Stand Up For Jesus - Acts 7

S - Acts 7:54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
O - Stephen was telling the Jews that they were acting just like the Israelites were in the wilderness and throughout history in the fact that they were not truly following God. This impacted them greatly. But instead of accepting the rebuke and changing they decided to stone him.
A - I need to stand up for Him in ALL situations. I think that there is a right and a wrong way to stand up for Jesus but I need to be careful that I hold things back to protect others feelings when they really need to hear the truth. Sometimes people need to hear nothing but the truth and I then let God take care of the rest.
P - Heavenly Father, I come to you today out of awe and reverence. I bow down before you and worship you not for just what you have done for me but because of your greatness and your perfection. Give me the strength and courage to stand up for you, not because you need my protection, but because others need to know the truth about you. Protect me as I do this and give me wisdom to know the right words to use to positively affect them. Bless, heal and protect my family and me today.

Do What I Am Called To Do - Acts 6

S - Acts 6:2 So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.
O - The church was starting to complain against eachother and accusing some of not giving food to others. The apostles then appointed 7 men to become deacans who were to take care of food distribution and other programs that would help the church body. This would then free up the apostles to focus on teaching and preaching the word of God.
A - The account tells me that it is not only OK, but necessary, to focus on the task/call that I have on my life even if what is competing against it is a good and worthwhile task. I am to focus on what He has called me to do and to put people that follow me in a spot where they too can succeed and accomplish what they are called to do. Then I am to lay me hands on them and pray over them so that their efforts will be blessed.
P - God, I pray for blessings and favor on the work that I am going to be doing this week. I pray that your hand be evident in my actions and words. I pray also for healing over my children and my entire family. Use situations that look to be harmful and challenging for your good. I stand in faith over the long life that you have promised to me and my family. I stand in awe before you today and praise you! You are truly amazing and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us. Thank you for your sacrifice and for your eternal presence and comfort.

Work Now - Proverbs 10

S - Proverbs 10:4 Lazy people are soon poor;
hard workers get rich.
5 A wise youth harvests in the summer,
but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.
O - Solomon is talking about the value and virtue of hard work. Those that work will get the reward, while those that are lazy will be poor and a disgrace.
A - My goal in life is not to be the wealthiest person in the world or to have things that others don't to show off or have others talk about me. My goal is to provide a house and home for my family. Being the man of the house, that is my responsibility. I have been given a vehicle that can provide nicely for my family and I and I need to keep these verses in mind when I don't feel like working or don't want to go out and do that which I know I'm supposed to do. I am not a disgrace but a wise youth. I might as wewll work in my youth as I have all the resources now and don't know what the future will bring so I will dig my well before I'm thirsty. One last thing; I am responsible for providing for my family but I also feel responsible to help others also provide for their families and I again have a vehicle that can do just that. So if I don't go out and work, I am not only letting my family down but also those people that I may have been able to help.
P - God, Thank you for providing for my family and me. I pray that you be with me daily and help me work up the courage and strength to go out and work my business to not only provide for my family but to also help those that want help in life. I know that I alone can not do this alone but need your help and guidence and I will give you the credit when I succeed. Bless my family and me today.

The Foundation of Wisdom - Proverbs 9

S - Proverbs 9:10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom.
Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
O - This proverb continues on talking about wisdom. It says that the foundation of wisdom is the fear of the Lord and knowledge of God.
A - There are many intellectuals that think that once someone is a born again believer that they through out all common sense and logic and now are on the path of blind faith. However, this proverb goes completely against this claim. True wisdom is brought about by the fear and knowledge of the Lord. This understanding of who He is and a healthy fear of Him brings about wisdom and good judgement. This doesn't say that there is no need for testing things and having good judgement. God's word and what He speaks to us brings about a level of understanding that pure intellect can't understand or may not understand to the same degree. I choose to stay with God and lean on Him for my continued good judgement and wisdom, not relying on myself only as that is just pure folly.
P - God, thank you for all that you have done for me and for always being near me. I ask that you continue to pure out wisdom in my life and help me exercise good judgement daily. Give me the confidence, strength, and wisdom to stand up to those that attack you or myself on an intellectual level and bring wisdom to the discussion so that they may search for that same truth that I know so very well. Bless my family and me today and keep us safe and healthy.

Wisdom - Proverbs 8

S - Proverbs 8:14 Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine
O - Wisdom is the voice in this proverb. Wisdom bring common sense, insight, strength, and success.
A - Many times we are looking for a word from God or a super natural experience that has God written all over it to help direct and guide us through life. This type of communication can and does happen but God has also given us wisdom. Wisdom brings common sense, insight, strength, and success. These are all characteristics that I pray for daily; I need to be asking for wisdom as this will cover all of these and then more as the whole proverb was talking about the benefits of wisdom. Jus look at what wisdom did for Solomon; He was the wisest man in the world and kings came from all around to consult with Him. But just like Solomon, I need to be careful that I don't start doing whatever I feel is right and go away from God's word and start chasing other idols.
P - God, I thank you for a very good weekend and for bringing all of our family to MN. I pray for protection today for my wife and children as they are away and for strength, purity, and protection for my. I ask for a liberal supply of wisdom Lord. Let both that and your word guide me and bring me strength today. Bless my family and me today.

