Sunday, September 30, 2018

And People Will Come From All Over The World -- From East And West, North And South – To Take Their Places In The Kingdom Of God.


And People Will Come From All Over The World --
From East And West, North And South –
To Take Their Places In The Kingdom Of God.
Scripture
Luke 13
29 And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God.
Observation
We went to North Carolina to help those devastated by Hurricane Florence. For a week we helped people that had trees on top of their homes, people that had debris covering their yards, and people, because of 2 feet of water in their homes that lost everything, even the sheet rock on the walls had to come out.
On our last day in Whiteville, we helped a woman and her daughter, and when we finished their house, all of their belongings were outside under a porch, all of the debris and torn out sheet rock was at the street; they had pretty much lost everything.
We had to take the sheet rock and insulation out all the way to the ceiling. As we talked and prayed with them, it was amazing how strong they were. We left knowing that Jesus was going to take care of them.
Theresa, the Mom, had lost her husband to a massive heart attack last October. His sudden death had been very hard on them. It was obvious that both were still grieving this loss. Now they would have to face this monumental crisis and task without his help ... but they are not alone.
As we surrounded them and prayed for them we reminded them that Jesus would get them through this.
God is at work in Whiteville, North Carolina just as He is all over this world and people from all over the world – from east and west, north and south – will take their places in the Kingdom of God.
Whiteville, North Carolina was and is a reminder to me that all of our physical possessions are very temporary. Here today and gone tomorrow.
So lets focus on the people around us today – lets invest in what is going to last forever!
Application
I will focus and invest my time in people.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for all the people that we helped during this past week. Help them rebuild their lives after this storm. Bring people into their lives to encourage them. Show them that they can rely on You. Bring them closer to You! Thank You for all of the volunteers that continue to head to North and South Carolina to help. I pray that many people will put their faith and trust in You during this time of hardship.
Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 7,8,9; Luke 13

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Saturday, September 22, 2018

Don't Be Afraid! From Now On You'll Be Fishing For People.


Don't Be Afraid!
From Now On
You'll Be Fishing For People.
Scripture
Luke 5
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”
5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 
6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.
8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” 
9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.
Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” 11 And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.
Observation
This may be the last blog you see from me for an entire week.
I leave in the morning for North Carolina with a Disaster Relief Team from our church. Please pray for us this week.
We will be staying and working out of a Baptist Church in Whiteville, NC. Just getting to Whiteville may be a challenge for us with all the road closures.
As we help flood victims during the week verse 10 of Luke 5 will be on my mind.
Jesus has called us to minister to both the physical and the spiritual needs of those we will help. He wants us to fish for people!
If we have wifi and I am able to get on line then I will give updates on the blogs that I am able to write.
If you don't hear from me or see me on Facebook then you will know that an internet connection was not available!
Application
I will share my faith every chance I get as we go out to help those devastated by Hurricane Florence.
Please keep us in your prayers!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give our team opportunities to share our faith this week. We pray for hearts that will be open to the Gospel. Help us make a difference in the lives of those we help. I pray for each member of the team. I pray that each of us goes with a heart that is right with You.
Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 9,10; Psalms 123; Luke 5

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Friday, September 21, 2018

Mary, Sat At The Lord's Feet, Listening To What He Taught.


Mary, Sat At The Lord's Feet,
Listening
To What He Taught.
Scripture
Luke 10
38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 
39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 
40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!
42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Observation
People are crazy busy … life is definitely flying by!
In the midst of all of our busyness, in the middle of all of our craziness, and on top of all of life's daily drama, God wants us to stop, take time to open up His Word and spend time with Him – yes, every crazy, busy, drama filled day!
Martha was too busy to sit at Jesus' feet.
Mary, Martha's sister, could have been just as busy as her sister but she made a decision, a decision to stop and focus her attention on Jesus.
Every day is a test for both of us. Every day you and I have a choice.
Do we start, what will undoubtedly be a busy and probably crazy day, by first stopping and spending time with Jesus, or will we be like Martha, and totally miss out on what was most important in our day!
Having a busy schedule is a poor excuse ... NO … let me re-phrase that, having a busy schedule is NO EXCUSE, for us not spending time with God and for us not opening up His Word on a daily basis.
You and I always seem to make time to do the things we want to do.
Let's make the decision today to put God first! Let's make time alone with God our number one priority!
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Mark 1:35
Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Matthew 6:6
6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Matthew 6:33
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Application
I will be in God's Word everyday –
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to always have the desire to spend time with You as I start out my day. Help me to pray first. I realize that I am no different than anyone else. It is real easy for me to think about everything that I have to do or think that I need to do during the day and get sidetracked away from what is most important. Help me today to stay in touch with You all day long. Direct my steps. Help me to make You smile!
Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 7,8; Psalms 137; Luke 4; I Added: Luke 10; Proverbs 21

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Thursday, September 20, 2018

I Am Counting On The Lord; Yes, I Am Counting On Him. I Have Put My Hope In His Word.


