GuineaField

  Do you feel like giving up tonight? Don't do it. Let God come in and do His work in you. He won't finish till its done, so don't stop moving forward till you reach the finish line. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6) Daily Scripture Reading: Thursday, April 25th - Judges 4:1-5:31; Luke 22:35-53; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 14:3-4 Friday, April 26th - Judges 6:1-40; Luke 22:54-23:12; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 14:5-6 Saturday April 27th - Judges 7:1-8:17; Luke 23:13-43; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 14:7-8 Sunday, April 28th - Judges 8:18-9:21; Luke 23:44-24:12; Psalm 99:1-9; Proverbs 14:9-10 Monday, April 29th - Judges 9:22-10:18; Luke 24:13-53; Psalm 100:1-5; Proverbs 14:11-12 Tuesday, April 30th - Judges 11:1-12:15; John 1:1-28: Psalm 101:1-8; Proverbs 14:13-14

What is our best spiritual armor? Your best spiritual armor is actually the promises of God. "His faithful promises are your armor and protection" ( Psalm 91:4, NLT) Satan shoots attacks like bullets but God’s promises stop their blow. Satan maligns you and slanders you - remember God’s promise of Christ’s perfection on your account. As he heaps guilt on you - remember God promises to forgive. When satan says you’ll never have victory - remember God’s promise to strengthen and help you… and in Him we are more than conquerers. When satan says you are alone - remember God’s promise to always be with you. When satan says you have to give in - remember God’s promise not to allow any temptation beyond what you are able and will also make a way of escape - and run for the escape He has provided! YES, GOD’S PROMISES ARE OUR BEST ARMOR! Daily Scripture Reading: Saturday, April 20th - Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16 Sunday, April 21st - Joshua 22:21-2

Joshua's challenge cuts through all the excuses and gives it to us straight. Two choices. That's the challenge for today - serve God or you are an idolater. “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). Daily Scripture Reading: Saturday, April 20th - Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16 Sunday, April 21st - Joshua 22:21-23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 13:17-19 Monday, April 22nd - Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 13:20-23 Tuesday, April 23rd - Judges 1:1-2:9; Luke 21:29-22:13; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-26 Wednesday, April 24th - Judges 2:10-3:31; Luke 22:14-34; Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 14:1-2 Thursday, April 25th - Judges 4:1-5:31; Luke 22:35-53;

God Knows Us. There is nothing that God does not know! He knows all - we refer to this as His omniscience. " omni " - all + “ scientia ” (knowledge), He knows all about you, my friend! I love how the Bible puts it: He is intimately acquainted with all your ways. He knows what you are going through what you have been through and what you will go through. Don’t follow the lie that says God doesn't notice - He knows and He cares. So pour out your heart to Him in prayer. Daily Scripture Reading: Saturday, April 20th - Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16 Sunday, April 21st - Joshua 22:21-23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 13:17-19 Monday, April 22nd - Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 13:20-23 Tuesday, April 23rd - Judges 1:1-2:9; Luke 21:29-22:13; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-26 Wednesday, April 24th - Judges 2:10-3:31; Luke 22:14-34; Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 14:1-2 Thursday, April 25th - Judges 4:1-5:31; Lu

The ocean is an untamable beast! Or is it? Actually, God stirs up this beast and times its roaring waves as He desires. What a comfort! Psalm 89 states: “You rule the oceans. You subdue their storm-tossed waves” (Psalm 89:9, NLT). This pictures God’s almighty power in all of our storm tossed lives and circumstances. If you feel that the winds and waves of life are too strong for you to stand. Perhaps you feel your ship is breaking today. Ask God to still the waves and be with you in the storm. Daily Scripture Reading: Wednesday, April 16th - Joshua 13:1-14:15; Luke 18:1-17; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 13:7-8 Thursday, April 17th - Joshua 15:1-63; Luke 18:18-43; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 13:9-10 Friday, April 18th - Joshua 16:1-18:28; Luke 19:1-27; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 13:11 Saturday, April 19th - Joshua 19:1-20:9; Luke 19:28-48; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 13:12-14 Sunday, April 20th - Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16

  The Beauty of the Christian Passover: What is the best news of Passover? The Bible states that Christ, Our Passover has been sacrificed. The Lamb sacrificed to save those in Egypt was a symbol of a greater sacrifice still. Jesus was sacrificed in our place to earn eternal redemption from slavery to sin and not just temporal slavery in Egypt. What a glorious Gospel truth friends! Christ is our Passover Lamb.

