"Word of God Speak"

February 19, 2012 (Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in Me.” Acts 26:18 NLT

Observation: Paul tells of the instructions he received from Jesus. Paul was not only sent to the Jews but to the Gentiles as well to open their eyes. The eyes of the Jews were blinded by religion and the eyes of the Gentiles were blinded by society. Paul’s message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ hinged on a persons decision to turn from darkness unto light. True repentance from sin will turn a person from the power of satan to the power of God Almighty. Notice Jesus said if they would turn from darkness unto light, and turn from the power of satan to the power of God, “then” they would recieve  forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people.

Application: Even though it’s not talked about much anymore, turning from darkness unto the light of Jesus is still the first necessary step in becoming a Christian. One can never begin a relationship with Jesus without first repenting of sin and turning toward God. When the architect of the universe sent His Son to earth the purpose was for the building of a bridge. He was not building a bridge to nowhere, He was building a bridge to Himself. Jesus is the bridge God built to deliver those who desire to be with Him. To walk this bridge one must be turned from darkness and walking in the light. We must forsake the power of satan and submit fully to the power of God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day, bless it and keep it for Your glory. Thank You for Your amazing grace and mercy that provide and protect me daily. I praise You for Your word that feeds my soul with heavenly nourishment that the world cannot offer. Father I commit to turning from darkness and walking in the light. Thank You for the bridge You bulit with Your Son Jesus that leads me to the place You have given me among Your people. In Jesus name, Amen!

February 18, 2012 (Numbers 3-4; Acts 25)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!” Acts 25:12 NLT

Observation: Felix had left Paul in prison when he departed in an effort to gain favor with the Jews. Festus was of the same opinion. He desired favor from the Jews, but didn’t know how he was going to accomplish this. The Jews wanted to kill Paul even though Festus found him guilty of no crime worthy of death. Paul’s appeal unto Caesar gave Festus the out he needed. He conferred with his advisers and pounced quickly on the opportunity to send Paul on to Rome. Little did he know it was all part of God’s divine plan.

Application: By now it has been several years that the Jews have been trying to kill Paul. They were relentless and refused to give up. Paul however, used this opportunity to preach the gospel to people he would not have ordinarily had the chance to speak to. God once again proves He is not bound by any situation or circumstance. As Christians today we must learn to be faithful to God and steadfast in our faith reguardless of the situation or circumstance we find ourselves in. Like Paul, we must conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, whatever happens.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for this day You’ve made. It’s going to be a great day simply because of Your presence. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily! You are the awesome God and above You there is no other! I Praise You for working in every situation and circumstance in my life. Your Spirit leads and guides me into all truths and for that I’m forever grateful. Bless me Father to be steadfast and faithful whatever happens, in Jesus name, Amen!

February 17, 2012 (Numbers 1-2; Acts 24)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes.” Acts 24:5 NLT

Observation: Five days after Paul arrived in Caesarea his accusers showed up. Ananias the high priest, some of the Jewish elders, and a lawyer named Robert Shapiro, well actually his name was Tertullus. They accused Paul of being a troublemaker and constantly stirring up riots among the Jews. I suppose this was partially true, Paul did preach the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ and we know full well how that got the Jews blood pressure up! They said he was the ringleader of a cult. Even though they had studied the scriptures for years they didn’t recognize them being fulfilled before their eyes.

Application: In modern day America we don’t view being labeled as a troublemaker a good thing. Being accepted, received, and viewed in a favorable light has become the center of our ambition. Most sermons preached in American churches today would not offend anyone, not even satan, much less start a riot. I believe satan attends the local church and shouts hallelujah when the socially accepted, religiously tolerant sermons of peaceful betrayal are uttered. The gospel needs a ring leader like Paul, who is willing to not only be bound for the sake of Christ, but willing to die for His sake if necessary. Like the Jews in Paul’s day we have studied the scriptures for years, we should be careful not to miss them being fulfilled right before our eyes.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your wonderful mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. You are the awesome God of heaven and above You there is no other. Father, reveal Your truth to me. Help me not miss the scriptures being fulfilled before my very eyes. Remove the scales from my eyes and allow me to see clearly. I long to see You, I long to be with You. May I learn more each day what Your desire is for my life, in Jesus name, Amen!

February 16, 2012 (Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.” Acts 23:15 NLT

Observation: This group of Jews had formed an alliance in agreement to kill Paul. Forty of them took an oath not to eat or drink until Paul was killed. They went to the leading priest and elders and told them about the oath they had taken. They ask them and the high council to ask for Paul to be brought back over for more questioning, and their plan was to kill him on the way over. Paul’s statement about being ready to die for Christ sake was about to be tested once again.

Application: But God steps in and saves the life of Paul just in the nick of time. God strategically placed his nephew to over hear the wicked plan of the Jews. The young man went to Paul and warned him of the planned attack. So Paul sent his nephew to the commander to tell him what was going on. The commander had Paul safely sent on to stand before Governor Felix and spoiled the evil scheme of the Jews. God had a plan for Paul’s life and it didn’t include death at this time. What a privilege it is to trust in the God of the universe and be completely assured of His presence and protection!

