"Word of God Speak"

August 7, 2011 (Zephaniah 1-3; John 9)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.” John 9:22 NASB

Observation: Here we have the parents of a man who was born blind that Jesus had miraculously healed. They were being questioned by the Senior pastoral staff of the local church. What’s amazing to me is the parents fear of being thrown out of the synagogue was greater to them, than the miracle of their son’s healing. The son got it right, he rejoiced and praised God for his healing, and could care less if he was thrown out of the synagogue, because he could see! Not only were his eyes healed, but he saw Jesus as the Christ.

Application: Oh how often we allow fear to effect us just like it did the parents in this story. How often we focus on the fear of rejection, rather than the miracle of seeing. The Bible is filled with examples of people being deceived and committing heinous acts because they were blinded to the truth. How many have been rescued from the pits of hell because someone was fearless enough to stand up and speak the truth, instead of focusing on the social status that would be lost for doing so? Fact is, most of us are more concerned with our social status than we are with the thousands of souls that enlarge hell on a daily basis.

Prayer: Father forgive me for focusing on myself so much, when so many are being eternally lost. Forgive me for holding onto the comforts of this life so desperately while souls are being burned before my eyes. Forgive me for not living in a manner that completely pleases You. Cleanse me totally. Bring to mind all the idols that need to be destroyed in my life. Accept my repentance and make me whole in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.

August 6, 2011 (Habakkuk 1-3; John 8 )

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.” Habakkuk 1:4 NASB

Observation: Judah was ignoring the laws of God. They had turned away from Him and were living in open sin and rebellion. The prophet Habakkuk was tortured having to watch their wickedness day in and day out. He saw the effects of ungodliness first hand and asked God, “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You will not hear?” When God is removed and wickedness rules justice is always perverted.

Application: When we look at the book of Habakkuk we can see a startling resemblance to our time today. Wickedness has attempted to remove God not only from the school house, but also from the court house. Wickedness is in charge and justice is perverted. How long Lord will we cry out to You for help and You not hear? Why do You make us see iniquity and cause us to look upon wickedness? These are sincere questions now, just as when Habakkuk asked them. But be of good cheer Christian, God hears our cry and see’s all of the abuse of injustice we suffer. Vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He will repay.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for Your laws and commands that are healthful to my soul. They lead me along the road that I should follow. Help me Father to have proper judgement and do justice according to Your word. Turn to me and have mercy, for I feel alone and in deep distress. Feel my pain and see my trouble caused by wickedness and injustice. Protect me and rescue my life from the wicked, in Jesus name, Amen.

August 5, 2011 (2 Kings 23; 2 Chronicles 35; John 7)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What have we to do with each other, O King of Judah? I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war, and God has ordered me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you.” 2 Chronicles 35:21 NASB

Observation: Josiah had done so many great things. He cleared out all the idols, tore down all the false gods, and turned the people back toward God. In this chapter we don’t know why Neco was sent to make war, but we do know God was with him. Josiah’s life was cut short because he didn’t listen to the words of the Lord spoken by Neco. When God is at work, we need to stay out of His way.

Application: God is at work in people’s lives today just the same as then. This story brings to mind a time when I got in God’s way. He was trying to reach a family member but I stepped in and tried to “help” God out. It ended up costing me thousands of dollars and years of heartache and distress. God sent a “Neco” to warn me too, my “Neco” was my wife. She warned me to wait but I didn’t listen. Because I didn’t hear the word of the Lord, He spoke through her, I was injured. Thank God, He had mercy on me and spared my life.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I love you so much! You are wonderful and worthy of all my praise! Your word teaches and guides me into Your truth. You are not limited or bound by anything or person. Teach me Your ways. Control me by Your Spirit. Lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake, deliver me from my enemies, in Jesus name, Amen.

August 4, 2011 (2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34; John 6)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.” John 6:66 NASB

Observation: Jesus had just laid down the law, so to speak. He told the disciples and the Jews that to have eternal life one must eat His flesh and drink His blood. This was Jesus saying, if you receive eternal life it will be because you believed in the one the Father sent and fully submitted to Him and His authority. Not in part, but in whole. This is still true today. To have eternal life alive in you, Christ must be believed and submitted to completely.

