AUGUST 2017: 

8/1/17                                 For Ages and Ages                                                  1 
2 Kings 4:18-37  “¹⁸ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.¹⁹ And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.²⁰ And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.²¹ And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.²² And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.²³ And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.²⁴ Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.²⁵ So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:²⁶ Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well:²⁷ And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.²⁸ Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?²⁹ Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.³⁰ And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.³¹ And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.³² And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.³³ He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord.³⁴ And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.³⁵ Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.³⁶ And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.³⁷ Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.” COMMENTS:  There is no greater hope or joy than the confidence of knowing our children know Christ and are living in His will. To lose a child to death may be a parents worst nightmare but to know a child is in heaven brings a level of confidence and peace even greater than with a living child.  The reason is that child’s future is secure and he is beyond satan’s temptations.  But we have the confidence of knowing Christ loves and wants our children to spend eternity with Him in heaven even more than we do.  What greater reward could we hope for than to be with Christ for eternity with our family and friends.  That is what our prayers and focus needs to be.  That is exactly what Christ wants too and is working and has sacrificed greatly to achieve.  Yet His is limited by each person’s will but will move earth and mountain to persuade us to come to Him.  Yet scripture reminds us His Grace will be replaced with judgment if we wait too long to repent and receive His precious gift of forgiveness. 

My wife’s twin sister and husband have 3 grown children.  They tell others they have one living in Seattle, Washington; one living in Boston, Mass.; and one living in heaven. The confidence of knowing that didn’t remove their grief but has been a souce of great comfort to them  and others who knew and loved their daughter Michelle…
“And then the thought that the Savior will take such good care of him! No going astray; no sickness; no death. Dear, dear little fellow!…. “  D. L. Moody  TURNING POINT–devotion  6/28/17     COMMENTS:         

 8/2/17                         The Heart of the Andes                                 2 

Philippians 3:17-21  “¹⁷ Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.¹⁸ (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:¹⁹ Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)²⁰ For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:²¹ Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”  COMMENTS:  In the  1850’s Fredric Church, a Christian painter, went to South America to visit remote areas and capture images of areas Americans have not seen nor would ever see.   See made many sketched and then painted a huge paintng placing a wooden cross in a dominant place on the painting.  Painting was an immediate success and is now located in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The  painting is called “The Heart of the Andes”.                                              

  Scripture gives us much detail of what heaven is like. Those who have seen visions of heaven report beauty beyond description.  Images John received and shared in Revelation I’m sure were hard for him to describe or comprehend. But he did a very good job and even though we know it is beyond description, the image we get from John makes us long to go and live there.  We strive for possessions and beautiful things here that we only will possess for a few brief years and will decay and become worthless, as will our very own bodies.                                          

But the assurance we have from scripture and from Jesus Himself is through His Grace and forgiveness, we have His promise and assurance of a eternal home in heaven with Him and family and friends and those before and after us who likewise have put their faith in Him.  We also have the assurance of a new eternal and far better body than one we have here even at it’s prime.  God gives us so much and asked so little in return, but what He asks is not optional. We need to be generous at obeying and honoring His requests.

8/3/17                                             Mind Tricks                                3 
For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:20

SCRIPTURE: PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9  “⁸ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.⁹ Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”  COMMENTS: What we think about the most affects us and becomes the most important thing to us even if we believe other issues or people are more important.  If we let our jobs or our recreation time or passion for money or a promotion or ?? dominate our thoughts most of the day, who and what gets pushed out?  Christ  and our families end up neglected.   We are called to a daily relationship with Christ as well as with our families.  Sure employment required focus but we can be good employees while maintaining our relationship with Christ.  He has a wonderful way of guiding us to be better employees and better parents and spouses as we grow closer to Him. When we put other relationships or passions ahead of Him, we end up facing consequences personally and  with family and even in those areas we put ahead of Christ.

Everything is better balanced when we are following His council. Truth is we are more joyful and grateful and even happier.   We are more loving and more loveable but also wiser and more discerning when we are close to Christ.

Since I am retired, it is easier for me to take necessary time at the beginning of each day to pray and meditate on God’s Word before ready and praying over and writing each day’s devotion journal entry.  The insights and guidance God blessed me with during this times is priceless and draws me closer to Him throughout the day.  But I still struggle with temptations of distractions robbing God of time He desires to spend with me each morning.  I struggled when working a full time job too but was able to keep this journal for a year before retiring.

There is no short cut to spending quality time with God each day without distractions of life.  Doing so simply makes managing each day more successful and gives us a sense during day that God is close and His council and help more accessible.
Let heaven fill your thoughts instead. Because when you do, everything on earth gets placed in its proper perspective.  Greg Laurie  

8/4/17                                             Desired                                4                     

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 139  “O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.² Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.³ Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.⁴ For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.⁵ Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.⁷ Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?⁸ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;¹⁰ Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.¹¹ If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.¹⁷ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!¹⁸ If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.¹⁹ Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.²⁰ For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.²¹ Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?²² I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”    COMMENTS:  If we take an objective look at the world’s religions, we soon discover something.  I took a world religion class one time and came to this realization during that class.  Only Christianity reveals a God who loves His creation enough to lower Himself to take on a human form and suffer and endure human hardships and submit to die for the sins of His creation.  Only Christianity teachings of a God who offers redemption and forgiveness and eternal life freely to any and all who accept that gift and not with the requirement of earning that gift.                                                                                                       

Likewise, only Christianity reveals a God of limitless power and wisdom and love but also a God who loved and knew us personally better than anyone else including ourselves from eternity past.  Who could have imagined a God of such capability?  No one.  The conclusion I realized was no one could, but the gods of other religions were what I could comprehend and imagine. That brought me to the conclusion that other religions have gods that were created in the imagination of men while Christianity was created by a real God not created but the creator of man including his ability to imagine.                                                                                                         

  Today’s scripture reveals a glimpse of God that even after being a born again Christian for 56 years, I still cannot comprehend the scope of what the verses say. That is the God we serve and worship. The only Real God.  Be glad He wants to be in relationship with you and me and is capable of having a personal relationship with you and me and everyone else at the same time. If God seems distant from us, it is not He that is far from us but us far from Him.  We need to turn around and seek Him in order to discover “He was there all the time!”  He still is!!  Praise His Holy Name!

