Amos 2:4-5 - Pointing out sin

This is what the Lord says:
  “For three sins of Judah,
     even for four, I will not relent.
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord
     and have not kept his decrees,
because they have been led astray by false gods,
     the gods their ancestors followed,
I will send fire on Judah
     that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.”

Amos is a prophet in the Old Testament time. In this book, to this point, in similar passages the Lord has told of the atrocious acts of  heathen nations and how he will destroy them. Then God's own people are condemned because of their sin. Some times we point out the sins of others while failing to realize our own sins. We are all equal at the foot of the cross.

Lord, thank you for helping us to realize when we have sinned. Please help us to focus on sinning less and bringing you glory rather than focussing on the sins of others. Amen.

Source: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/amos/2-4.htm

Psalm 115:1 - To God's glory

Not to us, Lord, not to us
     but to your name be the glory,
     because of your love and faithfulness.

I gave my lesson last night to our ladies class and it went very well. I felt the spirit moving and several people said I did a great job. Yeah! But...Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Hey that reminds me of a song...https://www.facebook.com/lisa.burns.50/videos/10154008863725718/

Thanks to everyone who attended!!

Lord, thank you for giving us opportunities to shine. Please help us to remember to give you the glory. Amen,

Genesis 41:16 - I can't, but God can

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

Pharaoh asked Joseph if he could interpret his dream. This was the perfect answer. Joseph was humble enough to know that he was not the source of the interpretation. Do you think that maybe he tried to interpret some dreams and realized he couldn't do it on his own? We make that mistake all the time. We try to do things and get through difficult times without God. Once we realize and accept I can't but God can, God will use us to do great things and will bring us through any difficult times we face.

Lord, thank you for being there for us and for having the ability to do so much more than we can even imagine. Please help us to turn to you first and to let others know the source of our strength and abilities. Amen.

Genesis 24:12 - The faithful servant

Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

Abraham asks the senior servant in his household to go to his home country to find a wife for his son. The servant takes this job seriously. He prays to the Lord, God of his master Abraham several times. He is successful in this journey and task. I am so impressed by the faithfulness and humility of this servant. He was praying to the "God of his master". He clearly believed and worshiped Abraham's God, but there was such a reverence in the way he spoke of him. This servant wanted success, but his success was not for himself, it was for his master.

Lord, Thank you for the opportunity to come directly to you in prayer. Please help us to succeed in the plans you have for us today so that your name will be glorified. Lord, also help us as we work for earthly masters (bosses). Let us be successful in the tasks we are given to be a blessing to those we are working for. Amen.

Joshua 10:42

All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.

At this point I expect Israel was feeling pretty invincible. They were sweeping through the land defeating everyone. when we have that kind of success it's hard to not become prideful. We always have to remember God is the one in charge. These things are happening for His purposes. We are just the vessel.

Lord, I know if I am living in your will and doing the things you want me to do, success or failure, it is all for you and for your purpose. Help me not to be prideful in success or defeated in failure. Amen.

Philippians 3:12

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

I am not 100 percent sure what this verse means. It might mean that he has not yet reached the resurrection. It may also be a testament to Paul's amazing humility. Jesus talked about that not even he considered himself equal to God. Here Paul,  a great man of God doesnt even consider himself to havr arrived at the goal. If this man of God does not boast but is humble, I must certainly be humble.

God, Humility humility humility. Over and over again you are teaching me about humility. You are teaching me about it in the world, You are teaching me about it in my life. Lord, please help me to be humble. Please help me to learn what you are trying to teach me. Amen  

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

It's humility once again. It seems like God is just constantly working on me about humility. Maybe it's just the fact that it is in the Bible so much. I didn't realize how many times humility is mentioned in the Bible. Either way it is certainly something I need to work on. I even worry that creating this blog is out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Even when I pray before I read for God to show me something in his word, it concerns me that the only reason I want him to show me something is so that I have something to share in this blog. One of my favorite parts of studying is sharing what I find. So, does that mean I am doing it out of selfish ambition or vain conceit?

Lord, I pray that my Bible study is done with pure motives. Thank you so much for all the things you show me everyday I sit down and study. Lord, I feel like you are talking directly to me. Thank you, thank you. Amen

Luke 23:43a

Jesus said, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."

On the cross, 3 times in Luke others tell Christ to save himself. Not only does he not save himself, he asked for forgiveness of his killers. Amazing self sacrifice.

Lord, let me see Christ's sacrifice as an example and let me sacrifice myself to the extent you want me to. Amen