Jarrod GillihanScripture - Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.  - 2 Tim 1:14 (NASB)

Observation - This is Paul’s second letter to Timothy.  It is a letter of encouragement and instruction.  Paul has been like a father to Timothy, spiritually.  He has been his mentor and this letter continues that relationship.  Paul is passing on his wisdom and experience to the next generation of ministers that would continue to build the kingdom of God after Paul was gone.

Application - I can only imagine the depth of wisdom, experience and advice that Paul could have passed on to someone.  However, while I will never have that opportunity, Paul has passed on the most important thing in our walk with the Lord.  His instruction to Timothy was to guard the treasure that God had entrusted to him.  Relationships will come and go, finances are uncertain but we can always count on God to guide and protect us.  It is for this reason that Paul stressed to guard the things that God has given us.  With the spirit of God within us, we will be able to prevail over everything the world throws at us.

Prayer - Lord, help me to remember that You are the most important thing in my life.  Help me to not lose sight of that fact.  I don’t ever want to compromise my walk with You or forget to guard my relationship with You, to keep it pure.

Chris HigginsScripture - And his servants arose and formed a conspiracy, and killed Joash in the house of the Millo, which goes down to Silla.  For Jozachar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabd the son of Shomer, his servants, struck him. So he died, and they buried him with his fathers in the City of David.   Then Amaziah his son reigned in his place.  - 2 Kings 12:20-21 (NKJV)

Observation - This is how the story of Joash ends.   Once a great King in the line of David, he takes his last breath as his servants assassinate him for his wickedness and cold blooded  murder of Zechariah.  Joash isn't even given the privileged of being buried in the "tomb of the Kings'', but rather is buried with commoners (2 Ch. 4:25) which is a great disgrace for a king. 

However, the story of Joash begins with a hope likened to a bright shining star in a very dark time.   As a baby, Joash is rescued by Jehoiada (a high priest who was a great man of God) from his blood thirsty grandmother who was out to destroy the kingly line of David by murdering all the males with rights to the thrown.   King Joash was seven years old when he ascended the throne of Judea and Joash flourished under the wise guidance of Jehoiada.  During his reign, King Joash abolishes Baal worship and took on the responsibility of restoring  Solomon's temple to it's former glory.

Application - After reading through the life story of Joash you have to wonder what could have happened to him that he would have those who loved him turn away so fiercely and end up being murdered by his own trusted servants.  Joash was a kid who never missed Sunday School.   Under Jehoiada's care he was always instructed in wisdom and Godly council.  He came from a good home and those over him loved him and cared for him.  So what was it about Joash that turned his heart so hard against God that after Jehoiada's passing he would turn to false idol worship and end up killing Jehoiada's own son because Joash didn't like his rebuke?

Joash is the danger of what can happen to any one of us who are pursuing the Lord.  It's obvious that after Jehoiada died, Godly instruction into Joash's life diminished and his life started to change.  Perhaps Joash was looking too much at Jehoiada and didn't have his heart set truly towards the Lord.  In any case, sin was crouching at Joash's door and because Joash allowed worldly influences to change the direction of his life, his life ended not as the bright shining star it started out as, but in shameful disgrace know one wanted anything to do with. 

This is a great warning sign to me because I see in my life the same kind of weaknesses that Joash had in his.  I guard carefully not only my heart, but the soft voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to me when something isn't right.    At the end of my race, I want to be able to present my crown at Jesus' feet, not have it broken in shame as Joash's was.

Prayer - Lord help to daily listen to the Holy Spirit and Your instruction in my life so I don't end up the way of Joash.  As I guard my heart allow Your Word to be built up in my life so I remain strong,  able to flee from the sin crouching at my door!

Page AcklerScripture - "If so," said Jehu, "give me your hand." So he did, and Jehu helped him up into the chariot.  Jehu said, "Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD." Then he had him ride along in his chariot. - 1 Kings 10:15-16 (NIV)

Observation - Jehu is taking care of business when he runs into Jehonadab.  Rather than requiring Jehonadab to observe his passion for God and then join him in his chariot, Jehu invites Jehonadab to ride along side him so that he might observe Jehu's passion first hand.

Application - Jehu first calls Jehonadab to Join him in his own chariot and then to observe his zeal for the Lord, not the other way around.  Sometimes it's easier to show the love of Jesus to those who are already along side me, moving in the same direction.  It's much harder to recognize that in order for others to understand the hope that I have in Christ, I must show them first hand the love that He has for them.  Just like Jehu didn't require Jehonadab to understand his passion before inviting him to ride with him, I can't wait until someone understands my passion before I invite them to join me.

