Day 89: Reading - Revelation17-19

Scripture:

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.  Revelation 17:14

Observation:

After all the happens our Lord God is still almighty and will reign over all things.  I take comfort in knowing that there is nothing of this earth that can overcome the One who created everything, and knowing that He walks with me always.  This just reminds me that there are only 2 options when it comes to God - either I am “with him” believing and following the teachings He has given me or I am NOT with him, there really is no option to waiver between the two.  This verse confirms that only “those with him are called…” & “those with him are chosen…” and “those with him are faithful”

Application:

I want to be “with” my Lord, in everyway!  To be with him I recognize that means being relationship with him more and more, depending on him, learning from him, glorifing him, and do everything that I do according to his plan for my life.  It’s not an easy feat but it is the only one worth trying to live out day-after-day.

Prayer:

Thank you God for loving me unconditionally.  I know that I don’t always get it right & Father I’m praying that when you return you will call me chosen and faithful!  Amen.

Nina

Scripture: Day 69 1 Thessalonians 1-3

That’s why I couldn’t quit worrying; I had to know for myself how you were doing in the faith.  I didn’t want the Tempter getting to you and tearing down everything we had built up together.

1 Thessalonians 3:5 (The message)

Observation:

This verse reminds me of the importance of walking alongside each other as believers, and being a support system to lift up and encourage one another.  Not only was Paul concerned about if the people of Thessalonia were still strong in their faith and whether the enemy had gotten to them or not, but they were also concerned for the well-being of Paul as well.  The chapter goes on to express how Paul was comforted by getting the update about the Thessalonians faith being strong, and he was joyful and gave thanks to God.

Application:

From this scripture I’ve learned how I should be caring for other believers.  I recognize that although there are many aspects beyond my control — I should feel concern for their spiritual growth, I should be cheering them on to overcome the temptations of the enemy, I should help them stay strong by praying for them daily, I should rejoice and give thanks to God for all their successes!  Now that I’ve outlined what I learned from this reading, my next step is to start putting it into action!

Prayer:

God help me to see my blind spots so I don’t miss opportunities to show how much I truly do care about others.  Show me how to express my support and how to be a source of encouragement not only to believers but to each person I have contact with.  God use me to leave an impact that will give you glory, amen!

Nina

S-cripture: 1 Corinthians 7-9

For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord.  Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.  1. Cor 7:22

O-bservation:

God has a specific plan for each one of us and there is no stopping it!  He will take us right where we are, turn our current situation completely around, and use us for his glory, and for me there is no better place to be than exactly where God wants me!

A-pplication:

Listening to God is the only way to find out the calling he has for our lives.  By drawing nearer to him through prayer and Bible study it gets easier to hear his voice and the direction he is giving becomes much clearer.  Many times (I know for myself it’s been true) we hear his call and know where he is directing us but are disobedient in acting on it.  We really need to just give it all to God and trust in him to lead us and only then can he transform our lives to align it with his plan.

P-rayer:

God I pray that you keep working on my transformation - moving me away from who I used to be and molding me into the person you’ve called me to be.  Being a slave to Christ is the only slave I would ever want to be, amen.

Nina

S-cripture: Romans 5:1

Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

O-bservation:

This is my confirmation that the only way to be saved is by believing that Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that my sins could be forgiven.  Being a good person or doing good things is not a ticket into Heaven, it is only through my Saviour that I can receive that blessing.  There is no one on this earth that can save a soul, that is left in the hands of the Lord alone.

A-pplication:

To share this lifesaving information with others is my duty.  It’s not good enough for me to know that I have faith and therefore through Jesus am able to have peace with God and be welcomed into Heaven - I must share His word with others, so they can make a decision for themselves to live by faith or continue living in sin.  My prayer would be that anyone who hears the Word of God would choose to live by faith, but it is an individual choice each one of us must make.

P-rayer:

Heavenly Father God I thank you for a sending your son Jesus.  Help me to continue building my faith and keeping my eyes focussed on You.  I pray for opportunities to share your Word with others that they may choose to have faith in you, to inherit the blessings that you have for each of us in Heaven.  Amen.

Nina

S-cripture: Romans 2:9-10

There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.

O-bservation:

God views us all as his children with each one being equal to the other - no one gets special treatment or status.  On the day when we we are judged by our Heavenly Father, we will each be judged individually according to the lives we have lived and the choices we made along the way.  Only God knows our heart and can decide what our reward or punishment will be.

A-pplication:

Keep doing the best I can to live a life that is pleasing to God.  I want the reward of glory, honor, and peace so I will try to do what is good, and continue to read my Bible to know how to live a life that pleases God.  Not only will I do this for myself but my challenge will be to encourage others to do the same, and share the Gods promise with the boldness of Paul.

P-rayer:

God thank you for blessing me and directing my path.  Help me to keep my eyes on focussed on You so that I can be my best with everything that I do, and live a life that is good and please to You.  Amen!

