NOVEMBER 21, 2024
GIVING GOD PLEASURE
The LORD taketh PLEASURE in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
PLEASURE is a word meaning to delight, obviously to take pleasure, to treat with favor, and to accept BECAUSE HE WANTS TO. Consider the following Three things:
* Remember The Lord takes PLEASURE in his people. Psalm 147:11
Psalm 147:11 The LORD taketh Pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
* The Lord takes PLEASURE in our faith. Hebrews 11:6
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to PLEASE HIM: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that HE IS A REWARDER of them that diligently seek him.
* The Lord wants to show us HIS GOOD PLEASURE. Philippians 2:13.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his GOOD PLEASURE
In the Book of Revelation, we read that God has something special in mind, when it comes to His creating us. In Revelation 4:11, it says, ‘. . . for THOU HAST CREATED ALL THINGS, and FOR THY PLEASURE THEY ARE AND WERE CREATED.’ God created us to enjoy Fellowship with us and to have a Relationship with us. WE HAVE A PURPOSE! His Purpose!
WE NEED TO DEFINE SOME GOALS IN OUR OWN LIVES – SUCH AS:
* Let’s bring JOY to the Lord with our lives!
* Let’s live so that we are GIVING GOD PLEASURE!
* Let’s put a smile on God’s Face and let Him know that He didn’t make a MISTAKE with us!
PLEASE DO NOT FEAR TO EXPLORE THIS WONDERFUL SIDE OF GOD
Psalm 149:4 For the LORD taketh PLEASURE IN HIS PEOPLE: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
There are so many that feel that they don’t stand a chance with God and that He doesn’t or won’t Love them.
Try to Comprehend that God WANTS TO LOVE YOU.
Now live so that you are:
GIVING GOD PLEASURE
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NOVEMBER 20, 2024
A THANKSGIVING TUNE-UP
At the time of this writing we are anticipating the arrival of Thanksgiving. If you Ladies are like my Wife then I know what you are doing. You’re getting ready for the THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY . . . You’ve gone Grocery shopping . . . Carried all those bags into the house . . . You’re getting the Kitchen setup for the Marathon Cooking spree . . . You’re preparing for that huge Family style meal . . . YOU ARE WORKING EXTREMELY HARD.
If you Men are like me then you’re preparing as well. You’re working hard to get your work caught up . . . Actually trying to get ahead just so you can take off from work . . . You know that you want to be there to enjoy that great FEAST with Family and Friends. What a great day THANKSGIVING really is. It is worth GETTING READY AND PREPARING FOR!
THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL PSALM THAT WILL PREPARE YOU SPIRITUALLY
Psalm 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Psalm 100:3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with THANKSGIVING, and into his courts with PRAISE: be THANKFUL unto him, and BLESS HIS NAME.
Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
F.B. Meyer says, ‘If we could enter into the spirit of this Psalm, EVERY DAY WOULD BE THANKSGIVING DAY. The Psalmist invites all the earth to enter into the courts of God’s house with joyful songs. In many of the Psalms the minor chords overpower the major ones, and weeping prevails over rejoicing. But this Psalm is full of unclouded sunlight. The reason for this gladness is suggested in the words’:
The Lord – HE IS GOD!
He has MADE US (He is Creator)
We are HIS PEOPLE
We are SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE (He CARES for us)
Imagine, soon now, you will arrive at that Family Gathering. You will ENTER through the Door . . .
Get ready now . . .
make up your mind . . .
ENTER IN WITH THANKSGIVING!
Enter in with PRAISE! Be THANKFUL!!! Most of all BLESS HIS NAME!!! LEAD everyone in A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING. Be ready for what you’re gonna say . . . You know it will happen . . . So prepare . . . Get ready . . . Check those Prayer Spark Plugs . . . We all need to do:
A THANKSGIVING TUNE-UP
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NOVEMBER 19, 2024
SOME THINGS DO NOT LAST
As a Pastor, I witness many people who reach the age of Retirement. For those people, a very significant part of their life is coming to an end. Their youth has faded and their days of clocking into a daily job is closing. This time of Life can be very disturbing and hard to deal with. That is, if the one doing the Retiring hasn’t planned or given thought to the change that’s ahead. Many complicated decisions can throw themselves in front of you.
With PROPER FORESIGHT, I do believe, God can and will help you with your PREPARATION!
I call this ‘POSITIONING FOR THE FUTURE.’ Making ready for the changes that YOU KNOW will come. Not that it MIGHT come . . . But it WILL COME!
On November 19th of the year 2017 . . . I witnessed the most popular NASCAR driver (in recent years) Mr. Dale Earnhardt, Jr. drive down Pit Row and all the crews were standing and congratulating him on his very storied career. This was his final race before going into RETIREMENT. Even this young man is learning that SOME THINGS DO NOT LAST.
I HAVE FOUND ONE THING THAT WILL LAST AND ITS WORTH LOOKING INTO!
Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (GOD’S WORD IS FOREVER)
Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (Luke 21:33).
If you plant for a year, plant grain.
If you plant for ten years, plant trees.
If you plant for a hundred years, plant men.
If you plant for ETERNITY, PLANT THE WORD OF GOD! (Author Unknown)
Many need SECURITY and SURITY (to know their protected – also to know that they know!)
‘We can trust men too much, but we can never do so towards God. It is the surest thing that has been, or that can ever be. To believe His Word is to believe what none can fairly question. Has God said it? Then so it must be. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s Word will never pass away. The laws of nature may be suspended; fire may cease to burn, the water to drown, for this would involve no unfaithfulness to God. But for His Word to fail would involve a dishonoring variableness in the character and nature of the Godhead, and this can never be. Let us set to our seal that God is true, and never suffer a suspicion of His veracity to cross our minds.’ (C. H. Spurgeon)
God’s Word and God’s Promises give us both, SECURITY AND SURITY.
God declares, ‘I CHANGE NOT!’