Application: In today’s world we try to make eternal life sound so easy. Just repeat after me this simple prayer and you will have eternal life. So many have been deceived into believing they have been born again because they repeated a prayer, but there was no real change in their life. Jesus had not been eaten or drank. Only those whom the Father has drawn to Christ came come to Him. We don’t , and cannot, come to Christ when we feel like it, we only have the opportunity as the Father sees fit to draw us unto Christ. Many will withdraw from Christ when they realize what is required to have eternal life.

Prayer: Thank you Father for your word that corrects improper beliefs that have been proclaimed to be truth, but are in reality, heresy. Father you know already those who are to be named among the believers, draw them who are still undone to Your Son Jesus today I pray. Open up the blinded eyes and remove the scales from the eyes that have been deceived. I know Father, it’s not Your will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. May Your work and will be accomplished in and through me today, in Jesus name, Amen.

August 3, 2011 (Nahum 1-3; John 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Thus says the Lord, Though they are at full strength and likewise many, Even so they will be cut off and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer.” Nahum 1:12 NASB

Observation: The Lord is stronger than the strongest nation. He is bigger than any army. He will rise up and rid the enemies, from His people, in His time. He will restore and rebuild the destruction that the enemy has caused. Though He allows us to be afflicted for our own good and learning, an end will come to that affliction. His love for us is greater than His anger towards us.

Application: Patiently wait on the Lord, for He is able! Though afflictions may be your portion for now, the day will come when God says, “I will afflict you no longer”. God will fight for you against those who desire to do you harm. God will deliver, restore and free you from the bondage of those who afflict you. Trust Him. Seek Him. Follow Him. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Prayer: Dear Lord thank you for Your word! Thank you for talking with me this morning. I long to see You face to face, I long to embrace You and worship You in Your kingdom. Have mercy on me Father, fight for me against my enemies. Build a hedge of protection around my mind and cause me to focus on You. Deliver me from affliction and remember Your love for me. In Jesus name, Amen.

August 2, 2011 (2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” John 4:34 NASB

Observation: The disciples were urging Jesus to eat. He had just had an encounter with the woman at the well and was being filled by God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus realized that food for the flesh was not as important as Spiritual food He received from doing the will of God.

Application: We live in a world where there’s an “all you can eat” buffet seems like on most every corner. Some are good, and some are not so good. The same is true with the Spiritual buffet. There is a church on nearly every corner too. Unfortunately the Spiritual buffet is not visited as often as the food buffet is. We feed our flesh daily, but our soul gets fed weekly. How much stronger in the Lord could we be if we nourished ourselves properly?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you this morning for being the food that nourishes my spirit. May Your will continue to feed and fill me with more of You. Cause me to desire to accomplish Your work like Jesus said. Fill me with the food Jesus spoke of. Protect me from my adversaries and lead me in the paths of righteousness. In Jesus name, Amen.

August 1, 2011 (Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way which is not good, following their own thoughts, a people who continually provoke Me to My face,” Isaiah 65:2-3 NASB

Observation: God is full of mercy, His hands are outstretched reaching for those who are lost, bidding them to come unto Him. His desire is for rebellious people to receive His mercy and be healed by His grace. His hands are outstretched but people continue to ignore Him and follow their own thoughts. They walk in a way that is rebellious and not good and they provoke God, right to His face!

Application: We know God is a God of mercy and grace. But do you know He is a God of wrath as well? One day His anger toward sin will be kindled to the point He says “NO More!” That day will not be a good day for those who have rejected His mercy and continued in open sin right before His face. Today is the day for salvation, for we know not the day His wrath will be poured out. Come to Him now, His hands are outstretched and He’s waiting.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for Your mercy that heals the pain that our sin has caused. Thank you for Your grace that cleanses that sin from us and makes us whole through Christ. Reveal by Your Spirit any sin that remains in my life, purge it and cast it as far as the east is from the west. Make me desire You and cause me to run toward Your outstretched arms. In Jesus name, Amen.