11/1/16                                                    Priority in Marriage                                           1
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Philippians 3:12

LUKE 14:25-27 “²⁵ And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,²⁶ If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children,and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.²⁷ And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

“You can get second things only by putting first things first.” C. S. Lewis

COMMENTS : Today’s scripture is not an excuse for husbands or wives or children to neglect nor to show contempt for their families. Quite the contrary, He want us to show proper priority and put Him first. We think there is no room in our lives for everyone and everything that is important. How can we prioritize Christ and His work when we have family and spouse needing our attention and time? God is able to give us and everyone else top priority and His full attention all at the same time. He knows we can only do one thing well at a time. He knows multitasking maybe requirements of most job and a part of life’s demands and juggles. Yet when job and family and church activities and demands overwhelm us, what is the first sacrifices we make is our time with God in prayer and devotion and fellowship with Him. Those times we get up late and rush off to work or work late and fail to spend time with Him before retiring. Our families so often are sacrificed to the “work god” but even God is sacrificed before family. So how can we do all that is needed and spend quality time with our Lord each day? Martin Luther said “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing”. Francis de Sales said “ Every Christian needs a half-hour of prayer each day, except when he is busy, then needs an hour”. Truth is when we give God first place in our devotions and first priority each morning and evening, He enables us set proper priorities be given to other things and people who require time during our busy days. Have you notice how true that is? Days we take time for Him first tend to go much better and we accomplish more in less time. Days we don’t go much different. No, God wants our families to be precious to us and wants us to be worthy of our work wages, but nothing should be more important or take priority over our relationship with Him. Truth is if we put Him first, our families will become more precious to us and we will treat them better than if we put them first over him. That is a mystery but experience and scripture support that conclusion. Our above scripture is telling us to put and keep Christ first in our lives starting each and every morning and evening and throughout each day. If we do that, He will honor our work and prepare us to be the best spouse and parent and employee and friend and witness for Him we can be. I still struggle at times with that and still fall short of what I strive to be and do. I’m sure my struggle is yours too, but He is faithful and patient and is always there to help guide us to be more faithful tomorrow than we were today or yesterday.

11/2/16                        PERSECUTION AND PRAYER                2

Acts 12:1-5 “ It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. “

COMMENTS : Why did God spare Peter in this instance but did not spare Stephen? Why does God allow Christians to endure terrible persecution and torture and death through the generations and is even more widespread today than in the past, while He also protects and spares Christians in great numbers too. Peter, in this instance was guarded closely but when the angel came to free Peter, not even the best of the Roman soldiers could prevent Peter’s freedom. I encourage you to reflect how the times you and I have been spared injury or worse, which could not be explained other than divine intervention. I also believe, if we only knew, we would discover the most significant instances happen regularly without our knowledge or awareness. Times when God shielded us. Time when He guided us another direction avoiding great danger and temptation. Times when He guided us to impacting another instead of our own wills drawing us into great temptation. Well, Peter was spared to do great work and impact Christians in every generation since, but eventually Peter did face crucifixion. Yet God so prepared him for even such a terribly painful death that he requesting to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die as Christ died. Truth is whether we live a short time or a full long life, whether God spares us many times before calling us home or calls us home early in our lives. What matters is the impact we have during the time He gives us and how we treated Him during that time. Praying for those who are sick or in life threatening situations or with life threatening illnesses is what we are called to do. We are called to minister and encourage as well. When God leads, we may even be called to permit God’s healing to come to them through us. Yet even Lazarus, who Christ raised from the dead, died again. The work and success we have in His service only has value and eternal lasting affect if Christ brings salvation to lost souls through our obedience. That is what really matters. Most think what matters is how much money we earn or what possessions we gain or how popular we become or how strong we are or how successful in employment we have become or how long we live. All this will be gone in less than 100 years. What will matter is what we did with Christ’s invitation and what will matter to us is what our families did with that invitation. Yes our families are precious to us, but God also gives us a heart for others so we learn to love and care for others like we do our own families. The closer we get to Him, the more like Him we become, which means we will learn to love others as He loves us. No, we won’t be perfect at that because we are flawed humans, but we can improve each day. Consider those who have and the impact they have had. Good examples encourage and motivate us especially when we are discouraged and don’t feel like continuing. No, God is not asking us to do what feels good but to do what He calls us to do. Feelings will follow if we do what God wills. Our wills will also come in line if we choose to follow His will. So today, what is He nudging you to do that isn’t very appealing and you’ve been putting off? How about just doing it. You will feel so much better and enjoy freedom afterwards. I need to make a visit today I’ve been putting off. How about you?

11/3/16                                  Partnership in Marriage                             3
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “ 9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” COMMENTS : Solomon had and share such incredible wisdom, which has benefited Jews and Christians down through the many centuries to those who took the time to hear and follow. Today’s scripture reveals God’s intent for marriage as a way for two being stronger than each separate. This illustration plays out in so many other ways. A rope or a cable demonstrate how much stronger and better, including more flexible, many small strands braided together can be only one large solid strand. Flexibility makes the cable more usable and adaptable without compromising strength. Marriage is intended to render us more usable to Him as well as stronger and more able to withstand enemies. Yet we all see marriages that are anything but flexible or strong. Poor choices in partners as well as life styles results in making participants weaker and less flexible that they previously were. Result is instead of becoming a source of strength and help for others, they resort to needing help. Instead of being a missionary, they still are a mission field. They continue to feed without providing food for others. They continue to draw ministry resources without having a ministry to others. Are you a mission field or are you a missionary. Are you just a taker or are you a giver too. Do you use the resources and blessings God give you wisely enough to enable you to give ? If you have too much month left at the end of the money and find yourself regularly seeking help from others, then you are still a mission field. Well, truth is we all are a mission field for God because we all, no matter how long we have walked with Him or how much we give back, are still a mission field in constant need of His guidance and help and protection and provision. But when we fail to use resources He gives us to share and encourage and help others, then we are still falling short of following His commission to us. I am firmly convinced Christians most commonly fail to be blessed and used by God simply because they fail to trust Him by tithing. Debt is a terrible bondage, from credit card debt to car and house mortgage debts especially in western countries. The mentality of acquiring even things we need with use of debt is a terrible lie that has become epidemic with illusion of being normal and healthy and necessary.

But a few have chosen another way of saving and waiting and living more modestly in meantime. By doing so, they empower themselves to blessings from God, including the blessing of tithing and giving back and “giving forward” to others. God may not need our money, but there are many effective ministries in need He wants His people to partner with who can’t because they are in bondage by debt buying things they could do without, or at least without a more expensive version. We have made some foolish purchases over the years, but by following this council mostly, God has enabled Arlene and I to tithe all our lives by living with minimal debt that eventually living without any debt. When that happened, we were able to save and give at a level never possible before. If you look at how much of your budget goes into paying interest in debt, you will soon realize you are in bondage too. Well it only gets worse if life style changes are put into play to change this. I encourage you to pray and seek council to change that path of bondage, if you are on it, but also to seek His wisdom and council on making wiser choices going forward. The rewards will be eternal because God has a way of rewarding obedience in greater ways and longer lasting ways than can be imagined. That is because God loves doing that, and He so wants to do so for you too….