Nina

S-cripture: Acts 15: 36 (&41)

And after some days Paul said to Barnabus, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the Word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”  Acts 15: 36, then later in the Chapter it states, “And he went through Syria and Cilicia strenthening the churches.”  Acts 15:41

O-bservation: This scripture reminds me that as a believer - sharing Gods word with other people is just the starting point, but the expectation is that I go beyond that and really build relationship.  It’s important to not just open the door to Jesus and then leave, but to be there for the individuals that I’ve introduced to Christ and see how they are doing on their journey with Jesus.  It’s about being a support system so that together we can strengthen Gods Kingdom.

A-pplication: For me saying it (or should I say writing it) is easier than doing it.  Being honest I can really say that sometimes it’s hard for me to know how to share Jesus with others, and when I do I feel relief to know that I’ve done my part (just being honest here…).  Now I’m learning that like the disciples I have to go back to those individuals and “see how they are doing” - so much for being off the hook…  Since this is a good example to follow I’ll do my best to not only introduce others to Christ, but to make sure that I’m there for them to offer support and encouragement as we journey down that road together.

P-rayer: God, Thank you for placing me in a community at Liberty where I am surrounded by believers at all different points in their walk with You.  Help me invite others to get to know You and to be a part of my Liberty Family so that together we can continue strengthening Your Kingdom!  Amen.

Nina

S - Scripture: Acts 13:32-33

And we bring you good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus…

O - Observation:

I can always trust in God to deliver on his promises.  Living in a time when you want everything instantly it’s good to know that when God makes a promise he always delivers in the right time…His time!  Everything does not needs to happen immediately and I’m thankful that I can really just rest on God’s word and know that he only has the best plans for me.

A - Application:

God has promised his children many things and there is no way to know when a promise is fullfilled if I don’t know what those promises are.  My plan is to make note of the some of the many promises God has made to me so I can be conscious of when a promise is fulfilled in my life, and then I can thank God for it.

P - Prayer:

God thank you for keeping your promise and raising Jesus so that we can be forgiven.  I pray that I will be aware of the many other promises you have for me, and recognize when they are fulfilled so that I can give you thanks.

Nina

I am still excited about the journey, being honest there have been a few slips along the way requiring morning & evening readings to stay on track–but overall it has been great so far.  The reading challenge has opened up more discussions about the Bible between myself and my husband, which has been really great!  As I wind down for the evening I wanted to offer my findings for today.

Scripture: Mark 8:15

“It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you, you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”

Observation:

This is such a strong reminder of the power our tongue has to build people up or break-down them down!  Sometimes it’s not just others because we also do it to ourselves.  It is such an important teaching tool for me in raising our kids; encouraging them to speak words of life and blessings over themselves and others, because it is far to easy to want to speak negatively.  The words that we say reflect the true character of who we are on the inside and this is why it is so important for me to continuously ask Jesus to transform me from the inside out, and help me to work through those areas that I struggle with.

Application:

It is easy to say - just don’t speak bad things then….but it’s not that easy to do!  I know how great it feels to be encouraged and have uplifting words of life spoken to me, so each day I try to do the same to others.  My first since starting this challenge was a simple one.  I wrote, “God help me to live each day in a way that would bring a pleasing smile to your face.” That has been the standard that I am trying to live by - which helps me to use positive words of encouragment each day.  My children are great at holding me accountable (as I do with them) because when we don’t the penalty is a donation to the “swear” jar.  In our context speaking any negative words to someone is considered a “swear” word.

Prayer:

Father, help me to learn from the example of how Jesus lived on this earth.  Let the words I speak be influenced by You and not by the world I live in!

Nina

Day 2 - April 2, 2010

S- Scripture- Matthew 4:4-10 ⁴Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ “ ⁵Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ” ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ “ ⁷Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ “ ⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” ¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

O- Observation-  During the temptation of Jesus, the devil tempted Christ three times trying to challenge Christ’s authority.  Each temptation Jesus stated, “It is written” (or something close to it) quoting the scriptures and proving the authority He had in the Word.  The devil used the Word of God to pervert and tempt Christ, but Christ uses the Word as it’s intended.

A- Application-  Knowing a little bit of scripture can sometimes be a danger, if used for your own purposes without the deeper understanding in the Word of God.  Gaining insight from scripture and not distorting the meaning of what is written will provide true wisdom.  I must be aware of God’s Word and not pervert it’s intention.  Also, I must be aware of those who distort it, and try to use it for their own purposes or gain.  I must permit God’s Word to be WRITTEN ON MY HEART.

P- Pray-  God, I pray that your Word would be imprinted on my heart each day as I study your inspired Word.  I ask for continued insight and a holy respect for the power of the Word. Teach me to learn and as I learn and gain not only understanding but wisdom, may I teach others what I have gained from these gems of truth in your scripture.

In Jesus name, Amen

Anything that you would like to add?  Comments, let’s hear it.

Dave