Where is the Kingdom of God? Well in one very real sense it is here now. Consider Jesus' teaching: Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst" (Luke 17:20-21). You see, Jesus is King and as you and I obey Him than His spiritual reign and kingdom is here. SO YES - THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS HERE - WITHIN ME AND WITHIN YOU: Obey your King today! In that way you honor His name and spread His kingdom. Daily Scripture Reading: Wednesday, April 16th - Joshua 13:1-14:15; Luke 18:1-17; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 13:7-8 Thursday, April 17th - Joshua 15:1-63; Luke 18:18-43; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 13:9-10 Friday, April 18th - Joshua 16:1-18:28; Luke 19:1-27; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 13:11 Saturday, April 19th - Joshua 19:1-20:9; Luke 19:28-48; Psalm 88:1-18; Prove

Praise God for He is our strength! The third day of praise we find that rest in the fact that God is our strength. Psalm 28:7 (NASB95) The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him. We praise God as we gain our strength in life from HIm. They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not be weary they will walk and not faith. Feeling week today? Ask the Lord for strength.

Another reason to praise God is that He is our great refuge. Find refuge and strength in the Lord today! God is our refuge and strength,  A very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change  And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;   3 Though its waters roar and foam,  Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Psalm 46:1–3 (NASB95): 

One reason to praise God today is that He is holy. He is entirely separate from all else.Totally unique. He alone is God and alone to be worshiped.  Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the Lord our God is holy! Psalm 99:9 (NLT)

What is God’s way to true prosperity? The Bible tells us in Joshua 1:8. As Moses left the command of Israel over to Joshua, he left him with quite a tall task. In that time, God gave Joshua great courage, promise to be with him, and a pathway toward success and prosperity in doing the will of God. Its simple straightforward and important. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Joshua 1:8, NASB95). For then you will make your way prosperous and have success! That’s a great way to end. What does Joshua make sure to do in order to end up in that situation? First, he needs to speak about and meditate on the Law of the Lord day and night. Second, he needs to let it affect the way he lives. Its the same for us today. If we want prosperity in pursuing the will of God, we need to be med

Do you feel a little lost today? Let me encourage you with this truth: God loves the Lost. Jesus said that God is like the caring Shepherd that leaves the 99 to bring back that one that strayed. Have you strayed? Come back today … the Lord delights to forgive you and receive you. You can read the whole chapter of Luke 15 and sink your mind into the ways the Lord delights, rejoices and welcomes the lost back to the fold and family. Luke 15:4–7 (NASB95) 4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?   5 “When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.   6 “And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’   7 “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who

Where is God's wealth? He spends the currency of mercy. Scripture speaks of God being rich in mercy. That's so encouraging because we all need His mercy. We need that wealth more than any other blessing on earth. Consider Ephesians 2:4-5. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).

I love Roman's 8's list of all the things that cannot separate us from the love of God. Why are these not able to do that? Because they are in Christ Jesus our Lord. He has gained it earned it and given it by grace. Praise God for His abundant love! I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39 (NLT)

This Proverb actually encapsulates the purpose for this blog. Worrying words are too common on the Internet. I'm wanting to provide the opposite. Words that encourage and lift up. Good News... And the best news of all is from God's Word, the Bible! "Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up" Proverbs 12:25 (NLT) Scripture Reading Schedule Monday, April 8th - Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:56-64; Proverbs 12:24 Tuesday, April 9th - Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Luke 13:1-21; Psalm 78:65-72; Proverbs 12:25 Wednesday, April 10th - Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24; Luke 13:22-14:6; Psalm 29:1-13; Proverbs 12:26 Thursday, April 11th - Joshua 3:1-4:24; Luke 14:7-35; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 12:27-28 Friday, April 12th - Joshua 5:1-7:15; Luke 15:1-32; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 13:1 Saturday, April 13th - Joshua 7:16-9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3

One Bible sign of the Lord’s return that is often overlooked is found in Luke 12:40. Jesus said the Son of Man will come when least expected. Ok, so if its when everyone expects, that’s probably not the time. So - what is the conclusion? Jesus applies this principles this way - Always be working. Always be ready. Don’t follow signs of the Lord’s coming to set your calendar… Follow signs of the Lord’s coming set your ToDo List. That’s what they are all about. Jesus said, be faithful, be ready all the time. “You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect" (Luke 12:40). Scripture Reading Schedule Monday, April 8th - Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:56-64; Proverbs 12:24 Tuesday, April 9th - Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Luke 13:1-21; Psalm 78:65-72; Proverbs 12:25 Wednesday, April 10th - Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24; Luke 13:22-14:6; Psalm 29:1-13; Proverbs 12:26 Thursday, April 11th - Joshua 3:1-4:24; Luke 14:7-35; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 12:27

