"Word of God Speak"

 January 15, 2012 (Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, a wild animal has eaten him. Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” Genesis 37:20 NLT

Observation: Joseph’s brothers had become very jealous of him. So jealous, that killing him seemed to be right and justified in their minds. Jealousy led them to conspire to commit murder and then lie about it to their own father. They we’re outraged at the thought of Joseph’s dreams coming true and being about them. They would never bow to him! But God knows how to bend a prideful knee. And, He also knows how to preserve the lives of those He’s called to specific tasks. Truly He is a sovereign God, very much in control.

Application: Jealousy is a sin that we must intentionally keep watch for. It can overcome us before we know it and cause us to commit acts completely against a godly character. Jealousy can quickly turn into rage and completely blind us from discerning right from wrong. Almost always, jealousy leads to other sins as well. Lying, stealing, and cheating, all being justified by the unreasonable feelings caused by jealousy. It will turn siblings against one another and destroy families. It has been known to divide and split churches causing an ungodly division. Jealousy has a tremendous impact on our lives and it’s far too great a sin to ignore.

Prayer: Father, thank You for this day You’ve made, bless it and keep it. I pray You would cleanse my heart from the sin of jealousy and cause me to be filled with compassion towards others. Forgive me for being jealous of the blessings You give to others. By Your Spirit, reveal any sin in my life, so that I may repent and please You. It is my desire to live a life You would be well pleased with. With Jesus as my guide I’m sure to be successful. Thank You for Your blessings and protection, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 14, 2012 (Genesis 34-36; Luke 14)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux: 

Scripture: “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?”   Luke 14:28 NLT

Observation: Jesus had just informed the crowd of the cost associated with being one of His disciples. He told them they must, by comparison, hate everyone else. Fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, sisters and yes even their own life too! He plainly told them “don’t begin until you count the cost”. In other words, don’t put your hand to the plow until you are sure you are fully committed. Because one that puts their hand to the plow and then turns back, is not fit for the Kingdom of God.

Application: You don’t hear that type of invitation in most churches today. Many have decided that telling people the truth about the cost associated with being a follower of Christ is to offensive in this modern day we live in. But I must point out; it was offensive in the days of Christ as well. An invitation like that of Jesus affords people the opportunity to become true followers of Christ. An invitation that fails to mention the cost one must be willing to pay, is deceptive and unethical in my opinion. We can plainly see the results this type of political correct invitation has had on the church. We have many confessors, but few true followers.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for Your word that speaks the truth to me plainly. Thank You for being more concerned about my souls eternal existence, than my temporal earthly feelings. Fill me with Your Spirit and strengthen me to proclaim the truth of Your gospel with boldness and true courage. May the invitation to follow You, proceeding from my mouth to others on Your behalf, be just as You have said it. My hands are to the plow, and there is no turning back, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 13, 2012 (Genesis 31-33; Luke 13)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.” Luke 13:24 NLT

Observation: Accepting the gift of salvation requires more concentrated effort than most people are willing to put forth. Even though salvation is often touted as being free, it has a cost associated with it few will be willing to pay. Obviously we cannot save ourselves by any works we perform and there is no way we can work our way into God’s favor. Salvation comes through Christ and Him alone. We work hard to enter the narrow door by earnestly desiring to know Jesus and diligently striving to follow Him whatever the cost.

Application: The fact that Jesus said, “many will try to enter but will fail” should cause a four alarm warning to go off in our heart. Just going through the motions with a half-hearted commitment will not assure our victory. More than a simple confession with our lips is required. Our belief and confession should be demonstrated by the actions of our lives. If we say “I am a follower of Christ”, then the actions of our lives should reflect that proclamation. We must be intentional and live for Christ on purpose, other wise our sinful nature will lead us to the broad pathway of destruction and away from the narrow door of salvation.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for this wonderful day You have made. Bless it and keep it for Your name’s sake. You are awesome and the very image of holiness, I praise and worship You for there is no other god above You! Strengthen me to work hard to enter the narrow door to Your Kingdom. May the proclamation from my lips be proven by the way I live, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 12, 2012 (Genesis 29-30; Luke 12)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21 NLT

Observation: Clearly the most important asset a person can have in life is a rich relationship with God. Many will work themselves to exhaustion or physical sickness, seeking more and more earthly wealth, only in the end to realize it doesn’t satisfy them like they’d hoped for. Jesus said, when a person spends the majority of their time and effort storing up earthly wealth, while ignoring their relationship with God, they are a fool.

