"Word of God Speak"

October 23, 2011 (Job 13-14; Acts 17-18 )

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “You (God) have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer.” Job 14:5 NLT

Observation: Job recognizes that God is in control. He accepts that God makes all the final decisions and no one can do anything about it. Humanity is frail, life is short and generally full of trouble, yet Job finds hope in God. Job desperately wants to know what sin he has committed; he longs to know what he’s done wrong. He boldly wants to take his case before God himself, even if it means death for him. Job understood that it was God who decided when the day of death would come for him, but he didn’t understand why God would allow him to suffer so much. He thought himself to be such a frail creature, why would God even concern Himself so much.

Application: God sets the birth date and the death date for all living things. Those two dates have already been decided long ago. As humans we tend to focus a lot on these two dates, yet not so much on the dash in between them. The day we were born was determined and decided by God, and the day we depart is ordered by Him as well. No sickness or disease can take us a moment sooner and no calamity or disaster can claim us before the date He has ordered. Yet no doctor or medicine can prevent that date from being fulfilled. When it’s our time to go, we are as good as gone. Knowing and understanding this, we should focus more on the dash between the dates, than the beginning and ending dates themselves. The most important part of our lives will not be the beginning or the end, but rather the dash in between.

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 the beginning of my life and the end that You have already determined. Help me focus on the dash between those dates more than the dates themselves. You have decided the length of my life already; I thank You for what time You have given. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard, in Jesus name, Amen!

October 22, 2011 (Job 11-12; Acts 15-16)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.” Acts 16:14 NASB

Observation: Paul and Timothy had went to the riverside on the Sabbath day and started preaching to some women who had gathered there. Lydia was listening to what the Lord had to say through Paul, when God opened her heart to receive the message. She accepted Christ as Savior and she became a great help to the church from that day forward. She not only opened her heart, but she responded.

Application: As preachers we often take credit for what God does. We do it unintentionally but none the less we do it. We make claims like, “I led that young man to the Lord today” or “I got twenty saved at church today” or my favorite, “I taught the people with godly understanding today”. We need to realize that it takes God to open the heart of people to receive Him. He does all the work, the wooing, and all the saving. At best we are merely tools He uses to accomplish His work. And we should be thankful and grateful to be used by God in such a way, not boastful.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for opening my heart to receive You and the message You proclaim through ordinary men like myself. You are great and worthy to be praise all the day long. Father all the glory is Yours for all the work You perform! Use me as a tool that accomplishes Your will and work. Use me I pray, to proclaim truth to people who need to open their hearts to You, then cause them to respond, in Jesus name, Amen!

October 21, 2011 (Job 9-10; Acts 13-14)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.” Acts 14:4 NASB

Observation: Paul and Barnabas entered the city preaching Christ. Even though many believed and accepted Christ, there were also many who rejected Him. The words of Christ spoken in the book of Luke were being fulfilled, “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.” (Luke 12:51-52) Christ word will separate the goats from the sheep!

Application: The Jews represented “religion”. The apostles represented “truth”. The Jews were happy with the way things were and didn’t see no sense in changing it. They were stuck and set in their ways that they were convinced were right, but they could not have been more wrong. Today “religion” is still convinced of its righteousness and still deceives many, but “truth” is still delivered by faithful men who refuse to give up! Only those united in the truth of Christ can experience the peace of Christian unity. Religion or Truth, whose side are you on?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I praise You for the truth You have provided! Thank You for Jesus who divides the sheep from the goats. Help me Lord, see and understand truth. Keep me from being deceived into believing falsehood. I want to abide on Your side Lord regardless of which way the crowd goes. Help me stand on the rock of Your truth, in Jesus name, Amen! 

October 20, 2011 (Job 6-8; Acts 12)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.” Acts 12:1 NASB

Observation: The spirit of satan enters into the heart of mankind to do evil toward God’s people. Herod was possessed by satan to do his work. Herod laid hands on people who had accepted Christ for the sole purpose of mistreating them. He had James the brother of John killed with a sword. When he realized it made the Jews happy, he proceeded to arrest Peter also, but God had other plans…….

