JANUARY 2017:
1/1/17                                                           Don’t Live “Out of Body”                            1
SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 12: 4-15 “4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” COMMENTS : It is official, 2016 is now closed to the history books. I can’t believe 2017 is here. It still seems like even then the year 2000 should still be future. The years pass so quickly. Time goes by slow in our youth but at lightning speed in our senior years. That is caused by a change in our perspective. We can look back and see both how much has happened over the years but also the approaching end of life. But Death is really a beginning, not at end of the believer. But for the unbeliever it is the beginning of the terror of judgment and punishment. Punishment that need not be faced nor experienced. For those who receive Christ’s forgiveness, future brings joy and hope because of the promises He gives us. 2017 can be a year of hope, not fear. We see increasing hostility and level of evil all around us in the world. Evil that seems to be getting worse and bolder and closer to our homes. I see the suffering in areas in the world ravaged by war and violence. Suffering that never seems to end. I wonder why they stay and yet realize where would I go if my home and community were like theirs. As I continue to share and communicate with Christians in other countries. Countries empoverished by hostility and persecution and hostility, I see a deeper passion for Christ and greater hunger for a deeper walk with Him and a deeper passion both to a deeper relationship with Him but also a deeper passion to share His Good News with others. The Great Commission is embraced with joy and passion. Well, we don’t know if Christ will return or if any of us will survive til 2018. That is knowledge we are not meant to have until time comes. Christ even tells us God’s purpose is to compel us to be ready for His return all the time and work for Him in meantime as though His return were today. That does not mean waiting on a mountain top but working for Him with that sense of urgency. Christ may return to take us Home in 2017. He may not. But for certain, we are closer to the time of His return today than we were a year ago. Reason enough to work with more urgency and determination this year.

1/2/17                                   THE LORD WHO DELIVERS                                           2                                    Acts 16 “ Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed. COMMENTS: Just when we think we have God figured out, He surprises us with a whole new revelation. The Bible is full of such revelations and surprises. This is another such story. When the prison door flew open, instead of escaping, which is what we would expect to happen, Paul and Silas remained in jail. How did they knew God wanted them to do that and not take advantage of opportunity? How often do we take turn of events as an opportunity and proceed ahead of God’s timing and way. Paul’s background gave him privileges of being a Roman Citizen, which he only used when it gave greater opportunity to share the gospel. Today’s scripture shares a wonderful turn of events that resulted in salvation for the prison guard and his family. If Paul and Silas had escaped when the doors opened, the guard wouldn’t likely have been saved along with his family. That day’s events likely would have had another outcome. We don’t know, but what we do know is God works in ways we can’t understand or imagine. But such stories do serve to encourage us to trust God more. When we think all is lost and little hope of a way, He creates not only a way out but a outcome better than we can imagine. Truth is, He has a long term perspective. He not only can see in the future, He has already been there and has the way paved for us if we simply walk that path with Him. So why doesn’t He show us more of that path so we would be more encouraged and confident to walk it? Wouldn’t it be a lot easier if we could see conclusion clearer? Wouldn’t it have been easier if Paul and Silas had known next day’s events before the doors opened? Well, they knew enough to trust in Him completely and both memory of past miracles and memory of this day’s events both served to build in them greater faith to trust Him. That was so important for them, and is for us too. Trust – Faith demands obedience without knowing result. 2017 is a brand new year. Remember 2016 as we walk with Him in 2017, trusting Him each day…                                                       1/3/17                                  THE LORD CHANGES THINGS                                  3 .                              Acts 16:33-36 “At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God – he and his whole household. When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: ‘Release those men.’ The jailer told Paul, ‘The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.’”

COMMENTS : Quite a night. Paul and Silas were emprisoned for preaching the gospel and doing miracles. Miracles that were transforming lives that would no longer be a source of income for slave owners in Philippi and neighboring cities. But more miracles were yet to come. Paul and Silas were at peace knowing they were obedient to God’s call so any consequences as well as miracles and changed lives were in God’s hands and His responsibility. They had been beaten and emprisoned before and knew they would be so again. Yet, they sang and praised God because of the rich relationship they had with God and because He was honoring their work and sacrifice with open and changed hearts and lives. Even the jailer saw and was open to receiving Christ too. The earthquake opened the prison doors and released their shackles. Well, earthquakes don’t do that, but God does. The earthquake was likely what woke up the jailer and when he saw the prison doors open, he was going to kill himself because he knew the method of death was worse if left to the Romans. He also knew death for his family would result. So he felt he had no choice but to end his own life. But Paul knew he was to remain in prison until God’s time and ways were fulfilled. Fulfilled they would be in the early hours of the morning in the salvation of the jailer and his family and then by his and Silas’s release. God’s ways are far better, especially if we follow them to their conclusion. Paul could have fled and probably have escaped, but so much more would have been missed. We too might think opportunity is God’s will but missed God’s timing and spoil the miracle He is preparing. But if we, like Paul and Silas, are in praise and worship in the meantime while waiting, God can be preparing and instructing us so we follow His way and timing and not ours, as sincere as we may be in obedience. I am seeking to follow Him in 2017 more perfectly than I have in 2016. I know I will fall short and need His forgiveness and help to recover and to heal harm I may do, but I know He will. I needn’t fail but He will be there ready to forgive. That is God’s good news for me and also His good news for you. Why God chose to use imperfect and unlikely people like Paul to share His gospel is a mystery. Why He uses you and me to touch others is also a mystery. If you think you haven’t nor can make a positive difference, think again and it is and will be in the most unlikely circumstances and ways too. That is how He loves to work and repeats so often time after time, generation after generation, from Adam til present…. AMEN!!

1/4/17 How Long? 4 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Revelation 6:1

SCRIPTURE: JAMES 5:1-8 “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” COMMENTS : God’s timing is perfect. That perfection can be seen in perspective of the history of the past. We can then see on a broader perspective with realization of consequences of evil behavior and choices and benefits of righteous behavior and choices. Our Bible gives us such a perspective along with wisdom and council and revelation God shares of Himself and those who followed Him. Yet perspective and patience are neither as clear and easy to sustain when in the midst of crisis or difficulty and when God seems so distance because of distractions of sin or circumstances. It is so easy to let those distractions keep us from spending precious needed time with our Lord. Distractions that demand our time but distractions that are best addressed while in deep fellowship with our Lord. We seldom can do more than one thing at a time well, but we actually can do day’s obligations and tasks so much better if done while in prayer and communion with our Lord. Yes we need to take focused time without cares of the day to spend in prayer and in devotion and praise to Christ. But once we have done so, we also need to extend and continue in that fellowship while at work or play or visited with and interacting with others. Can’t you conduct meetings with interaction from many at the same time? Then why can’t we let the Holy Spirit guide us throughout our day? It is easier to be passionately in prayer when see no solution and no other place to seek help. But God doesn’t want us to wait til we are desperate or out of options before we approach Him. He wants us to, and is so much better too, if we come to Him at the beginning of each day and come to Him before making choices, even small choices during each day. Well, memory and history and council of older wiser Christians should all help guide and encourage us to do this. With discipline and help of Him and by making ourselves accountable to others, it become possible and doable to beginning doing this successfully. I am still working on this and have a long ways to go before can say I am doing this. But difficulty and past failures are no reason to give up. No, past failures just means we are still trying to do it ourselves and are not close enough to Christ to allow the Holy Spirit to take control where we are still failing. Not a pass-fail journey but a growth journey. A journey of transformation.

