Category: Good Life Journal

Scripture:

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Observation:

God guides us along our path when we trust him completely. We must not rely on ourselves and our worldly understanding of situations. His word gives us wisdom not just for knowledge but for action. When we are seeking His will for our lives, The Lord will bless us with the right direction.

Application:

God wants us to trust Him with everything in every situation. We are to give Him all of our Heart as that will chart our direction. This tells us there is no decision to big or too small to seek the will of God. This is a great reminder for me to stay in the word and be in prayer for application in all of life’s decisions. Otherwise, when I rely on my own assessment of a situation, I can get caught up in people trying to wrong me and become prideful.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you loving us so much that you guide us when we stray. Help me to trust you completely and not make decisions that are worldly. Let me be in your word and seek your will for my life.

Scripture:

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Observation:

As Solomon begins Proverbs he reveals he key to starting the journey towards wisdom. The key is the fear of the Lord. The reverence of God as Holy in your heart is the beginning of the pursuit of wisdom. Wisdom starts when we humble ourselves and recognize that He is God and we are not. He is Holy and we are not. He has the answers and we do not. Then and only then can our journey towards wisdom begin.

Application:

God is not an option. He isn’t one of the the many things I can choose to grow. He is the source of my life, the only real option. Therefore if I desire to grow, to increase in wisdom, to achieve anything of value in this life I must start with humbling myself before Him. When I surrender to His authority and recognize Him as the final say in my life, then I can begin building my life. Apart from that I run the risk of developing a life with a shifting foundation. I give myself the power to identify what is good, bad and indifferent. This is dangerous because my heart does always tell the truth. The scripture says that a mans heart is deceitful and wicked. Without the foundation of the truth of God’s word, I will make up whatever please me or is convenient to me in the moment. The problem with that is what is convenient or pleasurable isn’t always what is best, what is true, and what is beneficial.

A few steps:
-Humble myself everyday to your authority.
-Trust the word more than even my own heart.
-Be correctable. Fools refuse correction, but the wise receive it. The more I am correctable to God, the less I will be offended if man attempts to do the same.

Prayer:

Thank you for this wisdom this morning Lord. You are perfect in all your ways! I humble myself before you today and embrace a journey with you as Lord and master.

Scripture:

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Observation:

How fitting the last blog of the year finishes with Psalm 150 and the six verses that implore us to Praise God. The last verse really hits home. Everything that has breath should be praising the Lord. No matter where you are and no matter what your situation, we should be praising the Lord, loudly.

Application:

This simple verse serves as a reminder that while I am on earth and have breath, I should praise God. No matter what the circumstances of my life, I am to praise God.
I should never forget who God is and what He has done for me. I am reminded that I should be praising Him every day. I should be praising God for wanting to have a relationship with me and for accepting me for who I am. He is our Father. He is our Redeemer. He is the great I Am. Without Him and his desire to have a relationship with me, I am nothing.

We are to praise him loudly. I should not be ashamed to praise Him loudly on earth to let the world know who God is, what He has done and that I am thankful for His works.

Prayer:

Father, I praise you and thank you for wanting a relationship with me. I praise you for everything you have done and for your unbelievable works. Thank you for sending your son to die on a cross for me so that I can have a relationship with you in Heaven.

Scripture:

Psalm 137:4-6

v4 – How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?

v5 – If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!

v6 – Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy!

Observation:

How can one sing and worship God in a season of drought? How can be in a place that is not comfortable and normal spring forth worship and praise from my lips? Naturally it doesn’t, but the prayer must be this of the Psalm.

Application:

The psalmist has declared.l no matter the place the praise of his lips will be to God! If this not be the case the prayer is, take my skills. Take my tongue so that I may not speak. What is near to the heart of God (Jerusalem) he desires to be near his heart. If only I was the same as the psalmist here, singing praises to God regardless of physical circumstances, and begging God to bound me up physically and vocally if I don’t plea for what burdens the heart of God. What makes my heart beat? What makes my feet go? My hands work? My heart heart? I pray it’s what made Jesus’ feet go, hands work, and heart break.

Prayer:

Father, break my heart for what breaks your yours and lead me by your spirit. Forgive me for my sin and my waywardness and bring my back by your grace. I love you Lord.

Scripture:

Psalm 139:23 – Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Observation:

After prayer against the evil who oppose God, the psalmist turns to himself and asks God to examine him. The psalmist wants God to know his heart, where his intentions and direction are revealed. He wants to be tested to show he is unwavering even during trials. By God knowing what makes the psalmist anxious, he is praying to turn the worry over to God.

