Sunday, December 16, 2018

In The Same Way, You Husbands Must Give Honor To Your Wives.


In The Same Way, You Husbands
Must
Give Honor To Your Wives.
Scripture
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.
Observation
Simon Peter lived in a world where men thought of women as their property. Jesus Christ changed all of that, at least He did for all of us who have become followers of Christ.
Men, today you and I are challenged to give honor to our wives and to treat them with understanding. We are to highly value them as a gift from God.
Our wives are equal partners and we must treat them well or our Heavenly Father will not even hear our prayers.
After living with me 49 years, Kathy has no trouble letting me know when she thinks I am being condescending or when she thinks I am treating her like a child, or even worse, when she thinks I am treating her like she is stupid.
Don't smile men! I bet this happens to you too!
Application
I will treat Kathy with love and respect. I will treat her as I should so my prayers are not hindered.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me such a great wife. When I look around at those who You could have picked out for me I am so glad that You picked Kathy. Help me to treat her as I should. Don't let me mistreat her. Bless her, Lord. Give her strength and good health. Help her to walk close to You. Continue to use her in the lives of our children and grandchildren as a witness for You.
I pray for any man that may be reading this blog. Help him to be a godly man. Help him to be the very best husband to his wife. Help him to realize what a treasure she is to him.
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1,2,3,4,5

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Are Any Of You Suffering Hardships? You Should Pray.


Are Any Of You
Suffering Hardships?
You Should Pray.
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

This morning before I even got out of bed the Lord brought to my mind two people who are in the hospital and who are very sick. I know that God brought them to my mind so that I would pray for them.
Let's pray when we are suffering hardships. Let's pray and sing praises when we are happy. Let's pray for those who are sick. Let's pray … pray … pray!
James uses the example of Elijah to show us just how powerful we are when we pray. Elijah was a human just like we are, and yet he prayed for it not to rain and it didn't rain for three and a half years.
Then he prayed for it to rain and God sent down rain!
I think a lot of times when we pray we are guilty of not really believing that our prayers will be answered. We pray, mumble words, but we don't pray in faith.
When I pray for someone who is sick I always pray for God to heal them. Yes, I realize that He does not always restore them to health as I ask. Sometimes He does even better ... He chooses to take them to Heaven where they get a new body and where they get a complete make over!
Application
I will pray in faith. I will pray for the sick.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I do believe that nothing is too hard for You. When You put someone on my heart to pray for them I know that it is because You are working in his or her life. Help me to always pray in faith. I want faith like that of Elijah.
I pray today for those who are sick. Give them Your strength, Lord. Heal their bodies. Help them to sense Your presence, Your power, and Your love today.
I pray for those who have recently lost a loved one. I pray that You will comfort them. Draw them close to you. Give them strength as they grieve. Bring people into their lives to help them through this difficult time.
Daily Bible Reading: James 1,2,3,4,5

Friday, December 14, 2018

Remember Your Leaders Who Taught You The Word Of God.


Remember Your Leaders
Who
Taught You The Word Of God.
Scripture
Hebrews 13
7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Observation
Dr. Waylon B. Moore, Dr. Charles Hartwig, Paul Burleson, Hugh Roberts and one of my Seminary Professors, Oscar Thompson, these are some of the men whose leadership has impacted and changed my life.
Our present leadership team at our church would also be on my list.
Some godly women in my life would have to include Clemmie Moore (she was always encouraging me), Patsy Hartwig, Millie Roberts, Audrey (Hockett) Puckett, Hannah Williams (my granny), and Linda Renner.
I could list quite a few more men and women, but I don't want to completely bore you.
Who would you put on your list?
Take a minute and give thanks for the leaders that God has placed in your life!
Let me remind all of us that no matter how godly a leader is … they are not perfect. All of us are flawed. We are all sinners. Even those who lead us are far from perfect.
You and I must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Lets both imitate and be thankful for those good examples that God has placed in our lives.
Application
I am taking time this morning to remember all of the godly men and women that God has placed in my life.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, as I think of all the godly people that You have placed in my life over all of these years I am filled and overwhelmed with gratitude. I am so grateful for them. I am so glad that You brought them into my life. Bless them, Lord. Help me to be an example to those who are in my life right now. Don't let me be a stumbling block to them. Keep me away from stupid sins that would mess up my life and that would hurt my witness and that would destroy my testimony. Help me live a godly life.
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Daily Bible Reading: Hebrews 12,13; Jude

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Let Us Go Right Into The Presence Of God With Sincere Hearts Fully Trusting Him.


