Complete Obedience to the Lord
Text: Leviticus 10:1-2 (KJV) “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.”
In today’s text, we come to the shocking real life story of Nadab and Abihu, two sons of Aaron, who were priests. They willfully, boldly, and flagrantly disobeyed God by “doing things their own way.” For those of us who aspire to be leaders in the church, for those who are already leaders in the church, and even for Christians in general, let us all fully obey God in the big and the small details of this life. Hasten to Him now and obey while it is still called “Today.”
Hymn (“I Am Resolved”): “I am resolved to follow the Savior, Faithful and true each day; Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth, He is the living Way.” Refrain: I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free; Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee.”
30th
God is the Creator of Creation, Not “Evilution”
Text: Psalm 19:1 (KJV) “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork.”
In the Book of Psalms, we come to the bold proclamation of King David that debunks the theories of the followers of Charles Darwin, humanism, and atheism. King David states for all generations that God is the Creator and the creation shows his handiwork. So, today as you go outside amidst any weather–rain, snow, sleet, or sun–look up to the sky and say, “Thank you God for your glorious creation. I praise you that there is none like you.”
Hymn (“Great God, The Heav’ns’ Well Ordered Frame”): “Great God, the heavens’ well-ordered frame Declares the glories of Thy Name: There Thy rich works of wonder shine; A thousand starry beauties there, A thousand radiant marks appear, Of boundless power and skill divine.”
29th
We Will Follow Jesus
Text: Mark 10:28 (KJV) “Then Peter began to say unto Him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed Thee.”
We see in today’s text where Peter told Jesus that the disciples left all (their possessions, money, family, and friends) to follow Jesus. To be true disciples of Jesus, we must do the same. We must not love anyone or anything more than Jesus. Hobbies and free time should not be all focused on “the secular.” There is nothing wrong with resting and relaxation as long as we seek his will and do not do things that hinder our spiritual growth. We must “take time to be holy” even in the common/little things of life.
Hymn (“We Will Follow Jesus”): “We will follow Jesus, Though we may be small; Gladly may we listen, To His loving call.” Refrain: “Little ones may follow, Follow all the way. Jesus bids us follow, Every passing day.”
28th
Keep your Charge from GOD
Text: Leviticus 8:35 (KJV) “Keep the charge of the Lord, that ye die not.”
Moses told Aaron and his sons to keep the charge (Hebrew word, mishmereth, which is interpreted to mean “watch, sentry, post, duty, office, ordinance, or charge”). I love what the godly commentator, Matthew Henry wrote: “We have every one of us a charge to keep, an eternal God to glorify, an immortal soul to provide for, needful duty to be done, our generation to serve; and it must be our daily care to keep this charge, for it is the charge of the Lord our Master, who will shortly call us to account about it, and it is our utmost peril if we neglect it. Keep it `that ye die not’; it is death, eternal death, to betray the trust that we are charged with; by the consideration of this we must be kept in awe.” Therefore, I urge each of us today to glorify God in all we say and do, tell the lost of Jesus and his saving power, and help those in need. I want to die knowing I did all I could to his glory, don’t you?
Hymn (“A Charge to Keep I Have”): “A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky.”
27th
The Greatest Gift of Love
Text: John 3:16 (KJV) ”For God so loved the world, That He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
God want us to focus on the true meaning of love. Flowers, candy, cards, and exchanging presents from time to time, are all great things, but they all pale in comparison to the greatest gift of love spelled out in today’s text. The greatest gift is Jesus Christ and the salvation that He alone brings to us! Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift, His Son Jesus!
Hymn (“For God so Loved the World”): “A story sweet and wondrous, Like heavenly music swells; In chimings clear to all who will hear, Ring out the Gospel bells. For God so loved the world, That He gave His only begotten Son, That whosoever believeth in Him, Whosoever believeth in Him, Should not perish, Should not perish, But have everlasting life.”
26th
Getting your Prayers Answered
Text: Proverbs 15:29 (KJV) “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.”
God hears the prayers of the righteous man and woman. We are made righteous by confessing our sins and putting our faith and trust in Christ alone for our salvation. If you want your prayers answered, that’s all there is to it. God, however, may choose to answer in one of three ways–yes, no, or not at this time (and if He asks you to wait, He will give you the strength and patience to endure).
