"Word of God Speak"

March 12, 2012 (Deuteronomy 19-21; Galatians 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “you must impose on the accuser the sentence he intended for the other person. In this way, you will purge such evil from among you.” Deuteronomy 19:19 NLT

Observation: Moses is giving instructions to the Children of Israel concerning justice. He said if a person brings false charges against a fellow Israelite, the priest and judges must impose on the accuser the sentence intended for the innocent person. In doing this, such evil will be purged from among you because people will hear about it and be afraid to do such an evil thing. There is only one way to deal with people who lie and bring up false allegations against another, see to it that they pay the price they intended for the one falsely accused to pay.

Application: I wish we had these type laws today. In fact, if we did, it would free up many hours of time wasted investigating false claims. If a person knew they would pay the penalty when a claim was proven to be false, I bet we would see a drastic decrease in claims being filed within our courts. Yet because there is no consequence for filing false claims, or telling all out lies, the courts are over run with ridiculous false claims. In an effort to gain financially many have filed false claims just hoping the accused party cannot prove the claim otherwise. This would stop if the penalty was imposed on the liar!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day You’ve made. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for Your strong right arm that protects me and fights on my behalf. You have protected me from liars that file false claims and for that I am thankful. Father, forgive them for what they do, they are ignorant of Your truth and they are hopeless without Your Son. Save them and turn their heart toward You, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 11, 2012 (Deuteronomy 16-18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” Galatians 2:13 NLT

Observation: Paul had to confront Peter to his face because of hypocrisy. When Peter first arrived he ate with the Gentile believers who were not circumcised, but when some Jewish friends arrived he would not eat with the Gentile believers. Peter was afraid of the criticism he would receive from the Jewish Christians who felt circumcision was a requirement for salvation. It was very difficult for Peter to accept that God loved the Gentiles just as much as He loved the Jews. Thank God for men like Paul that were not afraid to stand up and proclaim God’s truth! In doing so he delivered serveral good people from hypocrisy.

Application: The crowd we run with often times encourages us to do things we would not do if we were alone. It’s part of our human nature to desire to “fit in” with those around us. Whether it’s a work environment or a church environment, the desire to fit in comes naturally. Armed with this reality, and knowledge, we must pay close attention to the motive behind our actions. Is what we are doing, or the way we are acting, designed to bring God glory and be pleasing to Him? Or are we working so hard to “fit in” we fail to conduct ourselves in a manner that is pleasing to Christ? Hypocrisy will lead us and others astray. When our top priority becomes “fitting in” rather than “standing out” we are sure to be led astray by hypocrisy.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day You’ve made. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your truth that teaches and instructs me in the ways of righteousness. Keep me unspotted by this world. Help me to live free from hypocrisy and be careful to lead others in Your truth, and Your truth alone. Thank You for Paul, Peter and Barnabas and for the lessons they help me learn. May I stand out as one of Yours just as these fine men have, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 10, 2012 (Deuteronomy 13-15; Galatians 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Serve only the Lord your God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.” Deuteronomy 13:4 NLT

Observation: The Israelites were warned not to listen to false prophets or anyone else that tried to get them to worship other gods. Even if the prophets predicted signs or miracles and they occurred, the Israelites were instructed not to listen to them. Not only were they instructed not to listen to them and not to worship other gods, but they were instructed to kill the false prophets that were trying to lead them astray. The temptation to abandon God’s commands does not always come before us in such a clear and simple manner. Often times we are persuaded to abandon God’s principles and worship idols by wolves that are dressed to appear as sheep.

Application: Paul said in Galatians 1:6-7, “I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to Himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the good news but is not the good news at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.” Wow! If Paul was shocked then, I bet he would be in total disbelief today! With the death penalty abolished, false prophets and doctrines are free to run ramped. Our current society reveals the results of allowing these false prophets an opportunity to twist and proclaim their deceitful doctrine. We have more idols, religions, denominations and false gods in America than any of the biblical accounts of history. And we wonder what’s wrong with America! We must choose to serve only the Lord our God and fear Him alone. Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and cling to Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your wonderful mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that reveals the dangers of false prophets and doctrines. Your word is truth and will stand forevermore! Help me learn Your word, write it upon my heart and keep it ever fresh on my mind. Remind me to pray and seek You alone when temptation whispers in my ear, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 9, 2012 (Deuteronomy 10-12; Mark 16)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Look, today I am giving you the choice between a blessing and a curse!” Deuteronomy 11:26 NLT

Observation: Moses clearly explained the commandments of God and made it simple to understand. If you obey God’s commands, decrees and regulations, you will be blessed, if you reject them and do your own thing you will be cursed. It’s totally up to you! Do you desire a blessed life full of God’s mercy and favor, or do you wish to indulge in the pleasures of sin for a season and walk daily under a curse? God’s ways are not burdensome, in fact they are good for you.

