James 3:13

OBSERVATION
The verse is part of a passage about wisdom. The verse says that Godly behavior is seen through action and the words spoken. The passage further speaks that ambition should be acknowledged and corrected in line with God's ambition for us. Hate and bitterness should be purged in our hearts for the glory of God.

APPLICATION
To be mindful of speech and action especially towards others keeping in mind that it is our tesiltimony as God's children.

PRAYER
Lord, I pray for guidance in my words and deeds. May I be an example for others to follow Your will, O Lord. Amen.

1 John 4:16

OBSERVATION
To be a follower if Christ, we must embody love as He loved us. God is love and as we become more Christ-like we become Love.

APPLICATION
To show love for God in serving in His ministry. To continue serving in the ministry He has provided for me.

PRAYER
Lord, I pray that you grantbmee strength and fortitude to continue serving You and the body of believers in Christ. Amen.

Philippians 2:1-2

OBSERVATION
The goal of the Christian faith is to be like Christ united in mind and spirit loving each other as Christ loved us.

APPLICATION
To encourage each follower of Christ with gracious words to spur them to nake disciples who will make disciples.

PRAYER
Lord, grant me wisdom to know what to say and not to say. May I not utter words not glorifying your name. Lead me to encourage each follower in spreading the good news. Amen.

1 Peter 3:8

OBSERVATION
This verse speaks of a summation of how Christians should be with each other. This is to keep discord away and always be gracious to fellow believers always keeping love to be paramount in being one in the body of Christ.

APPLICATION
To always give grace as grace has been given to me by the Lord. To keep love ine another as a worship to God.

PRAYER
Lord, I pray that I treat everyone with grace as you have given me your Grace. May I keep in mind that you love us equally and so should also love my fellow believers and fellow men. Amen.

Philippians 4:4

OBSERVATION
The verse is the part of the final exhortations of Paul to the Philippians. It admonishes the hearer to be with the Lord and find the happiness and joy in Him. The passage further speaks of being gentle and to be an example to all men in finding joy in living with the God.

APPLICATION
To continually seek Him and His will in my life by the reading of scripture and sharing His joy to others.

PRAYER
Dear God, I love you with all my heart and soul. May I continually seek you and share you to others that they may seek you always. Amen.

Titus 2:2

OBSERVATION
This verse lists the characteristics that mature men following Christ would have. This is consonant with being slow to anger, keeping Godly counsel and sure in the faith.

APPLICATION
Continuously study the qord of God, keeping it ready as the need arises.

PRAYER
Lord, may I mature in the faith in You, O Lord. Grant me wisdom that I may be an example of a follower of Yours. Amen

Psalm 143:10

OBSERVATION
This verse is part of a psalm attributed to David speaking of deliverance and guidance. The verse talks of how stability is given to us by God through the Holy Spirit. It says that we can be anchored in Life by knowing God's will.

APPLICATION
Seek guidance rooted in God's will. Seek this from the Bible, from God-fearing men and other Godly counsel.

PRAYER
Lord, teach me in Your will. Lead me to Your word and to the counself of those who follow you. I am in need of your counsel Lord. Amen

Colossians 1:28

OBSERVATION
It is the mandate of each and every Christian to Go and Make Disciples wherever he may be. Paul speaks of this mandate despite his illness and sufferings whose goal is that the Good News is spread and every man who has ears may hear.

APPLICATION
Share the Gospel at least once each week or even daily.

PRAYER
Lord, I pray that I can spread your news wherever I am, Lord. I pray that the fear of rejection does not overwhelm me or the fear of shame. Guide me in what to say and what not to say and be an example to other followers as I follow others miniaters of Your Church and Your Son. AMEN.

John 14:23

OBSERVATION
Professing our love for Christ is not only through words but also through our actions and more importantly our thoughts. It is through this, we experience God's love for us and grants us eternity woth Him.

APPLICATION
To observe all of my thoughts and actions and that everything is in accordance with His will for me on earth by studying His word.