8/5/17                                       Defining Moments                                5                       
He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 51  “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.² Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.³ For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.⁴ Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.⁵ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.⁶ Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.⁸ Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.⁹ Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.¹¹ Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.¹² Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.¹³ Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.¹⁴ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.¹⁵ O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.¹⁶ For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.¹⁸ Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.¹⁹ Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.”  COMMENTS:  David had a close and special relationship with God.  God identified him as being after His own heart. David demonstrated great faith when attacked Goliath as a boy and during years Saul pursued and tried  to kill David.  David remained faithful and refused to kill Saul when had opportunity.  But David committed some potentially fatal sins.  He did flee to the king of Philistine and did commit adultery with Bathsheba and murder in having her husband killed.  What made all the difference was his response when his sin was revealed to him.  He, as we, are blind to our sin and our guilt due to extent of deception satan fools us with. But if we, like Saul, let our pride keep us from repentance, then we are in real danger of God’s judgment.  David was as well but his choice was to run to the God he knew for forgiveness.  He realized what he had lost and realized his only hope was to run to God and not away from Him.  When he did that, God forgave him and healed his broken heart.  I invite you to read Psalm 51 several times and meditate on it and let David’s prayer become yours seeking God’s presence and forgiveness.  Spending time each day in worship and praise and in sincere prayer as well as in prayer both listening and talking to Him.  Time expressing gratitude and not just in requests. Doing so will change your life, brighten your day, and greatly improve our accomplishments each day.   I am personally still discovering this to be true and have already discovered those days I follow this advice are far better than days I neglect doing so.  Yet discipline of consistently doing this each and every day is still a challenge and battle for me. But everything worth doing is usually too, right?
“Let not your sense of sin make you think little of my Master. You are a great sinner, but He is a greater Saviour.” Charles Spurgeon  

8/6/17                           What Photos Can’t Show                                6                                      
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7

SCRIPTURE:  ISAIAH 53:1-3  “Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?² For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.³ He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.”  COMMENTS:  It is easy to be deceived by first impressions.  We all tend to “put our best foot forward” when meeting someone for the first.  We all want to be accepted and respected so will hind those characteristics we think  will hinder that.  But we do not sustain that restraint when with family and those close to us or with strangers we don’t care about. Well, truth is we do not have strength nor will to maintain that if wanted to.  But God only asks we choose Him and follow His council and accept His help. He also asks us to gather with other believers so we can both be accountable to them and allow their strength and wisdom to add to ours.  WE WERE NOT DESIGNED NOR MEANT TO LIVE IN ISOLATION NOR LIVE WITH OUR OWN STRENGTH.  God designed us to live with His abiding presence, which is accomplished by His abiding Holy Spirit.

The Israelites chose Saul to be their first king.  Saul was tall and strong and good looking and likeable. But his character was not up to the responsibility of being king nor open to God’s abiding Holy Spirit.  When God chose their next king, He chose a young boy not grown to strong tall stature but who had already at a young age learned to completely trust and abide in God’s Holy Spirit. David was that young boy and spent much time in fellowship receiving God’s wisdom and council and encouragement.  God helped him tend his flock and protect them from lions and other dangerous preditors. 

Which are we,  a David or a Saul?  Saul could have been a David but didn’t think he needed to.  His own strength and intellect seemed to guide him sufficiently most of the time so he deceived himself to rely on himself.  David wasn’t so tempted since he knew he could not protect his sheep alone.  That revelation served him well as king.  God wants us to learn that lesson at a young age to, but at least learn it at our current age so it will serve us the rest of our lives.  AMEN!!
“A man’s heart is what he is.”   R. B. Kuiper   

8/7/17                           Favor and Power                                7              
¹³ Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah..  1 Samuel 16:13

SCRIPTURE:  MARK 1:9-13  “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed [David] in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon Dav⁹ And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.¹⁰ And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:¹¹ And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.¹² And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.¹³ And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.  COMMENTS: Anointed with oil has been a custom from Old Testament times.   Israel’s kings were anointed by God’s prophet with oil.   God’s blessing and indwelling would result.  God’s indwelling abided with Saul initially but disobedience and self pride pushed God’s spirit out and prevented Saul from repenting.  David, however, did not allow his pride to push out God even though he was endanger of doing so many times.  Power and success has a way of tempting us too to neglect and push God out of our lives.  The inauguration of presidents in USA has also included prayers to anoint new president by a Christian pastor. Such is intended to publicly ask God to indwell and guide new president and publically ask that president to seek God’s indwelling and guidance.  God historically honors such humble and honest actions.  Even Christ submitted to seek the Father’s anointing and indwelling when He started His ministry (Mark 1:9-13). Thus the Holy Spirit replaced oil as the sign of divine favor and power in the believer’s life.
Paul commands us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18) as a way to live out the Spirit’s anointing day by day.  The work God has for you and me and significance of walking in obedience of His Will is no less significant to Him than for King David to do so.  God’s Will included him and also includes each on of us.  Significance will eternally impact ourselves but also everyone He puts in our path to influence with His Good News.
“Am I ignitable? God deliver me from the dread asbestos of “other things.” Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame.”  Jim Elliot                   