Let Us Go
Right Into The Presence Of God
With Sincere Hearts Fully Trusting Him.
Scripture
Hebrews 10
19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.
20 By his death,  Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 
21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 
22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him.
Observation
What an awesome privilege you and I have as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ!
By His death, Jesus opened up a new and life-giving way to our Heavenly Father. You and I can boldly enter Heaven's Most Holy Place and talk directly with God this morning.
We have direct 24/7 access to the Creator of the entire Universe and we get to come to Him and address Him as our Heavenly Father!
So lets go right into the presence of God today with sincere hearts fully trusting Him!
Hebrews 9,10, and 11 are all so full of such good stuff that it was hard what to pick what to write about this morning.
I hope that you take time to read God's Word today.
I hope that you have made the decision to read something from the Bible and spend time talking to God every day that He gives you breath!
Application
I will boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place and talk with my Heavenly Father.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me the privilege of calling You, Father. You are a good, good Father. I know that You are always ready to listen to me when I come to You with a sincere heart. I know that You care about me. You care about every detail of my life. You delight in me. All of this is too wonderful for me to even understand. I don't deserve Your kindness. I don't deserve Your love. But thank You for loving me even when I do things that make You sad.
I pray for any person reading this blog this morning. I pray that they would take time this morning to read Your Word and that they would take time to talk to You. Smile on them, Lord. Bless them as they put You first in their life!
I pray for Megan Carter this morning. Guide the doctors as they perform the surgery. I pray for a quick and complete recovery.
Daily Bible Reading: Hebrews 9,10,11

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

This Hope Is A Strong And Trustworthy Anchor For Our Souls.


This Hope
Is A Strong And Trustworthy
Anchor For Our Souls.
Scripture
Hebrews 6
19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Observation

This is one of Kathy's favorite verses! I should have gotten her to write this blog this morning.

Maybe she will see it and add something to what I share. Maybe you would like to add something about this verse in the comment section … I would love to read it.

Biblical hope” is so different from how the word “hope” is usually used in our every day conversations.

For instance, you may have said this about your favorite football team, “I hope my teams wins the Super Bowl this year!” Or you who are dumb enough (sorry, did I just say that) to play the lottery may have said, “I hope I win the lottery!” Both of those statements are just wishful thinking based on absolutely “nothing”.

Biblical hope” has God's Word to back it up. Biblical hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for my soul because it is backed up by all of God's promises in His Word.

Someone has said, “Whenever faith in God looks to the future, it is called hope. And whenever our hope rests on the Word of God, it is called faith. Hope is faith in the future tense.”
William Carey, “Expect great things from God.”
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 31:24
Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 33:22
Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Psalm 42:11
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
Application
I will expect great things from God!
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are the God of all hope, a trustworthy anchor for my soul! I have the confident assurance of Your Word. You have given me thousands of promises in Your Word and I know that You will keep everyone of them. My hope is in You! I pray for those who are struggling right now with major issues. Help them to hold on to all of Your promises. Help them to hope in You.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I saw that I wrote this on December 12, 2016
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Scripture

Hebrews 6
14 “I will certainly bless you,
and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”
18 … Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.
Observation
God’s promise to Abraham is also His promise to us. In this crazy, upside down, dog eat dog, vicious, cruel, mean, and rude world you and I have an anchor.
I don’t know about you and what has been going on in your world, but in my crazy world I definitely need an anchor for my soul.
So I am holding on.
I am taking refuge in God and with great confidence I am holding on to the hope that lies before me. How about you?
Psalm 62:5
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
Psalm 94:19
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Psalm 43:5
Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!
Psalm 39:7 
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.
Psalm 31:24
So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!
Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Application
I put my hope in the Lord this Monday morning. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are my refuge. I put my hope in You. No matter what happens in this world I have an anchor for my soul. I hold on tightly to all of Your promises. I have confidence in Your Word. My only hope is in You.
Daily Bible Reading: Hebrews 5,6,7,8

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Because God's Children Are Human Beings - Made Of Flesh - The Son Also Became Flesh And Blood.


Because God's Children Are Human Beings -
Made Of Flesh -
The Son Also Became Flesh And Blood.
Scripture
Hebrews 2
14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.
15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 
17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.
18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Observation
The birth of a baby – it is an amazing miracle in itself! Our daughter Debby just delivered our 10th grand daughter. Juliana Gandhi came into this world a few hours ago, weighing in at whopping 8 pounds 13 ounces!
My 5 year grand daughter Amelie and I waited out in the waiting room but we spent a lot of our time standing at the door in the hall way trying to hear what was going on inside.
While we waited, Amelie prayed and I prayed, asking that this miracle would happen without a hitch! God answered our prayers.
Since Juliana's birth was at a birthing center, Mom, Dad, and new baby are already home. And Amelie, Juliana's big 5 year old sister, gets to have one more sleep over with Grand Pa and Grand Ma!
An as amazing as the birth of one of our children and grandchildren may be (and it is amazing and wonderful) the birth of the Christ child was and is even more miraculous!
He chose to be born into this world specifically so He could offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus became like us, so we could become like Him.
When we trust in what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are born again, and we are born into the Kingdom of God. We become God's very own children.
Application
I will always marvel and be in awe when it comes to the miracle of the birth of a baby ... especially the birth of our Savior!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for answering our prayers. Thank You for the safe arrival of Juliana Gandhi into this world. We know that You knew her name even before she was created in the womb. Help her to grow up trusting in You. Help her Mom and Dad raise her in a way that brings You glory.
Daily Bible Reading: Philemon; Hebrews 1,2,3,4

