Wow God!

Whisper of God
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
Romans 4:4-5 NIV

Observation
Paul uses Abraham to show that we are justified by faith and not as a result of what we do as works of righteousness before God. Righteousness was credited to Abraham because he believed God and not because he was circumcised.
In chapter 2 Paul established that the "work" of circumcision means nothing outwardly unless it is accompanied by a circumcision of the heart. The Holy Spirit transforms our hearts by faith and not as a result of our works.
Abraham believed God - period. He knew that the promise God gave for a son was humanly impossible; he was nearly 100 years old and Sarah's womb at 90 was still barren and dead. But because He believed God the promised son Isaac was born. And righteousness was credited to Abraham not because of what he had done, but only because he chose to believe God.

Real Life Application
I cannot earn salvation or righteousness by what I do, or even what I don't do trying to obey God. It is all by faith.

Day's Prayer
Lord I confess that from time to time I am guilty of trying to do the right things in my own strength. In those times I fall flat on my face. I fail you not because I don't love you, but because somewhere in the back of my head I believe the lie that I have to earn your favor.
Forgive me for trying to earn your gift of salvation and righteousness by the works I try to do. Holy Spirit empower me with simple childlike faith to just believe. By faith you make me righteous, and by faith you will cause the righteousness of Jesus to be lived in me.
Wow God! You are so good to me; thank you for clothing me in righteousness I could never buy for myself.

Focus

Whisper of God     Whom have I in heaven but you?
     And earth has nothing I desire
     besides you. Psalm 73:25

ObservationThe psalmists confidence is in God and God alone. He knows that all who trust in the things of this world will perish. His desire is to be near the Lord who is his refuge.
Is my confidence in the Lord in this same way? Or do I make the mistake of looking to people or the things of this world?

Real Life ApplicationPeople will let me down; only God will never fail. I must trust Him.

Day's PrayerLord I confess that I fall short of Asaph's prayer. It is one thing for me to know that you are trustworthy and it is another to make you my singular hearts desire. Holy Spirit help me to let go of the things of this world that will end the end perish. Forgive me for looking to man. Give me an undivided heart to trust in you alone. O God you are my refuge.

Multiplying God

Whisper of God
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
2 Corinthians 9:13 NIV

Observation
Paul is encouraging the church at Corinth to follow through with the commitment they made to help those in Jerusalem in need. He reminds them of their promise to give and their eagerness to do so. He also tells them of his boasting about their generosity which in turn moved others to give.
In the year that has gone by, Paul reminds them that they will reap a harvest in proportion to what is sown. In other words the greater their gift the greater the harvest they will receive. 
God's multiplication is not limited to only finances. The obedience of their giving will also overflow with praise and thanksgiving from everyone else. The gift they give will see an immediate harvest in the lives of others within the church at Corinth, in their community and beyond.

Real Life Application
I am thankful for God's provision and how He enables me to give (with the thankful support of Susie-an immediate harvest). Together we can give even more as we trust God to bring an even great harvest through our obedience. 

Day's Prayer
Lord, You are a multiplying God! You don't want to just add to our account - You want it to multiply. Help me to see the ways you grow an abundant harvest beyond my imagination. Lord, give me eyes to see obedience praise and thanksgiving in the lives of others as a direct result of my giving. All I have is yours, and with your help I will give cheerfully knowing the harvest is multiplied!

This is a Test . . .

Whisper of God
For you, O God, have tested us;
    you have tried us as silver is tried.
Psalm 66:10 ESV

Observation
The psalmist encourages us to give praise to God for all that the Lord has done on our behalf. God has done awesome things! And yet in the midst of all God has done we are also reminded that God has tested us.
This is no ordinary test! It is like the refining of silver put to the fire. The silversmith knows the sliver is pure when his reflection can be seen. God tests us to prove us - to see His reflection in our day to day lives.
I for one still have a long way to go until I am like Jesus in every way. Yet today I can think of three way God will test me:
(1) INTEGRITY TEST - God wants to prove my character to be a man without compromise - to be whole and unbroken.
(2) FAITHFULNESS TEST - God wants to prove that I will not waiver in my faith, but continue to trust Him in all things.
(3) FINANCIAL TEST - God wants to prove that I will love Him and not the god of money; no one can serve two masters.
With God's help I am up to the test.

Real Life Application 
In the heat of the test I need to look for God's image to be seen in. If Jesus can be seen in me then and only then have I passed the test!

Day's Prayer
Lord help me to not be surprised by the tests that come into my life. I don't want to be guilty like a student who has not studied of saying, "What test?" even though the test may be hard help me to remember it is not given to overwhelm or destroy me. The test is to prove me, to make the reflection of Jesus visible in me. Holy Spirit help me to pass the tests that come my way each day.

