Saturday, November 24, 2018

So Go Down To The Lake And Throw In A Line. Open The Mouth Of The First Fish You Catch, And You Will Find A Large Silver Coin.


So Go Down To The Lake And Throw In A Line.
Open The Mouth Of The First Fish You Catch,
And You Will Find A Large Silver Coin.
Scripture
Matthew 17
24 On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”
25 “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.
But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”
26 “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.
Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! 
27 However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin.  Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
Observation
Don't you love to hear a good fish story! I sure do! I love to see all the pictures on Facebook of all the fish that some of you catch! They are incredible! But the fish story in Matthew 17 is not one that you are going to be able to top! You might try, but Jesus and Peter have your best fish story beat!
I would have loved to have been with Simon Peter when he went down to that lake to fish, throwing in a line just like Jesus said. When he caught the first fish and found the large silver coin in its mouth just like Jesus said, I wonder what he did! I bet that he wanted to tell the whole world that fish story!
Peter went hook and line fishing for this fish. He didn’t use the nets that the fisherman used in the other passages that dealt with fishing.
I think it is interesting that Jesus tells Peter to look in the mouth of the very first fish that he catches. Jesus made it very easy for Peter. I wonder if Peter kept fishing after he caught the first fish. If he did I wonder if he looked in the mouth of the next fish to see if there was any money in its mouth. Like we did when we used to go by a phone booth or sometimes when you pass by a soda machine or snack machine and check to see if there is any change in it that someone has left.
Jesus can and will take care of our needs and he can do it in a million different ways. He can and usually will do it in a way that we didn’t plan. God is so good.
We are children of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Application
I will look to Jesus to meet every one of my needs because He is 100% faithful, 100% reliable and loves to provide for us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for your Word. You are the Great Provider. Nothing is too hard for You. There is not one thing in my life that is too big for You. You take such good care of my family and me. I pray that You will help me depend on You, give me the faith I need to trust You with every detail of my life. You are Amazing. You are Wonderful. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 17,18,19

Friday, November 23, 2018

Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church, And All The Powers Of Hell Will Not Conquer It.


Upon This Rock
I Will Build My Church,
And All The Powers Of Hell Will Not Conquer It.
Scripture
Matthew 16
15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 
18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 
Observation
Over that past 49 years of marriage Kathy and I have had the opportunity to be a part of many different churches in different parts of the country and in many different parts of the world.
With everything that you and I might find wrong with any “church” it is still the most powerful living force on this planet. Nothing is going to stop it! It is constantly impacting and changing culture everywhere.
I first started going to church 50 years because I wanted to sit by a pretty teenager named Kathy!
Over the past 50 years I have watched hundreds and hundreds, no, probably several thousand people attend that same church and their lives have been completely transformed, one miracle after another!
Oh, it is a far from perfect church; it is most definitely still a work in progress, but it is a wonderful powerful place where God is constantly changing lives!
My life and Kathy's life were both radically and forever changed by the power of Jesus Christ through His church!
Application
I love our church. I am so glad to still be a small part of what God is doing at Christ Fellowship Church in Tampa.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when I think about how powerful Your church is working all over the world it amazes me. No matter where I go in this world I know that You are at work. Where there is no church there soon will be one, because You are sending out missionaries to take the Gospel to those places. Nothing is going to stop Your church. It will complete its mission! Help me to be a part of what You are doing. Don’t let me lose Your vision for what You are doing in and through our congregation.
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 14,15,16

Thursday, November 22, 2018

The Dead Are Raised To Life


The
Dead
Are Raised To Life
Scripture
Matthew 11
4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.
Observation

On the day that we call “Thanksgiving”, before all the family arrive and before things get crazy busy, lets take a few minutes to thank the Lord for all that He has done for us. I came across this blog that I had written on this day November 22, 2011!

............
It was a month ago yesterday that I had my heart attack. I am still learning every day more and more about what happened. I can't totally comprehend it and I probably never will. But this much I know … that all the people that prayed for me didn't just pray for a sick person to get well. The church prayed and raised me from the dead!
My primary care doctor told me that I was dead twice and his concern because I died was that the brain could have been left with no oxygen during the time it took me to come back and I would not be the same. He was very concerned about that.
God's church when the Holy Spirit moves the church to action can raise the dead. I know. I am a living testimony of the power of God's church.
If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Kathy and I in all of our over 40 years in ministry have never ever experienced the mighty power of God's church like we have over this past month.
She told me about how so many people poured into the hospital and stayed with her and prayed. How so many lined the walls of the intensive care hallway praying and crying out for God to save me. She told me that people brought food for her and my family during the entire time that I was in ICU.
The St Joseph Hospital staff both doctors and nurses were moved by the number of people praying. They say that they had never seen anything like this before.
My surgeon told his assistant that he didn't think that I would make it. The reports for most of the first week that he shared with the entire church that was out in the waiting room were not very good.
But the church didn't give up. I was dead, but now I am alive because of the power of God's people.
When the church prays like they did for me there is nothing that can contain its mighty power. I have cried and cried as I have written this.
I owe you my very life.
Application
I will now pray knowing with even more assurance that I have a Mighty Heavenly Father who wants to answer our prayers.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your church. Thank You for giving them the power to raise the dead. I was dead but now I am alive. Thanks for smiling on me and my family. Thank You for showing Your church how powerful it is. You know that I am totally overwhelmed with everything that You have done for me over the past month. Bless every person and every church that took time to pray for me. Bless them really good.
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 11,12,13
> 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.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

