"Word of God Speak"

March 26, 2012 (Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Only by Your power can we push back our enemies; only in Your name can we trample our foes.” Psalm 44:5 NLT

Observation: The descendants of Korah understood where their strength came from. It was not found in their sword or their bow. Their victory was from the strength of the Lord. He fought for them and trampled down their enemies. His strong right arm provided victory to His people. Only by His power and His strength are enemies defeated and victories won! God deserves all the credit and all the praise because He is King and Lord of all creation.

Application: We must be careful to remember where our victory comes from. Although many men boast of what all they do, such boasting is evil and wicked. For we could not draw our next breath without the power of God providing us the ability to do so. Our armies may appear strong from their own efforts, but God has brought down many strong armies. His strength is beyond our comprehension. His power is stronger than all the armies of the world combined. Only by His power can we push back our enemies, only in His name can we trample our foes. Give God all the glory and praise for every victory in your life and thank Him today for fighting on your behalf.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for Your strong right arm that fights against my enemies and provides victory for me. Your power and strength sustain me and only You provide victory for me. I trust in You alone to move on my behalf, my hope of victory rest in You completely. You are my God, my Lord, my Savior, my King and I am Your child. Rise up! Help me! Ransom me because of Your unfailing love, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 25, 2012 (Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1 Corinthians 10)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s table and at the table of demons, too.” 1 Corinthians 10:21 NLT

Observation: Paul says as followers of Christ we must give to Him our total allegiance. We cannot have a part in the cup of the Lord, and the cup of satan. We cannot eat at the Lord’s table, while at the same time eating at the table of satan. We must make the choice of whom we are going to serve. If we refuse to make the choice to serve God and eat at His table and drink from His cup, it is evident the one we have chosen to serve. Eating at the Lords table means communing with Christ and identifying with His death and resurrection.  Drinking from the cup of demons means communing with satan by promoting evil activities within our own lives and the lives of others. We cannot live double lives, we are either on the Lord’s side and at His table, or at satan’s table bowing down to sin.

Application: This message of Paul needs to be preached from every pulpit around the world! It’s so sad to see so many profess to be ‘Christians’ while sitting at the table of satan and drinking from his cup. They are deceived and have believed the lies of satan. They have taken the forbidden fruit and have eaten it openly in the house of God. They go to the house of the Lord with the cup of satan in their hands. Many party with satan on Saturday night, while stumbling into God’s house the next morning singing His praise. With their mouth they profess Christ while with their body they worship satan. This should not be so. When a person is in Christ, and Christ is in them, old things pass away and they become a new creature. A true follower of Christ is committed to Him 100% of the time, all the time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, year after year for the rest of their days.

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 cup You’ve provided for me to drink from. Thank You for the table You’ve provided for me to eat at. My I remember to drink and eat from Your cup and table alone. Keep me from the cup and table of satan. By Your Spirit and Your holy word guide my feet and direct my path, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 24, 2012 (Joshua 18-20; 1 Corinthians 9)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Observation: Paul is comparing the Christian life to a race that must be won. We must discipline ourselves and train ourselves to do what we should. A prize awaits for all who run the race and win for Christ. We must not give up or quit along the way, for even Jesus said a man that puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God. We must run and run to win. We must practice what we preach, and live the way Christ commands, or else we could hear the words, depart from me, I never knew you.

Application: There are many different opinions about what Paul meant in this verse. Some say he was referring to loosing his reward not his salvation, yet a runner that is disqualified receives no prize or reward. Still others say, Paul knew and understood the importance of holding on to God whatever happens. They think Paul clearly was saying he must discipline his own body and cause it to do what it should, and not become lazy or inactive in serving the Father of all creation. It wasn’t for mere worldly gain that Paul preached the gospel, in fact he preferred his reward to be laid up in heaven rather than receive payment here. He said, “I’d rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge.” I believe Paul demonstrated this discipline he was talking about in his own life.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day You have made. Thank You for men like Paul that preach Your gospel without charge for the benefit of lost souls only. Help us all who proclaim Your gospel realize the importance of what You are teaching us through Paul’s life. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provides and protects me daily. With Your strong right arm fight against my enemies and bring them low, protect me Your servant from their evil desires, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 23, 2012 (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: Paul was dealing with many people who believed in many gods. They would sacrifice meat to an idol, and eat it as an act of worship to it. Paul knew that there was only one true God and whether a person ate this meat sacrificed to idols, or not, really didn’t matter. The idol was not real and had no power to do anything because it was without life! He proclaimed the truth about Jesus Christ as being the one whom we have been given life through. Paul encouraged people to consider what others may think if they witnessed them eating meat offered to idols as a sacrifice. People were watching those who proclaimed to be Christians then, and they are still watching us today.

