1 Peter 5:7

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. (NLT)

For years I worried about everything. I would worry about things that might come to pass and then worry things that would be in my life if the first thing actually came true. I just worried all the time. Worry is a lack of trust in God. We have to “choose to believe” if we are going to find the peace that God has for us. True, this is easier said then done but it is possible and it is a choice! The Bible is very clear that we are suppose to give ALL of our worries to God. The problem is we pick and choose what we are going to trust the Lord with. I love the last part of this verse. “…for he cares about what happens to you.” HELLO! The God of the universe is asking you to trust him and is sharing with you today that he cares what happens to you. Some of you are waking up today and your life has been turned upside down. Perhaps you just found out that your parents are getting a divorce or perhaps you are just worried about your future. Today you have to “choose to believe.” If you are willing to trust God today you will have to worry no more and can experience the peace that God has for you today. Remember, choosing to trust the Lord is a choice. The opposite of faith is fear! What is your choice today?
Extra Time in the Word: 1 Peter 5

Friday, May 16,2008

John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.”

Jesus was talking with Martha the sister of Lazarus who had just died in this verse. She was so distraught, I can only imagine the hurt she was feeling over the loss that was right in front of her. She asked those same questions that so many people ask when things are really bad: where was Jesus and why didn’t he come to help before Lazarus died, she knew that He could have prevented her brother’s death and yet he took His time getting there. We all wonder sometimes, “why me?” “why now?” “where was God and why would He let something like this happen?” In this case He allowed this as you will see when you read the whole chapter, for God’s glory. He did this so other people could see His glory and believe. It isn’t always easy going through things that come our way in life, but we need to believe that God will somehow work good through the situation. Just remember when you are going through a “calvary” remember there is always a resurrection! God will give you the strength to come out on the other side better in every way, just lean on Him!
Extra Time in the Word: John 11

Thursday, May 15,2008
Written by Bill Scott

Psalm 72:13-14

He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out, he restores the wretched of the earth. He frees them from tyranny and torture. (MSG)

God’s unconditional love blows my mind. God has a heart for those who have experienced abuse in their life. Some of you today have experienced sexual abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse or some other form of abuse. I am sorry that you have had to go through this tough time in your life. I personally experienced sexual abuse when I was in 5th grade from a friend of the family. This was something I kept a secret for decades. During that time I had no idea that God was willing to open a place in his heart for me while I was down and out. For years I did not give him the chance to restore what Satan stole from me and that was a huge mistake. I under estimated God’s love for me. God has set me free from the abuse I experienced and He wants to do the same for you today. Talk with someone about the abuse you have experienced and most of all allow the Lord to love on you ad restore what Satan has stole from you. I can assure you, the best is yet to come. God has a plan for your life and he is willing to set you free from the pain of what you have experienced in life. Now you know why this verse means so much to me. I needed to hear there was a God who had a place in His heart from my hurt.
Extra Time in the Word: Psalm 72

Wednesday, May 14,2008

Job 33: 26 – 28
Or you may fall on your knees and pray to God’s delight! You’ll see Gods smile and celebrate, finding yourself set right with God. You’ll sing praises to everyone you meet, testifying, I messed up my life and let me tell you it wasn’t worth it, but God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I’m alive again! Once more I see the light!

Job’s friends might have been way off with their attitudes toward him, but how many of us have been right there?! I know I have been at that point where I just know that the only thing that could get me back to where I needed to be was God! I had messed up my life and I truly needed to fall on my knees and allow God to step in and save me from myself. I am and always will be in AWE of His amazing grace! It is like the story of the prodigal son who went out, rebelled and spent his inheritance and his father was so excited to see him when he came home, nothing else mattered. That is how God sees you and I when we “come to ourselves” and realize we need to get back to where we are suppose to be. What are you waiting for? Take the areas you are messing up and give them to Him today. God delights in you and wants you back on the right track.

Extra time in the Word: Job 33

Tuesday, May 13,2008

Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” is such an old saying and yet it is so true! I know 2 sisters, Danielle and Candace and it is amazing but the guys they find attractive are totally opposite and not only that but they don’t find the guys even remotely attractive that the other one likes. They couldn’t see the opposite sex more differently and it doesn’t mean that one of them is right or wrong, they were just created by God to see people differently. God created you the way He did because He saw it as beautiful! Sometimes whether you are a guy or a girl you might know someone that knows that there are a lot of people who seem to find them beautiful and it goes to their head and they seem to think somehow that makes them “better” and their attitude becomes something you just can’t stand to be around. On the other hand I have met some men and women in my life that I wouldn’t find physically attractive, in fact I didn’t even notice really what they looked like but I was overwhelmed by their attractiveness because of the overwhelming presence of God in their lives. They were just people that knew who they were in Christ and it was very obvious that they had taken the time to “know” Him. They are people you just love to be around because somehow you are attracted to the attitude toward life they have and the presence that seems to surround them. All the clothes or make up in the world can’t give you that. That should be all of our goal in life; to have that kind of beauty so that the praise we receive is not something that could be here today and gone tomorrow like physical beauty but something that attracts everyone, not only to ourselves but most importantly to Him. I want people to look at me and want to know him.

