Numbers 9:23

At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord , at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses.
Numbers 9:23 NKJV

What a simple concept that explain itself. Lord said, Israel did as the lord said through moses. When reading this verse I couldn't help but stop and think upon it. It's a simple verse that explain itself, but why is it such a hard concept? Honestly a couple things here, I see obedience and submission.  Moses heard from the lord and then told Israel and then Israel did as the lord commanded. But Moses submitted to God and Israel submitted to Moses. Israel needed a leader and someone who will be obedient to the lord and whatever he says. Moses saw what the lord was capable of on numerous occasions plagues, leading people out of Egypt, splitting the read sea, pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, and much more. Moses has seen what the lord has done and has then submitted to Him. Israel in return followed Moses sense he speaks to the lord personally. It's order, obedience, and submission. For me there is people in my life who I know are wiser and have more knowledge of the lord than I do and it's my turn to submit and to follow there lead while I seek the lord too and obey him as I obey my leader. My leaders are awesome and do follow the lord so I know I can trust them and I can listen to what they have to say. It's something that I learned early on in this year, and how blessed I am that I can trust them. For me though I have to learn how to hear from the lord and to obey in him, trusting that whatever he has is the best way to do it and that he has the best for me and other's. It's hard and the lord has been stretching me continuously I this area but, it something that I have a lot more growth in. Jesus loves me and would never do anything g to harm or to lead astray, but to glorify himself and bless his people. So I think part of it is to know the lord heart and to know that his heart is to bless and that his way is the best way. It's a simple lesson but, it's a hard to apply to your life cause it means that you have to deny your will and to do the lord will and trust that he is will not let you fall. It something I have to learn, but I know it will be worth it because he is good and he loves.

APPLICATION:

Today I will memorize this verse in order to remember the lord heart and to encourage me listen to my leaders and listen to God.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8 NIV

This is a anchor for any Christian who is seeking the lord. For me even though it came on the verse of the day today it has been a truth that us dead to me. When reading this verse I was extremely encouraged when I read it, because the same God who brought me through yesterday will bring me through today and tomorrow. This verse really should take out any worry or any doubt that I might have about my life or about any situation. If the lord can get me through yesterday, why can't he get me through today? And honestly it shows how awesome the lord is. I can always trust that the lord will be the same never doubting that he will be some new God when I talk to him next. He always loves, he shows grace contiously, and he loves justice. I never have to worry about him changing his mind one day and all of sudden now I'm going to hell. No, he will always be the same like an anchor that will keep me steady in the storm. He is unchanging and it's really encouraging knowing that he will never change and that he will always love me and never leave me nor forsake me.

Application:

I will write this verse on my hand to remember that he is unchanging and repeat it when I start having doubts.

1 thessalonians 5:17

pray without ceasing,
I Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV

In this season it seems to be the awnser to all of my prayers and anxiety. “Lord I need help, please show me what to do!” “pray”. When I go to get advice, the advice I get is pray. Honestly, it's the best advice I have ever gotten. It drives me to the point of complete dependency on God. For me the three words I get typically I get is trust, obey, be thankful. When I pray he ask me.to trust in him and obey his word, and when I find out my doubt and fear was for nothing I can't help be thankful. I feel like sometimes I have this mentality that when I pray that he may not awnser my prayer or it's to little of an issue and it reflects in my prayers. But, the lord in his mercy awnser my prayer and asks me “do you still not believe, even after all that o have done for you my son.” I can't help but be convicted by that especially after when he keeps asking asking me to come to him. He ask me to pray more, and to talk to him. I find that a lot of my problem and anxiety can be solved with prayer. Because I'm talking to the creator of the heaven and the earth. Creator of the biggest galaxy to the smallest cell. The God who knows everything, he knows the beginning, middle, and end. And he is so involved with me day by day, moment by moment He want to hear from me, if he didn't why would he tell Paul to write this? He is  giving me everything. He is giving me himself. To talk to Him, to run to him, to cry out to him, to love him, to be loved by him, to praise him, to glorify him, to listen to him, to sit in his present. It's so simple, so powerful, and so beautiful. He want to talk to me and in this season he is asking me to pray more and more. So why not? Pray

Application

I will set alarms that way I will pray all throughout the day.

Proverbs 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21 ESV

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord , that shall stand.
Proverbs 19:21 KJV

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord ’s purpose that prevails.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV

It's crazy how many plans I make, about everything that comes to mind. "Let's do that, let's do this, or what about that". It only causes worry, anxiety, and doubts. For I make very detail plan and I give it to the the lord expecting him to honor it. But, to my disappointment he doesn't do anything I ask buy instead does something much better. He does thing according to his will and while he does it he shows me so much mercy and so much grace in the midst. And it turns out that he just wants to show his love and be  close to him and just walk with him. It's weird everytime that I try to do my own thing he has a Tendency to break me and then being me near and show so much love. And everytime I start to do his will it turns out to be so much better and cause so much peace. His will always causes peace and rest. I love the lord and I pray that I would never stray and that I would be close to you giving you all of me. Lord take my life and and take my rights I'm yours.

Application
I will pray this prayer everyday this week and memorize this verse.

Zepheniah 3:17

The lord, Mighty warrior. This warrior will do anything for his prize. He will fight anything for his prize. Doesn't matter how big, it doesn't matter how great they are, or how powerful. He rule the world and have the most powerful army. It does not matter. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39. What What is on this earth or in the spiritual realm, no created thing can stand against the lord alright from his prize. What is His prize? "He will rejoice over you..." "will be able to separate us..." me. His children. "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." 1 John 3:1. It does not matter where I am , it doesn't matter who "has" me the lord will go and fight for me. But, once he has me he doesn't stop. He keeps fighting. "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."
Exodus 14:14 ESV. For he is a jealous God and he wants what is his. Nothing can touch his child. Only that which the child so carelessly goes after. But, even then the lord is faithful to bring him back. "if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself."
2 Timothy 2:13 ESV.  There is absolutely nothing that the lord will not fight in order to get what is his and when he gets what is his, he then "rejoices over you with gladness; he quiet you by his love; he will adult over you with loud sining." OH WHAT A LOVING GOD!!! "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Psalms 139:7‭-‬12 ESV" he brings me in his arms and then sings over them Loudly. That is crazy.

Application
I will memorize this verse to be in awe of everytime I think of it.

Romans 5:1-11

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5:1‭-‬11 ESV

This is hope for the sinner and the trangressor, the person from Luke 13:18 that says “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'” for the man who realize he true state of his flesh. O have found myself in the situation of the tax collector who won't even go near the temple but, stands afar off and breast his chest and says ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner’ who knows that the only way he will be justified is if God will forgive him. I have no other hope, if the lord will not forgive me than I I have no hope. But, the lord quickly shows his love and mercy and says that “while we still sinning that the lord died for us” and now we have peace with God because “God loves us so much that he sent his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. This section of scripture has so much to it and has so much truth and hope in it and hard not to look up to the lord and praise his name. I love what John piper said “..that God in eternity looked upon me foreseeing my falleness and my pride and my sin and said, I want that man in family. I would do anything to get him in my family. I will pay for him to be in my family. With my sins life. That is love folks, that is mega off the charts love.” this is so beautiful and so humbling. That God would see me and now what I would do and how I would treat him and throw that all to the side and say “I want him, I want Andrew.” that is so beautiful. The lord knew all that I would do and say, and he knew how I would grieve him day after day and stumble and stumble. But, he chose me and still died for me. I can't explain why, I cant even day I deserve it because I dont. But all I know is that God is Good, and all the time God is Good. Psalm 106:1 KJV — Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

APPLICATION

I will study this chapter everyday for a week with the intent of going deeper with the lord.

