"Word of God Speak"

March 27, 2013 (Judges 1-2; 1 Corinthians 12)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Yet Israel did not listen to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshipping other gods. How quickly they turned away from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands.” Judges 2:17 NLT

Observation: The second generation of the children of Israel did not do what the Lord God had commanded. Instead of driving out and destroying all of the inhabitants of the land the Lord had promised them, they made covenants with some of the stronger people and ended up worshipping their gods. The generation before them had victory because they obeyed what God had commanded completely. How quickly they turned from the path their ancestors had walked. How quickly they ignored God and did their own thing. How quickly they suffered for their actions.

Application: There’s only one right way, and that’s God’s way. Did your ancestors follow the Lord God Almighty? Did they obey His commands completely? How about you? Are you seeking God and working to understand how it is God would have you to live? Are you willing to drive out and destroy everything unholy in your life? Before you answer too quickly think about what that means. Are you willing to forsake family traditions that fail to honor God? Are you willing to suffer persecution because you refuse to worship the gods everyone else is worshipping? It may not be as easy as you think. Serving God with your whole heart requires complete commitment to Him. The children of Israel struggled to love God with their whole heart, we do too.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Help me love You with my whole heart, mind, body and soul. Teach me Your ways and reveal to me the path that pleases You. Drive out and destroy any other god in my life, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 25, 2013 (Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” 1 Corinthians 10:6-7 NLT

Observation: The children of Israel all ate the same spiritual food; all drank the same spiritual water. They drank from the same spiritual rock that traveled with them and that rock was Christ. Yet most of them went astray. They turned away from God and worshiped idols of all kinds. “The people got up early in the morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” (Exodus 32:6) There bodies were scattered in the wilderness because God was not pleased with this. These things are recorded as a warning to us!

Application: How quickly, and easily, we are turned from the truth. One generation goes astray and then passes that tradition along to the next generation leading them astray as well. How ironic it is that this study would come up right before “Easter”, a celebration of Christians around the world that is rooted and steeped in idolatry. A prime example of a people that went astray and then passed on these traditions to many generations after them. Many are worshipping idols unaware of what they are doing. They have never invested the time to seek and understand why they do what they do. They just do it because everyone else is doing it. They just do it because that’s what they’ve always done. Our sincerity is no substitute for obedience and no excuse for disobedience.

Prayer: Dear Lord, open the eyes of my heart. Forgive me for the many years I ignorantly participated in idol worship. I lift up the name of Jesus, and Him alone! You are the only God I desire to worship! Give me the courage and strength to destroy the idols I have in my life, and the lives of my children. Forgive me Lord, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 24, 2013 (Joshua 18-20; 1 Corinthians 9)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

Observation: Paul did not preach the gospel for filthy lucre’s sake, he preached because God compelled him to do so. He was well pleased to have preached without charging an earthly price. He understood that he had a right to payment, but made the honorable choice to deny his rights. Paul understood his payment as the opportunity God had given him to preach. This choice took an enormous amount of self-discipline. Like an athlete training for a big event, Paul disciplined himself to win the ultimate eternal prize. Paul’s actions prove once again that the gift of God comes with a measure of responsibility and we should be careful not to take the opportunities God has given us for granted.

Application: What ever happened to the need for self-discipline? Now day’s people are all about “self-help”, but deny any responsibility for self-discipline. This is true in the church as well. Many have used the giftedness that God gave them to win a healthy earthly prize. Unbelievable amounts of money are being accepted by those that claim to be God’s servants. Not only do they accept it, they boast of how they deserve it! I wonder how many “big time” preachers would be left around if the paycheck stopped today. I wonder how many would be willing to preach for the pay Paul received. Pondering these questions makes me wonder how many are truly seeking to win an eternal prize.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for all the blessings You give. Thank You for Your grace that is sufficient for me. Thank You for the privilege of preaching Your gospel without charge. Help me to remember the example Paul left and continue that honorable legacy. Teach me to discipline myself and train my heart to seek an eternal prize. Fix my eyes upon You and keep me from turning to the left or right. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 23, 2013 (Joshua 15-17; 1 Corinthians 8 )

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for Him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.” 1 Corinthians 8:6 NLT

Observation: There were so many pagan idols within Corinth. Animals were being sacrificed at idol temples and then the meat was being sold at the local butcher shop. New converts were struggling with how they should respond to this. Was it ok to eat the meat that had been sacrificed to an idol, or was it sin? Would something bad happen to them if they ate the meat offered to an idol as a sacrifice? Paul encouraged them by reminding them that there was only one true God and these pagan idol gods were not really gods at all. However, Paul also warned those that thought it was no big deal to be careful not to offend one that was struggling with the issue.

