"Word of God Speak"

April 2, 2012 (Judges 13-16; 2 Corinthians 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “She tormented him with her nagging day after day until he was sick to death of it.” Judges 16:16 NLT

Observation: Samson may have been a man dedicated to God from birth, but he sure didn’t consult God when it came to women. His first wife to be, betrayed him by telling the Philistines the answer to his riddle. She nagged him for days until he finally gave in and told her the answer. Next Samson moved on to a prostitute, and then came Delilah. He fell in love with her, but failed to remember the lessons learned in his past. The Philistines bribed her with money to betray the man that loved her. She asked him the secret of his strength several times but each time Samson kept hidden the true source. Yet after days and days of nagging Samson once again succumbed to the manipulation of a woman.

Application: The story of Samson should be read, and re-read, to every teenage child, boy and girl. The consequences of wrong choices in relationships can lead to disastrous situations for all involved. Men, and women, should seek God wholeheartedly when seeking a spouse. A faithful spouse is hard to find, their value is more precious than riches. Betrayal hurts more than the person who has been betrayed. In the case of Samson and Delilah, not only was Samson killed, but 3000 of the Philistines died as a result of one betrayal. Delilah’s betrayal brought devastating consequences on an entire nation. The lesson for women in this story, be faithful to the man that loves you. The lesson for men in this story, be very patient with a nagging woman, giving in could come with devastating consequences.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for the faithful wife You have given me! Thank You for being the center of our lives and relationship. Father, You know well the injustice my enemy has tried to bring on me, yet I ask You to expose the hidden things and bring to light the truth of the matter, right the wrong that has been done and judge the quilty according to Your righteousness. Like Samson, give me the strength to rise up and fight one more time, in Jesus name, Amen!

April 1, 2012 (Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.” 2 Corinthians 1:9 NLT

Observation: Paul and his companions survived terrible persecution in the province of Asia. Their spirit was crushed and overwhelmed beyond their ability to endure. They thought for sure they were going to die. It was there they learned to trust in God only and not their own abilities. They learned they needed God, and Him alone, to provide them victory. God did indeed see them through the trials and provided them comfort only He could provide. After walking through the fire of trials, with God on their side, they were equipped to comfort others along the way.

Application: We often pray and ask God to deliver us from the fiery trials we face. Yet if He delivered us from every uncomfortable situation we found ourselves in, we would have nothing to offer those who are suffering around us. It’s through the fiery trials of life God teaches us to rely, and trust, in Him alone. Our own abilities and tactics only encourage us to trust in ourselves, yet when we trust in God, and Him alone, He recieves all the credit and all the praise. Truly we should give God thanks, and praise, when we find ourselves in situations where only He can fight for us. Giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors God and we must learn to give thanks in the good times and the bad.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for the fiery trials I face that teach me to trust and rely in You alone. My tactics and plans are useless in this fight. My spirit is crushed and I am overwhelmed beyond my ability to endure. I need Your strength. I need Your comfort. Strengthen me and see me through this fire O Lord, for You are my only hope and I rely on You alone, in Jesus name, Amen.

March 31, 2012 (Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen! Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!” Judges 10:14 NLT

Observation: Generation after generation the children of Israel forgot God. They turned their back on Him time and time again. They would get themselves in a mess, that they could not get out of, and then cry out to God for help. But God finally had enough. He said, “You have abandoned Me and served other gods, so I will not rescue you anymore. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen and let them rescue you from your hour of distress.” Even in this God was showing His great love for them. He was trying to teach them He was the only God that had power to move on their behalf.

Application: Oh how I wish I could relay the importance of staying connected to Christ. Oh how much pain and grief we could save ourselves if we would remain faithful to Him at all times. Oh how blessed and favored we could live if God was truly first in our lives and plans. Yet, just like the children of Israel we turn our backs on God every chance we get. We cry out to Him in the hour of distress and turn from Him when He rescues us. We act as if He owes us. We act as if He is indebted to us. We scoff and complain against Him when He allows us to call on the gods we have chosen. We are so boastful that when we fall into the hands of our idols we blame God for the failure! Oh children of God, will you ever learn to be faithful?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your amazing grace and mercy that provide and protect me daily! Thank You for Your strong right arm that fights for me and wins! Thank You for being faithful to deliver me in my hour of distress, help me to remain faithful to You at all times. You are the only God I put my trust and hope in. May You be the only God I cry out to, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 30, 2012 (Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.” 1 Corinthians 15:34 NLT

Observation: The Corinthian church wanted the benefits of salvation without the commitment. They desired to have an “open” relationship with Christ, desiring to walk with Christ in some areas, while walking with satan in other areas. This amounted to nothing more than spiritual adultery. A committed follower of Jesus Christ must think carefully about what is right and stop sinning. You cannot eat at the Masters table and at the table of satan. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord, and from the cup of satan. For it is a shame to act in this way, and if you try, it proves you don’t know God at all.

