"Word of God Speak"

January 22, 2012 (Exodus 3-5; Luke 22)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” Exodus 4:12 NLT

Observation: Moses was trying his best to get out of the mission God had called him to perform. Moses knew he was not a good speaker and worried that he would make a fool of himself trying to speak on God’s behalf. But God said, “who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?” God is in control of everything. He knows everything and He rules everything, period. God told Moses to go, but he kept begging God to send someone else, so God sent Aaron with Moses to help him.

Application: I can relate very well with Moses, I too am a poor speaker. My words get tangled and my red-neck dialect often causes me to sound ignorant and unlearned. But God knows all about my weaknesses. By His Spirit, He speaks through the mouth He made and causes me to utter the words He would have me to say. Who am I to be slothful in the work God has called me to do. Who am I to say I can’t do it. After all, it’s not me that performs any of the good deeds produced through me, its Christ. I think its time I stop making excuses and go do what God has called me to do!

Prayer: Dear Lord, You are awesome! I love how you answer prayer and give guidance through your word. I love how Your Spirit convicts me and leads me to Your will. I will go where You lead, perform the work You’ve called me to do by Your Spirit. Light the path, open the doors, glorify Your Son through this uneducated tongue tied preacher of the gospel of repentance. May Your Spirit be bold within me and assure me of Your presence by perfoming a supernatural work in the field You’ve called me to harvest, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 21, 2012 (Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country.” Exodus 1:10 NLT

Observation: “What if” drove the Egyptians to make decisions that changed the face of Egypt. A new King came into power that knew nothing of the things Joseph had done in the past. The Israelites, (Jacob’s descendants) were forced into slavery after the death of Joseph. Because of the increase in number and successfulness of the Israelites they became a threat to the Egyptians. Pride and fear led the Egyptians to make ungodly decisions that affected the lives of many people.

Application: Pride and fear have the same effect on us today. We often find ourselves in distress worrying about what “could happen”, instead of abiding in faith and trusting God, “whatever happens”. Fear will cause us to feel helpless and hopeless. It can shake us up and rock our world. But a faith built on the foundation of Christ shall not be moved!Steadfast faith brings us to trust in our Savior and provides peace beyond this world’s understanding. We must learn to trust Him and His wisdom, not our own power of knowing and thinking.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for this day You have made. Thank You for the rain that refreshes a parched ground. Thank You for Your word that refreshes a parched spirit. Water me with Your word and fill me with Your Spirit. Help me to remember to trust in You when the storms of life blow my way. Cast the fear of “what if” far from me, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 20, 2012 (Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” Genesis 50:20 NLT

Observation: Joseph’s brothers had committed evil and wicked acts against him many years before because of their jealousy. Satan used them, Joesph’s own family, to try to destroy him, and if they had succeeded, they would have been sentencing themselves to a horrible death of starvation. Even though they meant harm to Joseph, and harm to themselves unknowingly, God worked it out for the good of all of them. He used the situation to humble them all and teach them about His grace and mercy.

Application: Knowing that your own family desires to bring you harm and hurt has to be one of the toughest life lessons to endure. It’s just not natural for a mother, or sister, to desire harm to their own son and brother. I speak of personal experience. Yet, what they intended as harm, God has turned into peace. The void left by their actions has been filled by His Spirit. Truly, no weapon formed against me will prosper, no lie that has been told will cause me harm. Jesus is my protector and He is my provision. Whether He gives or takes away, whether He blesses me or uses me to preserve the lives of sinners, whether He lifts me up or humbles me to His feet, I am His and He is mine, and that is all that matters.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for Your grace and mercy that provides and protects me. You lift me up in the approiate times and You humble me when needed as well. Thank You for that, it proves to me just how much You care for me. Please turn what others have intended as harm in my life into good for Your glory. Show Your mercy and grace by supernaturally protecting those who serve You, while bringing to repentance those who have committed such acts of evil and deception. In Jesus name, Amen!

January 19, 2012 (Genesis 47-48; Psalm 10; Luke 19)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.” Luke 19:9 NLT

Observation: Zacchaeus met Jesus, took Him to his house, believed in Him as Lord, and immediately began proving by the way he was living he had been born again. Notice Jesus didn’t offer him a repeat after me prayer and tell him he was good to go. Jesus didn’t offer him, salvation without repentance. But because of his faith being put into action, Jesus testified that salvation had come to the house of Zacchaeus that day.