1/5/17                                          Judson and Jesus                        5                                    Hebrews 12:1-11 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” COMMENTS : We have lots of wonderful stories of those before us. Stories of how God revealed Himself and transformed lives and then used those lives to transform many others. They are available to us in our bibles. They encourage and empower us to also do as they did. But even more, the Holy Spirit worked in us to make those stories come alive in us too. But there are countless stories through the centuries since Scripture was written that are equally impactful in revealing that same God transforming lives and bringing revival and healing to people all over the world. Stories of missionaries from the US going to far countries bringing the Good News of Christ’s redemption to hungry people. One such stories is of Adoniram Judson. He was the first protestant missionary to go from North America in early 1800’s to Burma. He endured prison, sickness, and grief of death of family members, including his wife, in Burma. He encountered much resistance to the Gospel there. After 37 years of perseverence, fruit of that work was 63 churches, 163 missionaries and 7000 converts. He once said “In spit of sorrow, loss, and pain, our course by onward still; we sow on Burma’s barren plain, we reap on Zion’s hill” Such stories are being lost since they are not retold or studied. I have to admit I was not aware of this story before discovering it in a devotion. I am sharing my blog devotions with many in various countries through facebook connections. Some of those are in Burma, so God is giving me opportunity to share His message to some decendents of those Adoniram Judson led to Christ nearly 200 years ago. But such came at great sacrifice from Adoniram and his family. I have to admit, other than time, the work God is calling me to in writing and sharing a devotional journal is taking time but at little physical sacrifice. Yet I continue to learn of great sacrifice being made by faithful followers especially in empoverished countries all over the world – sacrificing freedom and job in order to share God’s message to lost people. The message and cost has not changed. Neither has satan’s resolve to hinder that work. But the work is prevailing and satan can’t stop it. Our prayers and support are needed to help expedite the work to lost people in our generation on our watch…

1/6/17                                                          The Pasture                                                  6
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

SCRIPTURE: RUTH 1:11-18 “11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.” COMMENTS: Robert Frost published his first poem in 1915 called “The Pasture”. That poem apparently impacted and expressed such an important truth that he would use it often in giving public speeches. This poem shared the importance of inviting another when taking a journey so both would share and bond together during journey. “I’m going out to clean the pasture spring. You come too!” is a quote from that poem. Here is a personal journey I would like to share of my wife, Arlene, and I as we clean out a storage area over our kitchen not easily accessible but necessary to do now so can access and repair a wire to the ceiling lights in our kitchen. Stored in that storage area we discovered many boxes of books and old treasures left and forgotten by our parents and great grandparents, who owned our home before us. We had lots of our own old and forgotten stuff in there too. For the last 2 days we have been removing all the stored items and disposing of most of little value now. Chipmunks have damaged many items, including some very old books. Fortunately, most of the most valuable ones are intact. Books my father’s father’s father (my great-grandfather) owned and used. I know devout Christians is my heritage back at least that far on both my mother’s and father’s side as well as with my wife’s family, so Christian books of great depth and insight are of no surprise to me, but are a great treasure for me to now dive into. Some surprises are also being discovered, like ledgers of my grandparents and parents and great grandparents keeping track of canning quarts of strawberries and various other berries they canned and then sold to neighbors for additional income. That was an important way of earning money for family needs in late 1800’s and early 1900’s. What is also interesting was discovering a letter written by the president of Cooper Bessemer to their employees a few days after Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941. You see, my dad became a machinist at Cooper in early 1941 and worked there til he retired in 1979. That letter shows such a call to service and patriotism I would not have expected to be expressed by the president of a company. Another surprise is a ledger in my dad’s handwriting including expenses and profits and payroll of several of the local businesses and even a portion of Cooper during those war years. My dad working at Cooper as a machinist since Cooper made diesel engines for warships during that time. I really don’t know because he didn’t speak of it, but am wondering if he helped out in those tasks during those years needing filled from number of men and women going off to war. I know my dad and mother were godly people and of integrity, but they were also responsible too, so those qualities would be of value. Well, I wish I would have discovered these while my parents were still alive, so I would be able to ask them more about these ledgers and those years. I will have to wait for heaven before I can do so, but am sure we will have a lot more important things to discuss and share long before subjects like this will come up. We have the privilege of living in the same home my mother’s grandparents owned. You see, my mother lived with and took care of her grandmother in her elderly years and inherited her home. My parents married in 1936 and took care of her til she passed in 1939. They inherited her home and lived there until 1983. In 1967 my dad bought a property next door, which was the Clintonville school from 1855-1917. It was converted to a 2 apartment duplex but by 1967 was in dire need of repair and maintenance. My dad and I, as a young teen, spend long hours fixing it up and became a rental property for my parents. We spend many long hours together working and fellowshipping, which was such a blessing for us both. When Arlene and I married in 1978, we decided to fix up the downstairs apartment again but to my parents specification with agreement we would buy their home and the apartment would become their retirement home since climbing stairs had already started to become difficult for my mother particularly. We finally bought their home in 1983. Timing was ideal because by then we had 2 children and the apartment was a bit small to raise 2 children. My parents lived next door to us til my father passed in 2002 and my mother in 2007. By living next door, we were able to stay in close contact and care for them and our children were able to have close and lasting memories of their grandparents, which they treasure more today than then. You see, I have pictures of my mother playing as a child in the same lawn with her grandmother working in the background. That picture was likely taken in 1919. In the background I can see the apartment next door and our home as well. Such rich history and memories are treasures not available to most but are priceless to me. Having my great grandparents and parent’s Bibles and bible study books with these pictures and memories reinforces the rich legacy and motivation to continue that legacy. I am also made aware of how God used and continues to use and build off that rich legacy to reach more for Christ.