God Want Me to Succeed - Ephesians 3

S - Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
O - Paul is again talking about how the Jews and the Gentiles are both part of Gods family as long as they believe the good news of Jesus' suffering and death to take away their sins. Here it shows that God should receive all that glory possible as He, not them, can accomplish all and more than they are able to ask or think.
A - God wants me to succeed in life. He wants me to accomplish infinitely more than I can even think or ask. He's looking for a vessel to work through and I stand up today and call out "Here am I, send me, send me!" As He continues to work in and through my life, I will continue to give Him the praise and let those around me know that it is because of Him that I have succeeded.
P - God, Here I stand before you today and look to you for you will and your guidence. Use me for your kingdom and for your purposes. Give me the strength and courage to continue on the path even when it may seem like nothing is happening as I know that You will work in Your timing. I ask for healing power over my entire family and extended family and ask for protection around them as well. Bless my family and me today.

Live a Life of Victory - Ephesians 2

S - Ephesians 2:7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
O - Paul was telling the Epohesians that they used to be outsiders as Gentiles, but now because of Jesus, they would now be a part of the body of Christ. People in the future would look back on them and see that they were blessed and loved tremedously because of Jesus' actions and grace.
A - I too am not a direct descendant of the Jews and would be lumped together with the Ephesians and without Jesus' suffering and death would not be a part of God's promises to his people. I now need to live a life full of victory, peace, and love so that others, now and later, can see that the goodness and blessings in my life couldn't come from me and what I did but because of what Jesus did for me. Life a life of victory!
P - Heavenly Father, Thank your for all that you have done for my family and me. I ask that you bless us today and use us for your kingdom. Help me to be an example to my children and anyone else that is looking to me as a leader. Give me boldness and confidence today to show that I know who I follow and why I follow so that those that are hungry will also know who to follow. I ask for blessings and healing over my family today.

Understand What The True Message is - Galations 4

S - Galations 4:18 If someone is eager to do good things for you, that’s all right; but let them do it all the time, not just when I’m with you.
O - Paul is again talking about how there are false prophets trying to win over the Galations. These people were doing good to the people in an effort to get their minds and support away from Paul and the good news.
A - There are still people like that today. Their message is a message to pleasure and of false hope which is wrapped in a lie and flattery. Although this may be enticing at the time, I need to step back and use the Godly wisdom that I have and see if this message lines up with God's word. No matter how flowery or pretty this message is if it doesn't match up with what I know is right from the Bible and through talking with God, then I know to reject it and keep far away from it. They may also come and be extremely nice and pleasant people and even bend over backwards to help me and my family but this to is potentially just an effort to win me over to their message. Keep far away from these people.
P - God, You alone are God and worthy of every single amount of praise and worship that I can give you. Thank you for all the blessings that you have poured out on my life and on my wife and children's lives. I come to you today and ask for healing; healing for Christa's aunt and healing for the illness that is going through our home. You are a God of healing and you laid your Son's life down in a way to bring healing and we ask that you bring it quickly. Help me today to guard my heart and mind from those individuals that are bringing a message that differs from what your word says. Give me wisdom and understanding to know when people are truly bringing hope and good news and not when it is lies and flattery. Bless my family and me today.

Faith, Not Works, Saves - Galations 3

S - Galations 3:25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
O - Paul is talking about how the Galations were still trying to earn redemption through keeping the law. However, since Jesus came and paid the sacrifice for their sins they only need to have faith in Him to get redemption. Trying to keep the law will not bring about salvation.
A - Some times I try to do everything right, not only because it will bring salvation but to show that I am a good person. There is nothing wrong with trying to 100% obey God's commandments but to do so in assuming this will bring about God's favor and salvation, is a misconception. I should be wanting to obey Him because He is God and He gave His only son so that I and those that are around me could spend eternity with Him. I need to also grant grace to others around me that may not be following His commands also, as these commands won't bring salvation to them either. Instead I should share the good news so that they too may be redeemed.
P - God, I praise you this morning for the awesome things you have done and created. I pray for your healing power to come on my family and to be super-natural healing. Thank you for your son Jesus and the sacrifice that He made for me. Help me to walk in your ways, not to help me feel worthy of your sacrifice but instead out of respect and worship for who you are and for what you did. Bless me and my family today.

Don't Please Man But Please God - Galations 1

S - Galations 1:10 Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
O - Paul is starting his letter off to the Galations telling them the reason for his ministry and for his letter. He is not writing and traveling for his glory or to win friends but instead to be a servant of God's and to sprend His good news throughout the world.
A - I too have a choice. Do I choose to water down God's message in order to win "friends" or to look good in other's eys or do I boldly and confidently live my life for Him in my words and actions? This is a question that I need to reflect on daily and to choose to be His servant daily and to do His will and fulfill His calling on my life.
P - God, Help me to live boldy and confidently for you and your kingdom. Give me the wisdom, courage and strength to say and do what may not always be popular and may ruffle some feathers. However, the truth will set people free and will cause them to think about what what said. Help me to bring your message to people in a way that they have open hearts and with words that cut to the heart but mot in a condeming way that they do not listen to. God, I need you help and your strength to push through and to accomplish my purpose in life. Please give me that daily renewed strength! Bless my family and me today.

