AUGUST ARCHIVES
August 1st
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August 2nd
V - Vision
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Dreams are funny
things. Sometimes they just seem so real. In them you may be a king, a queen, a
leader, a handsome young man or a beautiful young girl. In those dreams where it
seems that everything is going so well, when you awaken you think, if I could
only go back to sleep for just a little while longer and dream that dream some
more. There are also those times when things are not going so well. You are
being chased or beaten up. You fall and can’t stop or are in an embarrassing
situation that seems to never end. And then when you wake up startled you begin
to look around hoping it was a dream and not real. I heard a funny story of a
man that dreamed he was eating a huge fifty pound marshmallow only to wake up
and find his pillow missing. Dreams can seem so real. Our verse today talks of
two such men. One that believed he was eating only to awake and find himself to
be hungry. The other was drinking only to find when slumber was over that he was
faint and thirsty still. It ends by saying that’s what it will be like for those
that fight against Zion. Another way of saying those that oppose God. Isaiah was
telling Israel your life is going to be like those men that thought everything
was ok in the dream, but when they finally came to themselves it was anything
but ok. In fact it was terrible. And why? Because they had not listened to the
proclaimed word of God. Instead they chose to live as the world around them was
living. So they would receive what the world around them received. How terrible
it would be for us to cast our visions for life based on what the world has laid
before us. Dreaming of somehow doing it our own way and not God’s way. Only to
find at the end of life, our life was not a dream, but a nightmare. A vision is
only worth having and following if it is planned and planted in the word of God.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Have you built your life on the word of God and His promises? At the end of it all you can probably say; I would like to do that again exactly the same way. With God.
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August 3rd
E - Economics
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Isaiah 35:4,5
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be
strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a
recompense; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be
opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD
INTO PEOPLE:
In today’s Economy it
seems thing continually get worse. It may even seem sometimes that
Christians are fighting a losing battle against Satan and his Demons.
Television displays homosexuality as the norm and gives this group not only
prominent air time, but now titles programming with their slogans of “Gay”
and “Queer.” We have judges in our courts that are supposed to uphold the
constitution but instead they stand up for artwork that is put on display in
public places that contain nudity and profanity because it is called art and
they say they are upholding the freedom of speech. But these same judges
want to take down a monument of the Ten Commandments because that same
freedom of speech might “influence someone.” There is pornography everywhere
you look from television, magazines and on the Internet. And if someone
tries to block that from our youth they are called narrow minded. The lyrics
to songs and the language on almost all media are, what was called “gutter
language” when I was a child. Cussing and swearing is to our children now
just normal street language. There is sin everywhere. And as bad as it seems
in the United States, reports from around the world seem worse. And with
this type of environment they wonder why the economy is so bad. So what can
we do? Where do we turn? The answer today is the same as it has been since
Christ rose from the tomb. God’s economy does not rely on the world and its
filth. You can invest in clean mutual funds if you try. And I am here to
tell you, you can make just as much and often more from what is called clean
funds as from what the world has to offer. We must keep sharing the gospel
and turn to one another and to Christ. God gave us the church for just such
a time as this.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
We can all rest assured,
there will come a time when every knee will bow and every tongue will
confess that Jesus Christ Is Lord of All. Until then we must keep on keeping
on for the glory of God.