Hymn (“O Thou Who Hearest Every Heartfelt Prayer”): “O thou who hearest every heartfelt prayer, With Thy rich grace, Lord, all our hearts prepare. Thou art our life, Thou art our love and light, O let this Sabbath hour with Thee be bright.”
25th
Finish the Work
Text: Exodus 40:33b (KJV) “So Moses finished the work.”
Moses, with the help of others, finished the building of the Tabernacle. God wants us to “finish the work” He has for us in general, and then our specific/personal plan that He has for us. We find the instruction for all we need “for life and godliness” in The Holy Bible. Go to the Bible each and every day and get your “instructions” and “finish the work” faithfully before Jesus comes back!
Hymn (“Work for the Night is Coming”) “Work, for the night is coming, Under the sunset skies; While their bright tints are glowing, Work, for daylight flies. Work till the last beam fadeth, Fadeth to shine no more; Work, while the night is darkening, When man’s work is o’er.”
24th
Work Together for his Kingdom
Text: Exodus 38:21-23 (KJV) “This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment
of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.”
Moses did not do all the work to build the Tabernacle of God himself; he had help. Today we need to work together to build God’s Kingdom. We need to pray for one another, help each other, and share like the early church did to help those in need. Enough of both liberalism and denominationalism; they make God grieve, and I also as his child. As long as someone professes that he or she has a relationship with Jesus by grace through faith in Him alone, we can and should work together.
Hymn (“Work For Us All”): “Out where the reapers are toiling, Out where they earnestly call, Let us away in the morning, There is a work for us all; Lifting the vines that are drooping, Trying their bloom to renew, Bathing their leaves in a fountain, Purer and sweeter than dew.” Refrain: “Out where the reapers are toiling, Out where they earnestly call, Let us away, away in the morning, There is a work for us all.”
23rd
In His Keeping
Text: Psalm 17:8 (KJV) “Keep me as the apple of thy eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.”
David asks God to keep him safe as “the apple of God’s eye,” and also to hide him from his enemies, like a mother hen hides her chicks. What enemies are you facing today? Fear, anxiety, depression, illness, financial burdens, loneliness, or whatever other enemies you face right now, will not find you because God will keep you safe in His care as your Provider and Protector. All you need to do is go to Him in prayer; He is always there.
Hymn (“In His Keeping”): “When the early morning breaking, Slumber from my eyelids shaking, Comes the blessed thought with waking, I am in His keeping. Day advances, labor bringing, Care, her mantle ’round me flinging, Yet midst all my soul keeps singing, I am in His care.” Refrain: “I am in my Father’s keeping, I am in His tender care; Whether waking, whether sleeping, I am in His care.”
22nd
He Touched Me and Made Me Whole
Text: Mark 6:56 (KJV) “And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment: and as many as touched Him were made whole.”
Jesus healed those who touched Him. God has three things to tell us today who need healing.
1. Sometimes Jesus will heal people instantly as in today’s text.
2. Sometimes Jesus is waiting for us to place our faith in Him alone, or for us to do our part, i.e. take our medicine, have a proper diet, and exercise.
3. Sometimes Jesus will not heal us until we get our new bodies in heaven.
Whatever we need healing from, and whenever God chooses to heal us, let us still daily trust Jesus and live for Him no matter what happens.
Hymn (“He Touched Me and Made Me Whole”): “To the feet of my Savior in trembling and fear, A penitent sinner I came; He saw, and in mercy, He bade me draw near; All glory and praise to His Name.” Refrain: “He touched me and thus made me whole; Bringing comfort and rest to my soul; O glad happy day, all my sins rolled away! For He touched me and thus made me whole.”
21st
Choose Abundant and Eternal Life over the Culture of Death
Text: Proverbs 14:12 (KJV) “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
In today’s Proverb, we are encouraged to flee from the present culture of death. You see, we are so absorbed with death and killing, i.e. abortion, horror movies, violent video games, pornography (death of the marital relationship), Goths, etc. We should be wanting what Jesus offers: life more abundantly here, and life eternal to come based on our putting our faith and trust in Him as our Lord and Savior. I want life not death, don’t you?