Psalms 63:1

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NIV

Can I honestly say that I seek the lord with my whole being? It's a good check to give myself everyday. The lord is beautiful and eternal, the bible talks about how
heaven can't hold him. Other places it talks about how unsearchable his wisdom and judgment. The lord is such a powerful, almighty god. Creator of the biggest star and the smallest atom. But, with all of that considered what is crazy to me is his love in Ephesians 3:18-19 KJV it says; May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. God love is deeper than any ocean, more vast then space. What he did for me is crazy to think about how He came down and died for me. Giving up his God head to die for me so, he can down all of eternity with me. Why? It beautiful, I want to know the lord more and more. I love the lord and to know him more is my prayer.

Application: I will memorize this verse and study and think about it.

Proverb 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17

I don't know a lot about metal or blacksmithing but, I do know for metal to take form it need extreme heat and pressure. It has to pressed, stretched and formed. Once it has taken shape and it actuallyl ooks like a sword, but it has to be sharpened, where it takes another piece of iron to do so. It's apicture of discipleship, what it looks like to be made into a useful sword and not a piece of steel. Discipleship takes pressure, heat, and molding. It such a hard thing but it's a beautiful thing when it happens. But, something we have remember is that the iron us in the blacksmith hand the entire time. He is in complete control. He is the one that hammers it and puts it in the fire. He is the one that puts it in the water and let's it cool. He is the one who takes the other piece of iron and sharpens, He is in complete control of everything. He is the one controling the discipleship, its his words coming through. It is a sprit lead thing where it should be on person sharing what the lord has said. He is the center of what true discipleship is supposed to be. He is the one that speaks through people to the other so tht way the other person can grow, thats why in proverbs in hebrews it talks about how we shouldnt despise correction because it how we know the lord loves. He has corrected me, and It hard when the lord has done this in my life, especially when he has other people do this in my life to sharpen me and make me useful Honestly, it's a huge pride problem but, the lord he been humbling me in this area. I know that the teammates he puts in my life and the leader as well are there because God told them to and there are there to make me a useful tool in the master hands but, It's not an easy thing but it's a necessary thing. My prayer is that it will be something that happens for the rest of my life, if I like it or not. After all were are called to make disciples but, how can I make disciples if I first wasn't discipled?

Application:

I will write this down a piece of paper and put it on my wall that way I can remember this IBS and thank God for him being in control and discipline me.

Psalms 121:1-2

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the Lord , which made heaven and earth.
Psalms 121:1‭-‬2 KJV

What do I do when I have long day where it feels like I have been stretched to my limit and bend to the breaking point? What I do when I feel like giving up or quiting? I look to the one who made the heavens and earth, I look to the one who made every creature every person. To the one who holds everything together with his word. I look to the person who loves me with a great loves and has more good thoughts toward me then the sands of the sea. Who said he would give me everything I need to follow him. I look to Jesus. Honestly it has been hard but, God has remained faithful the entire time. He asked me to present my body as a living sacrifice for its my reasonable service. I first I didn't know what the meant but, the more and more I seek him the more and more I realize how reasonable it is. I feel like I have been stretched, broken, and bent over and over again but, the lord does not say to go through this on my own but, he says to come to him the God of the universe and receive his help. He is faithful to give it because of how much He loves me. He said if your father who are evil know how to give God gift how much more your heavenly father who will give his spirit freely. He is offering his spirit. To get us through the hard times and good times and everywhere in between. He loves so much and I love him.

Application:

Today I will write ask on my hand that way I will remember to ask for the lord help all the time.

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8 NIV

What does it mean to walk humbly with your God? Paul tells is not to think more highly of ourselves, but also we are not to think to lowly of ourselves either. But why does it say with your God? Because it's never meant to be alone, but it's supposed to be a walk with God. As we are doing justice, and loving kindness, and walking humbly it's all because we walking with our God. My God. It's all about a relationship. God wants to walk with me. What os the point of living thos faith if we are not doing it with God? Its all because we are walking with God and in return God shows us how to live the best life. As we seek him he walks with us and he shows us how to grow up and shows us how to live life for him. But, how do we get to God? “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15. It's all through his son Jesus, how did he live? What did Jesus do? How did do justice, show mercy And walk humbly with his God. His father. Jesus is the perfect example of Micah 6:8, he showed us that through his life on this earth. It's all about walking with Jesus, it's all about him and he will show us himself and his character and all we have to do is take this invitation, it's a invitation to have a relationship with Jesus and to walk with him like enoch. To grow in him and for us to realize that we are nothing but sinners in need of a savior but, when we realize that we are sinner the lord takes changes that and makes us redeemed and than we get to walk with him and just to live for him.

Application:

Today I will memorize this verse and pray that I will constantly walk with the lord and that he will bring me back everytime I want to stop or walk another way

Joshua 1:8

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8 NIV

The bible is the direct of the lord to humanity right? In psalms it talks about how The lord put it above his name. That's the name of God and he put his word above above every name. It's says that his word is sharper than any two edged sword splitting bone and marrow. So, if we want to know the lord we have to go to his word which is the bible. I don't need anything else but God's word, it gives me everything I need it a manual for life. In john say that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.  It was their since the beginning, God spoke everything in existence his word is powerful. His word is very important to the lord and it should be important to me. Paul would quote many things from the old testament a lot through out his epistle. I don't need anything else besides God's word. Psalms one verse 2 says this "but whose delight is in the law of the Lord , and who meditates on his law day and night."
It something to meditate on and to seek it continuously. I want to seek it continuously because it's water for the would and light at night. But, honestly it hard to do that, I got distracted by a lot of dumb things and it gets me off of meditating on it. Bit, it's a discipline I know I need.

Application
That's why today I will get up an hour earlier and read the word and set alarms on my phone through out the day and meditate on his word.

Phillipians 1:6, Romans 8:38-39

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 NIV

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38‭-‬39 NIV

These verse have meant so much to me recently. If I was to be honest I get really insecure if I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing and rather not I'm a man of God. I get so scared that I'm to evil or that I'm to far off that God could never change someone like me which to be honest is unbelief. But, the lord in his wonderful mercy and grace doesn't rebuke me in his anger or peace me, but he is long suffering and deals with me patiently. He keeps showing me even in my unbelief that he will still work on me even if I lose sight and lose hope he said that “He would will never leave me nor forsake me” and “that he will remain faithful even when I am faithless for he cannot deny himself”. And I put Romans 8:38-39 because it's a reminder in the process off him finishing me that there is nothing in this world that can separate me. Nothing under the sun, not even myself. I could be the worst person on this planet and a complete monster which to honest I feel like sometimes but, even if that was true if I'm seeking the lord that will never stop the lord. How Fosht said that we need to have faith in two things one yo have faith that God is real and have faith that God will work in us and complete us. I know I have a hard time with the second one but, the lord keeps reminding me and reminding me. I love the lord and he loves me and he is changing me from the inside out, and there is nothing I can do to stop him.

