Tuesday, October 09, 2018

How Wonderful And Pleasant It Is When Brothers Live Together In Harmony!


How
Wonderful And Pleasant It Is
When Brothers Live Together In Harmony!
Scripture
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
    when brothers live together in harmony!
Observation
I so agree with King David on Psalm 133:1!
It breaks my heart when I hear about someone saying bad things about someone else. Recently, I was told that someone talking badly about another brother in Christ.
The person telling me about it was deeply hurt and angered because of his love for the person being talked about.
My immediate thoughts, when this person was sharing this with me were these ...
“Why does a brother in Christ think it is okay to talk badly about another brother in Christ. Why isn't he trying to resolve his problem with this person? What good is he doing by tearing the person down? Even if what he is sharing is true, why does he feel compelled to share it with other people that are not involved? Doesn't he realize that his bad mouthing someone else is actually a reflection of the evil that is in his heart? Does he think that this somehow makes him look better?”
When you and I have been hurt, wounded, or offended by a brother or sister in Christ we need to forgive them and then we need to let it go.
If I talk badly about someone ... trust me the person that I hurt the most will always be me, myself, and I!
So don't do it!
You and I need to be a bigger person than that!
And if you need to go back to someone and apologize for talking badly about someone else to them then do it and please do it quickly ... because trust me I know that they are telling other people, about your bad mouthing!
It is how I found out!
Proverbs 12:18
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
    but wise words bring healing.
Psalm 19
14 May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
1 Thessalonians 5
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Proverbs 16:28
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
Proverbs 13:3
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Application
I will guard my heart and my mouth. I will build up and not tear down.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, my tongue gets me in trouble way too often. You know better than anyone else when I allow the words of my mouth to hurt and wound someone else. Guard my mouth. Help me to build people up and not tear people down. I pray for those who are careless with their words. Bring conviction to their hearts so they can grow in Christ. Help them to become mature believers who can help others to grow. All of us are guilty of saying things when we should have kept our mouths shut. All of us are capable of causing disunity and division with what we say and how we say it. Help us Lord, to keep our mouths shut!
Daily Bible Reading: Nehemiah 1,2; Psalms 133,134; Luke 22; I added: Psalm 9, Psalm 39, Proverbs 9

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Monday, October 08, 2018

For They Have Given A Tiny Part Of Their Surplus, But She, Poor As She Is, Has Given Everything She Has.


For They Have Given A Tiny Part Of Their Surplus,
But She, Poor As She Is,
Has Given Everything She Has.
Scripture
Luke 21
1 While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box.

2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 
4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Observation
This story fascinates me!
Jesus is watching as people give their offerings and He sees this widow drop in two tiny coins. He watched all the rich people give their offerings and then He compared what the widow gave to the gifts of the rich and her two tiny coins won out. She out gave everyone else!
Pastor Bruce said yesterday that there is that voice in our head that always challenges us when we get ready to give our tithes and offerings.
The voice in our head may say, “They may not spend or use my tithes and offerings in the right way, or the voice may say, “If I give my tithe and offerings then I won't be able to pay my bills!” And the voice in your head may tempt you not to be faithful by placing in your mind other similar thoughts, but the truth of God is this, “God loves a cheerful giver!”
So you might be wondering what happened to that widow who put everything she owned into that offering plate that day. Well I think I know.
The answer to what happened to that widow I believe can be found in these three passages of Scripture:
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10
Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Application
I will not listen to the voice in my head that questions my giving to the Lord.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to honor You in my giving. Show me how to use what You have provided us in a way that honors You. I know that You are concerned with how I manage what You have loaned to me. You own everything and I know that what I have is just on loan to me. I am not taking anything with me when I leave this earth. Thank You for being so good to us. We are blessed.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 9,10; Psalms 131; Luke 21; Psalm 8, Psalm 138; Proverbs 8
…...
I just saw this blog that I wrote on October 8, 2015
…...
It Is Better
To Be Godly And Have Little
Than To Be Evil And Rich
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 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 who will 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.
> 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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Sunday, October 07, 2018

Stop Being Angry!


