JANUARY ARCHIVES
January 1st
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Outlook from the In Book
We have arrived in a new year. New opportunities seem just around the corner. New goals get set every year at this time. Plans for a better way, a new walk, a new world, seem ever so possible today with the fresh beginning of a brand new year. The truth is, that new walk, new world, new way is available any day. All we need to do is turn to Christ and we can realize this same feeling of beginning again any day of the year. In the very first chapter of the book of Psalms we see just how that is possible. Don’t listen to those negative people that tell you, “You’ll never change.” Look them in the eye and tell them, “You are so right; I can’t change on my own, but with the help of God and the Holy Spirit that resides in me all things are possible.” With God doing the changing and not we ourselves, everyone can be changed. Walk not in the negative council of this ungodly world that scorns everything you try to do for God. Make the Bible your delight. Find in it the truths to stand against Satan with. This Bible says in Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Now the rest is up to you… Who are you going to believe today? The world that says you can’t, you won’t, and you don’t stand a chance. Or God who plainly has said if you delight in His word, meditate on it day and night you can, you will, you have every chance. In other words think on the good things he has for you. Believe what His word says is true. Then God says ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. So, who are you going to believe, God or man? What a great day it is knowing that God is and on your side, by your side, and even inside you at every turn today.
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January 2nd
Proverbs 2:10-11
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
Outlook from the In Book
Television, Radio, and the Daily Newspaper all claim the most accurate coverage of what is happening. They even tell you that being informed is your right. Our Rights are something that Americans have fought for so hard for years and even centuries. The ability to know what is happening and wanting to know it now. Sometimes the news that we get does help us, but often it really makes little difference in our lives at all. It’s just useless information that will change nothing in our lives, and sometimes incorrect information at that. I do however know where there is information that will make a difference in your day today. In Proverbs we are told that when wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge is something that pleases your very inner soul, then you will be able to decide correctly for yourself what is right and what is wrong. And having that wisdom that God can only share, and that understanding it is always right will keep you all the days of your life.
OK,
so you want to know what is right? All of it right now? Well I am sorry, but
unless you can read all of Gods word today and absorb all of what you read, you
probably can’t know it all today. But you can know this, if you know Jesus as
your Saviour, the Holy Spirit that resides in you knows the whole book from
front to back and He can guide you in the paths of righteousness. This does not
get you off the hook of reading Gods word. That is how he guides you. So read
some, believe it all, ask God for direction, and walk in the Lord
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January 3rd
Matthew 5: 43-44
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Outlook from the In Book
In our society today we are so much “give me” oriented. It is kind of like saying “if I love you, then what’s in it for me?” But this is not true love. Love is showing adoration and compassion for something or someone else. If you love something or someone you should not be looking at what you get, but how can I give. When you came to Jesus you loved Him because He first loved you… How did you know He loved you? He gave of Himself for you when you had nothing to give back of the same value as what he gave. And He also knew that you never would be able to give Him anything that could repay what He had done on the cross of Calvary. But He loved you enough to do it anyway. So now because of His love for you, you want to do something for Him. Why? Because you love Him. Not for what more you could get, but because you have already received His most valuable gift, His love. John 3:16 says God so loved the world that He GAVE… In our passage today we are told we are even to love our enemies. How do you love an enemy? GIVE. Give them some time to get to know you. Give them the most precious thing you have, Jesus. Bless them, do well for them and pray for them.
If
loving is really giving, then how can I show my love today to my spouse… my
children… my friends…? Or, I guess the question is, what can I give to them to
show them my love. Not because you get, just because. And oh by the way…. When
you give love unselfishly as God did, watch out…. It always seems to come back
at you through the ones you love. ……. Maybe that’s what God had in mind! Do you
think so?
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January 4th
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Outlook from the In Book
We put up fences to guard our yard from the neighbors and to guard our neighbors from our pets. We build large building with locks to protect our belongings. We put our money in safe places like a bank or a vault. Why? Because all of these thing are of value to us. But what do we do to guard our heart. In Proverbs we are told to keep or guard our heart because it is where all of life stems from. How do we do that? The next few verses help us in that. Verse 24 Put away a forward mouth or unfair, surly speech. In other words don’t be so mean all the time. Verses 25-26 says to keep your eyes on the path before you. Or keep focused on what really matters. Don’t let Satan drag you off course. Vs 27 says to keep on keeping on. Don’t let the world entice you.
