Date: 09-30-2020

Title: Being Salt

(S) cripture:
    Luke 14:34 (NASB) “Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?

(O) bservation:
    Salt enhances the taste of things and is also a preservative. If, though, it loses its character (saltiness) it is not good for anything. Here it is of no use for either the soil or the manure pile, Matthew indicates it is only good for the road to be trampled under our feet.

(A) pplication:
    As Christians we are to add flavor to and preserve the lives of others. We are to be different and to make a difference for Jesus. If we are just like everyone around us, then they will not see the difference Jesus makes in our lives. If we are not being salt, then in that moment we are not useful in the kingdom. I realize that salt in a wound, stings and that some will not respond well to my saltiness. Being salt is not meant to be mean or hurtful but rather to point people to Jesus. Today I want to be salt in ways that people see Jesus and are drawn to him.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, I need your help, strength and wisdom to be salt today. Let me do so in ways that honor you. Amen

Date: 09-29-2020

Title: When God Does Not Listen

(S) cripture:
    Zechariah 7:13 (NASB) “And just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen,” says the LORD of hosts;

(O) bservation:
    What a disturbing statement from God. When I do not listen to Him, He does not listen to me.

(A) pplication:
    I wonder how often I ignore God and then expect that He has to listen to me. The Lord is not some heavenly bellhop or celestial room service provider. He is God Almighty who does as He pleases whenever He pleases. How foolish of me to think that I can ignore and turn a deaf ear to Him and then expect Him to listen to me. I know He always hears the repentant and contrite but too often I come to Him in my pride and with an arrogant spirit. Today I will get my spirit right and listen intently to the Lord and then do what He says.

(P) rayer:
    O Father, I have ignored you way too often. Forgive me and hear my prayer. Let me hear you clearly today. I want to do what you want more than anything else. Help me to get out of the way, listen to you and obey. I love you and want to be heard and used by you. Amen

Date: 09-28-2020

Title: Where Is My Heart

(S) cripture:
    Luke 12:34 (NASB) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

(O) bservation:
    Jesus tells us that our heart follows our treasure. Where we put our treasure is where we will find our heart.

(A) pplication:
    This is a sobering statement from Jesus. Conventional wisdom says that people give to their passion. Here Jesus says the opposite. Heart follows treasure not treasure follows heart. When I take a hard look at where I put my treasure it tells me a great deal about my priorities. This is a hard lesson because it reveals how out of whack my heart can be. Am I moved when I see people in need? Am I generous to those who have less? Do I really take care of the “least of these?” When I look at how I invest my treasure sometimes this is not a pretty picture. Sometimes I get it right, but this is a hard teaching of Jesus. Today I will examine again how I use my treasure and get a better picture of where my heart is. I really want my heart to be following and committed to the Lord. I wonder what my treasure will reveal?

(P) rayer:
    Lord I know that all I have is from you. Let me use it in ways that please and honor you. Take what I have and use it for your purposes. I want my heart to be yours. Amen

Date: 09-27-2020

Title: Guilty Experts In The Law

(S) cripture:
    Luke 11:46 (NASB) But He said, “Woe to you lawyers as well! For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.

(O) bservation:
    Jesus condemns the teachers of the law who would only tell others what to do without doing it themselves. They held the people accountable without showing the people how or helping the people do what God required. They also made additional laws that were burdensome to the people. These were not from God but were given by the “experts” in the law. Jesus calls them guilty.

(A) pplication:
    I must be sure to teach only what God requires in his Word. I must also help the people do what God requires by being an example of living faithful to God’s Word. Too often we in the church either add to or neglect what God says, and the people are left confused and floundering in their spiritual lives. Today I will keep it simple and straight forward. I will work to help people do what God requires.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, make me keenly aware of when I add to or neglect your word. Help me to help and encourage others as they walk with you. Amen

Date: 09-26-2020

Title: Why Rejoice

(S) cripture:
    Luke 10:20 (NASB) “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.”

(O) bservation:
    The followers of Jesus had experienced great spiritual power over demons and evil spirits. This caused great rejoicing that could have led to pride. Jesus tells them what is most important and what is really worth rejoicing – “that their names were written in heaven”.

