Title: To Fear God is to Hate Evil Mentor: Solomon
Scripture: Proverbs 8:13 "To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech".
Observe: Also read in Exodus 32 on how Aaron combined sacrifices to the Lord with worshipping golden calf. Moses came down from mountain and he was angry, he hated evil. Solomon was saying to fear God is to have anger at sin, like Moses did.
Apply: I need to ask for the Holy Spirit to search out evil in my life. I want to fear God but I need to hate evil.
Prayer: Jesus, I praise you today that you hate evil, that there is none found in you. I ask today that you help me to hate evil and show me where it resides in my life. I want to fear you and worship you and praise you today. IJN, Amen
Title: Living Sensitive to the Conscience of Others Mentor: Paul
Scripture: "When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." (1 Corinthians 8:12-13)
Observation: The weakness of another persons conscience can be destroyed by my "freedoms or lifestyle choices" in Christ. To think that I actually sin against God when I violate someone's conscience - causing them to stumble!!! That's scary!!!!
In modern day times - could my selection of music, tv shows, movies, my lifestyle, diet, sarcastic-friendly joking....be a stumbling block to others??? I answer with a firm...Yes!
I have been someone else's hurdle - a protruding object that cause another to trip or a ditch that others fall into.
Application: I have experienced causing others to question their lifestyle and walk with God, having been exposed to some of my lifestyle choices. Ouch!!! That is very scary! To think that I've been a stumbling object or hurdle for another to trip over.
As I search my heart, think about this passage of Scripture this morning, I am definitely convicted in several areas...
Convicted to challenge some possible "numb" areas of my life and heart. (some choices in what I allow my eyes to view, thoughts to think, feeling to feel...! Watch it Rod!)
Convicted to be more sensitive to people around me. I do need to watch what I say, how I say it, when I say it. I need to be mindful that others may not be in the same mood and mode I am in - so I need to be careful - especially when I'm in a light, fun, joking mood.
Prayer: Lord - thanks for the conviction of Your holy Spirit, once again!!! I need you and realize that I can grow instantly numb and calloused - I can be so-o-o-o-o insensitive to people. Please help me to check with You first, within my heart when I interact with others. I don't want to sin against You and cause others to stumble. Thanks for being my Helper and Instructor!
Forgive me Lord, when I cause another to stumble and sin against You! Have mercy on me! And help me to be a man of God to ask those I offend for forgiveness! Help Lord!
Scripture: "When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus & said 'Oh, Lord, please leave me - I'm too much of a sinner to be around you.' For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught...Jesus replied to Simon, 'Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!' And as soon as they landed, they left everything & followed Jesus" - Luke 5:8-11
Observation: Simon, James & John had been fishing all night & caught nothing. Jesus told them to cast their nets out again (after they had already been cleaned) & when they did, they caught enough fish to fill their boats. These men were overwhelmed by Jesus' provision; they felt unworthy to be with Him. jesus told them to leave everything & follow Him to make disciples of others - and they did.
Application: SO many questions come to mind as I read this Scripture: Am I amazed at God's provision - at the abundance He gives me in Christ? Am I aware of my sinfulness in the presence of Jesus & his holiness/perfection? Am I willing to give up everything & follow Jesus no matter the cost? Do I immediately obey God? The answer to these questions is "sometimes/not as often as I should" I need to get to the place where I can answer a BOLD YES to all of these.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for Peter's example of strong faith & humility. I pray that you will enable me to see my sinfulness in light of your holiness. Lord, help me to be truly amazed at your provision - not just thankful, but amazed at the abundance you give when I deserve nothing. Give me courage to obey you at all costs - to know that your will for me is the safest & best place for me to walk. And God help me to obey you immediately - without weighing the cost or interjecting my own ideas or preferences. May I walk with faith like Peter. Thank you for your grace in this. In Jesus Name - Amen.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:6 "There is only one Lord. He is Jesus Christ, all things came because of him and we live because of him."
Observe: Paul is telling people that there are many so called gods, but there is only one true God and that is Jesus. We know this because Jesus made everything.
Apply: Because Jesus made everything I can worship him.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to worship you because you made everything.
Title: Motives Mentor: Paul " Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25 They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
Observe: All the losers get a crown. To lose your life to Christ, honor and glorify him - you gain an everlasting crown that will not tarnish. Look at the motives/desires/dreams are they focused on the "right" crown/target?
Apply: Am I performing to benefit my appearance to man, or for kingdom glory? I must continually reevaluate my motives. See the next step - stop-ask God - then move and only move if it is for kingdom purposes not my own glory. Am I being deliberate?
Prayer: Father i see you and my desire is to glorify you and your kingdom. Help ,me to see/recognize evaluate all my motives.
Title: To Fear God is to Hate Evil
ReplyDeleteMentor: Solomon
Scripture: Proverbs 8:13 "To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech".
