Tuesday, July 31, 2018

“Many Women Are Good Wives, But You Are The Best Of Them All.”


“Many Women Are Good Wives,
But
You Are The Best Of Them All.”
Scripture
Proverbs 31
29 … “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”
Observation
I like to write love notes to Kathy and put them all over the house … if you walk into our kitchen you will see some of them.
I admit that I am a slow learner but this one thing I have learned, Kathy loves to receive words of affirmation! It is definitely her love language!
I read yesterday that a pastor who I have always admired has had to resign from his church because of allegations of sexual misconduct. It seems that from what I have read that the allegations were just that … they were allegations of misconduct, nothing proven, just allegations.
But this pastor whether he was guilty or not allowed himself to be in situations with women where he could be accused of doing what they said he did. Whether guilty or not, he ignored intentionally or unintentionally the guardrails or boundaries that we as men must have in place!
So what does what I just shared have to do with leaving love notes around the house for Kathy to find?
Glad you asked! Here it is: The grass is not any greener on the other side of the fence. You and I need to take care of what we already have.
If you want your woman to be a Proverbs 31 woman then treat her like the gift of God that she is … don't go out looking for greener grass!
God has given me a Proverbs 31 woman. God brought her into my life almost 50 years ago and she is the “best of them all”!
Application
Just as soon as I finish this blog I am going to write Kathy this on a “post it” note and put it where she can't miss it, ““Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”
How about you? What do you need to do to let your spouse know how much you love them?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that if we are not careful that we will take our spouse for granted. Help me not to do that! Show me ways that I can express my love to my wife so that she feels loved and appreciated. Don't let me start thinking about grass that belongs to someone else. Help me to take care of who You have given me.
I pray for those who have been deceived into thinking that being with someone else would be better than being with their spouse. Help them. Give them the wisdom, the courage, and the strength to work on their marriage – to make it great!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 63,64; Psalms 107; John 2; I added: Psalm 31, Psalm 131; Proverbs 31



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Monday, July 30, 2018

You Will All See Heaven Open And The Angels Of God Going Up And Down On The Son Of Man, The One Who Is The Stairway Between Heaven And Earth.


You Will All See Heaven Open And The Angels Of God Going Up
And Down On The Son Of Man,
The One Who Is The Stairway Between Heaven And Earth.
Scripture
John 1
45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”
49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 
51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”
Observation
If you were to die today where would you spend eternity – Heaven or Hell?
John 1:51 in the New Living Translation describes Jesus as the stairway between heaven and earth. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. Jesus said this about himself in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
Now for many of you that have taken time to read this blog, I know that what I just shared is not news to you. You have at some time in the past surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, and you have trusted in him as Lord. He has become your mediator, your stairway to Heaven, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, to you.
But not everyone that reads this blog knows that Jesus wants to be their stairway to Heaven.
So I write and share the above verses so that they can know that Jesus loves them and that Jesus wants all of us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
All of us, who put our trust and our faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross for us, will be saved.
So may God open up the spiritual heart of every person that has taken a minute to read this short message. May God reveal through His Word, to all who read this, that Jesus Christ wants to be their Savior, that He wants to be their stairway to Heaven!
Application
I will pray for my friends, those who I am not sure about whether they have yet trusted in Christ for their salvation. I could be praying for you.
Do you need to stop and pray and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins and ask Him to be your Lord and your Savior?
It is not good people that go to Heaven and bad people that go to Hell. It is forgiven people that go to Heaven and Jesus is the only One that has paid the price for our sins.
So how about you – do you know Him?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know that I don't want anyone missing out on Heaven. Open up hearts today. Reveal Your truth to them. Help them see that Jesus is the only way to You. I pray for those who are struggling with sickness. I pray for those who are waiting for medical tests to come back. Give them Your peace. I pray for healing. Doctors here on earth are good, but You alone are the Great Physician!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 60,61,62; John 1



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Sunday, July 29, 2018

Let All That I Am Praise The Lord;


