"Word of God Speak"

April 5, 2013 (Ruth 1-2; Psalm 53, 61; 2 Corinthians 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too.” 2 Corinthians 5:11 NLT

Observation: Paul explains the importance of the responsibility we’ve been given when we become Christians. We become ambassadors for Christ representing Him by the lives we live. It is our duty, and responsibility, to tell others about His gospel of grace. We work hard to persuade others to come back to God. The entire ministry God has given us the privilege of taking part in, is the ministry of reconciliation. We must be sincere in our faith. We must take it serious and to heart. We must act in a way that proves we believe what we profess. We must live in a way that others can see Christ in us.

Application: Our “fearful responsibility to the Lord” does not mean we are always worried about God striking us dead. In fact just the opposite is true. The fear of the Lord is simply expressing the seriousness of our respect for Him. We understand that all must stand before Christ to be judged and that all will receive whatever they deserve for the good or evil they have done in this earthly body. Keeping that in mind, we forget those things that are behind us and we press on ahead reaching out for the prize God has laid before us. Salvation is a free gift from God no doubt; however this free gift comes with great responsibility. Responsibility we have the privilege of sharing in.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the privilege of repentance. Thank You for the honor of living for You. Thank You for the opportunity to take part in proclaiming Your gospel of grace. Revive a spirit of fearful responsibility within me. Fan the flame of fire You have planted within my soul. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday, in Jesus name, Amen!

April 4, 2013 (Judges 19-21; 2 Corinthians 4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” Judges 21:25 NLT

Observation: Judges 19-21 records a horrible account of how sinful people become without leadership. Israel had no king to guide them and they all did what was right in their own eyes. They committed heinous acts of unbelievable proportions and these actions led them to war that killed thousands of people. Judges 19:22-30 shows just how corrupt the people had become. Not only were the troublemakers evil, the Levite and the old man were cowards! Somehow it seemed right in their own eyes to give the woman over to be mistreated and murdered rather than fight for her and surrender their own lives for her sake if necessary. When God is forsaken all sorts of evil will be manifested.

Application: A Nation, or a person, that does not look to God for guidance is capable of committing all sorts of evil actions. Our land is filled with murder and violence just like that described in Judges 19-21. These evils exist because many have no king leading them so they do what is right in their own eyes. Man, left on his own, would destroy himself in a matter of moments. It’s only the presence of the Holy Spirit that keeps this from unfolding at this time. We have a King to guide us, His name is Jesus! Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He can, and will, guide us into all truths. If we follow Him, He will protect us from our enemies as well as ourselves!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for being my King! Thank You for the forgiveness You offer those that will repent and submit to You as King and Lord. Teach me Your ways Lord. Provide understanding and wisdom. Fill me with courage and obedience to Your will and Word. Thank You for the grace and mercy that provide and protect me everyday, in Jesus name, Amen!

April 3, 2013 (Judges 16-17; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tables of stone, but on human hearts.” 2 Corinthians 3:3 NLT

Observation: Apparently some false teachers had started carrying around forged letters of recommendation to authenticate their authority. In no uncertain terms, Paul stated that he needed no such letters. Paul also recognized that his qualification was from God, not men, so he didn’t need their approval or recommendation. He claimed the people he had preached to that received the message of Christ would serve as his letter. The way their lives were transformed by the message of Christ would be all the recommendation he would need. Paul fully expected the people that professed faith in Jesus to become new. Their hearts were to be changed and the proof of this event in their lives was the new fruit they would produce.

Application: The lives that are being changed and surrendered to God are the results of a successful ministry. These lives serve as a letter of recommendation for the ministry and the minister. Would your pastor or church be highly recommended, or does the letter you write really bring disgrace? The letter we write is not written with pen and ink, but rather by the way we live our lives. This letter is not carved on stone tablets but rather it is written in our heart. From the abundance of our heart our mouth speaks and we act. Our actions display what our heart contains. Clearly you are a letter from Christ showing the results of those that have ministered unto you. So, what kind of letter is your life writing?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Strengthen me today and touch my body. Help me write the proper letter of recommendation today. Let my life be a witness of the wonderful change Jesus makes in ones life. Help me live the way You desire. May the letter of recommendation I write bring honor to the church and minister that nourishes me. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday, in Jesus name, Amen!

