"Word of God Speak"

June 9, 2013 (Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.” Ecclesiastes 8:11 NLT

Observation: Solomon thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun where people have the power to hurt each other. He witnessed wicked people buried with honor, even though they were guilty of committing many evil crimes. Church going people that visited the Temple on a regular basis, living sinful and disobedient lives contrary to God’s holy standards. Because the crimes they committed had gone unpunished they continued in sin feeling they were safe. Due to the lack of discipline and absence of consequences people commit evil deeds with little thought or concern for their actions. Even though God doesn’t rain down on us fire from heaven immediately each time we sin, we must not assume that He doesn’t care or that He is ignoring our sins.

Application: When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong; there could be no greater example of this truth than America. Lack of discipline and a lowering of God’s holy standards have brought America to a disgusting reality. From the very top of our leadership anything is accepted and tolerated. There is no standard that anyone must live up to anymore. Leaders speak lies with a smile on their face and no fear in their heart of any consequence at all. One lie right after the other because the original lie was not punished quickly. People feel safe in doing wrong because they are deceived into believing they will never have to answer for anything they do even if they get caught red handed. All of these evil realities are proving God’s word to be true and ushering in the final judgment that no man will avoid!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word that is true and everlasting! God help America! Bring us to a place of repentance by Your mercy. Forgive our boastful arrogance that makes us feel safe committing evil. Deliver us from the deception that has overtaken us! Raise up Your holy standard before us and bring down those that commit evil. Punish us quickly Lord, so that we will not continue down this dreadful path, in Jesus name, Amen!

June 6, 2013 (Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45; Ephesians 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.” Ecclesiastes 1:18 NLT

Observation: Solomon asked God for wisdom above all else, but did he know what he was asking for? Do you think he ever imagined wisdom would bring him so much pain? Do you think he ever considered how wisdom would enlighten him to the things ordinary people could not see? Solomon was learning with great wisdom came great grief. The more he learned the more his sorrow increased. The wisdom he gained revealed the depravity he was. He searched for the meaning of life and discovered that all was meaningless. He understood huge houses, fancy vineyards, beautiful parks and gardens, slaves, gold and silver, and all that a man could desire, was all meaningless in the end. Real satisfaction is found in Christ alone, He is the only one with eternal meaning.

Application:  The more you understand, the greater your pain and difficulty. The more God reveals to you the more clearly you will see. The things that seem so important today are revealed as meaningless tomorrow. This is true with all things in this life. The storms we face today seem so huge and burdensome, but as God reveals the mystery of His plan, and we see it beginning to unfold, wisdom reveals the importance of the storm we face. As you seek wisdom from God prepare yourself to feel more, see more, question more, hurt more, and experience God more than you ever have before. He will reveal mysteries to you that will over joy you at times, while other mysteries will bring with them great agony and pain. As you go along, you will learn what Solomon meant when he said “The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Prepare me to receive the wisdom You desire to give me. Open the understanding of my heart and help me interpret the meaning of all You reveal. Lift me up when I stumble, hold me up when I’m weak. Encourage me when what You reveal is heavy and burdensome to my soul; keep me humble when what You reveal brings great joy, in Jesus name, Amen!

June 3, 2013 (Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:30 NLT

Observation: Paul asked his brothers and sisters in the faith to pray to God for him. He didn’t ask them to pray for comfort or rich provision; he asked them to join in his struggle by praying to God for Him. Too often we see prayer as a time of reflection or a time to make our request known unto God not realizing prayer is a mighty weapon of spiritual warfare. As believers we should intercede on behalf of others joining in the struggle that they must endure. Helping those in the ministry financially is good and needed, but joining in their struggle in sincere prayer is better. By joining in Paul’s struggle through prayer the other believers were actually fighting the good fight along side him.

Application: Do you ever pray for your pastor? Have you joined him in his struggle? I’m not speaking of a simple prayer that is self-centered and self-serving. I’m talking about a sacrificial prayer that forces you to submit and develop real convictions. I fear most believers value prayer with such a low regard because they spend such little time actually praying sincere prayers. What was the object and center focus of your last prayer? There’s a good chance it was more about you than anyone else. We can never learn the value of prayer until we understand how valuable prayer is. We will never understand how valuable prayer is until we join in on someone else’s struggle and sincerely pray for them.

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for being so selfish with my prayers. Encourage me to join in the struggles that others face by praying sincerely for them. Place the desire within my heart to truly care for those that labor among Your flock. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect us all everyday, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 31, 2013 (Proverbs 16-18; Romans 12)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.” Proverbs 17:10 NLT

Observation: A person of understanding realizes they don’t know it all. They understand they have a need to learn. They evaluate criticism and consider where they stand. They use the Word of God as the standard to measure their successes, or failures. A single rebuke is more beneficial to one with understanding because they accept and embrace more understanding. While a hundred lashes on the back of a fool does little, if any, good at all. The fool believes they know it all. They have it all understood and figured out. They boast of their wisdom and understanding as if they are above everyone else. They speak many words and prove by them how foolish they truly are. A beating would only bring to them more arrogance, rather than correction. 

