Archive for December 2008
Number 366
31. December 2008 by admin.
12.31.08 / 6:58 a.m.
Where has the time gone? It is hard to believe that this is the last day of 2008. 2008 has been a good year for the Pruett family. God has been good to us in all aspects of our lives. I hope that you can say the same. As I sit here on this Wednesday morning reflecting and looking ahead to 2009 I have thoughts of joy and disappointment. Joyful thoughts are on my mind for the good things that have taken place in 2008. Joy in my heart for the goodness of God in my life. But, disappointment for the areas in my life that I didn’t meet my or most of all, God’s expectations.
As I was reading my Clear Living Magazine this morning, Wednesday is used as a day of prayer. The thoughts that are conveyed in today’s reading is just what I needed not only to reflect, but look ahead with great optimism. The areas that were listed are:
- Prayer (Matthew 26.41)
- Bible Study and meditation (Psalm 119.9,11)
- Worship (Hebrews 10.23-25)
- Being alone with God (Matthew 14.23)
- Witnessing (Acts 1.8)
- daily confession and repentance of sin (John 1.8)
As I read through these “disciplines” of life, I quickly saw the ones that are weak areas in my life. I hope that you will spend time today looking over these and reading the reference and allow God to speak to your heart and mind.
As you read my posts, I hope that you’ve picked up on my thoughts of “what can I learn from this?” Now, what can I, or did I learn from this today. Well, it seems funny how God speaks to us at times. You can read something from God’s word and it takes you to an area in your life that seems 1000 miles away from what you thought. Now you may be thinking, “Mark, just spit it out!” Well, what I am trying to say is this, Thinking about the stock market, financial situation, and overall confusion of our world today, my thoughts were placed on the values of the eternal. God in all his richness is still in total control. God reminded me today that all that I should be investing back in Him. The Heavenly Stock Market is ALIVE and WELL! I am reminded this morning that I should invest more in the Heavenly. This includes myself, wife, and children, etc… God has spoken to my heart this 366th day of 2008 and has placed a challenge in my heart. I hope that I can fulfil the mission that is ahead in 2009. What about you?
I’m Not That Bad!
29. December 2008 by admin.
12.29.08 / 8.22 a.m.
Depravity is the family theme that we will focus on this week. Our Clear Living Magazine recommends that you start your study by reading 1 Kings 16.29-22.40. This portion of scripture gives a clear picture of how evil king Ahab was in his time of leadership.
Today’s clear truth is There is no limit to the depth of man’s depravity. As we ready our text for today, along with the above passage we find this clear truth to be true. As I began my time of study this morning I prayed that God would show me how this applies to me on the 29th day of December 2008. I believe that we often look at scripture as events that happened a long time ago and they really don’t apply to us much today. This could be further than the truth. If you take time to read the suggested scripture you will find a king that was extremely evil. I think we in 2008 just don’t look at ourselves as bad, or depraved. We live in a time that it is not politically correct to look at ourselves, or others, as bad/sinful. Jeremiah 17.9-10 tells us that we are sinful, and sinful by nature.
As I reflect on the study for today, I must admit that by nature I am sinful. But by the grace and mercy of a wonderful, loving, and forgiving God I can, and have been forgiven. The key to our depravity is admitting to our sinfulness and doing something about it. It is great to know that there is a way to be set free from the old depraved nature.
I pray that you have a great day in Christ!
Humbly Accept and Obey God’s Word
27. December 2008 by admin.
12.27.08 / 8:12 a.m.
In today’s devotion, Asa is at the end of his life. He is at the point of death and we are told that he turned to his doctors. He did not seek God in time of need. We often respond the same way as Asa. Even though God gives doctors their ability, we should first seek help from God. Whether our need be physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual our first response should be to seek God.
The sad part of this is that when we know what to do, but we don’t do it. We should never get to the point that we forget, reject, or ignore God and his word. The reference from 2 Timothy 4.6-8 should be a testimony to our outlook on life and our future. We should take this fifth key, Humbly accept and obey God’s Word, and let it be a priority in our life.
