Day 135: The Diary Of A Bible

Day 135: The Diary Of A Bible

Read: Psalm 119:9 - 16

I just got to wondering something after I had finished yesterday's devotion asking the question "Why Do I Need The Bible?" I was wondering about it because from time to time I enjoy the opportunity to try and 'walk in the shoes of another' to try and gain an alternative perspective, to try and obtain a wholly unique understanding of where the other person is. I do this in an effort to try and avoid the snare called judgement. I cannot always do this. However, when I am placing myself in a situation which calls for careful deep from the within heart consideration, it's only fair, prudent that I see from as many sides as possible. So, any questions of relevancy deeply matter to me. I pray they matter to you.

I got to thinking and praying about it and I spent some time trying to piece together "The Diary Of A Bible". I have never kept a diary for myself with any great long term effort - if anything only a few weeks before I lost interest and fearful that the wrong person would find it and try to embarrass me with it. But never the less, a diary is a familiar avenue many people take to jot down the events of their day, then place a few feelings to help them keep what they are going through in their lives in a proper perspective. Diaries are not necessarily shared except with a few of the most closest of friends and confidants. Since most bibles, like anyone else's diary usually are kept hidden deeply within a drawer:

If your Bible kept a dairy, would it read this like this. "The Diary of A Bible" from deep within the chest of drawers: "It has been a long time since anyone has opened the drawer and pulled me out and written in me. I wonder if anyone remembers that I am here? Let's see, the last writings I remember (has it been so long?) Hmm, It has been a long time, I almost forgot what it was like in the days when I was the center of it all. I don't see no calender in here, so I don't really know what year it was or is.
But here goes: January: A busy time for me. Most of the family decided to read me through this year. They kept me busy for a whole two weeks. Gee I'm now forgotten. Well, maybe next month is better.

February: My owner used me for a few minutes last week. He had an argument and was checking references. March: Grandpa visited us. He kept me on his lap for an hour, reading 1 Cor.13. April: I had a busy day. My owner was appointed a leader of something and used me. I got to go to church the first time this year...Easter Sunday. May: I have a few grass stains on my pages. Had some early spring flowers pressed in me. June: I look like a scrap book. They have stuffed me full of clippings. One of the girls got married. Wait one minute, there are no more entries! Page after page I turn and all I see is emptiness and dust! Well, I am not sure what I should make of it. What do any of you make of it."

Come, Let Us Pray together with and for this Diary: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us place a Bible in our hands and pray: O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen, Amen and Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgM3nokGVqg

WHISPERS OF MY FATHER - ANCIENT WORDS by Michael W. Smith with Lyrics

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https://www.facebook.com/WhispersofMyFather

Day 134: Why Do I Need The Bible?

Day 134: Why Do I Need The Bible?

Read: Psalm 119:9 - 16

I want to start today's devotional message with asking you a few questions. “Why Do I Need The Bible? What is so great about this Book? If I were to sit down with you in say your kitchen or living room or in your favorite restaurant and come right out, ask you these questions, what would you say to me? "What do you mean, why?" "Why do you ask?" "Why do you want to know?" "That is kind of personal question isn't it?" I do not know what you are talking about because I do not have one and besides, I do not believe that stuff anyway?" "And, by the way, since you asked, we are done talking!"
These represent a few of the rather terse responses I've gotten. Really big relationship stoppers, huh?

I believe that if, or more precisely when, I hear "What scriptures would you show me to make me believe that I needed to read it", I would be pleasantly shocked and taken off guard. So much so I fear that I would not be able to answer the question myself. I try meditating on this from time to time to try and keep myself on point when I wake up every morning at 0 dark 30 to await the revelation of wisdom from the Lord or go to bed considering the events of my wife's and my day wrapped neatly in a Scriptural context. Was this a blessing? Was that a God thing that just occurred? How can I to wrap a heart that's buried in the chaos of everyday life as a husband around my God? What relevance here?

