"Word of God Speak"

September 25, 2011 (Ezra 2-3; Luke 8 )

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.” Luke 8:18 NASB

Observation: We should be careful to examine what we hear. When we listen to God through His word He provides us understanding. When we hear and obey His word, He allows us to hear more and understand more. A godly life is a life that continues to grow and be strengthened by the understanding of God’s word. Many think they know what His word says, but have been deceived by their own intelligence. They don’t have the capability of hearing and even what they think they know will be taken away. Their faith has been built upon an unstable foundation of heresy.

Application: The word of God has to be the foundation our faith is built upon. Jesus is the Word. He is the Rock. We need to be careful to who, and what, we listen to for many well intended teachers have led people astray by adding to or taking away from the true gospel. When we trust in God’s word we can trust completely in what we hear, knowing it is truth and will stand for all eternity. As we embrace and apply what God has revealed to us, He will provide more for us.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for Your mercy and truth. Thank You for allowing me to hear what Your word says. God please help those who are being led astray from Your word. Send revival to awaken and shake loose the scales from deceived eyes and hearts. Speak through Your word to all who seek You with a pure heart and right motives. Open up the eyes of the blind, deliver and set free from the bondage of sin, in Jesus name, Amen!

September 24, 2011 (Ezra 1; Psalm 84-85; Luke 7)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” Luke 7:48 NASB

Observation: Five words that changed a sinners life forever! Jesus was using a person that most people would consider un-usable to teach a pharisee a lesson. The Pharisee began to judge Jesus for letting this “sinner” touch Him, but didn’t realize he needed what she was about to receive, forgiveness. She had committed many sins and she was forgiven for them all, therefore she loved much.

Application: We often look at people the same way the Pharisee did. We judge people as being un-usable because of past sins they’ve committed. But when Jesus speaks forgiveness all those past sins are cleansed away. Washed in the powerful cleansing blood of Jesus. Old things, and ways, are passed away and behold all things become new. When you receive Christ, He makes you in every way whole and fit for the Masters use. The degree in which we love Christ is often represented by the amount of sin we realize He’s forgiven us of.

Prayer: Father You are awesome! Your word is indeed nourishment for my soul. Everyday You feed me in a way the world cannot offer. Your word is manna from heaven. Thank You for speaking those five words into my life! Use me in a way that brings glory and honor to Your name. For Your names sake lift me up above the shadows of my past and keep me ever close to Your side. In Jesus name, Amen!

September 23, 2011 (Daniel 11-12; Luke 6)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like:” Luke 6:47 NASB

Observation: If you truly believe in Christ you will not only confess with your mouth, but your actions will be led by Him. Jesus tells us if we believe in Him, trust in Him and act according to Him, we will have a foundation that is solid and firm, that will not be shaken in a storm. But if we profess with our mouth only, and leave actions undone, when the storm comes we will quickly collapse and the ruin of such a person will be great.

Application: When we make a profession of faith in Christ we receive the responsibility of learning of Him. Applying His word to our lives and living accordingly is not an option, it is a command. Christ is the foundation our faith is built upon. When the foundation is laid and not built upon it’s like a builder that started a project he could not afford to finish. An uncompleted building project is an unpleasant site to those who pass by and look upon it. Build your faith upon the solid foundation of Christ and surrender to Him, allowing Christ to complete the work He started in you.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the foundation of Christ You have provided. Help me build on the secure foundation of Christ and act on Your words I’ve heard. Help me live by Your standards and represent You in a way that brings You glory and honor. Complete the work You’ve started in me and strengthen that work to stand when the storms of life happen. I trust in Jesus the foundation of my faith and the Saviour of my soul, He will protect and keep me in the storms. In Jesus name, Amen!