 8/8/17                                            The Gift of Music                                    8  

And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.      1 Samuel 16:23

SCRIPTURE:  I KINGS 10:11-12  “¹¹ And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.¹² And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord, and for the king’s house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.    COMMENTS:  Music is the universal language everyone enjoys.  Music lifts our spirits and gives us energy to work.  Singing as we work can make the day go faster and help us finish our work.  Have you ever noticed someone singing as  they work and envied their cheery spirit and how much they seemed to enjoy their work? Maybe you also noticed someone singing while listening to their cd player through earphones and type of music or works were not appealing or uplifting to you.  Well, we all may have a common trait of enjoying music but we all do not enjoy the same type of music.  Even in our churches, we debate type of hymns or chorus’s.  We are told their will be rejoicing and singing in heaven. Revelation 5,13,15 give some details of that.  Reports of those who had visions or brief experiences of heaven and returned also report how magnificent the music is in heaven.  Much of classical music written several hundred years ago was written to worship God.   Handel’s “Messiah” was written as an Easter worship song in 1742 but now is primarily played during Christmas season. I have to say my favorite worship songs are Bill Gather songs but many of the hymns from the great revivals of the mid-1800’s are among my favorites too. Their words enhance and go so well with the music.  But to stop and listen and meditate on Handel’s masterpiece draws me to worship my Lord and Savior in a special way too.  I like and am encouraged by Johann Sebastian Bach’s quote below.  It uplifts and encourages me to know some of the writers of those great classic masterpieces where believers and their music was written with intent of worship and praising their Lord and Savior.  Stop and think what it will be like when we will be joining those masters as well as the saints of old in worshipping and praising their and our Lord and Savior. 

There is a piano master named Jeff Painter who’s skills and style I love  and could listen to for hours.  My frustration is he only made a couple of CD’s so have very little of his music to listen to.   I was introduced to his playing one year at Pleasantville Family Camp.  Before camp was over I share my appreciation for his playing and told him when we get to heaven,  I wanted him to take 1000 years to teach me to play like him.  It will take every bit of that time for me to accomplish that goal.

We don’t know how God will use skills we learn in our youth for His Glory. I learned to play the piano as a child but neglected playing during most of my adult working years.  Then a few years ago I revisited the piano mostly to help a fellow church member play during worship at 2 of the 3 churches in our charge.  He passed 2 years ago and the 3 pianists responsible for worship music at 3 churches is now 2.  Yet the duty of playing each Sunday at 2 of the 3 churches, and 3 when other pianist is away (she also fills in for me when I’m away), are not a burden but a real blessing.  God even uses playing as therapy for Parkinson’s.  Music is indeed a key way to worship and fellowship with the One who created and saved and loves us like none other has or ever will.  “The sole object of all music should be the glory of God and pleasant recreation.”    Johann Sebastian Bach                                                                                                       

 8/9/17                         Janitor to President                                            9  
Luke 22:24-30  “²⁴ And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.²⁵ And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.²⁶ But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.²⁷ For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.²⁸ Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.²⁹ And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;³⁰ That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  COMMENTS: James Garfield, the 20^th president of the United States, had a very humble beginning. He grew up very poor.  His family lived in a small log cabin in Ohio. But James had a passion to learn to read and once he did so took opportunity to pursue his education however he could.  He went on to college, attending Western Reserve Eclectic Institute.  He paid for his education as a janitor for that school.   He progress to become one of the leading professors of that school and ultimately 25 years later to become President of the U.S.  He learned the importance and value of serving before leading but also leading by serving.  Christ was his Lord and guide during those years, as the quote from him confirms.  The impact he had along that life journey may be better known to those who he touched along that journey, but his success demonstrates that impact was significant and lasting.  The example scripture gives of Christ’s life of service was the example he diligently followed and his success was then credited to Christ instead of himself.  

It is good to work hard and work to life goals, but there is no substitute for following the example and life plan God provides for each of us. We must learn to be a faithful servant before we can discover how to be a faithful leader. We can’t discover just how faithful God is until we follow His example.  But God’s time schedule will likely be slower and later than what we would like or have.  Learning patience and learn to trust His plan is key and hard.  The temptation to move ahead of His timetable will get us in trouble and require some do-overs and detours that will slow us down.  But they too will teach us to trust and to wait on Him and wait for Him.  THE JOURNEY IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE DESTINATION!   I am still learning and discovering the truth and wisdom of that statement.  I pray you are too.
“Let me ask you to choose the undying Jesus as your everlasting Friend and Helper. Let me urge you to follow Him.”James A. Garfield                

8/10/17                         A Rebellious Spirit                                            10           
Romans 13:1-7  “ Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.⁵ Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.⁶ For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.⁷ Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”   COMMENTS:   What are we to do in a society becoming less respectful and  accepting of God’s laws?  What are we to do if live in a country that is hostile to Christians and show disgust toward the Bible and Christian churches that adhere to scripture teachings.  Well even Paul had harsh words towards churches not faithful to Christ’s teachings. But today’s scripture from Romans takes a bit different approach.  If we look more closely at today’s scripture and at first century church living at height of Roman and Jewish leadership persecution of the Christian church, we discover solidarity in faithfulness while showing love and passive resistance to demands to renounce their faith without being hostile in word or action against government authority.

That is hard to practice.  Especially in the USA for us who are so used to enjoying freedom of worship and personal government guaranteed civil rights.  Our government in the USA was established based on the 10 Commandments and a solid faith in Christ guiding the founding fathers in establishing the republic and democratic government called the United States. But recent decades have revealed a deteriorating respect for the faith our founders had and an increasing energy to rethink and create governing laws more hostile to Christians and more tolerant towards others religions. 