So why am I sharing this? Along life’s journey, God desires for us to take that journey bringing others along as both helpmates but even more important to share and build relationships with each other along as well as with Christ. Life’s journey was never intended to be taken alone but certainly not without Christ. My legacy is one with Christ hand in hand with my greatgrandparents and grandparents and parents and with us but continues also with our children and grandchildren. Yes the legacy we are also praying our children and grandchildren will continue. They will certainly have knowledge of Christ’s faithfulness thru the years to encourage them to follow and our home as a visual reminder and other old treasures as well. We don’t know who we will pass our home and apartment on to, but they will become evident when time is right, I am sure. Christ will express His desire and will when time is right. We are starting to pray more about that now.                                                                                                         1/7/17                                                    Satan’s Goal                          7                                            But stretch out Your hand now, and touch [Job’s] bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face! Job 2:5 SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 12:10 “10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. “ COMMENTS: The source of persecution and suffering for faithful Christians over the centuries has not been due to God’s neglect but due to satan’s sinister involvement. Why does God permit satan to do his evil mischief? Why does He let satan go as far as He does? Well, Job gives us a unique insight into this question. Job was faithful like none other of his day, but still encountered not only great blessing but great suffering and loss out of no fault of his own. No, we are given insight into involvement of satan and purpose of God. God was molding Job into an even more faithful and influential servant and was using satan’s mischief (why by the way God did limit and control) to help and guide Job into a deeper walk with Him, but also to use in order to help encourage and guide generations of believers from that ancient time til now. Job’s story is recorded in scripture to help us as well. How did Job remain faithful. Because God was so close to Him, that Job could not only trust Him but gain straight for each day by a continuing relationship with God. Even loosing his children and suffering pain physically did not deter him for keeping his hand in His. Still, that experience was extremely difficult for Job, even while suffering ridicule and judgment from his friends. Finally, God said “ENOUGH” and restored Job’s health and wealth and family but also pronounced judgment and shame on Job’s friends for misjudging him. He told them to ask Job to pray that God would forgive their sin against Job. We are promised God will come to judge satan, saying “ENOUGH”, and take his faithful followers to be with Him and reward He is preparing but also away from satan’s evil mischief. Satan’s time is coming to a close and our time of redemption from this world corrupted by satan is quickly approaching. We have so much to look forward to. Job knew that and so should we. “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,So bravely run the race till we see Christ. ”. The words of a familiar hymn written by Esther Kerr Rusthoi in early 1940’s, when WWII was threatening world peace and freedom. She wrote this when times were dark and fearful and evil appeared to be unstoppable. But faithfulness of Christians and diligent unfailing sacrifice and determination of millions of young men and women resulted in a much different and brighter outcome than satan was determined to accomplish. It was worth their sacrifice, but even their sacrifice pales with Christ’s sacrifice. I would have been born into a much darker world if they would have weaken and failed. We all would be hopelessly lost if Christ had not come to redeem and provide a means of forgiveness and redemption. Yet, you and I must repent and accept that redemption in order to enjoy benefits it provides. How sad when we let pride and satan’s deceptions distract and keep us from receiving that redemption. How sad when satan deceives others to do terrible things, ignoring history’s lessons and God’s instruction and Word, causing suffering for themselves and many others affected by their choices and mischief. But God will soon say enough. He just need to be faithful a little while longer. IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL…                                          1/8/17                                                           Plans and Purposes                                        8
And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, [Job] is in your hand, but spare his life.”
Job 2:6 SCRIPTURE: I JOHN 5:19 “19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. “ COMMENTS : Christ’s life is straight forward and simple and a clear example we can discover and pattern our lives after, but His life is also a great mystery and far beyond us. Beyond us in understanding how He, God, could separate Himself so completely from His Divine nature to be fully human and fully dependent on a human relationship to communion with and get strength and guidance from His and our Divine Father. When satan tempted Him, how could He be tempted, which means He was influenced and there was possibility of Him sinning. Yet He did not sin and His example is pure and His sacrifice satisfied the requirement of the Father to be a perfect sacrifice sufficient to pay the price for our sins. We tend to think it was easy for Him to refuse temptation but all His divine abilities and strengths and wisdom were all left behind and only could be accessed by prayer as the Father would share with Him to degree He offers to do for you and me. That puts much more significance to suffering He endured and choices and will power He demonstrated. Reflection on this also make me realize how much more work and time in my relationship with Him I need to invest in order to gain victory over the many weaknesses that are still rampant in my life. I will never be as perfect in thought, work, and deed as He. But there is a lot of progress I am still capable of achieving with His help. That is the most important resolution for 2017 you and I really need to keep. Let’s pray and carve out more time to spent in prayer and His word each day of 2017. Time taken from those pleasures and idle time we still waste. We likely will also need to take some time away from good things too, but not as valuabe as our fellowship with Him. Christ needed ministered to after His time of temptation. It left Him weak and exhausted. He needed rest and God’s nourishment to refresh and strengthen Him for work yet to do. He was in no shape to go and do until He was refreshed. Each morning requires refreshing for us if we hope to meet the challenges of life. I am talking about more than 7 or 8 hours of sleep. I am talking about time of rest communion in prayer and God’s Word and sharing revelations of those times with family and/or a close Christian friend. Time doing so opens our heart to receive His council and strength and direction. It also opens others to support and gain from such fellowship too. God’s way is to guide us but also for us to guide others who come along with us. That portion of Christ’s example is also important for us to follow too. Life and family and jobs demands so much from us and is overwhelming much of the time. Times of rest and distraction are needed. But a time of rest with Him nourishes us so much more even if it seems to be just another demand to us for awhile. I see how faithful pastors in Kenya / Uganda / Pakistan / Nepal / India /… are to fast and pray each week for many hours in spite of great demands of ministry. But I also see the energy and effectiveness God provides back that enables them to do much more than what that sacrifice cost them in ministry time. Doing so also shows such an example to those they minister to.                                                                                                           1/9/17                                                               Life Dots                                          9
LORD, I cry out to You; make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You.
Psalm 141:1 SCRIPTURE: PSALM 10 “Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?2 The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.3 For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.5 His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.8 He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.9 He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.10 He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones.11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble.13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.14 Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.16 The Lord is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.17 Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:18 To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress” COMMENTS : Sooner or later, everyone faces life crisis. The crisis David faced as King Saul, and later David’s own son, hunted him down to kill him, or the crisis Job faced losing his wealth and all his children and even his health in rapid succession, are felt by many in every generation. The natural reaction is to question why to God and even express anger and betrayal but certainly desperation. David, as well as Job, are both good examples to follow. They did not express anger but desperation to God in seeking His help and guidance and protection. I invite you to read Job as well as above scriptures (and all the Psalms as have time) and let your heart soak up God’s Spirit and insights. If God is to be trusted, we must learn to trust Him all the time, but especially when crisis comes. Trust Him enough to follow Him and be a good stewart giving to His work with our time and finances even when both are in short supply. A lesson I have learned over and over again is God has a way of stretching sufficient time to get the more important things done if we first tithe to Him first. I have discovered He gives insights and opens doors that bring positive results we could not accomplish on our own. I still do not find it easy to follow that practice, but do find the more I do follow that practice, the more quickly reminders to follow it again come to mind and the more I find His voice of guidance becoming louder and stronger. Being faithful to Him is a life long struggle and battle but one we can win if we really want to and work but a life long battle…                                                                                           1/10/17                                                    Read the Directions                                        10
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.
Ps. 119:71 SCRIPTURE: II CORINTHIANS 12:7-10 “ 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” COMMENTS : Modern appliances often have help menus embedded into an onboard computer instead of providing paper instruction manuals. But we men are more apt to ignore the manual anyway and attempt to assembly and install appliances ourselves. But spending the time to carefully read instructions is not a waste of time. Reading instructions first more often than not saves far more time and needless repair cost compared to the time to read those instructions. We may not agree with all it’s instruction, but those instruction were written by the designer and builder of that application – the expert. We have God’s word, God’s love letter to us but also God’s instruction manual for us. To take the time to read it and follow it’s instruction is vital to living a successful life and gaining eternal life beyond. When we think we have it all figured out, we should remember the terrible path of those before us who decided to go their own way. God has done everything He can short of forcing our obedience to convince us. But He will not stop us if we determine to turn our backs on Him. But, oh, such a tragedy and such a needless one. When we think we don’t have time to read and follow God’s instruction, it is then we are the most vulnerable and at risk of falling further behind than if we simply would stop and think and pray and read and, yes, ask. But when we, in our arrogance, believe we are smart enough to do it on our own, we are even at greater risk because we are blind to our own dumb and foolish choices as they unfold. We are blind to the consequences unfolding before us and continue to plow to a worse end and maybe even a disasterous end. If we learn from those less consequencial foolish and sinful and prideful choices, we will be more willing to make better choices. The longer we continue to make poor choices, the worse the consequences of those choice continue to mount. At first the consequences may seem negligable or harmless but over time they will grow worse and harder to avoid or ignore. Can you relate to such experiences? Yes, I can too but fortunately I usually wake up before consequences grow too severe. A daily walk with Christ is vital to make and keep our eyes clear to see sin and foolish choices and also to see their end of consequence too. God has already seened those consequences and wants us to avoid them. How often did our parents warn us and we ignored them later to realize we should have listened to them. Well, you and I need to think back to those examples and experiences realizing God is infinitely greater and wise and more experienced than our parents were and deserves to be listened to and obeyed whether we are 8 or 108. Also remember others are watching us too and how we follow God’s instructions will have an impact on them too. We never only hurt ourselves, but we can help many more than just ourselves too.                                                                                                        1/11/17                                                      Cracked Pots                                     11                       SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 4:1-9 “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” COMMENTS : Stop and think a bit about a time when someone you really admired disappointed you. They did something or said something that fell short of the standard we expected from them or the position or status they were placed in. We see most commonly with those made famous in Hollywood movies and in professional sports, but is becoming more common with government officials and even among church pastors and leaders. But there are still a lot of good and faithful examples within these places. Unfortunately, news media tends to ignore the good examples and focus on the bad ones. Well, we will find faults and flaws with even the most faithful. Yes and if we are honest, in ourselves too and maybe in ourselves especially. It is so important we put and keep our eyes on Christ. That we set the standard to judge perfection as Christ. That standard is even how we should judge what is good too. Any standard less than that is flawed and falls short and will disappoint us. Christ will not disappoint us but will surprise us. We can and should depend on Him but also listen to and obey Him. It is our nature to have heroes – those we look up to and imitate. We start doing so as children, but even as adults we continue to have heroes and copy them. For men it is often those in authority at work. For women it is often other women or even men they admire. But we will all be disappointed unless we set our standard and expectations much higher – to the One who created but also sought and redeemed us as Hosea redeemed his wife Gomer. Who else would put such a story in His Word in order to show us His love and how much He wants to do for us. Focus on Christ and following His example is our goal, but we all still need human examples to follow but also to encourage and help too. If we understand we are all on the journey to be Christlike, but not there yet, then we can glean encouragement and council and guidance from each other’s strengths while also giving encouragement and council and guidance to other’s weaknesses from areas we are stronger. If we understand that our strengths may be others weaknesses while their strengths may be our weaknesses, then we can begin showing our love and gratitude to Christ by being “His hands and feet” to our brothers and sisters here. He can and will do what we can’t, but He does expect and wait for us to do our part – the part He has reserved to be our work for Him. AMEN!