Application:

Today I will write change in my had to remind myself that he is changing me.

2 Samuel 22:19

They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support.
2 Samuel 22:19 ESV

This verse means a lot to me, this verse was given to me when the lord was showing me that he was with my entire life and how he was holding me up and supporting me even when it felt like he wasn't there. I remember being in training in Montana, and we had a on the mount time (devotional time) for like 5 minutes, and I didn't know where to go for that time and I opened up my bible to 2 Samuel so I could read about David and this was the verse that The lord showed me. And when I saw this verse I got a image in my head of me standing and a rushing water came and just wiped me out but, I wasn't moving and my head was above the water it was because Jesus was holding me up and keeping me from being overtaken by the water. This truth about the lord means so much to me and as I go on and I gave trials and hard times, this is verse I think of. It's crazy for me to think about how involved is with my day to day life, the lord isn't just one to give me life than afterwards say “do it your self ” but realized that we are sheep and we need a lot of care and supports me and gets me through hard times and good times. The lord has been my support and always will be, when I ran away from him and when I'm walking with him, “He will never leave me nor forsake me”.

Application:

Today I will memorize this verse

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. NIV

This is one of the hardest verses for me, the lord is so merciful and so gracious that even when we sin or when we are struggling he tells us to come boldy to him and he won’t turn me away but, give me mercy and grace. But, when that happens my pride gets in the way saying things like “I don’t need that” or “I can do this myself”. The enemy tries so hard to get me from applying this verse to my life and He does everything he can from coming to my loving dad who wants me to be near and close to him. It hard thing to learn but, this lesson is what the lord is really trying to show me. I think in order to do this I have to accept that I cannot pardon my sins on my own, there was generation after generation who tried to do it on their own and tried to live by the law and ultimately failed and couldn’t do it. Jesus had to come down to earth and live the perfect life and rise on the third day for me so I could become free. But after acknowledging that I can’t dit on my own I have to die to self and run to Jesus. Jesus knows that I can’t d it on my own, He is not shocked when I figure that out, he is not looking at me with disappointment but, with compassion. He looks at me and opens his arms and ask me to run to him. This blows my mind, but it is a beautiful truth that lord gave me to view him as a loving dad who cares about my dearly. It fills me with awe just thinking about it.

Application:
Today I will memorize this verse.

Psalms 51:16-17

For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. ESV
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. NKJV
How can you give someone who has everything , something? The answer is you can’t. The lord is maker of the heavens and the earth in psalms 8:3 says “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,” the lord made everything, I can’t give him something he doesn’t already have. Is psalms 50:12 says ““If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.” The world is his, he is not Interested in what I can give him or the sacrifices I make, He wants me. He wants my life and my heart. In Matthew 21:44 “And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” The lord wants my broken heart so much he ask for me to fall on it but, off I don’t he will fall on me instead because He wants me to be near and transform in his image. I struggle with not being able to give to the lord as much as I want too, so in return I start to become works oriented and I forget about Jesus did for me on the cross and I forget who I’m doing it for. Then the lord reminds me that he just wants my heart, He just wanted me to become broken at his feet so I can become more like Him. He wants a relationship with me and not what I can or cannot give him. 

Application:
For the rest of June I will get up a half-hour earlier so I can sit at the feet of Jesus and just thank him for who Is.

1 Chronicles 16:8-9

Give praise to the Lord , proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.  Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. NIV

The lord is good, and I have every reason to praise him. Not only because of the things he has done in my own personal life bit, just because of who He is. God chose me before the foundation of the world knowing who I am and what I would do. Also God sent his son Jesus down to die on the cross and resurrect on the 3 day that way He could spend all of eternity with me. Jesus willing laid down his life for me  and took my place and washed me with his blood. But also the lord  saved me from a lot of pain and hurt but also saved me from myself and is continually saving me from things that I didn’t know I needed saving from. He has given me a family that I love and allowed me to do work for his name when I do not deserve it. And he is coming back for me to take me home. The lord has done so much for me all because he loves me. That is the whole reason why I do the work that I get to do, it’s not give my name glory but, to proclaim his name. Proclaim what Jesus on the cross and the resurrection. It’s all about Jesus and nothing else. If what we do in the name of the lord is not about him than it’s all in vain and is counted as dirty rags. For me that has been really been convicting because it’s easy for me to change what it’s all about when it’s al about him. Everything is about Jesus because his name is worthy to be praised.

Application
I will spend 10 minutes evert night for a week thanking and praising God for what he did and for who he is.

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ESV
This verse in context is talking about food and clothing and God providing needs for everyday life. In this Jesus is telling us not to be worries about such things because God loves us and will take care of us. But, I know for me I used this verse as a means to an end. I use this verse to get what I want instead of seeking Jesus. In the book we would see Jesus by Roy and Revel Hession it talks about how Jesus is the end. How everything will end up with Jesus and nothing else. And a story that the use is the story of the 10 leapers. He heals all of them and nine of them went on their way but, one stayed and bowed at Jesus's feet. For the 9, Jesus was a means to health, but to the 1 it was a means to Jesus. I have been Guilty of using Jesus as a means to an end. I used Jesus to find purpose in life instead of going to Jesus. I know I wanted to have a ministry that is used for Jesus and to be able to do radical things for Jesus instead of just having Jesus. Jesus is not interested in what I can give him but he is interested in me and having a relationship with me. The lord will provide everything I need in life, He said he would and Jesus can’t lie.

Application:
Today I will ask for forgiveness for making Jesus a means to an end and thank him for who he is and say thank you to the people that God has put in my life in order to bring me closer to him.

Exodus14:14

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” NKJV

This verse is both encouraging and difficult for me. It’s encouraging in the fact that I know the lord will remain faithful even when I am faithless but, it hard because that means I have to stop striving on my own. Ephesians 6:10 tells us to be strong in the lord and Jesus over and over again tells us to rely on trust in him. But it’s hard to let go in hard situation and let him fight or let him take control. I never liked letting someone else fighting my battles cause I always thought I could do it myself. But, the Lord has called me to be weak and let him take the wheel. For in my weakness I am strong but, first I have to let go and let God fight for me cause ultimately if I tried to fight the battle without the lords help I will ultimately lose or win in vain. I want to glorify the Lord in every situation but I have to let go and stop striving every time I fail which is a lot if I was to be honest. The lord is not calling me to fight on my own, He is calling me to rest in him and let my father fight for me so, I may get the victory.

Application:
Today I will memorize this verse so that I might use it when I am tempted to fight.

2 corithians 12:9

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. NKJV
This truth is hard for me to understand. How can I be weak? I have to be strong, I will get trampled on, people will take advantage of me, says the lies of the enemy. Grace is a beautiful thing, it can only take place when a person has failed or is weak. Gods grace toward me a beautiful mystery and the only way to understand that mystery more and more is to receive it more and more. I'm already a weak person, this verse is just asking me to accept that truth, and to run to God who is my safe retreat and who has an abundance of grace waiting for me to job into. The bible talks about how I need to run boldly to the throne of grace. I’m weak, I’m not man that I’m supposed to be and I cant become I want to be without God and his grace. I can change, I can be the man I'm suppose to be but only through God and only God can change me and the only thing I can do is come to him and fall on my face and say “God I’m weak” and then he will make me strong in him and not me. My body is finite and wicked and it takes a holy savior to make me righteous and holy. I need Jesus, I need his spirit to come inside me and change me from the inside out.

