I’ll Believe It When I See It. Really?  

JULY 26, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

2 Kings 6:17,18 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

      I know people who have the attitude “I will believe it when I see it.” Many people are like that. In fact, if we will be honest, most of us feel this way. We want to see evidence to believe something. Visible evidence seems best. However, sometimes, visible evidence can get us into trouble. What we see is not always real. While in Wisconsin Dells one year I saw a magician, who had some of the best illusions I have ever seen. Nevertheless, they were just that, illusions, or sleight of hand. My eyes were deceiving me. Today, just like in Bible times, there are people preying on true seeking believers. Showing them tricks, illusions, and calling them miracles from God. They will gain a following and then empty the pocketbooks of these people, but it is all deception.

     In today’s verses, God opened the eyes of one seeking the truth, but blinded the eyes of those following a man. The servant of Elisha’s eyes was opened to what God was doing around him. However, the men following the orders of the King of Syria, God blinded. Jesus warned the disciples of deceptive sight in Mark 13:22. He said, “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” You see it is not about what we see; it is about who we are focused on. Are your eyes focused on God or man?
   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

  In Hebrews 11:1, it says; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Our faith needs to be in Jesus, not in miracle workers. Faith is God’s miracle in your heart.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 26, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
2 Kings 4-6     /     Psalm 23     /     Proverbs 25-26     /     Mark 2-3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 9-12           /  Acts 19:23-41

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Is The Horse Pushing Or Pulling? 

JULY 24 & 25, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 24:27Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    My dad had another way of saying what verse 27 says. He would say, “Don’t get your cart before your horse.” In other words, do things in order. I guess a horse could push a cart, but not too fast, not too far, and not very often. In life, we often want to get ahead of ourselves. Before we have taken the time to get ourselves well equipped for something, grounded with knowledge and truth, we run off half-prepared. We at times can still do it, just as a horse can push a cart, but it is harder than it was meant to be.

     This happens at times in churches with new Christians who want to help. Because churches need helpers, these young believers are often allowed to fill positions they are not prepared for. This also occurs in business, when people dream today, but do not envision the hurdles of tomorrow. It happens in marriages as well. A man who is unstable in his morals, manners, money, and with his Maker wants to lead a home. However, he has not prepared himself to stand on his own two feet before he takes on the responsibility of building a home.

     I am not trying to say we need to have all the answers to all of life’s questions before we do anything. If that were true, no one would be doing anything. However, we need to have the important issues of life covered. Such as…
• Who is the real leader in your life?
• Where do you go for direction, especially when things seem to get out of whack?
• How are decisions made?
• What or who is the final authority?
• Or, when I make a mistake, where do I need to go to fix it?
• Then finally, if someone asked me these questions, can I show them where to find the answers in writing?

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    The answers to all the questions above are, “God and His Word.” God is the final authority in everything. He has written the answers to life in the Bible. Now it is up to us to study to show ourselves approved unto Him.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 24, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
2 Kings 1–3     /     Psalm 22     /     Proverbs 24     /     Mark 1 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 5-8           /  Acts 19:1-22

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Here Is My Wish List God 

JULY 23, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 21:2 Thou hast given him his heart’s desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

      Oh my, what a promise this verse has for us to claim. That God would give us all the requests of our lips. Whatever our hearts desire we could have. A new car, new house, better health, fancy clothes, jewelry, or just anything we might toss out into the throne room of Heaven. God will pick up our shopping list, fill it, and send it back. You might be saying to yourself, “This is not how my prayer life always works.” Yea, well not mine either. However, this is what all too many preachers seem to be saying today. So, what is the difference? Where is the problem?

     The difference is our understanding of the who, what, where, and when of the text of the verse. Before you can understand this verse, you need to understand about whom it was written. This was David. A man described as someone after God’s own heart. David was not requesting earthly possessions to consume upon his own fancy. So, what was God giving to David? He would give all the things David would ask for according to God’s Heart. Too often, we get our eyes on us and ask for things for us. However, David wanted only what God wanted. Therefore, God was glad to provide it.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Do you desire the things God desires? Things such as people to be saved, lives to be changed, the helpless to be helped, Missions to be taken care of, disciples to be made, and churches to be filled with people to praise and worship God. Are these the major parts of your desires? If so, God might love to give you the desires of your heart too.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 23, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Obadiah     /     Psalm 21     /     Proverbs 23     /     Matthew 28 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 1-4           /       Acts 18

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Sound The Alarm, This Is Important 

JULY 22, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     God told the children of Israel decades before the Tribulation Period to be prepared. Was God’s time clock off? Why in the world would He have them ready way before Jesus had even been born, before Jesus had died on the cross of Calvary and rose, before He even ascended back into heaven?

     He was telling them exactly what He is telling us, watch and be ready to see what I will do. He wanted them to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. To be vigilant, for His hand is always at work. He wanted them to be ready to serve Him at a moment’s notice. To continually watch to see how they might be a willing and joyful servant. He knew this is how they would want to be found, watching and serving as He might return at just anytime.

     He is telling us the same thing today. Blow the trumpet. Let everyone know. Sound the alarm. The churches need to preach the gospel. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble. Share with everyone about the power and might of God and His judgment to come. For the day of the Lord cometh, yes friend it will not be long until He returns for His own. He knows this is how we would want to be found, watching and serving at the moment of His return. He might return at just anytime. Watch and be ready.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Today might be the day He comes. Are you really prepared? Have you told everyone you need to tell? His return very well might be today.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 22, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Joel     /     Psalm 20     /     Proverbs 22     /     Matthew 27     

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Esther 5-10           /  Acts 17

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Monkey See, Monkey Do 

JULY 21, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Matthew 26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     Oh, how easy it is to get caught up in the moment. We want so much to do what is right, and yet sometimes we find ourselves doing just the opposite. Our desire as Christians is to do what is right in the eyes of God, but we find ourselves being deceived at times into doing something else. Satan often uses subtle trickery to confuse us into doing the wrong thing. His craftiness is so clever that at times it may even appear as though we are doing what is right. Especially if we see other believers that we trust doing the same thing. It is like a Christian version of monkey see monkey do.

     In our verse today we find Peter telling Jesus that there was absolutely no way he would ever betray or leave Him. Even though Jesus had plainly told Peter, in the presence of all the disciples, that this is exactly what was going to happen. Peter’s human logic said no way. In addition, when the other disciples heard Peter’s statement, it seemed to make sense to them also. Why would they ever leave the Lord of Lords? Why would they walk away from someone who had proved Himself to be the Son of the Living God? Leaving just did not make sense. However, Jesus said it would happen, just before they said it would not.

     No matter what we seem to understand with our logic, if God has said different, believe God. He is never wrong. However, if we find ourselves deceived and on the wrong side of the fence, it is good to know that when we repent, God forgives and restores our fellowship as if it never happened. In Acts 1, just before Jesus ascends back into heaven, Peter and all the other disciples were together. Jesus gave all the disciples, including Peter, the responsibility to carry on His ministry. It is obvious that our loving Saviour had totally forgiven them.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

  As we go through this day, let’s pray God will help us to walk by faith and not only by sight. Walking and talking with the Lord as He, through the Holy Spirit, guides our steps.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 21, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Ecclesiastes 10-12     /     Psalm 19     /     Proverbs 21     /     Matthew 26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Esther 1-4           /       Acts 16:25-40

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12