Kim T. - Oct 15, 2011
Scripture:
Acts 4:18-20 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."
Observation:
Peter and John lived in a world that was not friendly to Jesus. But they had been with Jesus and their lives were forever changed; no going back to life as they once knew it. How could they not speak of the goodness of God?
Application:
Crazy things are happening in our world today, and many are not friendly toward Jesus. I just saw a picture on a news article of a man holding up a sign that said that when Jesus returns they will kill Him again. The church needs to know Jesus like Peter and John did, that their lives would never be the same again, and nothing can keep us from shining the light! I want to know Jesus in such a way that I cannot hold back what He has done and who He is.
Prayer:
Jesus, I’m so thankful for all You have done in my life and all that You have given to me. Bring me closer to You to hear and feel what is on Your heart. I pray that the things in my life that hold me back would dissolve away so that I can shine Your glorious light.
Scripture:
Acts 4:18-20 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."
Observation:
Peter and John lived in a world that was not friendly to Jesus. But they had been with Jesus and their lives were forever changed; no going back to life as they once knew it. How could they not speak of the goodness of God?
Application:
Crazy things are happening in our world today, and many are not friendly toward Jesus. I just saw a picture on a news article of a man holding up a sign that said that when Jesus returns they will kill Him again. The church needs to know Jesus like Peter and John did, that their lives would never be the same again, and nothing can keep us from shining the light! I want to know Jesus in such a way that I cannot hold back what He has done and who He is.
Prayer:
Jesus, I’m so thankful for all You have done in my life and all that You have given to me. Bring me closer to You to hear and feel what is on Your heart. I pray that the things in my life that hold me back would dissolve away so that I can shine Your glorious light.
Kevin T. – October 14, 2011
Scripture:
Psalm 1:3,4 & 6 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Observation:
The wicked live what we all fear. Their lives are insignificant (like chaff that the wind blows away), and they are alone. The righteous get what all desire: fruitfulness, life, and the watchful presence of the Lord Himself on everything we do.
Application:
The contrast between the wicked and the righteous is always a timely reminder. Especially when we seem to notice the prosperity of the wicked on this Earth and the seeming lack of benefit of righteous living. This psalm shows the deeper, eternal significance. It is in fact more beneficial to live righteously here on Earth.
Prayer:
Lord, let me keep in mind the eternal truth of the benefits of serving and trusting You. Amen
Scripture:
Psalm 1:3,4 & 6 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Observation:
The wicked live what we all fear. Their lives are insignificant (like chaff that the wind blows away), and they are alone. The righteous get what all desire: fruitfulness, life, and the watchful presence of the Lord Himself on everything we do.
Application:
The contrast between the wicked and the righteous is always a timely reminder. Especially when we seem to notice the prosperity of the wicked on this Earth and the seeming lack of benefit of righteous living. This psalm shows the deeper, eternal significance. It is in fact more beneficial to live righteously here on Earth.
Prayer:
Lord, let me keep in mind the eternal truth of the benefits of serving and trusting You. Amen
Susie J. – October 12, 2011
Scripture:
Nehemiah 8:9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Observation:
These exiled people who were brought back together realized their sins and were weeping over them. But God said "Don’t grieve."
Application:
This scripture is one of the first ones I wrote in my DJ about in 2009. I find it interesting that He brought me back to the same verse two years later. Maybe it is the season of life I am in right now, but when I read it again, it brought back some of the pain of my past and made me weep again! It brought regrets from my past that if only I had followed Christ many years ago maybe my family would have been spared some of the trials they are facing today.
Then again I am reminded of the redemptive nature of our God and how He has strengthened me through those painful times in my life, and how He has equipped me to walk through times like I experienced with others. Go figure, He knew all along what my trials were for, even when I didn’t have a clue. But then…He is God! I am not, and for that I am thankful, and my kids are, too…
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your Word that so clearly shows us who You are. You are the magnificent God who created me with a purpose, and You are faithful to complete it. Thank You that you have not and never will leave me. That you are working all things for good according to Your purpose and I don’t have to worry about the outcome. Thank You for forgiveness, grace, and mercy, and victory! Amen
Scripture:
Nehemiah 8:9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.
Observation:
These exiled people who were brought back together realized their sins and were weeping over them. But God said "Don’t grieve."
Application:
This scripture is one of the first ones I wrote in my DJ about in 2009. I find it interesting that He brought me back to the same verse two years later. Maybe it is the season of life I am in right now, but when I read it again, it brought back some of the pain of my past and made me weep again! It brought regrets from my past that if only I had followed Christ many years ago maybe my family would have been spared some of the trials they are facing today.
Then again I am reminded of the redemptive nature of our God and how He has strengthened me through those painful times in my life, and how He has equipped me to walk through times like I experienced with others. Go figure, He knew all along what my trials were for, even when I didn’t have a clue. But then…He is God! I am not, and for that I am thankful, and my kids are, too…
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your Word that so clearly shows us who You are. You are the magnificent God who created me with a purpose, and You are faithful to complete it. Thank You that you have not and never will leave me. That you are working all things for good according to Your purpose and I don’t have to worry about the outcome. Thank You for forgiveness, grace, and mercy, and victory! Amen
Mike J. – October 11, 2011
Scripture:
Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who can not save.
Observation:
God blesses us with leaders to lead us and to govern over our nation with laws that are to be enforced fairly and justly. But since the leaders are mortal men, then how much trust should we have in these leaders? Who can we trust to lead us as God desires?