Matt.
6:33-34 tell us to seek first the kingdom of God and not to be too concerned
about tomorrow because as you well know, there will be plenty to deal with
tomorrow already. So, don’t worry about that until you get there. Keep walking
the path today and let God help you in your walk.
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January 5th
Matthew 7: 7-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Outlook from the In Book
Have you ever been to a restaurant and ordered a meal. The waitress brings it and you begin to enjoy it. Then you look over at the next table and they have the same thing but with onion rings instead of fries. And you think hey why didn’t I get that too? The answer is, you didn’t ASK. Sometimes we are shortchanged in life not because it is not available to us but because we did not ASK. In Matt; 7:7 the verse says Ask, Seek, and Knock. Even the initials of these three words spell ASK. The way it is written means to continually ask or keep seeking. When you go to the door, you knock until someone comes to the door or you realize they are not home. Guess what? God is home, so just keep knocking until you get an answer.
Asking shows dependence on God. Seeking displays a yearning for Him. Knocking
shows persistence. So spend your time persistently yearning for and asking God
for the desires of your heart. WOW. You know what happens then? You have just
spent a whole day talking with God. Now that might change your life!
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January 6th
Matthew 9:2-3
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
Outlook from the In Book
Have you ever gone through a haunted house? As you come around a corner something jumps out and scares you half to death. It’s scary and yet funny at the same time because we know that it was planned that way. Not to hurt us, but for our enjoyment. But yet the idea of someone being able to read our minds seems scary. I mean EVERY thought I have they would know. Well the Bible passage today teaches that Jesus can do just that. Read every thought we know. The mean thoughts toward someone, the get even mind set we sometimes have, everything. Some would probably say, “I don’t like that.” But you know that Jesus also can hear in our hearts those good thought. He can hear our praise toward Him Our worship of him. I guess that is why Paul in 2 Cor. 10:5 says “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” We should bring even our thoughts into Captivity and use them the praise and honor our God.
As
you go through the day from time to time think about this. If what you were
thinking was being played over a loud speaker would it be pleasing to those
around you? Or this, just remember, what your thinking right now,…., is also
running through Jesus mind. It might change the way we think on things.
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January 7th
Matthew 10:31
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Outlook from the In Book
Maybe it’s me, but I seem to be all mixed up with what the world really wants. I mean on one side they are fighting for the right to be able to kill unborn children. They say we are over populated in some areas and just don’t want these children in another. Now they are fighting for the right to clone and make more babies. What is it that they really want? More babies? Fewer babies? They treat the life of a baby like it is just a thing. I believe they just want what Satan has wanted all along. They want to be God. The control of life is really their desire. The ability to give and take life at their will is central in their hearts. But our hearts are desperately wicked. We need someone with a caring loving heart to guide our every thought, desire, and action. Life is so much more valuable than us getting our way. God knows all about you and did before the foundation of the world. And the perfect heart of God is what keeps us day after day.
Pray
for the unborn child. A child’s life should not depend on how or why that child
came to be or how it impacts the lives of the living. Children deserve a chance
to be all God intended them to be. They are of value. And so are you. And so is
your prayer for them.
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January 8th
Psalm 8:6
Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put
all things under his
feet:
Outlook from the In Book
When some hear the word DOMINION, they automatically think Ruler or Power. And dominion has within it a sense of rule and power. But it also has within it a place of submission. If a person is made Sergeant in the military, they have rule over that group of men and yet at the same time they are subject to their Commander. Should they quit obeying the commander above them, very soon they would loose that place of service and the position that they hold. Or if they quit serving the men in their care and carelessly risk them to harm or even death, it would not be long until they will have lost their position of leadership as it would be taken from them. We have dominion here, but that dominion is based in Jesus Christ. We only have the authority through Him and in Him. To attempt to abuse that power is to abuse what God created.