Monday, December 10, 2018

All Scripture Is Inspired By God And Is Useful To Teach Us What Is True And To Make Us Realize What Is Wrong In Our Lives.


All Scripture Is Inspired By God
And Is Useful To Teach Us What Is True
And To Make Us Realize What Is Wrong In Our Lives.
Scripture
2 Timothy 3
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
Observation
The Bible is the only book that is inspired by God. It is useful to teach us what is true.
Reading God's Word on a daily basis helps us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and it teaches us to do what is right.
Someone once said, “We read the Bible and then it reads us!”
But it will not do any of us any good if it is sitting on a table or stuffed in a drawer somewhere going unread!
Here are some other good quotes about the Bible:
The Word of God I think of as a straight edge, which shows up our own crookedness. We can’t really tell how crooked our thinking is until we line it up with the straight edge of Scripture.” -Elisabeth Elliot; …
The Bible is the book of my life. It's the book I live with, the book I live by, the book I want to die by.” -N. T. Wright …
I’ve read the last page of the Bible, it’s all going to turn out alright.” -Billy Graham …
Don't fall into the trap of studying the Bible without doing what it says.” -Francis Chan
One of my favorite quotes about the Bible is the one that I have written in the cover of my study Bible and it was made by Pastor Rapley Armstrong:
This Book will keep you from sin … and sin will keep you from this Book.”
Application

I will read God's Word every day.

How about you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me Your Word. Help me to be in Your Word every day. Don't ever let me go a day without opening up and reading Your Word.
I pray for those who are trying to read the Bible everyday. Help them to be successful. Don't let them give up. Show them all of the riches that You have for them as they read it. It is so powerful. I am amazed that I never grow tired of reading Your Word. It is new and fresh every morning!
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 1,2,3,4

Sunday, December 09, 2018

Our People Must Learn To Do Good By Meeting The Urgent Needs Of Others


Our People
Must Learn To Do Good
By Meeting The Urgent Needs Of Others
Scripture
Titus 3
14 Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
Observation
The Apostle Paul tells us in Titus 3 that “doing good” is something that is learned by helping others that have urgent needs.
I got a phone call this week from a brother in Christ who was working hard trying to find housing for a family who had no place to stay. He was meeting an urgent need of someone else.
Doing good is something that is learned by doing!
During this Christmas Season I am sure that you and I will have the opportunity to help someone that is less fortunate than we are.
It might be something small to us that we do for them but it won't be a small thing to them.
Lets keep our eyes open for the person(s) that God brings across our path to help.
Application
I will look for ways to do good … how about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that there are people who You will bring across my path that need to be encouraged and that have needs that I can help meet. Don't let me miss an opportunity to be Your hands and Your feet.
I pray for my wife Kathy. Heal her body. Help her to get over what ever is going on in her body quickly so that she can help our daughter Debby with the new baby when it comes. We are counting on You.
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 5,6; Titus 1,2,3

Saturday, December 08, 2018

Be An Example To All Believers In What You Say, In The Way You Live, In Your Love,Your Faith, And Your Purity.


Be An Example To All Believers
In What You Say, In The Way You Live,
In Your Love,Your Faith, And Your Purity.
Scripture
1 Timothy 4
11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.

12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 

13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Observation
It is Saturday. What do you and I need to do today to be ready to go to church tomorrow?
The Apostle Paul's word of exhortation to young Timothy is a good Word for me today and I think that it might be a good Word for you today too!
You and I need to be examples. Examples to everyone in what we say, and examples to everyone by how we live.
Specifically our lives should reflect our love for people, our faith in the Lord, and the purity of our Lord and Savior.
Our children, our grandchildren, our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends, and our fellow church members, they all need for us to be good examples of the Christian life.
So lets get rid of any thing, yes, lets get rid of every single thing that may blur or hinder people from seeing Jesus in us.
Hope to see everybody in church tomorrow!
Application
I want to be a good example to my grown kids and to my grand children. I want them to be able to see Jesus in me.
How about you?
Matthew 5:16
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I want people to see Jesus in me. I want to be a good example. Help me to live my life in a way that helps people know Christ and helps the people around me to grow in Christ. Don't let me do anything that would cause them to stumble.
I pray today for those who are sick. I pray for healing. I pray for those who are allowing sin to mess up their life. Help them to turn away from the sin and turn back to You. Help any person who may be reading this blog today. Help them to be a good example by the way they live their life. And help them to be in church tomorrow.
Daily Bible Reading: 1 Timothy 1,2,3,4

Friday, December 07, 2018

Husbands Love Your Wives And Never Treat Them Harshly.