Application: When salvation comes to our house, we will change as well. No more will the same old way of doing things be acceptable. Our wishes and desires have been sold to Jesus; He purchased them with His blood, and paid for them in full. When salvation comes to our house, the chains that once bound us to sin are exchanged for a heart that binds us to Christ. He becomes our Lord, and we become His bond-servant. Upon accepting Christ as Savior, proving by the way we live, we receive the responsibility of conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, whatever happens.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the example of Zacchaeus. Thank You for moving upon his heart and performing the works of righteousness in him. Praise and glory to Your name that is above all names! Work in me to deliver the gospel message of repentance to those lost and bound to sin. Free us from the chains that bind us to sin and fill us with a heart that longs to serve and please You, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 18, 2012 (Genesis 44-46; Luke 18)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “So it was God who sent me here, not you! And He is the One who made me an adviser to Pharaoh–the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.” Genesis 45:8 NLT

Observation: Finally Joseph was seeing the sovereignty of God come into focus in all he had been through. The meaning of his dreams as a young man made more sense to him now than ever before. Joseph told his brothers, “don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place” for it was God, who sent me here, and He sent me here for a purpose. The purpose was to save the lives of sinners and offer grace to those who did not deserve it.

Application: The sovereignty of God is far above our understanding at times. Our eyes are often blind to seeing the reasoning or purpose of certain events or trials we face in this life. God’s sovereignty teaches us to trust Him in all circumstances. Even though satan may intend to bring us harm, God turns what was meant to be harm into good on our behalf. He used Joseph to preserve the lives of his own enemies. Those who at one time sold him into slavery, now depended on Joseph for survival. The grace and humility that Joseph extended to his brothers is a great example of Christ like love and compassion.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your grace and mercy, indeed we do not deserve it nor have we earned it, yet You offer it to us just the same. Thank You. Your sovereignty is amazing! You are the only true God and there is no other with power and glory like Yours. I praise and worship You for turning what satan meant as harm to me, into good. Fill me with Your Spirit, enable me to love and have compassion for my enemies like Joseph did. Speak to the hearts of those who are against me and show them the error of their ways. Draw them to Your Son Jesus, save them and set them free, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 17, 2012 (Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.” Luke 17:3 NLT

Observation: Jesus is giving some instruction on the topic of forgiveness. If another believer sins you are to rebuke them. To rebuke a fellow believer does not mean to point out every sin we see; but rather to bring to the believers attention the sin we see for the purpose of restoration. Our motive in rebuking should always be restoration, not self-centered satisfaction. Notice forgiveness is conditional. Jesus said, “then if there is repentance, forgive”. The condition that must be met to offer forgiveness, or receive forgiveness, is repentance. And if they repent, then as a believer you are obligated to forgive them, 70 times 7.

Application: It’s very difficult to forgive someone who has never admitted they did anything wrong. Simply saying, “if I’ve done anything against you, forgive me” is not repentance. The fact that the word “if” is used actually shows they do not recognize any wrong doing. When our motive in rebuking is restoration, we love a fellow believer enough to hold them to the standard of holiness God demands. Our desire is to see them restored to God whatever the cost, rather than destined for eternal hell in complete comfort. Forgiveness without repentance is not forgiveness, it’s merely a superficial deception that only fools the offender.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for revealing my sin to me so that I can repent for the things I do wrong. Keep my eyes open, keep my spirit humble. Show me the error of my ways so I can repent and walk uprightly with You. My desire is to live a life You are well pleased with. Guide me by Your word and may Your Spirit lead me on the pathway of righteousness. Open up the eyes of those who have sinned against me, save them from certain destruction and restore them to Yourself, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 16, 2012 (Genesis 39-41; Luke 16)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.” Genesis 40:23 NLT

Observation: Joseph explained a dream that the chief cup-bearer experienced while in prison. He put him at ease when he told him he would only be in prison for three days and then he would be restored to his position of chief cup-bearer. All Joseph asked was to be remembered when this restoration took place. Just mention my name to Pharaoh and let him know I’m a good guy, so to speak. But two more years passed before the chief cup-bearer would remember what Joseph had done for him.

Application: We far to often forget those who have helped us to get where we are. We take for granted the promotions and advancement we have received and often act as if we provided those opportunities for ourselves. We are “self made” men, or women, that’s what we like to say. That makes me laugh out loud! But for the grace of God we could not take our next breath. Without Him, we can do or accomplish nothing. He gives and He takes away, all for our good and His glory. If you have been raised up, its because He said it should be so. If you have been imprisoned falsely, trust Him, He has a plan working for you even now. He’s in control and He has not forgotten you, He’s simply preparing you.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for this day You’ve made, bless it and keep it. You are the awesome God of heaven and above You there is no other! Thank You for Your word that speaks wisdom to my soul. Help me apply the understanding You’ve given, proving by the way I live You are with me. As Your slave, You own me. You are my Lord, and I do trust You. Help me never forget those who have helped me along life’s way. May I pay forward their love and compassion extending that grace to those You place in my life, in Jesus name, Amen!