Application: We should be careful to pay attention to what spirit is leading us. If we believe we are too strong for satan to enter into, we are deceived already and are in great danger! If you pay attention and look closely you can see the spirit of satan working in people to cause others harm. I know of mothers that are being led by satan to bring destruction upon their own children, all the while deceived into believing they are right with God. They can’t see the hurt and harm they are causing because satan has blinded their understanding with the hunger for revenge!

Prayer: Father, fill me with Your Spirit! Keep me safe and protected from satan and his desires of destruction. Keep my vision clear. Provide understanding and discernment for my soul. Father forgive me for desiring revenge against those who are being led and controlled by satan. Vengence is Yours and I know You will repay justly. Help me today Lord trust You the way I should, in Jesus name, Amen!

October 19, 2011 (Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10-11)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.” Acts 11:23 NASB

Observation: Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. When he arrived at Antioch he witnessed the grace of God working in the lives of the people there. He rejoiced and began to encourage them to remain true to the Lord.

Application: One of the most encouraging things I’ve experienced from other believers is to see them remain true to God whatever happens. Many talk a bold talk about the Lord when things are going according to their own plans but when adversity comes many quickly forget the strength they once boasted of. To see a Christian hold on to Christ no matter what happens is encouraging and provides hope to other believers.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy and grace that keep me. I praise You and lift up Your name, for You are worthy to be praised. You deliver and provide for Your own, You do not fail! Help me Lord be all I can be for You today. Prepare me to be an instrument You can use to bring honor and glory to Your name. Keep me true to You today and forevermore, in Jesus name, Amen!

October 18, 2011 (Job 3-4; Acts 8-9)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.” Acts 8:21 NLT

Observation: Simon was a sorcerer that had heard the gospel message and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. For many years he amazed the people and astounded them with his magic. The people spoke of him as “the Great One” and he went right along with them, he referred to himself as someone great. When he witnessed Peter and John lay hands on the new believers and they subsequently received the Holy Spirit, he wanted the power to do this as well. But Peter quickly set him straight, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

Application: I don’t have to wonder what people would do if others offered to purchase the gifts of God today, the evidence is clear. Religion has become big business, especially inAmerica. Instead of being rebuked, Simon would be asked, “How much is this gift worth to you?” We would gladly set Simon up on a payment plan! Could this be the reason why so few have part in the great power of the Holy Spirit? Could it be that our hearts are not right with God? Simon believed in Christ and was baptized, yet his heart was still not right with God. Simon is a great example of a person that professed to believe in Christ and went through the motions of baptism, yet he failed to perform the most important part of conversion, repentance. His heart was not changed, neither was his mind. True salvation changes both your mind and heart and makes them both right 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 the heart changing, mind changing, and life changing salvation that You give through Your Son Jesus. Thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit that fills me. Give me the wisdom to know what’s right and the courage to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. In Jesus name, Amen!

October 17, 2011 (Job 1-2; Acts 6-7)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the quick, and they began gnashing their teeth at him.” Acts 7:54 NASB

Observation: Stephen was holding nothing back, he was telling it just like it was! He spoke words of truth so powerful they became enraged to the point of gnashing their teeth. Instead of hearing the truth and repenting, their false understanding of who God is led them to sin even more. Their fathers not only killed the prophets that were sent to them, but they continued the legacy. Truth demands action, we either accept it and repent, or reject it and sin even more. Either way action is taken.

Application: Today, Stephen would be instructed he was being too aggressive. To die for standing up for God’s word is no longer considered heroic or productive. To be more compassionate and embracing towards sinners is the way to win people to Christ, so we say. To confront sin head on like Stephen did is discouraged in today’s era of higher learning. Yet, the truth still demands action! And we must accept it and repent, or reject it and sin more. What will you choose?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your patients towards us. Forgive us for rejecting Your truths and choosing to sin instead. Remove the scales that blind our eyes and give us a clear vision. I hunger and thirst for Your word and instruction, fill me with Your Spirit! Lord, help me be willing to proclaim truth like Stephen, even if it means I’m rejected and gnashed against. Father, prepare me to serve You wholeheartedly, holding nothing back, in Jesus name, Amen!