Yes, yes

Whisper of God Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. 2 Corinthians 1:24 Observation I'm feeling a little better this morning. I'm not the only pastor to have broken a promise or had to deal with conflict in the church. Paul visited Corinth on the way to Macedonia and intended to visit them again on his way back to Judea. Something change his plans so that the Corinthians accused him of saying, "yes" and "no." This conflict caused Paul's response about the message of Christ. It is always, "yes." As a result he writes one of my favorite verses about the promises of God bing "yes" in Christ Jesus. Here is an example of what Paul told the Romans that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." We are not told here what the difficulties were in Corinth. Paul's first letter to this church shows us that Corinth is far from perfect and this letter will remove any doubt we might have about finding the perfect church. Paul calls God as witness that by not coming to Corinth the church was spared. Paul would have told them strongly what they needed to hear. But Paul concludes with this statement. It is not to lord or rule over the Corinthians. Rather it is to work with them for joy as together they stand firm in faith. Real Life Application I need to let God renew my love for the church so they can receive from me with joy and the strengthening of their faith. Day's Prayer Lord, I confess that my strength of doing things on my own is a weakness to sometimes engage or confront people when needed. Help me first to build loving relationships involving others in the ministry at the church. Only then can I have the credibility to speak truth into their lives when needed. Holy Spirit keep me humble so that like Paul I never give in to the temptation to "lord over" the church. You are the Lord and I am a servant to wash the feet of Your Bride. Forgive me for letting my love or commitment for the church to be "yes" and "no." Increase my love for the church so that like You the "yes" of unwavering commitment is seen and Your promises are in turn fulfilled.

Don't Act In Haste

Whisper of God
The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.”

David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

Observation
When Jonathan confirmed that his father King Saul intended to kill David, David was forced to flee for his life. David knew that Saul would still try to hunt him down, but because he left in such haste he was unprepared to defend himself. Yet God provided a weapon unlike any other. The sword of Goliath which David had used to behead the giant after striking him with a stone was in the possession of the priest at Nob.
As David's story continues to unfold he is engaged in many battles. Most likely this sword was used with skill by David. Yet on those occasions when Saul sought out David and the Lord gave David the opportunity to take Saul's life, David refused to strike down the Lord's anointed. Even though God provided David with a sword, a sword which had previously been one of his enemies, David did not use this weapon against the one enemy that had vowed to take his life. 
In everything David trusted God and refused to take even the sword God provided into his own hands.

Real Life Application
God has promised to provide for me, to even give that which belonged to the wicked to His righteous one's. I must like David continue to trust God and not be quick to use my own wisdom and waste what God provides as I think is best.

Day's Prayer
Lord Jesus I give you thanks for the ways You have provided for me and my family. I confess that sometimes I am too quick to act and may waste what you have provided. Forgive me when I act in haste even when it is obvious that You have provided. Help me to like David trust you with the outcome in everything and not be in a hurry to do things myself.

Righteous Indignation

Whisper of God
When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.
1 Samuel 11:6

Observation
Some of the Jews living in Jabesh Gilead were being oppressed by the Ammonites. They requested a treaty but were told that peace would be granted only on one condition. The right eye of every man would have to be gouged out to humiliate all of Israel.
It is worth noting that this effectively makes such a man a blind warrior. If he is right handed he would hold a shield in his left hand and fight with the javelin or spear in his right. The shield would cover his left eye leaving him defenseless against an attack.
Rather than accept the request they asked for time to send word through out Israel to see if anyone would come to their aid. If no one responded then the Ammonites could do as they pleased with them.
When Saul heard these words he did not just become angry. The Spirit of God came upon him causing him to burn with anger, or as we might say today to have a righteous indignation. Saul's anger motivated him to bring all the men from through out Israel to come to the aid of their brothers in Jabesh Gilead. As a result a great victory was won and the kingship was established firmly for Saul.

Real Life Application
What will make me angry to be moved upon by God to act and defend those being per sued not by a physical enemy but by principalities and powers that are not flesh and blood? I need to commit time to pray for revival that they eyes of the spiritually blind will be opened to the light of the gospel.

Day's Prayer
Lord Jesus forgive me for my apathy. Like your disciples in the garden I fail to wait in prayer for even an hour. My spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Strengthen me by Your Spirit. Give me an anger that motivates me to action to stand against the deception of the enemy that people will be set free from Satan's oppression. Help me answer Your call to battle, Your call to prayer.