11/4/16                               DIVINE WORK – DIVINE INTERVENTION                  4

Acts 12:6-10 “The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, ‘Put on your clothes and sandals.’ And Peter did so. ‘Wrap your cloak round you and follow me,’ the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.” COMMENTS : Herod was planning a trial for Peter but was really planning to kill him because public reaction from killing James (Acts 12:1-3). Meanwhile, the church was praying earnestly for Peter’s safe release (Acts 12:5). But Peter’s work was not finished, and Jesus had promised that he would live to an old age (John 21:18) – so God intervened. God always keeps His promises to us and has guaranteed to us an eternal reward for us far beyond anything our faithfullness would deserve or earn us. This morning on Focus on the Family an example was shared of an Arab Christian called to preach the Gospel in the midst of an Isis stronghold. He knew he would not likely live long and left a young wife to do so. He was found a short time later brutally murdered and buried in a shallow grave of sand. The police who found him saw a hand reached out through the sand and when uncovered him, saw a smile on his face. God had promised him the day before that he would see Jesus before the day was out. He did indeed but why would He allow such a faithful and effective servant die so young? We can’t know that in full now, but as consider Stephen’s death impacted Saul to become Paul, we can realize there is a purpose and even the way such witnesses die can have greater impact than what they say and do. I so hope and pray you and I, and especially our families, won’t endure such persecution and suffering, but we also need to realize and prepare knowing we may be asked to endure suffering too. We need to prepare for whatever challenge God may call us to. We need to prepare our families and church people for a future of ridicule and sacrifice and even pain and suffering so they or we will not weaken and deny our Savior, like Peter had previously done, because of not being prepared. I was emailing a brother in Pakistan yesterday who was preparing to go into a dangerous Muslim stronghold to witness and preach. He asked for prayer for courage and protection. I prayed and thought of him many times yesterday and am waiting today anxiously for a report of success and his safe return. How are Christians able to do so, and how was Peter able to change from a frightened hiding follower to a bold witness willing to suffer and die for Christ? The only way is the way of close fellowship with Christ and allowing His Holy Spirit enter and abide in us. That can only happen if we spend time in pray and have a mind on His Word throughout the day. If we are willing and do that, we will change and be prepared for whatever will come, a friendly open opportunity to change someone’s life or a hostile opportunity with baggage of ridicule or prison or ?? Eternity will be our reward. An eternity of blessing or an eternity of regret. Peter’s regret was changed to blessing when he repented and changed his actions. We must to in order to become prepared for what God is calling us to do and say.

11/5/16                                 FAILING TO RECEIVE GOD’S ANSWER               5

Acts 12:11-15 “Then Peter came to himself and said, ‘Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.’ When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, ‘Peter is at the door!’ ‘You’re out of your mind,’ they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, ‘It must be his angel.’” COMMENTS : Has something amazing happened in your life and after reality sunk you, you were in awe when pondered what happened and what the consequence would have been if it wouldn’t have happened? I have had many such instances. I think of the way Arlene, my wife, and I met through a mutual Christian friend. I think of many times during my working career how God led me to someone who needed a word of encouragement while on a trip or on a call and God’s timing and direction was just right. I think of a couple of near misses when a few seconds difference in timing would have had a tragic result for me and others. I think of many times others gave me a word of encouragement or came and gave me advise when I needed it most. I think of impact my parents had on my life and Godly home they raised me in because they both chose to only marry a Christian spouse. The list goes on and on. I encourage you to make your own list so you too discover God’s wonderful hand at work in your life over the years too. You might just discover one or two or many examples such as miraculous as Peter’s. Me too because there are many more examples I haven’t meantioned. Such, like Peter, should motivate us to go and share and be open to be instruments of similar miracles in others lives too. God will use us to that end, as He has used others to help us, if we simply let Him. When we get to heaven, it won’t be how often we wash our car or mow our lawn or how many vacations we go on that we will be talking about. It will be who touched our lives and who’s life we God touched through us. No I am not talking about patting each other on our backs. I’m talking about God love hand guiding us to bless each other. I’m talking about the personal relationship God has daily with each of us personally and impact that relationship had on our lives. I’m talking about the ripple affect of the obedience of our ancestors rippling down through the generations to impact us because of God’s infinite wisdom and involvement. That will be an awesome time to experience when we reflect and finally give Him the worship and praise He deserves and we weren’t capable of giving before. It will be like an itch we finally will be able to scratch that seemed to be in a place we just couldn’t reach before. I know, a poor analogy but maybe it will help us get the point and understand He deserves so much more than we give Him. More than we currently are capable of giving Him. But someday we will.

11/6/16                                Empty Words                         6

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:1

MATTHEW 13:1-23

“The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

COMMENTS: Have you ever stop and considered just how amazing the human body is? What causes you to move and walk and speak just by thinking and keeps you from doing do. In otherwords, think about moving your arm and see it move. Then think about moving your arm and it doesn’t move. What is different. On the surface maybe nothing but deep in your mind you stopped the impulse to move your arm from doing so. God did that when He created Adam and Eve thousands of years ago. Why do you have to think to move your arm but your heart beats and you breathe without thinking about it and while you are asleep. Because God designed us that way so we would survive. God has allowed me to endure Parkinson’s Disease. It is a disease in which a chemical in the brain, dopamine, becomes depleted which is needed for electrical signals to go from the brain to body parts it controls. There is medicine and treatments that help compensate but eventually over many years they become less effective. I have concluded it is such a slow progressing disease, I am so blessed God allowed such a disease as this and not another. As such, I have to be careful on ladders due to deteriorated balance. Yet it becomes more amazing to me how well the body can balance and adjust for itself. Weakness in body and balance and limb control at times has helped me appreciate and praise Him when I am more normal and just how marvelous our bodies function for so many years. I am 65 years old. What other mechanism can function for that number of years so reliably? Yet you and I have enjoyed such a mechanism that only our loving Father could design and build and did so just for us. Is it unreasonable the above verse from Romans 12 would speak of offering what is most precious to us back to Him in service? Then the verses above from Matthew show how we are to show our love and offering. By serving Him and each other. By surrendering our wills to His. By allowing His Holy Spirit in our souls to change us to become more like Him and our lives to reflect the love He then puts in our souls to share. If we are not becoming more like Him, then we are not allowing Him into our souls. If we are more like Him each day, then our conduct and our actions and our speech and our motives will come more in line with Him and will have an impact on others. We will bear fruit even if not noticeable to us. We will be more noticeable to others. My illness is teaching me to rely at times more on others than I’m accustomed to and ask for help more before start tasks. That is more humbling for me, but I’m discovering others want to be asked to help and are pleased when I do so. The result is greater opportunity to witness and share Christ’s love. Not I still don’t do so as well as I should but God is still working on me to that end. At least progress continues both in me and through me. Bearing fruit is our duty but also God’s command to us. He warns that He prunes us so we will bear fruit and cuts down those who don’t. No, we don’t need to preach from the street corner to bear fruit, but if our lives don’t shout His love and mercy, then we need to let His love in a little deeper into our souls. Being available, being a listener, being a helper are all part of our duties. Taking the time to stop and listen to those we cross paths with. Taking time to lend a helping hand. Being a good neighbor. Seeing others doing most of the work at church and offering a helping hand. Taking a couple of hours out to visit someone you haven’t seen for awhile. All these are ways bear fruit. The list is much longer but we need to pray and look for those opportunities God gives us each day and not look for ways of avoiding them. If we are too busy, then we need to start giving up some things that are more important to us than to God because He won’t ask us to do more than we are able nor more than we have time to do. “If you know that God loves you, don’t question the direction He takes you”

11/7/16                                     Bible Couples: Ruth and Boaz                         7

Ruth 2:1-12 “And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.2 And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter.3 And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.4 And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.5 Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?6 And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:7 And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.8 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.12 The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

COMMENTS : Living a righteous life has benefits far beyond our wildest dreams, but not beyond God’s. Dreams that gave Daniel authority second only to the most powerful king of his day and 3 of his successors but not without great tests of his faith. Dreams that did the same for Joseph in spite of his brother’s evil intent and equally challenging tests of his faith. Dreams that made a slave girl, Esther, Queen, but again faith tests. Dreams that made a misguided evil man named Saul, bent on stopping Christ’s followers, into Paul, the greatest evangelist of his day and a key writer in our New Testament. Scripture records countless more examples, but I believe you get the idea and can think of a few examples yourself even in your generation. So can I. Ruth and Boaz’s is a wonderful love story that warms the hearts of anyone who takes the time to read and reflect. This love story is one God wants to do for every young man and young woman willing to live righteously and remain pure in order to demonstrate a love and faith in Him. Naomi showed Ruth value of doing so and Ruth joined her in that covenant to God. Boaz also made such a covenant with God without knowing blessings God would shower him with as a result. The blessing was to be a godly wife with a pagan past but more righteous than the best Israel had to offer. Boaz was blessed also with wealth and health and the respect of his community. But Boaz had no idea God had planned for him to become the great grandfather of King David and a direct link to the Messiah Himself. He had no idea what God had planned. But if he had rejected God’s will as a young man and followed his own selfish desires, he would never know what he would miss. What have you missed? Ruth had missed until she repented and followed God. She got a fresh start. God gives us fresh starts each morning. Take advantages of a fresh start God is offering you this morning. It might be the last one He will give you. There is no guarantee He will so don’t risk being left behind. There are many examples of such in scripture as well. Don’t become one. As long as you and I have life, we have opportunity to repent, but our days are growing short. No matter who poor or sinful choices you and I have made, God is still offering us a fresh start and an opportunity to follow His plan. How well has following your plan worked for you. I dare share not so well.