POSITION yourself for an unchanging eternity – because here on earth:
SOME THINGS DO NOT LAST
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NOVEMBER 18, 2024
GOD ATTENDS AUCTIONS
I love going to an AUCTION! I love the Auctioneer shouting, ‘Ten – ten – Who’ll give me ten? . . . Fifteen – Fifteen? . . . Yes! Who’ll give me twenty – twenty . . . Who’ll give me twenty? Going once . . . Going twice . . . SOLD to that man! Your number sir? ‘Eighty-four.’ Sold to Number 84 for Twenty dollars! Next we have (moving on to the next item for bid). The Bidding can be very competitive. Oh don’t forget, when you win the BID you then MUST pay for the purchase.
The auctions that I have attended are for the purpose of purchasing material things. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for The Prophet Hosea to attend the type of Auction that God called him to attend. Hosea (HO-ZAY-UH), was called by God to BID and PURCHASE his Wife back from the bondage of Slavery. That’s right! An Auction to purchase a person!!!
A little background to understand how they reached this place: Hosea’s Wife had been unfaithful to Hosea (such a travesty). She had left him and she had moved in with her Adulteress lover. God wanted to use Hosea to demonstrate THE LOVE OF GOD to the wayward Wife. God was going to use Hosea’s Message to Preach to the Children of Israel also . . . WHY???
God wanted to tell the Children of Israel . . . ‘Hey, Israel . . . You have done to Me what Hosea’s Wife did to him. She left him for another . . . You have left ME!
He will love her enough to buy her back . . . I will love you enough to REDEEM you as well.’
Here’s how the story goes:
- THE COMMAND FROM GOD
Hosea 1:2 The beginning of the word of the LORD by Hosea. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.
- HOSEA TOOK FOOD AND MONEY TO THE HOUSE WHERE SHE WAS STAYING
Hosea 2:8 For she did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold, which they prepared for Baal. (Though unfaithful – Hosea wanted her to be cared for).
- HOSEA BIDS AND PURCHASES HIS WIFE BACK FROM THE BONDAGE OF SLAVERY
Hosea 3:2 So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver . . . (The other lover dumped her)
Hosea 3:3 And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee.
I can only imagine her saying to Hosea, ‘Why would you love me this much?
Why would you save me?
There are many people asking God that same question!
I’m just thankful that:
GOD ATTENDS AUCTIONS
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NOVEMBER 17, 2024
Written in 2017 – yet this Devotion is still very personal to me.
JAH
I’ll be the first to tell you that a Doctor’s findings can be somewhat devastating. When you hear the word ‘INCURABLE’ it certainly can be hard to process. For that moment, the numbness of UNCERTAINTY is felt only to be followed by a million ‘WHAT NOWS?’
I heard those words some time ago . . . Steve, you have a Rare Disorder in your Spinal Cord called SYRINGOMYELIA (Sir-ing-Go-My-Eee-lee-a is a cyst in the spinal chord/ it is a trapped pocket of fluid/ it RESTRICTS flow of spinal fluid). My life sure has changed because of it.
– This is my story:
Those 2 to 3 Hour MRI scans are grueling for me. My head, strapped in a cage, arms rubbing the sides of that narrow tube, and complete stillness for the whole time. The MRI was a place where I had to learn Mental Toughness. The MRI Tube also became God’s Seminary.
One particular time, I felt so WEAK, I was defeated before I even went into the Tube. That morning, in despair, I wept before the Lord and said, ‘JESUS, I NEED A WORD FROM YOU!’ MY LIFE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY THAT DAY – He answered and here is the verse He gave to me:
Psalm 68:4 Sing unto God, SING PRAISES TO HIS NAME: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. (FOCUS ON HIS NAME – ‘JAH’)
I had no idea what JAH meant? Praise Him by His Name – JAH! Please, Teach me Lord?
JAH is a Sacred Name. JAH is an abbreviation of YAHWEH “LORD.” The Word is first found in Exodus 15 and again in Exodus 17. In both instances, The Children of Israel faced ANNIHILATION – first by Pharaoh and the Egyptians – second by the Amalekites (Note: THERE WAS NO WAY OUT – IMPOSSIBLE!). I found His Name to mean – THE GOD THAT OVERCOMES THE IMPOSSIBLE! HE IS THE GOD OVER THE IMPOSSIBLE! JAH!
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation . . .(These two poetic passages are then quoted later (Psalm 118:14; Isaiah 12:2).
Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Many do not realize this . . . When we say HALLELUJAH . . . we are saying, Praise be to JAH!
Praise Ye The LORD! Hallelu – JAH! — GOD WHO CONQUERS THE IMPOSSIBLE! JAH!!!
He rides upon the heavens, by his name JAH. JAH also means SELF-SUFFICIENT ONE – a self-existent, self-sufficient being; the fountain of all being, power, motion, and perfection; this is his NAME FOREVER.
He SAVES those who can’t SAVE themselves.
He HEALS those who are HOPELESS and HELPLESS.
GOD PROMISED HE WOULD SUSTAIN ME – HE HAS!
SING:
Hallelu-JAH, Thine the glory! Hallelu-JAH, AMEN!
When you can’t – HE CAN! –
PRAISE:
JAH
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NOVEMBER 16, 2024
I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW
Ira Stanphil, wrote a remarkable song, when he penned the Classic Hymn, ‘I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.’ In that Hymn there are some statements that sound contradictory to each other. Statements like: ‘I don’t know about tomorrow’ and ‘I know Who holds tomorrow.’ ‘I don’t know’ followed by ‘I do know.’ Take a look at his song:
‘I don’t know about tomorrow; I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from it’s sunshine, For it’s skies may turn to grey.
I don’t worry o’er the future, For I know what Jesus said.
And today I’ll walk beside Him, For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.’
