"Word of God Speak"

August 2, 2013 (2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves. Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the World.” John 4:42 NLT

Observation: A woman came to Jacob’s well to draw water, she had no idea she would encounter Jesus that day. Jesus began the conversation by asking for a simple drink of water. That simple question led to a soul coming to know and believe in Jesus Christ. The thought that she could drink the water Jesus offered and never thirst again made her excited. At first she thought she’d never have to come to the well again to draw water, then Jesus started addressing the sin in her personal life and she began to realize the water Jesus offered was spiritual. She perceived Jesus to be a prophet and began asking Him about worship. She asked Jesus where to worship, He taught her how to worship. She became an instant evangelist and ran to tell the good news she had received. Her testimony ultimately led others to Christ as well.

Application: When we have a real encounter with Christ our life changes. We are no longer the same because we have been filled with the water of life that becomes a bubbling spring within us. This spring of life causes us to tell others about what Jesus did for us. By our testimony we encourage others to have that personal encounter with Christ themselves. Once a personal encounter with Christ has taken place an evangelist is born. While hearing the good news of Christ is good, there’s nothing like first hand experience. Notice how the people of Samaria responded, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves.” This response should encourage us to continue telling our story of conversion and trust Jesus with the personal encounter that opens blinded spiritual eyes.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for meeting me at the well. Thank You for confronting me and convicting me of my sin. Thank You for the privilege of repentance. Thank You for the spring of life that bubbles up within me! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Allow me the privilege of telling someone about what You’ve done for me today, in Jesus name, Amen!

August 1, 2013 (Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.” Psalm 62:10 NLT

Observation: God desires His children to trust Him. He knows what’s best and will bring about victory at the proper time and place. We must learn to submit all that we are completely and wait quietly before God. He must never become just the source of our hope, but He must become and remain our hope. He is The Rock, but is He your Rock? Salvation is found in Him alone, but is He your salvation? Too often people choose to make temporal things their god. The level of depravity some people sink to for material gain is unbelievable. Extortion, oppressive, or illegal exaction of money from another will never bring happiness or peace. If your hope is in stealing you will be discouraged and depressed. If wealth, or the desire to obtain it, becomes the center of your life you have left the straight and narrow path and have gone astray.

Application: When we hear an example of extortion it usually involves a person in authority abusing their power to oppress and extract money from another but this is not always the case. Many times average, ordinary people are guilty of extortion. By oppressive means many have exacted money from others using lies and deceit to obtain their apparent victory. Yet these actions are never successful in the end. You will never steal your way to success. If the only hope you have is extortion and stealing you are a miserable, unhappy person. Often time’s people stoop to such a low level because their desire and lust for material things has become their god. The increase of wealth is only a blessing if the increase was obtained righteously and given by God. Whether rich or poor God must never be removed from His rightful place in our lives as first and most important.

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 word that instructs and encourages me to live a life that is pleasing in Your sight. Lord, You know those that have used extortion to exact money from me. Father forgive them, they understand not what they are doing. Open their eyes so that they can see the depravity they have sank to, show them mercy by offering them the opportunity to repent. In Jesus name, Amen!

July 29, 2013 (Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But the love of the Lord remains forever with those that fear Him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commandments!” Psalm 103: 17-18 NLT

Observation: The love God has for us is indescribable with mere words. He is patient and long suffering for our benefit. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. He forgives and pardons, cleanses and restores all who come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. He heals all diseases and redeems from death. His love is unfailing and eternal. He is a Father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. His love remains forever with those that obey Him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful. But what about those that have no fear and are unfaithful? Will they benefit from the eternal love of God just as those that endure until the end? A day of judgment is coming for us all, at that time we will all be judged based on our deeds, not our intentions.

Application: Remaining steadfast, unmovable and firm in our faith until the very end is more important than most preachers emphasize today. While the love of God is an amazing truth, the judgment of God is just as real. Only those that are faithful to the covenant they made with God through Christ will be pardoned at the great judgment. While God’s love will remain forever that doesn’t mean His love will remain with all forever. One day there will be a separation. His love remains with those that fear Him. His salvation is extended to those that keep the covenant they made and are obedient to His commands. Only those who fully surrender to His will and desire can have confidence that He will save them in the end. While we are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for the desire You give to live right. Thank You for loving me enough to speak the truth to my soul. Thank You for always being faithful and the same. Your faithful love will endure forever; let it always abide with me! Remind me of the covenant I made with You through Christ. Keep it at the forefront of my mind always. Let not my heart sin against You, fill me with Your word, in Jesus name, Amen!

July 28, 2013 (Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.” 2 Peter 2:20 NLT

Observation: It’s God’s desire that all come to repentance and be saved. It’s God’s will for His creation to willingly forsake sin and willfully submit to Him and His standard of living. His word is full of instruction, leading His people in accomplishing His desire. Yet the enemy sends wolves disguised as sheep into the fold in an effort to corrupt and destroy the flock. These wolves entice unsuspecting sheep with things that appeal to the flesh. They promise freedom yet they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. They cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. Because of these wolves the way of truth is slandered. Because of greed they make up clever lies that sound good so they can get hold of your money. Their god is their belly and they are never satisfied.

