Do What You Are Good At - 1 Samuel 17

S - 1 Samuel 17:38 Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39 David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.
“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. 40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
O - David had volunteered to fight Goliath and Saul was reluctant to send him. However, due to David's confidence and persistence, Saul gave in and let him use his armor. David was not comfortable in the armor and instead went out to fight in what he was used to, and defeated Goliath.
A - I should do what I'm good at and not try to be someone or do something that I'm truly not. God has given me gifts that are different than others for a reason and I need to use these and not try to do something that is outside of my gifts. God will be with me just as He was with David if/when I stick to His plan and His purpose in my life.
P - God, I thank you for providing me with strengths and gifts that are unique to me. Give me confidence and willingness to use these abilities to pursue and fulfill the plans that you have for me to strengthen and advance your kingdom. Give me wisdom to work with my children to also give them confidence in their strengths and abilities. Bless my family and me today.

Live Amoung and Influence Non Believers - Colossians 4

S - Colossians 4:5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone.
O - We are not meant to exclude ourseslves from the world and live in our own little closed off world but instead we are to live wisely among the non believers. We are to take advantage of opportunities and have our words and actions be attractive so as to win them to Jesus.
A - I am placed strategically in a way that I can influence non believers. I need to make the most of every opportunity and be a shining light for these people to wonder what I have. When these opportunities come up, I need to have wisdom to know if its a time for being bold or a time to just show a good example. With my words, I need to guard them closely so that they are gracious and attractive as well as being the right response.
P - God, I thank you for placing me in the exact right place to be able to influence many individuals. Help me to remember daily that eyes are watching me and that I can be the one that positively influences a person and encourages them to seek you. Give me wisdom to have the right response to individuals and to know how bold I need to be in a given situation. Bless my family and me today.

Being a Husband and Father - Colossians 3

S - Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
O - Husbands and fathers are to do two things according to these verses. First, a husband should show love to his wife and never treat them harshly. The opposite of harsh treatment is courteous or polite treatment. Second, a father should not aggravate his children. The meaning of aggravate is to persistently annoy or exasperate. By doing this a wedge will form in that the child will not desire to be with his father.
A - Both of these commands pierce my heart as I am not always following this advise. I need to not only treat Christa with love and respect but also do it in a manner that is courteous, polite, and gentle. I need to be that chivalrous man that treats his wife with the utmost care and attention. As a father, I need to find a way to connect with each of my children individually. There are times that I can aggravate them. Another meaning for aggravte is to irritate intensely. When one of my children is intensely irritated there is no way in the world that they will want to run into my arms but instead they will run as far away as possible. I need to remember this and work on showing them love and acceptance, always.
P - God, Help me to be the husband and father that you have called me and commanded me to be for my wife and children. Give me wisdom and understanding to see how Christa and the kids are accepting what I am saying and doing to know if I am capturing their hearts. I desire to be both that husband and father that they so deperately need and want so that their hearts are full and they don't need to worry about that missing area in their life but can focus on what you have called them to do. I praise you this morning for all that you have done and continue to do! You have been the best example of a father and husband and I thank you for that example that I can follow. Bless my family and me today.

Thankfulness Comes From A Strong Faith - Colossians 2

S - Colossians 2:7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
O - Based on this verse, thankfulness comes from having a strong faith which comes from having your life built firmly on Jesus. Roots are where all the water and nutrients from the soil is gathered so when they are told to have their roots grow down to Him, this means that He should be the source of life.
A - I need to daily transfer the control of my life to Him and to be close to Him so that I can tap into His strength and wisdom for my daily living. Doing this will produce a strong faith which will bring not only thankfulness but and overflow of thankfulness. So much thankfulness that negativity will have no place in my life. Just like darkness can't be in a room full of light, negativity can't coexist with a life overflowing with thankfulness.
P - Heavenly Father, I give you my life today and I search for you and desire your strength and your wisdom. Fill my heart with thankfulness Lord and help me to pass this on to my wife and children. Help me to get passion back into my life and to strive for what you have called me to do daily. Bless my family and me today and protect us both physically and spiritually.