Hymn (“Light and Life”): “My soul is joyful in the Lord; His light shines all around; For Jesus is my life, my way; His love in me abounds.” Refrain: “I am walking, walking in the light, The truth, the light, the way; I am walking, walking in the light, The beautiful light of God today.”
20th
The Most Important Question: “Who is on the LORD’s Side?”
Text: Exodus 32:26 (KJV) “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. ”
In today’s text, we see Moses in literal shock and disgust that the children of Israel would worship a heathen idol, whilst he was up on Mount Sinai and receiving the Ten Commandment from GOD. He boldly proclaimed today’s most important question “Who is On The LORD’s Side?” Today that question is asked of us with much phoniness, evil, hypocrisy, jealousy and sin in general in this world, we must ask ourselves do I truly have a relationship with Jesus by grace through faith in Him ? (I pray all my readers do) or am I just “playing church”, “eating, drinking and being merry and self-absorbed because tomorrow, I die”? Be on the winning team-GOD’s!
Hymn (“Who is on the LORD’S Side?”, Verse 3): “Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem, But with Thine own life blood, for Thy diadem; With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee, Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free. By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine, We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!”
19th
Choose Your Friends Wisely
Text: Proverbs 13:20 (KJV) “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
In today’s text, we see wisdom about choosing our friends. First, the writer tells us to seek wise men and women as our friends. These will be people who encourage us in the faith, give us godly direction, pray for us, and want us to hear, “Well Done, Thou Good and Faithful Servant, Enter Thou The Joy of Thy LORD,” from Jesus when we all get to heaven. Second, if we choose to be a companion of fools (Hebrew word, kciyl, which is interpreted “silly, stupid, foolish people”), then we will be destroyed (Hebrew word, ruwa, which is interpreted, “marred, ruined, broken”). Foolish friends want to ruin our reputation, break our hearts and spirits, and really want to see us lose rewards in heaven. I must say that this eye-opener verse breaks my heart because I have some people that I must just say “no” to, and maybe you do also. Remember, yes we must share the Gospel of Jesus, but if a man or woman entices us to sin or go against the word of God, we must “flee”!
Hymn (“Have Courage To Say No”): “You’re starting, my boy, on life’s journey, Along the grand highway of life; You’ll meet with a thousand temptations—Each city with evil is rife. This world is a stage of excitement, There’s danger wherever you go; But if you are tempted to weakness, Have courage, my boy, to say No!” Refrain: “Have courage, my boy, to say No! Have courage, my boy, to say No! Have courage, my boy, Have courage, my boy, Have courage, my boy, to say No!”
18th
LORD, I Approach thy Mercy Seat
Text: Exodus 25:22 (KJV) “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.”
GOD had told Moses to build the Mercy Seat. The Mercy Seat was the lid (solid gold platform) of the Ark of the Covenant. It had two mighty cherubims (angels) made of gold on it. God met the High Priest there on the Day of Atonement every year. The High Priest would confess and intercede with GOD to forgive the sins of the people. Today, as Christians, we have a High Priest named Jesus who daily intercedes for us. We are saved by grace through faith in Him. God wants us to commune with Him daily before His “Mercy Seat” in heaven.
Hymn (“LORD, I Approach Thy Mercy Seat”): “Lord, I approach, Thy mercy seat, Where Thou dost answer prayer. There I humbly fall before Thy feet, For none can perish there.”
17th
Make Someone Happy Today
Text: Proverbs 12:25 (KJV) “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad”
In today’s text, we see how when people are “weighed down with sorrows and burdens of this world,” we who are true Christians need to offer a “good word” to cheer them up. God convicted me to give up being “self-absorbed,” i.e., it is not all about “The Joseph.” God wants you and me to be good listeners and give “good words” of encouragement to those who are hurting. I share some good words with you all in closing, “Jesus Loves You All And So Do I.”
Hymn (“Make Someone Happy Today”): “If your own sorrows you want to forget, Make somebody happy today; If in your heart you would know no regret, Make somebody happy today. Others near by you may be in despair, Struggling ‘neath crosses so heavy to bear; They may take heart, if you show that you care—Make somebody happy today.” Refrain: “Make somebody happy today. O sing a glad song on your way; The good that you do brings blessing to you, Make somebody happy today.”