11/8/16                                      JOY AND ANGER                              8

Acts 12:16-19 “But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. ‘Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this’’ he said, and then he left for another place. In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.” COMMENTS : Peter walked out of a closely guarded cell, escorted by an angel in the early hours of the morning (Acts 12:5-10), made his way quickly to the large house in Jerusalem where the church often met. Rhoda the servant girl who heard Peter knocking but forgot to let him in, but instead reported that he was outside. The church was busy praying and did not believe her (Acts 12:12-15). Eventually they heard Peter’s persistent knocking and were shocked to find that the Lord had indeed answered their prayer. Peter knew that soldiers would soon be looking for him, so quickly told the believers what had happened and went off to a more secure hiding place. The joy of the church was sharply contrasted by the intense anger of the prison governor and King Herod himself. Despite careful searching, presumably house-to-house and in public places, Peter was not found; and so Herod’s plan, to gain popular support by executing the apostle, was thwarted. He probably felt very frustrated and in his anger resolved that the blame be Herod to save face. Jesus came to bring joy, but some people think they know better in their search for personal security, significance and self-worth. Herod had power, or so he thought (Acts 12:23) to exterminate the “Christian problem”. Many others then and now simply resent Jesus and His people with a bitter frustration which sometimes boils over into persecution. We should not be surprised; Jesus told us that would happen (John 15:18-21), proving that they do not know God. Jesus did not pray that we should be isolated from the world but that we would be protected from the Evil One (John 17:14-15). It seems strange that believers can be joyful while the world hates them, knowing any suffering is temporary, which was Stephen’s experience too (Acts 6:15). Will such be our future and our family’s too? Will we be as courageous as they under persecution? Peter didn’t start read but got there by continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit. So can we. Such prepares us to witness and show Christ’s love as well as endure persecution and suffering from people or from illness. Either way, we need to prepare.

11/9/16                              TAKING WHAT BELONGS TO GOD                    9

Acts 12:20-24 “He [King Herod] had been quarrelling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.”

COMMENTS: King Herod Agrippa was a rich pampered ruler striving to gain and enjoy popularity and power over Israel while maintaining the favor of Rome. A tall order the Christian movement continued to threaten for him. By failing to hold and execute Peter, (Acts 12:6-11), his plans were again threatened. Herod had a servant, Blastus, whom envoys from Tyre and Sidon bribed to gain an audience with King Herod Agrippa. The coastal people of Tyre and Sidon had been deprived supplies of grain and food and were seeking Herod’s help. Envoys lavished Herod with praise (Romans 12:3) but God’s judgment came on Herod for accepting such praise and undeserved honor and caused him to die. Josephus, a Jewish contemporary historian, recorded his early death. Isaiah 42:8 says, “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” God is offended by all sin but to accept praise that belongs to Him, is dangerous foolishness. Peter refused to accept such adoration (Acts 10:25-26) as did Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:11-18). Putting self-will above God’s Will was Achan’s sin (Joshua 7:11, 20-21), King Saul’s sin (1 Samuel 15:17-23), and the sin of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10). They all died. That peculiar mix of pride and blasphemy is offensive to God. Self reflect is vital so such temptations do not put you and me at risk as well. If you have promised to give to God and have held back, repent and do what you promised (Ecclesiastes 5:4). God is well able to build His kingdom but unless you give Him what belongs to Him, He will do it without you.

11/10/16                               A Legacy for the Lord                            10

Malachi 2:10-16 “10 Have we not all one father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?11 Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the Lord which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.12 The Lord will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, out of the tabernacles of Jacob, and him that offereth an offering unto the Lord of hosts.13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”

COMMENTS : A true story is told of a widow with 2 children walking down a river shore struggling with deep depression and thoughts of suicide when she hears a ploughman on the other side of the river singing Hymns while working. His joyous singing and hymn’s words and music lifted her soul. Ploughman was not aware she was there but his witness and joyous spirit impacted her greatly. She went home and began praying for her children and the generations after them. She prayed for the next 12 generations, motivated by that ploughman and what he sang about. Her son, Grattan, become a minister and helped trigger the 1859 revival in Ireland. Many pastors and christians were among her decendents, including Dr. Os Ginness, a famous Christian author. “Wherever life takes us, our witness goes too—it is the legacy of a believer in Jesus Christ.”

We all can relate to experiencing those times when life’s problems and even tragedies are so overwhelming with little or no evidence to hope for better days ahead. Hopefully we won’t get to the point of considering suicide as a way of escape, but the world is full of people who are. Christ did not die for us to be filled with despair but with hope and joy. Christ’s followers of the first century did not face persecution and death in order to be filled with despair and hopelessness. No, those christians instead were stronger and filled with joy and confidence as they faced unbelievable suffering. They knew their final home was heaven with those they loved but most of all with Christ, who died for their redemption. That hope sustained and strengthened them. That hope gave them courage that makes no sense to those who don’t know Him. But resulting evidence in their lives was undeniable and caused Christianity to explode in that century and to now explode in countries who persecute Christians. Yet comfort and prosperity do not provide the need for Christ that is essential for us to seek and surrender to His love and mercy. We, as humans, must realize how much we need Him before we surrender our wills to His Will. The widowed mother in the above story was without hope and in desperate need when God placed her near a Christian who was simply singing while he worked, praising His savior singing hymns familiar to him from Sunday worship. He had no idea she was watching and was singing only because it brought him joy and enabled him to express his love for His Savior. God designed and built the opportunity and softened the heart of that widow to receive His message to her too. That message of love and hope changed her and gave her a reason to live. The impact on her was eternal but the impact on her children and their children generation after future generation was also eternal. What precious life changing ripples happened and are still happening because of her surrender? Those are the kind of miracles I believe God loves to do the most and does the most often. But they tend to be the unnoticed and untold miracles that most walk right past without noticing. But how often do we miss a beautiful sunrise or sunset or a rainbow or beautiful garden simply because we didn’t bother to look up or stop and let God’s beauty soak into our souls.

Take some time to stop and notice and reflect. God’s prefers His messages to you to be ripples and not tidal waves, but He loves you too much to sit back and let you drown in your own selfish wills and sin. Just maybe you are struggling with a tidal wave because you ignored too many ripples. Well, tragedy will come simply for living in a fallen world, whether from past sin or simply, like Job, because satan wants to pull us off the right path. Either way, stopping to enjoy God’s miracles opens us to see God working all around us giving us confident hope and courage too.

I look out my window onto a beautiful sunrise but a blanket of frost on the roofs and ground of my neighbors. Evidence of a coming winter and colder weather. I still have more preparation to do for winter in my own home as well as in our church property, but preparation that will enable it and my family and church family to endure the coming winter weather no matter how harsh it may be. But God is there to provide help and protection for no matter what will come this winter or next spring when the miracle of rebirth will once again spring up where death and bitter cold once prevailed. If Christ returns before spring, well, that will be even better and much greater miracle to behind if we are prepared and ready for it. BE READY!!

