"Word of God Speak"

October 8, 2012 (1 John 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life He promised us.” 1 John 2:24-25 NLT

Observation: John is writing to Christian believers warning them about false doctrines and teachers. He is encouraging them to remain faithful to the teachings of Christ because many were distorting the gospel message. Faithfulness is a key element and principle in God’s plan of salvation. Eternal life is promised to the one’s that are faithful until the end. John said, “So you must remain”, not just believe at some point, but remain faithful. If you do, (remain faithful) you will remain in fellowship with Jesus and the Father and receive the promise of eternal life. For the promise of eternal life is found in fellowship with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ.

Application: My, my, how important was the warning written by John so many years ago. How did he know the gospel message would be reduced to a repeat after me prayer that would be used to deceive people into believing they had all they needed. How did he know that faithfulness would be cast aside and forsaken? Why did he feel so moved to pen such a profound warning? Because the souls of millions will be weighed in the balance and be found lacking. Faith is the key element that connects one to Christ and Christ is the only element that can connect one to God. So you must “remain”, not just begin the race and then drift away back into your old life, but remain faithful. Why is faithfulness to the message of Christ so important? Because the eternal promise of everlasting life is realized only through fellowship with God through Christ, and the only way to remain in fellowship with Christ is to remain faithful to Him.

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 warnings and instruction found in Your word. Thank You for the desire to remain faithful to You. Keep me safe from the enemy and anoint me with Your Holy Spirit. Strengthen me to stand firm regardless of what the world does around me. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage and strength to do what’s right at all times, in Jesus name, Amen!

September 24, 2012 (Ezra 1; Psalm 84-85; Luke 7)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Then Jesus answered his thoughts.’Simon,’ He said to the Pharisee, ‘I have something to say to you.’ ‘Go ahead, Teacher,’ Simon replied.” Luke 7:40 NLT

Observation: The Pharisees and experts in religious law had rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism. John preached a message of repentance, and baptism was an outward profession of a person that had repented. The Pharisees didn’t feel like they needed to repent because they were the leaders! Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to his house for dinner when in comes a sinner woman. She knelt at the feet of Jesus and washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair and anointed His feet with expensive perfume. Simon was about to learn why this woman loved Jesus so much. He was also about to learn why he loved Him so little.

Application: Jesus knows our thoughts. He knows what we are thinking and the motivation behind why we are thinking it. No thought passes through our mind without Him seeing it. What a blessing it is when Jesus answers our thoughts. What a joy it is to hear Jesus say, “I have something to say to you.” or it can be very disturbing. If Jesus looked into your mind today what would He find? How much are you guilty of? How much have you been forgiven of? How much, or little, do you love Jesus? If Jesus came to your house for dinner would you be like Simon the Pharisee that didn’t need to repent, or would you be like the sinner woman weeping at His feet? The sinner woman left Simon’s house in peace with her sins forgiven, but what happened to Simon?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You so much for your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your love and patience toward me. Thank You for forgiving my sins and washing me clean with Your precious blood. Help me be humble as the sinner woman in Luke 7. Remind me often how I don’t deserve Your grace and I certainly have not earned Your favor. You are amazing God! Your ways are far above my understanding. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage and strength to do what’s right at all times. In Jesus name, Amen!

September 19, 2012 (Ezekiel 47-48; Luke 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of Your people Israel!” Luke 2:32 NLT

Observation: Jesus, the Savior of the world is born. The Salvation that God has prepared for all people revealed in fleshly form. King of kings, Lord of lords, the Way, the Truth, the Life, and the very Word of God as well. Held in the hands of Simeon, a faithful Spirit filled servant of the most high God. Prophecy fulfilled. He is a light that reveals God to the nations and the glory of God’s own people. He is the fulfillment of God’s promise. He will cause many in Israel to fall, but will be a joy to many others. He has been sent from God as a sign, but many will oppose Him. God’s own people will reject Him and eventually kill Him on a sinners cross.

Application: Jesus is God’s offering of reconciliation to mankind. He is the only way to the Father. All other gods, or ways, are false and will never lead to where He and the Father are. Only through faith in Christ as Lord and Savior, Son of God, can mankind be reunited in relationship with God. Jesus is our peace, He is our hope, and He is the only light that shines a path for the world to God. In Him alone, salvation is made possible. He was sent for all, yet all will not accept Him. He will cause many to fall, yet will be a joy to many others. What will you do with Jesus? Accept Him and live eternally with God, or reject Him and live eternally separated from God? He is the only way!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Jesus, the light that reveals You to the nations! I accept Him as Lord, Savior, King, the Way, the Truth, and the Life You have given to all that believe and place faith in Him. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage and strength to do what’s right at all times. Strengthen my trust in Your word and keep me from being deceived by vain philosophies, in Jesus name, Amen!

September 17, 2012 (Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the basic law of theTemple.” Ezekiel 43:12 NLT

Observation: Ezekiel was instructed to tell the people ofIsraelabout the Temple plans including the specifications, entrances and exits, laws and degrees so that Israel would be ashamed of all their detestable sins. Ezekiel was to explain all about the Temple to them so they would be sure to remember what the Lord God Almighty had instructed. The basic law of the Temple was absolute holiness! God wants His house clean and well kept. No defilement of any kind is allowed. All filth must be washed away and washed clean in the blood of sacrifice. “Use your eyes and ears, and listen to everything I tell you about the regulations concerning the Lord’s Temple. Give these rebels, the people of Israel, this message from the Sovereign Lord: O people of Israel, enough of your detestable sins!”