Application:
Only God can lead us to live a life of righteousness. Only by accepting a relationship with Christ will we be able to put our trust in God, for not just our needs but also for our salvation for all eternity.
Prayer:
Father God, I thank You for leading me everyday of my life. I trust You for all of my needs. I want to honor You, Lord, by how I live my life. Thank You, God, for saving me. Amen.
Scripture:
Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who can not save.
Observation:
God blesses us with leaders to lead us and to govern over our nation with laws that are to be enforced fairly and justly. But since the leaders are mortal men, then how much trust should we have in these leaders? Who can we trust to lead us as God desires?
Application:
Only God can lead us to live a life of righteousness. Only by accepting a relationship with Christ will we be able to put our trust in God, for not just our needs but also for our salvation for all eternity.
Prayer:
Father God, I thank You for leading me everyday of my life. I trust You for all of my needs. I want to honor You, Lord, by how I live my life. Thank You, God, for saving me. Amen.
Brook B. - October 9, 2011
Scripture:
Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
Observation:
I love that this is a major thing that God wants to get across to His children. He says it everywhere in His Word, from the Old Testament, Psalms, and New Testament. He wants us to live together in unity because when we are unified, nothing can stop us!
Application:
After talking in home group about the benefits of being unified, I feel I have even more of a reason to stay united with my fellow believers. Satan wants to destroy our unity because in doing so, he destroys the miracle of oneness that only God's followers can have. He says in his prayer in John 17 that if we're brought to complete unity, the world will know the extent of God's love from them. Wow, that is so powerful, and a big responsibility on us as believers to stay of one mind! Not to mention that at the end of Psalm 133 he says, "For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." Sounds good to me.
Prayer:
Lord, I am overwhelmed by Your love for me. I can hear Your desire for unity coming out of Your Word over and over. Please help me push myself back and put others before myself. Help me do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility think of others more than myself. With You, I know we as a unified body can show the world the extent of Your love. Thank You, Lord, for showing me this. In You, Amen.
Scripture:
Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
Observation:
I love that this is a major thing that God wants to get across to His children. He says it everywhere in His Word, from the Old Testament, Psalms, and New Testament. He wants us to live together in unity because when we are unified, nothing can stop us!
Application:
After talking in home group about the benefits of being unified, I feel I have even more of a reason to stay united with my fellow believers. Satan wants to destroy our unity because in doing so, he destroys the miracle of oneness that only God's followers can have. He says in his prayer in John 17 that if we're brought to complete unity, the world will know the extent of God's love from them. Wow, that is so powerful, and a big responsibility on us as believers to stay of one mind! Not to mention that at the end of Psalm 133 he says, "For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." Sounds good to me.
Prayer:
Lord, I am overwhelmed by Your love for me. I can hear Your desire for unity coming out of Your Word over and over. Please help me push myself back and put others before myself. Help me do nothing out of selfish ambition, but in humility think of others more than myself. With You, I know we as a unified body can show the world the extent of Your love. Thank You, Lord, for showing me this. In You, Amen.
Sheila W. - October 8, 2011
Scripture:
Psalm 131:1-2 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Observation:
This psalm is a beautiful song about not worrying about big things, like world peace, the conflict in North Korea, or even where God came from or how incredible was the timing of the birth of Christ!! Those things are sometimes too big for me to even wrap my mind around. Instead, David is saying that he quiets himself and doesn't fuss about things.
Application:
The first verse was weird for me, but then when I read the second one, I understood what David was getting at: we try to solve the world's problems or figure out things that we'll never figure out (until we get to heaven, I guess), and really, we're just wasting time with that and often becoming frustrated or sad. He talks about NOT being proud or haughty (thinking I CAN solve all of these problems!). I need to quiet my soul and look at things that are within my grasp, so to speak, like witnessing to my neighbor, showing mercy to the poor, being kind to others, exhibiting the fruit of the spirit, slaying my Goliaths, etc. THIS is true maturity.
Prayer:
Father, You alone know that my mind sometimes DOES try to solve too many things, that my mind rambles on and on, and in the end, I've accomplished nothing for Your kingdom. What a waste of time! Help me, Father, to spend my time in more resourceful ways, ways that help spread Your kingdom here on earth.
Scripture:
Psalm 131:1-2 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
Observation:
This psalm is a beautiful song about not worrying about big things, like world peace, the conflict in North Korea, or even where God came from or how incredible was the timing of the birth of Christ!! Those things are sometimes too big for me to even wrap my mind around. Instead, David is saying that he quiets himself and doesn't fuss about things.
Application:
The first verse was weird for me, but then when I read the second one, I understood what David was getting at: we try to solve the world's problems or figure out things that we'll never figure out (until we get to heaven, I guess), and really, we're just wasting time with that and often becoming frustrated or sad. He talks about NOT being proud or haughty (thinking I CAN solve all of these problems!). I need to quiet my soul and look at things that are within my grasp, so to speak, like witnessing to my neighbor, showing mercy to the poor, being kind to others, exhibiting the fruit of the spirit, slaying my Goliaths, etc. THIS is true maturity.
Prayer:
Father, You alone know that my mind sometimes DOES try to solve too many things, that my mind rambles on and on, and in the end, I've accomplished nothing for Your kingdom. What a waste of time! Help me, Father, to spend my time in more resourceful ways, ways that help spread Your kingdom here on earth.
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