"Word of God Speak"

January 1, 2012 (Genesis 1-2; Luke 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” Luke 1:20 NLT

Observation: Zechariah was visited by Gabriel and foretold of the birth of John. Zechariah and Elizabeth were older and had already given up on having children, but God was about to do the impossible. Zechariah was relying on the wisdom and understanding of man to come to his conclusions. He was being rational according to man’s understanding. Because he didn’t believe what Gabriel said he was unable to speak for over nine months! God ways are far above ours, He can do miraculous things our minds can’t comprehend.

Application: Nothing is impossible with God, for the word of God will never fail! The word’s of God are faithful and true and can be trusted and counted on. Our responsibility is to believe and trust in what He says. He will perform the words He has spoken. Though our situation may look impossible or hopeless, God will make a way. He will protect and provide for His own, for He is a loving and caring Father that desires to do good to His children. Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, nor has the mind of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for being the very image of faithfulness we can learn from. You are the awesome God of heaven and above You there is no other! You perform what appears to be impossible to man. Your works are amazing and astonishing to me. I lift You up and worship You today, for You are my God and I am Your child. Thank You for Your Son Jesus who made this possible. What You speak, happens. You have spoken a word of protection over me from my enemies and I believe it will be performed, in Jesus name, Amen!

December 31, 2011 (Revelation 19-22)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are it’s temple.” Revelation 21:22 NASB

Observation:  The new Jerusalem has a brilliance like a very costly stone. Fifthteen hundred miles square, a pure gold city, with a foundation twelve layers thick adorned with every kind of precious stone. The walls are made of jasper and the city has twelve gates made of single pearls. The new Jerusalem is not adorned with a fancy temple to worship God in, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are it’s temple!

Application: In America today the church spends an awful lot of time building beautiful temples to worship God in. These temple’s have become our object of worship and are ultimately being built in vain. God’s new city is adorned like no other building or place that has ever been constructed on earth, yet John saw no temple in it. Why? I believe it’s because God the Father and Jesus the Lamb demands to be the object of our worship and will not tolerate any competition. The Lord God Almighty and Jesus the Lamb of God, are to be the object of our worship, not a building made by men that fails to even glimpse the glory of a Holy God and a risen Savior.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank You for Your wonderful grace and mercy that You provide so freely. Help me Lord keep my eyes focused on You. You are the object of my worship and You are above all else. I look forward to the day I kneel before You and worship You face to feet. I love You Lord and ask that You would forgive me for the years I spent worshipping church instead of You, in Jesus name, Amen!

December 30, 2011 (Revelation 15-18)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose names has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come.” Revelation 17:8 NASB

Observation: The beast was alive, then died, and now comes back to life. The beast’s resurrection displays the relentless persistence of evil. Those that dwell on the earth at this time will wonder when they see the beast come back to life. This display of power will cause many to be deceived, follow after, worship and serve the beast. However, according to this verse, their fate was sealed before the foundations of the world were created. Their names had not been written in the book of life, therefore they are fulfilling the will of a sovereign God.

Application: Never has 2 Peter 1:10 made more since to me as now. “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you;” We didn’t choose Christ, He chose us. Before the foundation of the earth was made the names of who He has chosen was written. We act like we have so much impact and involvement with who stands with Christ in the final day and yet it has already been decided. Today’s study makes me consider what it means to have my name written in the book of life and what is required of me to make that election certain.

Prayer: Lord, I praise and worship You. For You are powerful and great. Above You there is no other. One day the prophecy written in the book of Revelation will come to pass and I pray for strength to stand for You, whatever happens. Father, I know Your presence within me and I’m thankful my name has been recorded in the book of life from before the foundation of the world was. Forgive me for acting so boastful and prideful at times as if I’ve had anything to do with that. For You are a God above all gods and Your will and desire will be completed. Have mercy on me Lord, in Jesus name, Amen!

December 29, 2011 (Revelation 10-14)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” Revelation 13:10 NASB

Observation: God is sovereign and has a plan for each persons life. He has already determined the events one will face in this life and the eternal. Nothing catches God by surprise or off guard. If He has destined you for captivity, then to captivity you go. But if this must be, rest assured it’s for His glory and your good. Our duty is to remain faithful and obedient and persevere whatever happens. Though our flesh may suffer loss, our spirit will enjoy life eternal with Him.

Application: The day is coming when this world will face times like it’s never seen before. The events that are on the horizon for this earth will be so dramatic and supernatural that many will fall and follow after satan and his plan of destruction. Many of these people are professors of Christ, but their true colors shine forth under persecution and affliction. It’s true already, you will know a true follower of Christ by their fruit. If the first thing they do when calamity strikes is turn away from God, there’s a good chance they are not true followers. True followers run to Christ when calamity strikes. Their strength and provision is found in Him alone.

Prayer: Dear Lord, praise and honor I give to Your name. For You are holy and eternal and have complete control over everything in heaven and on earth. Strengthen me to stand faithful whatever happens. Remind me to run to You when calamity strikes and trust You completely. If captivity is my destiny may I be taken captive with full trust and assurance of Your sovereignty. Prepare in me, the perseverance and the faith I need to please You, in Jesus name, Amen!

