S - Daniel 2:18 He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon.
O - The King had a dream and wanted the wise men to first tell him the dream and then interpret it for him so he was sure that they weren't lying to him. They obviously couldn't do this so he ordered them all killed. When the men were coming to kill Daniel and his friends, he asked for a little time to be told the dream and interpret it. This verse is Daniel talking to his three friends to ask God to show his mercy by telling them the dream.
A - If I was in this situation, I too probably would have prayed to God and asked for his revelation. However, Daniel, based on what has been described of him here and later on, fully, 100% expected God to not only answer his but to give him this wisdom and interpret the dream. Do I truly ALWAYS expect God to give me this level of wisdom and understanding? Do I truly expect Him to answer my prayer and to guide me when making a very tough decision? I think that this is the difference between Daniel and my prayers. I need to fully expect God to answer my prayers and spend a lot of time with him, as we see later on that Daniel prayed three times a day, stopping everything he was doing, in order to be with God.
P - God, I come to you today and ask for your forgiveness. I am sorry for not spending more time with you and expecting you to help me all of the time. I put my trust in you and know that you will be with me always and guide me and protect me. I thank you for that and pray that you help me to explain this same truth to my family and help them have this same reassurance. I pray that you be with me today and bless my thoughts, words, and actions.
Soap Suds
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
When Bad Things Happen - Daniel 1
S - Daniel 1 :2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God.
O - This verse says the God permitted the Babylonians to win over Judah and the people of God and take some of the sacred objects from the temple.
A - I truly believe the we will be blessed and protected by God. And the question is "Why did God permit this bad thing from happening to Judah?" I don't know the answer but it is probably a combination of two things that I need to be aware of in my life. One, the people of Judah were not always, or may times not, keeping God as their true God. They would wander away from Him and look to idols to be their God. 2 Kings 24:3-4 says "3 Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, 4 including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive." Second, God was going to use this bad thing to further His kingdom and His plan. Fast forward to the three Judeans that wouldn't bow down to the statue and were thrown into a firey furnace. Because they were in captivity they were forced to bow down and once they didn't and survived the furnace, the king of Babylon insisted that everyone acknowledge God to be the true God.
P - God, I pray that you be with me and my family today. I ask that you protect and guard us from any evil that is coming against us. You are the true and magnificent God and the only one that is worthy of praise and I want to live a life that is pure and holy and fulling your purpose. I pray that when things may not go the way that I picture or imagine they should that you would help me to understand your plan so that I can accept this and move according to what you desire. I pray for health and protection and blessing today over my family and me.
O - This verse says the God permitted the Babylonians to win over Judah and the people of God and take some of the sacred objects from the temple.
A - I truly believe the we will be blessed and protected by God. And the question is "Why did God permit this bad thing from happening to Judah?" I don't know the answer but it is probably a combination of two things that I need to be aware of in my life. One, the people of Judah were not always, or may times not, keeping God as their true God. They would wander away from Him and look to idols to be their God. 2 Kings 24:3-4 says "3 Surely these things happened to Judah according to the Lord’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, 4 including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the Lord was not willing to forgive." Second, God was going to use this bad thing to further His kingdom and His plan. Fast forward to the three Judeans that wouldn't bow down to the statue and were thrown into a firey furnace. Because they were in captivity they were forced to bow down and once they didn't and survived the furnace, the king of Babylon insisted that everyone acknowledge God to be the true God.
P - God, I pray that you be with me and my family today. I ask that you protect and guard us from any evil that is coming against us. You are the true and magnificent God and the only one that is worthy of praise and I want to live a life that is pure and holy and fulling your purpose. I pray that when things may not go the way that I picture or imagine they should that you would help me to understand your plan so that I can accept this and move according to what you desire. I pray for health and protection and blessing today over my family and me.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Treat My Enemies Well - Proverbs 25
S - Proverbs 25:21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
O - Continuing on from yesterday, there are evildoers that don't want me to succeed or to hurt me. However, this passage says that I am to give them food to eat and something to drink as this will bring the Lord's reward to me.
A - When dealing with people that are out to hurt me or cause me shame, I am to treat them not only well, but to give them the basic necessities that they need to live. In doing this two things will happen. First, they will be brought to a place of embarrassment and shame as they have been treating me unfairly and see that I am able to treat them well and serve them. And second, God will reward me for doing this. His reward is more valuable to me than anything else because if God is for me, who can be against me?
