Listen To Your Father, Who Gave You Life

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Listen To
Your Father,
Who Gave You Life

I hope my kids are reading this! There is a tendency in our culture to think that the older a person gets the less relevant they become. I can tell you that when Kathy and I were first married it was the older couples that God brought into our lives that helped us the most. They were so wise!
Kathy and I now have 5 grown kids and 10 grandkids! Our prayer is that God will give us real wisdom to share with them and God will put a desire in their hearts to listen.

Scripture

Proverbs 23

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

Observation

I hope my kids are reading this! There is a tendency in our culture to think that the older a person gets the less relevant they become. I can tell you that when Kathy and I were first married it was the older couples that God brought into our lives that helped us the most. They were so wise!

I have regrets when it comes to listening, or more accurately “not listening” to my parents. Even though my Dad and my Mom were not Christians when I was growing up I still could have learned so much more from them if I had only listened.

Kathy and I now have 5 grown kids and 10 grandkids! Our prayer is that God will give us real wisdom to share with them and God will put a desire in their hearts to listen.

Application

I will continue to offer advice to my kids and grandkids and pray that it is worth them listening to it. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for my kids and my grandkids today! Help them to live in a way that pleases You. Help them make good choices in life. Help them to listen to godly counsel. Bring people into their lives that are wise and that have a godly influence. Smile on them today! Show them Your favor!

Daily Bible Reading:  Job 13,14; Acts 17,18; Psalm 123; Proverbs 23

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Around Midnight Paul And Silas Were Praying And Singing Hymns To God

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Around Midnight
Paul And Silas
Were Praying And Singing Hymns To God

The massive earthquake, the prison shaken to its foundation, with all the doors flying open, and the chains of every prisoner falling off was not for Paul and Silas! I don’t think it was even for the other prisoners even though I am sure that many of them were forever changed that night! No, the massive earthquake and everything that happened afterwards was done by God to capture the heart of jailor. So many great lessons can be found for you and for me in this story!

Scripture

Acts 16

²³ They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. ²⁴ So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.

²⁵ Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. ²⁶ Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!

Observation

This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible! What a powerful God we serve! Paul and Silas after being severely beaten and thrown into the darkest part of the dungeon and after having their feet clamped in stocks are found praying and singing to God with all the prisoners listening at midnight!

Take a minute to read this entire story found in Acts 16!

So many great lessons can be found for you and for me in this story!

Let me share briefly one of the many lessons found in this story!

The massive earthquake, the prison shaken to its foundation, all the doors flying open, and the chains of every prisoner falling off was not for Paul and Silas! I don’t think it was even for the other prisoners even though I am sure that many of them were forever changed that night!

No, the massive earthquake and everything that happened afterwards was done by God to capture the heart of jailor.

Sometimes God uses bad things that happen to us, even terrible things, for His honor, for His glory, and for His plan. And God is constantly pursuing those around us, those He places in our path.

What happened to Paul and Silas was very bad, but what happened to the jailor and his family was very, very good.

Application

There is a reason why things happen to us. God has a purpose in it and sometimes it is to bring someone else into the Kingdom.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to see the big picture when it comes to my circumstances. Don’t let me miss the opportunity to be a witness even in bad times. Paul and Silas suffered so the jailor could be set free from the prison of sin. You are always on my side. You are always working in and through my life. Thank You for pursuing me and sending people into my life at just the right time.
Daily Bible Reading:  Job 11,12; Acts 15,16

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My Help Comes From The LORD, Who Made Heaven And Earth

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My Help Comes From The
LORD,
Who Made Heaven And Earth

You and I can look for help in all the wrong places! On the mirror in our bedroom Kathy has written very big these words: PRAY FIRST! Our help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!

Scripture

Psalm 121

¹ I look up to the mountains—
    does my help come from there?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

Observation

You and I can look for help in all the wrong places!

On the mirror in our bedroom Kathy has written very big these words:

PRAY FIRST!