Let
All That I Am
Praise The Lord;
Scripture
Psalm 103
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
Observation
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me!
These are great words for us on this Sunday morning!
There is no better place to praise the Lord on Sunday morning than in the place that God calls “church”. Going to church to worship is God's idea! So lets get out of bed and get to church!
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases! Let all that I am praise the Lord! He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom.
Let all that I am praise the Lord. (parts of Psalm 103 personalized)
Application
Let all that I am praise the Lord! I look forward to being with my church family this morning.
How about you? Will you get out of bed and get to church?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all praise! Let all that I am give You praise! This is the day that You have made I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 57,58,59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3



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Saturday, July 28, 2018

It Is The Same With My Word. I Send It Out, And It Always Produces Fruit. It Will Accomplish All I Want It To


It Is The Same With My Word.
I Send It Out, And It Always Produces Fruit.
It Will Accomplish All I Want It To
Scripture
Isaiah 55
11 It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Observation
God's Word, the Bible, is life changing! I know. It changed my life!
One of the many reasons it is so important to invite the people we meet to church is that it puts them under the teaching of the Word of God. The Bible is different than any other book. No other book changes lives like the Word of God does!
If you have read the Purpose Driven Life, by Pastor Rick Warren, and I sure hope you have, then you know that it is unashamedly filled with the Word of God!
The Bible says that “the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you are not in God's Word everyday, then my friend, you are weak, you are anemic, and you are an easy target for Satan, and you will be easily led astray.
The Bible says that “God's Word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
It is not an optional piece of equipment that we can choose to use or not use!
Do you want to prosper? Do you want your life to filled with meaning and purpose? Then dig into and feast on God's Word everyday!
Application
I will read God's Word everyday because I know it is food for my soul.
How about you? Will you make a commitment to read God's Word everyday?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I read this morning Isaiah 53, I thought about all that Jesus Christ went through to save me from my sins. He paid a high price for me. I don't deserve being called Your child. I don't deserve Your love. But thank You for sending Your Son to die so that I could live with You forever!
I pray for every person that may read this blog this morning. Help them to read Your Word everyday. Show them that they can do it. Help them to grow in their faith. Thank You Father for Your goodness towards all of us. We are not worthy. I am so thankful for Your Word and the freedom to be able to read it everyday. Don't let me be lazy and not be in Your Word. Don't let me sleep at night if I haven't read Your Word. You are worthy of all praise!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 53,54,55,56; 2 Peter 2



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Friday, July 27, 2018

As Iron Sharpens Iron, So A Friend Sharpens A Friend.


As Iron Sharpens
Iron,
So A Friend Sharpens A Friend.
Scripture
Proverbs 27
17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so a friend sharpens a friend.

Observation
I count it as an awesome privilege to have you as a friend.
Yesterday, Kathy and I were overwhelmed knowing that so many of you were praying for us as I went in for a heart Cath.
Here is the good-news/bad-news - The doctor didn't find any blockage (which of course is the good news) or anything that he could fix, (which for me that is bad) because I was hoping and praying for an end to the chest pain.
But on a positive note, there was very good news yesterday about my heart doctor's wife, Kathleen Smith. They will be traveling soon to Cleveland for treatment, where a doctor there has successfully treated patients with her same health issues. Many of you prayed for her yesterday!
And plus, yesterday, while we were at the hospital we talked to two nurses who were looking for a new church home, so the day was far from a complete wipe out! God is good. All the time!
And today is a brand new day!
What friend of yours needs to hear from you?
Who can I encourage today?
What friendship of ours needs to be strengthened?
Who do you know that is going through a rough time that needs to hear your voice.
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend!
Application
I will think of who needs to be encouraged today and I will reach out to them. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for every person that You have brought into our lives. Kathy and I are rich with friends. Bless them Lord. I pray today for those who are struggling and feeling all alone today. Bring people into his or her life to encourage them. Help me to be a good friend to those You bring across my path. Help me to love them with Your agape love.
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 50,51,52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1; I added: Proverbs 27
> I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.