P - God, I ask for your forgiveness today for the way that I have talked about people that are bringing pain into my life and how I may even treat them. I pray that you give me patience in dealing with these individuals and that I not only treat them well but I serve them. Help me to have a heart that can forgive them and not look for anything back in return from them but to instead just focus on your reward that you have promised. I praise you today for being the ultimate example of this in your son Jesus as He treated those that not only didn't like him, but that wanted to kill Him, with love always. I pray a blessing and health upon my family and me today.
If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.
O - Continuing on from yesterday, there are evildoers that don't want me to succeed or to hurt me. However, this passage says that I am to give them food to eat and something to drink as this will bring the Lord's reward to me.
A - When dealing with people that are out to hurt me or cause me shame, I am to treat them not only well, but to give them the basic necessities that they need to live. In doing this two things will happen. First, they will be brought to a place of embarrassment and shame as they have been treating me unfairly and see that I am able to treat them well and serve them. And second, God will reward me for doing this. His reward is more valuable to me than anything else because if God is for me, who can be against me?
P - God, I ask for your forgiveness today for the way that I have talked about people that are bringing pain into my life and how I may even treat them. I pray that you give me patience in dealing with these individuals and that I not only treat them well but I serve them. Help me to have a heart that can forgive them and not look for anything back in return from them but to instead just focus on your reward that you have promised. I praise you today for being the ultimate example of this in your son Jesus as He treated those that not only didn't like him, but that wanted to kill Him, with love always. I pray a blessing and health upon my family and me today.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Don't Fret Evildoers - Proverbs 24
S - Proverbs 24:19 Don’t fret because of evildoers;
don’t envy the wicked.
20 For evil people have no future;
the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
O - There are evil people in the world and we shouldn't fret because of them. In the long-run, they will be snuffed out.
A - It seems that our world and country is going on a path of unrighteousness and evil. I have a choice to worry about these evil-doers or to give it to God. In these verses it gives me hope that I don't need to, and even shouldn't, worry and fret of these people as they have no future and will be snuffed out. My job is to continue doing what is right and to love these people anyway. God will take care of the rest.
P - God, I thank you for your continued presence and promise that you will be with us and protect us from the evil that is happening around us. Help me to be the salt and the light that the world, my wife, my children, and my families need me to be to give them hope and to point them to you as you are the hope in my life. Bless my thoughts, words, and actions today and help me to touch lives today for your glory. Keep my family and me safe today and give us continued health.
don’t envy the wicked.
20 For evil people have no future;
the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
O - There are evil people in the world and we shouldn't fret because of them. In the long-run, they will be snuffed out.
A - It seems that our world and country is going on a path of unrighteousness and evil. I have a choice to worry about these evil-doers or to give it to God. In these verses it gives me hope that I don't need to, and even shouldn't, worry and fret of these people as they have no future and will be snuffed out. My job is to continue doing what is right and to love these people anyway. God will take care of the rest.
P - God, I thank you for your continued presence and promise that you will be with us and protect us from the evil that is happening around us. Help me to be the salt and the light that the world, my wife, my children, and my families need me to be to give them hope and to point them to you as you are the hope in my life. Bless my thoughts, words, and actions today and help me to touch lives today for your glory. Keep my family and me safe today and give us continued health.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Raising Godly Children - Proverb 23
S - Proverbs 23:24 The father of godly children has cause for joy.
What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
O - Fathers who have Godly children are filled with joy.
A - One of the things that I was called to be was a father; a good, Godly father. My call is and continues to be to raise up my children in a way that not only prepares them for this world and to be the men and women of God that there were called to be but also to teach them about God and to pass along that love for Him that I have. I need to remember this daily as I often spend more time on how to live in this world than how to live in the spiritual world. By taking this time with each of my children that God has blessed me with in a way that makes sense for each of my children individually, this is when that teaching and training will be absorbed and learned. The desire of my heart is to have my children grow up with God leading their life as then I will know that they too are protected and will be blessed, even when trials and tribulations come into their lives. I want my children to want to be with Christa and I and not feel obligated to be with us, and when they are Godly men and women, they will also desire this time with us.