Stop
Being
Angry!
Scripture
Psalm 37
8 Stop being angry!
    Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—
    it only leads to harm.
Observation
I don't know why I picked this verse today out of all the verses that I read this morning. Maybe you needed it! …
Oh, I am just kidding! All of us need it!
You and I certainly live in a world or at least we certainly live in a country that is filled with anger and rage! Road rage and incidences of domestic violence make the news every day in our city.
For instance, a father losing his temper with a small child over nothing ... what is behind that anger? Why take your anger out on a small child or your precious spouse?
King David has a good word for us this morning when he says, “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Don't lose your temper – it only leads to harm.
I wish that I could take back some of my angry moments … don't you?
I have some regrets about how I disciplined my children in moments when I was angry with them. And yes, there have been times when in anger, that I have blurted out careless, hurtful words at Kathy. And now even though I would like to re-do how I acted, and right now if I could take back my angry words I would - but I can't take back those angry moments … and my friend, neither can you.
What we can do is this … we can change how we react to our spouse, to our children, to coworkers, and to those drivers on the highway that cut us off or that drive too slow!
We can't undo the damage that our temper has already done, but we can change … so lets change so the people around us can enjoy our company.
Stop being angry – Do not lose your temper – it only leads to harm!
Proverbs 12:18
Careless words stab like a sword,
    but wise words bring healing.
Application
I will put Psalm 37:8 into practice!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be an example to those around me by controlling my temper. Keep me from making a fool of myself by losing my cool. I pray for self control. I know that self control only happens in my life when I am filled with Your Holy Spirit. So keep me close to You. Help me walk in a way that pleases You. I pray for anyone reading this blog today that might have a problem controlling his or her temper. Help them to change. Give them victory over their anger! Show them that they can treat those around them with respect, with love, and with kindness. Change the direction of their lives.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 7,8; Luke 20; I added Psalm 7, Psalm 37; Proverbs 7

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Saturday, October 06, 2018

He Tried To Get A Look At Jesus, But He Was Too Short To See Over The Crowd.


He Tried
To Get A Look At Jesus,
But He Was Too Short To See Over The Crowd.
Scripture
Luke 19
1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.
 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man  came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Observation
How many of you remember this song?
Zacchaeus was a wee little man and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a sycamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. And as the Savior passed that way He looked up in that tree, and He said, “Zacchaeus, you come down! For I’m going to your house today. For I’m going to your house to stay."
Zacchaeus was not just your regular-everyday- run-of-the-mill sinner, oh no, this guy was a notorious sinner, he was a bad dude! He was a little guy, but a big sinner!
From out of the crowd of people that day, it was little Zacchaeus who was up in that sycamore tree who caught Jesus' attention!
Maybe Jesus has His eye on you! Salvation can come to your house too!
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Have you, like Zacchaeus did that day, placed your faith and trust in Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?
Pray and surrender your life to Christ right now!
And when you make that commitment to the Lord go tell somebody!
Application
I will share about Jesus with everyone I can.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that the story about Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus is in the Bible for a reason. It is to let us know that no one is so bad that they can't be saved. I know that salvation doesn't depend on the good things that we have done. I don't deserve salvation but I know that I am forgiven. You saved me. I pray for someone that reads this blog that hasn't yet surrendered his or her life to You. I pray that You will open up their spiritual eyes so that they can see and so that they can be saved.
Daily Bible Reading: Esther 9,10; Luke 19

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Friday, October 05, 2018

Always Pray And Never Give Up


Always
Pray
And Never Give Up
Scripture
Luke 18
1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
Observation
What are you praying about?
There are probably things in your life, or people in your life that have been the focus of your prayers for a long, long time. I know, that at least in my case, I have people that I have been praying for, for a very long time.
I pray for them because I want to see them live their lives for Christ. I want to see them change the direction of their lives so they can experience God's richest blessings. I want them to be in Heaven with me.
I have to admit that I get discouraged because I don't see a desire on their part to turn towards God, but I will never give up praying for them. One day I am going to hear that they have changed the course of their life and that they are now living for God.
I also pray for some in my family that are very sick. I pray for healing. I will never give up praying for them.
I am reminded in this very same chapter that “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”
So lets give our “impossibles” to God and let Him make them possible!
Always pray and never give up!
Application
I will always pray. I will never give up!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know the people that are on my heart. I want them to know You. I want them to experience all of the things that Kathy and I have been able to experience because of our relationship with You. I also want them to be in Heaven with us. You also know who I have been praying for who are very sick. I will never give up praying for them because I know that You are the Great Physician! Nothing is too hard for You! Thank You in advance for what You are going to do in the lives of those I am praying for. You are a Good, Good Father.
Fifty years ago on this day, October 5th, 1968 I took Kathy out on our first date! Thank You Lord for bringing Kathy into my life! She is by far the greatest gift that I have ever received in my life!
Daily Bible Reading: Esther 3,4,5,6,7,8; Luke 18

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Thursday, October 04, 2018

Let Everything That Breathes Sing Praises To The Lord! Praise The Lord!