If You Give Even A Cup Of Cold Water To One Of The Least Of My Followers, You Will Surely Be Rewarded.


If You Give Even A Cup Of Cold Water
To One Of The Least Of My Followers,
You Will Surely Be Rewarded.
Scripture
Matthew 10
42 And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
Observation

Kathy and I decided at lunch time this past Monday to go through the drive-thru at our local McDonald's to get 3 small hamburgers (two for me and one for Kathy).
When I got up to the window to pay, the girl told me that someone had already paid for our meal. It has never happened to us before in a drive-thru.
We have heard about people doing that kind of thing, but “Wow”, now we know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of this good deed! It was a super neat experience!
Our first thought was one of gratitude, then our next thought was 'why didn't we order a bigger lunch'!
The person who generously provided us our lunch will be richly rewarded by our Heavenly Father. I have God's Word on that!
This sure is a great time of the year for you and me to do some random acts of kindness. Lets make some people smile with our generosity!
Remember: “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”

Application
I will look for ways to show random acts of kindness.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me a heart like Yours … one that is generous! Give me ideas of how I can do some random acts of kindness during this holiday season. Thank You for the giving us the experience of having an unknown person buy our lunch this week. We know that You will bless them. And I also know that You will always bless us when we are generous with what You have provided us.
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 8,9,10

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

And If God Cares So Wonderfully For Wildflowers … He Will Certainly Care For You. Why Do You Have So Little Faith?


And If God Cares So Wonderfully For Wildflowers …
He Will Certainly Care For You.
Why Do You Have So Little Faith?
Scripture
Matthew 6
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 
32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Observation
Overwhelmed? Depressed? Worried? Life going in the direction?
Then Matthew 6 is a great place for you! It has always been a great place for me!
Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) only takes about fifteen minutes to read, but application of all its contents will take us our entire life time.
Lets focus on Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus is telling us not to worry about everyday life.
There is one key verse in this passage that I don't want you to miss. It is so important. It is the key to successful living.
Applying this one verse will take care of most of our problems. If we do what this verse says, it will change everything. What verse am I talking about? What verse out of these eight verses do you think I am talking about?
If you said, “Matthew 6:33” then you are absolutely correct!
Here is my paraphrase of verse 33, “When I put God and His kingdom first in my life then my God promises me that He will provide everything that I need for my every day life.”
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.

Application
I will not worry about every day life.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know how much this passage means to me. You have shown me over and over and over again that I can trust You with every detail of my life. Thank You for taking such good care of me. I pray for those who find themselves overwhelmed with life today. Help them to turn everything over to You.
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 5,6,7

Monday, November 19, 2018

Repent Of Your Sins And Turn To God.


Repent Of Your Sins
And
Turn To God.
Scripture
Matthew 4
17 From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.
Observation
It is not that you haven't heard about Jesus. You have most certainly heard the Good News that Jesus saves. What you have decided, if you are honest enough to admit it, is that you have refused to allow God to be God of your life.
You actually want to be your own god. How is that working for you?
Okay … maybe I am describing you … maybe I'm not. But I am sure describing a lot of people I know.
When a person has grown up in a Christian home, when he or she has been raised by godly (though far from perfect) parents, and then he or she refuses to allow God to rule over their life, then it is not ignorance my friend, it is outright rebellion against God.
So here is what I say to you if the above description fits you … Repent!
Repent of your sins and turn to God … Change the course of your life by turning back to God! My life and your life was never meant to be lived without God being in charge.
Life with us in charge creates nothing but drama, misery, heart ache and ultimate destruction.
Make it easier on all of us that have to live close to you – Repent!
Application

I will continue to pray for those who are refusing to surrender to God's claim on their life.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, it breaks my heart and I know it breaks Your heart when those we love refuse to surrender their lives to You. They know the Gospel. They know that You love them, but their hearts are hard and they refuse to yield. I pray for them, Lord. Soften their hard hearts. Help them to repent. I pray that something would cause them to change the direction of their lives. You are a mighty God. Nothing is too hard for You. So I put them once again into Your mighty hands. Do whatever it takes to help them to repent.
Daily Bible Reading: Matthew 1,2,3,4

Sunday, November 18, 2018

I Was Give A Thorn In My Flesh, A Messenger From Satan To Torment Me And Keep Me From Becoming Proud.