I Am Counting On The Lord;
Yes, I Am Counting On Him.
I Have Put My Hope In His Word.
Scripture
Psalm 130
1 From the depths of despair, O Lord,
    I call for your help.

2 Hear my cry, O Lord.
    Pay attention to my prayer.

3 Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
    who, O Lord, could ever survive?

4 But you offer forgiveness,
    that we might learn to fear you.

5 I am counting on the Lord;
    yes, I am counting on him.
    I have put my hope in his word.

6 I long for the Lord
    more than sentries long for the dawn,
    yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

Observation
Who are you counting on?
If we are counting on someone, it doesn't matter if it is our spouse, a significant other, or for that matter anybody else, to meet our deepest needs, I can tell you right now that you and I will be frustrated and deeply disappointed.
I love Kathy more than anything in the world. She is the best! But I can't, I am not capable, I can't even come close, to meeting all of her needs. There are so many needs in her life that only God can meet.
That is why right now, while I am spending time in God's Word and talking with Him, and writing this blog, Kathy is doing the same thing.
Often Kathy will walk in and share with me things that the Lord has shown her during her quiet time and I am amazed at what God is teaching her.
I am very proud of Kathy and her commitment to spend time every day with the Lord, and when I think about it ... it makes me smile!
I am so impressed at what God is doing in the life of my wife!
Who are you counting on?
Application
I am counting on the Lord. I am putting my hope in His Word.
How about you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I will pray these verses from Psalm 130 back to You this morning,
“From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.”
Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 5,6; Psalms 130; Luke 3

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Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Keep Your Servant From Deliberate Sins! Don't Let Them Control Me.


Keep Your Servant
From Deliberate Sins!
Don't Let Them Control Me.
Scripture
Psalm 19
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
    Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
    and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Observation
Here is what I have noticed and I hope you have too, when sin controls my life, I try to blame everybody else for my bad behavior, everybody around me gets thrown under the bus, especially my spouse!
Don't act shocked, it happens in your life too! And it is ridiculous!
For example we could hear someone say, “It is your fault that I am yelling; it is your fault that I am mean and hateful.” Or one might hear, when a husband or wife is unfaithful in their relationship to the other, “It is your fault that I am committing adultery”.
Everybody gets thrown under the bus. All of us have felt the pain of getting thrown under the bus by someone else! The guilty party wants to put the guilt on everybody else … except on themselves.
Remember this, “Sin will take us farther than we want to go, keep us longer than we want to stay, and cost us more than we want to pay. –”
King David was crying out to God for help to keep him from deliberate sins! You and I need to do the same thing!
Our enemy Satan knows where we are weak. He knows what sins are especially attractive to us and he tempts us to take the bait.
What we thought was so appealing, what we thought was so attractive now has taken control of us … and it is not pretty!
If we find ourselves under the control of a particular sin, we don't have to stay under its control – we can cry out to God, we can turn away from the sin, we can turn to Him, and we can ask God to forgive us of the sin.
And then we must ask those who we have hurt, especially our spouse, to forgive us too.
Psalm 51:10&17
 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
    You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
1 John 1:9
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Application
When I sin I will accept responsibility for my sin and not try to put the blame on someone else. Plus, I know that Kathy is not going to let me put the blame of my bad behavior on her!
How about you? Man up ... or will you continue to try to put the blame on someone else?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 47,48; Luke 2; I added: Psalm 19, Psalm 39, Proverbs 19

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Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Nothing Is Impossible For God.


Nothing
Is
Impossible For God.
Scripture
Luke 1
37 Nothing is impossible for God.
Observation