1/12/17                                                       Unsearchable                                             12
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 145:1-9 “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” COMMENTS: God’s ways and abilities and plans are infinitely far beyond us, which should be no surprise to us but is good to remind ourselves of that truth now and again. We don’t need to reflect long nor search scripture long to rediscover that and see examples in most if not all pages of scripture. But sometimes our present feels like His ways are so far away or even unknown and unlikely to succeed. Well, memory should serve to remind us His ways are always sure and true and will always prevail. To follow Him is to always be on the best and the winning side. Satan can never win but is very good at convincing us he is winning. God wants us to follow Him because we love and trust Him, not because we are going with the most appealing offer. Satan will offer anything knowing he will not be able to honor his promises. God always honors His promises! Here are some of those promises: Job 5:9 “8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: 9 Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number” Isaiah 40:28 “28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.” Romans 11:33 “33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Ephesians 3:8 “8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” These verses haven’t scratched the surface of number of scriptures that apply. Charles Wesley said “Thy love is most unsearchable, and dazzles all above; They gaze, but cannot count or tell the treasures of Thy love!” Well, what are we to do or say? First is to seek His mercy and forgiveness, repenting of our past and present sins. Repentance is necessary to cleanse us but also to keep up in fellowship with Him but doesn’t stop there. As we get and stay in daily and frequent pray and devotion with Him through scripture, fellowship with others and Him, and by doing His bidding, we grow closer to Him. As we do, we discover how perfect He is and how imperfect we still are, which motivates us to further change and gains us a better understanding of change we still need to make. Change need not be something we have to do, but something we desire and want to and are motivated to do because we want to be more like Him and please Him. We can’t be perfect this side of heaven, but we can improve each day and are already perfect in His sight because He sees us through Christ’s blood when we repent. Our relationship with Him is first and all else following because our motivation changes. Spreading His Gospel, ministering to others, and being more Christlike in thought and deed is our needed response, but motivated not by duty or motivation of reward but because we love and desire to please Him, which motivates us to want to…

1/13/17                                               Responding on Purpose                                           13
In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.
Ephesians 1:11 SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 9:11-18 “11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” COMMENTS : Have you noticed impulsive or not premeditated actions are not judged with as much significance as those done after much thought and planning. Good results seem so much more meaningful and evil results seem so much more sinister and evil and threatening. That means what God does is so much more wonderful when we realize He knew and planned our steps from eternity past and even now is in our future preparing it for us. The hardships and tragedies that come our way are no surprise to Him, for He is preparing us for them and offering to take our hand and walk through them with us. The purpose of tragedy is not clear but is intended to make us stronger and bond us closer and tighter to Christ. As we draw closer to Him, the more we realize that and are encouraged and strengthened. Likewise, knowing satan tempts and destroyed deliberately makes the evil he does worse and dangers of allowing him a foothold in our lives far more dangerous, especially realizing his evil and destructive motives and plans have been implemented in every generation since Adam, including ours. Yet God does put limits on what he is allowed to do, but our willingness to let him do his evil opens more doors for him than God ever did. God gives us choices while limited satan so there is a way of escape for us when we finally realize who our enemy and who our Savior is. Well, likewise, when we do foolish or sinful things without thought or planning, as compared to, deliberate planned out sinful actions, the consequences generally are different too. But, none the less, the consequences of all sin, deliberate or not, are still far worse than we realize or would still do if we fully realized those consequences. Part of satan’s sinister deceptions is to hide those consequences from us. So why does God allow that? Because even that is also our choice. Often we ignore or deny those consequences simply because we don’t care or want to be swayed from sin.

1/14/17                                                Eyes on the Ball                                                       14
For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12b

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 25:12-15 “12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” COMMENTS : When a Navy jet pilot returns from a sorti, he has to completely trust the carrier lights and signal officer in order to land safely on the carrier, a feat you and I would consider impossible. Yet the engineer who designed the target to guide the plane to catch the life wire that will catch and safely stop the plane from going off the end of the carrier deck. I can’t imagine the fear as well as faith that pilot experiences every time he lands. But I can also believe the level of confidence and trust grows with each success. But the first time must have been incredibly anxious. No room for error or distraction. This is also an example to encourage us to trust that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient to safely carry us to our eternal home too. He not only designed a safe path home, but is there to guide us hand in hand when our time comes to land in that home. Yet there is more. He also is there to guide and help and inspire and energize us on the journey to our eternal home. A journey that not only guides us but all who’s path we will cross along that journey. But wait, it isn’t just my journey and your journey, but everyone who will give Him permission to guide their journey too. He offers a free and easy way of accepting His gift, but a gift that was costly beyond comprehension for Him. But we must put and keep our eyes on the target so our path stays straight to our destination. Yet He also reminds us that if we stray and fall, He is there to pick us up and guide us back to that path if we simply reach out to Him and take His Hand. Oh how foolish to mope in the dark and walk towards another light or target that may promise appealing things but will only bring suffering and death. Christ so wants our fellowship but only if few choose to be in fellowship from our own free will. So how do we get and stay on the path to eternal life? We have countless examples to follow from scripture and likely in our own communities and families. Reading scripture guides and enlightened and inspires us to follow those examples. Praying makes our relationship with Christ alive and real and current. Fellowship with other Chrisians provides strength and insight and support but also accountability necessary to sustain our relationship with Christ and defeat constant distractions and temptations and detours satan keeps putting on our path. The dangers are real but the path to life is sure and always available. Truth is, others will see satan’s traps a lot clearer than we will, so we need their council. We just need to listen when advice is given and weigh it against scripture to make sure is true. We handicap ourselves greatly when we refuse or ignore the council of others but certainly from Christ and all the resources He has placed at our disposal. AMEN!

1/15/17                                               The Answer Is Jesus                             15                       Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us … that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14                                                                     SCRIPTURE: JOB 38:1-18 “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.” COMMENTS : Job and his 3 friends debated Job’s suffering. They sincerely were trying to help him but were adding to his suffering and burden by trying to convince him that his suffering was of his own doing. They did not know God was permitting satan to put suffering on Job as a test and in order to strengthen his faith and endurance. Job did not know that nor did he understand the purpose of his suffering. The only think he was certain was that God was in charge and he could and must trust God. His friends thought his suffering was God’s judgment on him. Well, they had some history to believe judgment does come from God from persistent sin. But that was not the case for Job. He had been faithful and his life was an open book to his friend as proof that his suffering was not the result of God’s judgment on him. Truth was, if Job’s suffering was God’s judgment, then they all should have been experiencing even greater suffering. But, no, they weren’t about to admit or recognize that. They would rather take the light off their sin and focus on Job’s. Well, we see at end of the book of Job that God does reveal the reason for Job’s suffering and was not what even Job suspected. Yet Job remained faithful and did become stronger in his love and faith and also even more blessed in family and possessions than before. God even told Job’s friends to ask Job to pray for them so they would not face God’s judgment, which was very humbling for them. Job, and we can have victory over temptation if we put our hand in His and resist. We are stronger than satan if we put and keep our hand in His. He will fight our battles.                                                                                                                                                         1/16/17                                                              Never Alone                           16                              Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 SCRIPTURE: PSALM 27:7-14 “7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” COMMENTS: God’s promise to not leave or forsake us is repeated many times in scripture, so God wants us to know without doubt that He is and will always be faithful to us. “He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:8). “I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). “Blessed be the LORD, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living” (Ruth 2:20). “The LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake” (1 Samuel 12:22). “He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 28:20). “God did not forsake us in our bondage” (Ezra 9:9). “You did not forsake them in the wilderness” (Nehemiah 9:19). “When my father and mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me” (Psalm 27:10). “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken” (Psalm 37:25). “We are…persecuted but not forsaken” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Only Christ cried “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)

2 Peter 3:8–9 reads:‘But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’” Joni Earickson gives an interesting perspective on this verse. She reflects that God uses each day of obedience and worship and praise to bring about 1000 years of blessing. What we do for Him, noticed or not, has an eternal impact on us as well as others. God uses us to impact the lives of others and to bring praise to Himself if we follow His guiding hand. The words of scripture that follow are even more impactful. He keeps His promises and works consistently but patiently because He does not want anyone to perish, not you nor me or even those who we don’t care very much for either. He loves us all and is working. He is working so those we care deeply about come to His Saving Grace but also so those we don’t care for come to His Saving Grace too. Just as Elizabeth Elliot went back to minister to the Auca natives in a remote area of Equador, the very natives who killed her husband at the young age of 28. Her sacrifice open the door for God to do the miracle of changing the lives of those natives and brought her rich blessing along the way. She lost her husband for a time but gained eternity. Was it worth it. She would so, OH YES YES YES!!!

