From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” Romans 1:25 NLT

Observation: When people try to justify sin in their lives they will come up with all sorts of foolish ideas of what God is like. As a result their minds become dark and confused. Next thing you know they are worshiping idols that have been formed into images of people, birds, or all sorts of animals and reptiles. They accept a lie about God because they desire more to satisfy their own lust than to serve and worship a Holy God. They trade the truth of God for what makes them feel good. They trade the truth of God for what looks appealing to their eyes. They trade the truth of God for what their culture says is acceptable. They trade the truth of God for satan’s lie.

Application: The issues that people faced in Paul’s day are still being dealt with today. Sadly these issues have penetrated the religious society and have been accepted and embraced by those who should know better. In an effort to appear righteous to the world many have embraced and accepted open sin, even in the church. The truth has been traded for a lie once again. What God says is being ignored while what culture says is being embraced and praised. Far too many have embraced culture as their god. With TV, music, movies and the rest of the media presenting sinful lifestyles and unwholesome values as normal, we must be determined more than ever to embrace God’s word and worship Him, and Him alone. The Bible is the only standard of truth, and all things should be evaluated in light of its teachings.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Help me to embrace Your word as truth. Protect me from being deceived by culture or society. Strengthen me to stand strong and courageous for Your word and Your truth. Help me live my life according to Your instructions, teach me Your ways. I worship You as my God, and You alone! You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other, in Jesus name, Amen!

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.” 2 Thessalonians 3:12 NLT

Observation: Some people were falsely teaching that because Christ would return any day people should just quit work and do nothing but wait on Christ to return. These idle people ended up filling their time with less than helpful activities, like gossip and meddling in other peoples business. Paul, Silas and Timothy led by example. Paul reminded them to remember that when they were there with them they always worked and payed their own way. They worked hard day and night so that they would never become a burden to them. Paul commanded and urged them to follow his example and get to work!

Application: We can easily find ourselves focused on the wrong type activities if we allow ourselves to become lazy. The Christian must work hard at all we do, and do it as if we are working for the Lord, no matter what we are doing. Leaders in ministry must work extra hard to put forth the right example and never become a burden to the church due to laziness. To work hard does not mean one should never rest or play, for rest and recreation are vitally important in any healthful human being. We simply must remember and discipline ourselves to work when we should be working, and rest when we should be resting. We work with our hands so that our hands will be filled with good things to enjoy, along with enough to give for others to enjoy as well.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I love You so much! You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for providing me the ability and opportunity to work. Help me make the most of the opportunities You give to me, for Your glory. Help me lead by example and not become a burden to those who could be influenced by me. Help me encourage people to live in a way that pleases You. Thank You for the people you have placed in my life that are teaching me how to work and how to give, in Jesus name, Amen!

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of Yours?” 1 Kings 3:9 NLT

Observation: Solomon could have ask for anything, yet he chose to ask for wisdom and understanding. Solomon felt like a child who didn’t know his way around when it came to being king. At this point in his life wealth and fame could do little for him, he needed God to help him govern His people. Notice that Solomon asked for understanding to carry out his job; he did not ask God to do the job for him. To have an understanding heart and know the difference between right and wrong are precious gifts that few will ever have the privilege of experiencing. Not because these gifts are no longer available, but because we fail to ask God for them.

Application: A lot of us want a lot of things. Some want to be rich, others desire to be famous, but few long for an understanding heart and to know the difference between right and wrong. Wealth and fame are much more appealing to the eye and satisfy the lust of our flesh in a more timely matter than does wisdom. Oh sure, we all want wisdom in some capacity, but what is our motive behind the desire? Do we desire it so that we can become more wealthy and famous? Or do we desire it so that we can be more pleasing to God? An understanding heart and the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong are essential elements to a successful Christian life. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Give me an understanding heart and the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong. Teach me Your ways and provide what I need to complete the task You have given me. I need wisdom and I recognize You as the only true source for it. Open up my heart and mind and fill them with Your Spirit, in Jesus name, Amen!

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give only what You first gave us!” 1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT

Observation: David had gathered and stored the materials Solomon would need to build the Temple. Now David was praising God and giving Him the credit for what had been collected. David recognized God as the one that wealth and honor had come from. Power and might was in His hand and at His discretion people were made great and given strength. Everything David had was God’s and had been given to David by God. The greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, the majesty, everything in heaven and on earth, it all belongs to God. David realized all that had been given, had first been given by God.