Nothing … Nada ... is impossible for God.
Do you remember when Jesus told His disciples to feed a crowd of over 5,000 people?
The disciples had come to Jesus and they told Jesus to send the crowd away so the multitude could go to nearby villages and buy something to eat. But Jesus said to the disciples, “No, you feed them!”
Do you remember that when the disciples added up how much food they had on hand to feed that crowd, all they came up with was a kid's lunch of a mere five loaves of bread and two small fish. Jesus had given them an impossible task … impossible for them to do - alone.
Here was the lesson they learned that day. It was the same lesson Mary, the mother of Jesus learned, when she conceived, without ever having sex with a man, and it is a lesson that is repeated over and over again in Scripture, “Nothing is impossible for God … nothing!”
What you and I face today we do not have to face it alone? We were never designed to face it alone.
Five loaves, two fish, + Jesus = Enough.
What are you facing today?
You + Jesus = Enough!
Application
I will depend on Jesus for everything that comes my way today.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to remember today that I am not alone. I know that You want me to depend on You rather than depending and trusting in myself. Show me that nothing is impossible for You.
I pray for those who are facing seemingly impossible situations today. Show them that they can trust You with all of their “impossibles”. Remind them that You are a mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 45,46; Luke 1

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Monday, September 17, 2018

Look, I Am Coming Soon!


Look,
I Am
Coming Soon!
Scripture
Revelation 22
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me,and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega,the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Observation

Here's why it matters how we live our lives as Christians, at least here is one good reason … because when Jesus returns … He is going to reward each person according to what we have done.
Our good works do not save us, but God is keeping track of them to reward us when we get to Heaven!
Here is another reason, and this is something that we Christians seem to easily forget or just totally ignore, that even though the penalty of our sins is forgiven, we still have to live with the consequences of our sins.
And our sins not only have terrible consequences for us, but they also have severe consequences on our family.
What are you doing to your wife or husband? What are you doing to your kids or grand kids?
Adultery, sexual immorality, gambling, drunkenness, gluttony, lying, stealing, murder, etc., yes, and all other horrible sins that you and I commit or could commit are all covered by the blood of Christ, but the consequences of our sin – Oh, what horrible damage they cause!
If you are caught up in some sin right now … think … turn back to God … confess that sin … before more damage, more destruction is done to yourself or before you wreak more havoc on those you love!

Application
I confess that I am a sinner. I will confess my sins as I commit them. I do not want to damage myself or my family by indulging in sin.
I want to finish well.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, help those I know who at this very moment are living in sin. They can't see how much hurt, how much damage that they are causing to themselves or to their family. Open up their eyes. Show them what they are doing. Give them the courage to turn back to You. Give them the courage to get things right with their spouse. Get them quickly to a place of honesty, humility and brokenness, so they can be saved from destruction. I know that You are watching how we live. I know that You will reward us for all that we have done to further Your Kingdom. Help me to stay focused on Your stuff and don't let my focus be on me, myself, and I.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 42,43,44; Revelation 22

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Sunday, September 16, 2018

He Will Wipe Every Tear From Their Eyes, And There Will Be No More Death Or Sorrow Or Crying Or Pain. All These Things Are Gone Forever.


He Will Wipe Every Tear From Their Eyes,
And There Will Be No More Death Or Sorrow Or Crying Or Pain.
All These Things Are Gone Forever.
Scripture
Revelation 21
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Observation
Tears, pain, crying, sorrow, and death, will be gone forever! I can't wait! How about you?
Jesus told us in John 16:33 “that in this world we will have trouble” and boy was He right!
Trouble, trouble, trouble, our lives are filled with trouble! But one day that is going to all change!
But right now, in the middle of all of this trouble, sandwiched in between all of our tears and all of our pain, God gives us glimpses of Heaven by answering our long waited prayers.
Yesterday, we heard promising reports about two different families that we have been praying a long time for and even though things are not completely right yet, there are indications, there are glimpses, that things are heading in the right direction.
It made us smile … It brought us joy ... It gives us hope!
1 Peter 5
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Application
I will never give up praying for people that God has placed on my heart.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, right in the middle of suffering and pain, You are there. Right in the middle of our brokenness and our mess ups, You are there. Thank You for answered prayers. Thank You for not abandoning us. You are constantly working in our lives and in the lives of the people who we are praying for. Thank You for doing the impossible. I pray for couples who are struggling … help them Lord … don't let them give up. I pray for the sick. Heal them Lord. Give them strength. Help me worship You today with all of my heart and and with all of my soul. Speak through our pastors today. Use them for Your glory and for Your honor.
I pray for my daughter Jenny today on her birthday. Bless her Lord. Thank You for allowing us to have her as a daughter. Help her to walk with You. Help her as she raises her family. Direct her steps.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 40,41; Psalms 128; Revelation 21

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Saturday, September 15, 2018

The Lord Always Keeps His Promises.


The Lord
Always
Keeps His Promises.
Scripture
Psalm 145
The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does.