You may not be living in your greatgrandparents home nor have a stack of their books to look at and read and learn from. You may not even know much about them. But you have the Bible to read the family and legacy you, as well as I, have been adopted into because we all, when we accept Christ, have been adopted into God’s family. I am convinced, when we get to heaven, we will discover how many of those early first century Christians impacted future generations who then impacted future generations on through the centuries until we accepted Christ. But wait, how about the impact of all those old testament saints and how they impacted us with their legacy too… God’s plan and the journey He guides us on is a journey that doesn’t start when we are born nor stops when we die. The impact of those before us continues to impact us and we continue to impact those after us long after we pass. That is God’s Will and God’s Way and God’s Plan. And on top of all that, a wonderfully good and certain plan because God has already been in the future and continues to be in our past working the plan from start to finish. And since He is God, He does so with perfect wisdom and perfect love! THE PERFECT PLAN OF A PERFECT GOD!! A PLAN FOR A CREATION HE PERFECTLY LOVES!!

1/17/17                            GOSPEL MOTIVATION, DIRECTION, TIMING AND TEAM                 17          Acts 19:21-22 “After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. ‘After I have been there,’ he said, ‘I must visit Rome also.’ He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia a little longer.” COMMENTS : Paul had a clear vision of where he was to go. Acts gives us clear insight into Paul’s 3 missionary trips and final journey as a prisoner to Rome. How was he certain as to what to do and where to go? We see God would reveal that path and choices by dreams or direct revelation. Paul had learned to know and trust God’s voice and his past training in the scripture equipped him with added discernment from knowing scripture sufficient to notice harmony from that voice speaking to him vs God’s character revealed in scripture. He was able to discern both the teaching of others as well as God’s revelation to himself from knowledge and understanding he had gained from old testament scripture. But the 3 years of training God gave him after his conversion from the Damascus Road encounter with Christ was vital to complete his training before he was ready to be the missionary and write the letters that would become a big part of our New Testament. Taking the time to prepare was necessary for Paul but is also necessary for us. Using the time to prepare and not to delay or put off God’s calling are two completely different motivations and directions. All too often we put God off instead of embracing His call and seeking and sitting under His teaching. The disciples also took 3 years to learn under Christ’s teaching before they would be called to evangelize. Yet even after that time, they still were not ready, nor was Paul until the Holy Spirit came on them and transformed them. You, like me, may think evangelism is not your “cup of tea”. You may think your gift is more of service and not as preacher or teacher. I have always believed that especially after several times in my adult life discovering God continuing to call me to be His light in a working career. But, just as God prepared the disciples and Paul with some “one on one time” first, my years of working and studying and serving in my local church and community served both as a place of witnessing but also a time and place of preparation. God uses life experiences to prepare us for more service… I don’t know how God has or will use this journal and other writings I post on my blog site to equip and minister to others called to witness in other areas of the world or even much closer to where I live, but do feel God’s call to write and share and encourage and support others in their ministry and work. I was satisfied and happy to share my journal with my family and a few friends I was emailing it too each month, but soon discovered God wanted me to share it’s message (His Message) to places I could not imagine or thought possible to. Yet, God put those in my path to help and encourage and prepare the tools needed to do just that. I also wonder why God didn’t push me to start this work much sooner, but I soon discovered I was not ready or prepared until now. I was not ready to devote the time needed but I also was not at a necessary place in my walk with Chist to properly hear and share His message either. Maybe others needed to be prepared by Him to receive also. His timing is perfect even when we are slow in preparing or obeying too. I encourage you to pray and seek your time of preparing no matter if you are young or old. Every day we serve Him is as 1000 years to Him (2 Peter 3:8)                                                                                   1/18/17                                             A Lifetime’s Journey                                    18
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways, and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand? Job 26:14                                                        SCRIPTURE: JOB 37:1-5 “At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.” COMMENTS : Have you ever beautiful sunrise sunset? Have you been to the Grand Canyon and marveled at it’s majesty or the redwoods of California or the sparkle from the sun shining on freshly layed snow or frozen ice? These are just a few of the wonderfully beautiful treasurers God puts on display for us to enjoy and to draw us closer to Him. If we let them draw us closer to Him, we too will experience what Job experienced, a trembling soul filled with fear and wonder. Have you ever experienced His presence while in prayer or when reading His Word or while enjoying His creation? Truth is we never will if we don’t take some time to notice and seek intimate fellowship with Him. To think He is desiring and even longing for such a relationship with you and me is both humbling and beyond understanding. It does seem backward that God makes Himself accessible to us and His presence so obvious to us while we focus on worthless things not noticing His Majesty all around us. You think not? Well how about the last time someone commented on how beautiful a rainbow or sunset is and you hadn’t noticed. The next time you have such an opportunity, take some time to enjoy it and to thank God who prepared it for you to enjoy. Doing so might just open a door for conversation with your creator, a conversation that is long overdue and desperately needed by you and desired by Him. Taking brief but regular pauses to notice and reflect on God’s blessings and provisions is necessary to be open to His influence and help throughout the day. Temptations and traps to wrong or poor choices are encountered every day and especially when we are not prepared to face them. By planning pauses in our day to recharge our God awareness battery is vital to make us prepared for satan’s potholes or trapdoors. We shouldn’t need reminded God already knows where and when those trapdoors and potholes will be upon us and wants to shed light on them before we stumbled on them. But we need to look up to see the light and to see them. Besides all that, taking a break to fellowship with our Creator throughout the day also provided needed council to improve even the good we are doing as well. Besides, just having a more joyful outlook and a fresh dose of hope can’t hurt either, right? Not only will it not hurt, but will energize and make the whole day brighter and enjoyable and will enable us to finish the day on a much brighter note and might just enable us to brighten someone’s day, even someone we love dearly and who dearly love us, thereby energizing relationships that may have become stale.

1/19/17                                                             To Build a Fire                                      19
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148 “Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.² Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.³ Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.⁴ Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.⁶ He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:⁸ Fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy wind fulfilling his word:⁹ Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:¹⁰ Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:¹¹ Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:¹² Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.¹⁴ He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord.” COMMENTS : A tragic short short titled “To Build a Fire” was written by Jack London. In his story a man froze to death in the bitter cold of the Yukon Trail while trying in vain to start and keep a fire burning. God provides light and heat and air and shelter and food and even gravity – so much so faithfully that we all take for granted, that we forget just how weak and vulnerable and dependent we all are on Him. But we should stop and reflect and rediscover all God blesses and provides for us each moment of each day. God also provides even more faithfully and richly for our spiritual and eternal needs as well. We can’t die physically without noticing it, but we can and do die spiritually from lack of nourishment without even noticing. That is a great mystery but we only need to look around and even look within our own souls to realize that is so true. We slowly neglect fellowship with Christ, neglecting our time with Him in prayer and meditation as well as neglect His Word and fellowship with other believers. That neglect renders our souls cold and indifferent towards Him and drawn into things and activities and relationships satan slowly but skillfully puts before us to fill the void left in our souls when we turned from Christ. We need spiritual nourishment and life from Him often each day just as we need food and water and air often each day in order to sustain physical life. We can go without food for a few days, without water less time, and without air for just a very few minutes before we crave them and soon die without them. We must realize and respond the same way to maintain healthy spiritual life in our soul. When we crave time with Him and with other believers, we have a clue His life is in us. When we lose that craving to be with Him, we need to take note and realize there is death in our souls and need to come back seeking Him again. Only He can build or restart a fire in our souls – a fire of life. But He will not do so without invitation and a welcome mat at the door of our soul. The famous painting of Christ knocking at a door without a door handle represents the fact that He will not enter uninvited. We must open the door of our soul to receive salvation but we must daily open that same door before He will enter with each day’s spiritual food and water and breath.