I Was Give A Thorn In My Flesh,
A Messenger From Satan
To Torment Me And Keep Me From Becoming Proud.
Scripture
2 Corinthians 12
7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 
10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Observation

The Apostle Paul was given a thorn in the flesh. We have no idea what the health issue was but we do know that it was something that Paul was going to have to live with. He begged the Lord three times to take it away, but each time God told him “no”.
Maybe you can identify with Paul, I know that I sure can. Our health is something that we cannot take for granted. You may be in great health today but tomorrow could be a totally different story.

Here is a little example: Yesterday, I got clobbered by a simple cold. I have been coughing, sneezing, blowing my nose, and not wanting to do anything or be around anybody.

You would think that I could handle something as insignificant as a common cold, but it has totally made a wimp out of me. Hopefully today there will be a big improvement.

Kathy tells me that I have a case of the “Man flu”! I think that she is sort of making fun of me. I think in a nice way she is calling me a wimp, but at this moment I don't care!

On a more serious note … there may be “thorns” in our lives, health issues that we have to live with, that the Lord is not going to take away.

These thorns are left in our lives so that in our weakness the power of Christ can work through us.

Remember! God never waste a hurt!
Application
In my weakness God will do His best work.
Prayer

Heavenly Father, a day like today makes me really appreciate how I feel most of the time. I am blessed. This cold is a good reminder to me of just how good it feels when I am not sick. I am looking forward to getting over this and I am glad that colds don't stay with us for very long. I pray for those who are sick with health issues way more serious than my little cold. Give them strength, Lord. I pray for healing and a quick recovery.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 124; 2 Corinthians 11,12,13
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I just saw that I wrote this on November 18, 2014
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Our Help Is From
The LORD
Who Made Heaven And Earth.
Scripture
Psalms 124
Our help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

Observation
Hardheaded … most of us try to go through this life living like God does not exist.
How stupid is that! Very stupid and very hardheaded!
And yet I might be describing you and I might be describing myself this morning.
Because everyday we have a choice:
1. We either depend on ourselves to face today’s difficulties
Or …
2. We turn to God and ask Him for help.
Lets see, which of those two options will bring us the best results?
Application
I choose option 2 and I will turn to God this morning, Creator of heaven and earth, for help. How about you?
Prayer
Praise the Lord! For You have heard my cry for mercy. Lord, You are My Strength, My Shield from every danger. I trust in You with all my heart. You help me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. Psalm 28:6-7
Lord, You hear Your people when they call to You for help.
You rescue them from all their troubles. Lord, You are close to the brokenhearted; You rescue those whose spirits are crushed. LORD, You rescue the godly; You are their fortress in times of trouble. Lord, You help them, rescuing them from the wicked. You save them, and they find shelter in You. Psalm 37:39-40
Daily Bible Reading Psalms 124; 2 Corinthians 11,12,13

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Grandchildren Are The Crowning Glory Of The Aged.


Grandchildren
Are The
Crowning Glory Of The Aged.
Scripture
Proverbs 17
6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
    parents are the pride of their children.
Observation
Getting old is not for wimps!
Every day I wake up I am greeted with something new. This morning it was a new cough. Tomorrow it will probably be an aching back, a pain in my chest, or who knows what; but for sure it will be something that is nagging and aggravating.
But there is one thing for sure that I enjoy and it comes with old age; I love being a Grandpa!
Kathy and I have 11 grandchildren with 2 more on the way!
There is something magical about being grandparents. We get to love on our grandchildren and then return them back to their Mom and Dad.
And discipline has never been so easy. It is amazing how easy it is to overlook a grandchild's bad behavior compared to your own children's when you were raising them! We seem to be a lot wiser at child raising now that we are grandparents.
Having grandchildren is one of the benefits of growing older that I wouldn't change for anything.
Hopefully they will all be over this week for Thanksgiving! We are counting on it!
Application
I am looking forward to seeing our grandchildren and their parents on Thanksgiving.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me to live to see my grandchildren grow up to where they are now. Help them to make good choices and decisions about life. Draw them to a close relationship with You. Bring godly people into their lives so they have the opportunity to live for You. I pray for their parents who are trying to raise them. Give them wisdom and strength. Show them that they can depend on You for help.
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 7,8,9,10; I added: Psalm 37, Psalm 57; Proverbs 17

Friday, November 16, 2018

Anyone Who Belongs To Christ Has Become A New Person. The Old Life Is Gone; A New Life Has Begun!