P - God I come to you to in thanksgiving and praise. I praise you and thank you for all that you have done in my life. I especially thank you for the children that you have blessed me with and for the future children that are not yet in my home. I pray that you give me wisdom and strength to daily train and teach them to be Godly children who are growing into Godly men and women. I pray that you would bless them today and everyday and help them to open their hearts to you and to desire you with all of their hearts. Guide me today and make our travels safe. Bless us and give us continued health.
What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
O - Fathers who have Godly children are filled with joy.
A - One of the things that I was called to be was a father; a good, Godly father. My call is and continues to be to raise up my children in a way that not only prepares them for this world and to be the men and women of God that there were called to be but also to teach them about God and to pass along that love for Him that I have. I need to remember this daily as I often spend more time on how to live in this world than how to live in the spiritual world. By taking this time with each of my children that God has blessed me with in a way that makes sense for each of my children individually, this is when that teaching and training will be absorbed and learned. The desire of my heart is to have my children grow up with God leading their life as then I will know that they too are protected and will be blessed, even when trials and tribulations come into their lives. I want my children to want to be with Christa and I and not feel obligated to be with us, and when they are Godly men and women, they will also desire this time with us.
P - God I come to you to in thanksgiving and praise. I praise you and thank you for all that you have done in my life. I especially thank you for the children that you have blessed me with and for the future children that are not yet in my home. I pray that you give me wisdom and strength to daily train and teach them to be Godly children who are growing into Godly men and women. I pray that you would bless them today and everyday and help them to open their hearts to you and to desire you with all of their hearts. Guide me today and make our travels safe. Bless us and give us continued health.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Ungodly World That We Live In - 1 John 4
S - 1 John 4:5 Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 6 But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.
O - People of this world think like the world and do not listen to those of us that are filled with the Holy Spirirt.
A - If those people that are of this world will not listen to those of us that are filled with the Holy Spirit, how and why are we to go and make disciples? By speaking the truth and they won't listen, is there any benefit? It is very dissapointing to view our elections of this great country and to see the level of moral decay that is going on around us. I just feel as though there is little hope left in bringing our city, state, and country back to you and to the morals that would again make this country great.
P - God, I pray that you would speak into my life and those others that may be feeling the same way following the election and the show of moral decay that is happening in our country. I pray for those leaders to be touched and transformed into the Godly men and women that you have called them to be and to turn and lead in a direction that is consistent with your word. I also pray for your forgiveness of how I treated both my wife and my children yesterday. I need your help to be that husband and father that will love, cherish, protect, and provide 100% of the time for my wife and children. I love you Lord and just need your help and encouragement today and I thank you for that.
O - People of this world think like the world and do not listen to those of us that are filled with the Holy Spirirt.
A - If those people that are of this world will not listen to those of us that are filled with the Holy Spirit, how and why are we to go and make disciples? By speaking the truth and they won't listen, is there any benefit? It is very dissapointing to view our elections of this great country and to see the level of moral decay that is going on around us. I just feel as though there is little hope left in bringing our city, state, and country back to you and to the morals that would again make this country great.
P - God, I pray that you would speak into my life and those others that may be feeling the same way following the election and the show of moral decay that is happening in our country. I pray for those leaders to be touched and transformed into the Godly men and women that you have called them to be and to turn and lead in a direction that is consistent with your word. I also pray for your forgiveness of how I treated both my wife and my children yesterday. I need your help to be that husband and father that will love, cherish, protect, and provide 100% of the time for my wife and children. I love you Lord and just need your help and encouragement today and I thank you for that.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Christians Live a Righteous Life - 1 John 3
S - 1 John 3:7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.
O - When we see ourselves or others doing what is right, it shows that they are righteous and when people are continually sinning, it shows that they still belong to the devil.
A - "Am I truly saved?" is a question that many ask about themselves or about others. The answer is pretty simple from this verse. If you are doing what is right you are saved and if you are still sinning you are not. Getting in the business of judging others is pretty risky as we may do not know what is in the heart but it is pretty safe to say that if I run into someone that is outwardly sinning and not changing but saying they are Christians, they are indeed not saved. I want to shine a light in their lives in a non-judgemental way but to proclaim the goodness and mercy of God and help set them free with this truth. In the same way, I can also look at my children and help raise them as I see their outward, and since we are close, their heart and determine if they need additional help in finding or keeping God in their hearts.