Have the Mind of Jesus - Philippians 2

S - Philippians 2:5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
O - Paul is telling the Philippians to live a life of love and peace and thinking about others and not just doing things to better yourself and your life.
A - I can have the mind of Jesus. His Holy Spirit is inside of me and I have direct access to think, talk, and act as Jesus did. Jesus lived a life of complete selflessness. I desire this for me as well to bless those around me, especially my wife and children. Before doing or saying anything I need to remember to ask, "What would Jesus do?"
P - God, I so strongly desire to live a life that is pleasing to you and your kingdom. I ask that you be with me daily and speak ever so clearly to me so that I may do what you desire. In the name of Jesus I bind the spirits of laziness and selfishness and I cast them out of this body and out of my house. Replace that instead with your work effort and the selflessness that your son Jesus so eloquently displayed while He was on earth. I pray for safety for my family as they travel home today and I pray for blessings over my family and me.

Honor God Through Living - Philippians 1

S - Philippians 1:11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ[b]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
O - Paul is encouraging the Philippians to bring praise, honor, and glory to God by living a life full of the righteous charater that can only be had through Jesus.
A - My main purpose in life is to praise and honor God. He has done marvelous things throughout time and throughout my life and I should always feel honored and priviledged to live a life that brings Him praise. This includes living a life of purpose and fulfilling the path that he has balled me to as well as being an encouragement to others and sharing the good news of Jesus.
P - God, I thank you for all that you have done in my life and in the lives of those around me. I want to bring you honor and glory in everything that I think, do, and say. Help me to stay on track and on focus with the calling that you have put in my life. Help me to be a father and husband that brings peace, strength, and honor to my wife and children. Bless us today.

God Blesses Those That Serve Him - Acts 28

S - Acts 28:10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
O - Paul was shipwrecked and bitten by a snake and still survived. The people saw this and then witnessed Paul healing a man and then many others. They realized that he was just more than a man with a message but he had been given supernatural power as well. Because of both of these things, they supplied him whatever he needed.
A - God richly provides for those that boldly and confidently proclaim His goodness and His holiness. He has and will give even more liberaly when I boldy and confidently stand up for Him and witness to others on His behalf. All of the riches of the world belong to Him and He will use multiple ways to bring these blessings to those that honor Him.
P - God, you are amazing! I pray for healing power to come on those in our family that desperately need that healing today. By the blood of Jesus, we will be healed supernaturally! I pray that you grant me wisdom, courage, and strength to go out and do what you have called me to do daily and to stand up for you in everything that I do and say. Bless my family and me today.

Brining Others the Good News - Acts 26

S - Acts 26:29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”
A - Paul was on trial and had just explained how he grew up being trained in the Jewish laws and how he had witnessed a great light and voice from Jesus to stop pursecuting the Christians but to instead go and witness to the Gentiles. At the end of his talk, Agrippa asked him if he thought he could convert him to be a Christian this easily and quickly, and the verse above is Paul's response. Not only was Paul defending himself but he wanted to convert everyone there to be a Christian.
O - I know that some people talk about me and my Christian ways. I have at times backed away so that I wouldn't need to take any critisism, but instead I need to be more like Paul and not only defend myself but also work to bring the good news to even these critics. My calling in life is not to live a stress-free and unoffending life but instead a life of truth and passion in which others can see and hear Jesus through me.
P - God, you are worthy of everything and every praise that I can give you every second of the day for all that you have done and continue to do. Remind me and give me the strength to share this good news and live a life worthy of copy every minute of the day. Help me to pass this along to my children as well and to be a father that encourages them to come to you as well. Bless my family and me today.