Let Everything
That Breathes
Sing Praises To The Lord! Praise The Lord!
Scripture
Psalm 150
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!
2 Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!
3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!
4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!
5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Observation
I heard from someone yesterday in response to yesterday's blog, who doesn't understand, why, if God loves her so much then why is He allowing her to experience so much pain and suffering. 
I don't have the answer for her. Let me more accurately say, I don't have an adequate answer for her. I don't have the answer to why we experience pain and suffering. Only God knows the answer to that question! 
By the way, I am praying for that person, asking my Heavenly Father to take away her pain. 
I do know that our God is well acquainted with pain. He came down to this earth and He experienced both the pain of rejection, and the physical pain of being severely beaten, whipped and nailed to a cross. 
Oh, and I do know this … one day God is going to take away all pain and suffering and there will be no more tears, and no more crying ... but right now you and I must learn how to live in our present situation and deal with suffering as it comes our way. 
Can I make this suggestion: Take a moment, and no matter how much you and I are hurting, no matter how much pain we are experiencing at this moment, lets take a few moments right now to praise the Lord! 
Because you see, at this very moment, you and I still have breath, we are still alive, and we still have something to live for, so let's praise the Lord. And Yes … Let's praise the Lord whether we feel like it or not ... Let's praise the Lord! 
The Apostle Paul, even after he and Silas were badly beaten and thrown into a dark jail cell and had their feet clamped in stocks, began to pray and praise God at midnight … read Acts 16:25-34 for the rest of the story! 
Another time when Paul found himself in jail again he wrote a letter to the church in Philippi and in that letter he told the Philippian believers over and over and over again to rejoice! 
So if you find yourself in a bad place today, maybe you are just feeling a little blah, or maybe you are feeling really-really good … regardless of how you and I feel today … let's praise the Lord!
Application
While I still have breath I will praise the Lord!
How about you?
Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all praise. I praise You because today You have allowed me to live another day. I praise You with all of my heart. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank You for the privilege of calling You Father. Thank You for allowing me to be one of Your children. Help me to see things today from Your perspective. I know that if I see things as You see them then I will not get discouraged. Help me to walk by faith! Holy, Holy, Holy, the Lord, God Almighty! You are worthy of all Praise!
I pray for the sick today. I pray for those who are dealing with terrible pain today. Lord, take away their pain. Show them that in the middle of their suffering that they can still give You praise!
Daily Bible Reading: Esther 1,2; Psalms 150; Luke 17

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Wednesday, October 03, 2018

The Lord Will Work Out His Plans For My Life --



The Lord
Will Work
Out His Plans For My Life --
Scripture
Psalm 138
8 The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

Observation
To be honest, there are days when I look around (usually when I look around at other people) and I selfishly think to myself, “Why has this or that happened to me, or many other times I think why hasn't this happened to me?”
Maybe you have moments like that too!
I guarantee you that King David had moments like I sometimes have, but he didn't let himself stay there very long. King David understood that he served a God who loved him.
Just listen to King David's confidence that he had in his God as he wrote Psalm 138,
“I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods. I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.”
I know that God is working out His plan for my life. God has given me thousands of promises in His Word to assure me that His plan for my life will be carried out.
God says to me in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
My life and your life will have many mountains, it will be filled with many detours and lots of struggles. I believe that every new day is an opportunity for us walk by faith, trusting in our Heavenly Father who loves us.
So no matter what happens today, lets live out this day in a way that makes our Heavenly Father smile!
Application
I know that the Lord is working out His plan for my life.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us live out our lives by faith. Help us to walk by faith and not by sight. When I walk by sight I get discouraged. So help me to walk by faith holding on to all of Your promises. I know that You are a good, good Father. You are guiding and leading me. You are directing my life. I need to keep my focus on You and not on what is happening in the lives of everyone else! Lord, I pray for my family today. Help them to put You first in their lives.
Daily Bible Reading: Ezra 5,6; Psalm 138; Luke 16


> 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.
….....
I just saw my blog on this same passage from 2 years ago -

….......

