“But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. 5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’” 1 Kings 5:4-5 (ESV) God instructed Moses to build the tabernacle so that He could manifest His presence among the people of Israel. The tabernacle was mobile in order to allow for the children of Israel to follow the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. They would move when God moved. God later communicated with David the plans for Solomon to build the temple. Solomon followed through with the instructions he had been given and made decisions based on the wisdom God had provided. The temple was ornate and every detail pointed to the majesty of God. Through Christ, God has made your body to be the temple of the Holy Spirit. God has made you fit for His habitation. You are the walking tabernacle of God’s presence. Your body is the temple that houses the Holy Spirit. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) What will be different about your outlook on life today knowing that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit? Ask the Lord to elevate your soul consciousness as you interact with others. Remember that the Holy Spirit goes with you everywhere you go and He knows everything you feel, think, and experience. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 162: 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Author: Stephen Trammell
“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” Proverbs 23:22 (ESV) As I was driving to the office earlier this week, I heard this powerful question on the Christian radio station I was listening to, “What did your dad do right?” That question captured my heart and gripped my soul. I turned the radio volume down and I began to pray a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the specific things my dad did right. Then, the Lord prompted me to call my dad and share with him what I felt that he did right. That phone conversation was one of the most meaningful interactions I have ever had with my dad since my parents’ divorce thirty-six years ago. Perhaps you had an engaging father who walked with God and lead your family spiritually. You have so much to be thankful for. Maybe your dad did not have a vibrant relationship with the Lord and he was not a model father to you. Father’s Day may generate painful memories that you have to navigate with God’s grace. Take some time today to think about what your dad did right. You may want to consider writing down some specific things your dad did right and give God glory for each item. If your dad is still alive, give him a call or write him a letter to express what he did right. You will honor your father and you will bring him such joy and pleasure as you share your heart of gratitude with him. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to celebrate the faithfulness of God and the value of your earthly father. If you are a parent or a grandparent, live in such a way as to enable your children and grandchildren to generate an extensive list of what you did right! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 161: Proverbs 22-24) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Unlimited Potential
“The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” Proverbs 20:5 (ESV) How do you view other people? Do you settle for what they see in themselves or do you see what could be and what should be in their lives? God has saved you and sanctified you so that you can help others reach their God-given potential. God has placed eternity in their hearts and He has infused them with purpose. As God brings you alongside them, you are to be a person of understanding. As a person of understanding, you have the God-given capacity to draw out the best in them. You can help those God places in your sphere of influence to reach their unlimited potential. “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.” Philippians 2:19-20 (ESV) Paul not only shared the Good News of Jesus with Timothy, he also invited Timothy to join him on his second missionary journey. Paul saw what Timothy could be and what Timothy should be and passionately drew out the best in Timothy. Paul invested in Timothy’s spiritual development. Timothy eventually became the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Think about someone in your life whom God used to draw out the best in you. Think about the person God used in your life to encourage you to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. As a person of understanding, he or she was willing to draw out the potential God has placed inside of you. Will you be a person of understanding that the Lord can use to benefit others? Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 160: Proverbs 19-21) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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God’s Will & Your Steps
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) You have a new day before you today. Wonderful opportunities to experience God await your arrival. This day is filled with many options for you to select and decisions for you to make. God has placed inside you a desire to live, a desire to grow, and a desire to know and do His will. Obey what God has shown you. As you obey, He will show you the way. Be sensitive to His prompting as you navigate the day before you. Look to see where God is at work so that you can join Him. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV) Remember that nothing can thwart God’s will. God has the power to make all things work together in conformity with His divine will. God has a plan for your life that is unique to your life, your personality, your gift mix, and your DNA. God created you so that He can establish your steps and accomplish His will. God included you in His story of redemption. Make yourself completely available for God’s use today. He has blessed you so that you can be a blessing. Bloom where God plants you and make the most of every opportunity God gives you to spread the fragrance of Christ. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 159: Proverbs 16-18) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Walk with the Wise