This past week James Hartley, Sam Cull Sr, and myself had the opportunity to help some families up in Charleston, South Carolina that had been affected by the flood.

Several of those families that we helped were Christians. We know and I believe that they realized that we were sent by God to help them. One family that we helped had a family member living in the home that did not have a relationship with Christ. We believe we were an answer to a mother’s prayer for her stepson. We had the opportunity to challenge him about his need for a personal relationship with Christ.

With these flood victims we had the chance to hug them and pray with them. We had the opportunity to show them that God loved them and cared about them. We had the opportunity to encourage them and give them hope.

Our help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!

Application

I will remind myself today with every issue that comes up that my help comes from the Lord. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to pray first today when I am faced with a challenge. Don’t let me waste time trying to do things on my own. Remind me quickly that I can call on You. My help does not come from anywhere else. It comes from You. You are all I need for the challenges that I will face today! Thank You for getting us home safely yesterday. I pray for those families that we helped in South Carolina. I pray that You continue to help them and show them that they can trust You for all of their needs.

Daily Bible Reading:  Job 9,10; Acts 13,14; Psalms 21, 121; Proverbs 21


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May God Be Merciful And Bless Us. May His Face Smile With Favor On Us.

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May God Be Merciful And Bless Us.
May
His Face Smile With Favor On Us.

If I can take the liberty to pray Psalm 67:1 as a blessing on you and your family this morning, “May God be merciful and bless you. May His face smile with favor on you!

When we ask God to bless people God loves to respond in a positive way. Who needs a blessing today? Why don’t you ask God to be merciful and bless them? Why not ask your God to smile with favor on them! … I will probably not be posting a blog until next week. Pray for our Disaster Relief team as we travel to South Carolina to help those devastated by the recently flooding.

Scripture

Psalm 67

¹ May God be merciful and bless us.
    May his face smile with favor on us.

Observation

If I can take the liberty to pray Psalm 67:1 as a blessing on you and your family this morning, “May God be merciful and bless you. May His face smile with favor on you!

When we ask God to bless people God loves to respond in a positive way.

Who needs a blessing today? Why don’t you ask God to be merciful and bless them?

Why not ask your God to smile with favor on them!

I wrote this blog on Tuesday night because I won’t have time to write in the morning!

Pray for us!

Application

I will pray and I will ask God to bless those that He places on my heart. I will ask Him to smile with favor on each one of them. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, May Your face shine with favor on my wife and on my family. Help them all walk in a closer relationship with You. Bless our church leadership team. Bless those that are on their way traveling to help those in need in South Carolina. I pray for hearts that are open to hear about Jesus. Give us boldness as we share God’s love with these hurting people. Bless them Lord and meet their needs. 

Daily Bible Reading:  Nehemiah 11,12; Psalms 1; Acts 3; Psalms 62-67

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This Promise Is To You, To Your Children, And To Those Far Away

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This Promise
Is To You, To Your Children,
And To Those Far Away

God’s gift to us is His Holy Spirit. Can I take a minute and talk about how important that Gift is to both you and to me? When you and I place our trust, when you and I put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we turn from our sin and from self and turn to God; God Himself comes to live inside of us! We are powerful in Christ. We have 220 Power! So lets not make excuses for why we are not doing what God has asked us to do. Let’s do it! 

Scripture

Acts 2

³⁸ Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

³⁹ This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away — all who have been called by the Lord our God.” ⁴⁰ Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

Observation

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8

Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words! 2 Corinthians 9:15

God’s gift to us is His Holy Spirit. Can I take a minute and talk about how important that Gift is to both you and to me? 

When you and I place our trust, when you and I put our faith in the Lord Jesus Chris, we turn from our sin and from self and turn to God; God Himself comes to live inside of us!

The Spirit of God the Father, the Spirit of Christ, God’s Holy Spirit, God Himself comes to live and comes to powerfully works inside each one of us who are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

We are powerful in Christ. 

We have 220 Power!