In today’s culture and our society in general, there are so many 'things', so much 'stuff' people are convinced they need, that they will expend every ounce of their being to 'just trying it', 'just getting it' or 'just doing it', 'just living it', but one of the 'things' they seem to think they don’t need is the scriptures. They greatly hesitate to admit in public, let alone in private, that somewhere and at some point in their life, there was a verse or passage(s)in the Bible that defined their life's journey. If I was to ask you how much do you read the Bible, what would you tell me? A better question to ask I think would be, “How important is the Bible to you”? How much do you value it? How much do I value it?

Is the Bible still relevant for you? Is the Bible still relevant for anybody for that matter? Within the overwhelmingly complex and diverse ways of life of life for any one of us, we have more access to the Bible then ever before through the internet, smart phone applications. Yet why do you believe (do you believe?) there seems to be a famine for the Word of God. Why is that? Perhaps it is because people don’t understand the value of it! Perhaps it is because people are relationally challenged and distanced by the ease of communicating over social media outlets like facebook, Twitter. So, just for today, just for a little while, please consider the relevance and value of God's Word for you and to your own family.

Let Us Pray: God, source of all light, source of unsearchable wisdom, by your Word you give light to the darkened soul. Pour out upon us the waters of life, feed us with the bread that gives life, Your manna from heaven which sustained the Israelites in the wilderness. Fill our minds and hearts to beyond overflowing with the Spirit of true wisdom and understanding that, being taught by you in Holy Scripture, our hearts and minds may be opened to the revelation of Your truth. That through this truth we may come to know, to experience and share of the things that pertain to life and holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Living Word of God speak unto all our hearts this day. Come, make a difference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74

Word Of God Speak - MercyMe

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Word Of God Speak by MercyMe

Day 133: "The Holy Spirit Helps You In Your Weakness"

Day 133: "The Holy Spirit Helps You In Your Weakness"

Read: Romans 8:26 - 30

'26 At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don’t know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words. 27 The one who searches our hearts knows what the Spirit has in mind. The Spirit intercedes for God’s people the way God wants him to.'

What a series of absolutely awesome promises we read in these two short verses. In our weakness, in the depths of our valleys or the journey of descent and ascent, the moments when we are feeling the most alone in a room full of people, when we do not have the desire or the strength of body or mind or spirit, the Holy Spirit switches on the lights in our darkest caves, starts rummaging around looking for something to become involved with. Everything goes everywhere as He becomes the hurricane in the midst of our afflictions. When we have given in to impossible expectations, titanic burdens resting on our shoulders, the Holy Spirit is right there to make all the difference to us.

Pray and Meditate on that for a while, because I'm sure you are being weighed down by something I have mentioned above today and perhaps even more than you know. Let yourself ponder these words from "Listening To God" by Bruce Bickel, and see if there is not something the Holy Spirit can do for you, your 'AHA' moment for today.

"I love it when you join the chorus of praise from my created world and the house hold of faith - but I am aware there are going to be some groans amid the singing.

Just as fury occasionally interrupts nature's harmony, trials will sometimes punctuate the joys of your life. You cannot feel "strong and courageous" all the time. At times you will be overcome by weakness.

Do not be discouraged! Not only is it normal to have feelings of inadequacy, it is beneficial. When everything is going well and you are on top of the world, your dependency on Me decreases. But when weakness and discouragement creep in, you and I get a lot closer. That is why the apostle Paul could say, "When I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10). He knew from personal experience that when you have nothing left in the tank, I will fill it up with my Holy Spirit.

When problems and stress overwhelm you, sapping your strength, My Holy Spirit will help you - and not only in the specific challenge you are experiencing, but in every part of your life."