I believe Mr. Stanphil is saying, ‘We can’t CONTROL tomorrow but God can!’ Are you planning for a better tomorrow? Do so with gladness. Do so with humility. Plan for it but think:
1. Yes, God is Sovereign.
2. Tomorrow, will be a Gift from God should it come.
3. I resolve to recognize Him.
4. I will Praise Him for the Gift of Life!
5. I will always be reminded that I live because of Him.
6. One day life will end – and finally,
7. I will leave this world when He says!
Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.
James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
James 4:14 Whereas YE KNOW NOT WHAT SHALL BE ON THE MORROW. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
‘That we may not complain of WHAT IS, let us see God’s hand in all events; and, that we may not be afraid of WHAT SHALL BE, let us see all events in God’s hand. (Matthew Henry)
What is your life? It is a very mysterious part of God’s dealings, this is what makes our life so uncertain. Why did He do it this way? A man does not know whether he shall have seventy years to live, or ten years, or a hundred and ten years, or a just a few months or a few days.
It will throw all the light we require on this difficulty, if we remember one thing: that our state here is one of trial; we are not told to do this thing and that thing so much for their own sakes, as for the sake of seeing whether we will obey God or not. Choose today to Trust God with your life:
Will you TRUST HIM and ACKNOWLEDGE HIM as being LORD of all? Will you say, ‘I do TRUST the Lord!’
Mr. Stanphil was right, ‘I don’t know about Tomorrow’ -But I do know this:
I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW
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NOVEMBER 15, 2024
SPEAK LORD – I’M LISTENING
The Child Samuel, heard his voice being called in the middle of the night. The Still, yet quiet voice, breathing his name, was enough to stir him and arouse him from sleep. His curiosity pulled him right out of that bed. What is this message that is being spoken to me tonight? He surely thought, ‘I MUST FIND OUT!’
Eli, an old Priestly man, was in charge of the Temple. Samuel, was residing at the Temple, because he was receiving his education and instruction. He was learning about The Lord. The Lord knew that the Greatest Knowledge and Experience for Samuel, would be, to allow Samuel to meet Him (The Lord) personally. With that the LORD SPEAKS!
Samuel, heard his name being CALLED and he arose and went to Eli the Priest, because he thought that Eli had called his name. This happened a couple of times. Eli, finally perceived what was happening. He told Samuel what to do – should it happen again:
1Samuel 3:9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, IF HE CALL THEE, that thou shalt say, SPEAK, LORD; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
1Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, AND CALLED as at other times, SAMUEL, SAMUEL. Then Samuel answered, SPEAK; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH.
THE CHILD HEARING – The EAR is one of the main gateways of the soul. But far more wonderful is THE INNER EAR OF THE HEART (or the conscience) by which you HEAR the NOISELESS VOICE OF GOD.
OBSERVE AND LEARN
You may MISTAKE THE VOICE at first; as Samuel did. But if you MISTAKE GOD’S VOICE, HE WILL SPEAK TO YOU, AGAIN AND AGAIN, until you KNOW both the SPEAKER and HIS MESSAGE; and then you will be like this delighted child when he lay LISTENING TO HIS NAME being pronounced by THE LIPS OF ALMIGHTY GOD!
‘Noise and words, and frenzied hectic schedules, DULL our senses, CLOSING OUR EARS to His STILL SMALL VOICE and making us numb to His touch.’ (Charles Swindoll)
‘Most of man’s trouble comes from his inability to be still.’ (Blaise Pascal)
Many of you, will remember, God Calling you when you were in sin. ‘CALLING, OH, SINNER COME HOME!’ If you can remember that . . . Then you remember hearing HIS VOICE calling YOUR NAME. God did speak to you then. God will speak now.
Just reply to Him:
SPEAK LORD – I’M LISTENING
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NOVEMBER 14, 2024
SAND AGAIN AND RE-COAT
I was in my Dad’s garage the other day and I saw a Woodworking Project that I did when I was in school. The old Swordfish still looked pretty good to be over 50 years old. I was in the Seventh Grade when I took that Woodworking class. I learned very early in the class that ‘Patience’ was something the Woodworker needed to develop. I didn’t like that part of it at all!
I remember my Instructor telling me to sand off the Finish and Coat it again. Then use steel wool and do it again and again for a great finish. Being about 13 years of age, I thought that was just crazy. My one coat looked good enough to me and that’s how it was finished. I realize now that my project was cute and cherished by my Mom for sure. I don’t mean to be harsh . . . but it was done by a kid . . . And kids can get by with a lot of things because they’re kids. Just like New Baby Christians; People know that you’re growing, and learning, so they tolerate a lot more.
Now, that I’m older, I realize that I cannot get by with what that youngster got by with.
Today, my finished projects – MUST – show some professionalism, and – MUST – look good. I recently finished our Kitchen Cabinets and the PROCESS took a long time (many days). Bring them up to a Finish Coat only to Sand it back down (finer and finer each time). I’ve got to give some credit to my Uncle Fred for instructing me through all of the PROCESSES with PATIENCE!!!
Life is a PROCESS. Some days we get a lot done, other days show very little progress at best. Today was such a day. Some projects had to be left on the table – ‘TO BE CONTINUED!’
Consider some Bible Verses that deal with PROCESS and CONTINUATION:
Exodus 8:27 We will go THREE DAYS’ JOURNEY into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. (Each day they had to STOP – followed by STARTING AGAIN the following morning/ one day could not do it/ emphasis mine)
Genesis 4:3 And in PROCESS OF TIME it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. (Gardens take time – nothing brought until it was time)
Galatians 4:4 But when the FULNESS OF TIME WAS COME, God sent forth his Son . . . (The Time had to be right for God to send forth His Son Jesus/ God waited for it/ emphasis mine)
An older more seasoned Christian will realize that Growing in the Lord is a PROCESS. IT TAKES TIME! When we think we look great and have arrived – Jesus says, ‘Sand him again!’
