June 22                       Exodus 18:21

21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. 

FEAR

We love God, we want to be with God and we seek to please Him with the way we live. Many often forget that we also are to fear God.  This is an important concept to get-we are to fear a God who can cast us in eternal separation.  A healthy fear of God will give us a stronger bond of love and submission to the Father. 

June 21                       1 Corinthians 4:20

20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. 

REALITY

The reality of the Christian life is that the Lord is always and forever in control. He will not leave us nor will He forget us.  The Lord is committed to us without any reservation.  We belong to Him and He belongs to us. 

June 20                       1 Corinthians 4:10-12

10 Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed. 11 Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. 12 We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.

US

The normal Christian life includes so many challenges.  The vagary of the Christian life creates in us a myriad of failures. The Holy Spirit is constantly bringing us back, bringing us back for the Lord is faithful.  He never sleeps and will never forget us.  We are safe in Jesus Christ. 

June 19                       1 Corinthians 4:1-2

1 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. 2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 

FOLLOW

It is required of us to be faithful.  It isn’t easy and sometimes we stray some but we want to make sure that we are faithful in following Jesus therefore we need to trust that the Lord will keep us. 

June 18                       Jonah 2:9

9 But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.” 

NOTHING

I can contribute exactly nothing to my salvation.  It is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, my acceptance and belief in the work he has done.  Do I realize that my sin is huge?  My debt is huge?  Only in the work that Jesus did, paying my price on the Cross do I have salvation. Like Paul I recognize that I am the worst of sinners.  Oh, we try to dress it up and get recognized for this or that but the truth is that without Jesus I am simply a poor wretched sinner.  Praise the Lord for His great salvation. 

June 17                       Psalm 61:8

8 Then I will sing praises to your name forever as I fulfill my vows each day.

WORTHY

The Lord God Almighty is worthy of all of our praise.  Everything that draws breath praises the Lord.  Think of your blessings, of the simple act of breathing today what might God that He gives you another day.  Praise the Lord from the depths of our heart.  Praise the Lord. 

June 16                       Psalm 22:25

25 I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you. 

PRAISE

We are called to praise the Lord.  We have much to be thankful for praise the Lord.  We are blessed beyond our ability praise the Lord.  He will never leave us, praise the Lord.  His mercy and forgiveness causes us to praise the Lord.  Jesus is Lord praise the Lord.  Jesus cares for you praise the Lord.  In all things and in every way praise the Lord. 

June 15                       Psalm 22:4-5

4 Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. 5 They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

CONFIDENCE

When we place our trust in the Lord Jesus we can have confidence that He will see us through all of our life.  Jesus is the great shepherd and He is intimately involved and concerned about your life.  Call upon Jesus and He will never forsake you.  Trust in the Lord. 

June 14                       Deuteronomy 23:21-23

21 “When you make a vow to the LORD your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the LORD your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin.  22 However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow.  23 But once you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to fulfill your promise to the LORD your God. 

CAREFUL

Be careful what vows you make to the Lord.  Live your life quietly and under His control.  Jesus cares for you and He is most interested in equipping you to live in the light of His love and direction.  If you make a vow, write it down and follow through.  Put today’s date when you the vow, and when you complete it be sure to write down the date of your fulfillment.  The dullest pencil is brighter than the sharpest mind.  Live a careful life. 

June 13                       Numbers 30:2

2 A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. 

FOLLOW

Follow the Lord.  We committed to Him to be our Savior and eternal leader now live like it.  Do everything in the light of His love for you, your salvation and the fact that the Lord is faithful.  He will never leave you.