Observe: Also read in Exodus 32 on how Aaron combined sacrifices to the Lord with worshipping golden calf. Moses came down from mountain and he was angry, he hated evil. Solomon was saying to fear God is to have anger at sin, like Moses did.
Apply: I need to ask for the Holy Spirit to search out evil in my life. I want to fear God but I need to hate evil.
Prayer: Jesus, I praise you today that you hate evil, that there is none found in you. I ask today that you help me to hate evil and show me where it resides in my life. I want to fear you and worship you and praise you today. IJN, Amen
Title: Living Sensitive to the Conscience of Others
ReplyDeleteMentor: Paul
Scripture: "When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall." (1 Corinthians 8:12-13)
Observation: The weakness of another persons conscience can be destroyed by my "freedoms or lifestyle choices" in Christ. To think that I actually sin against God when I violate someone's conscience - causing them to stumble!!! That's scary!!!!
In modern day times - could my selection of music, tv shows, movies, my lifestyle, diet, sarcastic-friendly joking....be a stumbling block to others??? I answer with a firm...Yes!
I have been someone else's hurdle - a protruding object that cause another to trip or a ditch that others fall into.
Application: I have experienced causing others to question their lifestyle and walk with God, having been exposed to some of my lifestyle choices. Ouch!!! That is very scary! To think that I've been a stumbling object or hurdle for another to trip over.
As I search my heart, think about this passage of Scripture this morning, I am definitely convicted in several areas...
Convicted to challenge some possible "numb" areas of my life and heart. (some choices in what I allow my eyes to view, thoughts to think, feeling to feel...! Watch it Rod!)
Convicted to be more sensitive to people around me. I do need to watch what I say, how I say it, when I say it. I need to be mindful that others may not be in the same mood and mode I am in - so I need to be careful - especially when I'm in a light, fun, joking mood.
Prayer: Lord - thanks for the conviction of Your holy Spirit, once again!!! I need you and realize that I can grow instantly numb and calloused - I can be so-o-o-o-o insensitive to people. Please help me to check with You first, within my heart when I interact with others.
I don't want to sin against You and cause others to stumble. Thanks for being my Helper and Instructor!
Forgive me Lord, when I cause another to stumble and sin against You! Have mercy on me! And help me to be a man of God to ask those I offend for forgiveness! Help Lord!
Title: "Strong Faith"
ReplyDeleteMentor: Peter
Scripture: "When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus & said 'Oh, Lord, please leave me - I'm too much of a sinner to be around you.' For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught...Jesus replied to Simon, 'Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for people!' And as soon as they landed, they left everything & followed Jesus" - Luke 5:8-11
Observation: Simon, James & John had been fishing all night & caught nothing. Jesus told them to cast their nets out again (after they had already been cleaned) & when they did, they caught enough fish to fill their boats. These men were overwhelmed by Jesus' provision; they felt unworthy to be with Him. jesus told them to leave everything & follow Him to make disciples of others - and they did.
Application: SO many questions come to mind as I read this Scripture: Am I amazed at God's provision - at the abundance He gives me in Christ? Am I aware of my sinfulness in the presence of Jesus & his holiness/perfection? Am I willing to give up everything & follow Jesus no matter the cost? Do I immediately obey God? The answer to these questions is "sometimes/not as often as I should" I need to get to the place where I can answer a BOLD YES to all of these.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for Peter's example of strong faith & humility. I pray that you will enable me to see my sinfulness in light of your holiness. Lord, help me to be truly amazed at your provision - not just thankful, but amazed at the abundance you give when I deserve nothing. Give me courage to obey you at all costs - to know that your will for me is the safest & best place for me to walk. And God help me to obey you immediately - without weighing the cost or interjecting my own ideas or preferences. May I walk with faith like Peter. Thank you for your grace in this. In Jesus Name - Amen.
Dani
Title: Jesus Made Everything
ReplyDeleteMentor: Paul
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8:6 "There is only one Lord. He is Jesus Christ, all things came because of him and we live because of him."
Observe: Paul is telling people that there are many so called gods, but there is only one true God and that is Jesus. We know this because Jesus made everything.
Apply: Because Jesus made everything I can worship him.
Prayer: Dear God, help me to worship you because you made everything.
Title: Motives
ReplyDeleteMentor: Paul
"
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25 They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."
Observe: All the losers get a crown. To lose your life to Christ, honor and glorify him - you gain an everlasting crown that will not tarnish. Look at the motives/desires/dreams are they focused on the "right" crown/target?
Apply: Am I performing to benefit my appearance to man, or for kingdom glory? I must continually reevaluate my motives. See the next step - stop-ask God - then move and only move if it is for kingdom purposes not my own glory. Am I being deliberate?
Prayer: Father i see you and my desire is to glorify you and your kingdom. Help ,me to see/recognize evaluate all my motives.