Application: The American church is much like the Corinthian church. The only exception is the American church has few that will correct them like Paul. We want the benefits of salvation without the required commitment. We want to join in holy matrimony with Christ on Sunday, while committing evil acts of adultery with satan on Friday night. We demand that Christ accepts our sin and tolerates it, rather than willingly forsaking our sin and nailing it to the cross of Calvary. We must begin to think about what is right and stop sinning. Think about what God says is right, not what the world says is right. Do what God says do, not what the world says is okay to do. Live the way God says to live, not the way society says is acceptable. If you truly know God, prove it by the way you live.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this wonderful day. Thank You so much for Your wonderful mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Help me think about what’s right and walk in a way that pleases You. Cleanse me from all sin and make me clean. Keep me from adulteress temptation and make me fully committed and faithful to You. Help me prove I know You by the way I live, and prove You know me by covering me in Your favor. My hope and my trust are in You alone, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 29, 2012 (Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “You love to destroy others with your words, you liar!” Psalm 52:4 NLT

Observation: This Psalm was written about a man named Doeg the Edomite, who had betrayed Ahimelech and David and then killed the priest. Doeg thought he was a great warrior and even boasted of his evil deeds. Just because something is done well or thoroughly dosen’t mean it’s good. Just because a person may be a gifted liar, that doesn’t make it okay. It was words that satan used in the garden to deceive Eve. He is a liar and the father of all lies. He still uses words to destroy others today.

Application: I’ve witnessed the words of a liar destroy relationships many times. Sadly, far to many times, the one spreading these destructive lies of injury and hurt professed to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Satan has possessed many people and deceived them into believing that they are doing God a service by destroying people with lies. How sad it is when a person must lie about someone else in order to feel better about themselves. If the work you’ve performed or the action you’ve taken destroyed others, you should examine yourself and determine whether of not you are in the faith or not. Satan still uses lies mixed with some truth to deceive and destroy lives today.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day You’ve made! Bless it and keep it for Your glory! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for Your strong right arm that fights for me, and wins! You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other. Protect me from the liars that seek to destroy me, and bring them to shame and justice, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 28, 2012 (Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1 Corinthians 13)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “I said to myself, ‘I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” Psalm 39:1 NLT

Observation: David had a good plan and very good intentions. He knew it was best for him to just keep his mouth shut sometimes, especially when he was around the ungodly. The ungodly are always trying to provoke the godly into unrighteousness. David understood what it was like to bite his tongue while a turmoil of words grew inside him. As he listened to the ungodly speak he sat there in silence, not even speaking of good things. The more he thought about their words the hotter he got and a fire of words was ignited within him. He cried out, Lord remind me how brief my time on earth will be, remind me that my days are numbered and how fleeting life is.

Application: Sometimes we are faced with circumstances that force us to trust completely in God and His justice. The ungodly are provoking the godly on a daily basis, yet we must hold on to Christ and cling to His holy word. When we are in the midst of ungodly people it behoves us to keep our mouth shut. Though a fire of rage can be ignited within us because of the words from the ungodly, we must be committed to conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, whatever happens. Our time on this earth is brief at best, so we must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. The storm may rage big at the moment, but soon enough it will be over. God is bigger than any storm. In a moment, in just a twinkling of an eye, we will be gone to live with the Lord and the pains of this life will be vanished forever!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your word that lifts me up and strengthens my grip to hold on. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. I praise You because of Your strong right arm that fights against Your enemies and conquers them. You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other! With You on my side victory is assured! Hear my cry for help and sustain me in this time of distress, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 27, 2012 (Judges 1-3; 1 Corinthians 12)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10 NLT

Observation: The children of Israel that crossed over the Jordan River and entered the promised land of Canaan have died and left their children to continue their lineage. But because they failed to teach their children the importance of following all of God’s commands, all was in jeopardy. God told them to drive out all the people from the land He had promised and destroy them. Instead, they decided to allow some of them to live in their towns with them and be their slaves. When the next generation grew up they did not acknowledge the Lord of remember the mighty things He had done for Israel in the past. This generation knew nothing about being a slave, so they felt no remorse when they enslaved others!

Application: As I meditate on this I can’t help but feel we are walking in the same paths. If I look back two generations so much in America has changed and so much has been forgotten. Those who were once enslaved have birthed a generation that failed to teach their children of the consequences of slavery. Now we have a generation that knows nothing of slavery and yet has no remorse when they try to enslave others. Those who once walked in the ways of the Lord and obeyed His commands have birthed a generation that failed to teach their children of the importance of obeying God and keeping His decrees. Now we have a generation that feels no remorse when they completely disobey and do the opposite of what God’s word says. Think about it! We are the children of Israel.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your word that shouts truth to my soul. God forgive us for not seeking and heeding the lessons learned by our ancestors. Forgive us for repeating the same destructive cycles over and over again. Teach me Your ways Lord and reveal to me Your plans. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that provide and protect me daily. Guide my feet by Your Spirit and the lamp of Your word. Open the eyes of my heart and let me see You, in Jesus name, Amen!