We
need to remember that all things were made by Him and for Him. Everything and
everyone we see was made with the foreknowledge of God. That includes us. You
and I. We were created for His pleasure. So lets please Him today by submitting
our dominion to the one who is really in control. In Matthew 28:18 Jesus told
His disciples that all power is given unto Him… In Heaven and Earth. Nothing has
ever changed.
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January 9th
Genesis 17:23
And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
Outlook from the In Book
Ok, today I would like you to read your Bible, Pray, Sing little song (even if its to yourself), ask someone to come to church, and cut the fatty lobe off your left ear. WHAT? Can you even imagine a pastor telling anyone they need to do something like that to serve God? I mean all the other stuff seems like a legitimate idea, but cut off part of my body? You’re probably saying, “Well I don’t think so buddy, I’ll find another church somewhere else.” But that is exactly what God asked Abraham to do. And even more amazing, Abraham did it. And not a week or two latter after he had time to think it through, or to read all the studies of medicine, Read a few books on the subject, and find a great way of numbing the pain. The Bible says, when he understood Gods desire, he did it the very same day. What Abraham did is called being totally surrendered to God’s will. God will never ask you to do things illegal or immoral, but does ask you to surrender your will to His.
When
I started out I mentioned Prayer, Reading, Singing, and Sharing. God’s word
tells us we are to do all those things. Are you going to wait until you figure
it all out? Get up the nerve? Find just the right time? Or are you going to obey
God today like Abraham did?
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January 10th
Proverbs 10:29
The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Outlook from the In Book
Ever see one of those weird mosaic type pictures? You know; the ones that you have to stick your nose up to cross your eyes and then slowly move it back from your face and sometimes you can see the form of something in the picture? Some people claim to be able to see the image immediately, while other looking at the same picture for hours never sees anything. Well, different people seem to see the way of the Lord like that. God gave us a book called the Bible. In it contains the way of life. His word tells us of the way of life for the saved as well as the way of life for those that reject Christ and His way of living. People that are saved and know the Lord see the way of the Lord as a source of strength and comfort. Those who never have known Him find it to be a tale of destruction. To them it becomes a reason for fear. And yet the way of the Lord has not changed, just the viewer.
How
do you see the way of the Lord? Does his ways cause you to think of Him as a God
that wants you to have no fun, no enjoying your life, no happiness? Do you think
He just wants you to be a miserable Christian? Then you are really missing the
WAY OF THE LORD. His way actually protects us from the harmful things that Satan
would bring to remove our real lasting joy. If you really want to Live Life,
Live it in Him. He brings real comfort in the midst of life’s storms.
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January 11th
Genesis 21:1
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.
Outlook from the In Book
Have you ever order anything by mail and then wait and wait and wait and it seems to never come. The ad said to allow 6 to 8 weeks for delivery. But you were at the mailbox every day; just sure they were going to send it early. And when it got there you are so excited about it getting there and you look and find out it arrived right on time just like they said. But it sure did seem like a long wait. God may seem very much like that in our lives sometimes. In the verse today we see that God was there when He said He would be and delivered what He said He would deliver. In this way in our lives today God teaches us to be patient, and to wait on Him. He will give us just exactly what we need and just exactly when we need it. But never a minute too early. And God is never late. He is always right on time.
What
are you asking God for today? Are you praying with faith believing? Believing
that even though it has seemed like an eternity, God is never late and He never
lies. He’ll be there.
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January 12th
Matthew 15:11
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Outlook from the In Book
At our table we always pray before we eat. As the children were growing up I would tease them and still do from time to time and I will say “Hey, don’t eat that before you pray, you don’t want to be sick all day do you?” Well I am not making light of praying before we eat, I think it is right for us to give thanks for what God has provided. But the truth of the matter is, (please don’t tell my children,) what goes in the mouth in way of food does not matter spiritually. It is what comes out of our mouth that matters. Because the words that come out of the mouth, come from our heart. God is not as concerned with our rituals, as He is with our heart.
Today
when you get ready to eat, think just for a minute before you do. Make this
prayer today not a ritual to be able to soothe our mind before we eat. But a
real prayer of thanks for the blessing he has showered on us today.