Application:
Today I will write weak on my hand to show that God is my strength and is grace is sufficient.

Isaiah 48

This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.  If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.
NIV

This was said to the Israelites by the
prophet Isaiah. Isaiah was called by God who was sent to Israel that they would turn back to God and remember the creator who made them a great nation. In the beginning its says “your redeemer, the holy one of Israel.” Its personal, God said “Your” and “The HOLY ONE of Israel.” Israel again back slid and the lord is saying that I’m your and I’m the God of Israel. Later in the verse it talks about how God knows best and how he teaches you what’s best. And how he will direct which way that Israel should go. The lord will be involved with them day to day he won’t just leave them and stop teaching and directing them he loves them and want a personnel relationship with Israel. Israel only had to do one thing, the only thing that they had to do was “Paid attention to my commandments” they only had to listen to God. What God told Moses through the law they would have to obey. If they did God promises 2 things; “peace like a river” and “Well being like the waves of the sea”. God heart seems to be blessing upon blessing all they have to do is follow God. It would be really easy for me to condemn the Israelites but, if I did that then I would be a hypocrite. I do the same thing, I chose to Go after dump thing and decide that I know what is best and that “I don’t need God” and I may not say it in words but, I do so it in actions. I think if I was to live by and follow Gods word then I would get the same peace and well-being that the Israelites got. And to remind myself, it doesn’t say easier it says peace. God gives us peace but, doesn’t all the time make the situation any easier. But, he does promise peace and well being which is more that I deserve. And he is personal, He wants to be my God, and He wants to be my God everyday not just on certain days.

Application:
Starting today I will read through Isaiah and ask the lord to show me Him as I read.

mark 12:30

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  This is the first commandment. NKJV

What is the purpose to this life? It’s a question that ask and wrestle with a lot, I don’t like not having meaning and I know there is meaning to this life. And I think its something that a lot of people don’t understand. The world might say to get as much pleasure and success before we die, and the Christian might say to do the work which God has for you. In the book “We would see Jesus” by Roy and Revel Hession it says on pg 9-10 “the biblical wander to the question, “what is the purpose of life” is to know, and to love, and yo walk with God; that is, to see God.” So, what if it’s just as simple as just seeing God and to know him.  For me I got so Caught up in doing work for God when I forget that God is more interested in me then the work I do for him. The work blesses me, the work God gives me is not my purpose but a blessing that comes with fulfilling my purpose in Christ. In page 9 of this we would see Jesus it says “My goal is God himself, not joy, nor peace, nor even blessing, but himself, my God.” Its all about God. Notice Jesus in this passage didn’t say to “love the works of God” or “love the blessing of God.” No it says “Love the lord your God”. How do we see God? Jesus said if you have seen Him then you have seen the father. We God through his son Jesus, we turn to Jesus and we see the Father. Its all about God.

Application:

Today I will write “to know God” on my hand to remind myself of purpose in this life.

mark 4:10

When he was alone, the twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, the secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables (NIV)

After Jesus teaches the crowd the parable of sower, there were few who when up to Jesus and asked him what it meant. And I think that is a huge part of being a student is asking question, part of being a student to means that you are admitting that you don’t know something or not enough and you want to know more. So, knowing that you don’t know, something that is key is just to ask a question. The twelve disciples who walked with Jesus day in and day out didn’t know what the parable of the sower meant, and it wasn’t just the twelve who asked there were people around them who asked too. In return Jesus said this “the secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you...”  because they asked they get to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, later on Jesus did tell the people who asked, the meaning of the parable, and they left all the wiser and knowing more about Jesus which is the entire point. What point is there to Christianity if we don’t know Jesus? If we don’t know Christ? There is none whatsoever, and I know that I am lacking in knowledge and God is infinite in wisdom and infinite in knowledge and desire a relationship with me, so why not get the most out of it and strive to know God?

Application:

But I know that I struggle with asking questions and its diffidently something I can grow in and want to grow in.

That’s is why I will write down any question I have that way I can ask someone and grow in my faith and Know God more.

luke 2:46

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, asking them questions. KJV

Here I see Jesus doing two main things, listening and asking, you see Jesus in the temple for three days straight amount the teachers, Jesus first sat and listened to them teach. I think that is extremely important if we want to be good students is to sit and listen. It’s hard to do the second part correctly if we don’t humble ourselves and listen to the teachers. Jesus was fully God and Fully man, everything that they were teaching Jesus being fully God probably gave them that knowledge. But Jesus humbled himself and sat under them how much more should we humble ourselves? I know for me that I don’t know as much as I like to think I do. It’s hard to have the heart of learning if you think you are smarter than the person teaching. But the second thing he did was ask question. He sat and listened to the teachings then after he asked questions. I know for me there is a lot of things in the bible that I don’t understand and quite frankly get me confused, so for me I know that I must ask questions that way God may untie the knots of confusion. But, I think this verse really show the heart of a student, someone who is willing to sit at the feat of a teacher and listen to what they have today and then afterwards not afraid to ask questions that way he may grow in his understanding.

Application:

I know for me I need to grow and ask God for this heart, so today I will listen to a study before I got to bed and listen to it and write down any question I might I have that way afterwards I can Go up to someone and ask my question that way I can Grow in my understanding.

James 1:19

So then, my beloved brethren let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. NKJV

I think these verse is really taking about how to handle a situation correctly, you are first to be quick to listen. This is the area I think is hard especially when you are angry. I know for me that I must remember this verse doesn’t say “be quick to listen if you are not angry” no but it says to listen first, and if you are listening the next part should come naturally. “Quick to listen, slow to speak,” for me this hard, because I will listen, but I will get angry and in result I wont listen. It’s easy for me to listen just so I can have built up a case for my anger that way I may justify it. But, I have worldly and sinful anger. In these verses he talks about the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. In my experience and how I have reacted my anger is always selfish and does not think about any but myself. I want to be more like God and I desire to be righteous like him and that only comes if I forsake my anger and follow these verses. The goal is to be Christ like and not Man-like, so its to take on righteous anger which is given by God and is moved by God and not man.

Application:

I don’t know what that looks like but, I know that I have to pray about it daily, so to remember that I will write righteous anger on my hand to remind myself to pray for righteous anger and become more like him daily.

exodus 2:23-25

During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. Exodus 2:23-25

To give context on what is happening, joseph has died as well as the pharaoh who put joseph in second in command and a new pharaoh has been put in power. Israel was growing and started to thrive, this new pharaoh got scared and made them slaves and commanded if a woman was to have a boy then, that boy must be killed. Israel had no place to go and where completely helpless to do anything. The got in such a place that the only thing can do is cry out to God, and God didn’t forget about his people. Verse 25 It says that “God saw the people of Israel–and He knew” God knew, he knew the pain, the struggle, the hardship of the Israelites. Later in the book Moses will come unto the scene and God will use him to deliver his people from the Egyptians. I know for me I’m not under some dictatorship or some terrible place, in fact it’s the complete opposite, I’m in a Godly environment with Godly men and women who love the lord. But, just to know that God knows where I am no matter how hard times get or how good times get, God always knows and he see’s it and not only that, but he cares. For me that is extremely comforting knowing that God is with me and he hears my cry. So, for me it’s a promise that I can hold on too and never forget.

