When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He asked him only to test his faith, for he already had in his mind what he was going to do."

Loaves and Fishes
John 6

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He asked him only to test his faith, for he already had in his mind what he was going to do."  v5

Jesus challenges us to be bold and to know that He is with us - that we should not feel as if we are doing things in our own strength or using earthly strength alone.

When God called Moses to rescue the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, Moses resisted, claiming he did not feel equipped...God response:

Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you. You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. Exodus 4:14-15

Like Moses, I also need a reminder that God is with me and that He will equip me for the work He intends for me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have the strength and power to do anything and You are with Your children always, providing for their every need, protecting them, and equipping them to perform Your plans.  You are all I need.  Thank You for being my God.  Yet I often act as if I don't recognize that You are all I need...please forgive me, for my worry!  Help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please do help me recognize that You are all I need...help me recognize this all the time!  Help me be bold in my service to You. 

“And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Inwardly Certain
1 John 5

^“And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” v15 

I desire this confidence...to be inwardly certain.  The devotion references David and Peter, both of whom stood on the solid rock foundation of Christ Jesus as they rushed into earthly danger. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You created the Heavens, the earth, and everything in between, including all inhabitants.  Yet You came to earth in human form to suffer and die for me...personally.  To be so powerful yet so full of love and compassion.  There is no other God except You Jesus.  I am no deserving of such a God.  Thank You for how You have blessed me but please forgive me for my worry.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin...help me turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me be inwardly certain. I love You Jesus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

The Darkness Within

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. 

Today's devotional focuses on the extent to which all of us get caught up in sin - even though we may not even be aware.  I know for myself that I am easily distracted...I worry too much and this causes me to be distracted.  I also too often focus on the world even though I know that is sinful and God's desire for me - as it indicates in today's scripture - is to focus on Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You have done SO much in my heart and in m life, blessing me beyond what I could imagine is possible.  I am blessed with You in my heart and my life...Thank for for calling me one of Your children and for guiding and protecting me.  Yet I am easily distracted by the world and I too often worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me fix my eyes on You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

Revelation 22

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. v18-19

The Bible is God's word and indeed God Himself - perfect in all ways.  John is relaying the message from Jesus that we must be careful to quote or use the Bible partially, or to add to the Bible.  This message is elsewhere (with study credit to John McArthur*)
- *Deuteronomy 4:2 > Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.
- *Deuteronomy 12:32 > See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it.
- *Proverbs 30:5-6 > Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.  Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
- *Jeremiah 26:2 > This is what the Lord says: Stand in the courtyard of the Lord’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the Lord. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word.

See also Luke 1:37, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 2:10

We must study the Word and focus on knowing ALL of it...this is God's desire.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your Word is perfect as it reveals Your Character and I love studying Your Word and spending time with You.  You are my God and my guide...my Lord and Savior.  Thank You for being so patient with me and so full of mercy and compassion.  Please forgive me for my laziness in not being the man You intend for me...at work, at home, as a father, etc.  Help me overcome such sloth and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help my desire for You grow and grow.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.

Revelation 22

 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. v12

Judgement day is made explicit by Christ in the above verse and it is encouraging, motivating, and somewhat scary all at the same time.  Encouraging to the extent that I will be rewarded for how I did live with the end in mind, motivating to the extent that I need to wake up much like the churches in Sardis or Laodicea Revelation 3, and scary to the extent that I have NOT lived with the end in mind.

Help me live with the end in mind and "make every effort".
 
My Prayer: Lord, You have made every effort for me and You have provided me with life...in abundance...so that I could live to bring others to You and glorify You.  What a great God You are, as You are so full of patience, compassion, mercy, etc. I am not worth such blessings....I worry, I am prideful, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Revelation 21

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. v4

I read through Revelation chapters 11 through 20 and they were scary and gripping at the same time.  I know that God reigns but it was indeed a bit scary to read through what will happen to those who believe in Christ.  If we don't repent and accept Jesus as our Lord and savior then we will indeed perish...in a quite gruesome manner.  

Yet I know that I am sealed by Christ and eternity in heaven with Him cannot be taken from me.  That however should not stop me from living with the end in mind and always striving to be more like Him and to "make every effort" to glorify Him.  

Heaven will indeed be a glorious place.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and You reign...from the beginning of time to the end of time...and You will never leave me or forsake me.  You will be with me until the end of the age.  I know You love me and You bless me richly...more than I deserve.  I am not worth such love and blessing because I worry.  Forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.

Revelation 11

The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth. v18

Earlier in Revelation, Jesus speaks to the "seven churches" and He is passing judgment on them.  As the end of times continues in Revelation 11, a milestone is reached in the verse above which sums up how judgment will come...we are to be rewarded but also judged.  Yet another reminder that I need to get to work, "make every effort" and live with the end in mind.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great in all ways, Your designs, works, motives, etc.  You desire ONLY good for me...even when You discipline me You are doing so for my own good...and of course Your glory.  Thank You Jesus for Your training, love, compassion, mercy, patience, etc.  I am not worth such love and blessing Jesus as I worry too much about my job and other matters.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 11

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever. v15

In the midst of the end of times, God provides comfort for those who have called God their God and who have obeyed and followed His ways...I am prayerful that I and my family are part of this group.