Application: A rich relationship with God should be first and foremost in the life of a follower of Christ. While we are instructed to work and provide for our families this task should never overshadow our relationship with Christ. We must learn to be intentional when nurturing our relationship with God or else we will find ourselves wrapped up and tied up in the things of the world. The cares of this life have caused many to go astray and find themselves wandering the broad pathway that leads to destruction. Jesus however, provides clear instruction on finding the straight and narrow pathway that leads to eternal life. It’s found only in a rich relationship with Him.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for the many blessings You have provided to me and my family. Thank You for the protection and victory You’ve given me over my enemies! Help me Lord, have a rich relationship with You. Keep my eyes focused on You and Your will for my life. May I be found dressed and ready for service when You call on me, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 11, 2012 (Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.” Luke 11:52 NLT

Observation: Jesus is coming down hard on the Pharisees and the experts in religion. He plainly tells them the truth. The truth they didn’t want to hear! He openly rebuked them for their incorrect interpretation of the scriptures and the addition of their own man made rules and regulations. They had removed the key to knowledge for the people by teaching things that were not of God. They twisted the plain and simple truth and turned it into a yoke of burden. They were not on the strait and narrow path that led to the Kingdom of God and they were preventing others from finding the path as well. Oh what sorrow awaits those who twist the scriptures for earthly gain.

Application: You would think we would learn from the lessons of old and not make the same mistakes. But history proves humans continue a repetitive cycle of sin against God. In spite of all the lessons in history available to learn from, we continue down the same road of destruction as the Pharisees and experts in religious law of old. Many have incorrectly interpreted the scriptures and are openly accepting sin that has been clearly defined as wrong in the eyes of God. Not only do we accept it, but we have learned how to encourage it in Jesus name. Oh what sorrow awaits those who remove the key of knowledge from the people. Those who do such things will not enter the Kingdom, and are preventing others as well.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your amazing grace and mercy that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that is truth. Help me understand it and apply it correctly. Help me interpret Your word the way You intended. Provide the key of knowledge to us. Open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to receive Your truth, in Jesus name, Amen!

January 10, 2012 (Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Then He said to His disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.” Luke 10:16 NLT

Observation: Jesus was about to send His disciples out to proclaim the gospel message of repentance. Jesus knew many would reject the truth when it was laid out before them. He prepared the disciples for this rejection and informed them that when the message was rejected, it was in fact, Jesus that was being rejected and God who had sent Him. He also assured them that those who accepted the message, also accepted Him.

Application: Many times those who have been called to deliver the gospel message of repentance will be rejected. But as followers of Jesus Christ we must remember that the message we proclaim is not our own. It is the gospel message that God the Father gave to the Son, Jesus. When we proclaim the truth of God’s word and people reject it, we should be careful to realize what is truly being rejected. The rejection we face must never be allowed to discourage us from faithfully delivering the message we have been charged with proclaiming.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for the rain that falls from the sky and waters the earth to bring forth increase. Thank You for Your word that waters my soul and brings forth increase. You are the awesome God of heaven and above You there is no other! Strengthen Your disciples to proclaim Your message with boldness and turn the hearts of many toward You today, in Jesus name, Amen!   

January 9, 2012 (Genesis 23-24; Luke 9)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 NLT

Observation: This verse of scripture speaks directly to the responsibility of commitment we have when accepting Christ as Savior. Putting our hand to the plow we must make Him first and foremost in our lives. Total dedication, not half-hearted commitment is what Jesus requires. Houses, land, money, jobs, and even family are second to Him. He demands to be most important and will accept nothing less. To be eternally secure in Christ, one must put their hand to the plow and never look back or let go, whatever happens.

Application: Half-hearted confession, followed by half-hearted commitment, has become the standard in the church today. Many pastors unknowingly encourage this type commitment by offering salvation free. A salvation free from any cost from the converted whatsoever. A salvation free from any change in lifestyle or attitude. A salvation free from any personal accountability. “Repeat after me this simply prayer and you are good to go”, so they say. But in reality Christ warned us to consider the cost associated with following Him. Putting our hand to the plow we should acknowledge that we are no longer our own, we have been bought with a price. Christ, and only Christ, makes us fit for the Kingdom of God. Commit to Him today, and don’t look back!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day You’ve made. Bless it and keep it, may Your face shine upon it. Thank You for the commitment required to be a true follower of Christ. Thank You for the standard of holiness You’ve put into place for us to live up to. Thank You for Your Spirit that leads us to understanding Your truth and helps us apply it to our lives. Putting my hand to the plow of the gospel, help me hold on and never look back, whatever happens, in Jesus name, Amen!