11/11/16                             GOD MOVES PEOPLE                              11

Acts 12:25-13:3 “When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off”

COMMENTS: Barnabas went to Tarsus to find Paul, who had been preparing for ministry for 3 years, and bring him to Antioch where they taught many people about Jesus (Acts 11:25-26). When Agabus foretold of a famine in Judea, so the Antioch church eagerly gave money and commissioned Barnabas and Paul to deliver it to the church in Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-30). The two men then went back to Antioch with John Mark (son of Barnabus’ sister) – Acts 12:12). John Mark was eager to be involved in the growth of the church. As it turned out, he would be much more effective in writing a Gospel than being an itinerant preacher (Acts 15:36-38). Yet after much prayer, the church leaders commissioned Paul and Barnabas to be missionary preachers; and took John Mark with them at Barnabas’s request. This first missionary venture was not the church’s idea but their response to the Holy Spirit’s command (Acts 26:19). Their call came from God. Barnabas, originally was from Cyprus; Paul from what is now southern central Turkey; Simeon, possibly from Africa; Lucius, from what is now Libya. They all loved the Christ and were God’s messengers, encouraging Barnabas and Paul to follow God’s call and provided necessary support. It was an uncharted venture. But the Holy Spirit assured them all: it was the Lord’s plan. It was to be the story of the Early Church: God moved His message by moving His people. It is the same today. However we encounter people, by travel or electronic media, we should let the Holy Spirit use us as gospel-bearing. Similar work is happening in unnoticed rural areas of Africa and India and China and even Communist dominated European countries, but not limited to there. I have been exposed and am working with some of those Christian pastors, who are using this journal and my Blog materials (donsdevotions.wordpress.com) as a way of teaching and discipling young Christians and coverts to likewise launch out in ministry. God is working and changing lives in areas dominated by Muslim and Hindu and even Atheistic cultured and people, but revival is happening in wonderful ways. The use of facebook and wordpress and email and a variety of electronic internet media by God to spread Christ’s Good News of Redemption is being shared in satan’s strongholds and is changing lives. Witnessing such and noticing level of sacrifice and danger Christ’s servants are being exposed to is humbling and empowering to me to strive to a deeper level of obedience. I, like John Mark, am discovering I am a better writer than preacher or teacher, but have been used in that capacity in the past. Yet the platform God appears to be calling me to as a writer, is becoming far larger than what I ever could have hoped to attain as a teacher or preacher. I seek your prayers as I journey on this adventure God has called and placed me on. I truly believe time is short til His return, so believe it is fital to be faithful in obeying God’s calling whether as a preacher or teacher or a writer or being a Barnabas (encourager) to a neighbor or a family member or co-worker or someone in your church family. God will create ripples impacting others in great ways through us if we simply obey His lead. I ask you to strive with me in that goal and quest. AMEN?AMEN!

11/12/16                       Who Owns Your Body?                        12

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “ 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” COMMENTS: When we borrow a tool from a neighbor, do we return in clean and in good repair – in as good or better condition than when we borrowed it. If we borrow our parent’s car, do we return it clean and with a full tank of gas? Doing so is called the “Golden Rule of Borrowing”. When we practice that, then others will be more willing to loan to us and friendships and good will will follow. Being negligent in returning what we borrow or returning items damaged or requiring additional work and money to bring it back to same condition when borrowed, is not following the “Golden Rule of Borrowing” and not honoring or being respectful of others and is not being obedient to God’s call to us. Likewise, when we misuse our own bodies, we are also dishonoring our Lord in same manner since even our own bodies are only on loan to us while on earth. Granted it will continue to get older and weaker and at risk of disease and accident beyond our control. Yet by doing our best to keep our bodies in good condition, we empower a greater ability to serve Him with more energy and distance. We we are faithful to Him in all ways, in body and mind and spirit, then we are truly following His call and Will. If we indulge in sinful behavior, we are doing one of two things or both – we are sinning against our bodies and/or sinning against God. Either way, we are hurting God’s possessions and ultimately in need of His merciful forgiveness but also in need to repent or turn from such sin and do a life change in behavior and habit to come back into obedience. When God asked of us what we are not doing nor want to do, we need to realize He has our best interest in mind and will only ask of us what we will be glad we did at the end of our lives. But likely will be something not too appealing nor motivated to do at the time. Satan is very good at discouraging us and distracting us away from God’s Will because he knows God’s ways are best for him and us but not for satan. Satan finds great pleasure and motivation to hurt God by hurting us. Practice over past several thousand years had made him good at that, but God is far better at healing and forgiving and restoring and is what He loves to do!!

11/13/16                  EARLY STEPS IN MISSION                                13

Acts 13:4-7 “The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. They travelled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.”

COMMENTS: Paul was a spiritual leader and teacher and preacher like none other and made an impact that shook the world and still does. Yet he required 3 years of preparation and service to prepare for the work. God needed those 3 years to prepare him even though he had the best education the world had to offer under the teaching of Gamaliel. Paul’s theological education was through Jesus’ personal tuition (Galatians 1:15-17) but he needed the practical experience and Barnabas was to tutor him. (Acts 12:25, 13:2, 13:7). It was not until Acts 13:9 that ‘Saul’ was known as ‘Paul’, when his training of preparation was finished. Barnabas had been brought up in Cyprus and took Saul there for this ‘training’ mission. It was a short sea journey from Seleucia (the port for Antioch) and Barnabas knew his way around the island. John Mark was his nephew, who was asked to go with them as a helper. Although Mark proved he was not gifted to be an evangelist, but had a big heart for the Gentiles and later wrote his gospel for them. Despite his ministry failure (Acts 15:37-38), Mark was to be valuable, as Barnabus already believed. He was to be of great help in evangelization, even though it was not his primary ministry (2 Timothy 4:11). Paul nor Barnabus didn’t know what God was going to do nor the impact they would have. They simply obeyed and followed the view God put before them, like a driver following the light his car’s headlights show before him. Paul and Barnabus would also become the church leaders and make it easier for the churches to grow (1 Timothy 2:1-7). This chapter establishes some important principles for cross-cultural mission. Firstly it involves moving! Church leaders should be praying about their people and asking the Lord who should be sent out (Acts 13:1-3), rather than waiting for eager volunteers. Ministry skills are best gained while working with somebody more experienced. Even if a particular ministry does not seem ideal for somebody, being put into that situation will help them understand the role of others in team ministry, and the importance of just being a helper. Don’t be afraid of short-term or mobile ministry, or of spiritual opposition: it is good training. And have a strategy to establish Christian leaders – usually they will already be leaders in some context. And if you do not see yourself as a minister or missionary, ask the Lord how He wants you to serve Him. Scripture gives us much instruction and good example to follow in preparing and doing ministry whether great oer small. Wew are all called to witness and show God’s love and message of redemption to all we cross paths with. To be mobile and consistent in our witness iss the common formula for success whether great or small. God will use us in greater ways if we are faithful in smaller ways. If you and I feel unprepared or unqualified or untalented or ungifted, we are not alone. But being willing to serve in an area we can function at least adequaely if a good first step. God will use us where we are and with our limited willingness to obey but will push and nudge and invite us to go further. Being on the move, being willing, and being flexible opens us to do and be what God has designed us for and where we will be the happiest and most fulfilled and most effective.

11/14/16                                Reality and Relation                             14
And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.
Isaiah 62:5b

ISAIAH 54:6-8 “6 For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.”