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January
13th
Proverbs 13:11
Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Outlook from the In Book
Not to long ago there was a man on the news that won a large amount from the lottery. His newspaper comments, if they are accurate, said he thanked God for helping him pick the right numbers and was giving a lot of that money to his church. Several people commented, “Oh how I wish that was our church.” I know they meant that in an innocent and loving way. But wait a minute; did he not get that money by gambling? Didn’t thousands upon thousands of people who really needed their money have to lose it for him to become rich? People that bet their rent or let their children go hungry because of their addiction to gambling. Do you think for one minute that God really had anything to do with it? I mean the one true real God who said in Proverbs that wealth gotten by VANITY shall be diminished. Vanity means emptiness, or “like a breath” or nothing there. He got his money from doing nothing to earn it. It will be interesting to see what he has done with that money in the next couple of years.
As we
look at the wealth of the world, the idea of gambling becomes enticing to say
the least. Especially knowing that we could use that money for so many great
things for the Lord. It would be better to wait upon the Lord and His timing and
His plan than to cave into the vises of sin and of man. Let’s be like the 2nd
part of this verse that says “but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.”
Let’s just get ours honestly, shall we?
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January 14th
Matthew 18:3
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Outlook from the In Book
Oh to be a child again. To play, laugh, run, jump, and seemingly have no cares in this world. Our biggest fear as a child is that our toy might break or our friends can’t play today. Oh to be a child again. Some read today’s verse and think “I have to become like a child to be saved” or, “I first have to have the faith of a child to be saved.” You might be saying to yourself “I just can’t do it.” Well you’re right. You can’t, and the verse does not say that is your job. It says, “Except ye be converted AND become as little children.” People seem too often to get it backwards. Jesus was saying convert, or turn from your sin. It is an action required to become born again. You must turn to Christ and away from sin. Trust God and turn from your sin and he will restore in you that child like faith to trust Him even more
With
that reminder of child like faith, today we should just run and jump in His arms
and trust the rest of our day, our week, yes even our life to Him.
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January 15th
Genesis 28:15
And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
Outlook from the In Book
Has anyone made you a promise and then not come through. Or even worse they promised you something and based on that promise, you promised someone else something and that did not happen. Oh, I can sense the blood beginning to boil. In our passage today we see that God made a promise to help, keep and be with Jacob until He, God, has finished the work He planned for him. And as we study the rest of that book we find that God kept His word to Jacob. Wouldn’t it be nice if God would whisper something like that in your ear? A promise to finish everything He has planned in your life. That would make life easier to live if I just knew that God was going to finish in me what he started. If that is how you feel then I have some very great news for you. In the New Testament we find He does say exactly that to you. In Philippians 1:6 it says “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”
Live your life today knowing that God is working in and through you. Today God wants to use you to complete a part of His overall plan for this world. You are a very big and vital part of it. If God has become the Lord of your life, He has begun a good work in you. And His word says He will finish that work.
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January 16th
Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Outlook from the In Book
I have read several books this past year. Some were better than others. I took a class in counseling and had to read a textbook. That often seemed like work. But then there were those books that just drew me into them as if the story had been written around me. Like the author new what would captivate my every thought and wrote this book just for me. All day long when I was not reading it, I found myself thinking of it. Or when I got around others I often found my conversations wound up somehow mentioning the book and the author. I believe that is what our verse today has in mind. If we will commit ourselves to the Lord, fall in Love with His person, and all we do and say are directed toward the praise and worship of Him, then our thoughts will automatically be established in Him. When Jesus becomes the center of your life then everything you say and do cause you to think of Him. We can actually get lost in Him as we do sometimes the pages of a real good book. In John 1:1 it says “In the In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
As you do your Bible readings today, read with the desire in your heart of the psalmist in Psalm 119:18 that says; “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Then walk in the revelation of His person all day. Get lost in Jesus today.
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January 17th
Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Outlook from the In Book
The world today seems to want to make things easier and quicker. We have fast food restaurants, drive through banking, I even heard of a McDonald’s type church service. Quick and out. No frills just the basics. WOW. That just dose not sound like worship to me. But friends, it’s not a new idea. Even during the time of Jesus on this earth, people were asking, “Give me the basics, I mean just the barest that I need to know.” So Jesus did just that. He told them, Love Me completely. Not just part of you, all of you. Make me the center of your life. And also, show the people around you the love I have had for you. If you have given me your whole self, heart, mind, and soul, then loving others should be no problem. And you know what? They walked away the same way they came. Looking for something more, they missed it in unbelief that it is that simple. It is that simple but also that complete. Jesus wants your life to be given over to Him. Fully trusting in Him for everything.