But if we take an object look at history, we will discover God has always been in charge and will have His way sooner or later like it or not.  He has always been longsuffering delaying consequences of sinful behavior longer that we would likely do.  Well, the real question is, do we believe in and accept His Laws and His Instruction and Trust Him?  If we do, then Scripture is our guide to know Him and  learn how He wants us to live and act.  We must choose if we are going to be on God’s side or on the opposing side.  Scripture tells us the opposing side is satan’s side and is the losing side.  The losing side does not like God or His side and is hostile towards those on His side.  But scripture tells us a time is coming when satan’s side will be stopped and judged and those persecuted and killed will prevail and rewarded by Christ.

Other religions teach a doctrine of earning our way to heaven by following the teachings of their founder.  Christ teaches a doctrine of salvation by grace alone that must be accepted to be in force.  Works are a response of love and worship to Christ and not a way of earning salvation.   Yet humans are so resistance to accept such a doctrine and so eager to accept a doctrine of earning salvation.  Maybe it is out of a desire to be in control. 

I believe we are quickly moving into a time of Christian persecution globally. Will we be ready to demonstrate a faith and character and conduct, like the early church, that will draw millions to faith?  Now is the time to prepare and even now show a conduct and character supporting and submitting to authority without condoning or following laws that go against Christ’s teaching and instruction.  The examples our Bible teaches give us what we need to know how and what God wants us to do.  But He also offers us His Holy Spirit to give personal daily instruction and encouragement and help – strength to be and stay true.  That is our choice and our challenge.   I challenge you as Joshua challenged the Israelites when entered their promised land “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:15
“The modern world detests authority but worships relevance. Our Christian conviction is that the Bible has both authority and relevance.”  John Stott        

8/11/17                                             Fear Not                                           11                 
2 Timothy 1:1-7  “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,² To Timothy, my dear son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.                                                        Thanksgiving ³ I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am  persuaded, now lives in you also.

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”  COMMENTS:  We all need reminders of God’s faithfulness and help especially during a looming crisis.  But we should also remind ourselves also what is awaiting us on the other side of the grave.  If we think that worst that can happen is we die, well then we can  say, like Paul, we gain immediate access to our eternal home and God’s presence.  We also gain freedom from satan’s temptations and attacks.  If we suffer a bit, we need to see benefits in character and faith building past generations have gained from such.  Little is historically gained by a nation or a people or individuals from prosperity and security. What is lost is stamina and patience and strength to endure suffering when it does come.  The longer we enjoy prosperity, the softer and weaker we become and less prepared for trials.  Well, are you ready to pray for trials. Me neither!  But we need to remind ourselves and be grateful God not only allows trials but offers His abiding Holy Spirit for  council and encouragement and help. “Fear not tomorrow—God is already there.”  Anonymous

8/12/17                         View From the Summit                                          12  
Genesis 24:10-15  “¹⁰ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.¹¹ And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.¹² And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.¹³ Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:¹⁴ And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.¹⁵ And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.”  COMMENTS: Matchmaking is a task family and friends have done for available men and women since Adam and Eve.  There are many examples to read in scripture and every family likely has many examples. Truth is there is benefit from having a good friend who knows both people doing this  task of matchmaking. They likely have gotten past the false fronts we build to hide our hidden selves from those we don’t know or know very little.   My wife Arlene of 39+ years and I met through a mutual Christian women who I knew as a department secretary in the engineering office I worked in but she knew Arlene from her church family camp.  Katy saw in both of us a commitment and love for Christ.  We see her and Jerry, her husband each year at that same family camp.  They, as we, are older and weaker physically than then but we all are closer to Christ and still imperfect but more like Christ now than were then.  We all believed then that Christ’s return was eminent.  Now 40 years later we still believe that because of world’s crisis and Godlessness.   Now we have grown and nearly grown grandchildren and adult grown children with their families.  We pray for and are concerned for them and pray they will be found faithful too when Christ returns or when death comes to each of them. Leaving an eternal legacy is so important but not possible without obedience to and abide with God’s Holy Spirit each day.  After all, in heaven that will be the way of life so practicing here only is helping us get to know Him a bit early and therefore,    helps prepare us for heaven.
“Somehow, you have to make a commitment to get better every day, no matter how successful you were the day before.”  Pat Summit                                                           

  8/13/17                              What Will You Remember?                              13                
Psalm 77  “I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.² In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.³ I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.⁴ Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.⁵ I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.⁶ I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.⁷ Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?⁸ Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?⁹ Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.¹⁰ And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.¹¹ I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.¹² I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.¹³ Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?¹⁴ Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.¹⁵ Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.¹⁶ The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.¹⁷ The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.¹⁸ The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.¹⁹ Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.²⁰ Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.  COMMENTS:  All too often we don’t appreciate what we have until we lose it.  For children it can be an older brother or sister they miss when they leave home for college or to be on their own.  It may be a spouse who lost their mate to death or separation or divorce.  Well, how often do we neglect our relationship with Christ and it may be weeks or months before we notice and miss that relationship. We allow life’s distractions and obligations to push God out of our lives.  BUT HE HAS BEEN THERE ALL THE TIME, WE SIMPLY WERE LOOKING AWAY FROM HIM.  David was especially close to God and had a sustaining daily walk with Him and carried him through many years of running from King Saul’s evil pursuit to kill him.  The danger and pursuit were real but God’s help and guidance and protection and presence were even more real to David.  Yet when he allowed temptation to draw him into sin years later with adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, David went a year out of fellowship with God and didn’t miss that relationship.  That shows us just  how dangerous and blinding sin is to us.

