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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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





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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

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Wednesday, December 05, 2018

If You Honor Your Father And Mother, “Things Will Go Well For You, And You Will Have A Long Life On The Earth.”


If You Honor Your Father And Mother,
“Things Will Go Well For You,
And You Will Have A Long Life On The Earth.”
Scripture
Ephesians 6
1 Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 
2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3 If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
Observation
As I read Ephesians 6:1-4 this morning my thoughts immediately went to two of my pastor friends, one whose Mom has been moved to Hospice Care not expected to live much longer and the other pastor is grieving the recent death of his father-in-law.
I am proud of both of these men and their wives in how they have taken care of their aging parents.
As I read these verses I also thought of my own children, and I thought, “Boy, I sure hope my kids read these verses and take them to heart.” God has promised them long life here on earth if they take good care of us!
Maybe I should send them this blog!
Application
I will try my best to be a good example to my children.
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for those who are taking care of their aging parents. Give them strength. I pray for those who are facing the death of a loved one. May they sense Your presence. Comfort them. Help me to be a good example to my kids and my grand kids. Show me what needs to change in my life to make me a better Dad and to make me a better Grand Dad. Help me to imitate You.

Daily Bible Reading: Ephesians 5,6; Psalms 119:1-80

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Tuesday, December 04, 2018

Be Kind To Each Other, Tenderhearted, Forgiving One Another, Just As God Through Christ Has Forgiven You.


Be Kind To Each Other,
Tenderhearted, Forgiving One Another,
Just As God Through Christ Has Forgiven You.
Scripture
Ephesians 4
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Observation
Kathy and I have been married now going on 50 years. You would think wouldn't you that we would have things figured out by now where we didn't hurt each others feelings … but nope … I still seem to figure out ways to hurt the one that I love the most.
Don't act surprised … if you were honest you would tell me that you do the same thing.
You and I are both sinners. Sinners are selfish. Therein lies our problem.
And because we are all sinners we are constantly in need of either forgiving someone else or asking someone to forgive us.
Are you holding a grudge? Are you refusing to forgive someone?
How stupid is that … let's put Ephesians 4:32 into practice and enjoy life!
Application

I will try to forgive quickly and apologize quickly.
How about you? Is there someone you are refusing to forgive?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I am selfish. Help me to put the needs of others above my own. Help me to ask for forgiveness when I mess up, when I selfishly demand my own way. Help me to be kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving others, just as You through Christ have forgiven me.
Daily Bible Reading: Ephesians 1,2,3,4

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Monday, December 03, 2018

I Commend To You Our Sister Phoebe, Who Is A Deacon In The Church In Cenchrea.


I Commend To You Our Sister Phoebe,
Who Is A Deacon
In The Church In Cenchrea.
Scripture
Romans 16
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 

2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus.
Observation
The Apostle Paul thought that this fellow servant, a sister in Christ named Phoebe, was pretty special.
He had no problem recognizing her importance as a servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And in verse three of Romans 16, the Apostle Paul places his sister in Christ, Priscilla, first, when mentioning his two co-workers – Priscilla and Aquila.
Don't get me wrong, I am in total agreement that men need to step up and take leadership positions in the church. Every time we get a man to step up and lead, whether it is at church or in his own home, we have done good and our churches are stronger for it, but women can and must serve in our churches too.
Yesterday my sister in Christ, Brea Malcolm, had the opportunity to baptize another sister in Christ in our newly renovated baptistry.
This would have never happened a few years ago. Brea is responsible for our “First Impressions” ministry and is responsible for a huge team of volunteers. She is one our “Phoebe's”!
I rejoice that we allow both men and women at our church opportunities to serve.
Application
I will encourage both men and women to step up and serve where ever they feel that they are needed.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing me the opportunity to serve You. There are so many places where help is needed in our church. I pray that You will raise up both men and women in our church and place them in strategic ministries. I thank You for every person serving at our church. So many are serving in so many different ways. It is amazing. Thank You for our ministry team that leads us. Help them to serve You with all of their heart. Bring people into their lives to encourage them.
Daily Bible Reading: Romans 13,14,15,16

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Sunday, December 02, 2018

Never Be Lazy, But Work Hard And Serve The Lord Enthusiastically.


Never Be Lazy,
But Work Hard
And Serve The Lord Enthusiastically.
Scripture
Romans 12
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Observation

If you ever have a chance to go out with a Disaster Relief Team to help people who have been clobbered by a hurricane or some other natural disaster I sure hope you go.
I had the chance this week to work with some great guys (and gals) from several different states up in Panama City.
Baptist men and women from the states of Oklahoma, Indiana, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and of course teams from all over the state of Florida, we all worked together to help the people in Panama City.
All of us stayed at Immanuel Baptist Church. We slept in Sunday school rooms, ate in the church's fellowship hall, and took hot showers out in a special shower trailer set up in the church parking lot. Our team was small (only 6), but we had some great people join us each day so we usually had a team of about 8-10 people. Plus we had a tractor assigned to our team with an experienced driver who would help us move debris and huge trees out to the road.
I have volunteered after many hurricanes and floods but this is by far the worst devastation that I have ever seen. It is like a war zone. The clean up and recovery is far from over.
They are asking for more teams. If you or your church wants to help let me know. Special thanks to all of our team and a special thanks to Mitch and Edwin from Tallahassee!
Application
I will not be lazy. I will work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically!
How about you?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity of going to Panama City and helping the people there who are in such need. I pray for the ones that we helped. Give them strength. And I pray for healing for those who we met who are so sick. Help them to rebuild their lives. Protect them. I pray for more laborers, more teams that will go to help. Raise up an army of volunteers! Raise them up!
Daily Bible Reading: Romans 9,10,11,12
> I have made it a habit to pray for those who read this blog! I enjoy lifting you and your family up to the Lord in prayer.


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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

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