Application:

Psalm 139:23 is a great prayer of self-examination that I need to talk honestly about with God. When I am doing something, what are my intentions and where is my heart? Am I doing this out of love or obligation; caring or commitment? How often do I ask God to test me and will I pass the test? Our faith really shows, when we face the most difficult circumstances. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for what he has done.” Worry does us no good, in fact it can cause us stress and physical harm. Whatever I am facing that may be a concern to me, I need to lift it up to God rather than hold onto it.

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for making me and knowing me. Please let your Spirit guide my heart to act in love to do your will. Give me the strength and courage to have unwavering faith no matter the situation or cost. May I not be anxious and turn all things over to you in prayer.

Scripture:

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds…” (Psalm 141:3-4a ESV) and “Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it….”(Psalm 141:5a ESV) and “With my voice I cry out to the LORD; with my voice I plead for mercy to the LORD. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.” (Psalm 142:1-2 ESV) and “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul…Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! (Psalm 143:8-10a ESV)

Observation:

Concerning sin, what is my primary tool besides my mind? It is my mouth. David identifies a number of things through these 3 Psalms and a bunch of them has to do with the spoken word by us. David also declares that it isn’t a matter of discipline of the tongue; it is my heart, my soul that needs the Mercy of God. And sometimes it is Mercy exercised by a blunt brother…

Application:

I think that every year I need to go through a month or so of reminding myself of the power of the tongue. James says a lot about this. Proverbs even more. It is everywhere in the Bible. My issue is that like a lot of things I gloss over really getting into the discipline of my Mouth. James talks about salt and fresh water coming out of my mouth; praise and curse. I would like to think “Not me!” but I know that isn’t true. All it takes is a little nudge, a provocation (real or imagined); a switch in my heart that wants to pompously spew out “self” of some kind. My heart (and mouth—you know that they are irrevocably intertwined, right?) can be an attack dog in a matter of micro seconds; calm and docile one moment—snarling and biting and with unregretful anger the next. In Ps 141 David wants a guard, a muzzle on his mouth and then understands that the mouth is an outlet for a wicked heart. He also looks for the Help of God in the presence of a blunt, straight talking brother (or sister). Ps 142 says cry out to God and plead…How many issues do I take to God pleading in prayer and instead go to another for “council”? Ps 143 indicate the objectives to wait upon Him every morning; to hear of the way to go—the cry: “Teach me to do Your Will, O God!” Note: BTW, I am not saying that you shouldn’t talk to another person about stuff—just don’t neglect your prayers.

Prayer:

O Lord my God: Seems like one step forward and twenty steps back at times. Holidays can bring out the worse in me. I purse my lips, I clinch my jaw, and I don’t relax like I should— and when the cork pops horrible stuff spews out. And if it doesn’t pop, then I feel my heart compounding sin after hateful sin. I am burying my head in my hands; I am feeling the despair enveloping my heart. I cry, I plead for mercy after grateful mercy to fall on my heart from Your Hands, O Lord. Envelope me in Your Arms; deliver me from wickedness. Help me to have courage to come before You and to the one I offend.

Scripture:

Psalm 144:3-4 O Lord, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

Observation:

The psalmist asks a significant question. Why does God even take time to concern himself with man? Man is finite and God is infinite. The answer is found throughout scripture. Not that man has done anything to deserve God’s attention, but rather because man is made in the image of God. He breathed His life into us. He laid out a plan to rescue and restore us. He paid the ultimate price so we could live in relationship with Him.

Application:

Everyday I wake up my first words should be, “Wow! Thank you Jesus!”. Everyday I wake up The God of all creation is there to fellowship with me and include me in His mission. Instead many days I overlook this truth. I get busy with my stuff and my agenda. I forget that it is a great privilege to know God and fellowship with Him. I believe the lie that it is a burden, an obligation and I run towards my own version of freedom, just to find out how extremely disappointing and unfulfilling that is. The Father created me and therefore knows what I need more than I do. My joy and peace will come from my relationship and interaction with Him, not my attempt to satisfy the flesh and bones I call home for such a vapor of time in eternity. A few things:

-Get over myself. God doesn’t owe me anything. He saved me because of who He is. My value is found in His eyes and no where else.

-Carve time out. See my time with Him as a privilege, not a burden. Enjoy knowing Him and loving him. Who am I that He is mindful of me?

-Recognize and react to the truth that most people don’t have a clue how much God loves them and how He has offered them relationship, significance and a future. Share it!

Prayer:

Father, wow! Thank you for loving me in the midst of my imperfection and mess. I don’t deserve a relationship with you, but instead you offer me one because you have made me righteous in your sight. I am humbled, grateful and overjoyed. Thank you for being who you are and for engaging me to make me more like you! Thank you for forgiveness and grace!

Scripture:

Vs 1 – “Praise the Lord!”
Vs 4 – “He determines the numbers of stars;
He gives to all of them their names.”
Vs 11 – “the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, and those who hope in his steadfast love.”
Vs 16 – “He scatters frost like ashes.”

