What Do You Thirst For? 

AUGUST 16, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 42:2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     People in America drink many different types of drinks. Coffee and pop seem to be among the favorites. I believe that is partially because of the caffeine. However, soda pop is also chosen by many because of its sweet taste. People love the sensations that come with the taste of things. We like the taste of things that are sweet, tart, sour, or bitter, all different kinds of flavors. Ask a kid if he would rather have an ice-cube, or a Popsicle. He will choose the Popsicle every time. Why? Well, it is what his brain says he WANTS. It is part of that self-satisfaction drive we all seem to have.

      However, things change a bit when you really get thirsty. I am not talking of the “I could use a drink,” kind of thirsty. I am talking about the “I have been working all day in the sun without anything to drink” thirsty. It is that mouth dry and needing a drink bad thirsty. The kind of thirsty that makes you feel as if you had been in a desert for a few days thirsty. Now what do you want? Do you want some thick syrupy fruity drink? No, my friend you want WATER! Why? It is not because it is what you want, but because your body is telling you it is what you desperately NEED.

      That is the kind of thirsty you need when you come to God. Not a passing type of thirst saying, “Oh, God looks good, I think I will try Him for a while.” You need a thirst for God that says, “God, I need you. I will give my life to have you as you gave your life to have me. Use me as you see fit as I realize you are the one and only LIVING GOD.” Now that is a thirsty soul. You do not need God to be just what you want; you need Him to be everything you require in life.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Take a moment today to drink from the fountain of real life. Jesus is that Spring of Living Water that never runs dry.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 16, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Isaiah 5-8     /     Psalm 41-42     /     Proverbs 15:17 – 16     /     Luke 8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 48-51           /       Rom. 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

What Do You Want In Good Measure?  

August 14 & 15, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Luke 6:38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     Give! It almost seems every person in the world is asking us to give. The Churches, Charities, Schools, Television Evangelist, the Government, and people on the street we do not even know. So, who is it that we should give to that would make God happy?

     The answer may be as simple as this. Give as God gives, and to whom God might give. How does God give? He gives with no expectation of repayment. What can we give back to God that He does not already have and own? When God gives out of His love, there is no advantage for Him to gains from this. No repayment could be enough. God does not bless us expecting a bonus from His gift. He does so simply because He loves us, and because He can. The only thing we can give God that He does not automatically have is our love and undying devotion to Him for all of who He is. How does He repay our love? Our verse says with good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. This term was used in old days when a merchant would measure out grain. They would be sure of a good measure or all they could get if they would press it down. shake it so it would settle, and then keep filling it until it ran over. This is how God repays us for our gifts of love to Him. Completely. So, whatever we give to God, whether talent, treasure, or time we must remember to give it in love. Paul told the church in 2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    “Give and it shall be given unto you…” Does this mean what we give is what we get? Money for money? Well sort of, but then what good is a dollar for a dollar? It also means that if you will give with an unselfish loving heart then you will receive unselfish love back. Pour out blessings, receive blessings. Pour out anger and it comes back too. So my friend, what do you want in good measure coming your way today?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  August 14, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Isaiah 1-4     /     Psalm 40     /     Proverbs 14 – 15:16     /     Luke 6-7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 42-47           /       Rom. 5

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

Just Look At You 

AUGUST 13, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     As you have probably noticed over the year, I often refer to my parents, and the things they had said to me while growing up. I guess I really looked up to them even more than even I realized. Their words of wisdom continually come back and are a constant reminder of what life is really all about.

     One of the things my dad said when I was younger was, “you are who you hang out with.” At the time, I did not believe it. I thought, “no way, I am my own person. I am who I am, and they are different.” However, as I have grown older and begin to look around, I see he was right. If you want to see the kind of person you are, just look at the people with whom you choose to associate. I am not talking about those people you are forced to go to school with, or work with. I am referring to the times when it is your choice, who do you choose to spend most your time with. Dear reader, let me just tell you that who they are, is a good indicator of who you are as well.