Stop and think about those times you have neglected Him and how long it took before you realize how long it has been and come back to Him.  Maybe you are in one of those neglectful periods now.  I am also so reflecting and soul searching and seeking His help to venture deeper in my relationship with Him.  

                                                                                                                                           

8/14/17                                               Show and Tell                                          14                
Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You.” John 17:1

SCRIPTURE:  MARK 14:36  “³⁶ And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”  COMMENTS:  The concept of the Holy Trinity, God in 3 Divine Persons is not understandable.  You and can understand 3 separate perseons not physically connected but emotionally connected like a father and son or husband and wife.  We can understand one person revealed in 3 different roles like a man as a father and husband and employee.   But scripture explains Trinity in a way beyond human comprehension. God is revealed as the Divine Father + Divine Son + Divine Holy Spirit.  They all are God.  When Jesus was on earth, He deliberately chose to be limited by same physical limits all human.  Yet scripture tells us He was still one with the Father and told His disciples to know Him, Christ, was to know the Father (John 14:7) but the verse before this reveals the importance of knowing and receiving Christ ‘s forgiveness first so we can approach and know the Father.               ⁶ Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

Scripture tells us Christ does not have a beginning or end and was not created but  is begotten of the Father and has always been with the Father .   So that means Christ existed and was one with the Father from eternity past and only have a human beginning at Bethlehem. 

Well, I can’t comprehend the concept of the Holy Trinity either but simply have to take the part I can’t understand on faith and trust what scripture tells us is true and understanding will only come when I enter heaven and will then have the ability to understand.  Sure I have heard and also used illustrations like a large bowl of water.  By removing water from  the bowl is still water identical to water still in the bowl but separate until put back into the bowl.   I truly believe that example is the closest I can comprehend but still comes far short of explaining the Trinity.  It would be a bit closer if the water level in the bowl didn’t go down when removed water nor got higher when put removed water back in. 

We still only have one God and worship one God but must focus on and come to God through Jesus Christ.  By doing so, we can approach and pray to the Father and He will hear and answer our prayers.  God will not hear nor answer our prayers when we are out of fellowship with Christ so our relationship with Christ is the starting point and connection point to the Father every time we pray.  We don’t have to understand God in order to pray to and worship Him and more than we need to understand all the parts in a car in order to drive and use it. 

The other wonderful concept of God is that His Holy Spirit, also a part of God, dwells in the soul of every believer and councils and speaks to and helps and gives strength and encouragement and insights into every believer all the time.  How can He do so to millions all the time and at the same time?  BECAUSE HE IS GOD!!  Could man have created a god capable of doing that?   I think not, so no wonder the gods of every other religion are not identified as being able to do this. 

Lee Strobel is a famous atheist journalist who set out to prove God is not real and Christianity is not the true religion.   The result of his research was that God is real and Christ did die and was resurrected and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit has transformed lives of those willing to receive Him in every generation since.  The result of that research was Lee accepting Christ and becoming a Christian in 1981 and has written a book on that study “The Case for Christ” and a movie has recently also been released based on Lee’s research too.  I encourage you to read that book and watch that movie when have opportunity.  AMEN!                    “In His life Christ is an example, showing us how to live.”   Martin Luther                  

 8/15/17                                      Whatever You Do                                          15   
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

SCRIPTURE:  ROMANS 11:33-36  “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!³⁴ For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?³⁵ Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?³⁶ For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”  COMMENTS:  When is the last time you took the time to be quiet and reflect on all God has done to provide for your needs and necessities?  When is  the last time you took the time to reflect on just how wonderfully well God provides even things and people that bring us joy.  Then consider those things God blesses  us with freely that go unnoticed too.  How about a beautiful sunrise or sunset?  The birds singing in the morning.  Consider the things like air and the sun’s light and warmth that are free to all the time without cost, but consider how long we could live without them and how desperate we would be to pay any cost if we had to.

God’s faithfulness is so free and complete and consistent that we take it and Him for granted.  I wrote a message called “God is Awesome, About Time We Treat Him That Way!”  Taking the time to give Him a sincere thank you, but also taking the time to spend some focused time opening our hearts to listen and share our day in conversation with Him.  But also taking the time to worship and praise Him because He is God Almighty too.   Think about it.  God loves us deeply like none other and enjoys our company.  He misses us when we neglect Him.  SHAME ON US!!  I like the quote below of Andrew Bonar.  Wearing garments of  praise instead of just waiving palm branches now and again.                 

Truth is even though God desires our worship and praise, we desperately need to worship and praise Him for our own wellbeing and growth in faith.  Praise draws us closer to Him and enables us to hear His voice and council clearer and receive His strength and encouragement and wisdom more fully.   We do serve a awesome God so worthy of our worship and praise but also so worthy of our love and obedience. 
“We should be always wearing the garment of praise, not just waving a palm-branch now and then. “   Andrew Bonar   

 

8/16/17                              Advice About Advice                                          16  
For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 24:6

SCRIPTURE:   PROVERBS 2:1-7  “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;² So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;³ Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;⁴ If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;⁵ Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.⁶ For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.⁷ He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.”  COMMENTS : We are living in a world of global communications.  Facebook and twitter and a host of other internet media tools allow us to communicate with potentially millions all over the world. But all  too often false or half truth information is taken at face value and believed without proof or verification.  Such can and does cause damage and hurt to innocent victim.   If we pass on or share information without knowing it to be true, we are guilty and accountable to God for damage done. 

