Saturday, July 20, 2019

July 20

The disciples underwent three years of training with Jesus. He taught them the ways of God in an unencumbered way, cleaning up the law to reveal the truth, and began training His disciples in that truth. Later on, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, Paul comes along, knows the Law of Moses, and becomes a Christ follower. The Jews hated him more than any of the others because of his incredible conversion, and because he was much more zealous and successful at bringing the gospel, so they came after him more fiercely. He left for Arabia because they were after him. His brilliance did not eliminate him from needing training, and as soon as he could, he came back to Damascus and spent three years there. Here’s the thing, you have to train to become proficient in God’s word. My own Bible training was for three years, but I continue to dig in and learn as much as I can about the ways of Jesus. This is why it’s important that you are involved in Bible study through your church. You must know the Word in order to teach it. 

And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Acts 9:29-30

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. Galatians 1:17-18

Friday, July 19, 2019

July 19

I’ve been reading the Psalms everyday as a part of my daily Bible reading. They have made me realize that it’s okay to complain to God. It’s okay to bring the names of our enemies before Him and ask for help. It’s okay to recognize that His enemies are also our enemies. When we know that He is our only hope, then it is He that we should always run to for deliverance. He is our source. He is the one who produces the living water that runs from the temple. He is the one who routes our enemy. He is the one from whom all blessings flow. It is up to us to make Him the beginning, the middle, and the end of our day. Talk to Him, bring all your complaints, and praises to Him. Involve Him in your whole day, and your whole life. The more you seek Him, the more you see His hand at work. Don’t neglect Him by dismissing His involvement in your daily life. He is there for you, always!

You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! Psalms 80:6-7

Thursday, July 18, 2019

July 18

It was late, and the grocery store was about to close, but I needed cheese for sandwiches for the next day, so I couldn’t wait. There was only one cashier opened and the line was getting long. The store sent another cashier over to help alleviate the stress on the one. I hurried over and got in the other line. There was another man that was ahead of me in the original line, so while I was trying to get him to go first, another guy tried to go around me! I was obviously next, because I was already there! I didn’t let the rude person ahead of me because he was being forceful and almost ran over me! His momma didn’t raise him right! I set my things down on the conveyor belt, and asked the other guy again if he wanted to go ahead of us, but he chose not to. What happened to being polite? Is common courtesy dead? God help the people of the “me first” generation. I’m sure he was drunk or high, but I made him wait. Sometimes we must wait, and though the wait may seem long, the timing is perfect and unfolds as planned. As for the rude guy, I’m sure God has a plan to straighten him out, in the meantime, he got a little dose of me trying to even things up.

"Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples.” Habakkuk 2:5

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

July 17

God uses different people for special service to Him. You don’t have to be a known preacher, evangelist, or prophet to be of service to God, you just have to be willing to do what He asks you to do. When Jesus blinded Paul, He didn’t send him to one of the twelve, he sent him to someone unknown by most, but he was known by God, because He knew he would listen and obey. Ananias had probably heard God’s voice before, because it says that he answered Him, “here I am Lord,” like His voice was known by him. Ananias was afraid, but trusted Jesus, and did what he was commanded to do. If Jesus impresses upon you to do a task, accept the challenge, and reap a joyful benefit. It may help someone, but it may be God’s way of giving you a blessing, knowing that you served Him for a purpose, your heart will be full. Pray today that God would give you opportunities to serve Him by blessing others. It may get your heart pumping, but it will be worth it, for you and the one you blessed.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” Acts 9:10 ...But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. Acts 9:15

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

July 16

I love dogs, but our home is not always safe for them or from them, and the outdoors become a hazard as well, because of predatory birds, and poisonous plants. As a good dog owner, I watch them carefully to make sure they are safe, inside and outside, and become overly protective. My husband and I are so protective, we barely trust our own family to watch our two. 

I post this blog daily because I care about you, and want to give you an advantage over the enemies schemes, and teach you how to protect yourself. Though it might be easy to protect yourself from enemies that are seen, if you don’t believe there is an unseen enemy, you may be less likely to watch out for him. Believe me when I tell you the spiritual world is real, and Jesus is your only protection from it. Armor yourself with prayer and praise, and study the Word!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Sunday, July 14, 2019

July 15

Suppose you were like Paul, and were defying Jesus, and rejecting those who’ve put all of their faith in Him, but you knew everything there was to know about the Bible, leading up to the coming of the Christ, but you missed the truth about who that was. Then suddenly you were exposed to Jesus, beaming down from heaven in all of His glory, brilliance, and majesty! Jesus caused Paul to be blind for three days! His eyes were open, but could not see! Was he living through hell during his days of darkness because God made him aware of his sin? Jesus told Ananias “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Whatever he saw, sent him in boldness preaching, and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the scriptures that he knew so well came to life. Paul was set free.

Are your eyes open, but cannot see? If you are still worrying about what others think of you, more than you worry about what Jesus thinks, then you may be like Paul before the brilliance of Jesus showed him his error. Remove the scales from your eyes! Let them fall to the ground! Accept the freedom afforded you by Jesus. Whatever has you bound, break it off and live free!

Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9:8-9

July 14

When Richard was growing up, he had a bully in his neighborhood, and most the kids were afraid of him. One day his friend and his mom saw him on the street, and his mom decided to pull up to him. His friend thought that his mom was going to blast him for being a bully, but instead, she offered him a hamburger. His friend said that the bully became his friend for life after that. 

We all have a certain amount of fear to deal with in our lives. Imagine a villain, known for coming after the ones who call on the name of Jesus, coming to your town. Then Jesus comes to you in a vision telling you to go and heal him. This happened to Ananias! Ananias did just as we all would have, talked back! Ananias did as he was told, in fear, but also trusting Jesus. The man he healed was Paul, and you and I know about this story because of Ananias’s obedience! We all have a part to play in the Kingdom of God, so if you hear that still small voice telling you to make amends with the villain in the cubical next to you, do it! Maybe all you need to do is offer them a sandwich. An act of kindness is always worth the trouble.

But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. Acts 9:13-15