Prayer - Lord please help me share Your love not as a distant example but through first hand interactions with people.  Please grant me the compassion that You have for others, calling us to come along side You just as we are rather requiring us to meet your example first.

Ashley HartsochScripture - This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. - 1 Tim 4:9-10 (NIV)

Observation - In this scripture Paul is instructing Timothy in how to care for the church in Ephesus through the first letter (1 Timothy) that Paul wrote to him.

Application - Sometimes in trials and hard times I find myself putting my hope and trust in people, friends, loved ones and myself. It’s funny to think that the only One who has the strength to carry out these trying times is the One that I don’t always find myself going to first and foremost. Many times the world seems overwhelming, the situations and circumstances seem impossible but ultimately if I put my trust, hope and faith in God He will direct my paths and give me strength where I need it. As a believer this is something I strive for. When a problem or trial arises in my life I want to first look towards God for help and not put all my hope in people. I believe God gives us the people in our lives for a reason, there’s wisdom and council to receive from other believers. At the same time, I desire to reach towards God in all situations before bringing things to the people in my life. God is the One with the strength to help all of us through any trial that comes our way and it’s He will never give us more than we can handle, with His strength. It’s through His love that He gives strength and guidance in times of trial if we just lean on Him.

Prayer - God I pray while in trials I remember that You are the Only One who can give me the strength to make it through. I pray that I remember to see trials as something You have placed in my life to strengthen me and that You will never give me more than I can handle. It’s by Your strength that I can make it and for that I am so thankful. Thank You for everything You have helped me through and all You will help me through in the future.

Melissa AckleyScripture - Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. - Col 4:2 (NIV)

Observation - The Book of Colossians was written by Paul from Rome, where he was being held prisoner, and was writting to the church in Colossae. My questions when reading this were "what does he mean by devote?" and "what does he mean by prayer?"

The Greek word used here for "devote" (see Strong's number 4342) means:

1) to adhere to one, be his adherent, to be devoted or constant to one
2) to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing
3) to continue all the time in a place
4) to persevere and not to faint
5) to show one's self courageous for
6) to be in constant readiness for one, wait on constantly

The root word for "devote" in Greek is "strength".

Prayer translated as:

1) prayer addressed to God
2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer
   a) a synagogue
   b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue
      1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer

Application - Initially when I read this, I simply took it as instructing readers to be diligent in praying.  But the translation of the word "devote" made John 15:9-13 come to mind: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Jesus is devoted in His love for us, and held back nothing. Through His blood, we are made pure and washed, like the hands washed in the streams near the place of prayer. We come before God washed and clean, devoted not just to words spoken to God but devoted to being prayer. Being a moving, living, breathing place of worship and prayer, where I am not just praying to God but am a dedicated vessel that He uses to reach the unheard cries of others. That way, we are not just bringing people to a house of worship but loving them enough to meet them where they are. We are, after all, the church. The church is not a building, the church is us: we are dedicated and devoted to worship, prayer and love wherever we are.

Prayer - My amazing Father God, I devote myself today to prayer. On my own I can do nothing, but I can do all things through You, because You are my strength. LORD I devote myself to being an open place of prayer and worship, and purpose myself to love others, because You loved me and in devoted love gave everything for me. I love You Jesus, and am simply amazed at Your incredible love and sacrifice.

Page AcklerScripture - Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River.  Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.”...

Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon.  I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”  - 1 Kings 17:2-3 and 8-9 (NLT)

Observation - In both cases, the Lord uses unlikely means to provide for his servant.  Leviticus 11:13-19 lists the birds that are to be considered unclean and detestable to the Israelites.  Number six on the list is the raven and yet God specifically uses ravens to bring food to the prophet.  In the same manner, the Lord uses a widow to provide for Elijah when throughout the Bible the widow is used as a type to identify the less fortunate and those in need of provision themselves.  Both cases also required Elijah to take action in submission to God's plan for him without a full understanding of the details.

Application - Aside from the fact that miracles are performed in both instances, even God's simple choices for means of provision seem to be a statement that he can and will use anything and everything for his purposes regardless of our preconceived notions of their suitability.  A crummy job situation, a health issue, or a beater of a car can all be used by him.  Even our words, and attitudes can be powerful tools of the Lord if we let him use them.  The line for usability is drawn not by our identification of natural ability but our submission.  When we turn things over to God as Elijah did, trusting that while we might not hold ourselves capable or our circumstances usable, the Lord is glorified when we allow the unusable to be used through his power.

