Words and Deeds

Scripture
Titus 1:16
Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.

Observation
Words and actions. Walking the talk, or not. Even though they do not deny Him verbally, they do by their manner of life. Actions speak louder than words.

Application
I need to watch how loudly I live. I don't want to simply say I know the Lord, but may people. Even the people closest to me, see that my life lines up with my words.

Prayer
Application is weak, not so practical, but I pray that You would help me accomplish this by transforming me from the inside out.

Opposed by Alliance

Scripture
“Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy your work.” 2 Chron 20:37

Observation
Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahaziah, who was very wicked. And because of it, God destroyed their work - sunk their ships.

Application
There is a principle here in business practices. I don't think that it somehow implies that you can only do business with Christians, or that we are not called to penetrate most every segment of the business world in redemptive ways. However, the distinction is the word Allie, or Partner. I think its no good to parnter with unbelievers. Work for, work with, great. Partner - pretty tough to bless. It's a little like the marriage of an unbeliver and a believer. The believer is always wanting the other to enjoy life in the Kingdom, while the unbeliever is wanting the other to enjoy life in the world. No one is happy.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for my wonderful partner in Audrey. I am the one holding her back. Please keep me from ungodly alliances, and yet active in relationships with people who have yet to discover a relationship with You.
Amen.

There in Spirit

Scripture
2 Kings 5:26
But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants?

Observation
Don't you realize I was there in spirit? What a funny thing to say. What in the world does this mean? Elisha had a vision? I think that is must what this is about - or somehow God spoke. Although is there any reason to not interpret this literally? Much like Paul writing that his spirit is present with the church when they meet.

Application
Well, this is potentially the strangest application for a scripture. How about this - I'll just travel by spirit?? Some people really do get a little goofy about texts like this. I don't doubt that people have (Phillip) and can, as God would intervene, be translated from one place to another. But "I was there in spirit when...." does not mean some out of body spirit sauntering. I would think it simply meant that he saw in the spirit. His spirit was not actually there, but he was able to see all that was going on. Specifically, when Naaman 'stepped down from his chariot'. That is very specific. The trouble is the phrase "I was there". Perhaps an early form of Skype. It might be the english translation that causes this to be a stumbling point, much like I say "I talked to this person today". I may not have actually spoken with them, but texted, online chatted, or emailed. Maybe.

Prayer
Lord, I invite you to open my eyes to spiritual things. But of course, with a purpose. Not just that I could see, but that I would do something about what I see. And please, keep me from weirdness. It's even strange to pray this, but I just want to be open to all that you have for me. I simply dedicate my spiritual eyes to you.

Direct Access

Scripture
2 Kings 3:11But King Jehoshaphat of Judah asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord with us? If there is, we can ask the Lord what to do through him.”
One of King Joram’s officers replied, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to be Elijah’s personal assistant.”

Observation
We can ask the Lord what to do Through Him. What a tremendous sadness. They had to ask through the prophet what to do. We now have a more excellent way.

Application
I need to always remember that the Lord knows what to do, and I can always ask Him directly. What a privilege. Thank you Holy Spirit for leading me.

Prayer
Thank you God that we are now a kingdom of priests. What an honor to meet with YOU EVERY DAY through Your Word and by Your Spirit.

Gracious and Attractive Words

Scripture
Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Observation
Words that are gracious ~ full of grace. And attractive. It appears that if this is a pattern and a practice, always having gracious conversations, when it comes time to give a response to people, the same pattern will emerge : gracious and attractive words.

Application
I think that being mindful to practice this is the application. I am really trying this with my kids,,I pray it is not too little too late.

Prayer
Lord, please help me heart, that my words might come out gracious and attractive. May I use humor to help, not damage. Humor too needs to be full of grace.

On My Knees

Scripture
1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.

Observation
There certainly is a time to eat and drink to get strength. The angel will later tell Elijah to eat and drink because the journey is too much for him. However, there is a time to pray. And pray he did. Not sure I could get my face between my knees. Just tried it. I'm close. And a little dizzy.

Application
Praying until a cloud appears. Until the sign that the answer is on its way. I'm mindful that this is how I need to pray. I am also thinking this may be encouraging for Catarina. After the answer was on its way, God gave Elijah special strength. May that be the case for her.

Prayer
Teach me to pray, I pray.