Application: Through Christ, God has given the believer liberty. However, Christians must be careful not to turn their liberty into a stumbling block for others. God given liberty is not the right to do as one chooses but rather the freedom to do as God says. We all have knowledge of some degree, but love for others is how God is revealed through us. Knowledge makes us feel important, it puffs up, but love is what edifies and strengthens His church. While knowledge is desirable and should be sought, love is the principle attribute of God we should seek. There is only one God who created everything and we have only one Lord, Jesus Christ, of whom we have been given life and liberty.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for the many blessings that You freely give to me. Thank You for the freedom and liberty You give to me through Jesus. Help me use the knowledge You give to lift up and strengthen Your church. Place love at the forefront of every action I take. Fill me with Your wisdom, yes Lord! But most of all fill me with Your love, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 22, 2013 (Joshua 12-14; 1 Corinthians 7)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “So the land was distributed in strict accordance with the Lord’s commands to Moses.” Joshua 14:5 NLT

Observation: Joshua divided the Promised Land up between the tribes of Israel just as the Lord had told Moses to do. Joshua did not change, or deviate, from the plan Moses told him about. He followed God’s commands precisely. He reminded the people to finish the work of clearing out the inhabitants of the land so that they could live in peace in the land God had given them. God’s commands were written so they could be referred back to and they were clearly defined. Later we will learn what happens to the people of God when they fail to follow God’s commands completely and exactly as given.

Application: How important is it to follow the commands of God in strict accordance? Is almost, close enough? Is He ok with us doing most of what He says, or should we do it all and exactly the way He says it? All too often it appears we believe almost is close enough. Our failures to obey the commands of God fully not only affect our physical life, it also affects our spiritual life. If we only follow and adhere to the teachings of the bible we like and agree with, and then discard the portions we dislike or disagree with, we are becoming a rebellious people just like the children of Israel. God’s word must be accepted and followed in full for us to experience the peace God has promised to His people.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this wonderful day You’ve made! Thank You for the mercy and grace You provide and protect me with every day. Help me hear and understand Your commands. Help me follow them exactly the way You say. Plant a seed of faithfulness and obedience within my soul and bring it to fruition, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 21, 2013 (Joshua 9-11; 1 Corinthians 6)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?” 1 Corinthians 6:7 NLT

Observation: Paul was trying to instruct the Corinthians about everyday life issues. For two believing Christians to be going to a secular court against each other was an embarrassment to the church. Paul was of the belief that those within the church should be the one’s that help settle such issues. Sadly, even to have a lawsuit filed between two believers was a defeat to them both. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? The simple answer is pride. Pride keeps us from following God’s plans and listening to His desires. Pride puts us on the pedestal and makes God’s will second.

Application: Was Paul saying all lawsuits are ungodly? Was he saying a Christian should never file suit against anyone, for any reason? I don’t personally believe that is what Paul was saying. I believe the core of Paul’s message was this; Christians should be willing to seek God in all things and do what He says is right and not resort to secular understanding. Christians are to be led by the Spirit, not the flesh. If a “Christian” chooses to do wrong against another believer, then the wronged believer should leave the matter in God’s hands to decide. Rest assured God knows all about the situation and will not allow evil to go unpunished. David said it like this, “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.” Psalm 140:12 KJV 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word. Help me Lord know how to apply it to my life. What is Your will concerning the situation I face? Should I accept the injustice and be cheated, or shall I stand up and fight against the evil that has risen up against me? I surrender to what Your will is, help me to hear You speak. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that provide and protect me everyday, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 20, 2013 (Joshua 7-8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But I keep praying to You, Lord, hoping this time You will show me favor. In Your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with Your sure salvation.” Psalm 69:13 NLT

Observation: David is crying out to God asking for His help. David knows God is his only hope. He knows God is the only one that can defeat the enemies he’s facing. His situation was big and he needed a big God. In fact, only the God of heaven would do! David trusted in God as his savior. God was the one that could lift him up out of the mud. God was the one that could save him from those that hated him. David kept praying, hoping this would be the time the Lord moved on his behalf with mercy and grace.

Application: David served as a wonderful example of heart felt and sincere effort in prayer. He spoke with God as a man that knew God and trusted in His abilities. David put his trust and hopes in God leaving behind a legacy for us to be encouraged by. We too can cry out to God when we are in deep despair. God hears our plea and will act at the appropriate time. He will ride across the heavens in majestic splendor to rescue His children from their enemies. Don’t give up; just hold on to the example of hope David left us. God will show up right on time!

Prayer: Dear Lord, like David I keep on praying, hoping today will be the day You show me favor. You know all about what my enemies have done. You know the lies they’ve told and the documents they forged. Nothing is hidden from You and I trust You will act at the appropriate time. You have faithfully protected and provided for me, You have never failed me, ever! I praise You for Your greatness and look ahead to see the wonderful path of deliverance You provide, in Jesus name, Amen!