"Word of God Speak"

May 21, 2012 (1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux: 

Scripture: “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” Romans 2:4 NLT

Observation: Paul is teaching the Roman church how to deal with the sins of a corrupt culture. Judgment begins with us. We must first search ourselves and realize the grace God has bestowed on us. Although a Christian has the responsibility to stand against sin, we must remember that we were sinners too. God’s kindness, tolerance and patience have been extended to us just the same as those who have not embraced it yet. God’s grace is amazing and should never be used as a justification for sin. God’s patience should not be mistaken as an approval for ungodly behavior. Yet we are to judge the sin, not the sinner. For He will judge everyone according to what they have done.

Application: We must be careful to control our emotions when standing against sin. Our zeal for God’s holiness can lead us to be condemning of people, rather than condemning of sin. Like the Roman church we often times forget where God brought us from. We find ourselves recommending punishment for those still lost in sin, while we are just as guilty as they are. Self-evaluation is difficult and it’s even more difficult to bring ourselves before God and ask Him to tell us where we need to repent or improve. As a Christian it is vitally important to spend time before God asking Him to search you and reveal any sin that may be in your life. Many times sin has filled us and taken root within us unaware. To be a guide to the blind we must first be taught by what we teach.

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 kindness, tolerance and patience towards me. Lord, when I look at others, remind me of all the grace You have extended to me. Teach me Your ways and guide my life by Your Spirit, reveal any sin in my life to me so that I may repent and please You, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 20, 2012 (1 Kings 6; 2 Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator Himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.” Romans 1:25 NLT

Observation: When people try to justify sin in their lives they will come up with all sorts of foolish ideas of what God is like. As a result their minds become dark and confused. Next thing you know they are worshiping idols that have been formed into images of people, birds, or all sorts of animals and reptiles. They accept a lie about God because they desire more to satisfy their own lust than to serve and worship a Holy God. They trade the truth of God for what makes them feel good. They trade the truth of God for what looks appealing to their eyes. They trade the truth of God for what their culture says is acceptable. They trade the truth of God for satan’s lie.

Application: The issues that people faced in Paul’s day are still being dealt with today. Sadly these issues have penetrated the religious society and have been accepted and embraced by those who should know better. In an effort to appear righteous to the world many have embraced and accepted open sin, even in the church. The truth has been traded for a lie once again. What God says is being ignored while what culture says is being embraced and praised. Far too many have embraced culture as their god. With TV, music, movies and the rest of the media presenting sinful lifestyles and unwholesome values as normal, we must be determined more than ever to embrace God’s word and worship Him, and Him alone. The Bible is the only standard of truth, and all things should be evaluated in light of its teachings.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Help me to embrace Your word as truth. Protect me from being deceived by culture or society. Strengthen me to stand strong and courageous for Your word and Your truth. Help me live my life according to Your instructions, teach me Your ways. I worship You as my God, and You alone! You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 19, 2012 (1 Kings 4-5; 2 Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2 Thessalonians 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.” 2 Thessalonians 3:12 NLT

Observation: Some people were falsely teaching that because Christ would return any day people should just quit work and do nothing but wait on Christ to return. These idle people ended up filling their time with less than helpful activities, like gossip and meddling in other peoples business. Paul, Silas and Timothy led by example. Paul reminded them to remember that when they were there with them they always worked and payed their own way. They worked hard day and night so that they would never become a burden to them. Paul commanded and urged them to follow his example and get to work!

Application: We can easily find ourselves focused on the wrong type activities if we allow ourselves to become lazy. The Christian must work hard at all we do, and do it as if we are working for the Lord, no matter what we are doing. Leaders in ministry must work extra hard to put forth the right example and never become a burden to the church due to laziness. To work hard does not mean one should never rest or play, for rest and recreation are vitally important in any healthful human being. We simply must remember and discipline ourselves to work when we should be working, and rest when we should be resting. We work with our hands so that our hands will be filled with good things to enjoy, along with enough to give for others to enjoy as well.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I love You so much! You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for providing me the ability and opportunity to work. Help me make the most of the opportunities You give to me, for Your glory. Help me lead by example and not become a burden to those who could be influenced by me. Help me encourage people to live in a way that pleases You. Thank You for the people you have placed in my life that are teaching me how to work and how to give, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 18, 2012 (1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2 Thessalonians 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of Yours?” 1 Kings 3:9 NLT

Observation: Solomon could have ask for anything, yet he chose to ask for wisdom and understanding. Solomon felt like a child who didn’t know his way around when it came to being king. At this point in his life wealth and fame could do little for him, he needed God to help him govern His people. Notice that Solomon asked for understanding to carry out his job; he did not ask God to do the job for him. To have an understanding heart and know the difference between right and wrong are precious gifts that few will ever have the privilege of experiencing. Not because these gifts are no longer available, but because we fail to ask God for them.