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August 4th
R - Romance and Relationships
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Isaiah 38:5
Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God
of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I
will add unto thy days fifteen years.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
A part of life is sorrow. We would all like our world to be great everyday. But that is not real life. Real life has problems, discouragements, anguish and pain. The Bible said there would be persecutions and tribulations. Lets face it life sometimes stinks. And the worst part of it all is when it seems as though we are going through it all alone. When all the world around us does not understand the emotions that are flooding through us at that very moment. When your prayers to God are so simple. When all you’re asking God is for it to be over. No matter how that has to happen, just let it be over. And yet it seems like an eternity between the asking and the answer. Can you remember a day like that? A week? A season in your life? Then let me give you just a glimmer of truth that may make it a little more bearable. God is listening to every word you say. In our verse today Hezekiah was crying out to God. It was a near death situation. No hope except God. He turns his face to the wall, gets alone with God and begins to cry and beg God to hear him. Not little trickle type tears that no one sees. The Bible says he wept sore. In other words he was sobbing his heart out to God. And our verse today says God heard him. But even more important in those lonely hours of tribulation is the next line of the verse. It says God saw his tears. He was not an absentee God that only heard a voice crying in a place far off. He was a personal God that was there and was moved not only by the cry of Hezekiah’s heart, but also the sight of his tears. God is moved by our tears. And although it may not take away the pain you may be going through, it should help a little to know you’re not alone. Not even for a moment. In the New Testament in Hebrews 13:5 God has said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. And when God says never, He means never.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
One of the reasons God puts homes together is so He can be Jesus in the house with flesh on. God needs to show His love through you more than you might even know. Be the arms of God in a time of need. It will amaze you how the love of God will come back to you.
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August 5th
F - Foundation
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Isaiah 14:24
The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I
have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it
stand:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD
INTO PEOPLE:
“Opps, Oh Oh, WOW,
didn’t mean for that to happen, whoops, Oh No not again!” What are all
these? Statements that I am sure you have made from time to time. These are
also comments that you have heard others make over and over again. But also,
these are statements that you will never hear God make. Never, why? Because
nothing ever catches Him off guard. He never looks down from heaven and say,
“Oh No, I didn’t see that coming.” He never makes a mistake. There is never
a time when something does not turn out just exactly like He planned. As God
has thought or purposed, it will be, just like that. If you read a promise
from God in the Bible, it is sure to happen just as He said. Why? Because
whatever He purposes comes to pass. God never does things by chance or
accident. He never says lets try this once and see how it works. He always
does everything on PURPOSE.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Daily
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For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
August 6th
O - Openness
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Isaiah 44:18
They have not known nor understood: for he hath
shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot
understand.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
One of the most frustrating things that can happen in any relationship is a breakdown in communication. To hear something and have no clear understanding is the cause of most communication problems. I used to say to people that Aspirers for literary advancement should religiously eschew polysyllabic orthography. I know some of you reading this are saying WHAT? All English words that are completely understandable, but nevertheless the meaning is escaping you. Which by the way, the general meaning of that phrase is “To promote talking always use small words?” Communication is not just the sounding out of words, but it is the understanding of the words that are said. Sometimes, like in the example above, the words are not understood because they are not well known. Other times the words are not understood because the listener has tuned out the speaker. All they are really hearing is WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH WAH.. And they toss in an occasion uh huh, or yup. But they really are not listening. In our verse today we find that all of Israel’s problems that they are about to face are a result of poor communication. They have not known… Someone did not tell them, did not tell them clearly, nor was understood. What they were told was not understood. And instead of asking, “What?” They just pretend to understand. He has shut their eyes that they cannot see. Not only do they not understand, but they do not see any reason to change. In their eyes everything is ok. Then it says he shut their hearts that they can not understand. They are not seeing a problem because they are only using one sense at a time. Seeing with more than their eyes is so important. Israel failed and received the price for not understanding. We need to see with our heart, our eyes and understand clearly. If you will look at life around you through the eyes of your loved ones, you might see problems otherwise missed. And if you look through the eyes of God you most likely will repent.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Seek wisdom, desire to understand, look at every situation with more than your eyes. Look at others with your heart. Good complete communication is the key to any and every happy lasting relationship. Between one another, and with God.
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August 7th
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August 8th
E - Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Isaiah 56:10-12
His watchmen
are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark;
sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can
never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all
look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye,
say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink;
and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
GETTING THE WORD
OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
One of the greatest
sermons I’ve ever heard was by Evangelist Dr. Jr. Hill. The title was “Dumb
Dogs.” I was at a Pastors Convention in Jacksonville Florida. The message
was addressed to those of us that were church leaders. Not to be as these
dumb dogs that would not bark, but to howl from the rooftops the warnings of
our Lord. He ended the message with a small box that made a barking sound.