Extra Time in the Word: Proverbs 31

Monday, May 12,2008

Matthew 11:28-30
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (MSG)

Perhaps you are like me and have begun to hate religion. Maybe that feeling has made you feel weird in the past but good news, God is burned out on religion as well. God wants to have a REAL relationship with you. It doesn’t matter what church you go to or if you speak by using the King James language…example. O how I hope thou will enjoyest the Bible study I have written for thee. Ok, nothing spiritual about that. God wants you to be real with him and to enjoy a relationship that is deep! God says if you’ll just spend time with me you’ll recover your life. How cool is that? God will give you rest, grace, nothing will be to heavy for you. The last part of the verse says, if you’ll hang with him, he’ll teach you how to live freely and lightly. This has to be one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Print this verse out and place it in your text book or on your computer so you can be reminded of what God really wants to give you. Dump religion and begin a relationship that will enable you to enjoy the rest of your life!
Extra Time in the Word: Matthew 11

Written by Bill Scott
Sunday, May 11, 2008

Jeremiah 29:11
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out–plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (MSG)

This time of year many are graduating from college and of course high school. Isn’t it good to know that God has your life all planned out. You might say wait! I have no clue what I am to do next. I am confused and do not know what direction I am suppose to God in the upcoming months! That is understandable but that does not mean God doesn’t have a clue. The Bible says before you were formed in your mother’s womb he knew your name and had all your days planned out. Begin to spend time in prayer asking God to show you the next step. Pray that God will not allow you to make a mistake. Remember, opportunities are a dime a dozen but what you want is God’s perfect will for your life. Pray daily asking God to reveal what the next step is. Begin to talk with those you trust and ask if the can see anything that God might have for you. If you really are seeking God’s perfect will, you will find it. Stay focused and don’t move until you have the answer. Don’t freak today, know that God has it all planned out.

Extra time in the word: Jeremiah 29

Written by: Bill Scott
Saturday, May 10,2008

Isaiah 57:18

I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them and comfort those who mourn. (NLT)

You might deal with cutting, doing drugs, an eating disorder or something else that can hurt your body. Yet God can see what you are doing and still has offered to heal you. More times then none we are involved in destructive behavior because we are dealing with hurt and the latter part of this verse says, “I will lead them and comfort those who mourn.” That is not just a verse of comfort but a promise from God, one that you can hang on to. You need to share with God your hurts, ask him to heal what is broken and then begin to talk to someone you can trust about what you are facing. Get the pain on the outside so it’s no longer trapped inside of you. Any time we bring things out into the light God begins to move. Regardless of what you are involved in today that is not right, let me remind you, GOD DELIGHTS IN YOU! That does not mean he approves of the sin but he loves you with an unconditional love that this verse demonstrates. You can be free from whatever is holding you today!

Extra time in the word: Isaiah 57

Psalm 86:4

Give me happiness, O Lord, for my life depends on you. (NLT)

King David in the Old Testament faced both incredible victories and defeats in his life. David experienced the mountain tops and the valleys as well. David dwelt with depression at times, just like all of us. In this verse he cries out for happiness and at this point the depression must have been at an all time low. Notice that David tells the Lord, “…for my life depends on you.” In verse 7 David says, “I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me.” David knew he served a God that was there for him, even when he was depressed and overcome with life’s problems. Was David a weak person because he had to fight depression? Not at all, David was a man after God’s own heart. Cry out to God in the middle of your depression today. Let God know where you are at and what you need in order to make it through the day. God is on your side and will help you just like he did King David and at the end of the day, you’ll be a person after God’s own heart. Now that is just awesome in my book!
Extra time in the word: Psalm 86

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

Psalm 30:11-12
You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers. I’m about to burst with song; I can’t keep quiet about you. GOD, my God, I can’t thank you enough. (MSG)

All of us face seasons when we go through tough times. We all need to be reminded that God walks with us during the tough times and yes even during what seems like impossible times. My goal this week is to encourage those of you who are facing tough times and dealing with depression. I want to remind you of God’s love and His promises are for you. Get ready to dance again, smile again, sing while driving down the road and just excited about life again. God has promised you that this will happen and I want you to hang onto this today. Will the hard times go a way in the next thirty seconds, more then likely not, however the journey has begun and God will come through with what He has promised you. The best is yet to come. The joy of the Lord is something you can have. Do not let go of the promise you have been given in this verse. Carry this verse all day long if you need to ok? Do not let Satan steal what God has for you. I’ll say it again; the best is yet to come!

Extra time in the Word: Psalms 30

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