Jesus was a MASTER CARPENTER! The old Instructor and Jesus have a lot in common. They both know how to get a good FINISH – (sanding and re-coat – PROCESS). Just when I say, ‘Lord, I think I’m okay and I think I look good?’ HE SAYS:
SAND AGAIN AND RE-COAT
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NOVEMBER 13, 2024
GOD HAS THE CURE
We knew that Poison Ivy was growing in the fence row. We were well aware of it back in the summer. The Specialist said that we should wait until Winter and then CUT IT DOWN and CLEAN IT OUT. We sure learned a thing or two . . .
# One – Fall is not Winter . . .
# Two – When Poison Ivy hits your body it can strike with a vengeance.
That is what happened to my dear Wife, Darlene. Four of us worked at the process of clearing the unwanted Poison. Three escaped any reaction. She did not fare so well . . . After applying over the counter lotion, she was no better . . . So you guessed it . . . IT WAS SHOT TIME . . . Something was needed at a much stronger dosage to get her over the hump and on to recovery. Our Doctor is a Christian and God sure used him to help Darlene. Thank God for Doctors (like Doctor Storm) who allow God to use them! He understands his role in the Ministry of the Lord.
When it comes to our Spiritual Life . . . We, no doubt, will find that we need something more than ‘Over the Counter’ remedies. The ‘Positive Sayings’ of the Preacher doesn’t seem to help. The call, from the friend, who’s advice doesn’t seem to apply. On and on, we could recite examples of remedies that did not work and were non-effective. We need something stronger!
There are many who try to cut down the ‘THE POISON VINES OF HATE.’ They get infected and then try over the counter remedies and their condition gets no better . . . Sometimes it gets worse. We then need to go to the Great Physician of the Bible for the SURE REMEDY:
Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because THE LOVE OF GOD IS SHED ABROAD IN OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY GHOST which is GIVEN UNTO US.
‘The love of God is like light to a blind eye until the Holy Ghost opens that eye . . . may the Holy Spirit now be here in each one of us, to SHED ABROAD THE LOVE OF GOD IN OUR HEARTS.’ (Spurgeon)
The pleasant gust or sense of it. It is shed abroad, as sweet ointment, perfuming the soul, as rain watering it and making it fruitful. The ground of all our comfort and holiness, and perseverance in both, is laid in the shedding abroad of the love of God in our hearts; it is this which constrains us, 2Corinthians 5:14. Thus are we drawn and held by the bonds of love. (Matthew Henry)
The INJECTION of the HOLY GHOST becomes the REMEDY to a condition of HATE. You found that you did not have the overcoming power within yourself. You found that you needed a boost to get you over the hump and on to the cure.
God’s HIGH DOSAGE OF LOVE was the remedy to the POISON OF HATE. Also notice, it was an EXTERNAL SOURCE injected (or given) to ENTER INTO the INFECTED BODY. God is waiting to ENTER IN. When He does . . . He INOCULATES with THE SURE CURE for the problem at hand! Got an infection?
GOD HAS THE CURE
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NOVEMBER 12, 2024
THE GREAT CAR CHASE
Several years ago my Wife and I were actively involved in a Christian School Ministry. During those years we met many wonderful people from many different Schools. One of my great enjoyments was competing with the various Schools in Basketball and Volleyball. I’m still fond of those memories and those wonderful Children we became friends with.
One night, without realizing it, we would meet a Young Lady from one of those Schools. We would meet in a very unusual way. When I say UNUSUAL – I mean UNUSUAL! God has a way of making things happen on His time-table. Such would be the case on this particular Fall night.
My Wife and I were traveling on a busy 4 lane road in our town the night it happened. A Young Lady, was driving the other vehicle, and was passing us on that same road. She was in the fast lane and we were in the slower lane. As she went by us (not speeding at all – just a few miles per hour faster than us) it happened!
The Young Girl PASSED OUT at the wheel. She fell lifeless back into her seat. Her car was going straight but it was out of control. I knew she was in danger of crashing . . . SOMETHING MUST BE DONE . . . AND SOMETHING WAS DONE . . . I immediately CHASED HER CAR DOWN . . . It took some handy driving . . . GOD HELPED ME to do what needed to be done.
My Wife was praying as I speeded up to OVERTAKE the car. I pulled in front of the car and HOPED for a MIRACLE. I kept my speed up (just enough) to stay ahead and then I SLOWLY BEGAN TO BRAKE until her car bumped gently into mine. I eased down on the brakes and slowly brought her car to a stop. When we stopped . . . I jumped out and ran back to her car . . . Opening the door . . . Putting the car into Park . . . Thank God He helped with the impossible.
It was not until then that we recognized this Young Lady from the other School. We were able to call for help and she eventually came back to consciousness. We were able to contact her Parents and thankfully all ended well. THANK GOD FOR MIRACLES!
THAT NIGHT I OVERTOOK THAT CAR TO SAVE THAT GIRL’S LIFE
This reminds me of God’s Blessings. His Blessings CHASE us and OVERTAKE us:
Deuteronomy 28:2 And all these BLESSINGS shall come on thee, and OVERTAKE THEE, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
The School ended up treating us as a hero, but we know the TRUTH of what happened. God loved this girl – He chose to CHASE her down and OVERTAKE her with the BLESSING OF LIFE. He used me and my Wife because He knew that we would love to be in a story called:
THE GREAT CAR CHASE
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NOVEMBER 11, 2024
THE ELECTRIC COMPANY
There was a game, we played as kids, and this game was not for the faint in heart. It was the game called ‘MONOPOLY.’ Every one bought property and tried to build their own personal empire. Sometimes we played all night until dawn (that’s why I say it is not for the faint in heart). Well, this story is not so much about that game as it is about something that happened to me while playing that game.
I had just purchased ‘THE ELECTRIC COMPANY’ and added it to my collection of properties. This is the TRUTH with my hand up (Old quote from Wendy Bagwell). As soon as I took possession – the power went out in the house. Literally, we were in the dark. Everyone laughed and the joke was on me. So we gathered all the candles we could find . . . Lit them . . . Just so we could see. Needless to say the game was over but this Devotion is just beginning:
Imagine us finding those CANDLES and just holding them in our hands without LIGHTING them. Wow! We sure would remain in darkness. The CANDLE has a characteristic that we must remember. CANDLES cannot LIGHT themselves . . . Someone must do the lighting:
Our SPIRITUAL MAN (inner man) is just like the CANDLE . . . CONSIDER:
Proverbs 20:27 The SPIRIT OF MAN IS THE CANDLE OF THE LORD . . .
