Filtration System

Scripture: Hebrews 10:19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

Observation: The writer of Hebrews puts all the stock in Jesus! With Jesus we can go right into the presence of God boldly asking and trusting Him for everything. It is only Christ blood that can make us clean and pure!

Application: Jesus is the best filtration system there is! We need not go anywhere else to be purified and cleansed….Jesus opens the curtain to the Holy Place and filtrates our lives with His blood. We must go to Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for Jesus. Without Him we would have no access to you or to your purifying power. Thank you for the power and preeminence, because of that I can fully trust and depend on you! I love you and desire to always access the most Holy Place!

War of Words

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:14 remind everyone about these things, and command them in God's presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

Observation: Paul reminds Timothy that fighting over words will only cause more destruction.

Application: Sometimes arguing over words can cause major damage to those who hear them. Paul encourages Timothy to keep them focused on Jesus and not such useless arguments over words. It's very easy to say we will not do this, but very hard to put into action.

Prayer: Lord, remind me that when I am in a war of words to back out and take the advice of Paul. It could only cause more damage. In Jesus Name…AMEN!

Watch

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

Observation: Paul encourages Timothy to not to neglect the spiritual gifts that were prophesied over Him. He is supposed to give his full attention to it and invest time, talent, and treasure to this so that others will see progress…but he was also to invest in his Christian walk and his teachings, staying true to the Word and to right living.

Application: I too must invest and remember that which was prophesied over me. Investing time, talent, and treasure into my spiritual life and into my teachings so that I may remain true to the word. All so that 'One More," may be saved.

Prayer: Lord help me always remain faithful to you and to your word. I desire to follow you and accept the words spoken over me, all so that One More will come to know Christ. Show me the areas in which I need to invest more time, talent, and treasure for the sake of my own salvation and the salvation of others. In Jesus Name…AMEN!

Be Joyful

Scripture: Philippians 4: 4 always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Observation: Paul's exhortation is to celebrate God everyday. And let everyone that you meet know that you are on their side, working with them and not against them.

Application: This seems like the easiest thing to do, but yet our human nature fights against it. We have a hard time celebrating what the Lord has done and continue to do in our lives. We also fight against others thinking there are going to get one up on us. However, we must not do this. We must continue to show them that Jesus is about to arrive and the he could show up at any moment.

Prayer: Lord, I ask for forgiveness. I have not heeded Paul's exhortation to always celebrate Jesus everyday and encourage others as He would everyday. I am rich and full of life, yet can be the most prideful person. Forgive me…it is all about you and telling people that the Lords return is near. I desire to proclaim joy, truth, encouragement, and evangelize to the world.

Love That No One Can Separate

Scripture: Romans 8:39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation: Christ love is available every waking moment for the Christian believer. Paul urges us to take heart to this fact and be more than conquers!

Application: Sometimes I forget that Christ love is ever present. When things seem to be going the wrong directions, the attacks come in, and it seem like all heck is breaking loose, I tend to forget about Christ's love! However Paul says that he is persuaded that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Yet I have a hard time basking in His love!

Prayer: Lord help me remember the importance of your love and how available it is to us. I desire to run to you always. Holy Spirit remind me just to stop and relax in your love. That is something that no one or thing can take away from me! I praise Jesus for that. Amen

Warning!

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don't follow the tradition they received from us.

Observation: Paul commands the Thessalonians to stay away from all believers who live disobedient lives. These people that He was talking about where saying the Lord is coming back, so why work? They had refused to work expecting handouts and had not listened to Paul's previous letters. Paul wanted then to work night and day so that they would not be a burden to one another. He wanted Christians not to freeload and become lazy!

Application: Paul tells it how it is! We must be a people to do not put up with other Christians who are disobedient to Christ. We must not hang around them! This is hard for us to grasp but it only hinders the work of God if we do. Also we are told to work hard, so we do not become a burden to others. The gospel must be preached with actions! Actions speak louder than words!

Prayer: Lord, help me stay away from idle Christians. It only allows the opportunity for me to become idle as well. Also, I pray that I will have the work ethic of Paul. Show me areas where I am being lazy and slothful. Forgive me of those areas even now. I want my actions to say that I am all about JESUS! Thank you for this life. In Jesus Name…AMEN!

Faith Increased?

Scripture: Matthew 11: 4 Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6 And tell him, 'God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.

Observation: Jesus wanted specifically John to know that He was the Messiah. He allowed the blind to see, the lame to walk, the lepers healed, the deaf to hear, and the dead to be raised to life, and the good news preached to the poor, so that John would be strengthened in His faith. And then He make the last statement so that John's faith would increase in jail and that He would continue to preach repentance and turning toward Jesus!

Application: Often Jesus is very concerned about individuals. He will do miracles and unforeseen things to strengthen the faith of His children. However, I believe that often I do not receive or recognize what He is doing. Perhaps I am to busy, distracted, or just plain don't want to listen and I find myself asking the same question John does over and over. 'Are you the Messiah that the does miracles and changes lives? Or should we expecting someone else?" God answers us all the time…we just need to recognize He is still in the miracle business and is doing it impart to strengthen our faith.

Prayer: Lord, help me not be so distracted to see your work and miracles being accomplished right before my eyes. Forgive me for not having faith that you are who you say you are. I desire to see what Matthew 11:4 states. So I ask that you continue to perform miracles so my faith and others would be strengthened. And I will give you all the Glory…In Jesus Name! Amen!