What Prison Do You Serve In? 

OCTOBER 9 & 10, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    Spending time with a bunch of inmates does not sound like a lot of fun to most people. Being confined in one place all day, being told when to eat, and what to do is not most people’s idea of good time. The thought of having to be so close for long periods with the sinful wickedness of the world makes it even less appealing to most believers.

    Now admit it, you have a picture of a jail cell, prison, or dungeon in your mind, right? However just think on this for a moment. Most places of employment or education could be described in the same manner. Confined in one place all day, told when to take break and eat, when to work or go to class and what to do. Sounds like most factories, offices, and schools I know of. The similarities go on. Things such as having to be so close for long periods of time with the sinful wickedness that surrounds us in this world. If you work in a secular job or attend public education, then you most likely rub shoulders everyday with the sinfulness that is trapped in the hearts of people around you every day. They are imprisoned by sin just like an inmate who is behind bars. They are just as miserable and need just as much to be set free.

    So now, let me ask you the all-important question. Do the prisoners around you hear you praising God and singing as those around Paul and Silas did? Or do they hear you grumbling just like they do about your surroundings and work conditions? What do the prisoners in your world see of your Saviour in you?

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    There is a little phrase most of us have heard, and most of us forget. It goes something like; “I might be the only Jesus the world has ever seen.” This is so true. Brighten the corner of the world where God lets you serve today. Praise Him, sing, and be happy. Rejoice in the Lord always… again I say REJOICE.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 9, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Jeremiah 45-48     /     Psalm 87-88     /     Proverbs 9     /     Acts 16 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 11-14          /      Eph. 4

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

Living In The Dark 

OCTOBER 08, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 8: 5-6 O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     Ok, let’s try something together. Get a good book. Pull the shades in the room you are in to block out any outside distractions. Get a warm cup of coffee, tea, or something to drink. Grab a blanket. Do whatever it takes to help you get comfortable. Turn off the phone, TV, or anything that may cause an interruption. Find a nice comfortable chair to sit in. Open your book to where you are reading, or any page will do for this experiment. Ok, now the shades are drawn, you are comfortable, it is quiet, now turn off the lights, and read.

     You are probably thinking, why turn off the lights? It is to illustrate how many saved, and unsaved people try to live life. We do everything we can to make our lives comfortable. We work to get the right job, buy the right house, we save money and so on. All the things we can do to make us comfortable, yet we live in the dark, almost blindfolded. To gain wisdom from a book we need light. To gain wisdom for our life we need Jesus, the light of the world. Real wisdom comes from someone who can see beyond where we are and who knows us inside and out. Better than we know ourselves. It takes someone who truly has our best interest at heart. It takes God.

     Sadly, instead of seeking God, who can see the beginning and the end of life, we trust on the wisdom of man who can only see yesterday and today and then wonder why life turns out as it does. It is like trying to read a book in the dark. Your there, the book is there, and everything is right. Still, you have no light.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

  In John 8:12 Jesus said… “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”  Seek Light.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 08, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Jeremiah 43, 44     /     Psalm 86     /     Proverbs 8     /     Galatians 5, 6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 8-10           /  Eph. 3

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

We Need Mercy 

OCTOBER 07, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 85:7 Show us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

  God’s mercy is something every single person in the world needs. Why, well it goes back to understanding what mercy really is. In our verse today it relates to the kindness of God unto someone who truly does not deserve such kindness. It is like being a parent and your child is playing outside when suddenly you hear a loud breaking sound. You turn to realize your six-foot picture window is now laying in pieces on the floor. Just outside this open hole in the wall stands your child with a look of fear on their face that says, “I am truly a dead person when I get inside.”

    On both sides of this encasement, which once held hundreds of dollars of glass, are emotions. On one side there is hurt over a child who apparently did not listen to instructions about where to play ball. There is also frustration over the time and money that will be necessary to repair the damage. On the other side is a child who has realized for a brief moment that their parents were right about playing too close to the house. There is also a fearful thought of having to pay for this somehow, and money is not an option.