Application:

To not for get this, I will memorize this passage and thank God for hearing me cry and knowing where I am.

Psalms 119:11/ Mark 1:35

Psalms 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

mark 1:35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

How do we know God? It goes back to the Sunday school answer, pray and read your bible. But, for me I know I have a thousand excuses on why I can’t do either and I have used those excuses myself but, these two men have shown me that there is no excuse. David says in 119:11 that he has “Stored up”.  When I think of stored up I think of taking time out of your day and intentionally storing what you need to survive. Like a farmer will store up food during the harvest that way during winter he will have food to eat and he will not starve. And I think the bible is the same way, I know that I am prone to sin, but Gods word is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword splitting bone and marrow, soul and spirit. And Jesus when tempted by Satan used scripture to fight him and had victory because he took time and intentionally and stored up Gods word in his heart. And then in prayer it says that Jesus rose very early in the morning to pray. Pray is talking to God, and how important it is to hear from God and to seek him every day? Jesus understood that He needed to seek Gods will for that day. So, he went out and had 1 on 1 with God. Man, this example Is something I think is so key, to have enough discipline to get up earlier and seek Gods face early in the morning. Because, some people really do start working as soon as their heads leave the pillow, and they don’t stop until their heads return to that spot. So, to know God more we would have to be intentional and discipline ourselves to seek God first by prayer and to store Gods word so that we might not sin against him. So, I think in order for me to Know God better and to have that relationship with him, I think it start with some discipline, to make sacrifices to sleep schedule to take time out of my day to get in his word and even on the days I don’t want too still do it because I’m not going to want to do the things I know I should every day and that why I need more discipline.

Application:

That’s why starting today for the rest of the week I will get up at 5 and pray and read my word that why I may seek Gods face before I start my day.

1 Peter 4:7

The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. NLT

Jesus is coming back, and he is coming back soon. If peter can say that the end of the world is coming soon centuries ago, how much closer are we today. And according to revelation it only gets worse and worse until Jesus comes back and takes his church home. Matthew 24:42 says "So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming.”  Matthew 26:41 NLT “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!". The two things that Jesus says to do is watch and pray. Pray is a time where we get to talk to Jesus, a time to petition to him or to intercede for other people who have needs or in need but don’t know it. But, we are to do it earnestly and with discipline, when I think of being earnest about something its to pray knowing that time is short and to know that you don’t know when Jesus is coming back to pray as if he is coming back today. So, peter commands us to be earnest in prayer but, not only earnest but also to show discipline in our prayers, in mark it tells us how Jesus got up in early in the morning when it was still dark, so he could pray. Daniel prayed 3 times a day even when he was not allowed to do so. So, when I think of being disciplined in prayer is to be intentional about it, making sacrifices during your day that way you may talk with Jesus and to seek his heart in every situation.

Application:

Everyday for the rest of the week I will pray for someone who has need and I will read this verse before I do so.

Amos 3

"Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?  ESV

How can two friends walk together unless both parties talk together and agree to meet? It’s not possible, one guy can’t be like “hey man let’s meet tomorrow” and the other guy “nah man, let’s meet the day after” and the first guy says “Ok I’ll see ya tomorrow”. The first guy will wind being by himself. But, how often even when we do agree to meet we still walk in different directions? A story I think is Paul and barnabas and how they disagree with each other rather or not to bring John Mark. And they decided since they couldn’t agree with each other that they will separate and go their separate ways. Sometimes we get to the part where we meet but, then we don’t walk with one mind and in one goal. I think of our team that is going to Guatemala, we agreed to meet but, I pray that a disagreement doesn't separate and cause division among the team. It’s important for the sake of the kids and the people down in Guatemala that we don’t cause division and allow pitty squabbles to separate the team.

Application:
That's why I will pray from not till the end of the week that God will humble me so that I can serve the team better and be an asset to them.

1 timothy 4

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. NIV
Physical training and working out really only helps when you are doing something physical but, outside of that, it doesn’t have much value. Godliness does though, it tinkles down into everything, physical training, attitude, how we interact people, how we share the gospel. The bible says to be holy as he is holy, the goal is to be more like God in every way and to act how he acted. I think in Rome they started to call the church Christian because they were like little Christ. But, but only does being godly have present purpose but, it also has an eternal purpose. One day every Christian will stand in front of a holy and living God and be judged for the works they have done and the motive behind it. It will show how Godly we were with this life that he had and much we looked like God. Being Godly is extremely important and it tinkles down into everything that we do and goes into eternity and last forever.

Application:
I will write Godliness in my hand so I can remember to strive for godliness.

1 john 1

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
KJV
How can we say have a relationship with God and live worldly lives? It doesn't make sense, In this verse that There is no darkness in God , it also says that one can’t serve two master, he will love one and hate the other. But, how can we tell of we are walking in darkness and have no fellowship with God? I think it boils down to who you are spending the most time with, are you spending time with the world and fellowshipping with them or are you fellowshipping with God’s church? I know for me I wanted spend time with the world and my world friends because I felt like they were more real that the people at my church and in God’s church. And it led to a lot of resentment toward God and his church. But, coming here it was completely different, the people here challenged me and encouraged me and pointed me toward Jesus instead of trying to make me feel good. And that’s what happens when we walk in the light, we get fellowship with Godly men and women that truly is edifying, something that you will see Jesus in it. And the last part says that “and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” And that alone is worth it. To purified of the sin that a committed through the blood of Jesus is all that matters and all I have to do is hang out with God’s church and to grow together and Chase after Jesus together. That is worth it.

Application:
Today I will thank God for the fellowship and pray for opportunity to grow together.

1 corithians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. NIV
In this verse it talks about how an athlete goes into strict training that way he may compete and earn the prize at the end. They will change their diets, change sleeping hours, they will change their lifestyles in order to win the prize at the end. But, what do the earn? Nothing more than a prize that will fade, and “moth and rust will destroy”. Paul compares it to the Christian walk and he switches walk to race. I'm running a race to gain a heavenly reward, not to gain heaven for heaven is already earned through Jesus. Every runner crosses the line but not every runner gets a medal. But we run for heavenly treasures That will last forever and will never perish. That’s why we train, we train in the word and prayer, and when the trials come we already trained in the word and prayer before and now we are prepared. I think it was asa who build up his army during peace time in preparation for war and because of it was successful. I soldier doesn’t learn how to fire his gun during a battle but, has already made himself familiar with the rifle before and he gets his body in shape before that way he may fight with endurance. It important to train before the battle so that way we are prepared before the battle.

Application:
I will work out every morning for the rest of the week before devotion to remember to train in Gods word

1 corithians 12

For the body is not one member, but many.  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? KJV
The human body is made up multiple parts and each part has it’s purpose. And the church is called the body of Christ so the same thing applies, there is multiple parts each with its purpose. Some are the hands, some the feet, some the eyes etc. It would be weird if the hands hit the feat out of the way and try to walk, or if the eyes popped out and try to do the job of the hands. How quick that body would wither and die in the disunity.  I know for me I was the person who would look at other parts and start wishing I had their calling or was more like them, Paul here is saying that kind of thinking is wrong, because God made each person a certain way so that He made be Glorified. But, if I’m a hand why should I try to do any other job besides the job of the hand? The hand trust that the foot is doing his job and doesn’t try to step in for the hand and vice versa. To look at more practically my teammates have things they can do that I cannot, I’m called not to get jealous but submit to them and follow there example instead of getting mad and wishing that I could do that too.