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) Who do you walk with? Who are the people influencing your life? God instructs you to walk with the wise and to guard against becoming the companion of fools. God has created you to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth by shining His light and by sharing His love. You are to be light in this dark world and you are to be salt in our decaying culture. Be intentional about growing in your love relationship with Christ by walking with the wise. Surround yourself with people who have a vibrant love relationship with the Lord and exemplify the wisdom of Christ. Learn from their successes and from their failures. Observe how they think and why they do what they do. Learn from their life lessons and glean from their treasure chest of wisdom. “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22 (ESV) “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.” Proverbs 15:32 (ESV) God places people of wisdom in your life to help you develop into the person God created you to be. As you walk with the wise, you will become wise. You will have more to offer those in your sphere of influence. List the names of a few of the wise people God has placed in your life. Spend a few moments calling out each name before the Lord and thanking Him for enriching your life through those relationships. Continue to walk with the wise. Commit to become a person of wisdom so that others can walk with you. As others walk with you, may they be drawn to the wisdom of the ages, the Lord Jesus Christ! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 158: Proverbs 13-15) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Worth Capturing
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 (ESV) You were worth capturing. God intentionally pursued you with His redeeming love. God poured out His love on you and lavished you with His grace and covered you with His compassion. Before you were conceived, God thought of you and developed a master plan for your life. His plan included the plan of redemption that delivered you out of the kingdom of darkness and placed you in the kingdom of light. God pursued you, redeemed you, adopted you into His family, and sealed you by His Holy Spirit so that He can produce the fruit of righteousness through your life to influence others. In Christ, you become a tree of life. You have the God-given capacity to point others to the One who gives eternal life. Your life is to branch out and to bear fruit that draws others to Christ. God has sanctified you so that you can join Him in His redemptive activity. Be sensitive to the opportunities God gives you today to capture souls. Be an irresistible influence for the Lord today and allow Him to shine His light through your life to radiate His love, His compassion, and His story of redemption. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV) Every person you encounter today is worth capturing for the Lord. You will not cross paths with any human being that Christ cannot redeem. His atoning work on the cross is sufficient to save anyone, anywhere, at any time, in any culture! The fruit of His righteousness through you is a tree of life. Be wise! Capture souls! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 157: Proverbs 10-12) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Worth Treasuring
“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; 2 keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; 3 bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3 (ESV) What do you treasure? What do you keep close to your heart? You cannot pursue worldliness and godliness simultaneously. While living in the world, you can bring honor to God by keeping His words and treasuring up His commandments. Value God’s Word by keeping His commandments. The life God blesses is the life fully surrendered to God’s Word. Keep His teaching as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers and write them on the tablet of your heart. Value God’s Word by aligning your life with God’s revelation. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) Become a student of God’s Word. Read your Bible daily and seek to connect with a small group Bible study. Grow in your understanding and application of God’s Word by sitting under anointed preaching each week. Commit to a consistent intake of God’s Word and develop your spiritual muscles. Cultivate an appetite for knowing and obeying God’s Word. Share what you are learning with others so that they can benefit from your spiritual maturation. God’s Word is worth treasuring and worth sharing. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 156: Proverbs 7-9) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” Proverbs 4:25-27 (ESV) Have you ever peeked into the rear view mirror of life and wondered, “Why did I choose that path?” Perhaps you made a decision to go in a certain direction at a critical time in your life that catapulted you onto a path that took you places you really did not want to go. You may be living with regret even now as you revisit your moment of decision that placed you on the unhealthy path. Your daily decisions determine the direction of your life. If you don’t pick your path, a path will pick you. God wants you to walk in wisdom and to exercise spiritual discernment as you seek to operate in His will. Use Spirit infused discretion in your decision making. Ask yourself, “What is the wise thing to do?” Knowing what you know about God and His ways, make level paths for your feet. Allowing the Holy Spirit to take full possession of your life, take only ways that are firm. God has a path for you to discover and to experience personally. Sometimes the path God has for you includes delays. You may not understand why you are in a season of uncertainty, but you know that God is with you and that He will allow the fog to lift in His perfect timing. While you are waiting for God to show you the next step on this path, obey what you already know. If you are on the wrong path, make a wise decision to move in the new direction God shows you. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 155: Proverbs 4-6) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Wisdom for the Upright