16th
God’s Unfailing Love
Text: Psalm 13:5 (KJV) “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”
In the verses prior to our text, King David said basically that “Even if the world, the flesh, and the devil want me to believe that GOD has abandoned me, and my enemies will triumph over me, I will trust in GOD’s unfailing love, mercy and salvation.” Way back in June, 1882 a Scotsman, George Matheson, was in mental agony but felt the Holy Spirit give him the words to write the great hymn listed below. In closing, let us meditate on the powerful words of this third stanza and remember that if we need healing or an immediate answer to our prayers, GOD has his joy for us through our pain!
Hymn (“O, Love That Will Not Let Me Go”): “O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain, That morn shall tearless be.”
15th
I Hope We Will All Be Ready when Jesus Comes Back
Text: Matthew 24:44 (KJV) “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Jesus tells us that He is coming back for his church and we need to be waiting, watching, and ready. I am so shocked at times that most people are just concerned about “let us eat, drink, and be merry,” and are busy trying to acquire all the latest “things” they can. They spend little or no time thinking about Jesus’ return, or warning others. I want us all to be ready and none of us or our loved ones left behind when Jesus raptures his church. It will happen “in such an hour as we think not.”
Song (“I Wish We’d All Been Ready,” by Larry Norman, sung by DC Talk. Here is the strongest video/song ever written in contemporary Christian music in my humble opinion): “Life was filled with guns and war, And everyone got trampled on the floor. I wish we’d all been ready. Children died, the days grew cold, A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold. I wish we’d all been ready. There’s no time to change your mind, How could you have been so blind. The Father spoke, the demons dined, The Son has come and you’ve been left behind.”
14th
I Wonder, Have I Done My Best for Jesus So Far this Year
Text: Proverbs 11:30 (KJV) “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
God stopped me and made me ponder in my heart, and I ask you this same question, have we done our best for Jesus this year? Here are eight things we can work on together to make new beginnings.
1. Spend time daily with GOD in prayer and worship.
2. Pray that someone you know comes to faith in Christ this year. Pray to be given an opportunity to lead that person to faith and assurance.
3. Take a tongue fast. Speak more kindly to others, give up gossip, slander, backbiting, and cursing.
4. Watch what “entertains” you carefully. Not all comic books, movies, DVDs, telly (television) shows, music, or video games are “food for the soul.”
5. Pray for the needs of others live on the phone! Don’t just say, “Hey bro, Hey sis, I’m praying for you!” Pray then and there!
6. Take better care of your body. It is the Temple of The Holy Spirit. Exercise and eat right!
7. Tell your spouse (if you are married) and your children (if you have them) that you love them daily! And please, please smile and say it like you mean it!
8. Laugh! Watch a good clean Three Stooges, Little Rascals, Tyler Perry, or whatever is clean and funny! Talk about a side splitting experience.
I am going to do all I can to do better for Jesus the rest of this year and then some! Will you please also join me?
Hymn (“I Wonder, Have I Done my Best for Jesus?”): “I wonder, have I done my best for Jesus? Who died upon the cruel tree? To think of His great sacrifice at Calvary! I know the Lord expects the best from me.” Refrain: “How many are the lost that I have lifted? How many are the chains I’ve set free? I wonder, have I done my best for Jesus, When He has done so much for me?”
13th
Overcoming Hindrances in our Lives
Text: Exodus 17:11 (KJV) “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”
Moses and the Israelites fought the Amalekites (which are a type of sin in the world since they were a people and a religion that hated the things and people of God). In this passage we see an example on overcoming the hindrances in our lives and the hindrances to prayer being answered. We must be like Moses and hold up our hands in surrender to God and say, “Please help LORD, you are in control of my life, the battle belongs to You, and the victory is yours alone.” When we surrender (let our hands down) to our own wisdom, self-help books, psychiatry, drugs, alcohol, the wisdom of man, etc., we fail. Come to God today in prayer and seek Him like Moses did for the victory in your struggles. You will be glad that you did!
Hymn (“What Various Hindrances We Meet”): “What various hindrances we meet In coming to a mercy seat; Yet who that knows the worth of prayer, But wishes to be often there.”
12th
Sunday School Attendance Every Day of the Week—Part Two
Text: Exodus 13:21-22 (KJV) “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.”