April 1, 2013 (Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.” Psalm 50:22 NLT

Observation: God knows all the animals in the forest and every bird on every mountain. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and all the animals of every field. If He were hungry, He would not tell us. His desire from us is not burnt offerings of sacrifice but rather a thankful heart and attitude toward Him. He says to the wicked, “Why bother reciting my decrees and pretending to obey my covenant? For you refuse my discipline and treat my words like trash. While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you. Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”

Application: God has offered to us the privilege of repentance. He has extended mercy and held back His anger toward us. He is sickened when we claim His promises, but refuse to obey His word. His word should be honored and treasured, not treated like trash! His Law is good and just, teaching us the principles and precepts of holy living. Don’t think because God is being silent that He doesn’t care about your actions. He is keeping a record and will one day list out the charges He has against you. Repent while there is still time! Turn from your wickedness and become true and faithful to God. Give Him thanks for the privilege of repentance He has given. Lift up His holy name and praise Him for who He is!

Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise You for who You are! You are The Awesome God of Heaven and above You there is no other! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Teach me Your will Lord, and teach me Your won’t too! God place the desire to obey You within me. Let the root of obedience grow deep into my soul, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 30, 2013 (Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “They forgot the Lord their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them.” Judges 8:34 NLT

Observation: With God’s help Gideon led the Israelites to victory. They were delivered from all the enemies that surrounded them and there was peace in the land for about 40 years. The Israelites wanted Gideon and his sons and grandsons to be their rulers, but Gideon refused and said the Lord would rule over them! Yet as soon as Gideon had died the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god. They quickly forgot the Lord their God who had rescued them from all their enemies, nor did they show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-baal (that is Gideon) despite all the good he had done for Israel.

Application: How quickly we forget God when our enemies have been subdued. How quickly we put God on the shelf when everything is going our way. Oh how much like the children of Israel we are! How quickly the good works of a faithful person of God are forgotten and discarded after their passing. It seems the only thing people are loyal to these days are themselves. We wonder why terrible events take place in our lives. We wonder why after reaching the top of every mountain we only find ourselves in the valley once again. Could it be because we’ve forgotten God? Could it be because we have failed to be loyal to Him? Turn back to Him today and stay loyal to Him no matter the cost!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for the work You’ve provided for my hands to do. Thank You for delivering me and putting my enemies to flight! Teach me to be loyal to You, keep me from wandering astray! Remind me to be faithful at all times, remind me to trust and obey. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 29, 2013 (Judges 6-7; Psalm 51; 1 Corinthians 14)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?” 1 Corinthians 14:8 NLT

Observation: When played correctly a musical instrument will produce a recognizable sound. Each note must be played correctly and at the precise time to be in order. Paul is saying that church services should be in order, with the right note being played at the right time. The gospel must be presented with precision the exact way it was designed to be proclaimed. It must be spoken in a way that clearly communicates to the hearer what God has to say. It must be a clear unadulterated message. If the preacher doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

Application: Christianity is a call to battle. I know, I know, it’s not the message most preachers are proclaiming today, but the statement is true none the less. When Christ enters into a person they become enlisted into His army. They are His soldiers, they are at His command. Many are confused about their responsibility as a soldier of Christ because of all the different “calls to battle” they hear. One says “surrender and retreat”, another says “rise up and fight!” So what is the battle cry God is pleased with? God’s battle cry is a battle cry of love. Love that tells people the truth and does not lead them astray. Love that lifts up and encourages full commitment to the God of heaven. Love that sounds a clear message that people can understand. Love that puts God first. Love that hates sin and seeks His righteousness.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for all the blessings You give so freely to Your creation. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday! Anoint my mouth to speak the battle cry of love You command. Protect my lips from lies and lead me by Your Holy Spirit. May the words that come from my mouth arouse Your soldiers to war against sin and darkness. Let Your light shine upon me, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 28, 2013 (Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1 Corinthians 13)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But as I stood there in silence, not even speaking good things, the turmoil within me grew worse. The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words” Psalm 39:2-3 NLT

Observation: David resolved to keep his tongue from sin; that is, he decided not to complain to others about what he was going through. He held his tongue to people but eventually had to cry out to God for mercy! David stood in silence, not even speaking of good things, and the turmoil within him grew worse. Finally he asked God to remind him how brief his time on earth would be and how his days were numbered. David asked God to rescue him from his rebellion.

Application: How quickly God will rush to us with mercy when we come to the end of ourselves. How quickly God hears our plea when we complain to Him, rather than everyone else. How quickly God will restore us when we come to Him in true repentance. He will lift us up out of the muddy mess we’ve made! God proves we are His by discipline and by mercy. Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for the mercy and grace You give daily. Thank You for hearing my complaints, thank You for rescuing me! Teach me Your ways Lord, touch me to understand. Open my eyes that I may see, remove the scales from my eyes. Prepare me for service that will bring honor and glory to You, in Jesus name, Amen!