Husbands
Love Your Wives
And Never Treat Them Harshly.
Scripture
Colossians 3
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 
21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 
23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Observation
In these few verses the Apostle Paul gave instruction to wives, to husbands, to children, to fathers and he even had a word for slaves.
Almost every week I hear of a husband or a boy friend mistreating his wife or his girl friend. Verbal abuse destroys a relationship just as much as physical abuse does.
It is never okay for me to mistreat my wife and it is never okay for you to treat your wife or your 'significant other' harshly either.
The “Macho Man” mentality, comes straight from the pit of hell and Satan loves for us men to act like a “Macho man”. Satan loves for us to mistreat our wives.
You and I are jerks, any time we mistreat our wives, any time we treat them harshly.
I wish that I could say that I have never acted like a jerk, that I have never treated Kathy harshly, but she would be the first to tell you that Eddy can act like a real jerk sometimes.
Here are three helpful phrases for us men when we act like jerks!
I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?”
Application
I will try my best to treat Kathy like the gift from God that she is!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for the men I know to be godly men. Help them to treat their wives with kindness and help them to love their wives as Christ loves the church. Don't let me mistreat Kathy. Bring conviction and let me know every time I do not treat Kathy the way I am supposed to treat her. Give her the courage and boldness to confront me any time I do not treat her with love and respect.
Daily Bible Reading: Colossians 1,2,3,4
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I just saw that I wrote this blog on December 7, 2016 … Maybe it will speak to you!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Scripture
Colossians 2
6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.
Colossians 3
8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Observation
It is not what you and I do on Sunday that matters most. Oh no, it is what we do and say Monday thru Saturday that really counts!
Anybody, including you and me can come on Sunday and even Wednesday evening, smile and be nice for a few minutes, but it is how we live the rest of the week that matters most to God.
Don’t kid yourself, what you are doing will find you out.
One of the things that Kathy and I have prayed and will continue to pray for our grown children is that if they are doing something wrong is that they will get caught! It is my prayer for myself too.
Whatever we do or say lets do it as representatives of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Lets live for Christ all 7 days out of the week!
Numbers 32:23
But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.
Application
I will live for Jesus Christ 24/7. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know how frustrated I have been because some of the people that You have brought into my life and into Kathy’s life who we love are struggling and are being drawn back into the ways of the old life that was destroying them. Help them to repent and help them to put on the new nature. Help them to live for Christ 24/7. And if they refuse to repent and refuse to turn back to You then I pray that they get caught. Save them from themselves. Help me and anyone else that may be reading this blog to live as Your representatives, living Monday thru Sunday in a way that brings You glory and honor.
Daily Bible Reading: Colossians 1,2,3,4





Thursday, December 06, 2018

Whenever I Pray, I Make My Requests For All Of You With Joy


Whenever I Pray,
I Make My Requests
For All Of You With Joy
Scripture
Philippians 1
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 

Observation
Maybe you are looking at this blog and wondering why in the world does Eddy keeps posting them on Facebook or why does he keep sending them to me via email.
I can think of two main reasons I do it. The first reason is that it helps me have a consistent quiet time everyday. If I don't get my post up by a certain time in the morning I have a brother-in-law, David Bearden, who faithfully calls me to check on me to make sure that I am okay!
But the main reason I keep posting these simple blogs that some of you sometimes take time to read is that it gives me the opportunity to pray for you.
I pray for those who take the time to click “like” or who make a comment. And for some of you who receive this via email I try to always pray for you before I click “send”.
This has become an important part of my daily life. It is something that I can do for you.
Last week when I was in Panama City helping those affected by the storm, I wasn't able to post these blogs and I really missed being able to pray for all of you.
Be sure to private message me with your prayer requests and whenever I pray I will make my requests for you with joy!
Application
Private message me with your prayer requests and whenever I pray I will make my requests for all of you with joy!
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that You have given me this ministry of intercession. It may seem like a small thing to someone else but it is not a small thing to me. It is a joy for me to pray for those who You have brought into my life. Help me to pray for them with confidence and with joy. Meet the deep needs of their lives. Draw them close to You. Show them that they can trust and depend on You today for everything that may be going on in their life. Nothing is too hard for You!
Daily Bible Reading: Philippians 1,2,3,4