December 28, 2011 (Revelation 5-9)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood; idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk!” Revelation 9:20 NLT

Observation: Hail and fire mixed with blood thrown down to the earth sets one third of the earth on fire, burning one third of the trees and all of the green grass. A great mountain of fire is thrown into the sea turning one third of the sea into blood, killing one third of the living creatures in the sea and destroying one third of the ships on the sea. A great star named “Bitterness” fell from the sky into the rivers and springs making the water bitter and poisoned killing many people. One third of the sun, moon and stars were struck with darkness and one third of the day and one third of the night became dark. The bottomless pit was opened and out poured locust with power to sting like scorpions. They were sent to torture, not kill. People will long to die, but death will not have them. Then a great army is released to kill one third of the people left. Riding horses that had fire and smoke coming from their mouths and tails like snakes that injured people.

Application: But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood; idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk! Wow! What more could I say? People’s hearts had become so hardened by sin that even great plagues and terror could not bring them to repentance. Temptation entertained today will lead to sin tomorrow, a habit the next day, and then death and separation from God forever in the end. To think you could never become this evil is the first step toward a hard heart. If we don’t acknowledge the need we have to confess our sins and repent today, we will not recognize our need for repentance then either. Repent while you still have the privilege!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your Son Jesus. Thank You for the Salvation that is offered through Him. Help us remember and acknowledge the need we have to confess and repent daily. Keep us from evil and protect us from harm. Do not allow my heart to be hardened, mold me day by day into the servant You desire, in Jesus name, Amen!

December 27, 2011 (Revelation 1-4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “…to everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.” Rev. 2:7 NLT “..Whoever is victorious will not be harmed by the second death.” Rev. 2:11 NLT “..To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven.” Rev. 2:17 NLT “…To all who are victorious, who obey me to the end, to them I will give…” Rev. 2:26 NLT “…All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life…” Rev. 3:5 NLT “…All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God..” Rev. 3:12 NLT “…Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne..” Rev. 3:21 NLT

Observation: John wrote seven letters to seven churches that contained the message that Christ wanted them to hear. He had a complaint against five out of the seven churches. Only the church at Smyrna and Philadelphia did He commend and not find complaint against. Christ did not tell any of them to rest in His victory, but rather He instructed them to become victorious themselves. Every church received the message that they must be victorious. To begin the good fight of faith and then turn back does not please God. In fact victory only comes to those that endure and remain faithful until the very end. If it were not possible for a persons name to be erased from the Book of Life, then Christ had no purpose to offer the warning. Being victorious is not an option, it is a must.

Application: We are taught today to rest in who we are in Christ. God’s “unconditional” love will save us and keep us no matter what sin we commit. We are holy! We have salvation today, we possess it now! There is no longer any need to hope for what you already have! All your sins, past, present and future are already forgiven! Don’t even concern yourself with sin, Jesus paid the price for you! You are free, yes even to sin! Yet if this is true then why the warnings in Revelation? If we are eternally secure already why strive to live as Christ said? If all who profess Christ as Savior are going to heaven no matter what, why must we be victorious? Isn’t living a victorious, obedient life more of an option that a must? Wasn’t Christ mistaken when He said being victorious was a requirement of God (Rev. 3:2)? I think not! Our faith is a key principle of salvation. We are saved by grace through “faith”. Faithfulness is not an element of salvation that can be removed!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank Your for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day! Thank You for Your word that gives me warning and correction. Thank You for telling me the truth. Teach me Your ways and help me be faithful to all Your requirements. It is an honor and a privilege to submit to each one of them. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right at all times. In Jesus name, Amen!

December 26, 2011 (Psalm 117; Psalm 119: 81-176; 2 John; 3 John)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9 NLT

Observation: Becoming a disciple of Christ is serious business. That’s why Jesus warned us to consider the cost of being His disciple before we committed ourselves to the task. Many of those disciple’s that walked with Jesus and spent time with Him personally decided that the price was too much for them to pay (See John 6:66). For it to be possible to “wander away” you must first be committed to what you would wander away from. John tells us that those that wander away from the teaching of Christ do not have a relationship with God. Whether a person can lose, or sever, their relationship with God is the center of much debate among believers but His word tells us plainly, only as we are connected to Christ and found obeying His teaching can we have security that our relationship is right with God. We must not only commit to Him at some point, but we must remain faithful to Him until the very end.

Application: You will not hear very many sermons on these particular verses in most churches today. We have forsaken the “discipline” scriptures and tend to favor the “love, peace, and security” scriptures much more. We have believed to “old wives tale” you can catch more bees with honey than vinegar. But the object of Christianity is not to catch bees, but rather to make disciples. Honey is not our bait, truth is. Due to our lack of focus on the scriptures that teach discipline and encourage us to hold on to the teachings of Christ whatever happens; we have produced a generation that no longer values holiness as a lifestyle. The music we listen to, and the movies we watch, the places we go, the things we say, are all evidence that holiness has no value in our lives. Too many believers look, act, walk, and talk like the world. If we wander away from the holiness teachings of Christ, we have no relationship with God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for keeping a watchful eye on me; keep me where I’m supposed to be. Adjust my attitude by renewing my mind daily. Give me the wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, at all times! My hope and my trust is in You alone, I depend on You for all things. Rise up with Your strong right arm and destroy the plans my enemy has made; may they be caught in their own trap, in Jesus name, Amen!