Application: I believe a lot of stress could be instantly wiped out of our lives if we could come to the conclusion David did about all things. It all belongs to God. It was He that made it possible for us to give anything we have ever given, He first gave it to us. We should not boast about what we have given to the Lord and realize that we only gave back to Him what was already really His. He gives us the opportunity to give so that we can experience real blessing. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive. If you have the means to give today, give God the praise and credit He deserves. For everything you have to give was first given to you from God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for what You have given me. Thank You for the blessing of giving to others. Thank You for what I have received from You through the hands of others. Help me remember that all I have belongs to You. I am only a steward of what You own. Help me become a faithful steward of all that You give to me. Whether it be material things, health, wealth, knowledge, power, strength, ability, or victory, help me conduct myself in a manner that is pleasing to You, in Jesus name, Amen  

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT

Observation: David is turning over the Kingdom to Solomon and gives him the advice of experience. He encouraged Solomon to learn to know God, intimately. In other words, get to know God on a personal level. Know Him as a friend and lover, not as just “the big man upstairs.” Worship and serve Him with your whole heart, not 78% of it. And do this with a willing mind, not out of obligation. He reminds Solomon that God sees and knows everything. Every plan and even every thought! If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Application: How many people do you think are learning to know God intimately in 2012? Sadly, more people refer to God as being “the big man upstairs”, rather than the God that is owed all of their love and affection. This very important element of Christianity has somehow been forgotten and forsaken over the years. Our culture has removed the importance of an intimate relationship with the only true God, and promoted a promiscuous relationship with the god of your choice. Many worship God with their lips, but their heart is far from Him. They profess to love Him while committing adultery right before Him. But He sees everything. He knows everything. Every plan and every thought. He cannot be fooled or deceived.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Your love is amazing! I long to have an intimate relationship with You Lord. Draw me close to You, place within me the desire for You. Teach me Your Laws and write them on my heart. Bring them to my remembrance daily and keep me from forsaking You. Mold me into the man You desire for me to be, help me surrender to You completely, in Jesus name, Amen!

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; His words are upon my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23:2 NLT

Observation: David was chosen by God and anointed to serve in God’s plan. Even though David failed to live up to the standards of God many times, God’s grace and mercy were ever present. A lot of what David suffered toward the end of his life was the consequences of sin he had committed. Even though David repented and God forgave him, the consequences of sin still remained. Yet David proclaimed, “Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success. The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; His words are upon my tongue.”

Application: What a blessing it is to know God is with you, and for you. The realization of God’s nearness and presence provides confidence and courage even when you are ridiculed for yielding to His Spirit. Now days a person that proclaims to be a vessel that God speaks through will be laughed at and considered crazy. Recently a preacher of over 40 years told me, “No one can claim to speak for God. The bible is subject to the individuals own interpretation.” What? Did this preacher justify us making up our own faith? Now, more than ever, we need people like David, that are not afraid to stand up and proclaim, what the Spirit of the Lord has spoken through them. Now, more than ever, we need His words to be upon our tongue. Now, more than ever, we need to surrender and submit to Christ fully.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that provide and protect me everyday. Help me Lord be a vessel that You can work through. Strengthen me to stand strong in the face of adversity and proclaim Your truth. Anoint me just as You did David, and speak to me and through me. Place Your word upon my tongue and cause my mouth to speak at the appointed time. In Jesus name, Amen!

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 NLT

Observation: The final instructions of Christ was to go and teach others about Him. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands that He has given us. Teach them what it means to serve God with a pure clean heart. Preach the message of repentance that will reconcile the lost back to God through Christ Jesus. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The disciples were to baptize people because baptism unites believers with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and their resurrection to a new life. Baptism symbolizes submission to Christ, a willingness to live God’s way, and identifies us as belonging to the family of God.

Application: As with many others things, we have easily distorted the final instructions of Christ. He did not say, ‘Therefore, go and build churches all over the world”, No! He said, “Therefore, go and make disciples.” Somehow we have come to the conclusion that the only way to make disciples is to build earthly church buildings. We have forgotten one very important fact in our quest though, disciples are the church. The only way we can build a church is to make disciples. Church is not a building or a place, church is a people. The people of God. The people that have surrendered to Christ as saviour and Lord. The people that have died to sin and have had their lives resurrected through the power of the Holy Spirit. These are disciples, these are the church. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations and watch God build a church that the gates of hell cannot destroy.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for Your strong right arm that fights for me and wins! Thank You for Your church, Your people that have died to sin and have been born again, raised in the newness of life in Christ Jesus. Your salvation is amazing and Your love is ever lasting. Father have mercy on America, forgive her for she is deep in sin. May Your will be done, in Jesus name, Amen!