As God calls us to pick up difficult tasks in life, He gives us two encouraging words. First, "Be strong and courageous!" We sure need that word of encouragement. Don't falter or fall aside when things get tough-be strong! Confidently move forward even into territory that is bleak and hard. Take courage! But the other word of comfort is also essential. As Moses ends the "Sermon" called Deuteronomy, the Lord often encourages Israel with another four word promise. For I am with you. We have no confidence or strength if the Lord does not go before us. So, today as the Lord calls us to walk into unknown territory that looks difficult. Let's be strong; let's be courageous. Because the Lord is with us. Because of the Gospel, we know Immanuel better than any people in world History. God is with us. Come what may. Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to

The Three Eclipses of the Bible and What They Mean Our eyes come across three eclipses in the Bible. The first one is when God judged Egypt for mistreating His children. This was one of the ninth of ten plagues... the final one before total rejection. "So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days" (Exodus 10:22). The second is the glorious one when Jesus is on the cross and the wrath of God for our sin is placed on Him. This darkness too lasted three hours. IN this time, God's wrath, the judgment for the sins of humanity was placed upon Jesus and He died in our place. "Now from the sixth hour darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour" (Matthew 27:45). The third eclipse mentioned is yet to come. In several places the Bible foretells a time when God’s wrath will be poured out on the earth and there will not be an eclipse of just a small section but the whole earth. This will mark a

Our words can hurt or heal. So let's be careful to b uild up with what we say and how we say it today. It can help someone heal. Cutting others down will only bring harm. "Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing" Proverbs 12:18 (NLT). Daily Bible Reading: Sunday, March 31st - Deuteronomy 16:17-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9 Monday, April 1 - Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10 Tuesday, April 2 - Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11 Wednesday, April 3 - Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19; Luke 10:13-37; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 12:12-14 Thursday, April 4 - Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26; Luke 10:38-11:13; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 12:15-17 Friday, April 5 - Deuteronomy 28:1-68; Luke 11:14-36; Psalm 77:1-20; Proverbs 12:18

Where’s our confidence as #Christians ? It can’t be in our own strength. I love what Paul states in Philippians 1. This is how we are confident. Our confidence is in Christ. What He has done He will complete. And His work has begun in me by His grace. I know that HE will finish what He started. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" Philippians 1:6 (NASB95)

I'd like to focus a little on speech this week. Words can be painful weapons. David said people aimed bitter words at him like arrows. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows. (Psalm 64:3, NLT) This is poetry but words like like arrows in reality. Be careful that you don’t send zinging words at others. What you say and how you say it can injure and harm others. AND LATER IN THAT PSALM DAVID STATES: “But God himself will shoot them with his arrows, suddenly striking them down” (Psalm 64:7, NLT). Daily Bible Reading: Sunday, March 31st - Deuteronomy 16:17-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9 Monday, April 1 - Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10 Tuesday, April 2 - Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11 Wednesday, April 3 - Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19; Luke 10:13-37; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 12:12-14 Thursday, April 4 - Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26; Luke 10:38-11:13; Psalm 76:1-12; P

How do you know that God loves you? It doesn’t come from how you feel - feeling good or bad happy or sad. It doesn’t come from what you do - a whole bunch of good works. It comes from this fact. Jesus died for you. THAT IS THE GOSPEL TRUTH. God demonstrates His love towards us… In that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Daily Bible Reading: Sunday, March 31st - Deuteronomy 16:17-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9 Monday, April 1 - Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10 Tuesday, April 2 - Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30; Luke 9:51-10:12; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11 Wednesday, April 3 - Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19; Luke 10:13-37; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 12:12-14 Thursday, April 4 - Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26; Luke 10:38-11:13; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 12:15-17 Friday, April 5 - Deuteronomy 28:1-68; Luke 11:14-36; Psalm 77:1-20; Proverbs 12:18

In Psalm 73, Asaph wrestles with an age long question. Why do wicked people prosper (at times). We do see that, don't we? Perhaps that person at your workplace that cuts corners and harms others and yet they get promoted and paid more. But you are working as you ought and seem to get overlooked, or even let go! This happens in so many areas. Asaph really struggled with this. Then he went to the house of the Lord and remembered that the prosperity of the wicked is truly temporary. Even if it lasts a decade or two. It ends one day. Whereas the blessing the Lord gives - the blessing of life with Him and fullness of joy will last for eternity. So today, GAIN an eternal perspective of GAIN. And rest in the Lord's goodness and provision for today. I love how he ends the Psalm: "Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who deser

The message of Easter told through four gardens. It's actually the message of the Bible. Take a walk with me through: 1. The Garden of Eden 2. The Garden of Gethsemane 3. The Garden of the Resurrection 4. The Garden of Heaven

What is the meaning of Easter? We have victory because the sting of death, sin, is taken through Christ' payment on the cross. I love 1 Corinthians 15... The end of that chapter on resurrection is victory!

  Jesus' love for us is shown especially on the cross. Not only does He die in our place, He states seven expressions of love, concern, and care for others. Let's examine them and how they apply to you and me.