Application:
Today I will write the strength of my teammates and thank God for each one.

Romans 12:6

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; KJV

God by his grace, has given everyone different gifts, we have to remember where are gifts come from. It’s the grace of God and it’s all for one purpose and that’s for the body and to edify them as it says in 1 Corinthians. Each part has a role, and the job is to show the grace of God through that gift. Later on in these verse it calls to encourager to encourage and for the teacher to teach etc. The point though is to walk in unity with people who have different gifts and not to say one is more important the other but, to realize that they have their gifts because of the grace of God and so do you. And let each other edify the other with that gift.

Application:
I believe that God has given me the gift of encouragement and today will go up to ad many people as possible and encourage them.

2 Corinthians 13

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. ESV

This is Paul’s final greeting to the Corinthian church. In this he tells them to take what he wrote about and walk in unity with one another. The first sentence he talks about striving for restoration . Restoration is not something to just happen, it’s a process it take some time and some work.  But this is the first step I believe we need to take so we can walk in unity so, we can do the other things that Paul said to do in this verses and the verses to encouragement or to comfort someone if we are not in one mid which this verse talk about too. I think in order to live in peace we must be of one mind . We must have one goal, we don’t have to agree on every little topic in the bible, if we tried to do that we would cause just as much division if we disagreed on everything. But on the main things we must agree on such as the gospel and how Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose in the third day and now we serve him as bondservant and we love to honor and glorify him. I believe if people can agree on that and have that be the foundation of out ministries then we can walk with one mind. So if we strive for restoration and walk with one mind the we can live in peace one another but, as humans we always fall short of this Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Since man is involved in this it will always be flawed but the blood of Jesus is what binds us together and when man fails we can always run to Jesus and remember the cross.

Application:
Today I will draw a cross with the blood of Jesus connecting his people. To represent that we are connected through Jesus blood and to remember to live in peace

John 12:26

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. ESV

“if anyone serves me, he follow me; where I am, there my servant will be also.” you can tell how close a servant is to his master by where he is at. A good servant is doing what his master had commanded him do and doing cause he loves his master. As Christians we are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices for its our reasonable service. Where God’s will is where we should be, we love God and desire to please him so why wouldn’t we want to be where his will is? Jesus says here that God will honor the person who serves him. The person. Who serves God in the good and the bad, hard and the easy, the trial and in the time of rest. To Make it personal I know there has been times in my life where I think I’m in God’s will because I’m serving in a church and helping services but, it doesn’t matter what kind of service I’m doing if God will is for me not to be there than it’s all in vain. There has been time where I asked God for his will in day to day life and instead of waiting for God to make something clear I just do things and it turns out that that’s not what God wanted me to do.

Application:

Today I will memorize this verse and wright the verse on a sticky note and put it on the wall

Galatians 5:13

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. KJV
There is something’s that don’t single me that stumble others, and there is something’s that stumbled me that don’t stumble others. For example, horror movies they scare the living crap out of me and I do things often time that is considered embarrassing (I call it a loud proclamation of distress aka screaming) but it makes me take my eyes off of God and focus on myself. So horror movies is something I know I can’t handle but, I know there is people who can handle it and don t get stumbled by it. But Paul is saying don’t use these kind of freedoms to serve your flesh because that’s not what it’s meant too do. So in this example a way to serve is not watch horror movies in front of me. But, I know am ok listening to secular music and not think any differently but, there is people in my life who can’t listen too it. So, a way I can serve is not listen or sing secular music in front of those people . Because the goal is not to have the freedom but to have a way to serve other people and to give glory to God in those freedoms and to never loose focus on God.

Application:
Today I will pray and ask God to show me what stumbles me and also what freedoms I have and how I can serve him in it.

Hebrews 5:8

Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered NIV
This passage is talking about Jesus, and I think the verse after this is important to read as well; it’s says, “And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” Jesus in the garden asked God his father in the garden that this cup would pass from him and if there was another option. But after he said, not my will but yours and the ones what God told him to do and went to the cross. As a result in verse 9 “He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.” It says somewhere in the bible that God would rather have obedience than burnt offerings. I know for me I want to listen to God but, when tells me do something I make excuses on why I can’t and after I make commitments to God saying what I will do to Glorify him and then Never do it. Rather it be sharing the gospel with someone or helping someone out, or just merely having a conversation with someone, I would rather not do it and afterwards just say sorry and make some dump commitment on how I’m going to be better the next time and then Never happens.

Application:
First thing is God has called me here and to put myself under leadership and listen to them and grow so, ill do what they ask me to do and do it with a joyful heart expecting to be grown from what they tell me to do.  And pray everyday for opportunity to hear God speak and then obey what he wants me to do.

Psalms 17:15

As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. NIV

I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with the likeness. One day I’m going to die a physical death and I will leave this earth and go to heaven my home. Nothing is coming with me, just my soul. When I get to heaven I’m going to look in wonder at my God and be completely, satisfied. I’m not going to say to myself that I want my Xbox or mt music. I’m not going to say wish I would of done that or not of done that . No I will look at my God and be completely satisfied. Because God will be enough for me and I will be perfected. Be holy as I am holy, when I get there I know that this verse will be true. I will know that I will be Glorified in heaven and everything I was suppose to be on this earth I will be there. I will be perfected, I will be in God’s presence Glorifying him for all of eternity. I will be able to behold my God in awe and fall in my face in worship Him.

Phillipians 4

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. NIV
  Before Paul says this he notices that the philipians renewed the concerned for Paul because he was in prison. But after he notice that they didn’t have the opportunity to help Paul with his problem. And Paul responds and says don’t worry I learned the secret of being contient. Because Paul knew what it was like to have great gain and to have next to nothing. He knew what it was like to prosper and what it was like to strive, he knew. Paul in verse 8 say He can do all things through Christ who strengthen me. The secret of being content is God. Paul said that God is the author and finisher of our faith, also Jesus said that God takes care of the birds and we not of more value than they? Paul also said that the God’s grace was suffient for him. So, to be content is to trust in God and believe he is God and to know His promises will come true no matter the circumstances . He is God and his grace is suffient.

Application:
I I will write down content on my hand and every time I see it I will thank God for we’re he has me.