Anyone Who Belongs To Christ
Has Become A New Person.
The Old Life Is Gone; A New Life Has Begun!
Scripture
2 Corinthians 5
17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Observation
Have you begun to live a new life?
I can remember what my life was like before I surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.
It wasn't that I didn't have a lot of things going for me before I gave my life to Christ. At 18 years of age, I was already married to a beautiful woman and I had a good job.
But my priorities in life were all messed up. As a teenager and as a young married adult it was very evident to all who knew me that I did not belong to Jesus Christ.
But everything changed for Kathy and I when we were 19 years old. It was through the powerful influence of two very godly people that we both gave our lives to Jesus Christ and He became our Lord and Savior.
And so at nineteen we began to live our new lives!
So let me ask you a very personal question, “Are you still living the old life, or has the new life begun for you?” It all depends, it all hinges on whether you belong to Jesus?
You either do or you don't? You either are or you aren't? The choice is yours to make!
I remember praying and asking Jesus to come into my life, asking Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. I realized that I was a sinner and I needed a Savior. I turned from my old sinful-selfish way of living and I turned to God. In that moment I surrendered my life to Christ.
Yes, of course, I am still a sinner, but my new life has begun!
Application

I will live for Christ.
How about you?
2 Corinthians 5
15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I can remember and I will never forget what my life was like before You saved me. Thank You for rescuing me from a life of selfish-sinful living, a life of certain misery and total destruction. I know that if You had not brought godly people into our lives when You did that our marriage would not have survived very long at all. You have given us a great marriage and You have enriched our lives with so many wonderful friends. Lord, help us to help the young couples that You bring into our lives, just as that godly couple did for us, so many years ago.
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 3,4,5,6

Thursday, November 15, 2018

For All Of God's Promises Have Been Fulfilled In Christ With A Resounding “Yes!”


For All Of God's Promises
Have Been Fulfilled In Christ
With A Resounding “Yes!”
Scripture
2 Corinthians 1
19 For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 

20 For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.

Observation

I like how the MESSAGE paraphrase puts it, “Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus.”
There is not a day that I read the Word of God that I don't come across a promise that God has placed there for me.
His Word is full to the brim with promises for me and they are there for you too!
Everyday as I read His Word, over and over and over again, I discover promise after promise after promise and I know that my God is going to keep every single one of them.
Amen and Amen!
Application
I look forward every morning to reading God's Word and finding more promises!
How about you? Are you spending time in God's Word every day?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word. What would we do without it? Thank You for the thousands of promises that fill its pages. You are faithful 100%. You keep Your Word 100% of the time. You will keep every one of your promises. Because You are my Heavenly Father, I have everything that I need!
Daily Bible Reading: Job 41,42; 2 Corinthians 1,2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I just saw this that I wrote on November 15, 2016
He Comforts Us
In All Of Our Troubles
So That We Can Comfort Others
Scripture
2 Corinthians
4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
Observation
Are you going through a rough time or maybe you have been through some very terrible times.
Don’t worry; God does not waste a hurt!
He will use this difficult terrible time in your life later for you to comfort someone else.
So don’t go to comfort food, comfort drugs, or comfort alcohol, or sexual immorality to deal with your problems – Go to God!
”””””””””””””
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:19
Application
I will fix my gaze on God. How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray for those going through tough times right now. Help them to look to You for help. I see so many people trying to find help in all the wrong places when all they need to do is look up and cry out to You. Nothing is too hard for You. Nothing is impossible for You. Help those close to me to trust and depend in You.
Daily Bible Reading: Job 41,42; 2 Corinthians 1,2; Psalm 14, Psalm 114; Proverbs 14

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Always Work Enthusiastically For The Lord


Always Work
Enthusiastically
For The Lord
Scripture
1 Corinthians 15
58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Observation
You and I, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, are not to have the kind of enthusiasm for the work of the Lord like what we might find up in the stands at a Super Bowl game.
The enthusiasm of a spectator is momentary and is very fickle, it ebbs and flows with every good or every bad play of the game.
Our enthusiasm for the Lord should be like that of the two teams down on the playing field, giving 110 %, doing their best every moment of the game with the hopes of winning a Super Bowl ring.
I think, as Christians, that we sometimes need to be reminded that our work for the Lord and the reward coming our way is going to make a Super Bowl ring seem like nothing.
Nothing this world has to offer compares to what God is preparing for us. So lets work enthusiastically for the Lord!
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,
1 Corinthians 2:9
9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,
No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
    and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
    for those who love him.”
Application
I will serve the Lord enthusiastically!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me not to be a spectator. Help me not to stay on the sidelines. I want to be in the game. I want to count for You. Show me what You want me to do. Lead and guide me. Give me a heart willing to work for You. Give me the strength and the courage to do whatever You put on my heart to do.
Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 149; 1 Corinthians 15,16