COMMENTS: What does it mean to be created in God’s Image? (Genesis 1:26-27). In what ways are we like Him and what ways did we fall short and loose when sin entered the world? One characteristic God gave us is dominion and authority over the world and other creatures He created. Another characteristic is ability to reason and think and choose and have relationships with each other but most of all from Him. Still another characteristic is having an eternal soul and the capacity to love . God used marriage to bond humans together into family units but also to help us understand His relationship with us, His creation and how He relates to us. God has related to His people Israel as a bridegroom relates to his bride (Isaiah 54:6-8; 62:5; Hosea 2:19-20). Paul using marriage to illustrate the relationship between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). We each bear witness to the reality of God, and as couples we illustrate the relational dimension of God. Both are powerful examples to a watching world.
Every Christian couple needs to reflect and ask the question: What do people see of God and His love when they see our marriage? Granted, no marriage is ideal nor all God wants it to be, because individuals are imperfect and fall short of Christ’s example. But if they have received Christ’s forgiveness and have a daily walk and relationship with Him, that relationship has to impact their relationship with each other, as with everyone they cross paths with. If it doesn’t, then something is wrong between them and God. We may try to hard to put up a good front and hide our flaws from others, but we can’t hide them from God nor our spouses. So what about a marriage where only one spouse is a Christian or where one spouse is demonstrating obvious sinful – selfish – destructive behavior. Well, where abuse and hard is the result to children or to victim spouse, then legal and police protection along with help and support of other Christians all need to be involved. But then again, help and protection from other Christian should always be a part of every good as well as struggling marriage. The family unit is not limited to immediate family. God ordains and calls the church and community families to be involved in the lives of each other. God separated the people at Babel because they tried to reach God on their terms instead of His and disobeyed Him. No longer would language enable one person or nation to dominate the world. Many have tried since but not were successful and ultimately died and were defeated by another trying to dominate instead. No one ever will until Christ comes to set up His kingdom. Then we all will be of one language again, and I bet it will not be English either. What a Glorious Day that will be and I pray it will come soon but not before more come to His saving Grace, including some family and others I know and am praying for. I keep thinking what if He had returned before I was saved. So why would I want Him to return before my loved ones accept His forgiveness too?
Thought: May our lives reflect God’s love—it is the portrait of God’s image to others.

11/15/16                         SPIRITUAL DARKNESS OVERCOME                           15

Acts 13:8-12 “But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, ‘You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.’ Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.”

COMMENT: Paul soon discovered, by changing sides, he would be under attack and receive the same angry attacks he had been guilty of. He now realized how deep satan’s deception was. Paul thought he was doing great good and even doing God’s will by hurting and emprisoning and causing the death of Christ followers. He was passionate and fully committed but to a wrong cause. How long were you and I committed to a wrong cause – to selfishness, pride, gaining short lived success and wealth or simply to get ahead, sacrificing our families and service to God in order to gain what we wanted. How long before we discovered what we were striving for was never enough and would be lost or decay in short order. Likewise, when we turned and repented, how strong was the forces and pier pressure to go back? Yes satan doesn’t give up easily and is very upset when someone he has his clutches in turns coat on him. Well, you and I should expect resistance when we repent too. From old habits and old friends but also from places we didn’t expect. The sorcerer probably was not where Paul anticipated resistance but when he encountered him, God directly him as to how to deal with him. He probably tried ignoring him and but more he ignored him, the louder Elymas became and more in his face. How would you and I react. Get made and hit him in the face and shout at him. Instead, Paul simply said “you are an enemy of the Lord and will be blind for a time.” Well, think of the depth of his relationship with Christ to have the confidence to say such and know it would happen. Many others tried to imitate miracles without success. Key is imitation. God’s will can be very much a mystery because can’t be mechanically copied nor is always identical in every situation. That is why it is so important you and I be in daily fellowship with Him. So we will be obedient and respond in each days situations as the ambassador – the witness – the evangelist – the example God is calling us to be. Well, you and I need to keep in mind that we serve a God infinitely more powerful than satan and all his forces and will prevail against him. We also need to remember Christ died so we can be forgiven and be in constant relationship with that same God who is asked us to be allied with Him. We also need to realize there is no neutral ground. We are either on God’s side or satan’s side. The winning or the loosing side. Right now it appears satan’s side is stronger and he is winning but God will not be mocked and ignored forever. He has promised to return and stop satan’s evil rampage and destruction.

11/16/16                               Finding Our Purpose                                 16
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

Genesis 1:26-28 “Then God said, let us make man in Our Image to resesmble us so they may have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all athe crawling things on earth. God created man in His image, in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them. God blessed them and said to them. Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and master it. Take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and everything crawling on the ground.”

COMMENTS : Thomas Carlyle, a 19^th century historian said “The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder – a waif, a nothing, a no man. Having a purpose in life, and having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you.” I love these words and reinforced the words above from Genesis and Romans 8. Sometimes we need to go back to the beginning to refocus and redirect our course back on it’s intended place. Life’s distractions and priorities often can diminished or cause us to forget our dreams and loose our way. But God did give us all an overall purpose but also each of us a defined purpose and calling that gives us purpose in living and consuming food and space and resources but also a purpose in living. What is your purpose for living and what is mine? Are we here just to have children and prepare them to carry on? Is that the only reason for life, to create life? Well, in one perspective the answer is yes. That is what the above verses say, but they are talking about more than just having physical children. If having children were our only purpose, then a mother and father of 20 children or King Solomon with his many wives and children would be more obedient to his calling than Paul who was not married and had no children. But fostering spiritual children is the other side of the command. Living a life showing Christ’s love and character and sharing the reason for our joy and hope and positively impacting the lives of others in such a way they seek Christ in their lives too. That is fostering spiritual children. Think about those who have had a huge impact on your life and lives of others in the community. They are those with long lines waiting to pay their respects at their funeral. When they share the stories of how their lives were impacted, the interaction of small acts of kindness and time spent listening and praying and just being there and giving time and love over the years are what are remembered and had lasting effect. That is how we are to foster spiritual children. But then again, following God’ lead in selecting a mate and setting priorities and character and direction as start a family and raise children has a ripple affect that is eternal in scope and influence both on the children we bear and the influence both they and we have on the lives of those we intersect with. Those are the stories that will be told in heaven and the rich blessings we will enjoy when we get there. The ripples of those stories from ages past and how they impacted us as well as our stories and how they will ripple to future generations will also be told. That is our purpose and reason for living. SO WHEN YOU THINK YOU ARE NOT IMPORTANT AND HAVE NOT PURPOSE, ASK GOD TO PUT YOUR RUDDER ON YOU AND POINT YOU IN THE DIRECTION HE HAS FOR YOU. IT IS AN AMAZING JOURNEY AS IS MINE. AMEN!!

11/17/16                         LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT                         17

Acts 13:13-15 “ From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, ‘Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.’ “ COMMENTS: Have you ever wondering how God leads some people who rely so on Him to guide them? Paul would journey at God’s bidding without knowing the defined course he would take much of the time. Yet how much of your day is not known to you at the beginning but at the end of the day you can reflect on what was accompished. Yes, I know much of what we do is repeated day after day with little changing. But consider the interaction you have with some, even if only on rare occasions, that seems to be special and long overdue. Those we cross paths with and are blessed and seem to be blessed by us when our paths cross, but have neglected to be in contact with for too long. God has a way of reminding us and making those times happen if we are open and obey that little voice or nudge that comes our way now and again. Well, maybe that isn’t much different than what Paul experienced because he was in obedience and open to God’s nudgings. So, the next time you have such a nudge or “distraction” when your first reaction is to ignore it because of others things needing to be done, just remember. Blessings come wrapped as distractions but are hidden treasures designed to bless us as well as those “distracting us”. We’ll still have time to geta the work done, God will see to that. AMEN.

11/18/16                              Too Close?                   18
And the second, like it, is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:31

COMMENTS: Matthew 7:12 “Do to others as you have them do to you” and Mark 12:31 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” are two commandments wrapped in selfish human nature God is used to draw us into unselfish behavior and love. Loving ourselves and doing what we want and desire are human tendancies. Other religions deny or ignore that nor does their followers admit to it even though such stares them in the face. Yet God knows our natures and lovingly but firmly is showing us our own natures and showing us how to use that nature and motivation to guide us into more perfect and healthier behavior. He knows we can’t overcome such on our own nor are motivated to do so. But instead of beating us up over our weakness, He simply says treat others as well as we want treated and put ourselves in their shoes and respond to their needs – look beyond ourselves. What we may not realize is that by doing so we begin to live more like Christ and become less concerned about nor interested in meeting just our own selfish needs. You see, becoming more like Christ becomes more natural as we allow ourselves to get closer to him and begin acting like Him. Slowly and gradually we begin transforming into being more Christ like. Granted, when we let Him into our hearts, there is a dramatic transformation, but there is also a slow gradual but stead transformation that goes much deeper and is even more powerful and effective. Are you being so transformed each day? That transformation will continue until Christ takes us home. Then we will be truly like Him. AMEN. “As we walk in communion with God, we will see others as God sees them. “

11/19/16                            START ON COMMON GROUND                    19               

Acts 13:16-20 “Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: ‘Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.’”