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” Proverbs 2:6-8 (ESV) God’s way is paved with wisdom. You have unlimited options available and countless decisions to make during your earthly existence. Each day of your life is filled with choices. You have the freedom to choose your own way or to choose God’s way. You have the freedom to fulfill your personal agenda or to fulfill God’s agenda. Knowledge and understanding come from the Lord. He imparts wisdom so that you can know how to make decisions each day that honor God and benefit others. The Lord stores up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to you as you walk in integrity. God guards the paths of justice for they are consistent with His nature and character. God watches over the way of His saints. What do you do if you lack wisdom? Where do you turn when you do not know which direction to take or what decision to make? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6 ESV). Walk in the light God gives you. Stay broken before the Lord and dependent upon His daily provision. Remain teachable as the Lord imparts His wisdom and understanding. Use discretion as inspired by God to make wise decisions. Allow time for God to affirm the direction He wants you to take. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 154: Proverbs 1-3) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Communicating Value
“Behold, you are beautiful, my love, behold, you are beautiful! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats leaping down the slopes of Gilead. 2 Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes that have come up from the washing, all of which bear twins, and not one among them has lost its young. 3 Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is lovely. Your cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil.” Song of Solomon 4:1-3 (ESV) Being selfish requires no effort. Selfishness comes naturally to us. If we aren’t careful, we will operate our lives on the assumption that life revolves around us. Being self-centered and self-absorbed is the antithesis of marriage. In the marriage relationship, the husband and wife must release selfishness and embrace selflessness. Our culture is not marriage-friendly. The pace of life and the demands on our time can strain a marriage relationship. As a partner, you have to make room for marriage. You have to conscientiously and intentionally make room for the one you love. In order to have a healthy, vibrant, and growing marriage, you have to create space for the relationship. It takes time to nurture a meaningful relationship with your spouse. Busyness is the prominent enemy to intimacy. We divert our energy to parenting, to our career, to recreation, and to other things to the neglect of our marriage relationship. It is so easy to neglect the sacred union God calls us to with our spouse. We can give our best to others and give our spouse the crumbs. That’s a recipe for an unhealthy marriage. Remember, you will make room for what you value! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 153: Song of Solomon) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Wondrous Things
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!” Psalm 72:18-19 (ESV) Are you living for the audience of one? God alone is worthy of your worship and adoration. He alone does wondrous things. God wants you to live a life worthy of the Lord. Consider all that Jesus did to purchase your salvation and to provide for your abiding peace. Think about what Jesus did to take care of your forever. You are saved for all eternity. Heaven is your home! As you live to please God, He desires for you to bear fruit, grow in your knowledge of Him, be strengthened by His might, and perpetually and joyfully give thanks to Him. God has qualified you to participate in the inheritance of the saints. You are blessed and highly favored of the Lord. You are fruitful, you are growing, you are strengthened, and you are joyful in the Lord. As a child of the living God, you have been lavished with His unconditional love. As you trust God daily to provide the strength for Christian living, you will bring pleasure to Him. God loves you and wants you to please Him in every way. Be conscious of His abiding presence. Be alert to opportunities to bear fruit, as you stay connected to Christ. Allow the life of Christ to be evidenced through your life as you do what Jesus did to love God and to serve others. Bless His name forever. Be a conduit of filling the earth with the glory of God. Radiate the love of God! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 152: 2 Chronicles 1; Psalm 72) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, 12 behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.’” 