God protects!

...for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.  Proverbs 2:8

Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:3-4

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

 

Of course there are MANY more scripture references for how God protects me and all of His children but I take great comfort in how God HAS, DOES, and ALWAYS WILL protect me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love, compassion, patience, etc. for me...You protect me from great harm and You have done so many times and I know You will always.  I don't know what is in store for me but I know it will be for Your glory and my good...as You are just.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing Jesus because I worry...about my job.  I care about my status and this is sinful!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be worthy of Your protection...now and during the end of times should You return before I die.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Revelation 9

The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.  v20-21

Holy mackerel!  After all of the destruction they witnessed earlier in Revelation 8-9, the rest of mankind refused to acknowledge that God reigns and to repent for their sins...God is patient but He does not have unlimited patience...please help me live with the end in mind.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You DO reign. You created the heavens and the earth and all of its inhabitants.  You came to earth as flesh, experienced all that we do as Your children, yet You lived a pure, holy, and blameless life.  You then suffered and died on the cross, taking the sting of sin with You and giving us eternal life - if only we repent and acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  I do yet I often pursue other idols so please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my strength.  Help me turn from all of my sin towards You and "make every effort" to love, obey, and follow You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!”

Revelation 8

“Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!” v13

Yesterday I posted about how heaven at the end of times will be a glorious place for God's children.  Today is a different picture - one of destruction and great suffering...Revelation 9 is even more gruesome for those who have not declared Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior:

And out of the smoke locusts came down on the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were not allowed to kill them but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes. During those days people will seek death but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them. v3-6

My Prayer: Lord, You are awesome and I know You have placed a seal on my forehead so I am greatly comforted that I am Yours not just during this life on earth, but also should You return before I die, and even when I die, I know I will be with You until the end of the age...You are truly great and I am not deserving of such a great and gracious God.  I fail to "make every effort"...I am harsh with my words and actions often...I have envy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You Jesus!  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Revelation 7

Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” v16-17

During the end of times, we have the assurance that God will be with us and that He will protect us...these verses are greatly comforting as they provide greater detail and clarity around how He will be with us, and how He will provide for us and protect us - God is great!

I should be thankful for my circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) because I know that regardless of what is happening, "...in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). I also know that God WILL be with me...and that I will be with Him even to the end of the ages...and during those end times it will be great to be with God.

My Prayer: Lord, You are my provider, my refuge, my protector, my hope, my encouragement, my teacher, etc.  I am NOTHING without You!  You are so patient, compassionate, and merciful to me...I am not worth such love and care...I am lazy.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin...my laziness.  Help me "make every effort".  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

Revelation 4

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. v11

God is praiseworthy as He has not only capable of all things, all knowing - but He is also full of love for His children, myself included.  He is patient, kind, compassionate, gentle, etc.  He is also merciful...all things for which I am not deserving!  I am DEEPLY grateful for You God and for what You have done for me Jesus but I am not deserving...I am NOT making every effort as You command me to.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me make every effort and to be in action.

Help me live with the end in mind and be Jesus to others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus what an AMAZING God You are...Thank You for all of the love You have poured for me already, what You continue to do, and what You will always do for me.  I know that Your love cannot be taken from me and that You will always be with me...awesome!  Thank You Jesus.  Yet once again I am not worth such love...I am not making every effort.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer. Please help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Revelation 3

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. v19

Whatever our circumstances we should be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and see our circumstances as discipline, training and as preparation for what God wants for us as part of His plan.

See also:
- Prov 3:11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
- Prov 15:5 (NIV) A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

This link also provides a great number of excellent examples on this topic.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, capable of all things and full of mercy, compassion and patience for me...despite knowing everything about me including my sin!  Thank You Jesus!  What a great God!  I am not worth such a God and the many blessings You pour out on me.  I am NOT in action as You desire for me...You say "make every effort" but I fail to do this!  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me "make every effort" and help me see Your rebuke and discipline as coaching and training for my good and Your glory!  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

Revelation 3

I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. v5

Eternal life in Heaven with Christ the Father can never be taken from us...it is a gift of God.  We should find rest in this assurance.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God that has provided the greatest gift of all time....Your Son!  Christ has suffered and died for me so that I can have freedom from sin and eternal life in Heaven with Him.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an incredible gift.  I am lazy.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me find peace and assurance that this gift can never be taken from me.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!