God Brings Encouragement - Acts 23

S - Acts 23:11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
O - Paul was again in prison and was being tried because of the message that he was preaching. God came to him and told him that he would need to preach this same message in Rome as well. When I first read this it almost sounded as if God was bringing him news that he would have to go through this same torture in Rome as well but then I noticed two important things. First, there were two words before this statement, "Be encouraged". God was not bringing him a message of pain or a command but instead a message of hope. Second, if he was going to preach in Rome, then that means that he must not be killed here then because then he wouldn't make it to Rome. This indeed was a message of hope and not a command that was sure to bring more pain.
A - There are times that I too am going through issues that seem to be more than I may be able to handle. God is the same today, tomorrow, and yesterday. Therefore, He is still a God of hope and encouragement. I need to focus my eyes on Him and cast my cares on Him because He has promised to be with me and He will not give me more than I can handle. The hard times many times bring growth and I need to go through these with His help in order to get to the place where I need to in order to fulfill His plan.
P - God, I ask that you continue to be with me and give me encouragement to fulfill the plan that you have for me. Help me to also be that vessel that brings others encouragement. I pray that you guide my family and me and bless us. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do daily.

Stand Up For Myself and God - Acts 22

S - Acts 22:25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?”
O - Paul took much pursecution throughout his life and he was courageous enough to continue his preaching eventhough this was the very act that caused him this pursecution. Here we see him again being bound to be beaten for his testimony. He didn't, however, just sit there without a word, he asked a very simple question that brought the commander and soldiers to a complete stop.
A - It's ok and many times good to stand up for what I believe in and am called to do even if others don't like it or are bothered by it. Instead of me not saying anything in order that I might offend them or make them angry, I need to stand up for myself and for what is right. God will use my words cut to their hearts.
P - God, You are amazing and I stand and marvel at all you have done in my life and continue to do daily. Be with my family and me today and give us favor and blessings that overflow our cups. Give me the wisdom and strength to open up my mouth and stand up for myself when I am treated wrongly or others are disrespecting you.

It's Better to Give Than Receive - Acts 20

S - Acts 20:35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
O - Paul was telling the elders of the Ephesus church that they would never see him again but that he had done all he could to teach them what they needed to in order to have eternal life. His life was devoted to helping people and he lived the phrase that it's more blessed to give than to receive.
A - I too have been called to help those that are in need. I have, at times, a desire to please myself and give only to me. However, over the years I have found out that it is truly better to give than to receive and when I am not giving to others I am not satisfied. I need to remember this when I am tempted to sit back and just do what I want to do instead of giving and blessing others, just as Jesus did His entire ministry.
P - Heavenly Father, I praise you today for all that you have done and will continue to do. We are truly blessed and are not worthy of the blessings that you have showered on our lives. I pray that you bless my actions today and help me to focus on others around me instead of just on myself. Give me the strength and courage to do those things that are necessary to fulfill my purpose in life and to touch lives of those around me. Thank you for the healing power that is on me and my family and I pray that you supernaturally and aboundantly bless my family and me today.

Case AGAINST infant baptism - Acts 16

S - Acts 16:33 Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. 34 He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.
O - This is the portion of scriptures that most people use to argue FOR infant baptism, "Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized." However, when continuing on to the next verse this is said, "and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God." If an infant was baptized because the entire household must have contained infants, then the same entire houseehold in the next verse must then contain infants but it is not possible for an infant to rejoice because the believe in God.
A - I need to help my children come into their own relationship with God and to build a desire in them to rejoice in Him and trust in Him and then encourage them to be baptized. This is the most important thing that I can teach and train them to do being a father.
P - God, I rejoice in you today and thank you for all that you do for my family and me daily. You are amazing! I pray that you be with my children today and give them a desire to know you intimately. Give me the wisdom and understanding to help guide them to you and to continually encourage a strong relationship with you. Thank you for healing, protection, and blessing today and everyday.