But once source we can trust completely is our Holy Bible.  However, credibility of bible teachers and preachers needs to be proved.   Paul shares council in doing this in his letters of the New Testament.  Many false teachers came  after him trying to lay claim to salvation by works instead of by Grace and Paul had to write stern letters of warning and rebuke to those teaching such false doctrine.  We work out of love and desire to please Christ and share his Grace with others.  We don’t work to earn what He freely gives us  –  forgiveness and eternal life with Himself in heaven.  Our future is determined by our willingness to confess and repent of our sins and receive His gift.  We work so others may know His mercy too and in order to support His Will and fulfill His plan for our lives as well as those He wants us to help as well.  Our purpose is to worship and praise and do His Will. 

Well, we receive advice and council from a variety of sources,  some wise and some foolish.  My father was a wonderful father to me and advised me well.  He would have been 101 today but has been in heaven for 25 years.  Hard to believe.  Yet His faith in God still impacts me and his wise advice still rings in my memory guiding me to make good choices.  His legacy live on in my life and lives of those still alive who knew him.  But also in those who never knew him but are being impacted by those, like me, who were impacted by him.  

  You and I have no less significant legacy or impact as our legacy.  How seriously and wisely we use the time God gives us will determine the eternal impact we will have.  What lies ahead – smooth roads or trials and even persecution.  More Christians are being persecuted and even martyred than ever in history and is increasing.  We need to prepare because we may be joining their suffering before reaching our destination, heaven.
8/17/17                              A Poll of Lies                                          17
Ephesians 4:25-32  “²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  COMMENTS:  The temptation to lie is strongest when consequences of a sinful and or illegal activity is at risk of being exposed.  Sin prefers hid in the shadows.   Shame and guilt of being judged by others, especially those we love and/or admire or respect and fear of losing their respect.   Yet scripture and past experience shouts to us the consequences of laying lies on top of sinful behavior only  make matters worse and cause greater judgment and consequences.  King Saul sinned when he chose to stop waiting for Samuel to come and bless and do sacrifice before battle.  Saul decided he was qualified and did that ritual.  He had seen Samuel do it many times, so knew how to do it.  But he failed to discover the reason for doing it and did not understand the preparation in prayer needed first.  If he had done that preparation, he would have heard God’s warning and considered another path and repented.  King David sinned greatly too when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband.  Difference was when his sin was revealed by Nathan, David ran to the tabernacle and pleaded to God for forgiveness.  He confessed his sin and allowed his sin to be revealed to all.  His shame was exposed and intensified but mercy and  forgiveness was the reward.  Eternal life and continuing as king was his reward.  Even more, a restored relationship with God was restored.   Saul missed that path and continued with a lost relationship with God and eternal judgment and a lost kingship as a consequence.  The price to preserve his pride was too great, but was the price he paid.  His sin still was exposed anyway and his example become one to avoid and not to follow.  God will be obeyed and His Will will be accomplished one way or another.  Either by obedience or by judgment.  Which way will it be for us?  I pray it will always be the way of obedience.  A far better way.
“A lie is like a snowball; the further you roll it the bigger it becomes.”  Martin Luther  

8/18/17                              I Offer You Work                                              18
Philippians 4:10-13 “¹⁰ But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.¹² I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  COMMENTS:  It is important to remember Christ didn’t go to the cross just to give us the option of choosing forgiveness and eternal life or judgment and damnation.  Christ’s sacrifice then gives us the option to fulfill our life purpose He created us to do.  The work we were designed to do.  What is that work?  Well, we were designed first of all to worship and praise our Creator and Savior.  Yes He gives us the choice, but we need to give Him praise and worship as much as He desires to receive that worship and praise from us.  No, it is not to satisfy His Ego but because HE loves us and wants to spend time with us and because He knows the benefit that comes to us from worship and praise.  Praise draws us closer to Him and empowers us to see and become equipped to do work of sharing His Good News and loving others and showing compassion to them as He intended for us to do.  God’s Work may be demanding and at times draining but always fulfilling and of eternal value.  What else can you do that will last or impact others for good like His Work.  You may not be gifted to preach or teach or play an instrument or sing.  But you can show love and compassion and kindness to those God puts in your path.  Stop and think about the impact others have had on you in drawing to and leading you to Christ.  Also, think about those who continue to do so.  They likely are just common normal humans with common gifts and talents but also with uncommon love and compassion and generosity.  That is want impacts us and impressed us and draws us to Christ more than great preaching or teaching.   Living Christ’s example has far greater and lasting impact than talking about Christ’s example can.  That is the wonderful fulfilling work God has for you and me to do.  Work that we can only qualify to do if we walk and talk with and worship our Savior daily and continually each day.  Habits are reinforced with repetition.  Bad habits require discipline to break the reinforcing cycle of bad habits.  Good habits also require repetition to become easier to do and harder to break.  But it always seems good habits are easier to break than bad habits.   A old but common hymn says “Trust and Obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to Trust and Obey”.
“The secret of my success? It is simple. It is found in the Bible.” George Washington Carver  

8/19/17                              Praise the Lord Anyway                             19      
Psalm 34:1-7  “ I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.² My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.³ O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.⁴ I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.⁵ They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.⁶ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.⁷ The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”   COMMENTS: The Psalms is full of open honest expression of both awe and love in praise for God.  Gratitude for His faithfulness and provision and abiding presence.  Psalm 46:1 refers to God as our refuge and strength especially during trouble.  Psalm 139:1-4 assures us God knows the future as well as the past so is fully prepared for anything we fill face. Matthew 5:18  assures us every promise and prophecy in scripture will be fulfilled. John 16:33 speaks also of Christ’s victory over overwhelming obstacles satan put in His path so our problems are not too hard for Him.  Hebrews 13:5 is His promise to never leave nor forsake us.