Revelation 2

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! v9

I know that based on my wealth regardless of what measure you use I AM rich...and this would be true regardless of my material possessions.  I have Christ - Jesus provides all things and He has blessed me beyond what I deserve and He has pulled me out of the pit before and He can do so again...no problem.  I must focus on the greatness of Christ vs earthly matters and possessions. I am mindful of what Jesus says in Matthew:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, You reign!  You are the greatest gift of all time and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve...I continue to be lazy, harsh with my words, quick to anger and slow to listen...please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Help me focus on Your greatness vs earthly things and matters.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength. Please heal and cure her of this cancer as well as Barbara, Lacey, Mark, and others who need Your healing.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 2

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. v4-5

Speaking through John, Jesus warns the church in Ephesus that they have fallen...although God is fair and just, judgment is coming for all of us and we must be prepared (see posts also previous two days).  We must live with the end in mind and live in reverent fear of God's power and judgment.  We must repent!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome and like the song says "You Reign" and You do so forever and forever just as it is written in Revelation.  I am no different than those You wrote in Ephesus...I have fallen and I do so again and again...too often I lean on my own abilities and understanding and this is a sin!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Praise for yesterday's awesome news about Barry and Brenda's permanent custody of Camdyn.  Please heal Will.  Please help me live with the end in mind.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Revelation 1

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. v3

Building on my post yesterday about living with the end in mind, I start the book of Revelation and John encourages me, and all of us, to "hear and take to heart" what we read.  The end is indeed near, regardless of how we go home to Jesus, whether by death or the rapture, we must live with the end in mind.  God calls all of us to "go and make disciples of all nations":

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  Matthew 28:19-20

Whatever trepidation we might have, God soothes us with His encouraging words that He is with us always....

My Prayer: Lord what an awesome God You are that You would suffer and die for me knowing everything about me, including my sin!  That You are always available for me and that You entrust me with part of Your plan...that You chose me to be part of Your team...that You see me as pure, holy, blameless in Your sight...I am not worth such a God!  Thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour out for me yet again I am not worth such blessings...I am lazy, quick to anger, slow to listen...etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Help me play Your intended role for me in the Great Commission.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.       

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. v22-23

The world is full of unbelief and unbelievers and of course many in my life are unbelievers...I am to show love and mercy to all regardless of their belief or not.  And of course, I am to share the gospel and bring others to Him...there is only so much time before Jesus returns...I need to live with the end in mind.

Paul writes a similar message to Timothy here.  I have previously posted on the living with the end in mind:
- Micah 4
- 1 Peter 4
- Ecclesiastes 3
- Mark 13

My Prayer: Lord, I know You will return and the day and hour of Your return will be both scary and exciting! Whether I come home during the Rapture or if I die first I know I will get to see Your face in Heaven and that will be an exciting thing - an experience surpassing anything known on earth.  I know You love and You suffered and died for me so that I could have freedom from sin and eternal life.  What a great God You are and what a great gift You have given me - I am not deserving.  I continue to gossip, go my own way (vs Yours), I am impatient, quick to anger, etc.  Thank You for Your many blessings God but please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me live with the end in mind.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Jude 1

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. v16

Holy cow - Jude is referring to me!  I am a grumbler and faultfinder and and oft-repeated prayer of mine is that I stop being critical and harsh of others, particularly those in my family.  I need to use words to encourage not tear down.  I need to choose my words carefully.  Help me Jesus!

See also Proverbs 17, Romans 14, John 4, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 among some of the scripture references that offer my help this morning.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and Your words have authority - they are Truth...I DO need to speak as if You are speaking.  I very often use words to grumble and to find fault...please forgive me Jesus!  I don't want to tear others down but instead love!  Help me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin, turn from it, and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.

Jude 1

Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. v10

This is of course a warning for all believers and it is just as relevant today as it was when Jude penned this letter.  The patterns of this world (Romans 12:2) lead to sin and destruction and we to easily fall into these patterns when we don't understand the character of God and his design and plans for us.  We need to draw close to God so that He can protect us! 

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

See also scripture in Jeremiah, etc. here . 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great and only You can protect me from the sin of this world and how this WILL destroy me if I am left on my own.  I have felt the power of Your hand in my life and want it daily, every day...please help me Jesus!  Thank You for Your many blessings Jesus but please forgive me for my harshness with my family!  Help me please!  Please help me turn from my sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. v4

As a father, I focus on many things that distract me from my God-given role to point my children to Christ:
- These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9
- Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:18-19
- Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
- Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

Jesus, please help me focus on being a dad as You intend for me.

My Prayer: Jesus, what an amazing God You are...You are the ultimate Father....slow to anger, quick to listen, always available for me, constantly teaching and guiding me, full of compassion, patience, etc.  Thank You Jesus for being such a great Father!  I am not worth such a God...such a Heavenly Father...I have lust in my heart...please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.

2 John 1

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. v6

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus makes it clear that the two greatest commands are to:
- ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
- ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

He then explains why these two commands are the most important: "All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:40).

John understands this and he comes at it from another angle...if we love Jesus and one another, then we will be obedient.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - You provide, heal, guide, comfort, protect...and so much more!  You are the creator of the Heavens and earth and everything in between.  You are pure, holy, and blameless and Your will, designs, plans and works are all perfect!  You know everything about me...yet You love all the same. Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love..I continue to be quick to anger and slow to listen.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my strength.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Please heal and strength Linda.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.