1/20/17                                                 The Best Laid Schemes                                   20
Jeremiah 29:1-11 “Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;)3 By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,4 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.9 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord.10 For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” COMMENTS : Donald Pugh was a fugitive of the police. When he saw a unflattering picture on a wanted poster, he sent the Lima, Ohio police a better picture to put on their wanted poster. But by doing so, he gave them the way of tracking back to his location. The poet Robert Burns said “The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry.” I’m sure you, like me, have quoted those words many times for many a situation. But we have a God who has planned a perfect life and eternal life for us if we simply accept and follow His guiding light and take His outreached Hand. We struggle and fight so hard to go our own path, which always ends up in disappointment and needless suffering and hardship and even disaster at times. There is no good end to our best plans but is not bad end to God’s smallest plans. Proverbs 3:5-6 “5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Familiar words of scripture but priceless words of wisdom and truth. Today is Inauguration Day, the day we in the U.S. inaugurate a new president. There have been a lot of controversy and even hostility over the results of the last election. But one thing I am noticing is greater hatred and selfishness as time goes on. I also see more evidence of prejustice against Christians and their values and beliefs, demonstrating less intolerance towards them while claiming the moral standards Christians adhere to as being intolerant. Yet the truth is the standard Christ gives is not a way of intolerance but a way to life and compassion to all. But then again, satan always offers a way that seems right but always ends up being the way to destruction. That is what he does and following his lies and deceptions is what we, as humans, keep doing over and over again. Yet God keeps forgiving us over and over again. Well, our scripture from Jeremiah 29 reminds us how forgiving He has been to the Israelites in spite of their repeated rebellion and sin. Yet there was always time of punishment and consequence they would have to suffer for a time. God can be mocked and ignored but not forever. He requires a price, a consequence, of sin. A consequence the offender must face and pay if he refused to accept God’s repeated offer of mercy and forgiveness. Satan’s sees God’s mercy as weakness. We sse God’s longsuffering delaying punishment as weakness or evidence we are getting away with sinning without faces consequences. But the truth is God gives us as much opportunity to repent as He can without causing greater harm to us and others. But there always comes a time when He says “Enough is Enough” and judgment comes. He is returning soon to judge the unfaithful and gather the faithful but also to bind satan. Notice in the scripture from Jeremiah, with the warning of coming judgment also came a defined time when that judgment would end and redemption would come. Truth is, redemption could have come much sooner and without judgment if repentance had been chosen sooner. But then again, God already has gone and lived in the future so He already knows our choices. But He will not respond to our repentence before we choose to repent. He also will allow us to face eternal judgment and punishment if we refuse to repent while we can. He has given us clear choices with full warning of the consequences. We cannot say we didn’t know, for He will make sure we have full knowledge when facing such choices.

1/21/17                                              A Stolen Bible                                                  21
Romans 4:1-8 “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?² For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.³ For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.⁴ Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.⁵ But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.⁶ Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,⁷ Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.⁸ Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” COMMENTS : Our Bible is full of stories of sinful people who had a relationship with God that resulted in their forgiveness and opportunity for a fresh start. Stories that included rebellion and sin but also repentance and forgiveness and resulting new life. Stories of hope and second and third and … chances to change. Over and over again God forgive even the worst of sins like murder and adultery. But the one sin that He hold above all others and the one sin that seems the hardest for offender to admit and repent of is the sin of pride. That one sin may seem a lesser sin and one we would tolerate more than others, but not with God. The reasons are likely more than we realize but the one common consequence is an unwillingness to admit wrong and seek forgiveness. Pride keeps offender from seeking forgiveness and even keeps offender from being willing to change. That state of subbornness puts a wall up between us and God and so often between offender and his loved ones too. So the extent of damage can be far worse to offender and those affected by his offence (sin) than other sins. Consequence can also be a taller and thicker wall between offender and God than any other sin. At least a sense of guilt and willingness to seek help and mercy is more likely to be realized with other sins. So no wonder God holds pride as a more severe offense than other sins and we should too, especially in ourselves. PROVERBS 16:8 “¹⁸ Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. So what are the symptoms when pride is infesting our souls and what is the cure? Well, when we see ourselves distancing from daily fellowship with Christ and the Bible and fellowship with other believers becoming less appealing and needed. When we start thinking we are better or as good as others and don’t need to go to church or being in devotion daily. When we no longer have a sense of and realization of our remaining sinfulness and desire to seek Christ’s forgiveness. When Christ seems distant from us and realization no longer fills us with concern and fear, then we need to realize Pride has infiltrated and corrupted us and we are in great danger of God’s judgment. Write yourself a warning and put it on your fridge or bathroom mirror with above verse from Proverbs in bold as a wakeup to seek God’s forgiveness on your knees. He is so willing to forgive but can’t forgive unless we ask with a repentant heart. We won’t repent until we turn our back on our pride and humble ourselves before our God and Savior. Scripture is full of examples of those who did not, resulting in their own destruction and judgment. Judgment that was needless and so easily avoided simply by humbly asking God for forgiveness and asking His help to changed them into a more Christ like child.

1/22/17                                             “I Don’t Need to Be Saved”                                      22
John 16:1-11 “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.² They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.³ And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.⁴ But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.⁵ But now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou?⁶ But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me;¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” COMMENTS : Is Christ preparing you and I for sacrifice and hardship or is He sustaining us thru such times? Well, it seems we are either about to go thru trying times or just coming out of trying times. As we look through history, we see every generation struggled in this way. Trying times causes by our own foolish or sinful choices or brought upon us by foolish or sinful choices of others. Sinful choices do have consequences which are often felt by those who didn’t make those choices but still suffered from them. Many in Israel, like Daniel, so suffered from evil choices of others but still was dragged off to Babylon as a captive all his life. But God had a way of using his captivity to bring about great things and using Daniel to show a evil tyrant king who God is. In fact, to show 4 tyrant kings such. God has not promised to spare us hardships but to walk through those times with us and bring us safely to the other side. Stop and think how He has done just that many times in the past for you as well as for your family and for those before you. History proves God’s faithfulness and good that comes to those faithful to Him. History also shows the terrible cost of unfaithfulness. But God is longsuffering because He so wants us to repent and turn back to Him. History also shows countless instances of those who repented and blessing that was restored along with God’s forgiveness.

We are living in a wonderful time of God’s mercy. Christ’s sacrifice and prevailing Grace is still enforce and transforming lives bringing revival in every corner of the world and to every nationality and every person who will listen and accept His message of life. Satan cannot stop Christ’s message even though he has tried over and over again. Satan cannot keep the gospel from us but we can keep ourselves from accepting and receiving it. The choice is always ours and has always been ours. Satan used one Auca native to tell a lie about Jim Elliot and his friends that motivated the village to kill them as they were coming to share the Good News. But from the death of those brave missionaries, they learned they were wrong. The families of those brave missionaries returned to show them Christ’s love and mercy. Satan could not stop the message and the entire village accepted Christ. Their story joins with countless others to shout HE IS RISEN AND WILL BE COMING SOON TO REIGN AND LIVE FOR ETERNITY WITH HIS BRIDE (WITH US)!!

1/23/17                                                          Starting Point                                                           23
Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; nor can the number of His years be discovered. Job 36:26

SCRIPTURE:NUMBERS 13:25-33 “²⁵ And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.²⁶ And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.²⁷ And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.²⁸ Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.²⁹ The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.³⁰ And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.³¹ But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.³² And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.³³ And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” COMMENTS : When have we stopped to look through God’s eyes instead of ours. Caleb and Joshua saw the same giants as the other 10 but trusted God enough to look through His eyes and see those giants from His perspective. From God’s perspective those giants were tiny and weak and totally under God’s power and control. Caleb and Joshua realized the giants were bigger and stronger than they were but they also so God going before and behind and along both sides of them. They only knew what God had told them to do and had no doubt He would be faithful to help and protect and fight the battles with those giants. The future for them could have been a lot better if the other 10 had agreed with Caleb and Joshua but also if the Israelite majority had opened their hearts to listen to God as Caleb and Joshua had. Consequence was that everyone but Caleb and Joshua never saw God’s promise fulfilled and died in the wilderness. Only Caleb and Joshua lived to lead the next generation into that promised land and see God’s hand fight for them. To see the Jordan River part like the Red Sea and to see the walls of Jericho fall but also to see Rahab’s redemption from also following God too. So much to learn and discover but only if willing to walk the path of faith one step at a time. Just like driving at night following the road lit a few hundred feet by the car’s headlights, we follow the path God lights for us not knowing what lies beyond in the dark until it comes into the light. We trust and follow the path our cars light without thought but find it so hard to follow the path God lights for us. You and I need reminded often so we learn to trust our God as much as we trust our automobile headlights. Let’s spend some time in prayer seeking the path God wants us to follow and seek His light to light our way. Who knows, the path we discover may just be as significant as the one Caleb and Joshua followed. He will never lead us wrong!!

