MARCH 31
HOW TO MAKE WORK . . . WORK!
The longer I live the more I see a great PRINCIPLE dying right before my eyes. Many still hold to the integrity of this PRINCIPLE while others are lazily letting it slip away. This PRINCIPLE is ingrained deep in the American Spirit and not only America but other nations as well. It is a BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE and therefore it is for all peoples. That PRINCIPLE is ‘A National WORK Ethic’. Simply stated – It is the WILLINGNESS and the DESIRE to GIVE an HONEST DAY’S WORK for an HONEST DAY’S PAY.
Contrary to what many believe – WORK is not a punishment from God because of Adam and Eve’s sin. In fact, before Adam had sinned – Before God gave Adam a wife – God gave Adam a JOB (WORK):
Genesis 2:15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to DRESS IT and TO KEEP IT.
When the fall of man took place (Adam and Eve’s fall into sin Genesis 3), God did not CURSE man with WORK. God places a BLESSING on WORK – then and now.
Consider:
Genesis 3:17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: CURSED IS THE GROUND for thy sake; in SORROW shalt thou eat OF IT all the days of thy life;
Genesis 3:18 Thorns also and thistles SHALL IT bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; Genesis 3:19 In the SWEAT OF THY FACE shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (The ground will be hard to tend/ GOD CURSED THE GROUND NOT WORK/ emphasis mine)
THE PRINCIPLE OF HONEST WORK IS FOUNDED IN THE BIBLE
2Thessalonians 3:10 . . . that IF ANY WOULD NOT WORK, neither should he eat.
Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day, which must be done whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues that the idle (LAZY) never know. (Charles Kingsley)
MEN MAKE WORK, BUT WORK MAKES MEN. An office is not a place for making money, it is a place for making men. A workshop is not a place for making machinery . . . it is a place for making souls; for fitting virtues into one’s life; for turning out honest, modest, whole-natured men . . . Work is as much for the worker as it is for the work. (Henry Drummond).
Reading the BIBLE certainly teaches people:
HOW TO MAKE WORK . . . WORK!
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MARCH 30
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL GARDEN
I love the Springtime because of the rebirth of freshness. Winter deadness gives way to new blossoms, new buds, new life, and a brand new look at the scenery. Spring-time is like a RESET button on life. Soon the soil will be broken up to make room for new plantings. Flower gardens created, gardens tilled and prepared for a bountiful crop, and the beautifying of green spaces to make our homes more attractive.
There is one word that all the participants in the gardening experience understand – it is a word we do not like – it is a word that stretches our patience – it is a PREREQUISITE for SUCCESSFUL GARDENING – the word is . . . ‘WAIT!’
Many of us could use a RESET button in our Spiritual lives – a new outlook, new growth, deadness of Spiritual dryness replaced with fresh blossoms of hope and gladness. The Bible uses the word ‘WAIT’ with the word ‘RENEWAL’:
Isaiah 40:28 – 31 . . . hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. (29) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) BUT THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD shall RENEW their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
WAITING INDICATES THAT YOU TRUST THE LORD WITH YOUR GARDEN
Psalm 62:1 . . . Truly my soul WAITETH upon God: from him cometh my salvation.
WAITING INDICATES THAT YOUR GARDEN IS GIVEN TIME TO GROW
Proverbs 27:18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
WAITING ANTICIPATES AND LONGS FOR WHAT IS TO COME
Psalm 37:34 WAIT ON THE LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, THOU SHALT SEE IT.
OUR LIVES are HIS GARDEN! All gardeners know that their labor will be rewarded. They also know that WAITING is a necessary part of the PROCESS. I hope as God takes the time to work the soils of our lives and as He determines what is to grow there – and then given the time –
I hope He has the HONOR of saying:
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL GARDEN
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MARCH 28 & 29
TEACH ME LORD TO PRAY
A person does not have to know Jesus very long before he/she discovers there is POWER in PRAYER. I have personally witnessed too many answers to Prayer and too many miracles from Praying. I’ve seen too many results to Prayer to ever be convinced that Prayer does not work!
Many just need to DISCOVER and be TAUGHT the Power of Prayer:
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, AS HE WAS PRAYING in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY, as John also taught his disciples.
LESSONS LEARNED IN THE SCHOOL OF PRAYER
* It’s not the ARITHMETIC of our PRAYERS; that is, how many they are.
* It’s not the GEOMETRY of our PRAYER, how long or how deep it might be.
* It’s not the RHETORIC of our PRAYER, how eloquent it may be.
* It’s not the MUSIC of our PRAYER, how sweet our voice.
* It’s not the LOGIC of our PRAYER, how eloquent we become with reasoning.
* It’s not the METHOD of our PRAYER, how methodical we are.
FAITH AND FERVENCY OF THE PRAYER IS WHAT COUNTS WITH GOD
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER of a righteous man availeth much.
James points to the effective nature of prayer – when it is fervent and offered by a righteous man.
Much of our prayer is NOT EFFECTIVE simply because it is NOT FERVENT. It is offered with a lukewarm attitude that virtually asks God to care about something that we care little about. Effective prayer must be FERVENT (not cold but hot), not because we must emotionally persuade a reluctant God, but because we must gain God’s heart by being FERVENT for the things He is FERVENT for. (Guzik)
EFFECTIVE FERVENT PRAYER is to be offered by a righteous man (a person who knows Jesus). This is someone, who recognizes, that the grounds of his righteousness reside in Jesus alone, and whose personal walk is consistent with the righteousness that he has in Jesus.
THE VITAL NEED OF PRAYER – Only PRAYER can hold back the floodtide of sin in our nation – Only PRAYER can hold back the floodtide of judgment – Only PRAYER can release the cleansing and healing hand of God.