God blessed the people of Israel and guided them on their journey, “by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.” God guides us today as Christians with His own GPS (`G’od’s `P’rovisional `S’ourcebook), namely, the Bible. The Bible helps give us direction on which way to go, and encourages us when we are ill, depressed, discouraged, lonely, hurting, anxious, or fearful. Go to the Bible for direction, not The Book of Mormon (don’t believe the lie calling this fable another book of Jesus Christ), not your daily Horror-scope (sic), not a fortune teller, not daytime talk shows, or anything else! God’s words in the Bible shall never fail you and me!
Hymn (“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah,” Verse 3, my favorite verse): “Lord, I trust Thy mighty power, Wondrous are Thy works of old; Thou deliver’st Thine from thralldom, Who for naught themselves had sold: Thou didst conquer, Thou didst conquer, Sin, and Satan and the grave, Sin, and Satan and the grave.”
11th
Sunday School Attendance Every Day of the Week—Part One
Text: Exodus 10:2 (KJV) “And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD.”
God told Moses to tell the children of Israel, and then their descendants, all the mighty deeds that God did in Egypt. God wanted them to know that He is God and besides Him there is none other. We need to raise this next generation in a mind set to not become lovers of themselves, or addicted to telly or video games, and thus to become cold hearted towards the things of God. If, like me, you do not have any children, you can still pray for the children of the world to come to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. You can pray for their parents, their teachers, their Sunday school volunteers/teachers, and the daycare owners and workers around the world for wisdom to teach the children the things of God.
Hymn (“Sunday School Volunteer Song”): “We are marching on with shield and banner bright, We will work for God and battle for the right, We will praise His Name, rejoicing in His might, And we’ll work till Jesus calls. In the Sunday School our army we prepare, As we rally round our blessèd standard there, And the Savior’s cross we early learn to bear, While we work till Jesus comes.” Refrain: “Then awake, then awake, happy song, happy song, Shout for joy, shout for joy, as we gladly march along. We are marching onward, singing as we go, To the promised land where living waters flow; Come and join our ranks as pilgrims here below, Come and work till Jesus calls.”
10th
Count Your Blessings, Every Day
Text: Proverbs 10:6 (KJV) “Blessings crown the head of the righteous.”
In today’s text, we see that blessings crown the head of the righteous. We are made righteous when we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. We are blessed every day and need to thank God for our blessings always! Thank God for your salvation, your health, your spouse, your children, your pets, your friends, your healing, your having food, shelter and clothing, and your having the freedom to worship GOD.
Hymn (“Count Your Blessings”): “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” Refrain: “Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”
9th
GOD, our Refuge
Text: Psalm 9:9 (KJV) “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
As we glean from the book of Psalms, we find ourselves overjoyed at the exclamation of King David, who probably wrote this Psalm after a victory over the Philistines. King David said, “God will be a refuge” (Hebrew word, misgab, which has been translated to mean “refuge,” “defense,” “high tower,” or “fort”) “for the oppressed, and in our time of trouble.” God wants to prepare us for the battles that we face in this life with the world, our fleshly desires, and the devil. The main way He prepares us is to have us “sit in the camp” and learn from the Bible and prayer (communication with GOD) on a daily basis. The best time is first thing in the morning. Another way is to ensure that before you leave the house on your journeys you “put on the full armor of GOD” from Ephesians 6:13-17. I have an excellent prayer on this that I received from someone and am blessed to use on a daily basis (write in if you would like a copy). Let us be prepared and remember that like King David, Moses, Joshua, the Apostle Paul, Charles H. Spurgeon, Samuel Rutherford, and many other saints that have gone on to heaven before us, “we are oppressed on every side, but not defeated” because GOD is our Refuge.
Hymn (“God, our Refuge”): “Come now with joy and singing, Loud hallelujahs ringing, Our grateful tribute bringing To our almighty Friend; Offering with purest pleasure, To Him the heart’s full treasure, Whose love no thought can measure, Whose praise shall never end.” Refrain: “We sing with exultation, Lord God of our salvation; Thou art our sure Foundation, Our Refuge evermore.”