  What happens to Jesus between the cross and resurrection? That's a question that He answers at the cross. Let's consider the answer and the reason it is so important to you and to me.

The most important word from the cross is really the most important word ever spoken. "It is finished!" Believe it and receive it for yourself!

The Friday Before Easter Sunday Nothing would be good about Good Friday if it were not for the glorious vic- tory on Sunday. Because of Easter, Friday’s cross is actually good. For you and me Friday’s cross is the greatest event of history. Because it was on that cross that the punishment for our sin was paid. The Guilty Set Free the Innocent Slaughtered Reading the events of the Friday of Passion Week brings to light a great diver- sity of characters. Picture each one in your mind. There is Pilate the politician who tries to please both groups, the crucifiers and the crucified, vainly wash - ing his hands. There is Pilate’s wife who warns her husband not to give Jesus up. There is Judas who shows his true colors and dies a violent death. There is Simon who helps bear the cross. There are the Pharisees who are careful not to break their ceremonial laws while murdering the

  Who is your best friend? The Thursday before Easter Sunday, Jesus spent a bunch of time with His friends. Look at Jesus last day before His trial. His friends forsake Him, betray Him and fall asleep when He asks for help. What does He do for His friends? He prays for them, washes their feet, and gives up His life for them… He is the best friend! And He does that for you too…That night Jesus said: … you are my friends if you do what I command! Find in Christ your closest friend! John 15:13 –14 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you."

  The Thursday Before Easter Sunday In our brief devotional survey of Jesus’ final week we have come to Thurs day. So many of Thursday’s events are recorded in the four Gospels that even a brief survey is beyond our scope. Take the Gospel of John for instance. If you sit down tonight and read from John 13-19, you will read the events that occur Thursday night into Friday morning. Six chapters of John’s 21 chapters record this final day. Our Dearest Friend We can’t highlight everything, so I want to focus in on one devotional thought from all of these precious scenes. I think if we look at the entire body of what happens Thursday there is an interesting contrast between Jesus and the Disciples. The final night’s meal with the Disciples was a meal between close friends. It must have been a difficult meal for our Savior. He gave them some intense training that night and the

We can piece together which day the significant events of Passion Week oc - ece together which day the significant events of Passion Week oc curred by examining the four different Gospel accounts together. However, the traditional layout of the final week has nothing recorded on Wednesday. Per - haps Jesus spent the day in Bethany with His close friends and disciples. The Wednesday Before Easter Sunday If we look into the homes in the villages surrounding Jerusalem, we know that Wednesday was the final day that a Jewish family would have kept the Pass over Lamb. Perhaps much of this had been commercialized by this point. No doubt people purchased the lamb Thursday morning to slay Thursday after- noon. But other families still had the lamb for some time in and around their home. No doubt families became attached to the lamb, loving it like a pet. But the time had come and the next day the family wou

  The Tuesday before Easter Sunday Jesus’ final days on earth were packed with teaching. A large chunk of all that we have recorded of Jesus’ teaching on earth is recorded from the final week of His life. Much of that was given on Tuesday. We read some poignant parables directed to the Pharisees which did not miss their mark (ouch!). He calls them hypocrites to their face in front of their home crowd. For many of these sessions, we can picture Jesus in that outer court of the Gentiles (which He brought to order a couple days ago, you will remember) with a large crowd gathered around teaching the common man using pictures they could under- stand (albeit some pictures they could not understand). Two Meetings, Two Motives, One Divine Purpose Books have been written on the teaching recorded on Tuesday of Passion Week, so it is beyond our devotional study to delve into these p

  Jesus uses comedy to confront a practical problem. He says to clean out your life in order to help you clean up others. Luke 6:42 (NLT): How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Keep a clear heart before the Lord and be so careful to look carefully into the mirror of God’s word before you start to cut into your friend’s little problem.

Jesus’ practice in the first part of the Passion Week was to spend the night in Bethany which was about a two mile walk from Jerusalem. Perhaps He and His disciples spent the nights with His friend Lazarus. Early in the morning Jesus would walk to Jerusalem. The walk was uphill. No doubt the path was busy, well-traveled from other worshipers coming for the Passover festivities. A Curse and A Cleansing On Monday, as Jesus traveled the uphill path, He looked ahead at a fig tree that was unseasonably lush with green leaves. He anticipated a nice snack only to find that the tree was fruitless. Jesus used this to teach a lesson. Matthew expounds on the lesson more Tuesday morning, but it is most likely Monday that the Lord declares that no one will eat fruit from the tree again. A “Curse” This ‘curse’ is not a spontaneous vendetta because of hunger. The Lord is teaching something much more serious. Tuesday morning they find that the tree is dead. No doubt all the travelers took notice at th