He held it to the mic and it began to bark and bark and bark. As it did, you
could see men everywhere with tears in their eyes. Recalling possibly times
they had not spoke when they should have. Not caring for the sheep in their
care. Broken over disobedience, asking God for forgiveness and ready to go
make it right. Others may have had tears of sorrow for those that they had
been warning but would not hear the message. And yet others may have shed a
tear thinking of all those that God had allowed them to bark out the message
to and the Holy Spirit moved in their heart. Tears of joy over lives that
were changed forever because they did as God commanded. Many tears were shed
and for many reasons. Dr. Hill closed by screaming to the top of his lungs,
BARK! BARK! If God has given you a place to share the truth, BARK FOR ALL
YOU’RE WORTH! The verses warn of leaders that want popularity, pleasure and
prosperity more than they want to tell the truth and watch God change lives.
So here is the problem. Most of you read this thinking of your preacher. But
friend you are a leader as well. Someone is watching you. If you hold the
banner of Christian they are taking note of all you do and say. I would just
like to say what Brother Hill did. BARK! Make a difference for the LORD. Let
people see that you embrace the truth. Care for one another and BARK!
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
In the world we live in today, people need to see that there are still some that hold to the true gospel of God’s Holy word. Live a life the BARKS out that truth.
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August 9th
V - Vision
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Isaiah 57:15 & 20-21
For thus saith the high and lofty One that
inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit
of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones….. But the
wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up
mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD
INTO PEOPLE:
“No matter what I do I
can’t seem get it together.” “Nothing I do seems to make a difference.” “My
finances are fine, my job’s fine, everything’s ok and I am still unhappy
with life. What’s the matter?” These are all statements every Christian
counselor has heard. People come into the office with every imaginable
circumstance and excuse for their problems. My job is not right, my spouse
does not love enough, and my children are causing problems. Life just isn’t
fair. And although every one of these statements may be true, often the
underlying problem is not external situations. The problem is often their
relationship with God. Having a vision for the future will not guarantee
success. A roadmap to a destination does not guarantee your arrival. Only if
you follow all the turns as they are laid out will you arrive where you want
to be. It’s the same in life. Going to church and being religious is not the
same as having a relationship with God. In today’s verses God says He will
inhabit those of a contrite heart. That He will revive the heart of the
humble. But He also promises that the wicked, the lost, the unsaved, those
that have no desire for God or to please God, will have no peace. Their life
will be like a troubled sea. Churning and turning with no end in view. We
all have problems in life that we must face. Believers and non-believers
alike face problems. The difference in life is the outcome, not the problem.
For the unrepentant soul the outcome is often just another struggle. Another
time of finding life to be hopeless and drear. Situation after situation
with seemingly no end in site. And no one to turn to as God just continually
allows Satan and they themselves to destroy their life. But the outcome for
the believer is just the opposite. With ever trial in life there is a new
revelation, a closer walk with God, and a realization that we are not in
this alone. There is a peace that the world can not know. Peace Only God
can give.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Life’s journey must
include God. Without Him it’s not a journey, it’s a nightmare.
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August 10th
E- Economics
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Jeremiah 1:15-16
For, lo, I will call all the families of the
kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall
set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and
against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of
Judah. And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their
wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods,
and worshipped the works of their own hands.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
I get tired of preachers that say God is good, kind, loving, with mercy overflowing and never ending. You might say, “Brother, don’t you believe those things are true?” The answer is yes, I believe all those things are absolutely true. But if you only preach that side of God you’re only preaching half the truth. God is also Holy. God will not be mocked. God’s word of judgment will come true just as His word of salvation does. In the verses today we hear God tell Jeremiah “I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north.” It was God at war with His own chosen people. God Himself called for the removal of Israel from their homeland. Why? Because He had warned them in the past time and again, “I am to be your only God.” Not only had these people turned their back on Him, but they had begun to worship others Gods. God’s they thought up and made with their own hands. And I know many of you are thinking; those rotten and ignorant people why would they do that to a God that had freely given them so much? But before we get too judgmental of them, let’s look across America today. We don’t have to view all of America, look at our own home town. Easier still let’s just examine the membership of our own church. And more visible yet would be to look at our home and life. They turned their backs on God. Have we ever said, “God, I’ll do it myself, I don’t need you?” Probably not out loud, but what do our actions say? They worshiped other God’s of their own making. Today many people are missing worshiping God in His church with His people to do a multitude of other things like voluntary work, play, clubs, and recreation. Whatever we place above God; becomes our God. If God was talking to Jeremiah about us today, what would be His warning?