     I often wondered where my Christian parents came up with all their wisdom. Now I can see, most of their wisdom must have come from Gods Word. Proverbs 13:20 says pretty much the same thing my dad said. If you walk with wise people, they will make you wiser. Being around wise people will cause you to think and learn. On the other hand, hanging out with a group of people who have no desire to be better at anything, who make foolish decisions, and disregard God and His Word, will make you just like them. So, as you look around at the friends you choose to be around, ask yourself, just who am I?

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Ok, so what if your inspection shines a light on the fact, you may not have the best friend, now what. Well, you have two choices. First, if you want to better yourself, find and make new encouraging friends. Secondly, help your old friends become wiser. Talk with them about the Bible, and God. If they do not want to become wiser, you will not have to leave them. I promise! You will see, these so-called friends, will eventually leave you.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 13, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Hosea 11-14     /     Psalm 39     /     Proverbs 13     /     Luke 5

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 37-41           /       Rom. 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

Making A Right Choice 

AUGUST 12, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalms 38:13-15 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     I am sure you have seen those three little monkeys sitting next to each other. One has his eyes covered with his hands, the next has his hands over his ears, and the last one has covered his mouth with both hands. Under them is the caption “See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil.” However, there is a problem. The monkey with his hands over his eyes can still speak and hear evil. The one with his hands over his ears can see and speak evil. Finally, the one with his mouth covered sees and hears everything. Nevertheless, the idea is biblical.

     The author of today’s verse is saying I will act as a deaf and dumb man to the world’s temptations. What he is implying is that he wants to hear and speak only things that are glorifying to you Lord. It seems almost impossible today to avoid all worldly influence. With so much being pumped our way with Television, Computers, Radios, DVD’s, CD players, MP3’s, and the list goes on. However, we do have a choice as to what we watch on the TV. We can turn off the computer or delete bad materials. We can tune our radios to Christian Channels and purchase only God honoring music for our CD players and MP3’s. The idea is this, it is really our choice what we look at and listen to for the majority of our life. When you have a choice, what do you select? Choose to see no evil and hear no evil. If you avoid those two, speaking no evil seems to come almost naturally.
   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Think carefully today about what you allow to influence you in the way of media and literature. Realizing you are making the choice to look at, listen to, or read whatever it is that is influencing you. Then make a right choice.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 12, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Hosea 8-10     /     Psalm 38     /     Proverbs 12     /     Luke 4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 33-36           /      Rom. 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

The Good Supplier 

AUGUST 11, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Hosea 7:14 And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me. .

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

     It seems to me that there may be a big misconception among people today as to how and why people are saved. Some feel if they can just get a person to say a prayer, they will have eternal life. Others think if they can scare them out of hell, they will be saved. I wonder if that might be the reason that today we may not have churches full of misguided people converted from hell and not sin. Possibly, others are feeling safe with the prayer they said and yet have not given their life over to God. Too many people come to God looking for a stamp of approval on the life they live now, instead of salvation. Yet others are simply looking for safety from hell, but not the Saviour.

     As we can see in the verse today, God has always wanted people to come to Him because they have given their heart to Him. Sadly, many loved the idea of what God can do for them, yet they have not loved Him with their heart. God’s desire is that we would love him with our whole heart. Not that He might be their “good’s supplier,” but truly loving Him for who He is. Then we realize that He is not a “good’s supplier,” but He is the “Good Supplier.” People need to humble their heart before a loving God and yield to Him in everything. Then, and only then the Bible says, He will direct our paths and supply all our needs.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     Oh God, forgive us if we have led someone astray to believe that the words of a prayer alone will save him or her. Forgive us if we have tried to scare him or her out of hell into heaven alone. Help us Lord to show them the Love of Jesus so they may turn to you with a broken and repentant heart and love you in return. Amen.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 11, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Hosea 5-7     /     Psalm 37: 23-40     /     Proverbs 11     /     Luke 3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Psa. 27-32     /       Rom. 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