"Word of God Speak"

December 4, 2011 (Ephesians 1-4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But you did not learn Christ in this way,” Ephesians 4:20 NASB

Observation: The Gentiles walked in ways that were not godly or like Christ. Because of the hardness of their hearts and the lack of understanding in their mind they became callous. They submitted themselves to their sinful emotions and desires and became the servants of sin. They did not learn this type behaviour from Christ, quite the contrary.

Application: Although we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, it does not afford us the right to live in open sin and rebellion against God or His holy word. The gift of salvation, though freely given, comes with a great responsibility. To truly receive this gift, one must first completely surrender and submit to Christ as not only savior, but also Lord. This is why Christ instructed us to “consider the cost of being My disciple”. Total surrender to Christ is not as easy as it may sound. For the nature of flesh strives against the Spirit of God. As Christians, we must walk in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ and conduct ourselves according to the example lived by Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for Your marvelous grace that cleanses me from all unrighteousness. Help me do more than talk the talk, help me walk the walk. Prevent my heart from becoming callous and hardened. I desire to serve You with the compassion of Christ, by His example we learn. I need Your grace and mercy in my life. Open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing of mercy and grace on me, in Jesus name, Amen!

December 3, 2011 (Romans 13-16)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NASB

Observation: The Old Testament and New Testament is for our learning and instruction. The history of God’s people and the cycles of belief vs. unbelief they went through were recorded for our benefit. The mistakes they made we should be able to overcome because we have their example to guide us into better outcomes. We are taught to persevere and be encouraged by the scriptures, but to receive this blessing we must first open the scriptures and seek God in them.

Application: As a man, I often fail to read the instructions and find myself trusting far to much in my own ability; often this results in a catastrophe that brings about much pain. If only I’d reached for the knowledge and understanding that was provided for me, so much hurt could have been avoided. Our hope is in Christ and He is found in prayer and in scripture. We must learn to persevere and seek His word so that we can receive and enjoy the benefits of hope, being instructed and encouraged by His word.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for this great day You have spoke into existence. Praise and honor to Your name that is above all names! Thank You for Your word that instructs us and encourages us to persevere and have hope in You. Help us put into action the understanding we’ve gained from Your word. Help us stop repeating the same sin our forefathers have committed. Deliver us and save us from ourselves, in Jesus name, Amen!

December 2, 2011 (Romans 9-12)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either.” Romans 11:21 NASB

Observation: Paul gives solid advice to the Gentiles. He plainly teaches them that they must believe within their heart and confess with their mouth. Here, he gives a stern warning about commitment. If God didn’t spare His chosen people, Israel, when they refused to believe, how could He ignore the unbelief of Gentiles that professed with their mouths but failed to believe with their heart? Take a look at the kindness and severity of God. To those who fell in unbelief came severity, but to those who believed within their heart came God’s kindness. Paul warned those that receive God’s kindness should continue in His kindness, else they will also be cut off. (Romans 11:22)

Application: We must be careful to boast in Christ Jesus and His sacrifice only. We endanger ourselves when our pride begins to swell and make us arrogant. God is a god of justice and mercy. He gives mercy to whom He chooses, and His wrath is poured out to whom He wills as well. We do ourselves well, to seek God’s mercy daily. We should be careful to sow seeds of mercy in regards to others, so that when harvest time comes we have an abundance of mercy to reap for ourselves. For if God did not spare His chosen people because of their lack in belief, how can we be so arrogant as to think He will spare us in ours?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I seek Your mercy today. Help me sow seeds of mercy into the field You’ve called me to labor in. Father cause those seeds to produce a harvest of mercy for my soul in the appointed time. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness. Praise and honor to Your wonderful name! For You are the God of justice and mercy and Your kindness is realized throughout all creation. Blessed be Your name forever and ever, in Jesus name, Amen!

December 1, 2011 (Romans 5-8)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” Romans 8:14 NASB

Observation: Paul is letting us know how we can recongize a true Christian. If a person is being led by the Spirit of God, they are indeed a child of God. Those that are being led by the Spirit are putting to death the deeds of the flesh, as they walk in the Spirit of Christ. They have been buried with Christ in His death, and raised with Him in His likeness. No longer slaves to the law of sin and death we have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, Abba Father.