Application: A lot of us want a lot of things. Some want to be rich, others desire to be famous, but few long for an understanding heart and to know the difference between right and wrong. Wealth and fame are much more appealing to the eye and satisfy the lust of our flesh in a more timely matter than does wisdom. Oh sure, we all want wisdom in some capacity, but what is our motive behind the desire? Do we desire it so that we can become more wealthy and famous? Or do we desire it so that we can be more pleasing to God? An understanding heart and the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong are essential elements to a successful Christian life. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Give me an understanding heart and the wisdom to know the difference between right and wrong. Teach me Your ways and provide what I need to complete the task You have given me. I need wisdom and I recognize You as the only true source for it. Open up my heart and mind and fill them with Your Spirit, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 17, 2012 (1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to You? Everything we have has come from You, and we give only what You first gave us!” 1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT

Observation: David had gathered and stored the materials Solomon would need to build the Temple. Now David was praising God and giving Him the credit for what had been collected. David recognized God as the one that wealth and honor had come from. Power and might was in His hand and at His discretion people were made great and given strength. Everything David had was God’s and had been given to David by God. The greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, the majesty, everything in heaven and on earth, it all belongs to God. David realized all that had been given, had first been given by God.

Application: I believe a lot of stress could be instantly wiped out of our lives if we could come to the conclusion David did about all things. It all belongs to God. It was He that made it possible for us to give anything we have ever given, He first gave it to us. We should not boast about what we have given to the Lord and realize that we only gave back to Him what was already really His. He gives us the opportunity to give so that we can experience real blessing. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive. If you have the means to give today, give God the praise and credit He deserves. For everything you have to give was first given to you from God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for what You have given me. Thank You for the blessing of giving to others. Thank You for what I have received from You through the hands of others. Help me remember that all I have belongs to You. I am only a steward of what You own. Help me become a faithful steward of all that You give to me. Whether it be material things, health, wealth, knowledge, power, strength, ability, or victory, help me conduct myself in a manner that is pleasing to You, in Jesus name, Amen  

May 16, 2012 (1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1 Thessalonians 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.” 1 Chronicles 28:9 NLT

Observation: David is turning over the Kingdom to Solomon and gives him the advice of experience. He encouraged Solomon to learn to know God, intimately. In other words, get to know God on a personal level. Know Him as a friend and lover, not as just “the big man upstairs.” Worship and serve Him with your whole heart, not 78% of it. And do this with a willing mind, not out of obligation. He reminds Solomon that God sees and knows everything. Every plan and even every thought! If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Application: How many people do you think are learning to know God intimately in 2012? Sadly, more people refer to God as being “the big man upstairs”, rather than the God that is owed all of their love and affection. This very important element of Christianity has somehow been forgotten and forsaken over the years. Our culture has removed the importance of an intimate relationship with the only true God, and promoted a promiscuous relationship with the god of your choice. Many worship God with their lips, but their heart is far from Him. They profess to love Him while committing adultery right before Him. But He sees everything. He knows everything. Every plan and every thought. He cannot be fooled or deceived.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Your love is amazing! I long to have an intimate relationship with You Lord. Draw me close to You, place within me the desire for You. Teach me Your Laws and write them on my heart. Bring them to my remembrance daily and keep me from forsaking You. Mold me into the man You desire for me to be, help me surrender to You completely, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 15, 2012 (1 Chronicles 25-27; 1 Thessalonians 4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:8 NLT

Observation: While Paul was very much reliant on God’s grace he did not use grace as an excuse for sin or unholy living. He made it plain and clear that to be a Christian was to submit to God’s standards and rules. Before Christ receives a person they are in a lawless condition that has them bound to sins power. But when Christ receives a person they become free from the lawlessness of sin and bound to the Holy standards of God. It is a great honor to surrender and submit to the rules and standards of holiness God has put into place. His burden is light and His yoke is easy. Never is a person more free than when they are totally surrendered to God and His holiness.

Application: Many use God’s grace to justify their sinful behavior these days. People act as if they are hopeless and helpless to ever overcome sin, because they have believed the lie of satan that says it is impossible to do. But thanks be to Jesus Christ our Lord! He overcame sin and death and sent His Spirit to live within us so that we may be overcomers as well. We have the power to live according to God’s holy standards when His Spirit enters and empowers us. If we fall into sin it is because we moved away from His holiness, not because He moved His holiness away from us. If anyone refuses to live by God’s rules they are not disobeying human teaching, but they are rejecting the Holy God that gives His Spirit. God has called all Christians to live holy lives, not impure lives. Submit to His holiness and overcome sin, through Christ it is possible!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your word! Thank You for the power of Your holiness! Thank You for the Holy Spirit that works in me to overcome the power of sin in my life. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Help me understand how to submit to Your rules and standards and live in a manner that pleases You, in Jesus name, Amen!