8th
Reunited with our Christian Family and Friends in Heaven
Text: Matthew 22:32 (KJV) “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Jesus shut the mouths of the Sadducees, who did not believe in the hope of the resurrection. Jesus gave the words that change our lives, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” Jesus, in the Gospel of John, also states, “I am The Resurrection and The Life.” Jesus promises eternal life and a sweet reunion in heaven with our Christian family members and friends. For those of you who have lost Christian loved ones:
1. Remember, they are no longer in pain and suffering. They are with Jesus!
2. Remember, they are worshipping the Lord in heaven.
3. Remember, the Writer of Hebrews states, “We are surrounded with a great cloud of witnesses,” so rejoice in the fact that your believing loved ones are in heaven, rooting and encouraging you to finish your race here on earth well.
This is not found in Scripture, but is my personal hope and opinion. In Revelation we see where Jesus comes back on a white horse, and we see in the book of Isaiah, “the lion shall lay down with the lamb.” I believe and hope in my heart that when we lose a pet (yes, I know they do not have souls), we will see our pet again. I even hope that they can talk, like Aslan, the lion who is a type of Christ, in C.S. Lewis’ wonderful series, “The Chronicles of
Narnia.”
Hymn (“Will the Circle be Unbroken?”): “There are loved ones in the glory, Whose dear forms you often miss; When you close your earthly story, Will you join them in their bliss?” Refrain: “Will the circle be unbroken; By and by, by and by? In a better home awaiting In the sky, in the sky?”
7th
LORD, Speak to Me
Text: Exodus 4:12 (KJV) “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”
After Moses cried and complained to God that he did not know how to speak (oh, how I can relate!), God told Moses that He would give Moses what to say to Pharaoh and use Moses’ brother Aaron as a spokesperson to help Moses. Today, we need to watch what we say with our tongues. We need to cease gossiping, complaining, cursing, slandering against ourselves (self-deprecation,) and slandering against others. We need to say, “Lord, speak to me and teach me what to say!”
Hymn (“LORD, Speak to Me”): “Lord, speak to me that I may speak In living echoes of Thy tone; As Thou has sought, so let me seek Thine erring children lost and lone.”
6th
Do We Respect God?
Text: Exodus 2:25 (KJV) “And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.”
In today’s text, we see something that made me stop and ponder. Our text says that “God had respect unto the children of Israel.” The Bible also says in John 3:16 that, “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son,” Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. So, I have an important yet bold question for you and me: “Do we respect God”? God wants us to show that we really love Him by spending time daily in his Word and prayer, helping those less fortunate than ourselves, praying for the lost, praying for the sick, and helping and encouraging others while others are tearing them down. I have heard a wise man named anonymous say, “Actions speak louder than words, but an encouraging word will nae (never) go amiss.”
Worship Chorus (“I Love You, LORD”): “I love you Lord, and I lift my voice; To worship You, oh my soul rejoice; Take joy My King In what You hear, May it be a sweet, sweet, sound in your ear!”
5th
We are Waiting for thy Salvation and thy Coming
Text: Genesis 49:18(KJV) “I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.”
In today’s text, we see where Jacob spoke to each of his twelve sons. In his words to Dan, he cried out that he was waiting for God’s salvation. We need to wait on the Lord and not be hasty. We need to realize that He alone is our Salvation, and finally we need to wait patiently and expectantly for His coming.
Hymn (“Waiting For Thy Coming”): “We are waiting, blessèd Savior, We are watching for the hour When in majesty descending, Thou shalt come in mighty power; Then the shadows will be lifted, And the darkness rolled away, And our eyes behold the splendor Of the glorious crowning day. We are waiting, blessèd Savior, We are watching not in vain For the cloud that bore Thee upward, And will bring Thee back again. Then, among Thy ransomed people, We shall tread the shining way, And our eyes behold the splendor Of the glorious crowning day. We are waiting, blessèd Savior, For a union, heart to heart, With our dear ones o’er the river, Where we nevermore shall part; Then our sorrows, in a moment, Like a dream will pass away, When our eyes behold the splendor Of the glorious crowning day.”
4th
Fear Not, God has Plans for You and is with You
Text: Genesis 46:2-4a (KJV)
“And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, `Jacob, Jacob.’ And he said, `Here am I.’ And He said, `I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will go down with thee into Egypt.’ ”
God called Jacob and Jacob answered, “Here am I.” God then told Jacob not to be afraid because He was sending him into Egypt to make of his descendants a great nation, namely the nation of Israel. Today, God is softly calling us as Christians. We do not need to be afraid, but answer, “Here am I, what do you want me to do, LORD?” Don’t be afraid but go! You may be the one person to lead someone to faith in Jesus. You may be the one person that with your smile and encouragement may stop someone from ending their life. You may be the one person that can do something that no one else can do for God and others! Go!