Application: God’s standards are sure forever and ever. He never lowers them to satisfy the vile lust of mans flesh. His yes, is yes and His no, is no. If the basic law of the Temple was absolute holiness in the days of Ezekiel, then absolute holiness is the same standard He requires today. Today, we are the Temple God lives in. Why would He accept and choose to lower His standard of living by dwelling in a sinful Temple? He will not! When He enters into a person they are changed from what they once were into something brand new, clean and holy. It’s our responsibility to learn of His laws and degrees and submit to them completely. This is not a “one time” event, it is a daily process called, sanctification.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your goodness, mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your regulations and degrees that are good for my soul. Thank You for loving me enough to correct me when I’m wrong. Thank You for forgiving me when I confess and repent. Thank You for Your Spirit that lives in me, enabling me to overcome just as You overcame. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage and strength to do what’s right at all times. In Jesus name, Amen!

September 16, 2012 (Ezekiel 40-41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars-their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8 NLT

Observation: The One sitting on the throne made it plain in these two verses of scripture who would enter into the new holy city of Jerusalem and who would inherit the blessings of God. He also made it plain who would not. Those that endure until the end and are victorious will receive the inheritance. But those that coward in their service will have no inheritance. Cowards are those that choose temporary safety over eternal security. The fear of persecution is greater than their fear of Almighty God. They value what the world thinks, more than what God’s word says. They bow to the pressure to conform, rather than stand and suffer willingly for Christ sake. The new holy city ofJerusalem will be the reward for those that are faithful until the end; a fiery lake of burning sulfur will be the fate of those that are not.

Application: These verses of scripture should make us all tremble and reflect at where we really presently stand. God is not going to accept a half-hearted commitment; He wants total and complete surrender to Him and His standards. He promises blessings and reward for those that are faithful and victorious, but He also warns of a horrible eternal fate for those that coward in their service, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshippers and all liars. Today, God has given us space to repent. He holds in His hands grace to cover all our sins, if we would only confess our sins, repent and turn from wickedness unto Him. His desire is to forgive us and make us new, but His offer of grace and the time He has allotted to receive it will one day come to an end. Don’t delay, repent and turn to Him today!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your wonderful mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day! Thank You for the opportunity to confess my sins, repent and turn to You daily. Thank You for the space You have given to all mankind. Your patience is amazing! Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage and strength to do what’s right at all times. Keep my eyes focused on You! Strengthen me to endure until the very end so that I may experience Your blessings and that new holy city of Jerusalem one fine day, in Jesus name, Amen!

September 15, 2012 (Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “He grants the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cries for help and rescues them.” Psalm 145:19 NLT

Observation: To fear God is to honor Him. He desires His people to fear Him because of His great love for them. He only desires the best for His children. He knows it is best for them to walk in reverence and obedience in order to keep them from arrogance and ignorance. The fear of the Lord is a display of God’s mercy towards us. We are privileged to fear Him. We are blessed to call Him Lord. He grants the desires of those that fear Him. He hears their cries for help and rescues them from their troubles. His watchful eyes are upon those that fear Him and nothing happens to them without His knowledge or approval.

Application: In America we are taught to fear nothing. God is portrayed to us as a “grandfather” type, rather than an all powerful Master of the universe. To fear Him would seem wrong and unjust in light of how He has been presented to us. Yet we must be careful not to allow our philosophy to cause us to sin against God or His Holy Word. His word is the standard that all of our actions should be measured against. When we fear Him, we gain great confidence and assurance. He is faithful to grant the desires of those who fear Him. We safely trust in Him and place our hope in Him because we know He hears our cries for help. For those that fear the Lord, His ears are open and His riches are shared.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for who You are! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your strong right arm that fights for me and wins! I praise You, I worship You! There is no other god greater than You! Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right at all times. Guide my actions, grant the desires of my heart according to Your will, hear my cries for help and rescue me from my enemies. In Jesus name, Amen!

September 14, 2012 (Ezekiel 36-37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Then you will remember your past sins and despise yourselves for all the detestable things you did. But remember, says the Sovereign Lord, I am not doing this because you deserve it. O my people of Israel, you should be utterly ashamed of all you have done!” Ezekiel 36:31-32 NLT

Observation: God’s people had become so calloused by sin they had a hard time recognizing what sin was anymore. God had to get their attention. Destruction and famine was the only way. They were driven out of their own land and scattered in all different directions. When they arrived in other cities they brought shame to God because of the way He had to discipline them. In order to preserve His holy name, He would bring them back to their own land. Not because they deserved it, but because of His great name and His holiness. God caused them to remember their past sins and experience godly sorrow that brought forth true repentance. God reminds them once again, you don’t deserve my grace, and you should be utterly ashamed of all you have done!

Application: We live in an era of time when grace is free, repentance is a suggestion, and holiness is history. We have no need to remember the sins of our past because the price was paid by someone else. We act as if we deserve God’s grace and He is indebted to us because of the sacrifice of His Son that He sent! Just like the children of Israel, we have become so calloused by sin that we fail to even recognize its presence. We walk around with our chest poked out and our nose in the air taunting God and daring Him to do anything about it. We bring shame to His house and to His name by our actions. He will deal with us. His anger is being kindled. He will not be mocked and humiliated by His own people forever!

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 patience with me. Thank You for opening my eyes to see and helping me understand my past sins, giving me the privilege of repentance. I am utterly ashamed of my past and do not deserve Your grace and mercy. Yet, because of Your great love, You have freely given to me. Help me live in such a way that You are not ashamed of the way I live or the way You have to discipline me. In Jesus name, Amen!