Observation:

God is worthy of praise!
God is sovereign over everything we can see or not see.
He is in control of things as grand as the stars and as minute as frost.
He does not just create them he controls them.
He is sovereign.
With us, however, he does not just create and control, he also loves.
He loves with a steadfast love, a Covenant love, a forever love.
This gives us hope.
And it gives God pleasure.

Application:

Do I want to please God?
These words tell me plainly how to do that.
Hope in Him and His steadfast, forever love.
These words also tell me why I can do this.
There is nothing outside of His control.
When I doubt I can look to the stars and see Him in control.
When I am uncertain I can look to the earth and see Him at work.
I know God is with me and loves me always.
There is always a reason to praise Him!

Prayer:

Thank you again God for your word!
Thank you for the hope it gives.
Thank you that there is always reason to hope because of your steadfast love.
Help me see you in the every day.
Help me see that you are always at work for those you love.
In Jesus name,
amen

Scripture:

Verse 6: And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”

Observation:

The entire book of Revelation is a true story of God’s revenge and judgment. The last chapter first describes a very peaceful place and then goes on to say the events of Revelation are true and emphasize that Jesus is coming soon.
The events as described in Revelation will happen. The events will happen soon. And the events must happen.

The book of Revelation describes a battle between good and evil. We already know who has won this battle.
Next to God’s glory what we value today in the world is meaningless.

Application:

I must be ready and help others to recognize they need to be ready. I must be prepared for His coming. As we are getting ready for the Christmas season which celebrates His birth, it is an odd juxtaposition to be reading Revelation. All I have to do is turn on the television to see examples of what the world values. Stuff. Success. Money, Power. Being the best at sports. The world seems to be getting busier, crazier and more dangerous. Yet, He is the Prince of Peace. While the world marvels at physical things my focus should be on spiritual things.

The things I should value and keep in control are the things I can’t buy or see. They include: my time, my attitude, my focus, my ability to identify opportunities to witness, my heart.

The book of Revelation should provide me with the motivation necessary to keep my focus on spiritual things. I must remember that God wins the battle. I must remain committed to doing the things that he wants me to do. I must be committed to remaining His servant so that I can share in the victory.

Prayer:

Father, you are the almighty God. These events are already planned and you already know the timing. You are preparing a place for me. I am so humble that you would consider me and want me to be a part of your kingdom. Thank you for sending your son to live a perfect life yet die on a cross to save my sins. Allow me to continue to live my life for you so I can reach others that don’t know you or your son. Use me to your glory, Amen.

Scripture:

v2: “He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan and bound him for a thousand years”

Observation:

John in this chapter accounts for us two fates. We see the defeat and judgement of Satan, and we have the judgement of the dead. Both of these are scary and reassuring at the same time. Scary because of the awesome power of God. God’s power is such that he can take our eternal tormentor and bound and lock him for a thousand years. After a thousand years Satan reappears on earth, and gathers an army against God’s people. Again our powerful God defeats Satan and sentences him to an eternity of suffering in a lake of burning sulfur. Then God judges us, the dead. The same powerful God that judges and defeats Satan will also judge us. That’s scary.

Application:

For me this passage is also reassuring. First no matter how much we struggle with Satan on earth, God will ultimately prevail. No matter how discouraged that we get with our struggles in this world, I know that God prevails. It is also reassuring to me to know that when I am ultimately judged, I know that I am a believer and I know that I am saved. Yes I have sinned and for that I will pay, but a worse fate of the unbeliever is, v15 “Anyone whose name is not written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire.” So while I am awed and fearful of the power of God, I am comforted by the fact that I am a child of God and the in the end I am saved. In the end God wins and I am on the winning team.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for being my savior. During this Christmas season I am reminded that you gave us your son so that we can be saved. The birth of Jesus is the beginning of the story, Revelation 20 is the end of the story. Father I am proud to be part of your family and I look forward to eternity in your kingdom.

Scripture:

Revelation 17:14 – 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.

Observation:

A great prostitute and beast are taking as brief reign and destruction is about to take place. We can also see the opposition within the beast and prostitute and the destruction that is to come. Earlier we see how John marvels at this vision and the angel asks why and gives more clarity that many will marvel. Though these visions are evil and destruction they are seemingly pleasing to the eye. Though that might be the portrayal, that is not the reality. The prostitute and the beast are trying to take all people with them to destruction and their seems to be no hope and then verse 14 changes the game.

Application:

The beast and prostitute will make war on the Lamb and the Lamb will conquer them!! This is so hopeful and trustworthy. The one whom desires for destruction and has limited power on earth now WILL NOT win. The Lamb will and has overcome. Not only does Jesus win he has chosen many to be with him and experience the victory. How does this not change everything about my life daily? The reality is I feel like I am marveling at the prostitute and the beast rather than walking in the victory of the Lamb whom has conquered. This is scary because the elect can be lead astray (Matthew 24:24) so this is so important to trust in the Lamb that has overcome!
Action steps:
Preach the Gospel to myself every morning.
Get in the Word every morning as the start to day.