September 22, 2011 (Daniel 9-10; Psalm 123; Luke 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “We have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.” Daniel 9:5 NASB

Observation: Daniel is praying for his people, and what a sincere prayer it is. Notice there’s no give me a new car, give me a bigger house, give me more money, nope no give me, give me, give me anything. What he wanted was for God to hear and forgive. He acknowledged the sin, he acknowledged the way they had acted and rebelled, he acknowledged that they had turned from God’s commandments and ordinances and in doing so he got God’s attention.

Application: We can learn a lot from Daniel’s prayer, but accepting responsibility for where we are, and have been, has certainly got to be at the top of the list of things to learn. It’s often difficult to see the place we truly are. Self examination is of utmost importance and essential in getting God’s attention. Daniel’s prayer was heard from the first word and an answer was on the way. It’s amazing how true repentance brings instant response from God. Try it today, you’ll be glad you did!

Prayer: Father thank You for Your mercy and love that is without end. Thank You for the patience You have toward us, in spite of our many rebellious actions. Forgive us of our sins and iniquities. For Your names sake help us become vessels that would bring You honor. May my prayers become as sincere as Daniel’s, in Jesus name, Amen!

September 21, 2011 (Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;” Luke 4:28 NASB

Observation: Just six verses earlier they were all speaking “well” of Him and now they’re ready to kill Him. This verse shows the example of people being ruled by emotion and feelings instead of being led by the Spirit. When we become outraged over truth, there could be no clearer indication, we have drifted off course.

Application: Truth has a way of convicting people and the results of conviction are not always pleasant. We have a choice when we hear truth, accept it, receive it and embrace it or reject it and watch it make a fool of us. Often it’s easier for us to receive a stranger into our own home than it is to receive the message of truth against us. Truth sets us free, but like a surgical procedure, it’s often painful at first, but yields perfect healing later.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, praise and honor to Your name I give. Thank You for truth that sets me free! Help me to be hospitable to Your Spirit when He visits me. My hearts desire is to be led by Your Spirit and not ruled by feelings or emotions. Anoint me to hear the truth You proclaim and receive it, retain it and live it! In Jesus name, Amen!

September 20, 2011 (Daniel 5-6; Psalm 130; Luke 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit became so proud that he behaved arrogantly, he was deposed from his royal throne and his glory was taken away from him.” Daniel 5:20 NASB

Observation: King Nebuchadnezzar began trusting in his own power and abilities. He lifted himself up instead of God for the things that had been accomplished. He became so proud of himself that he behaved arrogantly. He lost all the blessings God had given him because he tried to steal God’s glory.

Application: We should learn from Nebuchadnezzar and many others in the scriptures that went down this road. God has graciously given us these accounts to warn us of the destruction that comes when we lift ourselves up instead of Christ. Any talent, any strength, any wisdom, any ability and any opportunity we ever have come from God. So He should be praised and all the glory belongs to Him. Give it to Him or else you could find yourself deposed of your throne.

Prayer: Dear Lord, glory to Your name! You are the creator of all things. All good comes from You and You give freely. Keep me from being arrogant. Provide for me a humble spirit that remembers who the glory belongs to. Thank You for all the blessings You’ve given me stewardship over. May the decisions and actions I take be pleasing in Your site. In Jesus name, Amen.

September 19, 2011 (Ezekiel 47-48; Luke 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “and a sword will pierce even your own soul — to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:35 NASB

Observation: Simeon foretold Mary of the pain she would feel in the future. The agony of seeing her son dying on a cross would be just as if a sword pierced her own soul. Through public rejection God would reveal what was in the hearts of many people. He’s still doing it today!

Application: When we see Christ rejected the pain we experience is like a sword being pierced into our soul. But the public rejection of Christ reveals the true nature of many people. Many have a profession of faith, but few actually live out that profession. As followers of Christ we must strive to walk according to His standards and stand for His truth, even through the pain of having our soul pierced.

Prayer: Lord, thank You today for Jesus! Thank You for Mary the godly mother You chose for Your Son. Thank You for the truth that is revealed through Jesus and the deliverance He brings. Protect us from the sword and cleanse our hearts wholly, mold us into what You please, in Jesus name, Amen.