Galatians 2:20 

    I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Philippians 4:13

    For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.
So lets not make excuses for why we are not doing what God has asked us to do.

Let’s do it! 

Application

I know that I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 personalized!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to live out these verses that I have just read. Thank You for the Gift of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for coming into my life. I can do everything that You place on my heart to do through Christ Who gives me the strength I need. I pray for those that I talked to yesterday at Mission Tampa. I pray that You gift them with the Gift of Eternal life. Set them free from their lives of bondage to sin. Allow them to experience the abundant life that You have for them in Jesus Christ!

Daily Bible Reading:  Nehemiah 9,10; Acts 2

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Careless Words Stab Like A Sword, But Wise Words Bring Healing

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Careless Words
Stab Like A Sword,
But Wise Words Bring Healing

Kathy has learned to speak up when I say remarks that are hurtful and cutting. And that helps me stop and think about what I said. When she says in response to my ugliness, “what you just said hurt my feelings.” It breaks my hard heart and I immediately ask her to forgive me. What can and often does happen in a home where careless, sharp, and hurtful words are used to clobber a spouse is an immediate response by the one who was attacked. And the hurt spouse uses even more vicious careless words and so the stabbing and attacking of each other escalates and escalates until blood is everywhere!

Scripture

Proverbs 12:18

Careless words stab like a sword, but wise words bring healing.

Observation

Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me! 

What a lie!

I have done more damage with careless hurtful words than I ever have with any sticks or stones!
Are you amazed at yourself at just how ugly you and your words can be? I sure am!

I can be vicious. I can be cruel. I can be so hurtful with what I say. 

And so can you!

We destroy our most precious relationships and we hurt deeply those that we should love the most with our vicious careless words!

I have memorized this verse. Why don’t you do the same? 

This is a great verse to put on your refrigerator, on a mirror in your bedroom, on the dash of your car, on your desk at work, or on all of the above. 

Kathy has learned to speak up when I say remarks that are hurtful and cutting. And that helps me stop and think about what I said. When she says in response to my ugliness, “what you just said hurt my feelings.” It breaks my hard heart and I immediately ask her to forgive me.

What can and often does happen in a home where careless, sharp, and hurtful words are used to clobber a spouse is an immediate response by the one who was attacked. And the hurt spouse uses even more vicious careless words and so the stabbing and attacking of each other escalates and escalates until blood is everywhere!

… but wise words bring healing. 

Kathy … “What you said hurt my feelings?” 

Eddy …”I love you. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?”  

Application

I will watch my words and my tone this week as I deal with people especially with those that I love the most. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, my heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? (Jeremiah 17:9) Don’t let me hurt people with careless words. Help me to use wise words with people, words that bring healing.

. I pray for young couples that are growing in their Christian faith. I pray that You help them love each other. I pray for those who are close to me that need to fall in love with You. Help them to surrender their lives to You. I pray that they come to a place in their lives where they put You first. They need Your love in their lives so that they can love their spouses in the way that You intended. Thank You for giving me a wife that is so wise. She knows how to respond to me when I am mean and she does it in a way that brings healing.

   

Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 7,8; Acts 1; Psalm 57-61; Proverbs 12

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This I Know God Is On My Side!

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This I Know
God
Is On My Side!

When things in life seem to be heading in the wrong direction, when our health is taking a beating, or when the health of someone we love is challenged it is great to know that our God is on our side! Is God on your side?

Scripture

Psalm 56

This I know: God is on my side!

¹⁰ I praise God for what he has promised;
    yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.

¹¹ I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

Observation

When things in life seem to be heading in the wrong direction, when our health is taking a beating, or when the health of someone we love is challenged it is great to know that our God is on our side!

Team Williams has God on their side! And if God is on my side why should I be afraid?

I will praise God for what He has promised; yes, I will praise God for what He has promised!

Is God on your side? If you have invited Jesus Christ to be Lord and Savior of your life then you have become a child of God and yes, God is on your side!

Application

I will face the challenges of this week with confidence knowing that I have God on my team! How about you?