1/24/17                                                         Counting Sheep                                     24
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 23 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.³ He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” COMMENTS : Today’s scriptures are very familiar passages and likely have been embedded in our memories since childhood. They are also very comforting and are often read at funerals and at times of trial and tragedy. They have been a source of comfort and reassurance many times for me over the years and often find myself going back to Psalm 23. Rest and sleep are necessary to refresh and renew but also to strengthen. But rest cannot be enjoyed without an environment of peace and safety. When we are asleep, we are the most vulnerable because we are not able to defend ourselves. We need to realize just how dependent we are on our Heavenly Father and how much we depend on Him every moment of every day for life and all required to sustain life. When we lay down for sleep each night, do we realize the level of trust we are putting in His hands and are we express our love and devotion and worship as we do so? Maybe we can be a bit more motivated to do so if we simply reflect first on how He blesses and provides for us all day long and while we sleep. Psalm 121:3 “3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Our Heavenly Father does not slumber nor sleep but watches over us 24x7x365xeternally. We can trust and depend on Him. He will not let us down. But He will allow trials and hardship to cross our path but not without being with us and protecting us from the worst satan would throw at us. We can do no better than to trust Him and can do no worse than to turn our back and walk away from Him. We are in peril if we turn from Him. No, we need to run to Him. The parable of the prodigal proves to us He will run to us if we only turn to Him. Besides, He is close anyway. We simply can’t see or feel Him close if we have our back to Him. So today let’s be aware of God’s provision and protection and abiding help as we go about interacting with others and working. An attitude of gratitude and worship will brighten and energize our day and better equip us to be a shining light to others. Then tonight when we rest, we will have a better sense of being obedient and our rest will be sweeter without regrets. The simple hymn “Count you many blessings, see what God has done” written by Johnson Oatman, Jr., pub.1897 comes to mind as I reflect as well and find it’s words ringing in my mind as a count my many blessings and remind myself how much He does for me each and every day. We truly are blessed and loved by our Heavenly Father. His love was demonstrated on the cross but also every day we wake to a new day and retire each night to a time of rest. We can rest knowing we are safe in His Hand if we have received His forgiveness and walk in the path He has called us to. AMEN!

1/25/17                                                             Full Circle                                             25
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 SCRIPTURE: JONAH 4 “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.² And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.³ Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.⁴ Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?⁵ So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.⁶ And the Lord God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.⁷ But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.⁸ And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.⁹ And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.¹⁰ Then said the Lord, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:¹¹ And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” COMMENTS : Jonah is a lot like us. He, like us, doesn’t like to see people get off from hurting or mistreating others. We, like Jonah, want others (especially those we don’t like) to “get what is coming to them”. Truth is the people of Nineveh , the capital of the Assyrian Empire, were a terrible lot who brought suffering and death on all they conquered, including Jonah’s people and likely to many in Jonah’s family. In Jonah’s mind they deserved God’s judgment and he couldn’t wait until God brought judgment on them. When God told him to go and preach to the people at Ninevah, he actually was afraid they would repent and get off “scott free”. The consequences of disobeying God came back on him and Jonah had to face consequences for his disobedience. Three days in a huge fish was pretty drastic punishment, but God did spare his life and give him a chance to obey. When he did, the result with entire city of 60,000 repenting, including the king. In God’s eyes that was a beautiful sight and resulting in great rejoicing in heaven, but not for Jonah. They would be forgiven but what about all those the Assyrians killed or hurt. Where would be the justice for them? Jonah was afraid God would forgive them, and sure enough He did. The story is a very old one but so current to us. We want justice when we are mistreated or harmed but forget the sins God forgave us of and forgiveness for mistreating others. We may think our sins are not as serious as others but truth is God sees our sins as equally serious, even when compared with sins of murder and stealing great sums of money. In fact, stories of David and Saul, for example, reveal God holds the sin of pride as worse than even murder and adultery. The reason is the sin of pride is a great barrier to repentence. REPENT – FORGIVE – GOD’S WAY AND NEEDS TO BE OUR’S TOO!!

1/26/17                                               Everything We Need                                       26
For I am persuaded that [nothing] . . . shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

SCRIPTURE: I JOHN 4:8-16 “⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.¹² No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.¹⁴ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.¹⁵ Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” COMMENTS : What motivates you to get up in the morning and during the day? For all too many it is habit, repeating the same routine to get the same pay to pay the same bills. When life comes to an end, they hope they have been good enough or helped enough people to earn their way into heaven. The idea of earning our way to heaven has always been a common way for satan to deceive many to put off or ignore Christ’s message of salvation. How sad for some to sincerely work for something Christ offers as a gift not earned but freely receivable without delay. We get it backwards, working and serving God for something of great price we can’t afford when that cost was paid by Christ who offers salvation as a free gift to any who will receive. The serving is intended to be out of love and gratitude and worship and not out of duty or obligation or to earn salvation. Truth is we cannot work hard enough nor live long enough to work long enough to earn such a gift. Christ gives us salvation freely so we can freely serve and follow Him because we want to because we want others to know His love too. What motivates us when we know Christ? It is pleasing and worshipping and simply loving Him. What we do for others and even the obligations we do each day like working and providing for our families and serving in community and church all are out of our love for Christ and desire to please and worship Him. Such a motivation fuels us to work harder but with more energy and joy than otherwise possible. I know. Sustaining such a positive attitude is difficult especially when circumstances and distractions and even tragedy comes. Interruptions and distractions hinder and discourage and take our hope and joy at times. But such times are when we can and should lean on Christ even more. He promised not to leave or forsake us. He never intended for us to bear our burdens alone. He only wants us to trust Him enough to step out of the boat and He will be there to take our hand and keep up above the lake of troubles and dangers that keep calling us. We have examples from scripture and our family ancestors and likely family and church to guide and encourage us. They learned to pray and study scripture often to gain needed council and courage to follow the narrow path. How about you?

1/27/17                                              Victory Over Fear                                      27
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:37

SCRIPTURE: I CORINTHIANS 15:54-58 “⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” COMMENTS : “I more fear what is within me than what comes from without. “ Martin Luther. Paul was a great if not the greatest evangelist for Christ and responsible for a significant part of the New Testament with his letters to the churches he was responsible for starting, but still struggled with his “thorn in the flesh” that kept trying to weaken him spiritually and physically. He also said “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” Romans 7:19. His battles with satan and human weaknesses and sin are our battles but his successes over those weaknesses can also be our successes too. The redemption Christ paid for and the indwelling Holy Spirit empowering them transformed them as He can and does for us too. But as humans we cannot reach Christ’s perfection but can progress daily and be more like Him as we age in years and in Christian maturity. If we can’t see a more Christ-like life in us today than yesterday and a more Christ-like life in us tomorrow than today, then we are neglecting our relationship with Him and allowing satan to get a foothold in our lives. But that does not mean we have achieved a perfect life. That can’t happen until we get to heaven. We cannot comprehend Christ’s perfection let alone achieve it because He is so far above us to comprehend. Yet as we walk with Him, He continues to reveal more to us and continues to work in us so we can and will become more like Him each day. That is why we cannot earn our way to heaven. We still can only get into heaven by His redemptive work in our lives and what we do for Him is because of our love and gratitude for who He is and what He has done and continues to do. What we do is also so others may know and enjoy a relationship with Him as well. Any other reason spoils the work we do and the reward He has planned for those who strive to do His work. Our corruption will put on incorruptible when He transforms us in heaven. Until then, the Father sees His Son’s redemptive blood when HE looks at us and not our sins. We then see His loving help and forgiveness instead of His firm hand of judgment because we are forgiven. We can enjoy a daily walk and fellowship with Him because of that. Do we have to ask forgiveness daily. No, but we should maintain a humble realization if is not about us or what we do but all about what He has done and continues to do for us. Pride has a sinister way of convincing us we have arrived at success and can proceed on our own strength. At that second we become most vulnerable of falling and failing miserably back into sin. That is likely why God judges pride so hardly and warns against this sin so. We need to guard our hearts against pride by keeping our hearts on our knees before Him while doing His work and going about our normal daily lives too.