Colossians 1:11

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, (NIV)
I see this verse has two parts, the growing process and the reward. In football conditioning I had a friend named rhino, when we had early morning conditioning I was talking to him and I was complaining about getting up early and working out and the entire time he is just listening, after I was done complaining he says this “I hate the process but, I love the results.” At first I didn’t think much of it but, looking back on it it is something I can apply to my walk with God. But later on that morning we were doing squats and I decided to put two 45 weights on the 45 pound bar and I try to do the squats, and as I go down I realize really quick that I wasn’t going to be able to do this. So, instead of going to my knees and let the guards catch it I tried to go up and finish the squat. But, one of my teammates saw that I wasn’t able to do it and he catches me and helps me up and put the bar back on the hooks. If it wasn’t for that person I would of hurt myself and I wouldn’t  of got the results I needed. And I think that’s what this verse is getting at, life is like the weight where there is going to be things in this life where we can’t get through and we know it, God is like my teammate where he says “If you use my strength than we will get through this but, if you don’t use my strength you are going to crash to the ground and hurt yourself. Which do you chose?” if you call on God’s strength then you will be able to stand and afterward you will get the strength that you needed. Not the strength you need to do the 45s but the strength of patience knowing that “he who started a good work will finish it until the day of Christ Jesus .”

Application:
I know I need patience because I'm lacking patience severely so, that’s why I will pray for patience everyday that God will give me patience and He will give me opprotunity to grow my patience and when they happen call on God for strength.

Luke 8:11-15

So at this time Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower, and he starts to talk about each one and explaining what each one means and the two I relate with the most is the stoney and thorny  soil. The stoney soil is the people who receive God’s word and receive it with Joy and then when trials happen they lose faith cause there are no roots. And the thorny ground is when the person receive it with Joy and then the cares of the world destroy the fruit that it starts to grow. And I remember going to California every summer and we made it tradition to go to Calvary Costa mesa and I remember listening to pastor Chuck Smith speak and being moved by it and then I would go back to my grandma house and start thinking what I can do with my day and how I can go out and have fun and completely forgetting what I learned and never applying it and I knew God was calling me to go deeper. And recently I was like the stoney side where I would go to church and receive God’s word willingly and want to apply it but when my old church strayed from God, I lost faith and started to curse God. But the weird thing is In the beginning I had complete faith in God and I knew that God was going to get us through this time and I knew God was going to be glorified. But I ignored the last part of verse 15; “and bear fruit with patience.” And patience is key cause when I was dealing with the crap that was going on and didn’t have patience in what I believed, the situation just got worse and worse and like acid it ate away at my faith till it was all gone. So, when it came directly at me I lost faith in God cause the roots I had didn’t go deep enough and it showed me how shallow I am. So, if I want to be on the Good soil God is going to have to get a sledge hammer and smash my stoney heart and I have to be patient and trust in the work He is doing, I have to pesevere. I have to trust that God is going to do it and be faithful to God until He does what He said He would do and keep be faithful.

Application:
• Today I will pray for patience and look for opportune times to show patience. Or just not complain when God is telling me to be patient. 

Ephesians 5:21

Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. KJV
Fear of God, a healthy respect for God. We respect God so we Submit  to others. I don’t think that means to become one of the welcome mat that people have before you enter into their homes and you wipe you feet on . But, to realize that we are all level at the cross and that God has not put one leader in this group . It says that “we should not think more highly of yourself” we need to have an honest opinion of ourselves. Knowing that we bring Good and bad things to the table but, to realize that God can use both and if we seek him diligently he will be Glorified. It also says in one of the gospels that “if you love me you will keep my commandments.” Saying if you love Jesus you will hear and obey my words,  I want to love God with all my heart but I know I’m not there yet but, I can make steps in the right direction by following verses like this and actually applying my application and make efforts to remember my application. But we don’t submit to others cause they are better, or just because but, we do it because we fear God.

Application:
Today I will right down the gifts and the weakness that I have and pray over it thanking God for the Gifts and pray for growth in my weaknesses.

Psalms 111:10

The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belong eternal praise. (niv)

Interpretation:
Fear the lord. For the longest time I never knew what this meant, cause when I was a kid I was afraid of everything and if I was afraid of something I would run away or hide and do everything in my power to make sure I don’t have to confront the thing I was afraid of so, when I heard fear the lord I thought that meant run away and make sure you don’t confront it, but I thought that was weird cause we were suppose to go to God and he was going to welcome me with open in arms so, how are we supposed to fear him and run to him? That doesn’t make sense in my mind, but it wasn’t tell my old youth pastor explained that it made sense. Its kind of like fire, if you mess around with fire it will eventually cause major damage, but if you go by the proper guidelines it will keep you warm and comfort you. God is the same way just much bigger, infinitely bigger. God was there since the beginning he it beyond space and time. He made everything he knows everything and he is completely, 100% sovereign. He is perfect wrath and perfect love, he knows everything about you, he knows my deepest secret, He knows how to break me, he knows what I need, he knows just how wicked and evil I am. He knows everything about me. He is the self-existing one, he is all powerful, all knowing, no matter what words I use to describe him, I could never truly describe him and how awesome he is. That’s why I don’t wont to tick off a holy and living God, but I want to go by his commandments cause he knows everything and he knows how to live life correct and glorifying to Him. And that is why he deserves all praise is because he deserves all praise.
Application:
That’s why today I want to follow Jesus commandment by loving people how he loved me, if that’s means serving or listening to people or just being a friend.

Luke 21:19

Stand firm and you will win your life. (NIV)

I think in verse like this its important to establish context to make it clearer. (then again you should always establish context). Jesus in the previous verses is talking about the end times and what needs to take place first before He comes back. He talks about how kingdom will go against kingdom, how there will be a lot of natural disasters that will plague the earth, and people will come in Jesus name saying that they are the Christ but are not. Jesus tells them not to be afraid because these things must happen before Jesus comes back. But he goes on to talk about how people are going to hate them and persecute them, and Jesus tells them to endure or stand firm as the NIV translation says. I think Jesus is trying to warn people and to encourage people not to lose their faith and encourage them to keep going because they will gain their life’s if they endure this. I think this important especially in the day we live in where most of the things that Jesus is saying in this passage is coming to past, country are waging war against country, people are calling themselves Jesus, people are going crazy saying the end is near and starting weird cults, there has been several natural disasters that has happened in the past year so, everything that Jesus said in this passage is coming true. And Christianity is being persecuted around the world, people can lose their lives in some places, sometimes people can be thrown in prison or severely beaten if the say the believe in Jesus. People will lie and ruin your reputation, or verbally beat them or, make accusations against them to start rumors against them. All of which are terrible but, Jesus just said it will happen and tells us to endure. To stand and withstand everything and to keep the focus and to not waiver. Why? Cause God knows what is going on and He is till in control so, no matter how bad it seems we can have faith in God and we can hold to the promise the God gives us saying that He will never leave us nor forsake us and when those times happen I can run to Jesus and hold on to him with everything I have and when I don’t have anything left I know he will hold me up and carry me through. So, I think standing firm in this case is remembering the promises that Jesus gave us and to hold firm to that and to keep my eyes on that.

Application

 will search the bible and look for the promises that Jesus Gives us and write them down and meditate on each one.

Acts 5:29

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. KJV

Peter and the apostle here are on trial for spreading the gospel. The Pharisees wanted them to stop spreading the gospel because it went against what the said. But Peter and the apostle knew what God has told them to do and they weren’t going to get sidetracked. Jesus gave them a specific order to go to all nations and share this gospel which Jesus fufilled. They knew this, so even if the authority in town tried to get them to stop they couldn’t because they knew who was they higher authority. Although I have never been told not to preach the gospel, I do know what it’s like to be in a church with corrupted leaders and I think the wisest thing to do when it comes to that is to do what they did in acts after the people heard Paul teaching they went home to see if what he was saying was true and when they saw that it was they were greatly encouraged. But, God also appoints leaders rather it be Goldy or not. That’s why we must check and see if what the earthly leader lines up with the ultimate authority. And when we find I godly leader who is following God, to put myself under that is to obey the ultimate authority God which is the goal. So, I think this verse is not an excuse to disobey authority but to have a greater relationship with God that way when we find corrupt authority I will not fall into it and be lead away from God.