1 Kings 3:11-12 (ESV) The Lord appeared to Solomon and granted him the opportunity to request anything. Solomon acknowledged his own inadequacy and insufficiency for serving as king and chose to ask God for an understanding mind to govern the people and to discern between good and evil. God granted Solomon’s request by infusing him with unusual wisdom. God also gave Solomon what he did not ask for, namely, both riches and honor. In addition, God promised to lengthen Solomon’s days if he would walk in God’s ways and keep His statues and commandments. “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, 30 so that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.” 1 Kings 4:29-30 (ESV) Solomon was placed in a special category among men. God promoted Solomon and elevated him in the eyes of the people. What is your request? What is your greatest need? Approach the throne of grace and present your requests to God. Pray in faith and claim the promises of God. God wants to lavish you with His love and He wants to empower you to do His will His way. Request wisely. Ask God to open the eyes of your heart and to illuminate the path He has for you. Practice instant obedience as you join God in His activity. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 151: 1 Kings 3-4) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Store Up God’s Word
“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:10-11 (ESV) What guides your decision making process? What is your moral compass? How do you know if your decisions line up with God’s will? As you seek the Lord with all your heart, He will make His will known to you. God is a God of revelation. His desire is for you to know Him personally and to obey Him instantly. Passionately pursue God’s agenda. Focus your life on accomplishing His will. Practice moment-by-moment surrender to His Lordship and respond to His prompting. God has given you His Word. As you read and feed on the Bible, God will unveil His will. You will discover what God loves and what God hates. You will begin to discern what God has for you to join Him in. God invites you to join Him in His activity so that you can experience His love and benefit His kingdom. Choose to meditate upon God’s Word. Read through a few chapters of the Bible and slow down on the verses that speak into your life. Ask God to illuminate His Word as you read. Meditate on what you sense God is saying to you and then apply that truth in practical living. Obey what God shows you. Seek the Lord with all your heart and demonstrate obedience as you hide God’s Word in your heart. Internalize God’s Word so that you can live a life of instant obedience. Hide God’s Word in your heart and embrace a lifestyle of moral purity. God’s way is always the best way! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 150: Psalm 119) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Trust in the Lord
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:3-4 (ESV) When you identify an area that you are gifted in or an activity that comes naturally to you, it is easy to place your confidence in that area or activity. Sometimes our competence becomes our confidence. We begin to trust the gifts and abilities that God has given us to the neglect of relying upon His strength. Sometimes we may even forget how we have become victorious. What do you trust in? Who are you relying upon to live the victorious Christian life. God gives us the victory. The credit does not belong to us for weathering the storms of life. God gives us the grace we need to both live and die. God provides us with His ample supply of Manna and quail. God multiplies the loaves and fish to nourish us. Spend a few moments thanking God for coming to your rescue. Be mindful of how needy you are and how generous God is. Weigh the privilege of trusting God and using the gifts and abilities He has given in order to live for His glory. Don’t miscalculate the value God places on your life and on your obedience. As you trust in the Lord and do good, you will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. As you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart. Delighting in the Lord involves aligning your life with His agenda. His heart for people becomes your heart for people. Your passion becomes pleasing God! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 149: 1 Kings 1-2; Psalms 37, 71, 94) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 (ESV) Death is a normal part of life. For the entirety of our lives on earth, we combat the perpetual process of decay. Our bodies are susceptible to sickness, sorrow, and suffering. When we think of death we think of the end of life as we know it. When a loved one dies we enter the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Death is all around us and death is an inevitable part of life. Why would God consider the death of his saints as precious in His sight? How can death be precious? We equate death with pain and loss and separation. God has a different view of death. From God’s perspective, the death of a saint is not a wall to climb but a bridge to cross. Death is not the end of the journey. There is life beyond the grave. When a child of God dies, that person is immediately ushered into the presence of the Lord. “So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:6 (ESV) “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 (ESV) The death of a Christian is precious in the Lord’s sight because that person was created not for time, but for eternity. To transition from life on our fallen sin-cursed planet to the glory of heaven is precious. To be delivered from the sin, suffering, and sorrow that saturates the earth is precious. Being in heaven for all eternity is precious. One day we will have the glorious opportunity to be reunited with our loved ones who have gone on home before us. We will see Jesus face to face! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 148: Psalms 111-118) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. 