We Are Saved By Grace - Acts 15

S - Acts 15:11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.
O - There was a disagreement between the believers in Antioch about whether or not the Gentiles needed to be circumcised in order to be a believer. There was such a division that they sent paul back to Jerusalem to discuss this with the apostles to come back with an official word. This is one of the arguements that James had. We are saved only through the grace of Jesus Christ.
A - This statement to me points out two points. First, I need to be telling everyone that I meet about Jesus and what He did for them. This is the only way that they can invite Him into their heart and accept Jesus as their Savior. Second, since this grace is not based on outward actions or anything that is visible other than the moment that they accept Him into their heart, I need to refrain from judging people's faith and salvation. When they accept Jesus into their hearts their actions should follow suit but I should never assume that if someone does something blatantly wrong that they are not a believer.
P - God, give me a heart to spread your word and strengthen other believers. I ask that you give me strength and courage in dealing with people and to be bold with your message. I pray that you give me your heart to see the true heart of people and to not judge them based only what I can see. You are amazing Lord! I thank you for the healing that you have brought to my family and for the continued healing for myself and my family. I pray a blessing over my family and me today.

Chosen? - Acts 13

S - Acts 12:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers.
? - "And all who were chosen for eternal life became believers." What does this mean? All who were chosen for eternal life sounds like we are chosen and if we're not chosen there is no chance for eternal life.
P - Lord God, I pray for understanding of this verse and what being chosen and eternal life have to do with eachother. I pray today for healing for my family, my children, and myself. Take away any of the sickness and disease that we are battling and cover us with the body and blood of Jesus Christ. We remove and cast out that sickness because of what Jesus did for us. Bless our day today and be with us and guide us.

Pray Earnestly - Acts 12

S - Acts 12:5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.
O - Peter was just put in prison after James had been killed. When this happened many believers got together in a house and started praying earnestly for Peter so that he might be protected and most likely that they wouldn't be harmed as well.
A - I still to this day don't understand why bad things happen to good people and to those that believe, but they do. When these things happen I need to look to these Christians as an example and earnestly pray. Right now there are those in my family that are facing times of illness, others are depressed or lonely, and others just need help and encouragement to finish the job that was laid out for them. And just as importantly if not more so, there are hundreds and thousands of people that I don't yet know that are looking for an earthly answer to their problems and also an eternal solution and I have both of these answers and the ability to help them. Remember to pray earnestly!
P - God, You are amazing and worthly of every ounce of praise in my body! Thank you so very much for all that you have done for my family and me. I pray today for healing. Healing for mental and physical wounds of those in my family. I pray for joy and peace and understanding for those that need that help. I pray for encouragement and strength for myself and others that need that extra help to go out and finish that task that you have laid out before us. Lord, you have given me the means and the ability to touch many people's lives; I ask you now to help me and give me the strength to touch these people and give them this same joy, peace and hope that I have through you. Bless my family and me today.

Fulfill My Calling - Acts 9

S - Acts9:13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers[c] in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul.
O - What a very difficult choice Ananias had to make when the Lord came to him in a vision telling him to go and find Saul and help him. He disputed the calling with God but in the end he listened and obeyed the call. Because of this, Saul became one of the most influencial believers of the times and led thousands of people to Jesus.
A - I too have a calling on my life but it is no where near as scary as Ananias' was. I have to face fear and doubt but in the end there is no physical danger to my life because of my calling. And just as Ananias was told to go again after saying why he shouldn't follow the command, I have had a second confirmations regarding my calling. Now I just need to stand up and do what I'm supposed to do. Because of what Ananias did many many people were saved. I too have that same ability to help hundreds and thousands of people become believers and also to better their life while on this earth.
P - God, I have heard your call on my life and I thank you for that direction. I ask that you help me and give me the strength and courage to go out day after day and do what is needed to fulfill this calling. I ask that you give my children a direct word and calling for their life so they too can go out and affect the world for your kingdom. You are truly amazing and worthy of everything in this world and I want to show you my thankfulness my doing what you have asked. Bless my family and me today.