Let Us Pray: "Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings, you have power over life and death. You know even things that are uncertain and obscure, and our very thoughts and feelings are not hidden from you. Cleanse me from my secret faults, and I have done wrong and you saw it. You know how weak I am, both in soul and in body. Give me strength, O Lord, in my frailty and sustain me in my sufferings. Grant me a prudent judgement, dear Lord, and let me always be mindful of your blessings. Let me retain until the end your grace that has protected me till now." (St Ephrem of Syria, Deacon, Poet and Doctor)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u19kJccliYo

When I am Weak then I am Strong

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Inspired by Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 12. Original song and video copyright 2009, Sandy Alexander.

Day 132: Why Do Some People Refuse Answer Their Door?

Day 132: Why Do Some People Refuse Answer Their Door?

Read: Revelation 3:20 - 21, Hebrews 13:1 - 2, John 20:19 - 23

Well we have finally made it to the Book of Revelation. It has been quite a journey to come to the last book of the Bible. It is a pretty significant achievement to celebrate. Please meditate about this - we have spent time together moving throughout most of the books beginning with the beginning of all things in Genesis. Now we have arrived at the last book - Revelation. Wow, for me this has been a powerful and inspirational time in my Christian experience, and I pray also for each of you as well. What a great privilege it has been to be led by the Ruach Ha'Emet - the Spirit of Truth, the T'Mim De'im, Him who knows everything. Wait a sec - there's someone knocking at my door. All of a sudden I am afraid!

What should I do now? I mean in my neighborhood someone knocking on your door is a bit of a rarity. Actually it is kind of scaring me right now. It is cold outside and my wife is looking at me wondering what my next move will be. I am looking back at her and now we are just staring at each other. Now what we think to each other. Someone at the door just keeps knocking. A salesman perhaps, some pitchman going door to door saying his company is doing work up the street? I do not know and right know I am pretty sure I just don't care. Have you ever gone to someone’s house knocked on the door, they never came to answer it? You know they are in there, but they simply refused to answer the door.

Would you stand at a persons door for that long? If you knew they were inside would you stand there and keep knocking? How long will you allow that person just stand at your door, perhaps in the dead of winter, before you set your irrational fears aside? 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me' (20). Along with that is this consideration are these imperative verses from Hebrews 13:1,2: 'Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. What if it's really Jesus Christ out there? What if it is relationship that I fear?

It dawned on me that many relationships have been sacrificed by unanswered doors. One too many times people never get saved, or if they are saved never get anywhere for God, because they will never get up from their chairs and answer the door when God knocks. They will not try to overcome their irrational fear of the outside world to let their Savior in. They'll stay behind locked doors like the Disciples did in their Upper Room after Jesus was crucified. Maybe it was a good thing that when Jesus came to them, He did not knock but just showed up and proclaimed God's peace to everyone. As afraid as they were, as I'm right now, as you might be too, Jesus' blessings may never be allowed to enter in.

Let Us Pray: God, My God, Elohim Elohai, Maybe you can look back this week on your servant's daily life, seen where Your Son has knocked on their front door, but your servant just stayed in his chair, stared into eyes of their wives, their children, their neighbors and never answered the door. I do not know but maybe God, just maybe You wanted them to do something, learn something, get rid of something, but they never answered their door. You knew what we were doing inside, you knew of our fear of the stranger but came anyway and tried. We failed to overcome ourselves one too many times, righteous relationships with You were sacrificed for no good nor valid reason. Forgiving God, forgive us for we know not what we do and please please come again! Please, please grant us the miracle of Your Life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKgktNz6ICs
Blessings by Laura Story with Lyrics
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Video copyright Youtube User ID bobf72450. Blessings sung by Laura Story from the album, Blessings.

Blessings by Laura Story with Lyrics

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Video copyright Youtube User ID bobf72450. Blessings sung by Laura Story from the album, Blessings.

Day 131: Ezekiel, Ezekiel, Your Dry Bones Shall Live Again!

Day 131: Ezekiel, Ezekiel, Your Dry Bones Shall Live Again!