5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5 (ESV) Maybe you have heard parents remark that they want you to do as they say and not as they do. Of course, you would define that behavior as hypocrisy. God wants us to live in such a way that we encourage others to do as we say and as we do. We are to strive to live in such a way that the way we live lines up with what we say. Did you know that you will multiply what you model? Now that is convicting! That means that it truly does matter how you live your life. It truly matters how you conduct your daily living. Your beliefs and your behavior both matter to God and impact others. So how do you live a life of love? Imitate God! What kind of love does God want you to model? God wants you to model sincere love. God wants you to set an example for others to follow. In other words, be a model to follow. Model the kind of life that draws others to Christ. Live the kind of life that models the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May your children and those in your sphere of influence become fully devoted followers of Christ as a result of the sincere faith and love that you are modeling before them. Children are a heritage from the Lord. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 147: 1 Chronicles 26-29; Psalm 127) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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God’s Sovereignty
“O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.” Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV) Perspective is everything. When you view life from your own perspective, the view can be incomplete. In our humanity, we may only view ten yards at a time on the football field. God sees the entire field of our lives. God is not limited by time or space. God is eternal. God was never born and God will never die. God is not decaying nor growing old. God is immutable in that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). In other words, God is. God is omnipresent. There is nowhere God is not. God is omniscient. There is nothing God does not know. Nothing ever occurs to God. Nothing catches God by surprise. Nothing happens without God’s permission. God is sovereign. He rules and He reigns. Aren’t you thankful that God has searched your heart and God knows you? He knows you better than anyone else knows you. God knows every detail of your past, present, and future. The wonderful news is that God still loves you in spite of all that He knows. Choose to live your life in light of eternity. Realize that there is more to this life than what you see. There is life beyond the grave. Every moment counts. Therefore, make every moment of your life count for God’s glory. Live in such a way as to compel those outside of the family of faith to become followers of Jesus Christ. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 146: Psalms 131, 138-139, 143-145) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Progressive Worship
“These were the sons of Levi by their fathers’ houses, the heads of fathers’ houses as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the Lord. 25 For David said, ‘The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to his people, and he dwells in Jerusalem forever. 26 And so the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the things for its service.’” 1 Chronicles 23:24-26 (ESV) The Levites experienced a transition in their role before the Lord. They were assigned to carry the tabernacle which was a tent of mobility that allowed Israel to worship God as God led them through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Under King David’s reign, the transition took place as God raised up Solomon to build the temple in Jerusalem. God had given rest to His people and chose to dwell in Jerusalem. The Levites embraced their new assignment of doing the work for the service of the house of the Lord. Worship of the Lord God transitioned from the tabernacle in the wilderness to the temple in Jerusalem. God was preparing the way for Christ to become the sacrificial lamb for our sin. When a person becomes a child of God by placing their faith in Jesus alone for salvation, that person’s body becomes the habitation of the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV). In Christ, you become the walking tabernacle of God’s presence. You now have direct access to God’s presence. You don’t have to go into a tabernacle or a temple to encounter God’s presence. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 145: 1 Chronicles 23-25) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Global Thanksgiving and Praise
“I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.” Psalm 108:3-4 (ESV) Go global with your thanksgiving and praise. Go global with your gratitude for all that God has done to rescue you, to restore you, and to reconcile you to Himself. God has poured out His mercy and He has dispensed His grace so that you can know Him personally and intimately through a saving relationship with Jesus. God has lavished you with His love. You have a new identity in Christ and you have a message to declare. Your eternal destiny has been sealed by the Holy Spirit. How will you respond to what God has done to transform your life? Will you give thanks to Him among the peoples? Will you sing praise to Him among the nations? Thank the Lord for His steadfast love. Praise Him for his faithfulness. Acknowledge where you would be without Him. Affirm your dependency upon the Lord. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 (ESV) Infuse your prayer life with thanksgiving. Begin to specify before the Lord the people you are thankful for. Name them and express your gratitude for each person the Lord has brought into your life. Thank the Lord for their influence. Praise the Lord for His activity in their lives. Bless the Lord for the impact they have had on your life. Thank the Lord for the circumstances He has brought you through. Praise Him for His divine intervention in the situations that He has shielded you from. Praise the Lord for revealing His peace, for distributing His provisions, and for healing your hurts. Testify of His faithfulness. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 144: Psalms 108-110) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Mourning into Dancing
“Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 2 So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, ‘Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.’” 1 Chronicles 21:1-2 (ESV) When you see God at work you can rest assured that Satan is also at work. God loves you and has a plan for your life. Satan hates you and he also has an plan for your life. God’s plan is for you to honor Him and benefit others. Satan’s plan is for you to compromise your commitment to the Lord and for you to become casual in your Christianity. In opposition to Israel, Satan incited David to drift from God’s will. David’s decision to number Israel was in violation to God’s will. “But God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. 8 And David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly’” (1 Chronicles 21:7-8 ESV). David recognized his own iniquity and acknowledged his sin before God and asked God to remove the iniquity. Mourning over his sin, David confessed the foolishness of his actions. God gave David the opportunity to choose the consequences. David chose the pestilence of the land and 70,000 men of Israel fell. David personally experienced the mercy of God. “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” Psalm 30:11-12 (ESV) Have you mourned over your sin? Confess your sin and receive God’s forgiveness and allow Him to turn your mourning into dancing. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 143: 2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22; Psalm 30) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Express Your Praise
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.” Psalm 95:1-5 (ESV) We were made to worship. God placed within us the desire to worship. In the natural, we choose to worship created things instead of the Creator. When we worship things or other people, we commit the sin of idolatry. Idolatry is a perversion of God’s intended purpose for our lives. We combat the gravitational pull of idolatry by surrendering to the Lordship of Christ and yielding our allegiance to Him. Choose to sing to the Lord. Sing to the Lord when you are alone. Sing to the Lord when you are joining fellow believers in corporate worship. Sing to the Lord when you are sitting, walking, jogging, or driving. Sing to the Lord when you are in the valley and when you are on the mountaintop. Even if you are not a gifted vocalist, make a joyful noise to rock of your salvation. Express your praise to God for He is a great God. He is a great King above all other gods. The earth is His. The mountains are His. The sea is His. The dry land is His. You are His. There is no one else like you. God has uniquely created you so that you can uniquely worship Him and express your praise to Him. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 142: Psalms 95, 97-99) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Memorial Day
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” 2 Cor 5:18-19 (ESV) The freedom we enjoy in America comes at a great price. Thousands of men and women have given their lives in service to our country to preserve our freedom. We are blessed to worship God corporately without fear of invasion. Thank God for our fallen warriors and their families. Christ paid the ultimate sacrifice for our reconciliation. Jesus died to provide for the forgiveness of our sins and to remove the barrier separating us from Holy God. Jesus was obedient to death on the cross to satisfy the righteous requirements of God. As the sinless sacrifice, Jesus provided to us heaven and eternal life. Now that you have been reconciled to God, extend the ministry of reconciliation to those disconnected from Christ. You are reconciled in order to reconcile. You have been given this life-changing ministry from God. God has empowered you to be a minister of reconciliation. Build intentional relationships with those who are disconnected from Christ. Join God in reconciling the world to Him. Your reconciliation qualifies you to partner with God in reconciling others through Christ. “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10 For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 57:11-12 (ESV) Because of God’s faithfulness, you have been given a ministry to extend. Give praise to the Lord by sharing His steadfast love with those who don’t know Christ. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 141: 2 Samuel 22-23; Psalm 57) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Thirsting for God
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalm 42:1-2 (ESV) What are you passionate about? What makes you come alive? Consider your relationship with God. Long before you thought of God, He thought of you. Long before you could pursue Him, God pursued you with His redeeming love. Life in a fallen world has a confetti of allurements clasping for your attention. Your appetites crave being fulfilled. In temptation, Satan seeks to get you to meet a legitimate need in an illegitimate way. Don’t allow the magnetic tug of this world to erode your passion for God. Does your soul pant for God? Does your soul thirst for the living God? Focus your faith and allocate your affection. Nothing deserves your passionate pursuit more than the Creator of the universe. He has created you for His pleasure. You have been uniquely designed by God to fulfill His will. Pursue the Lord daily and eliminate idols. Remove anything that dilutes your passion for the Lord. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:11 (ESV) Place your total confidence in God. Praise Him for He is your salvation and your God. When you experience frustration, hope in God. When you face challenging circumstances, hope in God. When you go through seasons of uncertainty, hope in God. Start each day with God by having a daily quiet time. Spend time feeding on God’s Word and communing with God in prayer. Thirst for God and pursue Him daily. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 140: Psalms 5, 38, 41-42) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Keep Your Word
“Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the Lord. And the Lord said, ‘There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.’ 2 So the king called the Gibeonites and spoke to them. Now the Gibeonites were not of the people of Israel but of the remnant of the Amorites. Although the people of Israel had sworn to spare them, Saul had sought to strike them down in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah. 3 And David said to the Gibeonites, ‘What shall I do for you? And how shall I make atonement, that you may bless the heritage of the Lord?’” 2 Samuel 21:1-3 (ESV) The Gibeonites requested that King David bring seven of Saul’s sons to them so they could terminate their lives. David desired to position the Gibeonites to bless the heritage of the Lord. Their request would have a fatal impact on Mephibosheth. “But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the Lord that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul” (2 Samuel 21:7 ESV). David kept his word. He and Jonathan establish an oath before the Lord and David demonstrated integrity by protecting Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18 (ESV) Ask God to give you wisdom to make decisions that will honor Him and benefit others. May a harvest of righteousness be sown in peace as you seek to make peace. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 139: 2 Samuel 19-21) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3 (ESV) God answers prayer. As you wait patiently for the Lord He will incline His ear and He will hear your cry. When you express the agony of your soul, God will respond with His comfort and compassion. The Lord invites you to walk intimately with Him as you surrender to His Lordship. God intervenes. The circumstances of life can sometimes generate seasons of heartache. God will draw you out of the pit of despair and He will make your steps secure by placing your feet upon a rock. God intervenes by rescuing you from your self-sufficiency and reminds you of your total dependence upon His daily provision. God puts a new song in your mouth. When you became a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ, your eternal destiny in heaven was secured. You have the privilege of having a song to sing that expresses your new identity in Christ. The new song in your mouth is filled with the grace and mercy of God. Your life is a testimony of God’s activity. As others view your life, you can affirm the promises of God and know that He places you in the display window of life to draw others to Jesus. Praise God that you have a new song to sing. Your life has been transformed by the grace of God. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 138: Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, ‘Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.’ And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.” 2 Samuel 18:5 (ESV) While all the army marched out by hundreds and by thousands, King David stood at the side of the gate. His fatherly compassion was articulated as he instructed the commanders to deal gently with Absalom. David’s own son had become an enemy. Absalom had orchestrated an ambush on David and his fighting men. David wanted Absalom brought to him unharmed. In the midst of Absalom’s pursuit of David, the mule he was riding went under some of the thick branches of a great oak. Absalom’s head got wedged between the branches and the mule continued on leaving Absalom suspended. When Joab heard about Absalom’s vulnerable status, he violated King David’s request and took matters into his own hands by thrusting three javelins into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak (2 Samuel 18:14 ESV). When the news of Absalom’s death was personally delivered to David, he went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. “And as he went, he said, ‘O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!’” (2 Samuel 18:33 ESV). How do you deal with disappointments? People are fallible and will let you down at times. Occasionally, your own family members will disappoint you. There are times when you may disappoint others. Seasons of disappointment arise related to unfortunate circumstances that you find yourself in. Find comfort in the fact that God is on His throne and nothing will thwart His will. If God allows a disappointment to come into your life, He will use it for your good and for His glory. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 137: 2 Samuel 16-18) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7 (ESV) How many years have you been walking with God? Think through each year and decipher when your love relationship with God catapulted to a new level. Sometimes God will use a season of adversity in your life to bring your experience with Him to a deeper level. Sometimes God will bring someone into your life to spur you on in your daily walk with Him. As you navigate the terrain of living in a fallen world, you come to know by experience that the Lord is your strength. He nourishes your soul and infuses you with power to be on mission with Him. You also come to learn that the Lord is your shield. He extinguishes the flaming arrows of the evil one. The Lord shields you from the onslaught of darkness, doubt, and defeat. Your help comes from the Lord. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22 (ESV) Exalt the Lord and give Him thanks for all that He has done to provide you with everything you need for life and godliness. Sing praise to His Name for He alone is worthy. Place your burdens before the Lord and rest in His sustaining power. Learn to praise Him when you are on the mountaintop and when you are in the valley. Learn to trust Him when the path is clear and when the fog refuses to lift. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your faith grounded in the reality of God’s redeeming love. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 136: Psalms 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Desperation and Prayer
