"Word of God Speak"

May 14, 2012 (1 Chronicles 22-24; 1 Thessalonians 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.” 1 Thessalonians 3:7 NLT

Observation: Paul was a minister that preached for the right reasons. He wanted to see peoples lives changed for the better. He knew and understood how satan would attack those that put their faith in Jesus Christ. When Paul left any particular town the people left behind were constantly on his mind. Are they standing strong? Have they given in to the temptation satan has laid before them? Do they remember what I taught them? These were all questions that went through Paul’s mind. This is why he was so eager to get back to see them. He wanted to see if they had continued in the faith. When he found out they had indeed continued, and grown in their faith, he was greatly encouraged. Even though Paul was facing troubles and suffering, he found comfort and strength in the faithfulness of others.

Application: Nothing is more encouraging and comforting to a minister of the gospel than to see people’s lives changed and see them continue in the faith. It’s like a shot of adrenaline for the spirit and soul. On the other hand, nothing is more depressing than to see people receive the good news of Jesus Christ and then forsake it. We have the ability to encourage or discourage others by our faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we stand strong in our faith and willingly suffer whatever persecution may come, we give others courage to stand firm and faithful as well. However, if we give up and quit we can easily dishearten others to follow our example. It’s very important when we put our hand of faith to the plow that we never look back! Once Christ has entered into us we have the greatest gift we could ever receive already, there is nothing to turn back to.

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 and the understanding You give. Help me understand what You say and what You mean, sometimes it seems so hard. Help me be an encouragement to others by standing strong in my faith in You, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 13, 2012 (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1 Thessalonians 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money!” 1 Thessalonians 2:5 NLT

Observation: Paul and his companions preached an honest and straight forward gospel. They didn’t sugar coat it and they didn’t mind suffering for it. They didn’t win people with flattery or deceit; people were won to Christ with truth. Their mission was to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ, no matter the cost. They were messengers approved by God to deliver the gospel truth. As for human praise, they never sought it or succumbed to the temptation to receive it. They worked night and day to earn a living so that they would never become a burden to those they were preaching the good news to. Their love for the lost was so great that they not only shared the gospel with them, but their own lives also.

Application: Paul and his companions left an amazing legacy of example for us, it’s a shame we have neglected and cast it aside as useless and outdated for our generation. In a vast number of churches today fundraising and social marketing have over taken the majority of the time that is spent “reaching the lost”. We spend on average 70% more time on fundraising and social marketing as we do ministering the good news of the gospel. The results of our focus are evident and are proving to be disastrous. Many American churches have become nothing more than a social gathering place for entertainment, resembling a country club more than a house dedicated to teaching the good news of the gospel. Flattery has become the bait of choice for the fisherman of the 21st century.

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 truth, and for the men and women that have stood for it no matter the cost in the past. Help me understand and embrace the example Paul and his companions left. Strengthen me to stand for Your truth no matter the price I must pay. In Jesus name, Amen!

May 12, 2012 (2 Samuel 21-23; 1 Thessalonians 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; His words are upon my tongue.” 2 Samuel 23:2 NLT

Observation: David was chosen by God and anointed to serve in God’s plan. Even though David failed to live up to the standards of God many times, God’s grace and mercy were ever present. A lot of what David suffered toward the end of his life was the consequences of sin he had committed. Even though David repented and God forgave him, the consequences of sin still remained. Yet David proclaimed, “Is it not my family God has chosen? Yes, He has made an everlasting covenant with me. His agreement is arranged and guaranteed in every detail. He will ensure my safety and success. The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; His words are upon my tongue.”

Application: What a blessing it is to know God is with you, and for you. The realization of God’s nearness and presence provides confidence and courage even when you are ridiculed for yielding to His Spirit. Now days a person that proclaims to be a vessel that God speaks through will be laughed at and considered crazy. Recently a preacher of over 40 years told me, “No one can claim to speak for God. The bible is subject to the individuals own interpretation.” What? Did this preacher justify us making up our own faith? Now, more than ever, we need people like David, that are not afraid to stand up and proclaim, what the Spirit of the Lord has spoken through them. Now, more than ever, we need His words to be upon our tongue. Now, more than ever, we need to surrender and submit to Christ fully.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that provide and protect me everyday. Help me Lord be a vessel that You can work through. Strengthen me to stand strong in the face of adversity and proclaim Your truth. Anoint me just as You did David, and speak to me and through me. Place Your word upon my tongue and cause my mouth to speak at the appointed time. In Jesus name, Amen!

May 11, 2012 (2 Samuel 19-20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 NLT

Observation: The final instructions of Christ was to go and teach others about Him. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands that He has given us. Teach them what it means to serve God with a pure clean heart. Preach the message of repentance that will reconcile the lost back to God through Christ Jesus. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The disciples were to baptize people because baptism unites believers with Jesus Christ in their death to sin and their resurrection to a new life. Baptism symbolizes submission to Christ, a willingness to live God’s way, and identifies us as belonging to the family of God.