(A) pplication:
    Sometimes we get distracted and intoxicated by power and forget what is most important in our faith. We pursue things that are flashy or dhow others our spiritual power. Today I thank God that my name is written in heaven. That will be the focus of my rejoicing today and each day. I am continually amazed that God loved me enough to send Jesus to die for me so that I might be forgiven and have my name written in heaven. That is worth rejoicing.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, thank you for saving me. Bring me back to this fundamental truth when I begin to pursue power and other things that are reserved for you. Let me walk with you rejoicing that my name is written in heaven. Thank you again. Amen

Date: 09-25-2020

Title: Listen to Jesus

(S) cripture:
    Luke 9:35 (NASB) Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

(O) bservation:
    After an incredible spiritual experience, the Transfiguration, Peter wants to stay right there. He does not want to leave, but if he stays others would never benefit from his experience. This is kind of a spiritual selfishness. Peter is brought back to reality with a voice from God. “this is My Son, listen to him.” In other words, “Peter, just shut up and listen to Jesus.”

(A) pplication:
    Many times after a mountaintop experience at a conference or camp we want to stay right there. We begin to tell the Lord what we should do. For me it was the Baptist Camp at Cowen each year. Why can’t I just stay here where I am so close to Jesus? It is then that these words from God to Peter ring true for me, too. “This is My Son, listen to Him.” Again, just shut up and listen to Jesus. He gives the marching orders, telling us what to do and where to go. We are to listen to him and then obey.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, when I begin to overstep please let me hear you say, “Robin just shut up and listen to Jesus.” I want to do your will. Don’t let me get ahead or lag behind, I want to walk with you. Amen

Date: 09-24-2020

Title: Good Soil

(S) cripture:
    Luke 8:15 (NASB) “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.

(O) bservation:
    Jesus tells the disciples that there are four types of people that hear the Word and respond. Each is represented by a type of soil. It is important to be good soil, fertile, where God’s Word grows and flourishes.

(A) pplication:
    I want to be good soil so I must do some work each day. I must keep the ground of my heart tilled and soft. I need to weed my heart of the things that would choke my faith. I need to get proper nourishment each day so that the Word can grow in me.

(P) rayer:
    Lord I thank you for the discipline of the Life Journal reading plan. It keeps me in your Word each day. Let me flourish in you and grow to be the person you created me to be. Amen

Date: 09-23-2020

Title: Forgiveness

(S) cripture:
    Luke 7:40-48 (NASB) And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”

(O) bservation:
    Jesus said it all in this encounter with Simon. Let me recap briefly. Two debtors, one large debt and one small, both debts forgiven. Who loves the master more? The one forgiven most.
    When we see the love a person expresses for Jesus we can sometimes tell how much that person understands about forgiveness. That sense of forgiveness is then offered to others who may have offended them. It would seem to me that those who refuse to forgive others have not understood their own forgiveness. We love God because he first loved us and has forgiven us.

(A) pplication:
    Today I thank God for forgiveness. Sometimes, I confess, I think I am OK and do not need forgiveness that much, When I am proud, I am in for a “woodshed” experience with the Lord because He loves me too much to let me continue unchallenged in my sin. I want to love Jesus more and more. To do so I must be aware of my sinfulness and the great love He has for me and His forgiveness in my life.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, make me aware of my sin and your forgiveness. I want to love you more and more. Amen

Date: 09-22-2020

Title: A Life Worth Replicating    

(S) cripture:
    Luke 6:40 (NASB) “A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.

(O) bservation:
    We reflect those we study under and follow. Students reflect their teachers. Those we teach will reflect us.

(A) pplication:
    Lord, there are many who listen and rely on me to you and your truth correctly. They seek to live their lives by what they have learned but they will also be influenced by how I live. That those I teach will reflect me is a sobering thought. Today I want to be faithful in all I do so that when I teach, people will have a clear and accurate view of You.

(P) rayer:
    Lord I pray for those I teach. With Paul I want to say, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”. Lord I want to live a life worth replicating, I want to live for you. Amen

Date: 09-21-2020

Title: Study The Scriptures

(S) cripture:
    Daniel 9:1-2 (NASB) In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of Median descent, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

(O) bservation:
    Daniel was a student of the Scriptures and even of Jeremiah who was nearly a contemporary. Daniel recognized Jeremiah’s writing as part of the Scripture and studied the text. As he studied, Daniel got understanding of what God wanted him to say and do.

(A) pplication:
    The is no one today writing scripture. I must rely on what God has declared, The Bible. We know it to be God’s word to and for us. I must spend time reading and studying it if I want to understand what the Lord has for me to say and do. If I want to communicate God’s Word correctly and effectively then I must spend time reading and studying it.

(P) rayer:

    Lord help me to understand your word as I read and study it. Let me communicate it clearly. Help me to live my life faithful to your word. Amen