REMEMBER – THE CANDLE CANNOT LIGHT ITSELF
Psalm 18:28 FOR THOU (GOD) WILT LIGHT MY CANDLE: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
That is exactly why we say, ‘To be LOST without the Lord is to be in DARKNESS!’ We do not have LIGHT in our soul until the Lord LIGHTS our CANDLE. A CANDLE cannot light itself!
GIVING OUR SPIRIT LIGHT IS SOMETHING THAT GOD DOES
2Corinthians 4:6 For God, who COMMANDED the light to shine out of darkness, HATH SHINED IN OUR HEARTS, to give the LIGHT of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
To think back to that MONOPOLY game . . . When I owned the ELECTRIC COMPANY the power failed and the LIGHTS went out resulting in DARKNESS. My luck was no better when I played MONOPOLY with my SPIRITUAL LIFE. I also found NO POWER and I was left in total DARKNESS! God finally became my source for LIGHT. I finally surrendered and let God do what God does best . . . LIGHT SPIRITUAL CANDLES . . . As for me . . .
Never again will I purchase:
THE ELECTRIC COMPANY
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NOVEMBER 10, 2024
SOME THINGS WE MUST DO
‘The bell when struck does not ring because it chooses to, but because it cannot help itself. And when a man beholds a noble trait, he admires it not because he wills to do it, but because he is so constituted that HE MUST DO IT.’ (Henry Ward Beecher)
I found Mr. Beecher’s comment to be very interesting. The Bell RINGS because IT HAS TO RING. A man’s actions is NOBLE because it is something HE MUST DO! My thought is this . . . WHAT DO YOU DO THAT YOU CANNOT HELP BUT TO DO? We can learn from Jesus some answers to this question?
HE SAID, ‘I MUST BE ABOUT MY FATHER’S BUSINESS’
Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I MUST BE ABOUT MY FATHER’S BUSINESS?
HE SAID, ‘I MUST PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD’
Luke 4:43 And he said unto them, I MUST PREACH THE KINGDOM OF GOD to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
HE SAID, ‘I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF MY FATHER (THE ONE WHO SENT ME)’
John 9:4 I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM THAT SENT ME, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
HE SAID, ‘I MUST SUFFER, BE REJECTED, BE KILLED, AND THEN RISE AGAIN!’
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man MUST SUFFER MANY THINGS, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and BE KILLED, and after three days RISE AGAIN.
There are things that You and I MUST DO . . . Consider:
Perfume, by necessity, MUST give off a Fragrance.
A Candle, by necessity, MUST have the ability to glow.
A Magnet, by necessity, MUST draw unto itself.
Wind, by necessity, MUST blow and have movement.
The Sun, by necessity, MUST shine and give off warmth.
The Moon, by necessity, MUST reflect the Sun’s light.
Humanity, by necessity, MUST do some things also:
Mankind, MUST CHOOSE, to Accept or Reject Jesus Christ as Savior.
MUST either Confess or Deny Jesus as Lord.
Man MUST decide –
Man MUST then face the consequences of his choice:
SOME THINGS WE MUST DO
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NOVEMBER 9, 2024
CUT OFF THE FLOW OF SAP
In my home State of Indiana (USA) we have Four very distinct Seasons. We are presently experiencing the beauties of the FALL or Autumn season. Many may say, ‘We know that!’ But wait . . . The wonderful people of the Philippines may not know that. They have a warm climate the year round and maybe can’t visualize what I’m about to talk about.
Just a few days ago, the trees in my Father’s yard had turned to a Golden Yellow. The leaves that were once a luscious green in color now have changed. We know that the Sap that flows through the tree to the branches has slowed and the leaves begin to change colors and then dry up and eventually FALL to the ground. When they FALL to the ground . . . Believe me . . . It makes for a massive clean-up. Today, ALL those leaves were on the ground.
As I looked and beheld this sight today . . . I began to ponder on the Scripture:
Psalm 104:16 The trees of the LORD are FULL OF SAP . . .
When the SAP flows through our lives we produce those luscious green leaves that show LIFE! But if that SAP FLOW slows or ceases we also do what the trees are doing now . . . the leaves change color . . . Start the dying process . . . Let go of the branch . . . Then FALL to the ground!
I’M REMINDED OF THE WORDS OF JESUS:
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. AS THE BRANCH CANNOT BEAR FRUIT OF ITSELF, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me (stay attached/emphasis mine).
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: FOR WITHOUT ME YE CAN DO NOTHING.
LESSONS FROM THE WORDS OF JESUS:
Before there can be FRUIT there must FIRST be LIFE! (The leaf dies without Life)
To be WITHOUT Christ is to be DEAD in our sins. (Disconnected from the source of Life)
To have Christ is to have LIFE . . . (Christ is the source . . . We Live because He Lives)
1John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
The branch must be FULL OF SAP to give Life to the Fruit being PRODUCED. If the branch runs dry – The leaves die. If the branch runs FULL – Leaves are never dull.
To have a FALL just:
CUT OFF THE FLOW OF SAP
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NOVEMBER 8, 2024
THE GOSPEL NET DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE
Jesus told the story of a NET being cast into the sea. This story is among one, of the many Parables, that Jesus told. A Parable is an earthly story with a Spiritual Meaning:
Matthew13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven IS LIKE UNTO A NET, that was cast into the sea, and GATHERED OF EVERY KIND:
Matthew13:48 Which, when it was FULL, they DREW TO SHORE, and sat down, and gathered THE GOOD into vessels, but cast THE BAD away.