A good way to LEARN to Pray is to simply START with this one request:
TEACH ME LORD TO PRAY
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MARCH 27
UNSHAKABLE
The late Pastor Adrian Rogers once described what it was like to experience a violent hurricane. He said that when He was a boy and living on the Florida coastline, ‘I can remember waves sometimes reaching fifty feet in the air. What a sight!’ He then went on to say something very profound:
‘Did you know there has NEVER BEEN A STORM to move THE OCEAN FLOOR?’ (Rogers)
Maybe you haven’t thought about that as of yet? A violent Hurricane dancing across the surface of the Ocean with great devastation and yet below the surface not even a slight disturbance!
The Bible describes the storms of life and the FOUNDATION that is not disturbed:
Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the FOUNDATION ON A ROCK: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and COULD NOT SHAKE IT: for it was FOUNDED UPON A ROCK.
Luke 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that WITHOUT A FOUNDATION built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and IMMEDIATELY IT FELL; and the ruin of that house was great. –
Scripture also says:
2Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless THE FOUNDATION OF GOD STANDETH SURE, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (emphasis mine)
THE BIBLE DECLARES WHO THE FOUNDATION IS:
Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the FOUNDATION of the apostles and prophets, JESUS CHRIST himself being the CHIEF CORNER STONE;
1Corinthians 3:11 For other FOUNDATION can no man lay than that is laid, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST.
I was preaching a Revival Meeting one time and my friend, Coleman Looper, was singing. I remember him testifying that he was on the ROCK. He said, ‘I have been all over this ROCK from one side to the other BUT this ROCK has NEVER MOVED!’
There are violent storms of life that we face. Many storms actually shake us to the CORE. I’m glad that when I have hit rock-bottom I have found a ROCK at the bottom. Did you know there has NEVER been a storm that has moved JESUS CHRIST? ‘On Christ the SOLID ROCK I stand, ALL other ground is SINKING SAND.’
Simply put . . . HE IS:
UNSHAKABLE
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MARCH 26
LESS CLUTTER – MORE LIFE (Lord knows I need help with this one!)
You never know when a LIFE-CHANGING moment is about to occur. Such a time happened to me while browsing through some items in a store. I saw a small sign that really spoke to my heart in a very powerful way. It was simple at best and yet I must say though it was SIMPLE it was PROFOUND! The little sign had only Four words:
‘LESS CLUTTER – MORE LIFE’
Anyone that knows me will know automatically why that saying spoke to my heart. I’m not a HOARDER as far as that term goes but I am a KEEPER (I do have plans for what I keep). Building projects and Moving plans can produce a whole lot of CLUTTER and believe me that can zap your energy. Frustration follows especially when many of those plans do not come to fruition. The little sign made me realize – There comes a time YOU MUST LET GO! (I feel like singing, ‘He’s Still Working On Me!’ lol)
We have heard, ‘LESS IS MORE,’ or the acronym ‘KISS’ – KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID!
This idea is confirmed in the Bible:
Proverbs 15:16 BETTER IS LITTLE with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and TROUBLE therewith.
Psalm 37:16 A LITTLE that a righteous man hath is BETTER than the riches of many wicked.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 BETTER is an HANDFUL with quietness, than both the hands FULL with travail and vexation of spirit.
Many years ago the Rev. F. H. Spence wrote from the remote area of Point Barrow, Alaska, ‘We have no telegraph, telephone, wireless, automobile, overland limited, or airship; but neither do we have the saloon, the brothel, or Sabbath desecration; and the House of God is filled. Three times a week do they flock to God’s House, and with them ALL their children, from the oldest to the youngest. Their faith is simple. If they lack food they pray to God to give to them. If any are sick, they ask Him to restore them to health. It may be at times we look with longing eyes at the privileges you enjoy, and then the peace and faith and quiet of these people steal over us, and we are content.’
LIFE can also have SPIRITUAL CLUTTER . . . TOO BUSY . . . TOO MUCH DEBT . . . TOO MUCH (Fill in the blank ????)
Perhaps Our Spiritual Motto could be:
LESS CLUTTER – MORE LIFE
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MARCH 25
I HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH
Because I have trusted in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and because of His Promises to Believers just like me; I am ASSURED my home will be in Heaven. Such ASSURANCE, guarantees that I will be there and ALL CHRISTIANS, who have placed their FAITH in JESUS CHRIST as LORD AND SAVIOR.
JESUS GIVES US THIS ASSURANCE
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye BELIEVE in God, BELIEVE also in me.
John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME AGAIN, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO.
DO WE BELIEVE THE THINGS WE SAY?
In Church we say, ‘I’ve read the back of the Book and we win!’
In Church we say, ‘I’m as ASSURED of Heaven as if I was already there!’
In Church we say, ‘What a Day, a glorious day that will be!’
To view Heaven (the Finish Line) with such CONFIDENCE that we WILL be there. By NECESSITY MUST MEAN that we get through everything BETWEEN here and there.
GETTING THROUGH EVERYTHING INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING THINGS:
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Romans 8:37 Nay, in ALL THESE THINGS we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him that loved us.
Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Romans 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Believer is MORE THAN A CONQUEROR – and – SATAN is MORE THAN BEAT!!!
As a Christian I have declared a Motto for my life. My motto is built on the NECESSITY of HIS PROMISE . . .
FOR HEAVEN TO BE MY HOME:
I HAVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH
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MARCH 24
1000 SATURDAYS
A few weeks ago on a Saturday I turned the volume up on my radio in order to listen to a morning talk show. I heard an older gentleman talking about ‘A THOUSAND MARBLES’ to someone named ‘Tom.’ I was intrigued and sat down to listen to what he had to say.