14 The Lord helps the fallen
and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

15 The eyes of all look to you in hope;
you give them their food as they need it.

Observation
It is easy to make promises. It is not easy to keep them. For instance, how are we doing keeping our wedding vows?
Guys, remember when you promised this on the day you got married:
“I promise to love and respect you. I promise to be honest with you always. I will stand by you through whatever may come? I will make whatever adjustments are necessary so that I can genuinely share my life with you. I will live a godly life and I will also promise God to love you with all your heart?
In the presence of God, our family and friends, I take you to be my friend, my lover, the mother of my children and my wife. I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity.”
Men, we need to man up and we keep the promises that we have made to our wives! God always keeps His promises. We need to keep ours too!
Man Up!
Proverbs 5
18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
    Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19 She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
    Let her breasts satisfy you always.
    May you always be captivated by her love.

20 Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman,
    or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman?

21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
    examining every path he takes.

Application
I will keep my wedding vows.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for guys right now that I know who have decided to break the vows that they made on their wedding day. Help them to repent and help them get back to a right relationship with You and a right relationship with their wives. Give them the courage to return to the wife of their youth. Bless them as they make the decision to put You first and to put their wife second. Help them to get their priorities right.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 38,39; Psalms 145; Revelation 20
> 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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Friday, September 14, 2018

The Lord Is Close To The Brokenhearted


The Lord
Is Close
To The Brokenhearted;
Scripture
Psalm 34
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Observation
Kathy and I grieve for women that we know who are married to jerks – yes, you heard me – real jerks.
Kathy and I both know of course, these women are not perfect either, but they don't deserve the treatment that they are receiving from their husbands.
Psalm 34:18 is a warning to all men out there who are mistreating their wives and it is a promise to all of the wives who are brokenhearted.
Look out jerks … the Lord is close to the brokenhearted!
Mistreat your spouse and do you think you can get away with it, oh no … those vows that you made when you married him or her were made both to each other and they were made by you to your Creator.
Marriage was God's idea and He wants it done right.
So what do you do if you find yourself married to a jerk? Okay, let me share a few thoughts with you.
Love him or her in spite of their meanness. Pray for them and ask God to change them. Pray and ask God to change you too. They will try to put all the blame for their bad behavior on you … don't let them do that. Stay in God's Word. Stay active in church and make sure that you are part of a small group where you can get support and be held accountable.
And remember that God loves that jerk and so do you. And that jerk will make a great husband or a great wife when they get things right with God and when they right with you.
Never give up!
By the way, I hope a few jerks are reading this blog … if you are listen up … you are in a very dangerous place … turn back to God … turn back and love and cherish your spouse again.
It is not too late to save your marriage ... if you act right now.
1 Peter 3
7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
Ephesians 5
25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her 26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. 
27 He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 
28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.
Application
I will never give up on trying to help couples to have a great marriage like Kathy and I have. Never!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when I hear stories about the way wives are being treated by their husbands it makes me angry. I feel helpless. But I am not helpless because I have a father-son relationship You and with You nothing is impossible. So when I pray for them I know that I am doing just what they need for me to do. I know that You are the only one who can change these jerks into the godly men that their wives need for them to be. Give these women strength that comes from a close walk with You. Show them that they can depend on you during this time when they can't depend on their husbands. Change hard hearts, Lord. And please change them soon.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 36,37; Psalms 110; Revelation 19: I added Psalm 34, Psalm 64, Psalm 114, Proverbs 14

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Thursday, September 13, 2018

There Will Be Showers Of Blessing


There
Will Be
Showers Of Blessing.
Scripture
Ezekiel 34
26 I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing.
Observation
As I read in Ezekiel this morning and I came upon this verse in Ezekiel 34 immediately I remembered the old Hymn, “There will be showers of blessings”.
The last verse of that great old hymn goes like this (and I only know because I googled it a few minutes ago!): “There shall be showers of blessing, If we but trust and obey; There shall be seasons refreshing, If we let God have His way.”
'If we let God have His way', that my friend, is the key to living a victorious and blessed life.
If you read through the Old Testament and if you read through the New Testament you will find promise after promise that God had made to us. He wants to shower us with blessing.
BUT … you and I have to trust and obey. You and I have to let God have His way.
It is His way, not our way, if we want God to bless us!
What needs to change in our lives for the showers of blessing to begin?
Let's talk to Him!
Application
I will let God have His way in my life today.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want to live in a way that pleases You. I want to receive showers of blessings. I want to walk in obedience. Keep me away from stupid sins that hurt my walk with You and mess up my life with those around me. Help me to put Proverbs 3:5-6 into practice today. 'Help me to trust you will all my heart. Help me not to depend on my own understanding. Help me to seek Your will in all I do. Show me which path I need to take'.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 33,34,35; Revelation 18

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