Posted January 20th, 2012 by Shane Carter
Scripture
Luke 20:1-8
One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John’s baptism–was it from heaven, or from men?” They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
Observation
The chief priests were questioning Jesus’ authority and His response was a question that pierced through their motive and cut straight to the heart. God can see through our facade and He knows the deepest parts of our hearts. Revelation and understanding comes when God confronts our hearts and we allow God to change us.
Application
We have to be willing to answer the tough questions that God asks us. We can confront the issues of our heart or hide them to preserve the facade. I want to be completely sold out for Christ to the core of who God has created me to be.
Prayer
God help me to have the courage to answer the tough questions. You are in control of my life and I trust you with all that I am. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Posted January 17th, 2012 by Danny Mequet
Scripture
So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.”
Observation
Jesus gave his life for us so that we may have eternal life because of the forgiveness of our sins. There is nothing we can do to “earn” our salvation, but it simply through what Jesus did, and our repentance that we gain eternal life. Our duty, as servants is to serve our master — Jesus.
Application
I should not feel as if I am doing Jesus a favor by serving Him, but that my surrendered life is what I truly owe Him for the eternal life that He has given me. My life should be filled with gratitude to Jesus and this should be evident by my life filled with living for Jesus’ purpose.
Prayer
Father, thank you so much for giving me eternal life. My prayer is that I will live my life worthy to be called your son and that others will come to know you as a result of how I lived my life.
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Posted January 10th, 2012 by Mike Cuccia
Scripture
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.
Luke 10:33
Observation
In this parable, Jesus illustrates that people are priority regardless of background, birth order or birth place. He uses this story to communicate the true meaning of compassion. The Good Samaritan was wiling to invest his time, talents and resources in the lives of others. The Good Samaritan does all he can to ensure that people’s needs are met. God’s people are willing to be inconvenienced to do Godly tasks.
Application
In God’s economy, people are priority. I must be willing to invest my time, talents and resources into people. Inconvenience should never be a reason to not slow down and to meet the needs of God’s people, it’s only an excuse. I realize there may be times that I cannot personally meet the needs of others but I must do all that I can to ensure that other peoples needs are met.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I have overlooked people in their times of need. Help me pause and think about how I can serve others in Your strength. I pray that I may be the answer to someone’s prayer today. Thank You for Your patience and compassion that You have shown to me. May I always demonstrate that People are Priority. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Posted January 6th, 2012 by Shane Carter
Scripture
Luke 5:16-17
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
Observation
In Luke 5:16-17, we see that though the needs of the people were great, Jesus made sure to take the time to spend with His father and If Jesus made this a priority, how much more should we?
Application
The society we live in today constantly screams at us telling us to do more, see more, make more, and even be more. From all of the chaos and the war waging for our focus emerges the daily cry of our soul, to feel and experience the love of our heavenly father. Life will always be busy and ministry is never ending but a healthy life if built upon the foundation of our relationship with God. Everything else is an overflow of that relationship. As a husband, father, and pastor life can demand my constant focus making it easy to neglect my time with God. When this happens, I begin to feel the insignificance of a life lived void of hope and purpose. One thing is for sure, I need to hear from God daily. He is our heavenly father and he wants to spend time with us.
Prayer
God I ask the you give me a hunger for your word and a passion for your presence. Amen!
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Posted January 3rd, 2012 by Danny Mequet
Scripture
“But God remembered Noah…” Genesis 8:1
Observation
Noah and his family experienced 40 days of flooding rains followed by 150 days of waiting for the flood waters to begin to subside. After over 6 months of being on the Ark and experiencing total devastation of the earth Noah is reminded that God has not forgotten him.
Application
I know there have been and will be times in my life when I experience challenges that I don’t understand and may even feel that God has forgotten about me. However, I know that God’s promises are true, and just like Noah, I know that God will remember me and be with me. This assurance brings me overwhelming confidence.
Prayer
Father, thank you that you promise to never leave me. Thank you that I know you will be with me regardless of my life circumstances. Please help me to continually remember this promise as I go through my day today.
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Posted January 2nd, 2012 by Bob Bruce
Scripture
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11
Observation
As we have just finished the Christmas season, it is easy to let the message of the full meaning of the season slip away. In verse 11 of the Scripture above, it says, “…there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” This is important beyond the good news of the birth. Savior means that Jesus had come to save all mankind from their sin and subsequent eternal death. Christ and Lord meant that He is able to forgive us, change our lives forever because He is God.
Application
Let’s focus on the daily and eternal part of the good news that was delivered at Christmas. Our lives are forever changed if we trust in Jesus as Savior and believe that He is God. That is not a message only for the past season, but one that is to be considered every day throughout the year. Allow Jesus to be an active part of your life each and every day through the presence of His Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, we believe that You came that we might be delivered from the eternal judgement of our sin. Only through knowing You and accepting Your gift of eternal life can we realize the significance of You coming and dying for us that we might be forgiven of our sin. Thank you that You came to show us the model for our lives, and we seek You each day for Your direction for our lives. Amen
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Posted December 26th, 2011 by Dave Madden
Scripture
“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 1:2
Observation
God’s desire is for us to prosper in every way.
Application
Of all the ways we can prosper, the most important way is to prosper on the inside. To be spiritually at peace with God in our hearts and minds. That is the beginning of how God wants us to prosper but it does not end there. He wants us to also prosper physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, financially, occupationally, and in every other way imaginable.
Prayer
Father, I pray that we would all prosper and be in good health just as our soul prospers so that we can honor You and be a blessing to others. Amen.
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