‘Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you’re busy with your job. I’m sure they pay you well but it’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet.’ He continued, ‘Let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities.’ That’s when he began to explain his theory of: ‘A THOUSAND MARBLES.’
‘You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years (plus or minus a few). ‘Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. ‘It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five. I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy.’
‘So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had and after visiting three toy stores I finally had a 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in my workshop next to the radio. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away.’
‘I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.’ ‘Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then God has blessed me with a little extra time to be with my loved ones . . . ‘It was nice to talk to you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your loved ones, and I hope to meet you again someday. Have a good morning!’
You could have heard a pin drop when he finished. Even the show’s moderator didn’t have anything to say for a few moments. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to do some work that morning, and then go to the gym. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. ‘C’mon honey, I’m taking you and the kids to breakfast.’
‘What brought this on?’ she asked with a smile. ‘Oh, nothing special,’ I said. ‘It has just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we’re out?’ ‘I need to buy some marbles!’
(Author Unknown)
1000 SATURDAYS
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MARCH 23
HOW BIG IS GOD?
A boy asked his Father, ‘Dad, how big is God?’ Looking up at the sky his Father saw an airplane and asked his Son, ‘How big is that airplane?’ The boy responded, ‘It’s small, Dad!’ ‘You can hardly even see it.’
Then the Father took his Son to an airport hanger. Standing in front of one of the airplanes, the Father asked, ‘And now how big is this airplane?’ The boy responded, ‘Oh, Daddy, this plane is enormous!’ At this point, the Father said to him, ‘That’s how it is with GOD!
‘How BIG HE is, depends on the distance between you and HIM!’ ‘The closer you are to HIM the bigger HE is in your life!’ (Shared from Dr. Ben Carson’s Facebook Post 3/22/2017)
GOD IS BIG TO THOSE WHO ARE CLOSE TO HIM
Psalm 73:28 But it is good for me TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.
MANY SAY THEY ARE CLOSE TO GOD BUT ARE NOT
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people DRAW NEAR ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, and WITH THEIR LIPS do honour me, but have REMOVED their heart FAR FROM ME, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
YES IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE CLOSE TO GOD
James 4:7 SUBMIT yourselves therefore to God. RESIST the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:8 DRAW NIGH to God, and he WILL DRAW NIGH to you . . .
The Bible says, ‘Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ That is true but not the whole truth. The Scripture adds – SUBMIT TO GOD – Draw Nigh – and then the rest of the promise is true.
The devil will not flee until we get close to God.The promise further declares when you DRAW NIGH (near) to God – THEN – He (GOD) will DRAW NIGH (near) to you.
THE LORD IS DECLARED TO BE THE ALMIGHTY (ALL POWERFUL – BIG!)
Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Let me ask you this question,
FROM WHERE YOU ARE:
HOW BIG IS GOD?
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MARCH 22
IT IRRITATES ME
Pearls are formed when a small grain of sand becomes embedded in an oyster, irritating it. To soften the irritation, the oyster coats the grain of sand with a smooth layer of what is called ‘mother of pearl.’ As long as the oyster can feel the IRRITATION, it CONTINUES TO COAT the sand with layers of PEARL. The PEARL exists because of IRRITATION and SUFFERING.
THE GATES OF HEAVEN ARE MADE OF PEARL:
Revelation 21:21 And the TWELVE GATES were TWELVE PEARLS; every several gate was of ONE PEARL: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
PEARLS ARE MADE FROM SUFFERING
What kind of SUFFERING would it take to form the pearls that make up the gates of that Heavenly City?
CONTEMPLATE THE SIZE OF HEAVEN’S PEARLS – A City that is 4-Square (a cube) – A City where each side is 1500 miles in length. A city – where the walls are 1500 miles high. Each wall has 3 Gates of PEARL. Each wall is estimated at 200 feet thick. Four sides times 3 Gates in each side = 12 Gates of PEARL. As stated – each gate is ONE PEARL – PEARLS large enough to become GATES indicate that the SUFFERING and IRRITATION must have been horrendous and severe!
THE PEARL OF SALVATION WAS PURCHASED BY THE SUFFERING OF JESUS
Matthew 13:46 Who, when he had found one PEARL of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Jesus gave all that He had – HIS LIFE – to purchase our Salvation!)
AS CHRISTIANS WE PARTAKE IN THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS
1Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the FIERY TRIAL which is to try you . . .
1Peter 4:13 But REJOICE, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s SUFFERINGS; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
THERE ARE NO SHORT-CUTS AROUND SUFFERING
1Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved by these AFFLICTIONS: for yourselves know that we are APPOINTED THEREUNTO.
I love PEARLS – I don’t like the process of making PEARLS . . . you might say:
IT IRRITATES ME
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MARCH 21
BUILT FOR THE STORM
I can remember as a little boy visiting my Aunt Johnnie and Uncle Kenny and BFF cousin Cindy in Donelson, Tennessee. My uncle had one of the most beautiful Model Ships on display that I had ever seen. That Wooden Ship introduced me to what a SKILLED CRAFTSMAN could build if he had the patience and took the time. As a 10 year old boy to now I can certainly say that I have a great appreciation for EXCELLENCE in CRAFTSMANSHIP.
One of my first jobs as a Married man was working in a Steel Plant manufacturing Ship T’s (The Rib-Cage of the Ship). My job was to take the Blue-prints and LAY-OUT the markings from the drawing to the piece of steel for the manufacturing process. I must say the rigorous TEST that each piece had to PASS was extreme. Why?
This SHIP had to be BUILT for the SEA and BUILT for the STORM!
