August 29th: I am Qualified!

Posted by: Jeremiah Hann

Scripture:

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.           2 Corinthians 3:5

Observations:

Paul is giving the people of Corinth a great reminder that they can’t do anything without God.  God is the one who helps us with everything we do.

Application:

In Student Ministries we are finishing up a series called American Idol [with Jon and John Johnson ].  This verse got me thinking about the TV show.  On the show, people are always looking to impress the judges.  If things didn’t go their way, some would get upset, some would cry.  For some of those people, all their worth was wrapped up in becoming an American Idol, and to not even make it past the audition completely shattered their lives. It issad, but I have some good news for them and for all of us. Our adequacy, Our worth, isn’t in anything that we accomplish in life. No, Our adequacy, Our worth, Our value comes from the fact that God made us and He loves us. Nothing we do, can ever change that, and no one’s opinion, not even Simon Cowell’s, can ever change that. God thinks we’re good enough to be one of His children, and I think that’s really good news.

Prayer:

Hey God, Thanks for calling me worthy.  No matter what is goin on, you still call me your child.  Help me to always remember that all my worth, value, and adequacy comes from you.  Thank you for loving me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

August 28th: What’s that smell?

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.”  2 Corinthians 2:15a

Observation

Paul is describing our effect on the people we come in contact with.  Not only is this “fragrance” known to those around us, but God can smell it too.

Application

As Christ-followers, we want to emit a fragrance that is appealing to those around us.  I should live my life in such a way that people can sense that there is something different about me.  As I grow in relationships with those people, I will have natural opportunities to share Christ with those people.  In doing so, God will indeed be pleased by the fragrance rising up to him.

Prayer

Lord, may my fragrance be pleasing to you.

August 26th: Source of all Comfort

By Dennis Johnston

Scripture:

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.  4He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.  When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Observation:

God ensures us that He will comfort us in our time of trouble.  In doing so, He asks us to share that comfort with others.

Application:

I love how simple God makes it to live out what I believe.  He provides everything I need and ask in return that I come alongside someone else and encourage them.  This is why I like doing life together at Palm Valley.  We get it.  We live it.

I ask the following two questions:

1.   How has God comforted me today

2.   How can I comfort someone else today

God has provided comfort for me as I make wise decisions in several area’s of my life:  spiritual maturity (reading and applying the Bible, praying for myself and others), vehicle repairs, friendships, physical activities, encouraging my friends (believing the best for them), and spending quality time with my wife.

In the same way, I can provide comfort for others as they grow in relationship with God and other Christ followes, make decisions on daycare (etc.), begin new friendships, and invest in their spouse. 

One of the best ways I do this is through prayer.

“And you are helping us by praying for us.  Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.”                               2 Corinthians 1:11

I pray for God to strengthen me and give me wisdom in the decisions I face today.  At the same time, I pray with others and become a source of encouragement for them as they make decisions in their life.  In this process we are all comforted and God is glorified as He is the source of all comfort.

Let’s be intentional today and pray with others as we live life together.  Who will you pray with today?

Prayer:

Lord, it’s so awesome to have the reassurance that you comfort me and direct my decisions.  Bring people my way today that I can encourage and pray with as they make decisions.  I praise you for being the source of all comfort and am so excited about who you will have me pray with today.  Thanks for being there.

August 25th: Be Strong and Courageous!

by Paul Lewis

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16:13

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.”

Observation:

The first part of Paul’s challenge seems meant for a warrior. His use of the phrases, “Be on guard, stand firm, be courageous, be strong, are all things you would say to a warrior heading into battle. The last line changes the entire demeaner. To “do everything with love” seems to contradict everything else Paul has said here.

It brings to mind Joshua 1:9, “I command you-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

God expects his followers to be strong and courageous. This is consistent throughout Scripure. The Scripture is also clear that we are in a battle. We engage in a battle between good and evil every day. Our battle is not only in this world, but is going on in the spiritual realm as well. The twist is how we are to fight. We are to do everything in Love.

Application:

To me, Paul’s last phrase puts a wet blanket on my whole view of a warrior. How does a warrior go into battle and fight “with love”? This seems so contradictory to our nature and how we engage in warfare. Jesus spoke to this directly in Luke 6:27, “But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.”