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
We all have more than we
deserve. The least we could do is give God what He does deserve. Our love,
worship and devotion. He supplies everything else anyway.
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August 11th
R - Romance and Relationships
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Children are naughty by nature? You tell them “Do not get into the cookies.” A minute later you turn around and the child is gone. Where are they? Probably in the cookie jar enjoying what you told them not to. And when you walk up behind them and say “what are you doing?” it simply scares the socks off them. Why? Not because they have realized the cookie was bad for them because it would spoil their appetite for the nutritious meal you have planned for them in just a little while. And not because they are sorry for what they have done and will probably never do it again. (Yeah right!) Why are they upset? “THEY GOT CAUGHT!” Before you get too upset with that little one think about this. When times are going good and everything is ok, do you spend as much time talking and communicating with God as you do when things are bad? If things are going good we find lots of other things to do besides spending time praying. An occasional “thanks God” seems sufficient. But let things get bad and we are on our knees crying out “Oh God help us.” And the worse the situation is, the more time we spend talking with Him. But it is often not until WE GOT CAUGHT! Caught neglecting God. Caught making other things more important to us than God. Caught maybe falling in love with something else and it becomes an idol that has taken the place of God. I wonder if sometimes God does not allow trying times in our life, just so we will stop, and talk with Him a bit. Our lives together become like that also. We have become so complacent with one another that we spend all our days and nights busy around each other, but we never really talk. It’s time to talk to the people we love.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Could it be that our days would be better and less trying if we spent more of our good time with one another and God, and not just our sad times? I love to talk with happy people more than I do mad people. I believe God does too!
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August 12th
F- Foundation
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
Not only has God
named Himself as Lord, which He is, He also says He is “THE LORD.” Not a
Lord. Not one among many Lords. He makes it impossible for you to choose
another Lord because He says that He is “THE LORD.” If you follow
anything or anyone else, they are an imposter Lord, and someday you will
know that. He also says there is “NO OTHER SAVIOUR. “ The children of
Israel at this time had lots of wooden and stone carved gods that people
were trying to lift up. God says I am your only Saviour. I am your only
Salvation. I am the only one that can save you and I have proven that in
the history of your fathers. Today we have several religions and beliefs
and cults and sects out there. Some churches today want us to all join
hands and sing Cumbayah. But the Lord says, “I am the only way of
salvation.” It becomes dangerous for us to begin linking arm and arm with
those that do not believe in our God as the one true God and Jesus His
Son as the one and only way of salvation. We then are in a way
supporting them and telling them we think everything will work out in
the end. IT WON’T. There is one God, One Salvation, One way to heaven.
Lets not give people a false hope. If we build our life
on a shaky foundation, the life we build
will constantly be in danger of collapse.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
The rich man lifted
up his eyes in hell and asked for water from Lazarus. Oh how terrible it
would be to have people in Hell saying, “why did you let me just walk
off and leave God when you knew the truth.” Be a witness. Be an
Ambassador. Be a soldier for the one and only LORD.