Application: A simple profession of faith is not proof that any conversion has taken place. Many profess with their lips they love God, but their heart is far from Him. The presence of God’s Holy Spirit in our life provides us hope for our future. We wait eagerly for our adoption as sons to be final when our body has been redeemed and transformed from corruptible into incorruptible. Our hope is in Christ and we long for the day He receives us unto Himself. Hope that has been seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already has? But our hope in Christ causes us to persevere, while we wait for what we hope for to become reality.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank You for Your Son Jesus! He is our hope and future! Your Spirit fills us and provides strength and encouragement to persevere and endure until the end. I praise and worship You today Father, for You are the awesome God of heaven who watches over His children. May I be led by Your Spirit today in all that I do, in Jesus name, Amen!

November 30, 2011 (Romans 1-4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” Romans 1: 21-22 NASB

Observation: Here the people knew God but did not honor Him. They honored their traditions, but did not honor God. They became useless in their speculation that being physically circumcised made one whole. Their foolish heart was darkened and though in their own mind they were wise, they became fools in the site of God.

Application: A lot of people today claim to “know” God, but do they honor Him or give thanks? I mean honor Him in a way that is honorable. I mean talk the talk, but also walk the walk. Or are we just like the people Paul was speaking about? Do we trust in our traditions more than the word of God? Have we become useless in our speculations as to what a real Christian is? Has our foolish heart became darkened and desensitized to the true gospel? Yes, we boast of our wisdom, yet foolishly live as if God don’t know or see our lives.

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, I praise and worship You this morning. You are the awesome God of heaven that was, that is, and is to come! Help me Lord not become futile or foolish. I desire to honor You and bring You glory. Not by mere word only, but by the life I live. May Your Spirit guide me into conduct that is worthy of the gospel You have called me to. In Jesus name, Amen!

November 29, 2011 (1 Thessalonians 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NASB

Observation: Paul is making it plain and clear for the church to know what kind of life God has called a Christian to live. A Christian is not called for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. We must be intentional and careful to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. A person that rejects the instructions provided in scripture as to how a Christian should walk, is not rejecting man, they are rejecting God.

Application: The message Paul spoke unto the Thessalonians was a message of love and encouragement. He praised them for the good they were doing and encouraged them to excel even more. But notice he also preached a message of conviction when it came to sin. He plainly told the people what type activities they were not to be taking part of. Sexual immorality is not only still being practiced by those in the church, but now the church has accepted and embraced those who commit such acts. The message of conviction has been replaced by the sermon of acceptance.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise and worship You for who You are. You are great, mighty and wonderful! Your word is everlasting forever and ever. Thank You for servants like Paul that preach a message of encouragement with instruction in righteousness. Father cleanse me of all sin and prepare my heart to receive Your word. Sanctify me by Your Spirit and for Your purpose. I accept and receive You as Lord and Savior, in Jesus name, Amen!

November 28, 2011 (Matthew 28; 1 Thessalonians 1-3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB

Observation: Paul was thankful to finally see some people embrace Christ and the grace He has to offer. The people received the word of God from Paul and accepted it for what it was. It’s the word of God that works in a believer to perform the work Christ started. To be a believer one must be willing to put into action the word of God they have received, when action is taken the work of Christ is performed.

Application: It’s easy to get discouraged when you proclaim the word of God to a people that reject and refuse it. Think of the Prophets of old, how they suffered rejection and ridicule for proclaiming the word of God. The gospel message is still the same today and yes it’s still rejected and the messengers are still ridiculed. But oh what joy fills our soul when we see people embrace Christ. Their lives are changed and they become a vessel that brings God honor. For a preacher of the gospel, there is nothing greater than to see a soul born again, walking in the newness of life in Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You so much for Jesus. Thank You for those whom You have called and elected to hear Your word. May the words I speak be Yours, and the message I proclaim bring You honor and glory. Provide courage for me in the midst of rejection. Provide strength in the midst of persecution. Provide power to endure until the very end being faithful to You and Your word. In Jesus name, Amen!