1/28/17                                                  The Serpent’s Bites                                       28
SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:31-39 “³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?³² He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?³³ Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.³⁴ Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?³⁶ As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.³⁷ Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   COMMENTS : I don’t know about you but I, like many or most people hate snakes. I know, black snakes and many others are harmless and do eat rodents like rats and mice. But if cornered they will bit humans too, causing problems even if not poisonous. Genesis 3 gives us the story of how sin entered the world and resulting hatred between humans and snakes since (vs15). We have been the pawns and the prize satan has been fighting for ever since. We may wonder why God didn’t destroy satan and his demons when they rebelled instead of waiting and allowing them to lead so many into sin and judgment with them in generations since. Especially since God knew what would happen. We know God allowed His angels to choose then and allows everyone in every generation to choose who they will follow too. Free will is important to Him, but He does only allow satan free reign within defined limits even though we would prefer those limits be much tighter than they are. Job teaching us God allows satan to cause disaster and hardship on us within limits for His purpose, which includes strengthening and preparing us for greater service and ministry to others. Truth is, He alone rules, so He alone has the right to do as He pleases, but truth is His ways are best for us anyway. Romans 8:28-29 is God’s promise to us. Likewise, Romans 8:31 “WHAT SHALL WE THEN SAY TO THESE THINGS? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?” You and I really need to decide who’s side we are on and stay true to Him. When we neglect Christ and allow ourselves to be persuaded by satan’s deceptions, we are going over to the losing side, whether we consciously decide to or not. We can’t be on the fence nor wonder from one side to other. There is a cost for following Christ, which is dwarfed by eternal reward. But there is also an eternal cost for going down satan’s path too. Matthew 7:13-14 “¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: ¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” It is a tragedy that more are lost to eternal judgment than won to salvation. How that must break God’s heart and should break ours too. But the tragedy is needless. The gift of salvation is offered to and available to all even though most do not nor will accept it due to pride or indifference or unbelief.

1/29/17                                               Thorny Problems                                            29
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.² I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.³ And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)⁴ How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.⁵ Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.⁶ For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.⁹ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” COMMENTS : Paul was a gifted preacher and was taught at the feet of a great teacher of his day, Gamaliel, a famous Pharisee. Paul also gained Roman citizenship likely by inheritance from his father. He had a great deal going for him and was on target to gaining power and influence with both the Roman leadership and Jewish leadership. But his influence and power was tied to persecuting and emprisoning and killing Christians. That likely would not have stopped until his death except for an encounter with the risen Christ who simply asked “Why do you persecute me?”. Paul thought he was right and the Christians were a cult of deceived and evil followers of a misguided or satan inspired Jesus. But an encounter with Christ changed him down to his core. He became the most empassioned and impactful Christian of them all and provided most of the book letters in our New Testament. God revealed much to him through the Holy Spirit and by vision and used his Old Testament training to help him realize Jesus fulfilled and not contradicted Old Testament prophecies and teachings. Yet he does describe a “thorn in the flesh” that kept him humble and depended on Christ. It prevented pride from getting a foothold in his heart and mind. We are not told what that thorn was, whether physical or spiritual. We are simply told Paul asked 3 times for it to be removed and 3 times God refused. It was not a lack of faith or sin in Paul’s life but God’s choice to use it to preserve Paul and strengthen Him – preparing him for both service and the persecution that would befall him too. Paul did endure much of the same persecution he put on the heads of early Christians he persecuted before his conversion. Also, it took awhile before Christians would trust him but eventually all did. The impact Paul had especially on gentiles paved the way for explosive growth of the Christian church in the worst of persecution and the preservation of Christ’s, the disciples, and Paul’s teachings into our New Testament.

1/30/17                                      GOD ENABLES THOSE HE CALLS                                    30
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 7:25 “²⁵ Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” COMMENTS : The Bible is full of stories of men and women and even children doing impossible things because they obeyed when God asked or called them into action. There are also stories of those who refused and regrets that followed. GOD ENABLES THOSE HE CALLS “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” –Exodus 4:10-12 Moses is one of many examples in scripture of God’s call to go and accomplish an impossible task without the skills to do so. God gave Moses the skills and help and guidance but most of all the courage and faith he needed. God even enabled him to do miracles when needed but only when needed. God doesn’t pick the most talented nor the strongest nor the wisest nor the most handsome. Saul was the most handsome and strongest king but failed. Solomon was the wisest and fell to sin. Samson was the strongest but fell due to sin. Ruth was a pagan but became the great grandmother of King David and ancestor to Christ. Mary was a poor young girl but became Christ’s mother. Noah was the most unpopular and most ridiculed man of his time but saved his family and the world’s animals from extinction. Yes, God picks the most unlikely and least prepared to do His work but instead picks those who will listen to and accept His call to service. He picks those who will listen to Him and obey Him. HE picks those who will trust Him and have faith in Him. He picks those who can not do the task by their own abilities so they must lean on Him to succeed but also to survive. Those who are unwilling, like Jonah, God may use some drastic means to get their attention and persuade them. For Paul it was an encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus Road. For Peter it was walking on water but also denying Christ 3 times. Yet for all the disciples, for Paul, and all Christians starting with the first church the transformation was the indwelling Holy Spirit in their lives than gave each the power and inspiration and direction but also the new life needed for obedience. It was God’s Grace and indwelling Spirit that made the difference. “The sinner, apart from grace, is unable to be willing and unwilling to be able.” W. E. Best So what is God calling you and me to do and how does He want to prepare us for this mission? Sometimes God gives us a call requiring preparation and life change, like He did for Paul and the disciples or for Mary and Joseph or Moses. Other times, and most often I believe, is calling us to give someone a call or a visit or a letter who lost hope and need encouragement. Those kind of calls come more often and usually along our path or maybe a slight detour. They require a willingness to accept distractions and interruptions in our schedule. God’s interruptions may be difficult but I have found He has a wonderful way of enabling us to still accomplish what all needed done each day in addition to meeting the need from each distraction. I have also found resisting doing those distractions tends to raise other obstacles that hinder accomplishing the goals for the day. Just like the detour inside a whale or large fish delayed but didn’t stop God’s call to Jonah to evangelize his enemy and the enemy of his people, the Assyrians in Nineveh. Jonah was willing to go anywhere or do anything but what God wanted. Have there been times you and I have been so stubborn too? If we are honest, we would have to say yes because what God is asking is so unappealing and so far outside our comfort zone. There was a time not too many years ago writing this journal and keeping a Blog and corresponding to pastors around the world would have been so intimidating and outside my comfort zone, I would like Jonah have run as fast as I could in the opposite direction. I have to say it is still intimidating and I feel so unprepared and unworthy for the task but am so amazed how He helps and sustains and walks with and blesses me in this journey. I know He will continue to do so for me and will for you too!

1/31/17                                              Who Gets the Glory? 31
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 SCRIPTURE: DANIEL 13:13-28 “¹³ Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?¹⁵ Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.¹⁷ If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.¹⁸ But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.¹⁹ Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.²⁰ And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.²¹ Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.²² Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.²³ And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.²⁴ Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.²⁵ He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.²⁶ Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.²⁷ And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.²⁸ Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.” COMMENTS : I admire Daniel more than any other old testament character and his 3 friends as a close second. Their courage while facing certain death at the hand of a terrible tyrant without knowing if God would choose to spare them or not is remarkable. They said as much in verse 17. They weighed the cost and chose to be faithful to their God whether He would spare their lives or not. They were the only ones who so chose, thereby showing a love and faith in God no other in Babylon or Israel were willing to. We don’t know where Daniel was. We presume he was on a trip so was away. Otherwise, we can be sure he would have refused to worship the idol statue of Nebuchadnezzar and be doomed to be burned alive in the fiery furnace as well. But his time of similar testing in the lion’s den would come lataer under the rule of King Darius. There were many more times of testing for Daniel and his friends like not eating the king’s rich foods or in interpreting the king’s dreams. I am sure there were many more times not mentioned in scripture too.

The above passage from Psalm 27 reassures us we need not fear when we put our faith and trust in our Lord and Savior. He promises to always be faithful to us and always to have our best interest at heart. He also promises to never leave or forsake us (Deut. 31:6). This is a promise God made to Moses but also all of Israel. A promise He has kept to the Jewish people all through the ages, bringing them through both good and evil times. This is a promise that applies to you and me if we put our faith in Him too. So much to lose if we don’t and so much to gain if we do. Yet we, like the Jewish people, keep weakening and being distracted away from our love and faithfulness while He never is distracted nor grows weary of His faithfulness for us.

Today completes January’s devotional journal, the first monthly journal for 2017. I don’t know how many New Year’s resolutions you made and how many of them you still are keeping. You and I need to keep in mind our walk with Christ is a journey. A journey that is not a pass or fail test but a life journey in which Christ invites you to walk with Him so success will be certain and dangers along the way will not defeat us. A journey where He offers to forgive and pick us up no matter how many times we fall into sin.

As we continue this life journey together this year, I pray Christ will be a daily part of your life journey gives you a healthy year with means and direction to be a reflection of His light to your family and friends and co-workers.

I also invite you to visit and use and share from my devotional blog located at https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com.                                                                                                You may also email me at: dmcdaniel12@verizon.net                                                                                                                            or visit my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Don1951