Daily
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For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
August
13th
O - Openness
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Jeremiah 5:15 Lo,
I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD:
it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou
knowest not, neither understandest what they say.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD
INTO PEOPLE:
I live in a very
multi-cultural community. Each group brings with them a part of their
culture and many also bring their own language. Now friends, I have enough
trouble with the English language, let alone try to be like Paul the Apostle
who spoke and understood many languages. I have on occasion gotten into an
elevator with people that are speaking another language and immediately felt
uneasy. I know that’s silly, but it almost seems like they quit talking for
a moment, look at me, then begin again. A thought that runs through
everyone’s mind at this time is; are they talking about me? It can often
make you feel uneasy not understanding what’s being said. I have also been
out visiting in neighborhoods, knocked on a door and had someone greet me
that did not speak English. Have you ever noticed that everyone becomes a
sign language expert when a person does not understand them? That or for
some reason we think if we yell the words that they don’t understand somehow
that will help. Communication is something we all need in our life. Not only
to be understood, but also to understand what people are saying. In the
verse today we read that God sent a nation to capture Israel, and it was
“a nation whose language thou knowest not,
neither understandest what they say.”
The children of Israel could not plead for help, mercy or anything. They did
not speak the language. Nor could they respond to any of their commands
because they did not understand the language. For many this became a death
sentence as they were viewed as disobedient and rebellious. Too often in our
own homes we have battles and arguments over what we thought we heard but
did not understand. Or a conflict arises from a conversation where you
thought you were clear, but they did not understand. For us to have a happy
home we must communicate openly, clearly and in love.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
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August 14th
R - Roles and Responsibilities
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Jeremiah 9:23, 24 Thus
saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the
mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But
let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me,
that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and
righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD
INTO PEOPLE:
It would almost seem
as Jeremiah the prophet was writing these words to the people on earth
today. In the technological society that we live in, education seems the
benchmark for success. But all the wisdom we have seems to cause us to need
more wisdom to continually compete. A benefit seems to be that this wisdom
has brought us to an age where people are living longer and health and
exercise have taken a front row in the minds of many today. If we can get
healthier and wiser we can live longer and get more things, more wealth. But
at the end of it all our health does seem to fail us. No matter how well we
have taken care to do all we can, this body begins to break down. The wisdom
we had that was relevant 20 years ago has become obsolete. Microchips have
replaced transistors; CD’s have taken over cassettes. Time marches on. And
the monies we colleted over a lifetime are not as valuable as it once was.
In fact it seems to cost everything we have just to live. Man’s wisdom, his
might and his money will someday all seem to fail him. But one type of
wisdom never fails. Understanding that God is the true owner of all there is
in heaven and on earth. That He truly supplies all our needs. And not only
that, He also supplies those things that are above our needs at His own
discretion. Our main role in life is to continually look to Him for guidance
and trust Him to supply. If you were wise enough to accept Christ as
Saviour, Jesus never fails. Real wisdom finds its strength and wealth in
Jesus.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
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August 15th
E - Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
When God originally
created man, He did so looking at us as a perfect creature. His perfect
creation. To make us perfect He gave us characteristics such as He has. A
mind to think with, the will to choose, and a heart full of emotions. But
in doing so, He also gave us opportunity to mess up. And so it goes, we did,
and still do. A mans heart, thoughts, and will have become corrupted by the
sin that Satan introduced to man in this world. The verse just before
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
As the day goes by, ask God to keep your mind on things that would be glorifying to Him. And when you find your mind wandering…wander back over toward God. If you keep your eyes and heart on Him, he will surely lead you in the ways of righteousness. Then you know where you’re heading is a place people ought to be.