Keys 3 and 4
26. December 2008 by admin.
The third key that is mentioned this week is Trust God in your crisis. As we read in 2 Chronicles 14.8-15, Asa put his trust in God during a military crisis and God completely took care of the situation. We run to God when we have situations that are totally out of our control. As I just mentioned, God delivered Asa and his people. As we see with the fourth key, Don’t forget God’s past blessings, Asa has lived peaceable for 20 years and when a situation arose, he didn’t call on God. It is difficult to understand why we respond the way we do at times. God wants to be there for us in the good times just as much as he does the bad times. We need to work to always put our trust in God. If you have placed your life in his hands, great! Don’t forget that God is always there for you. If you have never placed your trust in him do so today.
Key to Perseverance
23. December 2008 by admin.
12.23.08 / 8:24 a.m.
This weeks family theme in our Clear Living Magazine is Perseverance. Listed in our magazine is five keys to perseverance. The first key is to Listen (to the Lord). As Asa did in 3 Chronicles 15.1-9, he listened to the Lord and because of his obedience to listen and obey, God was faithful to keep Asa and to keep his people safe. The second key to perseverance is to be Bold. In 2 Chronicles 14.1-7 and 15.9-19 we see how that Asa made some very bold decisions as king to remove things that would hinder his ability completely trust God.
We often allow our own “idols” to obstruct our relationship with Christ. We need to first listen to the voice of God in our lives and then with the boldness that Christ can give us, make the bold choices that will make drastic differences in our lives.
I ask first myself, “What stuff is in my own life that hinders me from listening to God and having the boldness to do the things that will make an eternal difference?” Second, I turn this same question to you. What is hindering you? And thirdly, What are we going to do about it? I can only answer for myself, but I want to completely rely on Christ and listen to his voice and obey as Asa did in 2 Chronicles 15. Then I want to be bold to remove the stuff in my life that clutters and distracts me from being fully focused.
The Christmas season is a time that we can get cluttered with so much stuff, but what better time it would be for us to unclutter our lives. As you go through your day today, listen to the voice of God and be bold to make the choices that will make an eternal difference. Have a great day!
God’s grace is our only hope
18. December 2008 by admin.
12.18.08 / 9:03 a.m.
Today’s devotional from our Clear Living Magazine reminds us that the grace of God is our only hope. If we look around us we can see so many that are without hope. People are looking in so many places for the hope that brings peace and true happiness. So many are looking up and down the isles at Wal-Mart, the malls, and any where they feel they can get a little bit of peace. We need to seek these folks out and share with them how they can receive the hope that only Christ can give. One week from today is Christmas day. Seek out someone today and over the next week to share the source of your hope, Christ Jesus! Have a great day in Christ.
Just in case you were wondering
17. December 2008 by admin.
12.17.09 / 7:45 a.m.
Tonight after Bible study, choir practice, and all other activities that are going on, we will share in a time of fellowship with hot chocolate and cookies. I thought that many of you were trying to decide which kind of cookies that I like best. Well never fear. I read your mind and wanted to share with you that chocolate chip cookies are my all time favorite. Now, I know it’s not all about me, but I do love chocolate chip cookies. Just to give you peace of mind, I will eat other kinds too. Well, regardless of what kind of cookie I like best, the important part is that you come out tonight with a plate of cookies and we’ll have plenty of hot chocolate and enjoy a wonderful time of fellowship. Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you tonight.
Sin Has Trapped Us In An Awful Place
16. December 2008 by admin.
12.16.09 / 8:37 a.m.
Our Clear Living Magazine devotional today reminds us that our sin makes us feel trapped in places that we really don’t want be trapped. We need to remember that we do not have to stay trapped. Isaiah 55.6-7 says, “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.” This verse gives us hope! It also tells us that when we find ourselves in places that we really don’t want to be, God is there to forgive us “generously.” I am so grateful today that we serve a god that’s generous in his forgiveness. I pray that if today you are trapped in your sins, you will do as Isaiah 55.6 says, “Seek the Lord while you can find him.” He is patiently waiting for you to seek him so that he may share his generosity with you. Have a great day in Christ!
Bows Of Holly
15. December 2008 by admin.
12.15.08 / 5:00 p.m.
Wow! What a wonderful program. Our teens of Limestone Church presented their Christmas program, Bows Of Holly, last night. Each student did an excellent job with their part and the choir just sounded great! Cathy out did herself with her solo too. I especially enjoyed the “Operation Holly” song. Belindia told me that the progam was going to be good, and I had intentionally stayed away during the practice times. I was simply proud of each of you for the great job that you did last night.
Hello world!
15. December 2008 by admin.
Welcome to my new BLOG. I hope you enjoy. Mark