Prayer - Lord, I submit all I have to You.  Please help me to evaluate my submission regularly to ensure that I'm serving You with all I have and not just with what I believe to be usable.  Your power is exemplified when the perceivably weak are used effectively for Your will so I ask that You would help me offer all aspects of my life for Your use and not just the areas I'm comfortable with.

Jeremy FickScripture - Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing.  Then the God of peace will be with you.  - Phil 4:9 (NLT)

Observation - After a few incredible well-known statements, Paul finishes his thought with this verse.  First, we have to be continually learning new spiritual things.  It’s too easy to get complacent with where we’re at or to make excuses for not striving to improve.  This can only be done by putting ourselves in places where there is the opportunity to learn.  This could be by example through observing someone, or through a book or class, etc.  Second, Paul says we need to keep putting into practice those things that we learn.  This means it takes a constant intentional effort to make this happen.  If we can do both of these, Paul assures us that God will be with us.

Application - Lately God has been dealing with me about disciplines in general.  Being a parent of young children, it feels like our schedule is constantly adjusting and sometimes I feel like I am more in survival mode than anything else.  I plan to adjust my schedule even more so that I can be more proactive in hopes to be less reactive by being more disciplined and caught up in life.  I want to set aside time to get the daily responsibilities done early so that I have time to read some books on the side to keep stretching my understanding of things important to me such as being a husband and father.  If I’m not making a point to learn while I’m in these moments, I could miss an opportunity.  I will also make it a point to apply what I learn to my life so that the time spent learning is not wasted.

Prayer - Lord, thank You for Your word.  Help me to re-adjust my life and become more disciplined so that I can be more healthy and responsible.  Help me to constantly be learning and applying in life.  Give me the strength and determination to make the initial adjustment and the persistence to stay with it.

Jarrod GillihanScripture - I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. - Phil 1:3-5 (NASB)

Observation - Paul had visited Philippi on his second missionary journey.  He led several people to faith in Christ while he was there.  Shortly after his visit, a local church was formed there.

Paul wrote this epistle during his imprisonment, the outcome of which was uncertain.  Execution was a real possibility for Paul at this point.

Application - I have been in some tough spots before but I can honestly say that I have never been imprisoned, facing possible death.  That’s the position that Paul was in when he wrote this letter to Philippi but he was upbeat and positive.  What brought him joy was reminding himself about the faith of those he cared about.

How much could we benefit from focusing on the fantastic things that God is doing in the lives of those we care about when our own lives are facing difficulty.  I know that there are times that it seems like God is a million miles away and we just can’t see him moving in our lives.  That’s when we should look around and find hope by seeing God move all around us in our friends and families lives.

Prayer - Lord, thank you for being more than just my God.  Thank you for blessing those around me.  I am thankful that I can be blessed just by witnessing your blessings on others.  I am reminded that you are real and that you care about all of us.

Chris HigginsScripture - The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.  Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.  Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.  Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers:  we will be glad and rejoice in the thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee… - SOS 1:1-4 (KJV)

Observation - This is quite a long love song penned by King Solomon from a reverse point of view about a Shulamite woman (perhaps a shepherdess) who has fallen in love and she expresses her deep love and affection she has toward the King.

The Song of Songs opens with the Shulamite blushing with her first love.  Later on in the passages (v.7) it states that she must ask where her Beloved works telling me that she didn’t know her first love all that well.  The couple is separated and each longs to be reunited.  The beloved asks the woman to come away with him, she later finds him, they are separated again and the woman is beaten by some city watchmen.  In the end, after praising each others beauty and constancy they are together again, and the woman declares that “love is as strong as death."  (Song 8:6)

Application - At first glance I thought, what in the world is this kind of erotic writing doing in the Bible and is it even relevant or have any kind of prophetic significance?  I am NOT a touchy feely or ooey gooey kind of  person when it comes to showing affections and feelings, so reading this and knowing I was about to write a journal on it was extremely challenging. 

But after re-reading the passages over and over again and trying to view if from Solomon's perspective (who was the wisest man who ever walked the planet who also understood in full capacity the purpose of God's church from the beginning of time to the end), I gained a perspective of this great Song myself. 

Knowing that there is no stronger love, no deeper intimacy than that between a husband and his wife, the Song of Songs illustrates the relationship between Christ Jesus and His church.  This love story represents the kind of love I should have for my Savior and the kind of love He has for me.  Just has the woman deeply loved her King and pursued after Him, I should have the same fervent love affair with Jesus and allow that love I have for Him fill my life with complete joy.

Prayer - Lord, I pray that You will help me be more intimate with You, sharing with You the deepest parts of my soul.  Even those parts I’m afraid to speak of.  Give me courage in serving You and strength to pursue You with all I am.