Read: Ezekiel 37:1 - 14

I am super excited and encouraged in my spirit today. Because God is so good! Not only is He good; He’s faithful! He’s merciful. He’s just. He is a loving God. He’s kind. He’s a provider. He’s a way-maker. He’s a deliverer. He’s a healer. He is anything you can possibly or impossibly want Him to be - God simply just will never relent. I am not sitting here all excited and ready to explode with joy run up to your door, ring your doorbell or pound on it with my fist ready to just high five you but to completely ignite your spirit with holy fire, to ignite your faith, ignite the hope, trust in God that kindles within us. The greatest news in heaven and earth: God will never relent! Dry Bones, dry bones, are you listening?

I am so here to tell you that God has a plan for you. No matter how long it takes for you to perceive this, today, tomorrow, one week, one month, five or even ten years from now, there is always going to be a moment when God will still have a plan for your life. If I could jump up and kick my heals together without breaking something I would most happily sacrifice a small measure of personal pain. If I could deal with heights and rooftops, then I would climb the steepest pitched roofs to declare it to all within listening distance and beyond. If I could fly a plane, I would gladly write you a letter in the sky. I sense out there that you're doubting what purpose dry bones have. Dry bones, dry bones, what will you say?

But I am here to tell you Ezekiel: “Don’t throw in the towel just yet”. Though it may appear that all hope is gone, that everyone else is finishing the race without you, It Ain’t Over!!!! Don’t give up just yet. I have no clue what that personal battle might be, but just for today while many may want to quit due to the various situations and trials facing their life -- please, please don't give in. I may be reaching here, however which many ways life is pulling you in, please, please always remember that God has blessings for you that if you don’t quit on yourself you will see His promises for your life. Ezekiel, Ezekiel the valley you are standing in is full of dry bones but it'll surely live! These dry bones will live once again!

My deepest desire is to talk to people that have an ongoing hopeless situation at the moment or soon will be. Hope-less- situation, because of what your doctor said or because of what your circumstances is saying. A Hope-less situation does not mean that God has left you and that hopeless situation a future situation will not mean God will leave you on the door step of somebody else's house. Just because things don’t work out exactly how we planned them does not mean that God is not at work in your life. No matter what your situation, I can tell you God is always bringing those driest of bones to life. Tell somebody, tell everybody - God will and forever always be found working in their lives too.

Let Us Pray: Prayer: Lord Jesus, I sit here this morning with a heart that is breaking, knowing that many of your people are in pain and are struggling this day. I know I am not alone in my own personal struggles. I am finding a very real center of your peace falling around me, and I pray that same peace for my struggling brothers and sisters.. I know that pain and struggle are a part of this fallen world in which we live. I know that until the day of Your return there will continue to be pain. But I also know that in the midst of all that pain and suffering, I see the extended hands of my Savior reaching our from His heavenly dwelling place, calling to me, and to all who struggle. In Jesus' unrelenting name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyShveBfiKo

You won't relent-Kim Walker

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Music: You won't relent -Kim Walker Video: Vanessa Araujo You won't relent until you have it all My heart is yours I'll set You as a seal upon my heart

Day 130: "You May Have The Gift Of Serving, Giving, Or Mercy"

Day 130: "You May Have The Gift Of Serving, Giving, Or Mercy"

Read: Romans 12:1 - 8

It promises to be a long and rewarding day today as I begin preparation for the start of a Kairos (Inside) teaming experience. Kairos is a prison ministry designed to bring Christ's love and forgiveness to all incarcerated men, women and children, to their families and to those who work in the prison environment. Kairos Inside weekends are held in men's and women's correctional institutions. The weekends are designed to help the residents experience spiritual renewal and to help the residents accept God's call to a life of Christian witness and service. I ask that you lift us up in prayer.

Today's devotional effort comes directly from the "Listening To God" by Bruce Bickel. Here these words from the "Listening To God" devotional book as if God is speaking directly into your life. May the Father, Son and Holy Spirit add their infinite blessings and infinite wisdom to the reading of these words as they seek to enter your heart:

"I want to tell you about one more group of spiritual gifts - the one's involving the way you serve others.