COMMENTS: Taking time to reflect and taking notice of what God has done helps us realize and notice what He continues to do. As I look back and notice how many times He has healed my body, protected me from countless dangers, including car accidents, dangerous falls, near misses even of a car coming off a jack when I had been under it, and some times when underground in a coal mine when circumstances caused me to avoid mine roof falls and even an explosion just to name a few. Also how he guiding me to meet my wife, countless opportunities to witness and encourage and help others and they me, choices that He guided me to make that blessed me and others. The list goes on and on. Can we His consistent control in our lives that makes it so easy to let real dangers go by unnoticed. Well, when those dangers get a little too close to us, then fear and doubt and anxiety start gripping us. When we get too close to the cliff’s edge and the possibility of falling begins to grip our minds, then we start realizing just how much we need and depend on Him. As I see my Parkinson’s symptoms become stronger, which involves more problems with my balance and muscle strength and control and increase in tremors and weariness, then I realize how blessed I’ve been over the years with a healthy strong body and mind which allowed me to work and play and sustain a good job all my adult working years. I even look back in my childhood years and notice how blessed I was to enjoy a normal body even though I did have epilepsy but outgrew it by my later teen years and no longer needed the medicine which effectively prevented convulsions of my childhood years. God does allow such things to help mold us into children more open to His loving – guiding hand. Godly parents and positive influence of many others too along with a tender open heart drew me to His saving Grace early at age 10 and sustained me during the teen and early 20 years when most stray away from their childhood faith, especially during college years.

11/20/16                                Light Switch                         20
2 Corinthians 4:7-15 “ 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[a] Since we have that same spirit of[b] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

COMMENTS: God’s blessings are notice where we are. They are not noticed in the future since we are not aware of them yet and are easily forgotten in the past but their impact is still in force. God’s blessings go unnoticed often but their effect is still in force and felt. But oh how much better it is when we do remember past blessings and notice present blessings because we then have greater faith to move with confidence into the future before seeing the blessings He has waiting for us there in our future. You see, He is already there preparing those blessings for us in our future. There are no surprises there for Him because He is not limited by time or space. Such confidence we can have knowing our God is prepared for us no matter when or where we are. We only have our past to prove to us He goes behind and ahead and beside us both in space and in time.

When we are driving along in our car at night, we have little concern because our headlights allow us to see far enough to be aware of road and any obstacles ahead of us knowing we are able to respond and stop before such dangers would be upon us. We can’t see what lies a mile down the road or even ½ mile but we can see and respond to what is 700 ft head of us and that is sufficient. Such is also true of our lives. God give us just enough insight and awareness to respond to what we need to, but beyond that we can learn to trust Him because of what He has done and continues to do. Well, such confidence is easier to exercise some days and in some circumstances than in others. But truth that we are in His Hands in all times and circumstances is the confidence He wants us to know and depend on. Time and practice help us gain trust and confidence, but every time we face a new challenge, doubts and fears can again overwhelm us. But it is then when we choose to trust Him or not. AMEN.

11/21/16                                 A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART                    21

Acts 13:20b-22 ‘After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled for forty years. After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.”

COMMENTS: After settling His people in the Promised Land, God gave them a succession of fifteen ‘judges’ or ‘deliverers’ to bring them back to His plan each time they turned away from Him. A vicious cycle repeated itself in which Israel turned away from the Lord, He allowed their enemies to bring hardship to them, they then would cry out to the Lord and repent from their sins, and He then would send a deliverer. The last of judge was Samuel. But then the people wanted a king. They thought a king would make them safer from external attack and break this vicious cycle: although their real problem was from internal backsliding sin, which was what made them vulnerable to their enemies. That was their real problem, not the lack of a king. They saw the symptom and ignored the real problem – their lack of a relationship with God. God was their sovereign – their King. However, they persisted in demanding a human king so the Lord gave them what they asked for and chose with Saul. But he was a big disappointment to God, no surprise. He was given every chance to serve the Lord but his heart was not right. He was God’s leader on earth but he was leading for his own sake, not God’s. God was looking for a leader whose heart was beating in tune with His own. Samuel told Saul that his problem was that he did not trust God and love what God loved and hate what God hated. 1 Samuel 13:13-14 says: ‘You have done a foolish thing,’ Samuel said. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.’ God’s perfect ‘heart-man’ was Jesus (Acts 13:23-31). Until then, David was the nearest king to ‘a man after God’s own heart’ – but even his personal behavior was very disappointing (2 Samuel 11:1-27). (By the way, I believe Daniel was the man closest to living“after God’s Own Heart” and Mary was the woman closest to living “after God’s own heart” in scripture.) Nevertheless, the Lord blessed David because he had a soft and repentant heart. This is a healthy reminder about what God is looking for in us. Not primarily competence, skill, knowledge, or spiritual gifting, but a heart which is at home with His … a person God can trust and who makes it his business to love what God loves and hate what God hates. God’s searching gaze demands our repentance before our service … as David understood that in Psalm 51:10-12.

11/22/16                                   Don’t Give Up                                       22
Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. Acts 27:20

COMMENTS: Have you ever been overwhelmed and ready to give up? We all have now and again and sometimes more often than others. Job, I’m sure, felt that way when he got the news everything he had was gone, including his children. That news would have caused most to curse God and give up. It did causes him to experience deep grief and agony in spirit but didn’t shake his faith and trust in God. I invite you to read the book of Job and experience what he did, when even his dearest and trusted friends turned on him and even his wife gave up. All is understandable but ending of story is God restored all he had before and more because of his faithfulness. The ending is what counts, but the journey is what builds character and reveals who we really are. Trusting God is easy when burdens are light and problems are manageable but when the water is deep and risk of failure is great and problems flood on us one after the other to point we can’t deal with them ourselves, it is then we show where and with whom our faith lies. It is then we have no other choice than to ask for help. Where we go for that help also shows who we trust. Well, trustworthy friends are vital during those times as is a family who know how to work together and support each other. But Christ is our trustworthy friend and Lord like none other. I know, sometimes He seems to show up late and offers help different than what we envisioned. But it is then when we need to reflect on past experiences and realize His timing and ways are best, so we need to trust and submit to His direction again. DON’T GIVE UP, BE A JOB! I pray you and I will never have to face the level of tragedy that Job did, but even if we do, God who helped and sustained Him is more than able and willing to do so for us too. That is a message we so easily forget or doubt but desperately need to be reminded of over and over again because IT IS TRUE! Job 13:15 “ Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.” God wasn’t judging Job, even though it seemed that way. But Job was still a imperfect man in need of God’s mercy and grace, so how much more do we. God is not looking for us to act perfectly, but to surrender and to be in relationship with Him. That relationship starts when we sseek and receive His mercy and continues each day as we fellowship and follow His lead each day. Job did that, so that relationship sustained and guided him during the dark days of satan’s torments and mischief. God didn’t do that mischief but allowed it for a time and within limits to strengthen Job and teach Job’s friends and neighbors and teach us that God is sovereign and in charge but can be relied on even when times seem hopeless. Where else can we go for help that is as true and sure? That doesn’t mean we should isolate ourselves and rely on none but God, but does mean we keep Him at the forefront and let Him guide us each day and each day’s choices. Just like a good friend, our friendship with God needs to be daily and not just when we need something. When is the last time you prayed just because you missed talking with Christ and not just because you were in a jam needing help. We call a good friend because we enjoy his company and conversation. God wants that kind of relationship with us because He also enjoys conversation with us too. How awesome is that!!

