Birds of a feather..

Scripture
Proverbs 12:10The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.

Observation
There is a difference between the godly and the wicked. The first is caring and the other is cruel, to their animals.

Application
The immediate application is for me to take very good care of my birds. I have been a poor caregiver. The Lord watches over Wilson and Denise, but I certainly haven't. This also shows me that people who don't know the Lord can reflect godliness by caring for their animals.

Prayer
Father, please forgive me for not caring for the birds. I realize they are just birds and I am not St. Francis, but they are little creatures under my care. May I do all I can to take care of them, and in doing so, may it change me! Amen.

Employed By God

Scripture
Proverbs 10:26 Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.

Observation
Vinegar would make you cringe and smoke would make you burn and try and get away. Both are not pleasant. The affect on employers is not the person, but the laziness.

Application
I need to make sure that I don't have that affect on God, as I work for Him. Originally I was thinking of the church, and there is certainly application there, but I need to remember I work for God. I want Him to be happy about me as an employee :)

Prayer
Father, I'm sorry for the times I have been a LBJ. May Your Spirit work in me and change me that I might be a hard worker in Your kingdom, not just in my church.

Grace Rules

Scripture
Romans 5:21
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Observation
Grace rules. It delivers a verdict, or decision, like a judge or an umpire. Sin led to death, while grace led to right standing with God, and eternal life.

Application
As I read this today, I remembered Gods grace. I think I have been living a life that attempts to walk worthy of the call, but have forgotten to rely heavily on His grace. It was just a sweet moment of remembering, it's all about His grace. It's how I am saved, how I stand, and how I need to live. Grace.

Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your marvelous grace. It feels like the weight of the world is lifted, and Your burden has become light again. May Your grace bring Joy in my life. Amen.

Becoming A Learner

Scripture
1 Kings 4:33 He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals, birds, small creatures, and fish.

Observation
Solomon could speak with authority about these things, not just guessing or slightly informed. He was far more 'rounded' than I have thought. Not only was he wise, he was knowledgable.

Application
I see that I have always used 'I have no culture' as an excuse. I will start to learn.

Prayer
Father, please help me learn, and open my mind to the world around me, no longer will I allow myself to be bored in museums, rather I choose a posture of learning. That seems to be wise. Amen

Hope Anew

Scripture
Psalms 78:5-7
For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, 6 so the next generation might know them— even the children not yet born— and they in turn will teach their own children. 7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

Observation
The command was to teach and instruct the children to know God, and the children's' children, so there would be fresh hope on God, and remembering the miraculous and His commands.

Application
I need to be passing on God's commands, and instructions, to the next generation. I know this must be done in a way that it can be received well. There needs to be 'hope anew' in God - their own hope, not my generation's hope. God has no grandchildren. It has to be living for them.

Prayer
Lord, I want our kids, including my kids, to know You and to have 'hope anew' in You. It's got to be real for them. Don't let my generation be the one that has dropped to torch. Do what you need to do in me, that I might pass on the authentic flame.

Flourish And Grow

Scripture
2 Thessalonians 1:3 Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.

Observation
Flourishing Faith and Growing Love for each other. This causes thankfulness to God in Paul's heart.

Application
What great things to focus on for the summer at Cornerstone. Summer is a time to flourish and connect with one another. I want to cultivate this environment for the summer.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for this beautiful scripture, and the witness I. My heart that came with it.

The Influence of The Rich

Scripture
Matthew 27:57&58
As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.

Observation
The rich have influence with those in power. A rich man who is a follower of Jesus can have sway over politicians. This is nothing new.

Application
Right thinking about the rich and money is essential in the kingdom of God. The answer is not to connect to rich people to use them. In fact, God does not use people (in the negative sense of being used). But God can show the rich how they can use their money and their influence, to further His kingdom. This is true for the rich, and for those with little. God does pretty good with a small boys lunch!

Prayer
Lord, please help me love those who are rich, and not love their riches. Please help me to help them follow You, and leverage their resources (money and influence) for kingdom purposes.

Devise A Plan Back

Scripture
2 Samuel 14:14
All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.

Observation
This woman from Tekoa told a story to David so he would bring Absalom back. After David discovers she is 'acting', she does give some wise truth to David. She talks of a life spent only once, and God's redemptive power in the reconciliation of relationships. This is a beautiful text.

Application
I love how God devises a way to bring us back. Ultimately, it is through the shed blood of His precious Son Jesus ~ the WAY back. However, now what? How can we discover the ways that He has devised to bring others back to Him. Jesus has made the way, but we need to let people know that way. God's part - salvation provided. Our part - salvation proclaimed. The good news must not be kept secret. We need to devise ways to bring people back who have been separated from Him, and from church.

Prayer
Father, thank you for the WAY you have made for us to have a relationship with you. Now nothing can separate us! Please help me to lead Cornerstone, and The Marstens, in a plan to bring separated people back.