    This is somewhat how we stand with God when we come for salvation. We finally realized sin has a price and there is no way I can pay the price. However, on the other side is someone who holds my destiny in their hands and only He can pay the price. Yes, the child was probably punished for breaking the window. However, this same child still ate at the table all year and the parents continued to provide for him. Mercy is saying I love you no matter what. God extended His mercy to all of humanity. Some refuse to accept it. The good news is His mercy endures forever.
   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

  Mercy is God not giving to you what you truly deserve. What we deserve is to be punished for our sins. Instead, God has let His only begotten Son Jesus pay the price. The mercy of God is good, and it grants us the availability of Salvation. Have you accepted God’s mercy? Once you do, He also gives you grace.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 07, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Jeremiah 41, 42     /     Psalm 85     /     Proverbs 7     /     Galatians 3, 4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 5-7      /     Eph. 2

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

Where Are You When God Speaks? 

OCTOBER 06, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Jeremiah 39:15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    Where are you when you most often hear from God? Some would say Church, during Sunday School, morning or evening worship, or at Wednesday night service. Oh, how I pray that is true. While others might say, He speaks to me during my quiet time with Him during daily devotions. Stating that as they read their Bible God uses His written Word to speak to their heart. What a wonderful truth this is for those who take time to fellowship with God daily. However, most of us would probably not have said in jail. In a place made to house sinners and lawbreakers. Yet, that is exactly where He spoke to Jeremiah. In fact, we will find in the Bible God spoke to several people while they were in jail. It may seem like an unlikely place, but the truth is God speaks to us all in all sorts of places. He does so through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that we have studied previously. Often in our own emotional or spiritual prisons which we have created.

• In our prison of “I want it my way,” Jesus says, “whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

• In a prison of despair, we hear the voice of God say, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

• In the prison of our own sinfulness that may seem unforgivable or irreversible, we hear God speak; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

• When it seems we can’t go on and we place ourselves in a prison of dejectedness and weariness we hear Him call; “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

• In the most unlikely places, we hear God say, “Peace be still.”

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Why do we not hear Him speak? We often shut Him out or stay too busy for God. Take time today to listen… Hear it? He just said, “I love you.”

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 01, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Jeremiah 39, 40     /     Psalm 84     /     Proverbs 6     /     Galatians 1, 2

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 1-4       /    Eph. 1

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

He Knows!

OCTOBER 05, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    Here is a test for you today. Think back to when you were in sixth grade. You should have been around the ages of 10-12 years old. What were the craft items you made that year and brought home to your parents? What book reports did you write out that year? If you can answer those questions, (which if you are over 21, I doubt you can,) then answer this. Where are crafts and book reports right now and what condition are they in. Have you been taking care of them very well?

    I know that sounds ridiculous. However, in looking at the difficulty we might have in remembering such simple items only a few years back, it may help us to see the absolute and abundant wisdom of God. He remembers it all. Everything and everyone that He has ever created are just as fresh in His mind as if it were today when that creation took place. Not only does He remember each creation, but He also knows exactly where each one is today and has been taking care of every need since the day of its creation. This is a very simple illustration of the omniscience, (all-knowing power) of God.

    God knows everything about everything. This means He knows everything about YOU! How great it is to know we have a loving God who truly cares about us, and is watching over us every second of every day? He said He would supply our need and we can know He will because He sees every need before we have it. God enjoys knowing you, His creation.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    In addition, dear child of God, more than just intellectually, God intimately knows you as well. He knows all your thoughts, your fears, your desires, and emotions. He truly knows you. Are you rejoicing today? Rejoice with Him. Is something bothering you today? Take it to the one who can really do something about it. Take it to God, the one who really knows you. Also, take some time today to get to know Him.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 05, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Jeremiah 37, 38     /     Psalm 83     /     Proverbs 5     /     Acts 15

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Song of So. 5-8           /         Gal. 6

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