For one thing, I think responding to evil and hatred with love confuses the enemy. I don’t think they know how to respond. Ultimately, our enemy doesn’t matter. We serve the sovereign God of the universe and if you have a relationship with him, you will spend eternity with him. Because of that, we can be strong and courageous, and show love to our enemies. Our reward isn’t victory in the individual battles we face. Our reward is already secured through a relationship with Jesus Christ. That security gives us the confidence to be bold, and strong, and courageous, because God is with us, and victory is already ours!

Prayer:

God please help me to be more loving today.

August 24th: Useless

Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:58

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Observation

What an incredible promise.  If that statement doesn’t free you, I don’t know what will.

Application

One of the greatest fears in our American culture and many cultures throughout the world is wasting time.  Doing something useless.  In today’s passage Paul’s words freed me to try new things for God…nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. If it is for the Lord (completely for him including your heart and motives), it is not useless.  I can’t wait to go out and see what I can do for him today.

Prayer

Thank you for using me.

August 23rd: It Takes Hard Work

Scripture

1 Corinthians 15:10

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

Observation

Paul acknowledges both God’s grace and his hard work in working towards his mission of reaching the lost with the gospel.

Application

We work hard for a lot of things.  We work hard at our job, at home, on the sports field.  If we were to measure our effort in the spiritual realm, how would it stack up?  I know we don’t like to talk about work in this arena because we consider it the opposite of God’s grace, but the type of work I am talking about here is not trying to earn God’s favor or forgiveness, but rather doing what he told us to do.  How much effort do we put into those things? I know I have more to offer.

Prayer

God, help me to work hard for your mission, the only mission I have with eternal ramifications.

August 22nd: Motives

Scripture

Proverbs 21:27

The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

Observation

Another quick reminder about our motives when we do anything.

Application

When we do things, God cares about our heart.  We can often fool people into believing that we are good people and that we are acting out of love, but God sees our heart and that is what matters to him.  Sacrifice to God without the heart of sacrifice is detestable to God.  There are not too many words used more strongly in the Bible than detestable. It is better not to act, than to act with the wrong heart.

Prayer

Keep my heart close to yours.  May my thoughts be your thoughts.

August 21st: Perspective

Scripture

Job 1:21

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”

Observation

Job has just had everything take away;  his possessions and his family.  Job’s first words in this book are those of perspective and worship to God.  After all he went through, he still realized that it was God who gave it to him in the first place.

Application

Job’s reaction showed that he had the proper perspective in the first place.  Even when things were good he knew that God controlled it all for better or worse.  As things went bad, Job didn’t come to his conclusion or process the information for a while.  His immediate response was worship.  Starting off with the right perspectives is where I want to be.  When things go bad, I want to already be at the place where I know God’s in control.

Prayer

Help me to always remember you control it all.  I am your servant and whatever you choose to do is ok with me.

August 20: Waiting…

Posted by: Jeremiah Hann

Scripture:

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act.  Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:7

Observation:

David keeps going back and forth reminding us that we need to trust God, and not worry about other people.

Application:

I don’t like waiting. I always try to find the fastest line at the grocery store. I look for the fastest lane in traffic.  However, some things God wants us to wait for.  It doesn’t get any easier when we think we are doing everything the way God wants, and still waiting, while someone who isn’t doing things the way God wants is prospering. We need to trust God and be willing to do His will, in His timing, not our own, because doing the right thing at the right time equals the right result.

Waiting on God is tough, but God’s timing is always best for us and for others.

Prayer:

Hey God, Thanks so much for working everything out the way You want it.  Please help me to always remember that Your timing is perfect.  Help me to not worry about other people prospering, but continue to focus on You, knowing that You will take care of me.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

August 19th: Do we have a healthy body?

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”  1 Corinthians 12:7

Observation

Paul is addressing spiritual gifts with the church in Corinth.  Paul uses the human body as an example of how the church should function: many different parts, one body.  God has placed each part just where he wants it.

Application

Reading this passage has some serious implications…the second part of verse 18, “God has put each part just where he wants it.”  If we’re a believer and a part of a local church, we need to be serving the other believers there.  Why?  Because God has given us a spiritual gift…and we have a part to play in the body!  It’s easy at a large church to think, “why do they need me, there’s plenty of people to help out”…but if we look back at verse 7…God has given each of us a spiritual gift to help each other.  If we’re not helping, we’re hurting the body.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the opportunity I have to serve you with the gifts you have given me.  May I honor you today as I serve others.