13  But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”

Moses pleaded with God to let him out of his mission. After all, he was not a good speaker and would probably embarrass both himself and God. But God looked at Moses' problem quite differently. All Moses needed was some help, and who better than God to help him say and do the right things? God made his mouth and would give him the words to say. It is easy for us to focus on our weaknesses, but if God asks us to do something, then he will help us get the job done. If the job involves some of our weak areas, then we can trust that he will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

January 8, 2011

Exodus 1:12

But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread, and the more alarmed the Egyptians became.

The Egyptians tried to wear down the Hebrew people by forcing them into slavery and mistreating them. Instead, the Hebrews multiplied and grew stronger. When we are burdened or mistreated, we may feel defeated. But our burdens can make us stronger and can develop qualities in us that will prepare us for the future. We cannot be overcomers without troubles to overcome. Be true to God in the hard times because even the worst situations can make us better people.

January 7, 2011

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" The obvious answer is, "Of course not!" This question reveals much about God. Make it a habit to insert your specific needs into the question. Asking the question this way reminds you that God is personally involved in your life and nudges you to ask for his power to help you.

January 6, 2011

Genesis 15:6

And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Although Abram had been demonstrating his faith through his actions, it was his belief in the Lord, not his actions, that made Abram right with God. We, too, can have a right relationship with God by trusting him. Our outward actions-church attendance, prayer, good deeds-will not by themselves make us right with God. A right relationship is based on faith--the heartfelt inner confidence that God is who he says he is and does what he says he will do. Right actions will follow naturally as by-products.

January 5, 2011

Genesis 6:9

This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.

Saying that Noah was "righteous" and "blameless" does not mean that he never sinned. Rather, it means that Noah wholeheartedly loved and obeyed God. For a lifetime he walked step by step in faith as a living example to his generation. Like Noah, we live in a world filled with evil. Are we influencing others or being influenced by them?

January 4, 2011

Genesis 4:6-7

“Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”

How do you react when someone suggests you have done something wrong? Do you move to correct the mistake or deny that you need to correct it? After Cain's gift was rejected, God have him the chance to right his wrong and try again. But Cain refused. The next time someone suggests you are wrong, take an honest look at yourself and choose God's way instead of Cain's.

January 3, 2011

Genesis 1:28

Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

To "reign over" something is to have absolute authority and control over it. God has ultimate rule over the earth, and he exercises his authority with loving care. When God delegated some of his authority to the human race, he expected us to take responsibility for the environment and the other creatures that share our planet. We must not be careless and wasteful as we fulfill his charge. God was careful in how he made this earth. We must not be careless in how we take care of it

January 2, 2011

Genesis 1:25

God made every type of wild animal, every type of domestic animal, and every type of creature that crawls on the ground. God saw that they were good.

Additional Content:

God saw that his work was good. People sometimes feel guilty for having a good time or for feeling good about an accomplishment. This need not be so. Just as God felt good about his work, we can be pleased with ours. However, we should not feel good about our work if God would not be pleased with it. What are you doing that pleases both you and God?

January 1, 2011

Psalm 6:6 (God's Word Translation)

I am worn out from my groaning.  My eyes flood my bed every night.I soak my couch with tears.

Additional Content:

Pouring out his heart with tears, David was completely honest with God. We can be honest with God even when we are filled with anger or despair because God knows us thoroughly and wants the very best for us. Anger may result in rash outward acts or turning inward toward depression. But because we trust in our all-powerful God, we don't have to be victims of circumstance or be weighted down by the guilt of sin. Be honest with God, and he will help you turn your attention from yourself to him and his mercy.