When a shipwright builds a vessel, he does not build it to keep it upon the stocks for display. NO SIR, he builds it for the sea and the storm. When he was making it, he thought of the tempests and the hurricanes; if he did not, he would be a POOR SHIPBUILDER.
NOAH KNEW THE ARK HAD TO BE BUILT FOR THE STORM:
Genesis 6:17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a FLOOD OF WATERS upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
Genesis 6:18 But with thee will I ESTABLISH MY COVENANT (My Promise); and thou shalt come INTO THE ARK, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons’ wives with thee.
NOAH’S VESSEL WEATHERED THE STORM BECAUSE OF THE PROMISE OF GOD
2Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding GREAT and PRECIOUS PROMISES: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having ESCAPED the corruption that is in the world through lust.
When God made YOU a BELIEVER, He also made YOU some PROMISES. GOD’S PROMISES – Are meant for YOU to use and not set on a shelf for display. He gave such promises as are suitable for times of tempest and tossing. PROMISES MADE FOR WEATHERING THE STORMS OF LIFE. His Word of promise is meant to be tried and proved.
God, as a MASTER CRAFTSMAN, has built a SHIP called ZION – LIFE’S ARK OF SAFETY! Get on board – The Destination is HEAVEN – GUARANTEED!
NO NEED TO WORRY — For THIS SHIP has been:
BUILT FOR THE STORM
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MARCH 20
HOSPITAL WINDOWS
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour and his bed was next to the only window in the room. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, and where they had been on various vacations. Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. He loved and longed for those one-hour descriptions that brightened his every-day.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. To his surprise – It faced a brick wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was BLIND and could not even see the wall and did not know that it was even there. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.” (Author Unknown)
Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a Good Word maketh it Glad.
It’s amazing what one can see when looking out:
HOSPITAL WINDOWS
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MARCH 19
THE CHAMPION
‘March Madness’ we call it. College teams from across the country compete and battle it out trying to crown ONE CHAMPION. A CHAMPION that will lift the TROPHY high with PRIDE that says, ‘WE ARE NUMBER ONE!’ Brackets are scribbled in – Brackets are busted – and finally ONE TEAM is declared the CHAMPION!
Perhaps you’ve never considered the brackets for the ‘GOD PLAY-OFFS’ . . . JESUS presented the idea of how to DETERMINE THE CHAMPION!
He says:
John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
First Rule: No one should be allowed to be DECLARED GOD that has no other witness but himself! There must be PROOF beyond your own witness.
PROOF 1
John 5:36 But I HAVE GREATER WITNESS than that of John: for THE WORKS which the Father hath given me to finish, the same WORKS that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. (Proof is in THE WORKS He performs)
PROOF 2
Proof with the witness of men like John The Baptist (people that can say HE IS GOD) and His WORKS DECLARE AND PROVE HIS DIVINITY –
Jesus Advances to the FINAL ROUNDS!
GREATER PROOF
John 5:37 And the FATHER HIMSELF, which hath sent me, hath borne WITNESS OF ME. (GOD Himself declares JESUS to be TRUE) – Jesus crushes the competition and moves on.
THE ULTIMATE PROOF
Finally, to the CHAMPIONSHIP to face from the EVIL DIVISION – ‘DEATH’ – with his coach Satan. This TEAM is undefeated to this point. From the GOOD DIVISION is JESUS with his coach ‘Holy Ghost.’ The ODDS seem to be against Jesus because He enters as a mortal man.
THE COMMENTATOR
“It was late in the fourth quarter when DEATH appeared to put the game out of reach. Jesus was down and lifeless having taken Blows to His hands and feet. Satan’s team prematurely began celebrating the victory. Fans, leaving the arena early, were all shocked by the news. It was not over ! JESUS had made a comeback! HE AROSE! The buzzer sounded! DEATH was defeated!”
Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Romans 1:4 And DECLARED TO BE THE SON OF GOD WITH POWER, according to the spirit of holiness, BY THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD:
When this TOURNAMENT started all the gods of the world were represented – one by one – they have fallen to defeat. DEATH – the one team that stood undefeated – has finally fallen! JESUS is the winner without question. . .
HE IS THE UNDISPUTED – NOW UNDEFEATED – HE STANDS ALONE AT THE TOP – ALL BY HIMSELF . . .
HE IS DECLARED:
THE CHAMPION
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MARCH 18
HOW WILL YOU CHOOSE?
When God designed man-kind, He did something that is rather bizarre. God made man – a FREE-MORAL AGENT – (God allows man the freedom of CHOICE to serve HIM or to not serve HIM). God knew that FORCED LOVE would not be LOVE at all. To have a TRUE RELATIONSHIP – God knew – Mankind MUST be allowed to choose. CONSIDER:
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call HEAVEN AND EARTH to record this day against you, that I have set before you LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSING AND CURSING: therefore CHOOSE LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may live:
VERY IMPORTANT: The CHOICE to be made is ALWAYS between OPPOSITES.
It is LIFE or it is DEATH! It is BLESSING or it is CURSING!
We are free to CHOOSE but we are not free to CHANGE THE CHOICES! The CHOICE can never be GOD or GOD – GOOD or GOOD – it has to be GOD or Satan – GOOD or EVIL. Understanding the idea of CHOICE will unlock the mystery of WHY evil exist. EVIL has to exist because it is God’s OPPOSITE and there has to be an OPPOSITE to have a real CHOICE. IT IS CRITICAL TO UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:
1. You are FREE to CHOOSE.
2. You are NOT FREE, however, NOT TO CHOOSE.
3. After you make a CHOICE, your CHOICE CHOOSES for you.
There are CONSEQUENCES for your CHOICES – ALWAYS!
Example: If you choose to step off the roof of a ten-story building, you are not then free to choose the consequence of your choice. Your choice has chosen for you.
Choose God and your choice chooses for you – ETERNAL LIFE!
Reject God and your choice chooses for you – ETERNAL DEATH!
Today, God is giving some a CHANCE to CHANGE their CHOICES.
Thanks to God, He can prevail over our bad choices and SAVE us and MAKE us a brand new person (a CHRISTIAN) with a brand new outcome.
Deuteronomy 30:19 . . . I have set before you LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSING AND CURSING: therefore CHOOSE LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may live . . .
The Question is:
HOW WILL YOU CHOOSE?
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MARCH 17
HOW DO YOU SPELL SUCCESS?
There was a saying that Ole Brother Terrill would quote to all of our Graduates of MCCA (Mt. Calvary Christian Academy). ‘The only place you find ‘SUCCESS’ before ‘WORK’ is in the DICTIONARY!’ I love the wisdom shared by the Old-Timers . . . PRICELESS! I do find that SUCCESS is defined very differently from one person to the next:
For some SUCCESS is spelled M-O-N-E-Y – For some SUCCESS is spelled F-A-M-E – For me – I don’t want SUCCESS as defined by the world. I want SUCCESS as DEFINED BY GOD.
Scripture gives HINT to what that is:
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt MEDITATE therein day and night, that thou mayest Observe to Do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make THY WAY PROSPEROUS, and then thou shalt have GOOD SUCCESS.
Not just SUCCESS . . . But GOOD SUCCESS!
Does that by INSINUATION say that there can be a BAD SUCCESS? I think so! A SUCCESS, falsely defined, that causes one to miss HEAVEN, would in fact be – ‘BAD SUCCESS.’
BIBLICAL SUCCESS is the continuous realization of the will of God (what God desires for your life). God does not make clones; He makes children! There is an ultimate purpose for your life as His child. That PURPOSE is to be like Jesus.
Who knows you better than the One who created you? Who cares more for you than the One Who died for you? Who leads you more carefully than the One Who knows the end from the beginning? There is no greater picture of courage than the picture of Jesus Christ—the Savior Who lays down His life. Jesus knows you. He cares for you. He wants to lead you into the abundant life (GOOD SUCCESS).
Jeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jeremiah 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he UNDERSTANDETH and KNOWETH ME, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
God’s Word so lived is a GUARANTEE of CHRISTIAN SUCCESS. Not that it promises a life without problems, but it does insure a life able to deal with anything, because it takes full advantage of God’s presence and promises. Christian success is not measured by the same standards as the world’s success.
For me SUCCESS is spelled S-A-V-E-D:
HOW DO YOU SPELL SUCCESS?
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MARCH 10 – 16
FEELING THANKFUL
There are days that come that just seem to be a little ‘more special’ than others. Days when you feel THANKFUL for just being alive. You know The Good Lord has allowed you to wake-up to experience yet another morning. I realize that each day is special and that each and everyday we should be thankful for sure. Maybe it is because that there are some days that we just THINK a little more about how BLESSED we truly are. Today . . . Well . . . IT IS ONE OF THOSE SPECIAL DAYS THAT I FEEL SO THANKFUL!
My precious wife, Darlene, sings one of the most beautiful songs and it goes like this:
Verse 1: As the world looks upon me, as I struggle along
They say I have nothing, but they are so wrong
In my heart I’m rejoicing, how I wish they could see
Thank you Lord, for your BLESSINGS on me
Chorus: There’s a roof up above me – I’ve a good place to sleep
There’s food on my table- And shoes on my feet
You gave me your love Lord – And a fine family
Thank you Lord, for your BLESSINGS on me
Verse 2: Now I know I’m not wealthy, and these clothes, they’re not new
I don’t have much money, but Lord I have you
That’s all that matters, though the world may not see
Thank you Lord, for your BLESSINGS on me. (written by James Easter of The Easter Brothers)
The Bible says: 1Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give THANKS: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (Please note: Thankfulness equates to doing the Will of God!)
Did you know it is a Mark of the WICKED that they have NO THANKFULNESS? Consider:
Romans 1:21 – Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, NEITHER WERE THANKFUL . . .
Unthankfulness is a sign of an Anti-Christ Apostate Spirit. Consider the signs of the last days:
2Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL, unholy . . .
Sometimes it is hard to give THANKS IN EVERYTHING especially in the TUFF TIMES.
Realize that each circumstance is just another chance for God to move and move – He will!
FEELING THANKFUL
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MARCH 9
THE FIRE OF AFFLICTION
God wants you and me to have a rock-solid faith. God knows that this FAITH has to be developed or built within you. The way He does this – is through the fire of affliction. Why? He uses AFFLICTION to REVEAL what kind of FAITH you really have. FAITH must be TESTED.
A FAITH that can’t be TESTED is a FAITH that can’t be TRUSTED!
The times I have grown the most were not when everything was going fine. The times when I have grown the most were times of going through SORROW, PRESSURE, AND TROUBLE. These times produced the most GROWTH in my own life.
This growth is described in the song ‘Through It All’ written by Andrea Crouch:
I thank God for the mountains – And I thank Him for the valleys
I thank Him for the storms He brought me through
For if I’d never had a problem – I wouldn’t know that He could solve them
I’d never know what faith in God could do.
Scripture says:
Psalm 119:67 Before I was AFFLICTED I went astray: BUT NOW have I kept thy word.
The memory of what our wanderings cost us serves as a healthy deterrent against repeating them.
Psalm 119:71 It is GOOD for me that I have been AFFLICTED; that I might learn thy statutes.
Sufferings are only for a moment but the benefits of suffering are forever.
Sanctified afflictions often:
* Humble us
* Show us the vanity of the world;
* They soften the heart, and
* Open the ear to discipline.
Hebrews 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Parents know that discipline is difficult but needful. God is wiser and even more loving and caring than our parents. He loves us too much to leave us in a sinful condition.
He is BRAVE enough to BREAK us.
He is COURAGEOUS enough to OFFEND us.
He is SERIOUS enough to change us with THE FIRE OF THE HOLY GHOST and:
THE FIRE OF AFFLICTION
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MARCH 8
NUMBERS MATTER
I heard a preacher say one-time, ‘We are not interested in NUMBERS.’ Somehow there is supposed to be some Spiritual connection with that statement? Yet the same preacher takes a call from a fellow minister asking, ‘How was your REVIVAL?’ Before the end of the conversation the famous question gets asked . . . ‘Did you have a good CROWD?’ Amazing, it always ends up about . . . NUMBERS! How many did you have Sunday? Answer: Between FIVE and SIX HUNDRED! How many did you really have? Answer: ’42.’ He was truthful – ‘Between 5 (1,2,3,4,5) and 600 Hundred!
How many kids do you have? Answer: ‘A few’. . . I’m just not concerned about numbers . . . at least not until April 15! One preacher said it this way . . . ‘God is so concerned about NUMBERS that He wrote a Book in the Bible called ‘NUMBERS.’
Let’s have a little fun with NUMBERS today (the following is based on the KING JAMES VERSION of the BIBLE):
The NUMBER of verses in the BIBLE — 31,102
The NUMBER of words in the BIBLE — 775,693
The Longest chapter in the BIBLE — Psalm 119
The Shortest chapter in the Bible —Psalm 117
Here is a curious fact – Ezra 7:21 contains all the letters of the Alphabet except for the letter (J).
Go ahead – jot down all the letters of the Alphabet and mark off each letter to see if it is true-
Ezra 7:21 And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,
A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z
The Longest verse in the BIBLE —Esther 8:9 – The Shortest verse in the BIBLE —John 11:35
The Longest book in Old Testament — Psalms – The Longest book in New Testament — Luke.
There are 66 books in the BIBLE. 39 books/Old Testament – 27 Books/New Testament.
Revelation 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the NUMBER of them was TEN THOUSAND times TEN THOUSAND, and THOUSANDS of THOUSANDS;
When it comes to that Great Meeting in the sky . . . I want to be there because I believe:
NUMBERS MATTER
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MARCH 7
SOMETIMES LOVE HURTS
In a society of TOLERANCE and POLITICAL CORRECTNESS we usually find a ONE-SIDED view of LOVE. Everything must go our way or it is not LOVE. LOVE – does not mean – that all actions are acceptable, in fact, it is quite the opposite. TRUE LOVE at times will WOUND the ONE it LOVES. LOVE can hurt someone it LOVES! Sometimes LOVE must WOUND to be LOVE.
Examples:
There is LOVE in the Mother’s, ‘NO!’ – There is LOVE in the SAVIOR’S DISCIPLINE! – There comes a time when a FRIEND MUST CONFRONT A FRIEND! –
Consider:
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
There may be a time when LOVE has to WOUND the one it LOVES to PROVE that it is LOVE. Think of it like this – ‘It is not something that you’re doing TO someone – it is something that you’re doing FOR someone.’
Remember the Anathemas (HARSH JUDGMENTS) against the Pharisees proceeded from the same heart as the Beatitudes (BLESSINGS). Both came from JESUS!
The Bible says:
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Psalm 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.
Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love (TELL IT LIKE IT IS)
We must never take a one-sided idea of love. The greatest evidence that our motive was only of LOVE is IF we must WOUND LOVE for its highest need. The one that LOVES or WOUNDS suffers equally with the one that is LOVED or WOUNDED.
There is often severity in kindness, often kindness in severity. (H. S. Brown)
THE SAME BIBLE THAT TELLS ABOUT HELL IF ONE REFUSES GOD- IS THE SAME BIBLE THAT TELLS US ABOUT HEAVEN-
Psalm 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil . . .
There is the GENTLE SIDE of LOVE and there is a TOUGH SIDE of LOVE:
SOMETIMES LOVE HURTS
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MARCH 6
TAKE TIME FOR WHAT IS IMPORTANT!
It amazes me as to some of the statements that I hear. I read of a well-known minister that announced that for the Church to be relevant the Church would have to avoid or neglect the Bible (Are you kidding me? That’s like the Church committing suicide!). Also, the Catholic Pope announced that people should give more time to the Bible and treat it just like their cell-phones. He said, ‘Many read every text and message!’ He also said, ‘The Bible should be read with the same enthusiasm!’ (I agree whole-heartedly).
The Bible is God’s Word contrary to what anyone says and ‘NO’ the Bible should not be avoided!!! (PERIOD)
G. Campbell Morgan once made the statement, ‘The Bible can be read from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 at a pulpit rate (Audibly spoken) in about 78 hours.’ A lawyer challenged him on that. Morgan told him to go on and try it before he challenged. The lawyer went home and read the Bible in less than 80 hours.
Do you want to read the Bible through? Leave at least 80 to 100 hours for it (that equates to about 15 – 20 minutes per day based on a one-year reading).
This is a highly practical proposition and should be seized by the very busiest. We are all busy and we MUST take time for it. If we are going to know the Bible, we MUST give time to it and ARRANGE for it. We must ADJUST our lives so that time is made. Unless we do, we shall NEVER come into any worthy knowledge of the Word of God.
The Bible reveals the will of God so as to lead man into it:
Psalm 143:10 TEACH ME TO DO THY WILL; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
God will TEACH you His will through His WRITTEN WORD (there are no short-cuts!)
God’s Word comes with a WRITTEN GUARANTEE!
Joshua1:8 THIS BOOK of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt MEDITATE therein day and night, that thou mayest observe TO DO according to all that is WRITTEN therein: FOR THEN thou shalt make thy way prosperous, AND THEN thou shalt have GOOD SUCCESS.
God has written only ONE BOOK and when we stand before Him someday and He ask have you read my one book THE BIBLE, what will you say?
I think we had better:
TAKE TIME FOR WHAT IS IMPORTANT!
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MARCH 5
CONTENTMENT
Someone once said that HAPPINESS is having what you want but JOY and CONTENTMENT is WANTING what you have!
Scripture says:
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: FOR I HAVE LEARNED, in whatsoever state I am, THEREWITH TO BE CONTENT.
CONTENTMENT isn’t a TRAIT we are born with.
CONTENTMENT is something we must LEARN.
THE QUESTION IS HOW? Scripture says again:
1Timothy 6:6 But godliness with CONTENTMENT is great gain.
1Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith CONTENT.
Here we find a couple of very PRACTICAL ANSWERS to that question:
1. CONTENTMENT COMES FROM HAVING A RIGHT PERSPECTIVE ABOUT ETERNITY
I brought NOTHING into this world – I will take NOTHING out this world! I’ve never seen a U-HAUL trailer being pulled by the FUNERAL HEARSE.
2. CONTENTMENT COMES FROM ACCEPTING THE SIMPLE ESSENTIALS OF LIFE
If you have FOOD and RAIMENT be CONTENT.
But society’s plan of attack is to create dissatisfaction, to convince us that we must be in a constant pursuit for something “out there” that is sure to bring us happiness. . . . It says that contentment is impossible without striving for more. God’s Word offers the exact opposite advice: Contentment is possible when we STOP striving for more. (Charles R. Swindoll)
My Wife was in the Hospital on this date in 2017. During her stay, I wrote this Devotion, sharing the feelings that we experienced at that moment. I closed the thoughts of that day with the following words: ‘I can truly say, since my Wife has been here in the hospital . . . we have not talked about NEW CARS, NEW HOMES, OR NEW ANYTHING . . . but we sure have been THANKFUL that we have EACH OTHER.’
Thank God for:
CONTENTMENT
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MARCH 4
AUSTIN’S BEDSIDE CHAT (AN ANNIVERSARY OF REMEMBRANCE)
We love all of our GRANDKIDS and each one of them are so AMAZING. I could talk about each one of them individually and as time goes on I will. However, one of the Grandkids made quite an impression during the time my wife was in the hospital. (NOTE: Today would have been the Anniversary of that event which happened in 2017).
Let my wife (DARLENE) tell you about AUSTIN’S BEDSIDE CHAT:
Austin walked up to me and stood by my bedside and said, ‘Grandma, I’ve been praying for you.’ He then leaned over and he gave me a big hug!
He went on to say, ‘My class at school prayed for you today!’ With my heart touched I replied, ‘Thank you for praying for me – I really need that.’
Austin (at that time – 2017) was turning 10 years old that week. He was already expressing the desire to be a ‘PASTOR’ like his Daddy and his Grandfather. He really demonstrated a lot of heart and early qualifications for such a calling as you’re about to see.
Austin continued, ‘GRANDMA, my Birthday Party is this Saturday . . . Do you think that you’re gonna get to come to my birthday party?’ I had to say ‘It just depends – if I get to feeling better and if the doctor lets me go home.’
With such sweetness Austin said, ‘GRANDMA, I hope you can because it won’t be the same without you being there . . . If you can’t come I’ll just change my party to next Saturday!’
As the conversation continued I wanted him to know that I truly appreciated his caring. I told him that I really wanted him to keep his Birthday Party scheduled the same because of all the people that will be there and so he could get those very special gifts.
He said, ‘GRANDMA, I LOVE YOU!’ ‘The BEST GIFT that I could get – is – IF YOU GET TO COME HOME!’
The Scripture says:
1John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in WORD, neither in tongue; BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH.
Don’t just say you LOVE somebody – SHOW them you LOVE them by your actions. AUSTIN (and I must say all of the Grandchildren) sure showed this GRANDMA some LOVE. It was AUSTIN’S BIRTHDAY but I got THE GIFT!
I’ll never forget:
AUSTIN’S BEDSIDE CHAT
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MARCH 3
PERFECT PEACE
Years ago a major art gallery sponsored a competition for painters. Prizes were offered for the best painting on the subject of “PEACE.” The painting that everyone thought was sure to win portrayed this lush green pasture under a vivid blue sky, with the cows grazing lazily and a little boy walking through the grass with his fishing pole over his shoulder. It really made you feel PEACEFUL.
But it did not win. The painting that won was A REAL SURPRISE.
The scene was the ocean in a violent storm. The sky was ominous, the lightning was cutting across the sky, and the waves were crashing into the rock walls of the cliffs by the shore. NO PEACE. But you had to look twice to understand what was going on. There, about halfway up the cliff, was a birds’ nest, tucked into a tiny hollow in the rock. A mother bird was sitting on that nest – with her little babies, tucked underneath her, sleeping soundly. THAT WAS A PICTURE OF REAL PEACE!
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in PERFECT PEACE, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Many are deceived into thinking that when one becomes a Christian – that – ALL of their problems and trials somehow just go away. Such thinking is not at all REALITY. It is our REACTION to those problems (I believe) that causes the non-Christian people to take notice and then to want what we have.
Horatio G. Spafford, wrote the great hymn ‘IT IS WELL’ in 1873 during the greatest crisis of his life – he had lost his business in the Chicago Fire – upon sending his family home to Europe he suffered more tragedy (his children were drowned at sea). On his trip to be with his wife (sole survivor) – he penned the following words at the very area in the sea where his children had died:
‘When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.’
My Wife was in the hospital when this Devotion was penned in (2017). I sent Special thanks to those who had prayed for my wife, DARLENE. I told them, ‘She had rested well, however, the colon had not cooperated as of yet.’ I wrote, ‘We will find out (perhaps today) the next course of action.’ We now know the outcome (but remember we Did Not know then). I realize that someone maybe facing a very similar situation and I’m hoping that our course of action back then will stimulate your FAITH right now!
I cherish the fact that We said (then) that we had:
PERFECT PEACE
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MARCH 2
A MOMENT CALLED IN-BETWEEN
When I first wrote this Devotional thought (in 2017) I was sitting in a Hospital Room with my Wife. She had experienced a severe health emergency and we did not know how serious. It was in the midst of such difficulty, with all its’ ‘UNKNOWNS,’ that I penned the following words:
‘I find myself sitting here in a Hospital room positioned somewhere between DIFFICULTY and a MIRACLE. That IN-BETWEEN place – that REVEALS – the TRUE INNER SELF. That IN-BETWEEN place – that CHALLENGES your Faith – that CHALLENGES your make-up as a person. That MOMENT – that REVEALS – what is truly below the surface.’ I continue:
‘You see, it is easy to REJOICE . . . ‘After the Fact’ . . . ‘After the MIRACLE has happened!’ It is easy to shout on Resurrection Sunday but much more difficult to shout on Crucifixion Friday. Not to mention the SILENT SATURDAY and all the questions . . . What will happen now?’
When in this situation I find a passage of Scripture that I use as a guide:
Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
Daniel 3:17 If it be so, OUR GOD WHOM WE SERVE IS ABLE TO DELIVER US from the burning fiery furnace, and HE WILL DELIVER US out of thine hand, O king.
Daniel 3:18 BUT IF NOT, be it known unto thee, O king, THAT WE WILL NOT SERVE thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
The Three Hebrew Children declared so much WISDOM here that we all would do good to take note. They were in that IN-BETWEEN moment of (READ SLOWLY):
* THEY KNEW WHAT GOD COULD DO (He is able!)
* THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT GOD WOULD DO (But if not)
* THEY KNEW (SOMEHOW) HE WILL DELIVER US (out of thy hand/ Satan can’t conquer)
‘God is able to deliver us . . . BUT IF NOT . . . Be it known (the moment of truth revealed) . . . I will NOT SERVE you or BOW DOWN to you, devil!’
‘I believe God has His Hand on my precious wife (NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT) . . . At this moment, I WONDER as to HOW this answer will turn out. Will He heal miraculously or will He choose surgery or another way? Either way, we win, because We choose to trust the LORD even before We see the outcome.’ (Looking back, I Remember, this was a moment of Defining Faith!)
When your prayers have been said and your waiting for the answer to come – take it from me – Let those Hebrew Boys teach you . . .
Teach you what you must do when facing:
A MOMENT CALLED IN-BETWEEN
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MARCH 1
ANOTHER CASE WON
It is extremely painful to watch a friend or an acquaintance being thrashed upon by a Prosecuting Attorney. The vicious assaults are almost too much to bear. The insults are humiliating. The charges are alarming. The viciousness is frightening. The accusations are painful. The revealing of PAST actions . . . can be so shameful.
In my lifetime, I’ve sat on the witness stand multiple times defending a friend. I’m thankful that (to God be the Glory) in those court cases a ‘Preacher’s Witness’ was as good as gold. I’ve watched Prosecutor’s slam fist to the table and say, ‘We had this case won if it had not been for that Preacher!’ I’ll never forget that statement being made and neither will ‘Mr. L. K.’ He shed big ole ‘crocodile tears’ as he left in freedom and I thought ‘Another Case Won!’
It becomes a very different feeling when the defendant is ‘YOU.’ I know . . . I’ve been there: I remember sitting there on the witness stand in that dingy courtroom. Nervous as I could be (I never felt any uneasiness when I was helping others in their cases) – The Difference – IT’S ME!
It’s hard to sit there while The Prosecutor is ‘LYING’ about you. Shaming you . . . Digging up every degrading fact possible . . . Manipulating evidence . . . even manufacturing unheard of evidence (Having to listen and not speak is almost impossible . . . at least it was for me).
The ACCUSATIONS I felt were so stinging that they were beginning to be believable even to me. Trust me, when you feel that way . . . well . . . you know the Judge will feel that way!
You hope against hope . . . Hands sweat . . . You have a rapid pulse . . . You feel guilt . . .
I remember taking a big deep breath as ‘My Friend’ took the stand on behalf of me. I didn’t tell him what to say and I didn’t want to persuade him either. I thought . . . just be true to yourself dear friend . . . Hold up your right hand . . . Will you tell the truth? . . . the whole truth? . . . nothing but . . . (I’m sorry all words fade into the distance when you’re as afraid as I was) . . . Nothing was in my mind but the Scripture:
Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having FORGIVEN YOU ALL TRESPASSES;
Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, nailing it to his cross;
Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, TRIUMPHING OVER THEM IN IT.
Jarred out of my meditation by the loud sound of the Prosecutor’s fist slamming the table! . . . Satan screamed . . . ‘I would have won this case had it not been for that WITNESS!
My Friend, JESUS, put His arm around me and said, You’re forgiven . . . You are free . . .
Let’s go:
ANOTHER CASE WON
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