The gift of serving can take many forms, but people with this gift have a sensitivity to know exactly how they can be a help to others. More important than just knowing what to do, this gift empowers people to spring into action and get the job done.

The gift of giving has nothing to do with an amount that you give - it involves an unusual sensitivity to special needs, along with an overwhelming generosity to special needs, along with an overwhelming with whatever means I have given. Those with this gift really give!

I expect all of my children to be sensitive to the needs of others - you should be available to comfort them in times of trouble and discouragement. But many people are oblivious to these needs, or they see the distress in others and are not able to muster a desire to help. A person with the gift of mercy has both the desire and the willingness to help - and it is never a burden."

Let Us Pray:

Living God,
help us so to hear your holy Word
that we may truly understand;
that, understanding, we may believe,
and, believing,
we may follow in all faithfulness and obedience,
seeking your honor and glory in all that we do;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2U3PU-E32E
Where You Go I Go -Kim Walker / Jesus Culture
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Kim Walker singing "Where You Go I Go" from the "Your Love Never Fails" CD/DVD, available on

Where You Go I Go -Kim Walker / Jesus Culture

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Kim Walker singing "Where You Go I Go" from the "Your Love Never Fails" CD/DVD, available on

Day 129: Mixed Messages: Sharing Our Faith Without Fear

Day 129: Mixed Messages: Sharing Our Faith Without Fear

Read: Matthew 10:24 - 28

Mixed messages - what a big pain in the butt! No matter where we are, no matter who we are, we are ceaselessly bombarded by mixed messages. Sometimes they will seem to be a purposeful display of misdirection while other times they are simply a misunderstanding or poorly communicated message, or misheard by the recipient. Mixed messages means that someone is getting different opinions or answers from the same source. It can mean someone is confused by what they are trying hard to understand from someone else. For instance, someone is unsure of something can send mixed messages to another person because they've not yet made up their mind. What message am I sharing?

Mixed messages are a problem and in the life of the disciple it can be a scary world as Satan sends us mixed messages about fear. One of my Mother's favorite sayings was "The only thing to fear is fear itself!" So, what about that? What do you believe? As a child that phrase never really made much sense - fear Fear?? Seemed like the ultimate mixed message to me and I thought it strange that she would tell me that for now not only was I was afraid of the dark until Mom turned on the light and the truth of the dark was revealed but now I would always have reason to be afraid. Life would be governed by the prospect of always and forever living in fear of fear itself. What kind of message am I sharing now?

Looking at our Scripture passage (27,28) we read: Jesus said, "What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." There are things here that immediately grab your attention. Share your faith at the risk of your own life or ELSE! You may die for it but that is okay? Really, since when? Since God has got your back for all eternity? Hmm, let me think about that one in the here and now while I am still quite comfortable living with it intact thank you very much!! What mixed message does this communicate?

Now that is the ultimate mixed message! Excuse me, but should I now be afraid of everybody who looks at me because they can sense or already know I am Christian? Seems like a pretty significant barrier to me knowing rationally or irrationally that if I open my mouth for the sake of Jesus Christ, then meet Jesus face to face? Looking at the context of this passage in which it was written, there was a very real threat in the first century church when those Christians shared their faith. If they opened their mouths to profess Jesus it was a very real possibility that a sword would cleave their heart. My question to each of us is this: what mixed messages are we sending out about sharing our own faith?

Let Us Pray: O Christ Jesus, when we are assailed by the mixed messages of this world, when all we see around us is darkness at the end of the tunnel, and You tell us to look toward the light at the end. When we feel our weakness and helplessness and You tell us that the joy of the Lord should be our strength, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your one true message that is found in Your all - protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things in the name of the Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit. Amen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRAQ7XCJefQ

Overcome- Desperation Band

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Just telling of the goodness, faithfulness, power, authority, and steadfast love of Jesus Christ in our lives. He has brought restoration to our brokenness