Application: As I sift through the mysteries of God’s Word I often find myself being humbled because of my ignorance. While the Word of God has been the ultimate source of encouragement for me, it often rebukes me too. I’m learning to embrace these rebukes and accept them as God’s great love for me. I strive to listen and compare my life with the Word of God. My success as a Christian will always be determined by my ability to continue learning about Him. If I ever get to the place where I feel I know it all or have it all figured out that will be the day even a hundred lashes across my back would do me little good. God’s ways are so much higher than my ways; His understanding is so much greater than mine. How could I ever be wise enough to counsel Him? When would He ever seek my advice?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the wisdom You give. Thank You for opening my understanding and revealing my ignorance. Continue to teach me, have patience with me as I learn. Rebuke me as You see fit Lord, for I understand a single rebuke from You is more beneficial than a hundred lashes across my back. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 30, 2013 (Proverbs 13-15, Romans 11)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “A Wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” Proverbs 15:14 NLT

Observation: Solomon was a man that was hungry for knowledge. He desired from the Lord wisdom above all else. The book of Proverbs is filled with relevant knowledge and wisdom for righteous living. It’s filled with many words of encouragement as well as warnings of instruction. He states, “A Wise Person is hungry for knowledge” It’s the wise, not the foolish, that seek understanding and instruction. The fool feeds on trash and reflects a malnourished life filled with all sorts of trouble. God’s Word is the greatest resource we have available to us for finding knowledge. Yet it’s the most popular book ever sold and the least book ever read. This fact reveals our desires and displays what we truly hunger for.

Application: The Word of God is full of wisdom and knowledge. It contains the answers and solutions for every trouble and trial we could ever face. It is our instruction book that leads us in the way of righteousness teaching us how to please The Lord. It provides encouragement as well as rebuke and correction. It will serve as a light that shines brightly to keep our feet walking the right path. If we will search the Word of God and obey what it reveals to us, we will discover understanding that is beyond this world’s ability to explain. Yet, if we continue to feed ourselves the trash the world offers we will continue to walk in darkness and display our foolishness. Our hunger and appetite must be controlled and conditioned to seek God and His goodness, in doing this even the foolish can become wise.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for the desire You placed within me to seek Your word and discover Your truth. Thank You for the treasures Your word contains, thank You for the treasures I’ve discovered today! In Jesus name, Amen!

May 11, 2013 (2 Samuel 19-20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28 )

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “There happened to be a troublemaker there named Sheba son of Bicri, a man from the tribe of Benjamin. Sheba blew a ram’s horn and began to chant: “Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jessie. Come on, you men of Israel, back to your homes!” 2 Samuel 20:1 NLT

Observation: First the men of Israel were upset because the tribe of Judah had “stolen” the king and didn’t give them the honor of helping take the king, his household and all his men across the Jordan when he was fleeing. Now that the king is returning they continue to dwell on events that have passed instead of helping him return. Even in victories there seems to always be a troublemaker. One that is never satisfied or happy about anything. Sheba stirs up the men of Israel and leads them to abandon David and not help escort the king back to Jerusalem. The men of Judah helped David when he fled and they remained faithful to escort him back to Jerusalem when he returned.

Application: Those that cause trouble are inevitable. They seem to always be present, leading people to do things they would not normally do. We must be careful whom we follow. We must think for ourselves and seek God concerning direction. We must learn to give of ourselves without always looking for the honor for ourselves. How much more honorable would the men of Israel had been if they would have put aside their desire for honor and just acted honorable? They were hungry for honor from the tribe of Judah, yet their very own actions are what brought dishonor to them! The fate of the troublemaker is never good. In the end Sheba lost his head, but in reality he had already lost his head when he began to chant, “Down with the dynasty of David…”

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that guides and teaches. Help me be the man You desire me to be. Show me the right path to walk and lead me by Your Spirit. I need direction Lord, what shall I do? Stand and fight or turn the other cheek and forgive, help me know, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 9, 2013 (2 Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.” Psalm 71:20-21 NLT

Observation: David had been through many hard times. His actions had led to the suffering in some instances and other times his suffering turned out to be by God’s design. Now that David was aging he realized how privileged he really was. The suffering he faced revealed to him the grace and mercy of a loving father. He recognized that through each season of suffering he endured God always restored him and lifted him back up from the bottom. David had confidence and faith in God to protect and restore him in due season. The fact that he praised God was the proof of his beliefs.

Application: Many times it’s easy to develop a different attitude toward suffering than David had. We often times question God and become angry at Him because He didn’t protect us or provide for us the way we thought was best. The lesson from David we can learn is God will always restore us when the lesson is learned. He will lift us up from the depths of the earth and restore the joy of salvation if we will trust Him. The seasons of suffering God allows in our lives are really for our benefit and good in the end. How close I’ve been brought to God during times of fearful suffering. How much I stay on my face before Him in prayer when in the midst of suffering. God’s plan of suffering is for our good and His glory; we must learn to embrace it with thanksgiving.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the suffering You have allowed me to endure and face. Thank You for the lessons You have taught me through these seasons. Thank You for restoring me and lifting me up from the depths of the earth time and time again. I praise You for the seasons of suffering that draw me closer to You. Your grace is amazing and sufficient, in Jesus name, Amen!