The answer is in total surrender to Him. If you will simply surrender your life to the one who created you and wants the best for you, He will be your Lord, and you will be a child of God. But if you hold back a portion of what He asked for, can He save you? He is Lord, but also a loving Heavenly father. He does not want to ruin your life and happiness. He wants to guide you into real happiness.
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January 18th
Matthew 23:3
All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Outlook from the In Book
You remember the old saying, “Do what I say not what I do.” Who was the genius that thought up that crazy line? I mean really, how many times does that ever happen? Someone tells you to do something and then won’t do it their self. Or even worse they tell you how horrible something is and then run right to it. Do we teach children not to swear by cussing at them? Do we teach them to respect others by cutting down everyone we know? Does that make sense? No!! And yet we want people to come to Christ and live the life of a Christian and then we do just the opposite. Can you really expect someone to want to become something that you are not willing to live? Where is the joy you talk of? Where is the love for God you tell them about? What about this great fellowship of the people you speak of, but that you never seem to want to be around more than once a week for one hour at a time. Yup I’m convinced. I’m convinced that James was right. Faith without works proves your faith to be untrue.
If you want to make a difference is a persons life, you need to be an example of what you’re saying. Live for Jesus everyday. Ask God to help you through the power of the Holy Spirit that resides in you. He is your strength and your guide. Walk in the light of His word. And watch others be attracted to the light. His light.
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January 19th
Genesis 35:11
And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
Outlook from the In Book
Does what God says make a difference to you? I hope so. In this passage God introduces himself as GOD ALMIGHTY. There seems to be a little difference between theologians as to the root of the word ALMIGHTY. Some claim it is from the root of “High Mountain.” Using that understanding, God is showing himself above man and above nature. High above everything. Another group says it comes from the root for “Power and Authority.” If we take that meaning God would be showing His control of all things created. I believe that God is both. Above all. All man, all nature, all calamity, all problems, all fears, and all wows . But also at the same time He has the absolute power to make a difference in any of those things. I won’t get into the Hebrew debate today over where the root came from. Instead I am going to crawl into the arms of the ALMIGHTY and rest in Him.
By the way, what God promised in this verse came true. See He is ALMIGHTY. He has the power and authority to do anything. Won’t you give Him that control in your life today?
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January 20th
Psalm 18:47
It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.
Outlook from the In Book
When I was a little boy I can remember that if something went terribly wrong with one of my friends and I was not happy, I would run home and tell my mom or dad. Depending on the situation they always seemed to take care of it. I was sure that I was right and whoever I was upset with at the moment was wrong when I ran in the house squalling. And even if I was right, (or maybe on that very rare occasion wrong) I would often hear some very familiar words, “I told you not go there or do that in the first place, why won’t you listen?” Those words still ring in my ears today as I find myself sometimes running to God with a problem and I am sure I am right. But in my heart I hear, “I told you not to do that or go there in the first place, why won’t you listen to Me?” The Avenging of the Lord is always right. He takes care of me. He watches out for me. Even if it means reminding me that he warned me this would happen. Sometimes my greatest enemy is me!
As we move through this day and this week, never stop running to God, even if He reminds us that we are the problem. That is the right answer for that situation. And He is waiting and ready with the right answer for the next one too.
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January 21st
Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he
turneth it whithersoever he will.
Outlook from the In Book
Elections always bring out the, well, um, interesting side of people lets say. Some are for one candidate for their reasons and some are for another for their own reasons. And if you ask them they are both sure they are right. After the dust settles and the Election Day is done, it is sometimes hard to want to support the person put in office. One thing that might help is remembering this. No matter which party they represent, or what agendas they uphold, the Bible says God is still in control. They might pull one way or another, but the ultimate decision is the Lords. So I guess when you pray for your leaders to do the things you think are right, you have to remember, if they do something different, God has allowed it for this time.