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August 16th
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August 17th
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August 18th
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August 19th
Daily
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For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
August 20th
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August 21st
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August 22nd
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August 23rd
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August 24th
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August 25th
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August 26th
Daily
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For Sunday Reading We Suggest You Read Your Pastors Sermon Passages Today |
August 27th
O - Openness
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Lamentation 2:15
All that
pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the
daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the
city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
What
beauty, what splendor, how magnificent was the temple that Solomon
built. There was never a structure such as this. People from everywhere
came by and marveled at the place the King had built for his God. It was
a visible mark on earth of the Majesty of the one Lord God Jehovah he
served. But the children of Israel had taken for granted the God of the
temple. And no matter how spectacular the outside was, the worship
inside was fake and pretentious. God had warned them if they forsook Him
what would happen. God never lies and so as much as He loved the
children of Israel, He kept His word. The city and temple now lay in
ruin and the people of this powerful God were mostly in captivity. Did
God forsake them? No, they forsook God. And from passages written later
in the Old Testament I have to wonder if some of them did not realize
what they had done. So gradual was the turning from God to the world
that many might have been taken by surprise. But they could have known
had they wanted to. The scrolls were there, the temple was there, and
God dwelt among them. But life was good and they did not see a need for
God, and they gradually walked away from the way of life God created for
them to enjoy. Our churches today do not enjoy the standing in the
United States they once did. There has been a gradual turning away from
God’s way and a perversion of God’s Word. The family, according to
society, can be made up of any combination of adult individuals. Not
what God intended nor what His word declares. Our children and
grandchildren know little of the Word of God because we know so little
ourselves. Our lives resemble that of the world and we wonder why
unbelievers shake their heads and laugh at the Christian today. We have
not cleared a path for our children to walk nor voiced the truths of
God’s Word for fear of our pride being hurt. What more can we expect of
them that follow, if we are not willing to openly proclaim the Gospel of
God.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Find a way to open up about your faith. Memorize scripture and share it
with your children. Be open about what you believe and mark out a path
for them to follow.
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August 28th
R - Roles and Responsibilities
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Lamentations 5:7,8
Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have
borne their iniquities. Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth
deliver us out of their hand.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
When our forefathers
began the framework of this great country, America, they did so based on the
principles written in God’s Word. It was truly a nation that was intended to
be under the One and Only True God. In fact most colonies and states
required that a man be a God fearing individual before they could even run
or be considered for office. Today it is very much the opposite. If you’re a
good crook, liar, actor, or sneak you will probably have a better chance
than if you stand up and say, “I believe in the one true God.” The belief
seems to be that crooks, liars, actors, and sneaks are everywhere so that
must represent the people in general. It does not represent me! Society
today fears that; “Godly people are too far right and would bring in a right
wing agenda”. AMEN! That is what we need is a right way of living. Not
Democratic, Republican or any other party for that matter. We need to live
Gods way. Friends, many of our fathers have sinned. They allowed this to get
this way. They voted for their pocketbooks and not their moral beliefs. They
vote party line not priestly living. They voted for charismatic men over
Christian men. Our fathers have sinned and we are bearing their iniquities.
Our Christian role is clear. Servants, or another way to say that would be
“The Lost” have rule over us. Psalm 12:8 says; “The wicked walk on every
side, when the vilest men are exalted.” Oh how true then. How the same is
true now. The more we vote for sinful men and women the worse it will always
get. There is none of them that can deliver us out of this sinfulness. No
program, pledge, policy or platform can bring about righteousness. Only God
can do that.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
I know many people have quit reading already. They want to bury their head in the sand and say; “there should be a separation from the church and state.” Thank you folks, it was that thinking that got us here. And that thinking will keep us here. Let’s vote for God when we have a chance.
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August 29th
E - Each Other
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Ezekiel 3:17-19
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the
house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning
from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest
him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to
save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood
will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not
from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity;
but thou hast delivered thy soul.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD INTO PEOPLE:
The question rings out loud and clear from the fourth chapter in the book of Genesis… “Am I My Brothers Keeper?” Cain had just murdered Abel and God was asking him where his brother was. Cain is sort of saying, am I responsible for the welfare of my brother? On one hand the answer would have to be no. No one can secure the complete safety or security of another person. But we also must answer the question yes. Everyone is somewhat responsible to do the best they can to keep one another from harm. In our verses today Ezekiel was given the position as a watchman. You could sort of call him the assigned Brothers Keeper. And God explains what the job entails. He said I have given you a warning for the people. If you do not share the warning and they die it’s just as if you killed them. You will be responsible for their death. But if you do the best that you can to warn them and they do not listen, your hands are clean as you did the best you could. Jesus gave us the same charge Mark 15 & 16 As it reads;”And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” We can not save the world. God knows that. But we can do our part. And God knows that too.