Prayer:

Father forgive me when I marvel at what is evil and not true. Give me eyes to see what is true and Holy and feet that pursue Jesus the Truth rather than what is false. I love you God and thank you for your Spirit.

Scripture:

Revelation 16:7 And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”

Observation:

No matter how bad the wrath of God gets, it is justified. God is just and all his judgments are justified.

Application:

It is easy to wonder why God allows difficult things to happen. It is easy to judge Him for being judgmental. However John include this account of the altar of Heaven crying out for the justice of God. Though there are times when I might be on the other side of the chastisement, discipline and judgment of God, I can never call him unfair. Everything He does and every judgement He executes is just because He is Justice.

1. Trust his character when I don’t understand his judgment.

Prayer:

Father, when it seems that you are judging harshly, May I trust your character to give me perspective in the moment.

Scripture:

Rev. 14:12-13 “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.* And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Observation:

In the middle of a whole bunch of suffering and judgment upon Earth in Revelation we see a call to the church. It is a call to persevere in their faith to the end. The result is rest and reward. This is a strict contrast to the results of lives lived in opposition to God and apart from the covering of Christ.

Application:

The Revelation of Jesus Christ freaks a lot of people out. It is a book that references fire, famine, war, death and eternal punishment. However in the midst of it all, is the promise of eternal life for those who are in Christ. The righteousness of God is rewarded in Revelation and real people, people like you and me, are called saints. We are given life, eternity and the right to reign and rule with Christ. What blows me away is that anything good that comes to a believer in Revelation is only made possible by the work of Christ. It is the cross that makes us righteous, the resurrection that provided us the redemption, and the ascension that made way for the seal of the Holy Spirit. So as I read another chapter of Revelation, I am reminded that I can read it in peace because of the good news of Jesus Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection. Nothing will change the future judgment of this Earth. However the gospel provides a way for mankind to be rescued from perishing with the Earth, the ways of the world, and the enemy.

Prayer:

Thank you for the peace of the gospel. May it be my story and my song today to everyone I get the chance to interact with.

Scripture:

Revelation 13:5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.

Observation:

No matter how scary the characters in the book of Revelation are, The only authority they have or are able to exercise is the authority that they are given permission to have for a season of time. No matter how dim things get, God is in control of everything we read in Revelation.

Application:

Revelation represents many of the fears of man. Darkness ruling, persecution, pain, loss, and death. However if we look closely, God is in control of everything. He allows certain things to happen and gives permission for other things to happen, but it’s never not in His control. This should help us today as we live our lives. There will be things that will happen that don’t make sense or that are difficult for us to go through, but we must remember who is in control. If we trust the one in control we understand that nothing gets out of his hands or slips past Him. Everything has a time, a season and if we are in Christ, pain, loss and fear are only temporary.

Prayer:

Father thank you for reminding me today who is in control. I am so glad that you have the keys and are in the driver’s seat.

Scripture:

“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.”” (Revelation 12:10 ESV)

Observation:

Very interesting and encouraging descriptions of Jesus here. This is something to remember and call to mind!!

Application:

Revelations can be so very confusing at times; Dragons, angels, something with 7 horns, bunches of heavenly entities of all kinds of descriptions, etc., etc. What do they all mean? Sometimes I have to just read over them because I haven’t the foggiest—which is OK. I don’t have to sweat or wring my hands because I don’t get it. Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV is my fallback scripture on things like this: ““The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” But, in the midst of mysterious prose comes a clearly stated declaration: Salvation, power, and the Kingdom of God have come in the authority of the Christ! The Accuser has been overcome, thrown down and defeated. This wasn’t said in conversational tones—it was triumphantly shouted “a loud voice!” So, I am sitting here writing this. Gotta say: there is a racing of my heart writing about this. As I think even ever so briefly on this section of Scripture—I stir. Something is going on inside. I am setting my jaw; face like flint, my mind is on the things above, etc., etc. Truth: Doesn’t happen all the time. Happens more when I am regularly in the Scriptures and trying to wrestle with them. I want to know and feel and grip the ebb and flow of His Word. There is something living and active in the Scriptures—it will stir when we ask for stirring.

Prayer:

Father, as I read this the next day I realize how fragile my convictions can be. I am not stirred as much Tuesday as I was Monday. Goes to show me that my “affections” are fickle and that the Word of God is stable. I ask, call on Your Name, to firm up my heart with the unchanging Word—make my heart fertile ground so that underneath the Word’s authority I make fruit of my life and fully speak of your Gospel in every occasion.