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for the love you have shown us through Your Son. I pray Lors that I keep on to your ways guided by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:13-14

OBSERVATION:
This verse is from Paul speaking to Timothy. The apostle admonishes Timothy   to be sure of his words when speaking to men especially when that of sharing the gospel with the Holy Spirit. It speaks of being confident in God so that others may see it. It speaks of not using words that may sow confusion and give clear meaning.

APPLICATION:
To speak in words that are not deceitful. Speaking only with clear meaning and intent.

PRAYER:
Father, thank you for the dwelling in us through the Holy Spirit. Grant us the confidence in sharing Your good news to all mean. Allow us to speak clearly and confidently to all that hears. Amen.

Psalm 119:64

OBSERVATION:
The verse is part of a section of a much longer Psalm. The section speaks of following the precepts of the Lord despite being assaulted/shown evil. It speaks of staying the path set by the Lord and that the Lord will not relinquish His promises. It ends with the verse above saying despite the evils there are kindnesses in the world that the Lord provides them.

APPLICATION:
Continue to pursue God as when the Isrealites lived even though being bitten by snakes as in the story of Genesis.

PRAYER:
Lord, continue to teach me your ways despite the evils of others and even of my own heart. I know that if I persist in looking to You alone, I will be free. Amen

Proverbs 22:6

OBSERVATION:
The future of a child is developed early. Develop a child to love God early and he will be able to love God later on. Failure to do this would come at a later time.

APPLICATION:
Set an example to young kids to have faith in God and follow His ways by reading, obeying and teaching His word.

PRAYER:
Lord, make me a vessel to teach kids to Love you more. Amen.

Psalm 95:6-7

OBSERVATION:
Oftentimes despite daily wonder that is our life, we fail to see the miracles that happen day to day. We attribute it to chance but not to God. The psalm from which this verse is taken speaks of the God's wonderful work that is us and the eartg we live in. The verse speaks of the need to worship God and his greatness.

APPLICATION:
Thank God daily for the life, day and deeds we gives us daily.

PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for the gift of life that ypu have given me through Your Son. Thank you for the earth in which your might is displayed from the atoms to the stars. Thank you for the Great Love you have shown me despite my frailties. AMEN

Ephesian 2:19

OBSERVATION:

The verse is in the context of factions arising in the Church due to certain practices. It points out that God's people is identified with Christ and Him alone.

APPLICATION:

To be aware of prejudices that arise when considering certain practices in other churches and prevent comparison other than to edify the body of Christ and proclaim His name throughout.

PRAYER:

Lord, may I be mindful of my words and thoughts in considering other congregations. I pray that everyone do their work all for the glory of Your name. Amen. 

Galatians 3:28

OBSERVATION:
The verse speaks of being one in Christ. As long as Christ is at the center of our being, we become united as a follower regardless of race, gender or nationality. Christ becomes the standard of our personality, action, thought and deed. God's people are identified as followers of Christ.

APPLICATION:
To ask in each action and reaction, "What would Jesus do?"

PRAYER:
Dear God, it is my prayer that Your people be united in Christ. Any differences are but nothing in the light of Your grace. Amen.

John 6:29

OBSERVATION:
The verse speaks of the work of God in the context of a question from Jesus' audience. He speaks that the God wants us to believe in His Son so that we may not be dependent on the works of our hands or to that we can enjoy bodily. Our faith in God is centered on His Son and through Him we gain the seal of God on us.

APPLICATION:
The work we do here in earth is epehemeral and have no eternal meaning. Our work is incomparable to God's work which is centered on Jesus Christ. Put Jesus Christ first and foremost in everything and through Him do we do God's work.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, grant us to be the instruments of your work here on earth as we continue to look to your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Psalms 116:1-2

OBSERVATION:
The Lord is always a prayer away. As we call on him, He answers in His time and His ways. I must be grateful for His reponses to the cries of my heart. I must offer that same heart to Him.

APPLICATION:
Pray, pray, pray.
Pray for the nation, our leaders, my family, Dgroup.

PRAYER:
Lord, allow me to continue to delight in your will for I know that you will grant me the desires of my heart. Continue to listen to my prayers, O Lord, for I am desperate and in need. I know Your answers are always sufficient and just. Grant me, O Lord, the peace found in You. Amen.