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Thursday, July 26, 2018

Give All Your Worries And Cares To God, For He Cares About You.


Give All
Your Worries And Cares To God,
For He Cares About You.
Scripture
1 Peter 5:7
7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Observation
Almost everyday you and I face situations that give us good reason for concern.
By the time this blog catches your attention I will have probably already gone under a light sedation for my 7th heart Cath.
Yes, I am scheduled for a 9 am heart Cath, Thursday, July 26th.
If I don't need any stents and if everything checks out okay then I will go home Thursday afternoon.
Boy, you would think that after doing something so many times that there would be less concern on my part, and less concern on Kathy's part, but it doesn't work that way!
I mention it to you now and I ask that you pray for us because to not mention it and not ask you to pray … would be prideful, and would be just plain wrong of me. We are family!
But to be honest the temptation not to mention it is something that I struggle with because I don't want what I write and share with you to be focused or draw attention in any way on me. But today I am having to make an exception so I can have you pray for us!
By the way, I am actually praying that my doctor will find some blockage that he can fix with a stent or two. Because if he doesn't find anything to fix then I am left with unresolved chest pain that I will just have to continue to live with!
So 1 Peter 5:7 is for me, but it is also for you too! I am not worried about the procedure … because I serve a God who cares about me. My life is in His hands!
Here are some other verses that I will be going over in my head between now and cath time:
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 55:22
Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. ...
Application

I will pray for my cardiologist Dr. James Smith and for his wife Kathleen. Kathleen has been very sick. I will hold on to all of these promises of scripture as I face this procedure.

How about you? Will you please pray with me for Kathleen Smith?


Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know all about the inner workings of my body. You know what is working okay and what is not. Give my doctor wisdom as he does this heart cath. Guide his hands. Don't let him make any mistakes. I pray that he is able to find something that he can fix and then give him the ability to fix it. I pray for anyone else who is facing a health issue. Help them to put their trust in You. Show them that You can heal them. Show them that they can call on You. Answer their prayers Lord. Heal their bodies!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 46,47,48,49; 1 Peter 5

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Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Most Important Of All, Continue To Show Deep Love For Each Other, For Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins.


Most Important Of All,
Continue To Show Deep Love For Each Other,
For Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins.
Scripture
1 Peter 4
8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Observation
Years ago when Kathy and I first served as missionaries in Mexico I remember visiting a very small church in a small village for some special celebration that the church had invited me to.
From the street in front of the church I could see another small little Baptist church, close enough that if I had wanted to I could have thrown a small a stone and hit it. It was that close!
When I asked why there were two Baptist churches in the same tiny village, (and not to mention so close together) they explained to me that a disagreement, probably better known in their village as a knock-down-drag-out fight, had splintered the small congregation into something even smaller. Now what was left after the feud was two itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie congregations.
And if I had time I could probably think of an example right here in Tampa where one of our churches did the same thing. It is a shame, but it shouldn't surprise us.
The Apostle Peter tells us in 1 Peter 4:8 that we must love each other deeply, and only when we love each other deeply will we be able to get along with each other and live in harmony, because love covers a multitude of sin.
We are family - we must stick together!
Can't get along with people – are you easily offended? - if that is the case, don't you dare brag about it!
It shows me this about you – you have not yet learned how to love deeply!
Application
I must love people deeply and overlook their imperfections - their sins, because I too, am a sinner.
How about you? Holding a grudge? Still need to get something right with someone? Don't wait until tomorrow. Call them or write them today – show them that you love them – give them some deep love!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the ability to love the unlovely and to love anyone who has decided in his or her heart to be against me. Help me to love those who come into my life with the same deep love that You show me. I don't deserve Your love and they don't have to deserve my love for me to love them. Thank You for my family, my wife, my children, my grandchildren, and my extended family. Help me to always love them deeply no matter what. Thank You for my church family. Give me the same kind of deep love for each one of them - no matter what!
I pray for LaNan Brevik and her children today as they go through this time of loss. Give them strength. Comfort them. Thank You for allowing me the opportunity to know Jim Brevik. He was a special friend. I will see his smile and I will fellowship with him again when I am with him around Your throne!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 43,44,45; 1 Peter 4