Application: We face similar situations today. We live in a world that is full of idols and false gods. But we know there is only one God, and it is our responsibility as Christians to live for Him. We should be careful of the places we go, careful of the things we say, careful of the opinions we have, and careful of the actions we take. Why? Because people are watching us. Here’s an example, say I have no problem going to a place called “Hooters” for lunch. I like their wings and I drink cola with my lunch. I don’t lust after the women, however I must admit the opportunity is abundant. So what if I took a new believer there for lunch, but he wasn’t able to resist the temptation to lust. In not being careful of the places I choose to go I could easily cause my brother to stumble. So it would be prudent for me to be considerate of my brother and keep him from becoming spotted because of my choices. (Even though Hooters does have good wings!)

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this wonderful Friday! 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 only true God and I desire to live for You. Jesus is the only Lord I desire, for through Him I have eternal life. Help me be careful of the places I go, the things I say, the opinions I have and the actions I take. Make me a vessel that brings You honor in all I do, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 22, 2012 (Joshua 12-14; 1 Corinthians 7)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31 NLT

Observation: Paul is giving some practical instruction on life in general. He talks about being single, getting married and the concerns we face in this life. He goes on to remind them that time is very short and encourages them to focus on what is really important. He said don’t focus only on your marriage and your present circumstances, but also focus on God and the eternity that is just ahead. Those who weep, should not be absorbed by their weeping. Those who rejoice, should not be absorbed with their joy. Those who buy things should not be absorbed by their possessions. Don’t become to attached by present circumstances or things, for this world will soon pass away.

Application: It’s very difficult at times for your current situation not to get the best of you. When you are overwhelmed with grief it seems like it will never end, yet the pain does eventually subside and a new season in life begins. Joy is similar. When we experience great joy, we don’t want that feeling to end, yet it always does. It’s easy to let these emotions absorb us. But in our day the most difficult thing I see people struggle with is material possessions. The desire for material things has absorbed many lives and trapped them in a relentless cycle of pursuit for things that always fade away. Our society dictates success by how much stuff you have and how expensive it is. Yet, true success, and peace, is found in that which never fades away, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. I praise You, and worship You, for You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other! Help me focus on what really matters and be content and satisfied with what You provide for me. Keep me from being absorbed by grief, joy or material possessions. Wrap me in Your love and comfort me by Your Spirit, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 21, 2012 (Joshua 9-11; 1 Corinthians 6)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20 NLT

Observation: The price God paid for us was a high price. The price was His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Paul is encouraging the Corinthian believers to remember the price that was paid for them and realize and understand it was not free. Oh how we should be careful to honor God with our bodies because of the price He paid for us. For a person who professes Christ as Lord to be guilty of sexual immorality is sin against their own body. No other sin so clearly affects the body as sexual sin. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God. You do not belong to yourself, if you are His, you have been bought with a high price.

Application: Sexual immorality is openly and socially accepted in our day. Unfortunately, even the church has begun to accept and condone sexual sins. Each week churches are filled with people that are actively participating and living in open rebellion against God, with no rebuke provided by the church. Homosexuality is on the rise in America and around the world, and in too many cases has been embraced as acceptable by the church. No longer is the price paid for sinful mankind regarded as valuable. Could it be that we have proclaimed salvation free to the point that it has no real value to anyone anymore? I assure you, and God’s word assures us, that the price paid for those that are His was a high price, not free. You have been bought with a high price, honor God with your body.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day You’ve made. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Father forgive me for all sexual sin I have committed in the past and protect me from such sin in the future. The price You paid for me was a high price and it is reasonable for me to honor You with my body. Help me do so. I pray for all the people I know that are living in open rebellion against You and Your holy standards, send Jesus after them and deliver them from sexual bondage before it’s too late, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 20, 2012 (Joshua 7-8; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.” 1 Corinthians 5:12 NLT

Observation: Paul instructed Christians not to associate with people who claim to be followers of Christ yet indulge in sexual sin, greediness, cheaters, or people who worship idols. Paul was providing clear and direct instruction on how to handle willful sin in the life of a professed believer. Sin must be dealt with, we cannot turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to it. A person found in open rebellion and sin against God and His holy standards should be given the opportunity to repent and be restored. Although it is not our responsibility to judge outsiders, it certainly is our responsibility to judge those within the church.

Application: People are watching our every move, action and response. How we talk and how we walk must match if we want to fulfill our purpose of discipling others in this life. Sin cannot be tolerated in our own life or in the lives of any person who professes Christ as Lord and Savior. It must be dealt with and it must be dealt with now! If allowed to go uncorrected, it will act as yeast spreading throughout the whole church. Sin in the church is like cancer in the body. It must be dealt with and it must be dealt with now! If we are too prideful to be held accountable by our brothers and sisters that love us, then we have become too prideful. Repentance is the only option.

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 gift of repentance. Cleanse me and make me right within Your site. Father, I nail my sin to the cross of Christ and crucify it there. Help me keep the beam out of my eye so that I can see clearly to help my brothers and sisters. Help me confront sin directly and deal with it according to Your word, yet help me have mercy on others the way You had mercy on me. In Jesus name, Amen!