LETTING THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Are you doing your part? Are you visiting the lost and witnessing? Are you sending and handing out tracks? Are you financially and prayerfully supporting the missionaries of your church? God knows what you can’t do and does not expect that of you. But you and God both know what you can do. And He does expect that of you. Am I my Brothers Keeper? Yes, you are a watchman called for this day.
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August 30th
V - Vision
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
Ezekiel 7:26
Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall
be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall
perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD
INTO PEOPLE:
Listen carefully. In
the back of your mind you will probably hear the voice of your mom or dad as
you read the next line. Ready? OK read this line; “If you would only
have listened to me in the first place this would have never happened.”
You heard it didn’t you? Most people do. The reason we hear it so plainly is
we recall those words so clearly. The only reason you might recall those
words would be if you did not listen to their advice at some point in your
life. And although they probably said it in a loving way, what you heard was
“I told you so!” For some reason people think they have a new or better way
of doing things. That somehow living life has changed so much over the past
few thousand years. Yes we do have more modern gadgets. Yes we have more
things to take up tons of our time. Yes we have faster transportation. But
when we get right down to it, living is still just getting up in the
morning, doing our daily routines and going to bed at night. The problems
then become evident in, what are our daily routines. The children of Israel
had gone so far from God that their daily routines now included Going to
God’s House and worshipping other gods. Crying for false goddesses and
burning incense to idols. Their daily routine did not include God any longer
because in their eyes, God did not care about them nor was he watching them
any more. And God said to Ezekiel, I am watching and what I see makes me
sick. He said I am going to destroy this way of life. And when I do they
will want to know what the priests envision for their future. But the
priests will not know. If they had of followed God’s way of life to begin
with, their future was already mapped out for them. There is no new way to
live better. The way to live better is to live by the book. To envision your
life without God, is to envision a life full of misery and trials. Listen
carefully. You will almost hear as it were the voice of God saying “If
you would only have listened to me in the first place this would have never
happened.” Are you listening?
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
Making a plan for your life must begin with God. He must be a part of your everyday routine. Reading His word, praying and seeking His will is the only way to secure your future. Call on Him today, and map out a life filled with the joy of the Lord.
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August 31st
E - Economics
GETTING PEOPLE INTO THE WORD OF GOD:
GETTING THE WORD OF GOD
INTO PEOPLE:
You can hardly turn on
a TV set anymore without seeing some TV Evangelist giving other real
preachers a bad name. You might ask how they go about giving others a bad
name. By claiming extra revelations that are not in scripture. By claiming
to have a word from God on someone’s healing. I never saw people in the
Bible with telepathic revelations on others healing miles away. Jesus was
the only one who knew the beginning from the end and could do so. I turned
TV on the other day and there was a man begging for money (Bet that
surprises you huh…) with a table full of pieces of paper. There were
hundreds of slips of paper where people had called in a pledged “x” amount
of dollars expecting a miracle from their so-called seed pledge. This TV
charlatan said, in a moment I will be laying my hands on this pile of prayer
requests and I hear in my spirit (small s on purpose) that when I pray
millions of people are going to be healed all over the world. Right behind
him was a large plate glass window and behind the window were operators on
phones taking these pledges. In the very front row of these operators was a
young lady that was answering phones with a Huge White Neck Brace On. If
this man can heal people all over the world, why did he not heal the lady
right behind him working for him? WHY? Because he can’t heal people. Neither
can I. Only God can heal and he never charged a person one dime in the bible
to do so. Their faith was not tied to their pocket books. WOW ONTO FOOLISH
PROPHETS… When a man stands to preach the word, make sure he is preaching
God’s word, not his own.
LETTING
THE WORD AFFECT OUR LIVES:
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