"Word of God Speak"

July 24, 2011 (Isaiah 40-42; 1 Peter 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.” Isaiah 41:11 NASB

Observation: God fights and wins for His people. His strong right hand holds them up and delivers them. Those who war against God and His people are never successful. Even in apparent victories God’s wrath is poured out against them. They will ultimately become as nothing and perish.

Application: Trust in God. He will rise up and fight the battle of our enemies for us. His power and strength will provide certain victory. We are to know God. Learn of Him, and commit our lives and ways to Him. When we do this, we can count on Him to protect us from evil and rescue us from the hand of our enemies.

Prayer: Father thank you for Your strength and power. Thank you for Your love and kindness. Thank you for Your grace and mercy. Hold me close with thy strong right arm. Protect me with the power of Your might. Shame my enemies and bring to nothing the evil schemes they desire. God help them, save them, send Christ to where they are today. Deliver them from the bondage and rule of satan, that they have surrendered to. In Jesus name, Amen.

July 23, 2011 (2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.” 1 Peter 2:20 NASB

Observation: What would you give to find favor with God? We all want God’s favor in our lives, and here we have an example of how we can have it. To suffer for doing wrong is understandable and even expected. But what about when we do what’s right and end up being done wrong. How do we respond to that? Are we willing to pay that price to have God’s favor?

Application: Once again Jesus has provided the perfect example for us to follow. He committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. To hear our enemies laugh at us and rejoice in their apparent victory makes it quite difficult to be patient and endure. Our flesh wants to cry out and fight back, but when we entrust the one who judges righteously, we find favor.

Prayer: Father I’m afraid of what You’re teaching me. I’m afraid I’ll coward in the midst of the battle and fail you. My enemies torture my mind and cause me to worry. I’m afraid my mind will fail to remember You and Your strength when in the midst of suffering. Help me I pray! Fill me with Your Spirit that will completely surrender my will, to Yours. I desire Your favor, I know it’s more valuable than anything I could ever lose. Look upon me and save me. In Jesus name, Amen.

July 22, 2011 (Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1 Peter 1)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.” Isaiah 37:14 NASB

Observation: Hezekiah was the best king Judah had seen for many years. He did right in the sight of God, tore down the idols, and commanded the people to worship the God of Heaven. So when the King of Assyria came against him to take away his land and people, Hezekiah turned to the Lord for help. He took the threat letter to the house of the Lord and spread it out before God. He knew he needed God’s help and strength.

Application: Think about what Hezekiah did, and then think about what we do so often. I have been faced with a threat letter filled with lies and deceit within the last two weeks. At first I was angered and rose to fight with sword in hand. But today I’ve taken the letter and laid it out before the Lord. He is my strength, He is my victory, He is my protector! Not in my strength will the battle be won, but in His!

Prayer: Dear Father when I come before you words that describe what I would like to say, fail me. You are greater than I can imagine. You are always present and nothing catches you by surprise. Thank you for Your eye’s of protection watching over me. Thank you for the hedge that’s built around me to protect me from my enemies and keep me in where I’m suppose to be. I spread the letter before you now and pray Your will to be done. Turn my enemies back from which they came, in Jesus name, Amen.

July 21, 2011 (2 Kings 18-19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.” 2 Kings 19:7 NASB

Observation: Here God puts within the king of Assyria a spirit to lead him. A spirit that will bring defeat to the king and victory to God’s people. Just another proof that God has control of everything. When I read this I realize that we are indeed led by spirits. But by what spirit are we led? That is the question.

Application: Satan will use spirits to lead people as well. I’ve seen many people do things that I thought was insane. I’ve seen mothers turn on their own children and tell lies that ultimately has led to the demise of innocent grandchildren. All because of the spirit that was seeking to destroy the work, God was doing in a man’s life.  So much more the reason why, we should know by what spirit we are being led, and pay close attention to God.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you this morning for who You are! You are God and You alone are righteous. You watch over us with an eagle’s eye, You know those who are Yours. Father cleanse us of any unclean spirit, fill us with Your Holy Spirit. May we be vessels that bring You honor and are fit for use in Your Kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen.

July 20, 2011 (2 Chronicles 29-31; James 4)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “…For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.” II Chronicles 30:9 NASB

Observation: How well do you know God? Do you know He is gracious and compassionate? I think most people see God in this respect, but do you know He is a God of wrath as well? When we turn to a life filled with sin, God is so hurt that He must turn His face from us. Not because He don’t love us, for His love is unconditional, but because it hurts Him to see us choose a path of pain and regret, rather than of peace and contentment.

Application: If we find ourselves steeped in sin and far away from God, returning to Him is our only option, less His face be turned away from us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NASB). Notice in the verse I just quoted and in 2 Chronicles 30:9 the key word of “if”. (If) we confess our sins, and also, (He) will not turn His face away from you (if) you return to Him. If we want God for us, we better be with Him!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this wonderful day You have made! Your word has spoken and encouraged me already, thank you for that. Thank you for allowing me to come back to you and experience Your face shine upon me. You are indeed gracious and compassionate. Keep me close to Your side, prevent me from going astray, build a hedge of protection to keep me in, as well as keep the enemy out. In Jesus name, Amen.

July 19, 2011 ( II Kings 17; II Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: “But the Lord your God you shall fear; and He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.” II Kings 17:39 NASB

Observation: The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. To fear God is healthful, not harmful. When we put our trust and fear in Him, He delivers us from the hand of our enemies. “When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” Proverbs 16:7 NASB

Application: In a culture that seems to have “no fear” for anything, the fear of God has been lost as well. We often struggle and strive to obtain the “good life” here, but can’t seem to figure out why our enemies are always at us. We need to return to God. We need to confess our sin, repent of it, put God back at the head of our life, learn to fear Him, and watch Him work. To be at peace with your enemies, is real peace.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for a great day. Thank you for Your word that provides instruction and wisdom for my life. I humble myself before You in fear and reverence. I love You Lord and I know You love me. Thank you for the discipline you give to me. It truly has brought me closer to You and instilled godly fear into my life. Deliver me from the hand of all my enemies. In Jesus name, Amen.

July 18, 2011 (Isaiah 32-35; James 2)

From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:

Scripture: ” And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure.” Isaiah 33:6 NASB

Observation: God is our provision. He is the foundation of stability we can trust in. Salvation is found in Him through Jesus Christ, there is no other way. Wisdom and knowledge He provides for His people. To fear Him, in reverence, is great treasure.

Application: At a time in history where so much is uncertain we need to remember God is our stability and our provision. The President threatens to stop Social Security checks and people quake in their boots as if God is not greater than Social Security. We all, are in need of endurance in the last days. Hold on to God, don’t depart from the faith so close to the end!

Prayer: Father I pray for mercy this morning. We are in great fear of the unknown future we imagine in our minds. Cleanse the very thought from our minds that You are not bigger than any of our problems. You are God. You are Power. You are Righteousness. Show us the way to repentance. Forgive us and lift us up out of the despair we have created. In Jesus name, Amen.