Don’t
Abandon Me,
For You Made Me
Scripture
Psalm 138
8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life—
for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
Observation
It’s Monday! Psalm 138 – take time to read it! It is a good way to start out this Monday morning!
I was in Shalimar, Florida yesterday and I went to Cinco Baptist Church (Ft. Walton Beach) with my sister Bea, her husband Norm, and their daughter Kacy with her kids!
Their Pastor Mickey Hawkins preached from Habakkuk chapter 1 and 2. Habakkuk’s world was a lot like ours – totally crazy!
Here is Pastor Mickey’s 3 points about what we are to do when our world seems totally out of control. 1. We need to wait on God. 2. We need to watch God at work. 3. And we need to worship Him!
Every week it seems like things get crazier and crazier. What we need to do is look at things from God’s perspective and see that God is working in the middle of this craziness! 
We need a 30,000 feet perspective of what is happening in our world today.
Pastor Mickey said in his message yesterday that buzzards, bats, and bees all have our problem: if you put them in a cage without a lid they will not fly up to escape because they never look up. They are always looking down.
We need to look up! And we need to keep looking up!
Application
I will keep looking up! How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that we are not without hope. Your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. You will work out Your plans for my life— You will not abandon me, for you made me. I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart. I will sing your praises … I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. (Taken from Psalm 138)
I pray for Pastor Mickey Hawkins and the congregation at Cinco Baptist Church. Thank You for bringing them into my sister’s life during this difficult time in her life. May Your face shine with favor on all of them!

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Tuesday, October 02, 2018

In The Same Way, There Is Joy In The Presence Of God's Angels When One Sinner Repents.


In The Same Way,
There Is Joy In The Presence Of God's Angels
When One Sinner Repents.
Scripture
Luke 15
8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it?
9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’
10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
Observation
Heaven is watching! Heaven is waiting! And the angels in Heaven are celebrating when one of us repents! When you and I decide to turn from selfish and sinful living and turn to God, it causes a celebration in Heaven … each and every time one of us repents the angels in Heaven rejoice!
So if that is the focus of attention in Heaven then it should be our focus here on Earth … people all around us are lost … people all around us are heading for an Eternity in Hell where they will be eternally separated from their loved ones, and where they will be eternally separated from the presence of God.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells us three parables, and all three of these stories illustrate the urgency of telling people the Good News about Jesus.
Kathy and I have the opportunity to volunteer each Monday morning at a food pantry sponsored by an organization called Mission Tampa.
Probably 12 or 13 years ago I started serving as a counselor at this food pantry, way back when I was the senior pastor of our church. I did it because I wanted a place to be able to share the Gospel on a regular basis.
Pastors, because of the nature of our calling, spend most of our time with church folk, and if we are not intentional we will spend very little time with people that need to hear the Gospel.
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve at Mission Tampa with a team of great people.
And by the way, we could always use more help!
Application
I will rejoice and celebrate every time someone gives his or her life to Jesus!
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunities to serve You. I pray for the strength and the health to continue serving You. I pray for those who are struggling today with health issues. I pray for healing. Thank You for opportunities to share with people the love of Christ. Help me today find someone to encourage. Help me to stay focused on what is most important, seeing people come to know You as Savior, and helping them grow in their relationship with You.
Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 13,14; Psalms 147; Luke 15

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Monday, October 01, 2018

So You Cannot Become My Disciple Without Giving Up Everything You Own.


So You Cannot
Become My Disciple
Without Giving Up Everything You Own.
Scripture
Luke 14
33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.
Observation
Salvation is a free gift. It can't be earned. You and I can't do enough good things to get into Heaven through our own good works.
And even though salvation is free to all of us who say, “yes” to Jesus, there is a high cost of following Him. Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple... you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”
I heard a statement yesterday from Pastor Bruce Moore that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. Pastor Bruce said yesterday in his message, “In a relationship, someone can't have a high view of their partner, they cannot highly value him or her, if they do not have a high view of God, if that person doesn't highly value God.
And the sad truth is the same person will not have a high view of themselves either if they don't have a high view of God.
If you and I don't have a high view of the Creator, then we will not have a high view of the things that He has created.
Think about the relationship that you are in right now – does your partner highly value God? … Do you highly value God? No wonder he or she treats you the way they do.
No wonder you are in a mess!
In a relationship, for it to work the way God intended, we have to get the vertical relationship with God right first, before any horizontal relationship will work like it is supposed to!
Which brings me back to Luke 14 and our relationship with Jesus Christ, are we putting Him first? Do we have a high view of God? Do we highly value Him?
Application
I will make sure that Jesus stays number One in my life.
How about you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that if I don't have the right view of You then there is no way that the relationships in my life are going to be right. Help me to put You first, Kathy second, and everybody and everything else third. I know that I don't own anything. I know that You own everything. Help me to be a good steward of what You allow me to use while I am here on this earth.
Daily Bible Reading: Zechariah 10,11,12; Psalms 126; Luke 14

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Sunday, September 30, 2018

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


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

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