“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come” (Psalm 71:18)

September 29, 2011

What will the 4th quarter of your life look like? Will you be more like Jesus? Will young people be attracted to you? Will you go out like a consuming spiritual flame or with a complaining whimper?

“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:19-20)

September 28, 2011

Paul prayed for the gospel to be unchained rather than himself. How do you pray? Do you pray that God gets you out or that He uses you in your current situation?

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5)

September 27, 2011

700 years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah prophesied about His crucifixion. Read Isa. 53 and consider how God’s plan for our redemption was fulfilled in Christ.

“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27)

September 26, 2011

Don’t go to bed mad. Stay up and work it out. Otherwise, there will be a third person (Satan) in the bed the next morning. Unresolved anger turns to bitterness. So, keep short accounts.

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures” (Proverbs 24:3-4)

September 25, 2011

Wisdom, understanding and knowledge are the possessions that build a great family. Better than homes, jobs and cars, these attributes are to be highly prized.

“Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’” (Isaiah 45:9)

September 24, 2011

Are you arguing and complaining today? Like broken clay pots, do you cry out against the Potter? Make peace with God. Don’t waste the pain. Say, “Lord, fulfill Your purpose in me.”

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)

September 23, 2011

Justified-We were saved from sin’s penalty. Sanctified- We are being saved from sin’s power. Glorified- We will be saved from sin’s presence. The perfect Greek verb “saved” implies past, present and future action. Amazing grace!

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31)

September 22, 2011

Where is your hope? Hope in the Lord and feel your passion and power for living return.

“Hezekiah received the letter and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD” (Isaiah 37:14)

September 21, 2011

Have you ever received a threatening letter? King Hezekiah did. He brought it to the Lord and God defended him. What threat do you fear today? Have you brought it to the Lord? Spread your trouble out before God. Let Him handle it.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)

September 20, 2011

Fruit is singular. One fruit with nine seeds, each a part of a triad of triads. These are not works. We can’t do them. They are evidence of being connected to the Vine. Abiding in Christ, we increasingly bear these character traits.