P - God, I praise you and thank you this morning for being the one and only God and creator of all things and for the innumerable sacrifices that you have and continue to do for me and those that I love. I pray that you would bless us today and keep us safe in our journeys. Help us to live a healthy and long life and use us to reach many people for your kingdom and your glory.
O - When we see ourselves or others doing what is right, it shows that they are righteous and when people are continually sinning, it shows that they still belong to the devil.
A - "Am I truly saved?" is a question that many ask about themselves or about others. The answer is pretty simple from this verse. If you are doing what is right you are saved and if you are still sinning you are not. Getting in the business of judging others is pretty risky as we may do not know what is in the heart but it is pretty safe to say that if I run into someone that is outwardly sinning and not changing but saying they are Christians, they are indeed not saved. I want to shine a light in their lives in a non-judgemental way but to proclaim the goodness and mercy of God and help set them free with this truth. In the same way, I can also look at my children and help raise them as I see their outward, and since we are close, their heart and determine if they need additional help in finding or keeping God in their hearts.
P - God, I praise you and thank you this morning for being the one and only God and creator of all things and for the innumerable sacrifices that you have and continue to do for me and those that I love. I pray that you would bless us today and keep us safe in our journeys. Help us to live a healthy and long life and use us to reach many people for your kingdom and your glory.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Get My Priorities Straight - 1 John 2
S - 1 John 2:6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
O - The true test to see if myself or someone else is a Christian is to see if the person lives like Jesus did. The saying "What would Jesus Do" is probably more applicable than one might think.
A - Am I living as Jesus did? Most of the time I am living a life that is outwardly Christian and I know and say the right things. But what about my heart and what about my priorities in life? Do I spend mass amounts of time thinking about God and praying/talking to Him? Are my first thoughts about God and letting Him REALLY take the controls of my life? Am I making time for God throughout my day and looking for Him to guide me or am I talking to Him only when I need Him or for Him to bless the path that I chose? Clearly I need to refocus my life on Him and make my priorities straight. He should be the first priority in my life. I want to be near Him and know what He wants for my life. I want my life to be a blessing back to Him for all that He has done and for who He is.
P - God, I ask that you forgive me for the life that I have been living with only giving you a portion of my life and letting you drive from the back seat. I invite you to take complete control of my life and to steer me in the direction you want me to take. I want to think, talk, and act like you in all I do. Additionally, I ask that you help me to reprioritize my life outside of you. Help me to keep Christa and the children a close 2nd and 3rd priority and to have me and my desires be the last instead of the first. I want to be that man that you desire and the man that Christa desires and needs and the father that my chilren need and desire. I know that I can only do this with your help and I pray that you help me with that daily. Lord, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ and I praise you and worship you this morning. I give you my life, my heart, and my soul.
O - The true test to see if myself or someone else is a Christian is to see if the person lives like Jesus did. The saying "What would Jesus Do" is probably more applicable than one might think.
A - Am I living as Jesus did? Most of the time I am living a life that is outwardly Christian and I know and say the right things. But what about my heart and what about my priorities in life? Do I spend mass amounts of time thinking about God and praying/talking to Him? Are my first thoughts about God and letting Him REALLY take the controls of my life? Am I making time for God throughout my day and looking for Him to guide me or am I talking to Him only when I need Him or for Him to bless the path that I chose? Clearly I need to refocus my life on Him and make my priorities straight. He should be the first priority in my life. I want to be near Him and know what He wants for my life. I want my life to be a blessing back to Him for all that He has done and for who He is.
P - God, I ask that you forgive me for the life that I have been living with only giving you a portion of my life and letting you drive from the back seat. I invite you to take complete control of my life and to steer me in the direction you want me to take. I want to think, talk, and act like you in all I do. Additionally, I ask that you help me to reprioritize my life outside of you. Help me to keep Christa and the children a close 2nd and 3rd priority and to have me and my desires be the last instead of the first. I want to be that man that you desire and the man that Christa desires and needs and the father that my chilren need and desire. I know that I can only do this with your help and I pray that you help me with that daily. Lord, I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ and I praise you and worship you this morning. I give you my life, my heart, and my soul.
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