So what is the purpose of trials and hardships?  James 1:2 “My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”  Trials may be the consequence of sins or foolish choices on our part or we may be victim of another’s sin or poor choices.  Either way, a deeper reliance on God is a benefit drawing us closer to and deepen our faith in and trust in Him.  Trials are not pleasant but they force us and stretch us to focus on Him more and ourselves less.  Seeking His help more and trusting ourselves less. When we get to heaven what will matter is our relationship with God, not how pleasant or comfortable or uncomfortable a life we experienced.  So experiences that deeper our relationship with Him is more valuable to us and to those impacted by our lives.   “When plans go awry, tragedy strikes your family, the work for which you labored disintegrates and falls apart, praise the Lord anyway. For when you praise the Lord, your attention is diverted from the situation and circumstances back to the Lord.”  Jerry Rankin

8/20/17                              God Is Bigger                                                     20    
Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been upheld by Me from birth, who have been carried from the womb: even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.  Isaiah 46:3-4

Scripture: Deuteronomy 1:30-31 “The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;³¹ And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the Lord thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.”                 COMMENTS:  Romans 8:28-29, 35-39 gives us encouragement that God not only has our best interest at heart but will use every situation for our good.  His divine purposes of trials, as was for Job, was to draw him then and us now as well as our families and friends and even acquaintances closer to Himself and stronger in our faith and closer to being like Him. We always have as much of God as we want or as little of God as we want.  But God does not have as much of us as He wants because He honors our choices.  He runs  to us when we come to Him, but we tend to resist and turn from Him when He desires to come closer to us.  Isn’t it about time we begin to treat Him the way He deserves to be treated?  After all He is Almighty God creator of all and sustainer of all including us.  He is our Lord but also our Savior and Friend like none other.  We depend on Him for live but also for having a life worth living.  He offers us eternal life but also a life filled with joy and fulfillment and peace.  In this world we have troubles and trials because satan is still within limits allows to do his evil, but God is always near ready to help and guide us through the mine fields satan has laid.  As we see how ISIS and other radical Muslim groups reign death and destruction, so does satan.  But Christ died so we could know a better way and partner with the living God, the real God, a God unlike the god cults and other  religions believe in.  Their gods lifeless idols or worse, satan hidden impersonating a god.  He is no god, but a creation trying to destroy God’s creation and hurt God by doing so.  He wants to dethrone God but he can accept the truth he can’t and never will.  GOD IS STILL AND WILL ALWAYS BE ON HIS THRONE – IN HEAVEN NOWAND ON EARTH WHEN HE RETURNS.    AMEN!  GOD IS BIGGER THAN OUR PROBLEMS BUT SMALL ENOUGH TO ABIDE WITH US AND UNDERSTAND OUR WEAKNESS AND VULNERABILITY.
“Righteousness delivers from the sting of death, but not from the stroke of it.”  Matthew Henry

8/21/17                              Fixing Our Thoughts                                         21   
Fix your thoughts on Jesus…. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus….   Hebrews 3:1, 12:1-2

SCRIPTURE:  HEBREW 11:32-40 “³² And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:³⁶ And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;³⁸ (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.³⁹ And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:⁴⁰ God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”  COMMENTS:  We are blessed with countless true stories of those before us who endured hardship, dangers, trials, and great persecution, and even martyrdom but trusted God and remained faithful and obedient even in threat of death.  Daniel entered the den of lions and his 3 friends entered the fiery furnace not knowing if God would spare their lives or not.  They didn’t know what God would do but did know He was faithful and would either protect them or carry them to their eternal home.  Either way, they knew would be a very good result.  So must we remember and follow their example when we face family problems, or health issues, or loss of job or other crisis or even dangers.  We are not promised to be spared hardships but are promised that Christ will be with us and His Holy Spirit will abide in us to guide us and strengthen us.  I pray you and I will never have to face anything like a lion’s den or fiery furnace but do know He will not allow us to face anything we can’t with His help.  I also know what ever we are asked to face, the impact on us and on those who know us will be profound and eternal.  Consider the millions impacted by Daniel’s story who are now in heaven because they followed his example.  How about those yet to hear and follow too?   One day we will have opportunity to meet Daniel and ask him if his trial was worth it?   I have no doubt he will passionately say “OH YES YES YES!”   You and I will to, especially when some of those affected by our trials are our own family and neighbors.  AMEN!                                                   

8/22/17               Once Enemies, Now Friends                                    22    
Matthew 5:43-48  “43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  COMMENTS:  The time of civil war in the USA was a  terrible time.  Brothers went to war against brothers.  But it was a time that drew the nation back to God and out of slavery.  Slavery to other men but also slavery to sin.  Revival broke out all over the USA during those years and years that followed.  Confererate and Union troops, once enemies, became friends again.  Could that have happened without the intervention of God?  Could that have happened without repentance and turning back to God?  Maybe in a more limited way but not as well nor as widespread.  But did God get the credit for that miracle?  Not in modern history books.  But like it or not, God continues to influence and do miracles in the world, unnoticed by those who ignore God but evident to us all who take the time to notice.  The eclipse of the sun yesterday was reported on the news with a common reaction of awe and amazement.  But empty amazement except by those who realized Who it was that designed and caused such a thing to happen.  Consider how precisely God placed the sun and moon so the moon would completely cover the sun’s diameter but not so much as to hide the corona which still provided most of the heat that warms the earth.  Such spectacles brought terror to pegan people of ancient times and prompted them to create and worship idols of gold and wood.  But God intended such spectacles to draw man closer to Himself. He wants His creation to draw us closer to Himself and to each other.                                              