Application:

Every time during a message if they say a verse, I will look it up to see what it says, not to try to prove them wrong But, so I may grow in my faith. But also I want to thank God everyday for the leadership that God has put me under So, that I may grow.

Ephesians 6:1 & Colossians 3:20

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. NIV

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. NIV

“Children obey your parents in everything, for this is right.” And “it pleases the lord.” Notice it says everything, not in something’s or the good things but, everything. How am I suppose to obey my parents in all things when there were times were my parents weren’t there for me? I did forgive them but, how am I suppose to obey them during those times? Then again I can’t be under them right now and I can’t go back during these time with the different eyes but, I can reflect on it. It also doesn’t obey their words but it just says “obey.” I think this can be in action, attitude, and words. I think that parents are always telling you something in Good times or bad, in the bad they could be telling you this how you act, or this is what to do. Or In the good it could be don t forget this or prepare for this. I know for me that my parents showed what a Godly attitude, words, and action were both in the Good times and bad. I remember taking my dad’s co-op class “knowing why you believe” and during class he said something along the lines that if someone in his family died he would be ok because God is still in control and he challenged if they would be ok if there family member died or something tragic like that actually happened. Well God tested my dad in his words, and during that time both my dad and mom held true. They were not perfect and they did mourn but, they still trusted God and God got them through. But I could obey there attitude which said this sucks but, God is God and hold fast to him, I could obey his action when they did the things they knew God was telling him to do and telling me, it hard but, obey God even in these times. And in words where he told me these things because this is not going to the only time where something tragic like this is going to happen. But even though I can’t go back to my parents in person right now I can reflect on the times I do remember they told me instructions in these three ways that way I can do the last part of Colossians 3:20 which is “please the Lord”. It’s hard to obey God who is my heavenly father when I can obey my earthly father and mom who was appointed by God.

Application:

That’s why today I will write down some of the instruction that my parents gave me both in the good times as well as the bad and I will meditate on each one.

Romans 6:16

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? KJV

Everyone serves a master not always in the sense of an actual person But, something or someone who dictates what you do and don’t do. Weather it be a friend, doing a certain activity or an object or a state of mind. I know for me it is unbelief, ever since I have seen people walk away from God, a church splitting, people cutting and/Or suicidal, I started to not believe that God cared and if he did he didnt have the capability to help. Which is wrong But, that’s what I though and felt. So in my unbelief I decided to do it myself and try to handle it with my own strength. Even though God has brought me out of that mind set I still struggle with unbelief and obeying what God tells me to do because I don’t believe that God will do what he said to do. I’m running back to my old master when God is telling me to trust and obey him.

Application:

So today I will write down how God remained  faithful when I was running away from him and I will pray over it thanking God for what he did and every time I start too doubt I will remember what he did and walk in obedience

2 Corinthians 1:12

For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you (NKJV)

Paul is describing how he acted in the world and he said he did it in two ways: simplicity and Godly sincerity. The first being simplicity, meaning Paul didn’t have this big elaborate plan to reach the world or the Corinthians, it was simply the gospel nothing more, nothing less. And I know sometimes I come up with this bilge elaborate plan to reach people and I start planning all these way that I can do it, when really it’s the Gospel and my testimony on how God saved me through his gospel. The second word is sincerity, but not just sincerity but, Godly sincerity. People have to know that you care about them and desire to see the best for them but, more importantly the have to know the God thinks 1000 times more than I do. I can share my testimony with someone or even share the gospel with someone and there is no sincerity behind it then I’m just speaking words. God can ultimately use that but, how much more if we have a loving heart behind it. I need remember one time that I went to go share the Gospel with someone because it was part of an evangelism class I was taking. And I went to this older man and I went to go speak to him and all of sudden these fire truck go by with their sirens going off and I lost the words to speak. I just stood their staring at these people and with my mouth open with no words coming out, looking like a complete idiot. But the man said something that I will never forget, he said “if this is real to you then you have to say it with conviction, you have to speak to the person like this is real, like it changed your life.” And ever since then I was afraid so go evangelizing cause it wasn’t real in my own life until recently. So I think to speak in Godly sincerity then we first have to experience God and his grace and see the simplicity in it. Because I would be just another hypocritical Christian who speaks change but isn’t changed himself.

 Application:

So, that’s why everyday I read the bible I will ask God to make his word real in my own life, and today I will pray for him to give him the Sincerity and simplicity that Paul is talking about.

ephesians 5:15-17

Be very careful, then how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the lords will is. (NIV)

              Its not difficult to see that the time is evil, we don’t have to look past our country to see that. From abortion and plant parenthood to our politics, from our school system to our churches, to the movie we watch and video games we play, its not hard to see that society is jacked up and going to hell in a hand basket if people don’t repent. But, I don’t think Paul just wants me to focus on the problems of my generation cause people already do that and do nothing about it and look where we’re at but, that’s not the point. Paul says to redeem the time because the days are evil. That’s why we got to understand what God’ will is in our life and not to waste time like so many people our doing but to have a since of urgency because God is coming back, and a lot of people are going to go to hell if they don’t accept Jesus and its not just for a period, but an eternity separated from God. That’s why we need to apply the verse of asking for wisdom cause Paul here says we need to live not as the unwise but as the wise.

Application:

That is why I will continue to pray for wisdom everyday but, also seek God’  will for my life and submit to him when he tells me and repent when I don’t.                                                                                                           

Hebrews 11:1

Now Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Heb 11:1 ESV 

Interpretation:

So, I think Paul was trying to tell the Hebrews what it means to have true faith and what it looks like to trust God in a God-Glorifying way. I think that he wanted to show these people that it more than just “I think it going to happen” or “it could happen” but it’s a “”by God it will happen” because faith is something that most people forget to have when praying for something. But faith is like saying “God I pray that you do this thing that I know its your will and because I know its your will then I know it going to happen because you are God and you have never broken promise Before so I know you will do what you said” so I think its just believing what God says he was going to do.

Application:

So, something I struggle with is having faith and trusting in God  so, something I want to do every day is that I will pray every day for faith and that he will give me opportunity to stretch my faith.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God. Because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (NIV)

Interpretation:

I think what it means is pray and know it will happen and believing it will happen. And don’t be like the doubting like James talks about in his epistle. It reminds of the time where I would cry up to God in complete desperation asking him to deliver me from the pain I felt inside, but it was ironic cause afterwards I would say that “God doesn’t hear me, He doesn’t care.” So, I could of prayed in my desperation and known that God would of Got me through cause he said that he will never leave me nor forsake me. So, I think the meaning to this Verse is to take God at His word and never doubt. Its like that flyleaf song all around me where lacy Sturm sings “I give it to you now you owe me all I am, you said you will never leave me, I believe.”

Application:

So, what I need to do is to take him at his word so, today I want to look and write down the promise of God and to tell God that I believe and I will take him at his word.