Remember always to pray for the leaders in your life. Governors, Senators, Congressional Representatives, Mayors, President, Vice Presidents, Generals, and oh yes, lets not forget their Spouses when we pray. Remember their hearts are in God’s hand.
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January 22nd
Matthew 27:37
And set up
over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Outlook from the In Book
Children can seem so cruel sometimes, just by being honest. They don’t mean to be cruel, and really they are just telling the truth usually. When asked a question like “do you want to grow up to be like me?” And they answer “No way, your ______.” You fill in the blank. Fat, bald, skinny, tall, short, have the wrong color hair, etc. Just what ever comes to their innocent mind that, at that point in their life, they do not want any part of. When Pilot wrote the charge against Jesus in three languages and hung it above His head, it was meant to be an accusation against Him. But instead, it spelled out exactly who He was. It became a banner over Him rather than an accusation.
As you go through your life as a Christian, and people mock you for reading your Bible at work, or praying before you eat, or inviting people to attend church with you, just remember, what the world means to be ridicule, in the face of God is a Banner of Honor to Him. Where you’re Banners with pride. Remembering who you are in Christ Jesus. What does your banner say?
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January 23rd
Genesis 42:8-9
And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him. And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
Outlook from the In Book
I have worked in factories and restaurants before with other people that were not happy with the boss. I’ve heard them say things like, “If I were in charge I would do this or that.” They would change everything. No more miss-fortunes for the little guy if they were the bosses. And then, it happened. They were made boss. And they seem to get a free case of amnesia along with the title. Everything they said they were going to do, they forgot. In fact sometimes they were worse than the last boss. Why do you think they would do that? It’s all because they had forgotten the things they had said before. They seemed of little importance anymore. They were in charge. They were now the BOSS! In our verse today it seems that Joseph is being pretty mean to his brothers, but in the long run he is being very kind. Just remember, they had stripped him and put him in a whole in the ground, made fun of him, sold him into slavery, implied to his dad that he was dead. He had every right it seems to be mean. But instead he uses the power God has afforded him to do good for them in time. Why? Because Joseph remembered the dreams he had shared with them. God told him years before that this was going to happen. Everything that had happened to him was carrying out Gods perfect will. And how could he be mad about that?
Life might not seem fair. The world might seem like it’s against you, your God, and your faith. Well let’s be a little like Joseph and not be too mad at them. After all, God told us in His word it was going to be like that. Let’s use the power God has afforded us, for their good. What power you might ask? PRAYER. Pray for them and see what God can do through you.
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January 24th
Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Outlook from the In Book
In the state of Kentucky they have these caves that go deep into the mountains where the temperature remains the same year around and it stays very damp. If you have never been in a cave, you might not have ever experienced what I am about to tell you. When I was young my parents took me to such a cave. As we went farther into this cave the guide was describing the stalactites and stalagmites. He told how they had formed over time by mineral deposits. Then at one point he said, “Stand very still and no one move.” And it happened. He turned off the lights. I mean there was no light from anything. It was as dark as I had ever experienced. And even though there were people all around me, you kind of felt all alone. When the lights came back on, I felt sort of relieved. The tension from the uncertainty of the situation was gone. In the verse above the psalmist is asking why God had forsaken him. Why He was so far away. When the truth is, God never moved. But in the darkness of this world it can seem sometimes like we are all alone. God is even there in our darkest hour.
Does it seem at times that God is not there? That for some reason He is not listening? Does it seem at times the world around you is a very dark place? May I suggest you turn on the light of His word in your life? Just a little light in a very dark place makes you feel a whole lot of relief.
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January 25th
Proverbs 25:13
As the cold
of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send
him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.
Outlook from the In Book
Have you ever been near a mountain stream in the spring? The snow on the mountain top begins to melt and flow down to the valleys below. That water is as crystal clear as glass and so cold. To someone working hard at the base of that mountain that day, it is so refreshing. You almost need to be careful not to drink too much of it because it tastes so good. Our verse today tells of the same goodness. As the refreshing cold water that comes from the snow on a mountain to a worker in the valley below, so is a messenger that brings faithful truth to comfort our very soul.
Not only can the message be a comfort, but look at that verse again. It says the messenger refresheth the one