Application: As with many others things, we have easily distorted the final instructions of Christ. He did not say, ‘Therefore, go and build churches all over the world”, No! He said, “Therefore, go and make disciples.” Somehow we have come to the conclusion that the only way to make disciples is to build earthly church buildings. We have forgotten one very important fact in our quest though, disciples are the church. The only way we can build a church is to make disciples. Church is not a building or a place, church is a people. The people of God. The people that have surrendered to Christ as saviour and Lord. The people that have died to sin and have had their lives resurrected through the power of the Holy Spirit. These are disciples, these are the church. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations and watch God build a church that the gates of hell cannot destroy.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. Thank You for Your strong right arm that fights for me and wins! Thank You for Your church, Your people that have died to sin and have been born again, raised in the newness of life in Christ Jesus. Your salvation is amazing and Your love is ever lasting. Father have mercy on America, forgive her for she is deep in sin. May Your will be done, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 10, 2012 (2 Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “The leading priest, the teachers of religious law, and the elders also mocked Jesus.” Matthew 27:41 NLT

Observation: The way Jesus was treated by those that called themselves “Priest”, “Teacher” and “Elder” reveals just how cruel and wicked a person can become when they are led by the wrong spirit. They had studied and searched the scriptures for years only to miss the forest for the trees. The Messiah stood before them, and they mocked Him! The very one God sent to save them, they have rejected once again. Truly a stubborn and stiff-necked people. They were so wise in their own opinion that they were blind to the truth that stood before them. They had became worshippers of themselves, rather than worshippers of God.

Application: How can a person study the scriptures so much and still miss what the scripture reveals? The Priest, Teachers, and Elders searched the scriptures to prove the theology they had made up, rather than to hear what the Spirit was saying. They interpreted the scriptures based on what their minds had already settled on believing. Many still do this today. The scripture should be read and studied with an open mind and heart to hear God’s truth. When we pick out a verse or two here and there and twist the true meaning of those verses we develop the same mental focus of the religious leaders of that day. We miss Jesus, and the power He gives us to live by.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise You for who You are. Thank You for all the blessings You freely give to us. Help me Lord not mock You by the way I live. Open my ears to hear what Your Spirit is saying through Your word. Help me settle my heart on trusting You whatever happens. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday. I seek You, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 9, 2012 (2 Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But if I did, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” Matthew 26:54 NLT

Observation: Jesus had been betrayed and the mob had come out to arrest Him with swords and clubs. One of the men with Jesus pulled out a sword and slashed off the ear of the high priest slave. Jesus told him to put the sword away, “for those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” Jesus understood that what was taking place must be. It was not pleasurable or enjoyable, yet it had to take place for the scriptures to be fulfilled.

Application: The scriptures tell us of many things that must take place at the end of the age, but are we willing to suffer like Christ for these scriptures to be fulfilled? Are we willing to go to the Garden of Gethsemane and surrender to His will? Are we willing to refrain from asking for God’s protection in order for His will to be fulfilled? Are we willing to put down our swords so that what the scriptures proclaim can take place? Are we ready to put all of our hope and trust in God, even though He has determined things are going to get worse before the end comes? Are we willing to lay down our life for those who desire to take it? Are we ready to go without resistance to see the word of God fulfilled, or will we continue to pray for the angels of God to protect us?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that leads and guides me through this life. Thank You for the courage to trust and hope in You alone. Strengthen me to remain faithful to the end. Help me understand the call You’ve placed on my life. Fill me with Your Spirit and ignite a Holy Ghost fire within me, in Jesus name, Amen!

May 8, 2012 (2 Samuel 15-16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today.” 2 Samuel 16:12 NLT

Observation: As King David came to Bahurim, a man named Shimei came out of the village cursing them. He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors that surrounded them. Then Abishai said, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head.” “No!” the king said, “if the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?” Leave him alone and let him curse, perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today. Shimei kept up a steady tirade against David as they walked along, even though David had nothing to do with Saul’s death. David and his followers quietly endured the abuse.

Application: Maintaining your composure in the face of unjustified criticism can be a very trying experience and an emotional drain. It’s in these moments of trial that our faith is put to the test. Will we continue to trust and hope in the Lord, or will we take matters into our own hands and seek victory from our own strength? Remember God knows what you are going through and He will vindicate you in due season. Sometimes we must stand and fight, other times we must resolve to turn the other cheek. God works in mysterious ways that are far above our understanding, but we must be determined to wait on Him. Nothing catches Him by surprise or off guard. He knows and sees all. When we’ve done all we can do to stand faithful, we must be faithful to stand. Place your trust and all of your hope in the Lord, He will come to your aid. He’s never been rushed or in a hurry because He’s never been late.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the blessings that You so freely give. Thank You for the unfair criticism I’m enduring that is teaching me to trust and hope in You. You will rescue me and keep me protected from my enemies because of Your unfailing love and justice. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me everyday, You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other! I surrender all to You Lord, in Jesus name, Amen!