Matthew13:49 SO IT SHALL BE AT THE END OF THE WORLD: the angels shall come forth, and SEVER THE WICKED FROM AMONG THE JUST,
Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
We know a Fishing NET is prepared and used for a special purpose – TO CATCH FISH! The NET represents, or is likened to, the Gospel Message of the Kingdom of God. Interestingly, THE NET, is just like THE GOSPEL – it makes no distinction in the fish that it catches (IT RECEIVES ALL FISH WHO COME INTO IT). The INVITATION of the GOSPEL is the same . . . It will receive ALL who will come to it . . . ALL! Whosoever Will may come.
The NET was cast into the SEA. The Sea represents the world where the fish live. Likened to the GOSPEL, THE GOSPEL is preached to the world where Men, Women, boys, and girls live.
The NET GATHERED OF EVERY KIND. Good and bad, all kinds, no discrimination. All manners of people are drawn to the GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST.
The NET was drawn in when it was FULL. There will be a day the Lord will declare . . . It is ENOUGH! Draw them in . . . EVERYONE . . . both Good and Bad . . . No Discrimination! Notice that the fish were not sifted (separated until they reached the shore). There will be a great Separating when we stand before God on that great Judgment Morning! Those who believed the GOSPEL and those who Rejected the GOSPEL will ALL BE DRAWN IN!
The SEPARATION gathered in the GOOD and cast the BAD AWAY!
The GOOD will be allowed into Heaven while the BAD will be CAST AWAY FOREVER.
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Imagine, ALL PEOPLE of all Races, Creeds, and Nations . . . ALL WILL STAND BEFORE JESUS. ALL PEOPLE will be gathered to the Judgement. Everyone will know in that day – that:
THE GOSPEL NET DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE
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NOVEMBER 7, 2024
SOOTHING AN EXHAUSTED SOUL
Some people say, ‘Don’t work too hard?’ I laugh at that statement because a Lazy person seldom gets complimented, while the person who is willing to work, usually hears, ‘He/She is a HARD WORKER!
I certainly have a tendency to sometimes work TOO HARD! Forgetting that I’m not as young as I used to be and I pay a price for it dearly, with my joints screaming for HELP! Perhaps it is better to say, ‘Work hard, give it your best, BUT PACE YOURSELF and by all means DON’T OVER DO IT! I usually find out that I’ve over did it . . . AFTER THE FACT! Ouch!
Such is the case, TONIGHT! As I sit here thinking about my body recuperating and rebounding from the day . . . I realize . . . After a night of rest . . . I will feel BRAND NEW AGAIN! However, there is another problem I must deal with as well . . . SPIRITUAL EXHAUSTION! As sure as the body needs tending to . . . So must our spirit be REPLENISHED as well.
I do Physical Labor daily and I do Spiritual Labor as well. As I sat down to write, tonight, The Holy Spirit took over my Inner spirit and what He revealed has already REFRESHED my inner man . . . Also, my physical body immediately followed suit . . . feeling instant relief . . .
IT IS TRULY MIRACULOUS WHAT TIME, SPENT ALONE WITH GOD, WILL DO!
I feel a MIRACLE COMING ON (Literally) as I write this thought. Hallelujah to the Lamb!
HERE’S WHAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME:
Job 10:12 Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
God says, ‘I HAVE GRANTED YOU LIFE!’ LIVE IT WITH ALL YOU HAVE IN YOU!
God says, ‘I HAVE GRANTED YOU FAVOR! GO FOR IT – I HAVE BLESSED YOU!
God says, ‘I HAVE VISITED YOU TONIGHT! I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU!
God says, ‘MY VISIT TO YOU WILL PRESERVE YOUR SPIRIT! BE REFRESHED!
GOD LITERALLY BREATHES LIFE IN US . . . GOD FURTHER SAYS:
Deuteronomy 32:46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 32:47 FOR IT IS NOT A VAIN THING FOR YOU; because it is your LIFE
God sure knows how and the way for:
SOOTHING AN EXHAUSTED SOUL
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NOVEMBER 6, 2024
STRONGER THAN THE OPPOSITION
The Apostle Paul, wrote many of the Books in the New Testament. One of those Books was addressed to a Young Preacher boy named Timothy. Paul was equipping Timothy to be ready for the challenges of Ministry. Of those challenges given, you and I, can certainly take note and learn from what Paul had to say. He spoke about the Challenges of Facing the Last Days on Earth. What will be happening just before Jesus would come again:
PAUL REVEALED THAT THERE WOULD BE GODLESSNESS IN THE LAST DAYS
2Timothy 3:1 This know also, that IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME.
2Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent (out of control), fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
In the last days PERILOUS TIMES will come: The word translated perilous has the idea of troubles, difficulty, and stressful situations. This sort of atmosphere will mark the last days.
‘The word was used in classical Greek both of dangerous wild animals and of the raging sea. Its only other New Testament occurrence is in the story of the two Gaderene demoniacs who were as SAVAGE and UNTAMED as wild beasts and whom Matthew describes as ‘so fierce that no one could pass that way’ (Matthew 8:28).” (Stott)
The characteristics, Paul describes, speak NOT ONLY OF BAD TIMES, BUT OF BAD PEOPLE. We should note the hardness or danger of this time as Paul describes. Jesus told of wars, famines, and diseases. Paul spoke of THE WICKED AND DEPRAVED WAYS OF MEN.
Though some think that any attention paid to the last days or Biblical prophecy is FOOLISH – we should – and we must – be ABLE TO DISCERN when the LAST DAYS are; or at least when world conditions would be like the Bible described. This then would be in the last days!
“As he lies in his cell, a prisoner of the Lord, Paul is still preoccupied with the future of the Gospel. His mind dwells now on the evil of the times, now on his unsureness of Timothy. TIMOTHY WAS SO WEAK, AND THE OPPOSITION SO STRONG.’ (John Stott)
Paul encouraged Timothy to not be Fearful, to stir up the gift of God, be a good soldier, Preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season (always be ready), let no man despise your youth (don’t be taken advantaged of), don’t be weak, never live godless . . .
By all means be:
STRONGER THAN THE OPPOSITION
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NOVEMBER 5, 2024
IN TIMES LIKE THESE
The following was a Live interview: Steve Dailey with Carol Jones Saint (the daughter of Ruth Caye Jones) — ‘I want to share with you some information about the Gospel Song, ‘In Times Like These.’ Which was written by my Mother, and her name was Ruth Caye Jones. It was during World War II about 1943, when she got the inspiration for writing this song.’
‘She was a student of Prophecy and was very concerned about the TIMES. The Scripture,
2Timothy 3:1 says:
2Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days PERILOUS TIMES shall come.’
‘The Holy Spirit just used that verse to inspire the song. She said, The words and the music came to her at the same time . . . She just felt like the Holy Spirit gave her the Inspiration. She wrote it down. She has been gone to Heaven since 1972. She continues to minister today because the song is Truer now than ever before.’ (Carol Jones Saint)
IN TIMES LIKE THESE (Permission granted)
Verse 1 – In times like these you need a Savior, In times like these you need an anchor,
Be very sure, Be very sure . . . Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock
Chorus – This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One . . . This Rock is Jesus the Only One . . .
Be very sure . . . Be very sure . . . Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.
Verse 2 – In times like these you need the Bible, In times like these . . . Oh, be not idle,
Be very sure, Be very sure . . . Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock
Chorus – This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One . . . This Rock is Jesus the Only One . . .
Be very sure . . . Be very sure . . . Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.
Verse 3 – In times like these I HAVE A SAVIOR, In times like these I HAVE AN ANCHOR,
I’M VERY SURE, I’M VERY SURE . . . my anchor HOLDS and GRIPS THE SOLID ROCK.
Chorus – This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One . . . This Rock is Jesus the Only One . . .
I’m very sure . . . I’m very sure . . . My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock?
The final line, ‘My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock’ was inspired by a Ship that was sailing in the midst of a storm. The anchor was dropped at the orders of the Captain. However, the Ship was still tossed. Until the anchor – gripped to the Rock – the Ship was out of control. Once the anchor gripped the Rock – the Cables tightened holding the Ship in place. (Carol Jones Saint)
IN TIMES LIKE THESE
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NOVEMBER 4, 2024
IT’S GOD’S FAULT!
I thank God for the Preachers, the Teachers, the Missionaries, the Lay Workers, and Anyone that tries to help me to become more Spiritual. With all due RESPECT, for all these Wonderful People . . . I’ve come to a very Heart Sobering Conclusion. NONE OF THESE PEOPLE . . . NONE . . . NO NOT ONE . . . NOT ONE CAN MAKE ME SPIRITUAL! Only GOD CAN MAKE ME (OR YOU) TO BE SPIRITUAL.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THIS – GOD WANTS TO MAKE US SPIRITUAL:
Psalm 119:49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which THOU HAST CAUSED ME TO HOPE. (Lord, You have caused me to HOPE – YOU ARE THE REASON/emphasis mine)
Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for THY WORD hath quickened me.
‘Remember the word unto thy servant, on which thou hast caused me to hope,’ is most prevalent pleading. It is a double argument: it is Thy Word. Wilt Thou not keep it? Why hast thou spoken of it, if Thou wilt not make it good. Thou hast caused me to hope in it, wilt Thou disappoint the HOPE which Thou has Thyself begotten in me? (C. H. Spurgeon)
You may be absolutely certain that whatever promise He (God) has made . . . He (God) is also bound by those Promises . . And He (God) is able also to make good on those Promises and He (God) WILL make good on those Promises!
‘This is, as Augustine said of his mother, ‘Bringing before God his own hand-writing. Will he not remember his word?’ (Bridges)
‘GOD, You, have caused me to hope’ . . . Again the Psalmist understood that his trust and HOPE in God’s word should not be CREDITED to his own spiritual greatness or genius. It was not CREDITED to any of the Preachers, Teachers, or any of the workers. He gave ALL CREDIT TO GOD for making him Spiritual and for causing his FAITH to be ENRICHED! It is as if the Psalmist is saying, ‘I CAN’T HELP BUT TO BE SPIRITUAL!’
HOPE COMES BECAUSE GOD WORKS IN YOU AND CAUSES YOU TO HOPE
From the Beginning of Time, even until now, God has NEVER BROKEN A SINGLE PROMISE made to one of His trusting children. This is something that should become a part of true prayer. Speaking to God and saying, ‘REMEMBER THE WORD TO YOUR SERVANT.’ The Psalmist understood that God could NEVER FORGET HIS WORD. Speaking in the manner of men, this was a plea for God to fulfill the promises stated in His Word. GOD WANTS His people to PLEAD His stated PROMISES back to Him in PRAYER. God challenges us to have ‘FAITH!’ When someone asks, ‘Why do you hope?’ Or Satan asks, ‘How did he get this way?’ Just say:
IT’S GOD’S FAULT!
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NOVEMBER 3, 2024
THE DEATH PENALTY
Has anyone heard of Mr. George Wilson? I’m not talking about a current George Wilson. I’m talking about George Wilson – who lived in – 1829. You read it right . . . 1829! Well, Mr. George Wilson was quite the character (according to history). He was a very mean man and showed his vileness in that same year of 1829.
A Government Employee caught Mr. George Wilson robbing from the Mail (from letters, etc.). Apparently, there must have been substantial Truth to the crime because Mr. George Wilson ended up killing the employee.
Wilson ended up going to trial in the State of Pennsylvania for the crime. A Guilty verdict was rendered. The sentence was to be Death by Hanging. This is where the story gets interesting:
Some influential friends of Mr. Wilson reached out to The President of the United States on his behalf. The President was Mr. Andrew Jackson. After hearing Mr. Wilson’s friends, Mr. Andrew Jackson, decided to PARDON George Wilson. That’s right, FULL CLEMENCY . . . BUT WAIT:
Mr. George Wilson REFUSED the PARDON! That’s right . . . REFUSED THE PARDON!
The people didn’t know what to do . . . LITERALLY . . . We can’t HANG HIM because he has been pardoned by the President of the United States. The case had to go to Court . . . And not just any Court . . . THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES!
The decision was handed down by the Court. The Court determined that a PARDON could not be imposed upon someone who did not want it. They ruled that Mr. George Wilson had the right to REFUSE THE PARDON! Mr. George Wilson was then executed by HANGING!
When I think about Jesus Christ dying on the Cross and paying for my sins I’m truly grateful. I could not imagine REFUSING His Mercy and His Grace. I could not imagine REFUSING His PARDON (one signed in His Own Blood as FULL PAYMENT for my sins). Not just my sins . . . But yours too!
MANY REFUSE TO ACCEPT A FULLY LEGAL PARDON FOR THEIR SOULS
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for HE WILL ABUNDANTLY PARDON.
It is yours FREE and CLEAR . . . Just ACCEPT IT . . . JESUS WILL SAVE YOU . . . IT IS YOUR CHOICE . . . you have the right to REFUSE . . . BUT REFUSING HAS ITS PRICE:
THE DEATH PENALTY
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NOVEMBER 2, 2024
BECAUSE YOU PASSED BY
I remember the night when my Wife and I got to meet Rosie. A special young Lady that reminded us that we had met before . . . ‘Somewhere? I know I’ve seen you two before . . . I know I have . . . But where?’ Rosie was inquisitive and so were we. We all chuckled and began our investigative journey to find out the facts of where we had met. After talking for just a few short minutes . . . It all came together . . . Wow, what a story!
Rosie, (at that time) was the Manager of the Restaurant. She was only beginning when we saw her four years prior (a brand new employee). I remember her being so shy and timid back then. I remember her needing some encouraging words to boost her spirit. My Wife remembered that Rosie was troubled because of her Parents pending Divorce . . . we prayed for her that night . . . We asked God to give Rosie guidance and direction in her life and to intervene with her parents.
Rosie told us that we had impacted her life (My Wife and I speak this very humbly and not arrogantly). She then told us that our prayers were answered and that her Parents were still together and happier than ever! We replied, ‘Praise the Lord!’ Rosie was all smiles and jubilant to see us again (we were overjoyed as well). I looked at Rosie and said to her, ‘I see a change in you from the first time we met and I can say it in one word, CONFIDENCE!’ She said, ‘I needed to hear that tonight SO MUCH . . . THANK YOU!
As my Wife and I left and walked out to our vehicle . . . I felt like weeping . . . I said, ‘Darlene, this girl’s life was impacted BECAUSE WE PASSED BY!’ We would never had known it had it not been for tonight. Rosie, presented us with 2 Cookies of Thanks! THANK YOU, ROSIE!
ELIJAH PASSED BY ELISHA AND IT CHANGED ELISHA’S LIFE FOREVER:
1Kings 19:19 So he departed thence, and found Elisha . . . and Elijah PASSED BY HIM, and cast his mantle upon him.
TWO BLIND MEN WERE CHANGED BECAUSE JESUS PASSED BY
Matthew 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that JESUS PASSED BY, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
A MAN WAS LEFT UNCHANGED WHEN THE PRIEST AND LEVITE PASSED BY
Luke 10:32 And likewise a Levite . . . came and looked on him, and PASSED BY (ignored him)
Someone’s life can be CHANGED if you take a moment and notice them as you pass by. The Opposite can happen if we Neglect the moment. May a Rosie say to you, ‘My life was changed:’
BECAUSE YOU PASSED BY
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NOVEMBER 1, 2024
GOOD BRAINS CONTROLLED BY BAD MINDS
When you get saved you don’t get A NEW BODY (at least not here on earth). It’s true, you are promised a new body in Heaven! Here on earth, the reality is, you simply use your old body in a different way. In other words, you live differently . . . you do things differently . . . God becomes the driver and directs you into the newness of life! You actually undergo a RENOVATION! An Old Body with a New Look.
Furthermore, when you get saved, you don’t get A NEW BRAIN. You get A NEW MIND. You will THINK differently . . . act differently . . . and live differently! WHY? Life becomes different because of New and Better Thinking. Actually, we have a NEW AND BETTER THINKER (GOD) controlling the Mind . . . Our MIND is RENEWED:
Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation THE OLD MAN, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (the Old Way of Living/emphasis mine)
Ephesians 4:23 And be RENEWED in the SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; (To be renewed — means the ‘renewal from the old state.’)
I agree that the Old Man (Our old sinful nature) dies when we are Born-Again. In that sense we become a Brand New Man. We are BRAND NEW because of a NEW SPIRITUAL NATURE – a New Nature that follows the mandates and direction of the Lord. In other words – the New Christian allows the Lord to GOVERN in the affairs of life. Think of this: There is a difference between your MIND and your BRAIN:
The BRAIN is what the MIND thinks with. The relationship of the MIND and the BRAIN is very similar to the relationship of a PIANIST and a PIANO. The PIANO is the BRAIN and the PIANIST is the MIND. The PIANO is the INSTRUMENT and the MUSICIAN’S THINKING and SKILL is what makes the instrument perform.
Our BODIES are like the PIANO (just an instrument). Our BRAINS are like the PIANO as well. The MUSIC then is DECIDED by WHO plays the INSTRUMENT. When I got saved . . . I fired the devil as the musician and surrendered my instrument to the Lord Jesus. He takes the Old and makes it NEW! He PLAYS a NEW SONG because A NEW MIND is taking Control!
1Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (Another way of saying that Christ’s thoughts become our thoughts)
The body stays the same. The same body that knelt at the Cross as a sinner will be the same body that rises and goes forth in Newness of Life. New thoughts will penetrate an Old brain making it Brand New in Use. Just think: If people only thought differently and acted differently how much better this world would be!
A most dangerous thing then is for people to have:
GOOD BRAINS CONTROLLED BY BAD MINDS
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