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Tuesday, July 24, 2018

But Those Who Trust In The Lord Will Find New Strength. They Will Soar High On Wings Like Eagles. They Will Run And Not Grow Weary. They Will Walk And Not Faint.


But Those Who Trust In The Lord Will Find New Strength.
They Will Soar High On Wings Like Eagles.
They Will Run And Not Grow Weary. They Will Walk And Not Faint.
Scripture
Isaiah 40
28 Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

29 He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.

30 Even youths will become weak and tired,
    and young men will fall in exhaustion.

31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
    They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
    They will walk and not faint.
Observation
Maybe you are like me this morning and you need new strength! Well Isaiah 40:31 tells us where we can find it!
By the way, some of my favorite Bible verses are found in Isaiah 40, Isaiah 41, and Isaiah 43. If you read the Bible a lot then they are probably some of your favorites too!
When you have an extra minute check out these promises found in Isaiah 41:10 and Isaiah 43:1-3.
But today Isaiah 40:28-31 jumped out at me! Right now I am meditating and thinking about this passage and what they mean for my life!
When your health has been compromised like mine has been and you don't have the natural strength that you once had, then these verses take on even more meaning – at least they do for me.
It reminds me of what the Apostle Paul said about his illness, “I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
Isaiah 40:28 says, “And He never grows weak or weary! And in verse 29 we read, “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.”
So maybe like me, you find yourself weak and a bit weary this morning … well God has a Word for us today – it is found in Isaiah 40:28-31!
Lets hold on to these promises as we go through this day!
Psalm 18:29
In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
Psalm 71:9
And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
Psalm 73:26
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
Application
The Lord is my strength. I will put my trust in Him.
How about you?
Exodus 15:2
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are my strength today. I will depend on, and I will trust in You. I pray for those who are struggling with health issues that are far worse than I am experiencing today. Give them Your strength. I pray for those who are dealing with pain and fatigue today. Help them soar high on wings like eagles. Guide them to Your Word so they can find the strength to get them through these difficult days. You understand what we are going through and You feel our pain.
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 40,41,42; 1 Peter 3



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Monday, July 23, 2018

For God Called You To Do Good


For God
Called
You To Do Good
Scripture
1 Peter 2
21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.
Observation
It is so easy for us to see what other people should be doing … isn't it? At least it is for me!
This week Eddy needs to focus on what Eddy should be doing and not worry about what everybody else isn't doing, or at least isn't doing what Eddy thinks they should be doing!
You and I have a calling – we have been called to do good works, good deeds, good stuff!
Blaming others is something that goes back all the way to Adam, and Eve … it didn't work for them and it won't help us one bit either.
In your work place do something extra this week … make a difference … go the second mile for your employer and your fellow employees! If they notice, okay, if they don't that's okay too – just do something good!
If we volunteer somewhere … lets do it with all of our heart … lets invest extra time and energy this week in what God has called us to do!
Lets look around and find someone that we can help … someone we can encourage! Lets do some good this week. Lets just do the next right thing!
Luke 6:27
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.
Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Micah 6:8
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Romans 12:21
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
1 Corinthians 10:24
Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
Galatians 6:9-10
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Application
I will look for ways to do good this week. … How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I look forward to this new week. Help me keep my focus on You and what You want me to do with my time. Show me who needs to be encouraged. Show me what I can do that will make a difference in someone's life this week. Don't let me make excuses. Don't let me be a slacker this week. Don't let me blame or criticize anyone … help me to keep my focus on what You have called me to do. And give me the strength and the energy that I need, to do what You ask me to do.
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2