Fulfill The Call On My Life - 2 Corinthians 11

S - 2 Corinthians 11:27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
O - Paul is explaining that those other people coming to the Corinthians with a different message are not messangers of Jesus. Paul esplains also that he hasn't been a material burden on the Corinthians and in this verse tells them at what cost he has personally given to share the true good news to them and to others.
A - Paul was directly called by God to share the gospel with the gentiles. In this call God didn't necessarily say that this work was going to be easy; and it wasn't. I have a call on my life and just like Paul, God never said that it would be easy. I need to expect days that don't go well and for hard work and sleepless nights. However, God does promise to be with me and to protect me. Hard work never killed anyone and sleepless nights never killed anyone either. I need to stay strong and continue the race that God has set out for me.
P - God, Thank you for your promise of protection and guidence and the fact that you will always be there for me. Help me on this journey and bless my actions to fulfill the call that you have given me. Help me to guide and lead my family and to treat them with love and respect. Give me a heart for others to truly empathize with them and understand the feelings that they may be experiencing. Bless my family and me today.

Use God's Mighty Weapons - 2 Corinthians 10

S - 2 Corinthians 10:4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.
O - Paul is talking about the authority he has, human authority, but heavenly authority. Because of this type of authority he is able to use God's weapons, spiritual weapons, that can defeat spiritual strongholds and bring healing to people's lives.
A - I have this same authority because I am a child of God's. I can use these spiritual weapons to help tear down strongholds and help bring healing, both physical and spiritual, to people's lives. Instead of standing in fear and questioning what can be done to help, I need to dig deep into my spiritual weapons bag and use these consistantly and persistantly. He will bring results through these weapons as they are the armor of God.
P - God, I thank you for empowering me with the spiritual weapons and armor of God so that I can help bring peace to those around me and to proclaim you awesome power. I pray that you give me wisdom and strength to use these weapons in a way that can advance your kingdom. I pray a huge amount of healing over my family. In the name of Jesus I cast out any evil spirits and evil thoughts that are attacking my family and I cast them into the pit of hell where they belong. Because of Jesus, they have no power over anyone in my family becuase with God on our side no one can be against us. I pray a blessing over my family and me today.

Give Generously - 2 Corinthians 9

S - 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
O - Paul is preparing the Corinthians to gather the gifts that they had promised to give to Jerusalem. Because of the gifts that they were going to give there was a promise on the back side that they would be the recipients of. He said that God would generously provide all they needed. They would never be without everything they needed and would have extra left over to continue sharing with others.
A - This same principle applies to me as well. I have a seed that I can choose to either eat or plant. If I eat my seed, my immediate need is met. However, in the future I will not have this results of the seed growing and will be without. The same goes for the kingdom of God and gifts. God has generously provided all that I need and I owe Him the first 10% but additionally should give an offering. Much like a farmer, if I plant extra, then my harvest will be even that much bigger. God has promised to provide generously for everything that I need. But the second part of this verse is even better; that I'll have plenty of left overs to share with others.
P - Heavenly Father, I want to thank you this morning for all that you have generously given to me. You have been my continual rock and always been there to provide for my family and me. Help me to be an abundant giver! I want to bless your kingdom and be trusted with even more to move along your kingdom that much better. Bless my family and me today

Finish What You Started - 2 Corinthians 8

S - 2 Corinthians 8:11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have.
O - Paul is exhorting the Corinthians to excel in giving. They had started off very strong and were enthusiastic about biving but it sounds as if they tapered off a bit. He is telling them to finish strong and to give what they committed.
A - I see two points in this message. Number one, I need to excel in giving. We have been extremely faithful in giving of the tithe but the tithe is nothing more than giving to God what is God's. The offerings about and beyond the tithe are what is truly giving. I am going to continue finding ways to sow money into the kingdom. Number two, I need to finish what I started. I thought of more than just giving when I read this statement. I think this goes for every area in my life. There have been things that I've started and then as time goes by it has been easy to somewhat veer away from the committment that I made. This includes but is not limited to the following: My business, our adoption, being the man and father God commanded me to be and my job. I should excel and thrive in everything I do and expect it to happen. With God on my side, who can be against me!
P - Heavenly Father, I come to you this morning and give you all of the praise and all of the glory that I can muster up for you because you are truly deserving of everything that I can give to you! You alone are God! Thank you for always being with my family and me. I pray for your healing hand on my family, my extended family and me today. Take away any sickness or diseases that are attacking our bodies in the name of Jesus Christ. I pray that you guide our paths today as we take steps forward to finish strong what we started. Guide our paths and open any doors that are shut if you want us to walk through them. Give me the courage to walk through these doors and to lead my wife and children. Bless my family and me today!