11/23/16                                  MESSAGE FOR TODAY                         23

Acts 13:23-26 ‘From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Saviour Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: “Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent’ COMMENTS: Jesus fully fulfilled all the prophecies written by the Old Testament prophets, but still Jesus’ coming and life did not match how Jews and especially most Jewish leaders envisioned and expected. So many rejected Jesus and ignored or were blinded to him. Satan’s deceptions were definitely in play but each had to make their own decision to either accept or reject the Messiah. They so looked forward to receiving Him, but missed the blessing of knowing and receiving Him because they would not believe. But others did and where permanently changed. How many times did you reject or put Him off until you finally by faith received Him and His forgiveness? What was different that time? Was it a sermon or a song or a person that made the difference? Was is a circumstance that convinced you not to put it off any longer? We still had a choice, like before to either reject or accept Him, but what was different? For me it was a realization, even at age 10, that I was putting myself at risk of God’s judgment needlessly with no good reason to delay. I realized God was waiting for and longing for me and I found myself wanting to be with Him too. At that moment it was easy and even logical to seek and ask Him to forgive my sin and ask Him to come into my heart. He had waited but when I asked, He did not delay. I remember that evening at revival service at our church as clear, even though 55 years later, as if it had happened a few days ago. Well maybe like today since I find myself forgetting events of few days ago. Ha!ha! Anyway, God is patient but persistent and will not act against our will but loves us too much to leave us to our own foolish choices without using every option to persuade us to repent and turn to Him. The longer He waits, the more love He demonstrates even toward those who are not very lovable and are mean in spirit and action towards others. Jesus came to earth, lived a humble human life, and died a painful death in order to redeem each and every one of us both from distant past generations as well as those yet to come. He died as much for me and you and He did for the disciples and Paul and the countless Christians of the first generation. He death also redeemed those from ages pasts who relied on animal sacrifice to gain God’s forgiveness. The mystery of this is still deep but the truth of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice is true and clear in scripture. The only thing keeping us from receiving it is our willingness to ask for it. Gifts can only be received if accepted. Such is also true of our salvation. The gift is before us. We only need to open it. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, which we are to set aside our busy lives and distractions to focus on most precious things in our life – family and God. Take time to thank Him for all He has done and continues to do for us and reflect on those blessings. Also take time to reflect on family and loving way God has provided for them and they for us. We need to do this if we are to be ready for this Christmas Season to enjoy all that it can mean.

11/24/16                                      Good Choices                        24
…but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 Scripture: Isaiah 41:8-13 “8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.12 Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” COMMENTS: There are countless examples of good friendships, like David and Jonathan, and good marriages, like Ruth and Boaz, that brought great good to them as well as well beyond their lives. However, there are plenty of examples of poor ones with consequences resulting. When we follow our hearts or our eyes when selecting a friend or spouse, we often fall prey and are blind to warnings and clues that should have discouraged us from pursuing poor relationships. Yet the said and crazy thing is all too many go from one bad relationship right into another hoping it will be better but discovering it to be even worse than last. Those on the outside wonder how they could have been so blind or deceived? But then again, if we are honest, we discovered there are repeated patterns of poor choices in our lives too. Things like overeating or addictions to other things, or even tendancy to put things off instead of taking care of them when have first opportunity to do so. Scripture gives us council and points us to a true Friend who has transformed lives since Adam and continues to do so. A friend but so much more. Following Jesus gives us hope we can break such destructive cycles of behavior and choices and follow a different course or path – one of healing and one of becoming a giver instead of a taker and beings a missionary able to help others instead of being a mission field constantly in need of being ministered too. Well, we are are still mission fields since we all still fall short of Christ’s example and goal for us. Yet, by making Him our best friend and our follow His council above all others, we start finding the road of consequences fading into our past and the road of hope and healing and empowering coming into view. A road that enables us to be able to help others along the way instead of requiring every ounce of energy and resource just to survive or avoid the next catastrophy. Well, catastrophies will still come but God wants to be there to help us avoid the needless ones and get through the ones we need to face far better than we otherwise would be able to manage. At the end of our lives what will matter most. It will be how faithful we’ve been to Him and lives we have positively impacted along the way. It will not matter material things we have accumulated or wealth we have acquired or power and influence we have achieved. God gives us the capability to love and desire to do so. But He also gives us the ability to choose how and who and way to use such a gift. We need Him to help us use it wisely and to honor Him instead of just to satisfy our own needs. Satan has a sinister way of making what God designed and intends for good instead to be an instrument for evil and destruction. He does that effectively with every one of us every day and in every generation since Adam’s. But God even uses his evil intent to bring good but requires us to be onboard in partnering with Christ if we are going to be a part of that good. Today is Thanksgiving Day. We all have so much to be grateful for both materially and relationally and spiritually. We have God to thank for it all. So let’s take some time to thank Him!

11/25/16                               THE UNRECOGNIZED JESUS                         25

Acts 13:27-31 “The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had travelled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people”

COMMENTS: There are over 300 old testament prophecies of Jesus’ birth/life/death and purpose for coming. Yet, inspite of all these prophecies even the most educated Jews could not foresee and recognize Jesus fulfilling every one of those prophecies, BUT HE DID!! Those who did recognize Him as the Messiah did so because of what He did and said and who they saw He truly was. Those who opened their hearts and listened to Him knew who He was and followed Him. The impact Jesus had on Paul was dramatic and permanent, but took a miraculous visit directly to convince Paul. But convinced he was and became the most effective evangelist of that day, and through his letter in our New Testament continue to effectively persuade people of subsequent generations Jesus is their Savior and Lord. Yet what was different? It wasn’t what Jesus said, but how open the receiver’s heart was. Paul was blinded by his own ambition and satan’s deceptions until He encountered Jesus himself. But even that was not enough to convince the high priest and most of the religious leaders of that day. If we allow our heart to be hard, then we will not be open to Christ’s leading either. That is a real danger and one we need to be careful of. We can neglect Him if we want and allow less time for Him. But the more we do, the more we risk our hearts becoming too hard to hear His caring voice calling to us. He is patient and longsuffering, but there will come a time when it will be too late and those who rejected Him will be permanently lost. Oh how said but oh, how needless. The Gospel is open to all, but only received by a few. Which will you be and which will your family and neighbors be? You and I can’t convince them. We can only control ourselves and influence others to a limited degree, but choice is theirs.

Other side thing was that the crowd who said “cruxify Him” did do by blindly listening the the instigators next to them and not to what Christ had been teaching and showing them. They followed a few with evil intents instead of God. The power of crowd thinking is strong but generally not right or good. Stop and consider times you and I were influenced by crowd thinking or the influence of someone we were intimidated by or felt overpowered by. That influence was likely not positive or correct either. What influence do we have over others? Does it come with good or sinful intents and influences. Is it from God or from crowd influences on us? We are accountable to Him for what we say and do as well as impact our actions have on others. “…so be careful little tongue what you say… for the Father up above is looking down with love…”

11/26/16                                       Never Alone                                      26
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

SCIPTURE: JOSHUA 1:5-9 “ ⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest⁸ 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.⁹ Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” COMMENTS : A true story is recorded of a missionary, Adoniram Judson, who died in 1850 alone at sea. Yet his legacy is a translation of the Bible and dictionary in language of people in Myanmar. His body and life was lost at sea long ago but his life and legacy live on in church and in lives of Christians today in Myanmar. There are many Baptist congregations there that trace back to work and ministry of this one man. Today he is enjoying worship and fellowship with Christ in heaven but also with all those who he lead to Christ while on earth. But his legacy continues to grow as those he lead to Christ lead more to Christ and they lead more to Christ. That is how God multiplies the impact we make on others, much of which may not be known on earth but will be known in heaven, even if we never know good we do while on earth. God blesses those who honor and serve Him even if we have to wait til heaven to experience those blessings. So let’s not be discouraged nor think our lives are meaningless. When I was in school I loved doing math but hated to write and felt very uncomfortable being around people but did enjoy reading God’s word and would spend much time in prayer with Him. Yet I felt guilty I wasn’t witnessing for Him nor leading others to Christ like others I read about or knew. Yet over the years, I have interacted and encouraged some and prayed with some who’s paths I crossed in community and family and work. But what God has prepared me for now and shifted interest in doing is away from doing math and into writing. By doing this, He has opened amazing doors to write and share a daily devotional journal with Christians and pastors in an increasing number of countries all over the world. As I read and reflect on what I’ve written, I am puzzled how eagerly they are received by those who are very poor and in underdeveloped areas while those enjoying prosperity in USA and other wealthy countries are not so eager to read and respond to even in my own community who know me. I am not complaining but have noticed that. Yet, I also notice what I say, even though ministers to me and draws me closer to Christ by writing, so not as impactful to me as other’s writings who draw me closer to Christ. It may be a mystery but is not uncommon, I’m discovering. But then again, the only way we can leave a legacy worthy of Him is simply to share what God puts in our hearts with whoever He puts in our path and where He leads us to go. We don’t need to see fruit, but we simply need to trust and let go of trying to see those benefits. After all, it isn’t about us nor for our credit. But it is all about Him and for His Credit. AMEN!