“But David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went, barefoot and with his head covered. And all the people who were with him covered their heads, and they went up, weeping as they went. 31 And it was told David, ‘Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.’ And David said, ‘O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.’” 2 Samuel 15:31-32 (ESV) What do you do when your world is falling apart? David had to combat discord within his family and within his kingdom. Absalom tried to usurp King David’s authority and sought to generate a conspiracy to overtake the throne. David entered a season of brokenness and wept before the Lord in prayer. The people with David emulated David’s posture and covered their heads and wept as they went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives. In desperation, David prayed for God’s divine intervention. David asked the Lord to turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness before Absalom. How do you respond to adversity? What do you do when you experience unfair treatment by another person? You can choose to become bitter and allow your circumstances to dictate your feelings or you can choose to turn to the Lord in prayer. In desperation and brokenness before the Lord, express your pain and your plight to the Lord in prayer. Unveil your feelings and your frustrations. God invites you to come before him with the truth of your circumstances. If God allows adversity to come into your life, He will use it for your good and for His glory. Allow God to conform you into the image of Christ in the midst of the challenges you face. Trust God to work in you and through you to accomplish His plan. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 135: 2 Samuel 13-15) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Uncover Iniquity
“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:5 (ESV) The prophet Nathan confronted King David about his sin by sharing a parable and announcing, “You are the man.” King David could have had Nathan killed, but instead, the king got real about his own sin before God. David acknowledged his sin, uncovered his iniquity, and confessed his transgressions to the Lord. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV) “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.” Psalm 86:5 (ESV) God forgave David for his sin of adultery and murder and enabled David to become a man after God’s own heart. David became a portrait of God’s grace and a mascot of God’s mercy. Spend some time reviewing your life and invite the Lord to search your heart and to reveal any unconfessed sin in your life. The convicting work of the Holy Spirit will illuminate the areas of your life that are out of alignment with the holiness of God. Confess sin instantly and specifically. Claim the shed blood of Jesus over your life and walk in the victory you have through the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Satan seeks to discourage you and to defeat you. Don’t give him a foothold. Keep walking in the light God gives you. Avoid sin. Take ways that are firm. Fear God and keep His commandments. Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit living in you. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 134: Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Predictable Process
“It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. 3 And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, ‘Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?’” 2 Samuel 11:2-3 (ESV) We have God-given desires that are natural and are vital to life. For example, we have the desire for food. Without that desire we would die. We also have the desire for rest. Without that desire we would die. Yet, both desires can become sin when we take them beyond God’s intended purpose. If we take our desire for food too far, we commit the sin of gluttony. In like manner, if we take our desire for rest too far, we commit the sin of laziness. King David experienced a fatal attraction. His lust lassoed him into a sinful spiral. Not only did he commit the sin of adultery, but he committed murder to cover up the affair. David could have won the victory over sin by avoiding the temptation from the start. Arm yourself with the knowledge of the predictable process of temptation. We idolize something we desire. The next step is that we rationalize why we should have the desire fulfilled. In other words, we talked ourselves into compromising convictions. Then we strategize by coming up with a plan to obtain the object we are idolizing. Ultimately, we capitalize on the opportunity by seizing what we have desired. Remorse and guilt follow. Look back over poor choices you have made in your lifetime. See if you can identify this predictable process. Here’s the key to victory: The sooner in the process you avoid the sin, the more likely you will overcome the temptation. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 133: 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 20) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell