Friday, December 29, 2017

TWO MEN WENT UP INTO THE TEMPLE TO PRAY



"Two men went up into the temple to pray;
the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican ...

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself,
God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, ...

And the publican, standing afar off, would not
lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote
upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me,
a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house
justified rather than the other: for every one
that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he
that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
(Selections from Luke 18:10 -14 KJV)  


K.P. Yohannan said it so well when he said;

"Lack of humility is the proof of counterfeit
spirituality."

Which one are we??





Thursday, December 28, 2017

TODAY'S PROMISE



"The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous;"
(Psalms 146:8 NASB) 








Wednesday, December 27, 2017

THE TEST


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Many years ago, about the time you were born, I had a
boss who was the old bull in the china shop type.  He 
was an opinionated character, but did know his business.

I had moved in from out of state.  That made me an 
outsider instead of one of "the boys".  In time I was put
in charge of the shop.  I could not do anything to please
that man.  If I had a schedule of work, that was wrong.
I should not have a schedule.  If (I had to have a schedule)
I hid the schedule so he could not see it, then I was supposed
to have a schedule.

Life at work for a year or two was miserable.  I had to 
go hide at lunch just to get away from it.  BUT, in time
it was like going over a hump.  At some point I suddenly
was an O.K. guy.

Really I think he was testing me.  And after a period
of testing and passing to his satisfaction, I was in.

Our life is like that, even when trying to live for God.
Now God is not like that old codger but he does have
to test us.  If God is trying to get your attention through
the problems of life, listen up.  He may be trying to show
you the way to go, pay attention.  He may be trying to 
strengthen you.  But in any case those trials and problems
have a purpose.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial;
for once he has been approved, he will receive
the crown of life which the Lord has promised
to those who love Him."
(James 1:12 NASB)    








Tuesday, December 26, 2017

TODAY'S QUOTE


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"Groanings that can't be uttered are 
often prayers than can't be refused."
-Phillips Brooks











Monday, December 25, 2017

MERRY CHRISTMAS


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"There were some shepherds in
that part of the country who were
spending the night in the fields,
taking care of their flocks.  An
angel of the Lord appeared to 
them, and the glory of the Lord
shone over them.  They were terri-
bly afraid, but the angel said to
them, 'Don't be afraid!  I am here
with good news for you, which
will bring great joy to all the people.
This very day in David's
town your Savior was born -
Christ the Lord!  And this is
what will prove it to you: you will
find a baby wrapped in cloths and 
lying in a manger.'
Suddenly a great army of
heaven's angels appeared with 
the angel, singing praises to God:
'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with 
whom he is pleased!'"
(Luke 2:8-14 GNT)  









Friday, December 22, 2017

HOW TO GET GOD'S ATTENTION





People have different ways of getting attention.
If I were to use Facebook as a guide, it would 
appear that to get attention girls expose too much
of them selves and guys do stupid stuff.

In the real world a lot of other tricks are used to
get the attention of other people.  

But how about getting God's attention.
Yes, being mean, vulgar, selfish, etc gets God's
attention.  But be assured - that is not the kind of
attention you want from God.

Do you want God's attention?  The kind that 
gives his favor and blessing?  Here it is straight
from God's own mouth.

"But to this  one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit,
and who trembles at My word."
(Isaiah 66:2 NASB)  









Thursday, December 21, 2017

TODAY'S PROMISE





"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our
outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being
renewed day by day.  For momentary, light
affliction is producing for us an eternal weight
of glory far beyond all comparison, while we
look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen; for the things which
are seen are temporal, but the things which are
not seen are eternal."
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NASB)





Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

TODAY'S QUOTE


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"By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by
that Carpenter can mankind be remade"
- Desiderius Erasmus


Monday, December 18, 2017

HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?????????




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HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?
I mean, really counted the cost?

The best thing on earth a person can do is turn
to Jesus Christ and accept him as one's LORD
and savior.  Become his disciple and follow Christ.
The results are out of this world, and forever.

BUT,
it is astounding the promises being made by
many in an effort to draw people to the very
God who made them.  They are promised health,
wealth and wisdom.  You know, instant prosperity
or healing.  Money in the mail and all wishes fulfilled.

The people who make these wild promises most likely
are after a following so they can become popular, or
your money.  But what ever the case, they are either
misinformed by not believing what God himself said,
or out right lying.

What did Jesus himself say about it?
Jesus taught us that as followers of him we will be
hated and have persecution.

See how you like his statement in Luke 14:33

"So then, none of you can be My disciple
who does not give up all his own possessions."

Is it worth it?
Yes, of course, every dime and every pain.
Turn off the stupid TV or Facebook or put
down the latest "Christian" book and see what
the cost is and the reward that Christ promises,
 in his word - the Holy Bible -not what someone 
after your money says.












Friday, December 15, 2017

PATH TO REST


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Rest.  Real rest for my body, mind and soul.

Especially this time of the year.
The merchants are hounding you to get your money.
Your family is pushing you to keep up with the season.
And the politicians are screaming at you because they
want you to help them in their folly.
And all we want is real rest through and through.

I don't know about you, but I am sick of new fangled,
complicated gadgets that are more difficult to use and
less reliable in addition.  It seems that anytime I let
my computer be "updated" I'm further behind.

Location and peace and quiet help.  But we need
something that goes deeper than that.  Yet most of
us have turned aside from the real source of rest.
Like the nation of Israel of old, we have gone our
own ways, and we are paying the price for it.
God's recommendation to them is valid for us today.

"Thus says the LORD,
'Stand by the ways and see and ask for
the ancient paths,  Where the good way is,
and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls."
(Jeremiah 6:16 NASB)  

Do you want REST, real REST.
Turn from the way you are going now and 
go to Jesus Christ.  He said,

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and YOU WILL FINED REST FOR YOUR
SOULS.  for My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
(Matthew 11:28-30 NASB)  











Thursday, December 14, 2017

TODAY'S PROMISE




"My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever."
(Psalms 73:26 NASB)   

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

WHY GOD? WHY?


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My son was an outstanding Christian.
He helped build the church he attended.
He taught one of the Sunday school classes.
He had helped many of the the people in 
his community.  In fact, they were considering
naming the street he lived on after him.

But, in the prime of life he was killed in
an auto accident.

Linda was a personal friend.  She had not
always lived for God.  But when she did 
turn to the living God she went all out in 
living for him.

But when Linda was around forty years old,
cancer got her, despite all the praying we 
did.

WHY GOD?  WHY?

I do not pretend to know the answer,
but perhaps there is a clue in
ISAIAH 57:1,2

"The righteous man perishes, and no man
takes it to heart;
And devout men are taken away, while 
no one understands.
For the righteous man is taken away from 
evil, He enters into peace;"

God knows the future just as well as the
present.  Is it possible that God in his
mercy some times takes a way a righteous
person because he sees that in some way
the Devil might destroy that person later
in life?



Tuesday, December 12, 2017

TODAY'S QUOTE


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"When I came to see that Jesus Christ had died
for me, it didn't seem hard to give up all for Him.
It seemed just common, ordinary honesty."
- C.T. Studd



Monday, December 11, 2017

LACKING PEACE?


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"But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
For it cannot be quiet,
And its waters toss up refuse and mud.
There is no peace, 'says my God, for the wicked."
(Isaiah 57:20,21 NASB)  


The "righteous" often have trials and tests.
But God gives them peace in the midst of 
the problems.

But if we are faced with the storms of life,
and have no peace, it is time to examine our
relationship to God almighty.




Friday, December 8, 2017

GOD DOES NOT DWELL WITH PEACOCKS




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God does not dwell with peacocks,
or for that matter, banty roosters either.


You have met them, people who are as proud
as a peacock or as cocky as a banty rooster.

Most of us do not even like being around someone
like that.  Guess what.  God does not either.

"GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT
GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."
(James 4:6 NASB)    

Do you want God to work in your life?
Then consider His attitude about people.

"For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite."
(Isaiah 57:15 NASB)   


 Our attitude is a good starting point
to allowing God to work with us.













Thursday, December 7, 2017

TODAY'S PROMISE




"And you shall seek me, and find me, when you
shall search for me with all your heart."
(Jeremiah 29:13)





Wednesday, December 6, 2017

LIMITED TIME OFFER


It is true that God loves everyone in the world.
It is true that God does not want anyone to die
and go to the Devil's hell.  It is true that God has
provided a way of escape from an eternal death
through Jesus Christ's atoning death for us.  IF
WE WILL TURN TO HIM AND ACCEPT IT.

It is also true that God tries to draw us to him
time after time after time through one means
or another through out most of our life.  BUT
EVEN GOD HAS A LIMIT.

He said;
                   
"My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, ..."
(Genesis 6:3 NASB)

God further said;

"Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
An let him return to the LORD,
And He will have compassion on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon."
(Isaiah 55:6,7 NASB)   

"I the LORD GOD,  don't like to see
wicked people die.  I enjoy seeing them
turn from their sins and live."
(Ezekiel 18:23 GNT)  

Have you taken advantage of His offer?
Or are you still ignoring it?







Tuesday, December 5, 2017

TODAY'S QUOTE



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"I never made a sacrifice.  We ought not to talk of
'sacrifice' when we remember the great sacrifice
which He made who left His Father's throne on
high to give Himself up for us."
- David Livingstone


Monday, December 4, 2017

THE POWERLESS CHURCH



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Have you ever wondered why the Church of 
Jesus Christ in this country has lost it's power?

"An appalling and horrible thing
Has happened in the land:
The prophets prophesy falsely,
And the priests rule on their own authority;
And My people love it so!
But what will you do at the end of it?"
(Jeremiah 5:30, 31 NASB)  


You don't think that is so.
Turn on your TV or look at Facebook.
See all the preaching about being healthy 
wealthy and wise.   How to be happy or 
feel good or the good plans for your life
ad infinitum.  And obviously people love 
it.  We as a Church are more concerned
about our own satisfaction than we are 
about having the power of God and His
kingdom.

GOD HELP US.









Friday, December 1, 2017

SPEND, SPEND, SPEND


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"Why do you spend money for what
is not bread, And your wages for what
does not satisfy?" 
(Isaiah 55:2 NASB)   

The joys and satisfaction of spending is very brief.
It may give you a house full of "stuff".  But you 
will not be satisfied with it.  Things do not fulfill
life and you will be spending again tomorrow trying
to be happy.  But it will not work. 

It was God himself who made the comment through
the prophet Isaiah.  He goes on to say:

"Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance.
Incline your ear and come to Me.
Listen, that you may live;"
(isaiah 55:2b, 3 NASB)  

Our satisfaction needs to start with listening to
and paying attention to God's instructions.  That 
will be the only way we will get true satisfaction
in life.





Thursday, November 30, 2017

TODAY'S PROMISE




"...The hand of our God is upon all them for good
that seek him; but his power and his wrath is
against all them that forsake him."
(Ezra 8:22)  



Wednesday, November 29, 2017

MY DELIGHT



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We delight over different things.  Often many things.
If I suggested "chocolate" many would join me in 
voting for it.  But what is it that is the deep controlling
delight that drives us?  The main delight that controls
our life and longings?

The delight(s) of our life effect the productiveness, wellbeing 
and especially our relationship to God himself.

Jesus Christ tells of some that had the Word of God,
but:

"As for what was sown among thorns, this
is he who hears the word, but the cares of
the world and the delight in riches choke the
word, and it proves unfruitful."
(Matthew 13:22 RSV)  

This very truth is the driving focus of many Churches
today.  We delight in the things God can provide for us.
And people love to hear about it.

However, it's end result is disaster.

But consider a man who is a hero to this day.
King Dave.  A man whom God himself said
was a man after God's on heart.

Where was his delight?

"I delight to do thy will, O my God;
thy law is within my heart."
(Psalms 40:8 RSV)

With the help of God I want to shift my
delight from the things of this world to 
doing the will of God.












Tuesday, November 28, 2017

TODAY'S QUOTE


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"God brings men into deep waters not to drown them,
but to cleanse them."
-John H. Aughey





Monday, November 27, 2017

TRUE SUCCESS


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I would bet that you are caught in the same trap
that I often am.  We are not satisfied with the results
of our service for God.  He has done so much for me
and I want to do more for him.

Consider this.

One time Jesus Christ sent out seventy "preachers".
Things went great for them.  They came back a happy
bunch.  We read:

"The seventy returned with joy saying, 'Lord, even
the demons are subject to us in Your name.'"
(Luke 10:12 NASB)     

   Can you top that?
Of course you can not or have not.  If you had you 
would have let the world know about it.

But how did Jesus respond?

"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits
are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are
recorded in heaven."
(Luke 10:20 NASB)

Do you catch that?
Christ is more concerned about our relationship
with him than our service for him.

I need to spend more time loving him and
less "slaving" for him.







Friday, November 24, 2017

PERSPECTIVE



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This morning I again had to reflect on how facing death
can change a person's view point.

Up until we are faced with death, we only think of the
things we can acquire and our own comforts and pleasures.
But having faced death a few years ago I see that these things
are meaningless.

  What I face after death is far more important than the fame,
fortune or accumulations I might now acquire.

Is it any wonder that Solomon [The wisest man who ever lived.]
said:
"It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher.
Life is useless, all useless."
(Ecclesiastes 1;2 GNT)   

 And of course this is true of the "natural" or normal person.
But Solomon does come to the point when he concludes:

"After all this, there is only one thing to say:
Have reverence for God, and obey his commands,
because this is all that we were created for.  God
is going to judge everything we do, whether good
or bad, even things done in secret."
(Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 GNT)   


















Thursday, November 23, 2017

HAPPY THANKSGIVING


"Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good,
For His lovingkindness is everlasting."
(Psalms 107:1 NASB)  



"Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness,
And for His wonders to the sons of men!"
(Psalms 107:15 NASB)   







Wednesday, November 22, 2017

DECEIVED


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"Your wisdom and your knowledge, they have deluded you;"
(Isaiah 47:10 NASB)  

These people he was talking to felt smart, secure and 
even had power in their spells.

But, they are roasting in the Devil's hell today.

I have to ask myself.  Is my wisdom something I have
figured out by myself?  Or, is it based on the revealed
Word of God, the Holy Bible?

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

TODAY'S QUOTE


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"Have you ever thought that our disappointments
are God's way of reminding us that there are idols
in our lives that must be dealt with?"
-Erwin Lutzer

Monday, November 20, 2017

THE ARGUMENT


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Did you ever argue with God over something?

"Woe to the one who quarrels with
his Maker -" 
(Isaiah 45:9 NASB)