Prayer

¹⁶ But I will call on God,
    and the Lord will rescue me.
¹⁷ Morning, noon, and night
    I cry out in my distress,
    and the Lord hears my voice. Psalm 55:16-17

⁸ But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
    I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
⁹ I will praise you forever, O God,
    for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
    in the presence of your faithful people. Psalm 52:8-9

³ I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.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.”

⁵ And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” ⁶ And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. ⁷ All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. Revelation 21:3-7

Daily Bible Reading:  Nehemiah 5,6; Psalms 146; Luke 24; Revelation 21; Psalms 52-56

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The Sacrifice You Desire Is A Broken Spirit

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The Sacrifice
You Desire
Is A Broken Spirit

King David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then committed murder to try to cover up his sin. In 2 Samuel 12:1 God sends the prophet Nathan to confront and rebuke King David over his sin. Psalm 51 is what David felt after he was humbled and broken over what he had done. What God desires from each of us is a broken and repentant heart. What God desires from us is a broken spirit over our sin. Do you have a broken spirit? Do you have a broken and repentant heart? Or are you refusing to repent?

Scripture

Psalm 51

¹⁷ The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
    You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Observation

King David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then committed murder to try to cover up his sin. In 2 Samuel 12:1 God sends the prophet Nathan to confront and rebuke King David over his sin.

Psalm 51 is what David felt after he was humbled and broken over what he had done.

What God desires from each of us is a broken and repentant heart. What God desires from us is a broken spirit over our sin.

David went quite a while living with the sin that he had committed without confessing it and without getting right with His God. It finally took a godly prophet confronting the king before King David finally repented of his sin.

Maybe you like King David have been unwilling to confess your sin. Up until now maybe you were thinking that you could just continue in that sin. The problem is that as long as you continue to refuse to repent you are not going to experience the joy of being right with Your Heavenly Father.

Do you have a broken spirit? Do you have a broken and repentant heart?

Or are you refusing to repent?

Application

I will ask God to show me anything in my heart that is not pleasing to Him so that I can confess it and I will ask Him for forgiveness. How about you?

Prayer

¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
    because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
    blot out the stain of my sins.
² Wash me clean from my guilt.
    Purify me from my sin.
⁷ Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Oh, give me back my joy again;
    you have broken me—
    now let me rejoice.
⁹ Don’t keep looking at my sins.
    Remove the stain of my guilt.
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God.
    Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Daily Bible Reading:  Nehemiah 3,4; Luke 23; Ps 47-51

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Be Still And Know That I Am God!

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Be Still
And Know
That I Am God!

It is quiet right now. I hear a few birds outside and our parakeets are making a few sounds but other than the birds it is quiet! It is like this every morning as I read my Bible and think and pray. Do you have a time when you are quiet before the Lord? Take time everyday to be still before the Lord. Take time to open up God’s word. Take time to hear His voice!

Scripture

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.”

Observation

It is quiet right now.

I hear a few birds outside and our parakeets are making a few sounds but other than the birds it is quiet! It is like this every morning as I read my Bible and think and pray.

Do you have a time when you are quiet before the Lord?

The Psalmist says, “Be still, and know that I am God!”

Take time everyday to be still before the Lord. Take time to open up God’s word. Take time to hear His voice!

Just look at what I got to read this morning! I love the book of Nehemiah, which I just started this morning! The Psalms get read everyday! I decided to read a chapter in Proverbs this morning and since there are 31 chapters I picked Proverbs 9 to read today. I am reading through the New Testament too and this morning I read about the arrest of Jesus and Peter’s denial of Christ!

There were so many things that I could have written about but it was Psalm 46:10 that got my attention, “Be still” and know that I am God!

Would you make a commitment to having a Quiet time everyday? I suggest having your “God time” in the same place everyday. Leave your Bible, paper and pen in that sacred place so you are always prepared. Have a reading plan so you know what you are reading every day is a big help for success! Bring a cup of coffee or tea (a piece of toast/bagel/doughnut) along with you for this special time of the day! 

Application

I will be “still” before the Lord this morning. How about you?

Prayer

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
³ Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

⁶ The nations are in chaos,
    and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
    and the earth melts!
⁷ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel is our fortress.
⁸ Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
    See how he brings destruction upon the world.
⁹ He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
    He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God!
    I will be honored by every nation.
    I will be honored throughout the world.”

Daily Bible Reading:  Nehemiah 1,2; Psalms 133,134; Luke 22; Proverbs 9; Psalms 42-46

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It Is Better To Be Godly And Have Little Than To Be Evil And Rich

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It Is Better
To Be Godly And Have Little
Than To Be Evil And Rich

I can remember when God called me into the ministry and I started to go to college to prepare for the ministry. My father in law, Clayton Bearden, when he heard that I was going to stop working construction (I was making a lot of money) and start working part-time at the church (not making much money) he was not happy about my decision at all. He said to me, “You are going to starve my daughter to death!”

Scripture

Psalm 37

¹⁶ It is better to be godly and have little
    than to be evil and rich.

Observation

I can remember when God called me into the ministry and I started to go to college to prepare for the ministry. My father in law Clayton Bearden, when he heard that I was going to stop working construction (I was making a lot of money) and start working part-time at the church (not making much money) he was not happy about my decision at all. He said to me, “You are going to starve my daughter to death!”

It was a few years later while Kathy and I were living in Texas and while I was going to Seminary that Kathy’s Dad at 67 years of age gave his life to Jesus Christ. It brings tears of joy to my eyes just thinking back on what God did in Clayton’s life.

Kathy’s Dad watched how God took care of us. After Clayton gave his life to Christ he even starting sending us “love gifts”. Before he gave his life to Christ it would embarrass him when people helped us out by giving us food or helped us financially, but once he met Jesus all of that changed.

To this day I have never seen a life so transformed as Kathy’s Dad’s life. He only lived 2 years after accepting Jesus into his life, but what a different life he lived!

He was a walking example of 2 Corinthians 5:17 “When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!”   

Living godly lives doesn’t mean that always doing everything right. You and I are broken. We are sinners. We will never do everything right!

Striving to put God first everyday is what it means to live a godly life. It doesn’t mean that we are going to do it perfectly. 

Why don’t you stop right now and ask Jesus Christ to help you life a godly life? Ask Jesus Christ to take control of your life. 

All the stuff, no matter how much you and I accumulate, will ever give us the joy that living for God and putting Him first can bring! 

Application

I will strive to live a godly life today. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, right now my eyes are filled with tears of joy over what You did in the life of my Father in law. I know that if You did that for a man when he was 67 years old I know that You can save those in my family that still are acting like You do not exist. I will not give up on them. Open their spiritual eyes so that they can see what they are missing. Bring people into their lives that can challenge them to live for You. Save them Lord. Please save them! Show them that it is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezra 9,10; Psalms 131; Luke 21;



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The Stone That The Builders Rejected Has Now Become The Cornerstone

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The Stone
That The Builders Rejected
Has Now Become The Cornerstone

Jesus Christ! How is it that what we believe about Jesus Christ offends so many people? Don’t expect everyone to like you when you make the commitment to live your life for the Lord Jesus Christ. It isn’t going to happen! When people reject Christ it should go without saying that they also reject His followers!

Scripture

Luke 20

¹⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean?
‘The stone that the builders rejected
    has now become the cornerstone.’

¹⁸ Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”

Observation

Jesus Christ!

How is it that what we believe about Jesus Christ offends so many people?

³⁴ “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

³⁵ ‘I have come to set a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
 
³⁶     Your enemies will be right in your own household!’

³⁷ “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. ³⁸ If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.  

³⁹ If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:34-39

When people reject Christ it should go without saying that they also reject His followers!

Don’t expect everyone to like you when you make the commitment to live your life for the Lord Jesus Christ. It isn’t going to happen!

… And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names! Matthew 10:25b

Since Jesus was rejected and since Jesus was persecuted you and I can expect the same kind of treatment by outsiders today!

Even though you and I will be misunderstood and even though you and I will be rejected I suggest that we continue live out Matthew 5:16 in spite of opposition!

    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 

Application

In spite of rejection I will continue to let the Light of Jesus shine through me. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, it is hard to experience rejection. You know that I would like for everyone to like me. I would like for those that I love to love me back just the way that I love them, but I know from reading Your word that everyone is not going to do that. It hurts to be rejected. It hurts not to have love returned back when I reach out to someone in love. I know that You understand how I feel because You experience rejection all of the time. Help me not to give up on those that I love. Help me to continue to pray for them. Work a miracle in their lives. Help them to experience the love and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 7,8; Luke 20; Psalms 31-35; Proverbs 7



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The LORD Rules Over The Floodwaters

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The LORD
Rules
Over The Floodwaters

A few years ago a disaster relief team from our church, led by James Hartley, went to Long Island, New York to work on rebuilding a house of an elderly couple whose house had been flooded by Hurricane Sandy and everything of the first floor of the house was destroyed. The couple had never been introduced to the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Scripture

Psalm 29

³ The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
    The God of glory thunders.
    The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
⁴ The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is majestic.
⁹ The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks
    and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”
¹⁰ The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
    The Lord reigns as king forever.
¹¹ The Lord gives his people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace.

Observation

I love storms!

They are a reminder to me of God’s power and God’s might! They are also a reminder to me at just how fast life can be turned totally upside down in a matter of minutes.

Major storms like what just hit South Carolina also provide followers of the Lord Jesus Christ the opportunity to share Hope with people who have lost all hope.

I saw on the news that in South Carolina even though the rains are going to stop that the destruction could continue with dams crumbling and neighborhoods being flooded in a matter of minutes.

Southern Baptist Disaster relief teams from all over the United States will soon be going to help these flood victims put their lives back together. These teams will do more than just construction work. These teams will be a source of Hope for many who have no hope!

A few years ago a disaster relief team from our church, led by James Hartley, went to Long Island, New York to work on rebuilding a house of an elderly couple whose house had been flooded by Hurricane Sandy and everything of the first floor of the house was destroyed. The couple had never been introduced to the Good News of Jesus Christ!

They were not churchgoers at all. When we arrived to work on their house we discovered that the husband was in the hospital and only the wife was there in the home. She was staying in the upstairs part of the house.

Our team loved on that lady everyday that we worked on their house. Today that lady loves Jesus and has joined the church that provided housing for our disaster relief team.

The last I heard several of our ladies were still in touch with this lady and her house has been completely put back together through the help of volunteers from several different states.

Application

Storms will continue to be a reminder to me of God’s awesome power and these storms also give me an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people who have lost all hope.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for the people living in the destructive path of this storm. I pray that You help them. I pray for the disaster relief teams that will soon be heading to this area. Show Your favor on them. Use them to bring Hope to the hopeless. Work through them in a powerful way! Give me the health and strength to be able to go if our team is called out.

Your voice echoes above the sea. Your glory thunders. You thunder over the mighty sea. Your voice is powerful; Your voice is majestic. Your voice twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. 

In Your Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

 You rule over the floodwaters. You reign as king forever. You give Your people strength. You bless them with peace. (Psalm 29:3-11 Personalized)

Daily Bible Reading:  Esther 9,10; Luke 19; Psalms 26-30

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Rejoice In The Wife Of Your Youth

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Rejoice
In The Wife
Of Your Youth

Get back with the wife of your youth! 47 years ago today I took Kathy out on our first date. We went to see the movie, “Gone with the wind”! We were only 17 years old. Next month on November 1^st we will celebrate 46 years of being married. I want every couple to be able to enjoy marriage the way God intended it to be. When I was talking to a young man the other day he mentioned that he had 2 young children, but that he had been separated from their Mom for the past 4 years. I asked him if she had married someone and his reply back to me was no she had not. What would you have said to this young man?

Scripture

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?

Observation

When I was talking to a young man the other day he mentioned that he had 2 young children, but that he had been separated from their Mom for the past 4 years.

I asked him if she had married someone and his reply back to me was no she had not.

What would you have said to this young man?

This man had just recently placed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is now a Christian. When he was with this woman he was not a believer. What would you say to someone in this situation?

Although they had never married they were together for almost 10 years and together they had these 2 children.

I encouraged this young new believer to pursue a new relationship with the mother of his children. I encouraged him to pray for her that she would become a Christian. I told him that his children needed a Mom and a Dad raising them. Of course I also shared with him that he should be living close to his children so that they could see and spend time with their Dad. They live up north and he is now living in Tampa.

Is what I shared with him something that was possible? I am sure that it seems pretty impossible to him and probably would really seem impossible to the mother of his children, but … you know what I am getting ready to share don’t you … okay here it comes … “with God nothing is impossible”.

Get back with the wife of your youth!

47 years ago today I took Kathy out on our first date. We went to see the movie, “Gone with the wind”! We were 17 years old. Next month on November 1^st we will celebrate 46 years of being married. I want every couple to be able to enjoy marriage the way God intended it.

The young man that I talked to is now a Christian. I want him to be able to experience marriage and a love relationship the way that God intended it to be.

You may be saying to yourself, “Eddy you are just a dreamer” I could never get back with my wife or get back with the mother of my children. 

My answer to you and anyone else that finds him in my friend’s position is this. You at least ought to do everything, and I mean everything to get back with the wife of your youth!

True, it is a lot easier to begin a new relationship with someone else, but I want you to think about is this what will your wife, kids, and you will miss out on if you do!

Application

I will not give up on encouraging men to act like godly men so they can see God do the impossible in their lives!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give this young man courage to do the impossible. Put it in his heart to pursue the mother of his children so that he can be the godly husband and godly father that You intended for him to be. I pray for the impossible. I know of other couples in the same situation and I pray the same thing for them today. I pray for Kathy today. Bless her and I pray that You use her to influence when to live godly lives. Bring women into her life that need to be encouraged to live according to Your word. Thank You for bringing her into my life 47 years ago today! She is amazing! You are so good!

Daily Bible Reading:  Esther 3,4,5,6,7,8; Luke 18; Psalms 21-25; Proverbs 5

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Let Everything Alive Give Praises To The Lord! You Praise Him! Hallelujah!

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Let Everything Alive
Give Praises To The Lord!
You Praise Him! Hallelujah!

It is Sunday people! Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! You praise him! Hallelujah! Get up! Get moving! Get ready! Lets get to church and praise the Lord!

Scripture

Psalm 150

1 Hallelujah! Yes, praise the Lord!

Praise him in his Temple and in the heavens he made with mighty power. ² Praise him for his mighty works. Praise his unequaled greatness. ³ Praise him with the trumpet and with lute and harp. ⁴ Praise him with the drums and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and horns. ⁵ Praise him with the cymbals, yes, loud clanging cymbals.

⁶ Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! You praise him!

Hallelujah!

Observation

It is Sunday people! Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! You praise him! Hallelujah!

Get up! Get moving! Get ready!

Lets get to church and praise the Lord!

We need to just get to church with the rest of God’s people and praise Him!

Don’t you dare stay home today! Don’t do it! Get up! Get moving! Get ready to praise Him!

Hallelujah! We get to go to church today! Let’s praise Him!

Application

I look forward to being at church this morning with God’s people! How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, this is the day that You have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 personalized) I don’t go to church because I feel like going. You know that! I go to church because I know it is where I need to be on Sunday mornings.

It is a time to celebrate and praise Your unequaled greatness.

This past week we have once again seen how evil our world is and how much the world hates those who follow You and put You first. So today Lord I look forward to worshiping with Your people. You are worthy of Praise!



Daily Bible Reading:  Esther 1,2; Psalms 150; Luke 17

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And We Know That God Causes Everything To Work Together For The Good Of Those Who Love God And Are Called According To His Purpose For Them

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And We Know That God Causes Everything To Work Together
For The Good Of Those Who Love God
And Are Called According To His Purpose For Them

Think about everything right now that is not going well in your life; maybe it is a broken relationship, a financial struggle, poor health, the illness or maybe even the loss of a loved one. None of these things are good, but God’s promise to you and His promise to me is that He will cause all of those things even though they are bad to work to our good.

Scripture

Romans 8

²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Observation

Not everything that happens to us is good! In fact, a lot of what happens in our lives is not good at all. A lot of stuff we go through is really, really bad.

But here is the great and wonderful news if we are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ; “God causes Everything to Work together for our good.”

Key word – “EVERYTHING”.

Do you love God and are you putting Him first in your life? If your answer to that question is “YES” then the promise of Romans 8:28 is yours.

Think about everything right now that is not going well in your life; maybe it is a broken relationship, a financial struggle, poor health, the illness or maybe even the loss of a loved one.

None of these things are good, but God’s promise to you and His promise to me is that He will cause all of those things even though they are bad to work to our good. 

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His Heart    Babbie Mason

 Application

I will trust God even when I don’t see His plan in what is happening. How about you? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I read Romans 8 this morning several people came to my mind. They are going through very difficult times. I pray that You encourage them today through the power of Your word. Give them the faith to hold on. Don’t let them give up. Show them Your power. Help the struggles that they are going through right now make them stronger in their faith. Give them the ability to hold on. 

Because We Know That You Cause Everything To Work Together For The Good Of Those Who Love You And Are Called According To Your Purpose For Them

Daily Bible Reading:  Ezra 5,6; Psalm 138; Luke 16; Romans 8

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There Is More Joy In Heaven Over One Lost Sinner Who Repents And Returns To God Than Over Ninety-Nine Others Who Are Righteous And Haven’t Strayed Away!

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There Is More Joy In Heaven
Over One Lost Sinner Who Repents And Returns To God
Than Over Ninety-Nine Others Who Are Righteous And Haven’t Strayed Away!

This Sunday is beach baptisms at Christ Fellowship! We will travel to Ft Desoto Park to celebrate with those who will be baptized! Our church is all about reaching people that need Jesus! I guess we catch some criticism at times for being a church totally focused on reaching the lost. We at Christ Fellowship associate with sinful people! It is what we do best! 

Scripture

Luke 15

⁷ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

Observation

This Sunday is beach baptisms at Christ Fellowship! We will travel to Ft Desoto Park to celebrate with those who will be baptized! Our church is all about reaching people that need Jesus! I guess we catch some criticism at times for being a church totally focused on reaching the lost.

I can tell you this that as I look around at the crowd on Sunday morning I see miracle after miracle of lives that have been changed by the power of the Lord Jesus Christ! And I know that there is a continual celebration in Heaven over what is happening at Christ Fellowship!

Our leadership is young and growing! We have so many new baby Christians that are serving in one or another. Every week I see them growing more and more and every week they are looking more and more like Jesus!

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. ² This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! Luke 15:1-2

We at Christ Fellowship associate with sinful people too! It is what we do best!

Application

I will continue to look for opportunities to share Jesus Christ with people and help new believers to grow in Christ. How about you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that every life that is changed at our church causes a huge celebration in Heaven. I know that because that is what Your Word tells us happens when someone puts his or her faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Help me not to lose my focus. It is so easy for me to turn inward and only think about Me, Myself and I and My Needs.

Father, I pray for Penny who is in surgery right now. I pray that You direct the surgeon’s hands. I pray for healing. I pray for her entire family. Be glorified through this and I ask You to be in total control of every detail of this operation. I pray for her Mom Robin as she goes through this. Give her strength.

Daily Bible Reading:  Zechariah 13,14; Psalms 147; Luke 15

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