11/27/16                             THE RESURRECTION GOSPEL                                 27

Acts 13:32-37 ‘We tell you the good news: what God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: “You are my son; today I have become your father.” God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, “I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.” So it is also stated elsewhere: “You will not let your holy one see decay.” Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.’

COMMENTS: A day of Thanksgiving with family sharing conversation, time, and a large meal is now history for 2016. The preparation for that day as well as time we spent together are all gone but memories are still in our thoughts and with us and with those who were with us. After our children and grown and have families of their own, time they spend with us becomes less. So time we spend with them becomes more precious to us and hopefully to them too. Family is such a wonderful gift and so vital to our lives and well being. Yet so much of society is fighting so hard to destroy everything good and life giving about family. Yet we need not accept nor believe the lies such attacked try to force upon us. We are attacked but not defenseless. We are weak but not helpless. We are vulnerable but not without help. Psalm 121:1-2 “¹ I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?² My help comes from the Lord,  the Maker of heaven and earth.” God is our hope and defender. He fights for us and goes before us and behind us and beside us. Yet we may see our adversary and even feel his power and see and feel his destructive work, but we will not see his victory because God is stronger and will be victorious over Him. Only danger for us is to take our eyes off Christ and remove our hand from His. We are in a war of our life and the lives of our family. We are defenseless without Christ at our side. But He wants our families to know Him even more than we do and will move mountains to gain them – removing greater obstacles than we could even more. So we must partner with Him in order to remove those mountains of resistance in their lives and in ours. Let’s do so in prayer and in fellowship and devotion with Him but do so in actions He calls us too today and coming days. He will not force His will or way on us but will do miracles when we do submit to His will. Same is true of each member of our family and church and community and beyond.

11/28/16                                  Gratitude – The Cure for Worry                            28

Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Matthew 6:27

SCRIPTURE: PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” COMMENTS : How long and how hard has been your battles with worry? Granted when all is going well, worry usually goes into background. Of course, if you’ve noticed a repeated cycle of a time of calm before each wave of problems then calm times may create worry thinking “when will the other shoe drop”. Or have you worried when problems came what was going to happen next? But what does the Bible tells us and what do the long list of real examples in scripture tell us? What does our own examples and examples of Christians we know tell us. They tell us: Psalm 91:2 “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Nahum 1:7 “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. ” Psalm 7:1 “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:”Psalm 25:1, 2 “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”2 Samuel 22:31 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.”Psalm 9:10 “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”Psalm 22:4 “Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.”Psalm 37:5 “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”Psalm 56:3 , 4 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”Psalm 71:5 “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.”Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”1 Timothy 4:10 “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

I hope these scriptures encourage and motivate you to trust in Him especially when times are difficult and especially when don’t know who or where to turn. Pray and wait are two key action plans but also to seek council from wise Christian friends can’t hurt either. Just remember, panic never brings wise choices . Stop and look back and notice who well your own wisdom worked and realize how much better it would have been if you would have waited and sought God’s council and help first. Worry is best dealt with by praising and “counting your blessings” and thanking God for His abiding presence and faithfullness. Seeking His help and waiting for His response is what faith is and what will grow our faith and make it strong. Impatience is not God’s flaw but is ours. We live in a society that is very impatient and refused to wait. God demonstrates patience that we can’t comprehend. So next time panic or worry starts gripping your soul and overwhelming you, STOP – PRAISE AND THANK HIM BEFORE SEEKING HIS HELP AND COUNCIL. YOU WILL BE IN A BETTER PLACE TO LISTEN….

11/29/16                         THE GOSPEL DEMANDS A RESPONSE               29

Acts 13:38-41 ‘Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ‘”Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.”‘

COMMENTS: Are you confused? How can we comply with Christ’s command “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 while realizing we still come short of Christ’s perfect example? Is it possible to live a morally perfect like – a Christlike life perfectly? If not, then what is God’s expectations of us in this verse? I am reminded of two things. We can’t not fully understand God because He is so far above us. Likewise, how can we be as perfect as He when we can’t comprehend such perfection? So what can we do and what does He expect of us. I John 2:1-17 “1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 3By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 7Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. 14I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 15Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. “ Even though it is possible to be morally perfect, because we live in a world corrupted by sin and constantly bombarded by satan’s snares, and also because we still lack foresight and wisdom and strength and passion to sustain such a level of perfect God demonstrates to us, we will continue to fall short of Christ’s perfect example. But that doesn’t mean we can’t strive and continue to move closer to living like Him. That doesn’t mean we can’t be more perfect tomorrow than yesterday and more so tomorrow. Philippians 3:10-14 shares Paul’s insights including confession he was still living short of Christ’s example and would continue to do so, but striving and progressing towards achieving His example each day. So should we give up? NO! The journey toward perfection is vital because such is the result of walking daily with Him and learning to train our minds and hearts to focus on Him and walk the path He steers us onto. You see, the journey is what is important to Him and us. The journey is where our relationship lies and victory over temptation becomes possible and is accomplished. When we fail, then His forgiving grace carries us on but when we rebuke and walk away from temptation, it is then we are one step closer to being Christlike. Stop and think about how this has played out in your past experiences. This is not to discourage us or cause us to give up. Quite the opposite. To remind us that we are not at our final destination as long as we have life and He will not give up on us so we shouldn’t either. Just remember how sinister our adversary is and if anyone deserves to be discouraged and defeated, it is him.

11/30/16                                        Staying Focused                                        30
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 6:7-16 “7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”

COMMENTS : We are taught in society successful people learn to multi-task well, doing more than one thing at a time well. Each day we face many demands on our time, each not wanted to be postponed. Well, some tasks or relationships postponed do cause later problems, but some things are done or addressed first not because of urgency but simply because we like doing them more. What we like we tend to focus on. What we dislike or don’t enjoy we tend to put off. Likewise, those who shout or vocalize orders or demands tend to be addressed first because we just want to quiet them down and “get them out of our hair”. Well God sometimes has to get our attention with more drastic ways like a heart attack or sickness or personal crisis but prefers listening to His soft voice in our hearts. When has God spoke to you and you ignored or put Him off, later to regret making that choice. I have been guilty of that too but am learning how much better it is to listen and obey Him first and put off other things. I also discover He will help taking care of other issues and will do so far better than way we were going to. Well, that lesson is hard learn and easily forgotten. Each new circumstance seems different but choice is still the same. Today’s scripture reminds us there is no better way to start and journey through our day than by prayer. Prayer is God’s way of speaking to us and us with Him, but it is a vital way for us to stay focused on most important tasks and make best choices throughout the day. That includes forgiving others in same way God forgives us. Some of today’s choices will come unannounced and we can be blindsided and unprepaired to made them. That means we can be vulnerable to make wrong choices. If we start each day and stay in an attitude of prayer through the day, we open ourselves for God’s input as we encounter situations and require making choices.