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Sunday, July 22, 2018

God Paid A Ransom To Save You From The Empty Life


God Paid
A Ransom
To Save You From The Empty Life ...
Scripture
1 Peter 1
18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
Observation
I can remember what my life was like before someone introduced me to Jesus Christ. God has a term for a life that is being lived out without Christ – empty! And “empty” perfectly describes what my life was like before I surrendered my life to Christ.
The only way that you and I can experience life to its fullest, the only way we can experience life the way God meant for it to be, is by having a personal relationship with our Creator. He created us. He wants to be our Heavenly Father. He wants to save us, He wants to rescue us from the “empty life”.
Satan wants us to believe that we can live our lives like God doesn't exist! Satan is constantly at work trying to get believers to go back to the “empty life” In 1 Peter 1:14 God warns us, “Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.”
No amount of money we accumulate, no matter how much fame or attention we gain, no matter how successful we might be in business, none of those things can save me nor save you from the empty life; it is only by the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
Jesus said, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. John 10:10
Application
I will walk in obedience with my Heavenly Father so that I can experience the abudant life that He has given me in Christ. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I can remember what it was like to live my life without having a relationship with You. I didn't like it then and I sure don't want to slip back into my old way of living. Help me to say, “no” to sin. Help me to walk in obedience.
I pray for some of my friends who think that they can continue to live in sin and it not destroy them. Open up their eyes! Show them the dangerous path that they are on. Help them to turn back to You so they can live their lives to the full, so they can experience the abundant life that was meant for them!
Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 36,37; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1



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Saturday, July 21, 2018

Elijah Was As Human As We Are, And Yet When He Prayed Earnestly That No Rain Would Fall, None Fell For Three And A Half Years!


Elijah Was As Human As We Are,
And Yet When He Prayed Earnestly That No Rain Would Fall,
None Fell For Three And A Half Years!
Scripture
James 5
13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 
14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 
17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 
18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
Observation
The Bible says, “the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results”. You and I, if we put God first in our lives, fit the description of a righteous person that our Bible is talking about.
It doesn't mean that we are perfect, Elijah was as human as we are, but look what happened when he prayed! The Bible says that when we are living in a right relationship with God that our prayers are powerful!
God loves to answer the prayers of His children when they are walking in obedience!
So let me ask you, “Are you walking in obedience right now?” Is there un-confessed sin in your life? Are there secret sins that you are unable or unwilling to stop?
If so, let this be your prayer today: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24
In just a few minutes Kathy and I will be going to the graveside service of someone very special to us. Eloise King loved the Lord. She was a long time member of our church.
She lived to the “ripe old age” of 97.
Eloise and her husband Warner served for many years taking care of the Tampa Bay Baptist Assembly Grounds, now known as the Tampa Bay Baptist Conference Center. She was a great cook. She made the best wedding cakes!
Eloise went on several mission trips to Mexico with us, first when she was probably in her 70's and then again in her 80's!
Eloise never acted like an “old person”. What do I mean by that … I mean that she refused to gripe or complain like most of us old folks do - no matter what changes we made at our church, no matter how much she suffered during the time that she was bedridden, she did not complain.
Eloise loved to see lives changed. She was a walking Bible. She was a great Bible teacher. She knew the Word of God and she lived it. As her pastor I was glad that I had her support and I was very glad that I had her praying for me.
Eloise, would be the first to tell you that she was not perfect, but I know that she is one of those that James described in James 5:16 when he said, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 

8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Application
I want to live my life in a way that will allow people to talk about me when I die like I just did about my friend Eloise King. How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live out my life in a close relationship with You. I know that as I put You first in my life You will take care of me. It is Your promise and You keep every promise that You make.
I pray today for any person that may read this blog. Help them to be a righteous person. Help them to strive to live a godly life. Give them the strength and the courage to stay away from sin. Show them that they can trust You with every detail of his or her life. Bless them Lord as they put You first!
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 18,19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5



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