Application: The grace of God is an amazing thing. I’m convinced God’s grace can never be fully understood and comprehended in this human body. But one thing I’m certain of, the grace of God was never intended to excuse sin and it should never be abused and taken for granted. Once a person escapes this world of wickedness by knowing the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ they must understand what they are committing to. If a person comes to Christ and then returns to a lifestyle of sin and corruption they are worse off than before. It would have been better for them to have never known the way of righteousness, than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. So I ask you this question with all seriousness, if once a person is saved they are always saved how could they possibly ever be worse off? Is Peter wrong, or is it our modern day theology that’s got it wrong. You can decide for yourself, but remember it’s your soul that is weighed in the balance.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace. Honestly, I truly don’t understand it. Your ways are so much higher than my ways; Your understanding is so much greater than mine. Yet I know You desire Your children to live a life of holiness that is pleasing to You. You give Your grace as an offering of mercy, help me never abuse it or take it for granted. By Your Spirit my flesh can become subjected to Your will, grant it Lord, in Jesus name, Amen!

July 27, 2013 (Isaiah 50-52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.” Isaiah 50:7 NLT

Observation: The Lord’s obedient servant receives from the Lord words of wisdom. Morning after morning God delivers to His faithful obedient children understanding that is beyond the world’s comprehension. These words of wisdom are received and are to be shared with others serving as a comfort in times of distress. Through His word and by His Spirit the Sovereign Lord helps the believer understand. In fact the true believer that receives words of wisdom from the Lord will be encouraged and strengthened to do His will. Only by this imparting of His Spirit and Strength will believers overcome the flesh and submit fully to His commands. When the believer sets his face like a stone and determines to do the will of God they have confident hope they will not be put to shame.

Application: God, by His divine power, has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received the strength and power to overcome the flesh by coming to the One that called us to Himself by means of His marvelous grace. This strength and power we receive from Him enables us to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by sinful human desires. True believers fully surrender to God’s will not only because of all He does, but because of all He is. God will transform the true believers life into a living and holy sacrifice that is acceptable. However, He doesn’t force us, He desires us. When we set our face like a flint to serve the Lord and make our mind up that no will is more important than His will, we can confidently rest in His grace knowing we will not be disgraced or ashamed.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word that strengthens and encourages me. Thank You for Your grace that saves me. Fill me with Your Spirit; strengthen me to set my face like a stone determined to do Your will always. Speak words of wisdom to me and help me understand. Protect me from wandering astray; keep me by Your strong right arm. Thank You for the desire You place within me to feast upon You. Cause that hunger to grow and never to cease, in Jesus name, Amen!

July 26, 2013 (Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “You said, ‘I will reign forever as queen of the world!’ You did not reflect on your actions or think about their consequences.” Isaiah 47:7 NLT

Observation: Babylon was a boastful and proud nation that lived as if they were the world strength. They were a pleasure-loving kingdom living at ease and feeling secure. They embraced wickedness, felt secure in their own strength and ability, and felt like no one was mighty enough to bring them down. Their worldly wisdom and knowledge led them astray and ultimately brought them to destruction. They boasted of their power yet never reflected on their actions or considered the consequences they would reap from the seeds they had sown. Yet before they would come to ruin, God would use these stubborn unholy people to teach His own children a lesson. It was this boastful and proud nation that would enslave God’s chosen people by His design.

Application: There are many powerful lessons we can learn from the Babylonian nation. First and foremost we should learn God is in control. Any strength, or any appearance of strength, we may have came from Him. Our gifts, talents and abilities are all blessings from the One most high. As children of God we must be careful to never become so boastful and proud to believe we reign and rule our own lives. We must remember He is King, He is Lord, He reigns and He rules. We must be careful to reflect on our actions and consider the consequences wrong decisions could cause us to face. With God as our strength and Him as our leader we will be victorious and live according to His statutes bringing glory and honor to Him through our daily lives.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your word that is completely faithful. I praise You for who You are and how wonderful You work. You never cease to amaze me. You place Your hands of protection around me and You raise me up above my enemies grasp. You pour out blessings from heaven upon me and fill me with Your precious Holy Spirit. Lord, lead me today on the pathways of righteousness and keep my feet firmly planted on the solid rock of Christ Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

June 9, 2013 (Ecclesiastes 10,11,12; Psalms 94; Ephesians 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “The Lord isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.” Psalm 94:7 NLT

Observation: Foolish and wicked people commit all sorts of evil acts. They gloat with pride and arrogance, revealing how foolish they really are. They boast of great strength and ability and often times even claim their success comes from God. Yet they are fools, blindly being led down a road that leads to destruction. The Lord, is the God of vengeance and He will repay. At just the right moment His justice will shine like the noon day sun. Although He is patient, He has not forgotten or forsaken His righteous and just judgment. The wicked think God is not looking and that He doesn’t care about the wrong they have committed, think again fool! For every seed that a man sows that shall he also reap. Seeds of wickedness sown produce a harvest of disasters!

Application: Sadly many people walk through this life deceived into believing they are alright with God. They go to church, they profess with their lips salvation, but their actions and deeds are wicked and evil. They do all sorts of things that are contrary to the life a real child of God should be living. They lie, steal, cheat, hate and create discord among families, while boasting of how blessed by God they are. They abuse God as an object, using Him in their manipulative game of hatred and hurt. They think because God doesn’t immediately rain down fire from heaven on them for their wicked deeds that He must be on their side. “Think again, you fools! When will you catch on?” God punishes the nations won’t He also punish you? He knows everything; doesn’t He also know what you are doing? The harvest is coming from the seeds you have sown. Will the harvest season be a time of rejoicing, or a time of weeping? It’s up to you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mighty strength and power! I praise You for Your justice and righteousness. I’m joyful because You discipline me and teach me Your instructions. You give me relief in troubled times and provide my every need. O Lord, the God of vengeance, let Your glorious justice shine forth! Deliver me from the hands of my enemies so that I may praise You with joy and honor You with a grateful heart, in Jesus name, Amen!