A Loyal Heart

Scripture
2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”

Observation
This text had to do with someone who trusted in man for protection and victory over an enemy. This verse also is translated "...looking to show himself strong on behalf of those who's hearts are loyal towards Him."

Application
I need to keep my heart loyal at all times, and always be looking to the Lord for help, strength, and victory.

Prayer
Lord, I have known this scripture for over twenty years. Please help me to live it, and see You show Yourself strong on my behalf.

Coach Jesus

Scripture
Philippians 3:13b - 14
Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Observation
Paul is not looking backwards at all the self-righteous living he has done, but rather He is looking forward to where he is heading, by the grace of God. His focus is to press on, move forward, not stop. He is in a race and won't stop until he reaches the end and receives the prize ~ eternal life through Jesus.

Application
I can't be confident in anything that I've accomplished. I can't stop, or even slow down. I do need to pace myself in this race, but it is a race - not just a walk. I need to be constantly moving forward in what God has called me to. In order to do that, I need to walk closely with the Lord - my racing coach

Prayer
Lord Jesus, please help me to run well. I want to be an example to other runners (Christians) and spectators (those who are yet to run). Help me to hear your voice above all others - those who are cheering me on and those who are booing, may I hear your coaching voice on how to run and finish well!

A Serving Impression

Scripture
Philippians 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Observation
This whole verse has to do with thinking of others. No self, no image management, no pride, no self again.

Application
Trying not to impress others is a very hard thing for me to do. I really do care what people think. Rob Petkau told me it is because people are important to me. I think that is true as he meant it, but I don't want to focus on that. I need to live for 'an audience of one'.

Prayer
Lord, I want to live a life where I think about others, and not how I can impress them. Rather, how can I serve them. May that be the impression I make on them - that they are worth serving.

Prison Backfires!

Scripture
Philippians 1:14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.

Observation
Because of his imprisonment. What was intended as punishment, actually backfired. You would think that Paul being imprisoned would be a deterrent. Not so - it ended up being a catalyst. Perhaps the people were motivated by Paul's modeling. What can man do to me?

Application
I think the application for me in this is not so much to model imprisonment, but if I can keep a good attitude when bad things happen, people can see that it's not so bad. God can use every opportunity for good. What an amazing God!

Prayer
Lord, thank you for Paul's example, not only to those in Rome, but to me - two thousand years later. Amazing. May I be willing to suffer that others may speak God's message without fear. Please give me boldness. Amen.

Renewal

Scripture
Ephesians 4:23
Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Observation
Let the Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to renew our thoughts and attitudes. They need to be made new. The old testament promises a heart transplant - flesh for stone, a work of His Spirit.

Application
More time in His Presence in prayer, waiting, tarrying. I want to be careful using the word 'soaking', but I think its a good picture.

Prayer
Lord, please help me to simply wait in Your presence. And as I do, renew my thoughts and attitudes to be Spiritually fresh.

Busy Enjoying Life!

Scripture
Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. 20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

Observation
It's important to remember that wealth and health come from God. Accepting our lot in life has to do with contentment. It does not mean to not strive to attain, but rather to be content ~ not dissatisfied. And be distracted by enjoying life!

Application
Today is the day. Enjoy life. No matter what my lot in life is, I can enjoy not only being alive, but the abundant life that God has promised. Every day is a good day - no matter what I face. God's goodness is extended every day, His mercies are new every morning - without fail.

Prayer
Father, Your Word says you will keep me (as I enjoy my work and lot in life) busy enjoying life. I pray that You would do this. Please help me to have real joy; authentic, deep, and evident.

Wisdom to Know God More

Scripture
Ephesians 1:17
... asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

Observation
So that. This text contains a purpose. Spiritual wisdom and insight SO THAT we would grow in knowing God.

Application
Today Ron Bowen recommended a book to me by John Bevere, about becoming intimate with God. I think this is a timely book in light of this text.

Prayer
I want to know You. Please give me this spiritual wisdom and insight that I might grow in my know.

Avoid the Avoidable

Scripture
Proverbs 19:3 People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.

Observation
I have seen this over and over again. I feel like God is saying here "Hey, it's not my fault".

Application
I need to think through this with money. Has God provided, I squander, and then cry out 'God, where is Your provision?'? I don't feel like this is the case, but it's good to go through this exercise in many areas in my life.

Prayer
Father, I don't want to jump into a pit and then say, Hey God, how come you haven't got me out of this pit yet. Please help me to avoid the avoidable pits.