Hymn (“Children, Go Where I Send Thee”): “Children, go where I send thee, How shall I send thee? I’m gonna send thee one by one One for the little bitty baby born, born, born in Bethlehem. Children, go where I send thee, How shall I send thee? I’m gonna send thee two by two Two for Paul and Silas One for the little bitty baby born, born, born in Bethlehem.” (Repeat in descending order): “Three for the Hebrew children…Four for the four that stood at the door… Five for the gospel preachers…Six for the six that never got fixed…Seven for the seven that never got to heaven…Eight for the eight that stood at the gate…Nine for the nine all dressed so fine…Ten for the ten commandments…
Eleven for the eleven deriders…Twelve for the twelve Apostles.”
3rd
God is Sovereign over All
Text: Genesis 45:8a (KJV) “So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God:”
Joseph told his terrified brothers that they did not send him to Egypt, but God did. God is in control of our lives as Christians. No matter what you face in your finances, your health, your job, your marriage, your church, and your life in general do not be afraid and terrified. Do not blame the devil, the government, your spouse, your children, even yourself, but stop and say with the hymn writer, “This is my Father’s world, let me ne’er forgot that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is The Ruler yet.”
Hymn (“A Sovereign Protector I Have”): “A Sov’reign Protector I have, Unseen, yet forever at hand, Unchangeably faithful to save, Almighty to rule and command. He smiles, and my comforts abound; His grace as the dew shall descend; And walls of salvation surround The soul He delights to defend. Inspirer and Hearer of prayer, Thou Shepherd and Guardian of Thine, My all to Thy covenant care I sleeping and waking resign. If Thou art my Shield and my Sun, The night is no darkness to me; And fast as my moments roll on, They bring me but nearer to Thee. Kind Author, and ground of my hope, Thee, Thee, for my God I avow; My glad Ebenezer set up, And own Thou hast helped me till now. I muse on the years that are past, Wherein my defense Thou hast proved; Nor wilt Thou relinquish at last A sinner so signally loved!”
2nd
Have Mercy on Me LORD Jesus
Text: Psalm 6:2a (KJV) “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak.”
King David asked God for mercy (we do not know the cause of David’s pain/weakness). Many things cause us to be “weak” in this life (disease, financial problems, relational problems, trials and temptations, etc.). When we are overwhelmed with guilt, sadness, pain, or woe, let us repent of any know sin and let us go to God and say, “Have mercy on me Lord, and please H-E-L-P!”
Hymn (“Have Mercy on Me LORD”): “Have mercy, Lord, on me, As Thou wert ever kind; Let me, oppressed with loads of guilt, Thy wonted mercy find. Wash off my foul offense, And cleanse me from my sin; For I confess my crimes, and see How great my guilt has been. The joy Thy favor gives Let me again obtain, And Thy free Spirit’s firm support My fainting soul sustain. To God the Father, Son, And Spirit glory be, As ’twas, and is, and shall be so To all eternity.”
1st
Jesus Only, let Me See
Text: Matthew 17:8 (KJV) “And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.”
Peter, James, and John had just seen Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus on the mountain. They were afraid and fell face down on the ground, but when they looked up they saw no one except for Jesus. God tells us that it is not wrong to ask others for godly counsel. God however wants us to not allow anyone (spouse, pet, relative, friend) to be closer to us than Jesus. We also need to realize that salvation is not found in Buddha, Mohammed, Satan, the New Age, even Christian religion, but in Jesus. When we are having problems we run here and there (I repent myself), but Jesus wants us to come to Him. Let us look to Jesus only.
Hymn (“Jesus Only, let Me See”): “For salvation full and free, Purchased once on Calvary, Christ alone shall be my plea—Jesus! Jesus only.” Refrain: “Jesus only, let me see, Jesus only, none save He, Then my song shall ever be—Jesus! Jesus only! He my Guide from day to day, As I journey on life’s way; Close beside Him let me stay—Jesus! Jesus only. May my model ever be Christ the Lord, and none save He, That the world may see in me Jesus! Jesus only.”