Application: We are offered the same choice today. We can walk in God’s grace and live in a way that pleases Him and be blessed and highly favored, or we can chose to worship idols and live daily under a curse of sinfulness. Truly we will reap a harvest from the seeds we sow. So ask yourself, what kind of harvest do I want? If you desire a harvest of mercy, grace, blessings, favor and protection, then sow those seeds. Your life will produce the harvest from the seeds you sow. Look, today you have a choice, a blessing or a curse, which one do you desire?

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for this day You’ve made. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for the choice You give, and allow, me to make. I choose Your blessings. I lay my life down at Your feet and surrender my will to Yours. Strengthen me to embrace Your will and trust You completely, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 8, 2012 (Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 15)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “He did all this so you would never say to yourself. ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.” Deuteronomy 8:17 NLT

Observation: The second generation of the children of Israel are about to cross over the Jordan river and enter the Promised Land. Moses once again warns them of rebelling against God and reminds them of the fate of their ancestors. He reminds them of the years spent in the wilderness and explains to them God’s purpose in these years. He warns them to be careful to remember where their blessings come from. It’s not from their own strength or energy, but from the Lord above. He cautioned them in their plenty not to, forget God, His commands, regulations and decrees, or else they would be destroyed.

Application: Have you ever heard someone boast of being a “self made man”, I can’t help but giggle when I hear such nonsense uttered. However, often times, when people are blessed with great success they forget God and fail to realize He is the source of their success. I have seen many men come to God in times of great distress only to forsake Him when the burden was lifted. A godly man knows and understands the importance of staying close to God at all times. Whether seasons of little or seasons of plenty we should be careful to remember God and give Him the credit for all of our success. It is the Lord that gives a man the power to be successful, and “He” should receive all the praise and credit!

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for this day You’ve made. You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other! Truly You do provide the power for each man’s success. Help me Lord, remember You in all times, whether little or plenty. Thank You for the years spent in the wilderness that have humbled me and caused me to understand the source of all my success. Surly, You have great blessings planned for my future and through the testing of my character I have learned how to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. You are the great God, I love You, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 7, 2012 (Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 43; Mark 14)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Oh that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear Me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever.” Deuteronomy 5:29 NLT

Observation: God wanted the people to incline their heart to fear Him, He wanted them to want to respect and obey Him. The people were afraid for God to speak directly to them again, they wanted Moses to talk to God and tell them what He said. They agreed that if Moses would do this for them, they would listen and obey whatever God said. At this moment the heart of the people was right with God. He was well pleased with them and told of the blessings they would receive if their hearts were to stay in this condition.

Application: Here God reveals to us the secret of a prosperous life. Success and prosperity can come on a limited basis by the means of hard work and dedication only. But to have a heart that fears God and an attitude that refuses to do anything other than obey Him, leads a person and their descendants to prosperity forever! The secret to success and prosperity is obedience to God and His commands, decrees and regulations. Though this may sound legalistic to the human hear, those with spiritual ears can hear and understand the message God is speaking. All men desire God’s favor, but few are willing to pay the price of obedience.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for this day You’ve made, bless it and keep it for Your glory! Thank You for a heart that fears You and respects Your power. Help me be obedient to Your commands, decrees and regulations and walk daily in a reverent fear seeking nothing other than to be pleasing to You. Bless me according to Your will so that I may have to give to others. Teach me and my descendants to obey so that we can experience the prosperity forever You spoke of in Deuteronomy 5:29, in Jesus name, Amen!

March 6, 2012 (Deuteronomy 3-4; Psalm 36; Mark 13)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux: 

Scripture: “If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:40 NLT

Observation: God gave Moses instructions to give to the people before he died. He plainly gave the people instructions for righteous living. He warned them about the dangers and consequences of worshipping idols and expressed repeatedly for them to stay away from such things. Moses told the people what would happen to them and their children if they went astray after entering into the Promised Land. He said if you obey all these decrees and commands all will be well with you and your children, but if you do not obey you’re going to get in trouble.

Application: Many times people look at the decrees and commands of God and find them burdensome and overbearing. But in reality God has placed these boundaries in our lives to ensure our happiness. God’s boundaries are not meant to restrict our freedom, but rather to enhance our happiness. A life dedicated to serving ones own personal sinful desires cannot be claimed as a life of freedom, for a person like this is in bondage unaware. True freedom and happiness can only be found in obedience to God and His standards. He knows what’s best and He provides what’s best, if we will only receive it and enjoy it.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day You’ve made. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. You are the awesome God of the universe and above You there is no other. Thank You for the decrees and commands You provide for us to follow, they lead to Your pleasure and our happiness. The boundaries You place in our lives are for our own good, and I appreciate them. Help me Lord, submit and surrender to Your great power and holiness, in Jesus name, Amen!