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for Your word that teaches and instructs me for Your glory. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that protected and provided for Paul, and for the same mercy and grace that provides and protects me on a daily basis. Thank You for Your Spirit that leads, guides and instructs me according to Your will. Your strong right arm saves and protects those who belong to You. Praise and honor to Your name forever, in Jesus name, Amen!

February 15, 2012 (Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?” Acts 22:25 NLT

Observation: At this point things are not going to well for Paul. A riot has broken out and the mob is ready to kill Paul right there in the middle of the street. Earlier in Acts 21:13 Paul was ready to not only be bound for Christ in Jerusalem, but he was ready to die there. But here we find Paul not so eager or zealous about death. Paul went from ready to die for Christ, to doing all he could to save his life for Christ. God used Paul’s Roman citizenship to save his life at this moment. Maybe if he had been sensitive to the warning of the Holy Spirit this suffering could have been avoided.

Application: Paul is a great example for each of us in many ways. His zeal to serve God is hard to match and his determination is at times unbelievable. He was determined to preach to the Jews in Jerusalem whatever happened, until whatever happened was staring him in the face. His readiness to not only be bound for Christ sake, but to die for the sake of Christ, didn’t include being beaten and tortured. Paul had a quicker type death envisioned I think. Our zeal and eagerness to do something good can cause us to get ahead of God if we’re not careful. God is not bound by our decisions, right or wrong, and He can use any situation and circumstance and still accomplish His will. Maybe, just maybe, if Paul could do it all again, he would heed the warning of the Holy Spirit and take a less tumultuous path to Rome.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Help me Lord, listen to Your Holy Spirit and heed His warnings. I desire the zeal and the determination of Paul but I request the temperance of Christ along with it. Help me Lord, be willing to suffer when it’s Your will, but be wise enough to avoid it if it’s an unnecessary detour to the destination You’re already taking me anyway. In Jesus name, Amen!

February 14, 2012 (Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.” Acts 21:12 NLT

Observation: In Acts 21:4 the believers in Tyre prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem. However, Paul ignored the warning and sailed on to the town of Caesarea where several days later he encountered a man named Agabus. Agabus took Paul’s belt and bound his hands and feet and said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘so shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.'” At this time the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. But once again Paul ignored the danger and pressed on toward Jerusalem, not only willing to be bound but also willing to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.

Application: Jesus had told Paul much earlier of all the things he would suffer for His sake. Paul was not only willing, but he was eager to get it on. He was determined to go to Jerusalem even if it meant he would die there. My question is, did he have to go through so much suffering and persecution to get where God was leading him? The Holy Spirit had tried to use several people to encourage him not to go on to Jerusalem at this time. Could it be that Paul’s zealous spirit had led him down a road he didn’t have to travel once again? This determination to go on to Jerusalem, in spite of the Holy Spirit’s warning, led him to an immediate compromise that began an amazing course of suffering. In his effort to keep peace with the Jewish church in Jerusalem Paul compromised on what seemed to be a nonessential issue. However his plan of peace turned into a riot.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that leads and guides me along life’s pathway. You have given Your Spirit as my comforter and guide. Help me Lord to listen to the wisdom of Your Holy Spirit. Keep me from self inflicted suffering and pain. Help me to see clearly the path You would have me to travel in Jesus name, Amen!

February 13, 2012 (Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike — the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and having faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21 NLT

Observation: Paul worked for the Lord humbly, with many tears. He endured the trials that came from the Jews to hurt, harm and kill him. He never shrank back or sugar coated the message of truth the Lord had called him to proclaim. He didn’t back down from telling the people what they needed to hear, whatever happened. Paul considered his life worth nothing unless he used it to finish the work God had called him to. He had one message to all people Jews, Greeks and even Gentiles, the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Application: I think it would serve many pastors and preachers well to imitate Paul when it comes to proclaiming the gospel message. The message must be delivered humbly and with many tears. Preaching the gospel message straight forward without sugar coating it, can and will, bring out the worst in people. Paul’s life was threatened because he refused to fit in with society and preach a seeker senstive gospel message that lacked the necessity of repentance. He preached and proclaimed the truth and he did not slack off. We have the responsibility to continue his legacy by proclaiming the gospel truth with boldness just as he did. Our message should be the same as his, the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for this day You’ve made, bless it and keep it for Your glory. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that provide and protect me daily. Thank You for the gifts You have given me in the form of family. Thank You for the time I have had and will have with each of them. Father, like Paul, You have given me one message; help me be faithful in completing the work You’ve called me to do. Forgive me for shrinking back in the past due to opposition and fearful expectation of the unknown. I trust You to take care of me according to Your will, whatever happens, in Jesus name, Amen!