 History recorded that in April 25, 1866 a group of Confederate widows from Columbus, Mississippi traveled to a cemetery where their husband soldiers were buried.  The Civil War was over but emotions and loss were still strong. They came with flowers to put on the graves of their beloved husbands.  The noticed the graves of union soldiers buried there were bare and unattended.  Those widows decided to decorate those graves as well by grooming the union soldier’s graves and sharing some of the flowers they brought on those graves too.  Can you imagine the healing that act sparked and impact on the families of those union soldiers as well as nation.  Only God could motivate such an act.  Only God could bring healing that such an act sparked.  What is God nudging you to do today.  He might just be preparing wood for a fire that your act will spark.  Those widows had no idea the good such an act would do.  We won’t either.  Only time will do that.  But what we do know God will do exceeding good when we follow His lead and council.  AMEN!
“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.”  Helen Keller

8/23/17                              Not Easily Silenced                                         23     
We ought to obey God rather than men.     Acts 5:29

SCRIPTURE:  ACTS 4:18-31  “¹⁸ And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.²⁰ For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.²¹ So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.²² For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.²³ And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.²⁴ And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:²⁵ Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain thi²⁶ The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.²⁷ For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered toget²⁸ For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.²⁹ And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,³⁰ By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.³¹ And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”  COMMENTS:  We are living in a time when public media is increasingly biased against Christian values and moral stands but also against Christ’s Gospel.  The issue of abortion and homosexual marriage cause anger and un-Christ like behavior on both sides.  Scripture becomes a forgotten source as does His call to repentance and renewing personal relationship with Him.  As we walk further and further away from Christ, the more unclear His standard for behavior becomes and the more acceptable sinful behavior becomes.  Personally, I think it tragic we as a nation are more concerned with rights of women over rights we’ve given to abortionists to tear living feeling unborn infants apart limb by limb as the method of choice to kill them.  Abortionist’s rights to treat women without adhering to the same medical standards that are required in every hospital.  I think it tragic we as a nation and as Christians are so focused on our rights and not on repenting from our many sins and returning from the great distance we have strayed from God.  II Chron. 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  If we would repent and return to Christ.  If we would truly repent as Christ’s followers and sincerely seek Him to revive us and heal our sinful souls, we would not only agree on these issues but we would recognize and repent of even greater sins which we don’t even realize we are guilty of.  As long as we deny our sin and only see the sin of our neighbor, we will be like King Saul and continue on the slippery slope to  God’s judgment individually and as a nation.  Like it or not, God’s standards and Will shall prevail and all who oppose it will be lost. It will not matter how right we think we are or what rights we think we have or not. It will only matter what Christ thinks of us and how He sees us.   “We don’t fight for victory, we fight from victory! Jesus has already won the victory at the cross and it’s our lives for Him that are going to transform the culture.”  David Benham

8/24/17                              Pants on Fire!                                                    24    
Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?  Proverbs 6:27

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:  Sin is a dangerous fire that consumes anything and anyone close to it.  It is like a hot ember that may give warmth and comfort but  when we get too close, without warning it will consume and destroy who it can.  A lawyer in Miami was defending a client accused of arson.  He had an e-cigarette in his pocket. During closing argument the battery in that e-cigarette overheated and caused his pants to catch fire.  That lawyer ran out of the court trying to quench his burning pants. His client was convicted.                                                                                                        

Bad habits brings harmful consequences in the most untimely times.   James 3:6 tells us “the tongue is a fire.”  Gossip or other wrong words can easily destroy a life earned good reputation.   Lies or partial truths will destroy without regard or respect of who it they touch.  Stop and reflect on a time of great temptation.  Consider a time when you yielded to that temptation but also consider that time when you refused to yield.  Both times you recall making a choice. When the temptation was at it’s strongest, you felt pushed to make a quick choice but when stopped and sought God’s help, it was then that push began to subside and sense of urgency to yield started to diminish.  Each time we refuse temptation makes the next time easier to resist.  Each time we yield makes the next time harder to resist. Paul told Timothy to flee youthful lusts.  He tells us to flee temptations too.  Don’t allow temptation to reside close.  It will only ignite and draw us to sin when we are least prepared and at most inappropriate times.  Good advice for all of us to remember.  “Sin is like fire, because if you wait too long before you attempt to bring it under, the attempt is useless. The time comes when fire gets the upper hand.”
E. A. Gillett

8/25/17                              The Battle Within                                             25  
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:17

SCRIPTURE:  ROMANS 7:18-23  “¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”   COMMENTS: A story is told in Native American culture of two wolves who live in every human heart.  One  is evil and one is good.  The evil one shows anger and jealousy and pride.  The good wolves shows joy and love and peace and huminity.  The story concludes by saying the one who becomes stronger and wins is the one we feed.  This story does not have a biblical but of pagan origin. But it supports God puts even on pagans and those ignorant of His Grace knowledge of His Laws. 

God desires for all to know Him and receive His redemption.  He is not willing that any should perish but for all to receive His redeeming Grace (II PETER 3:9).  Yet even though redemption was paid for all mankind,  redemption for each individual is dependent on accepting His sacrifice for their own sins.  Redemption is a choice out of humble realization of personal sins and desire turn from those sins and from feeding them to seeking God’s food to feed a change in nature to be Christ like.  God desires for us to be like Himself in character and conduct.  He gives us His abiding Spirit to guide and help and council us.  His spirit does not prevent us from choosing sin but makes that choice more deliberate and  opportunity to refuse temptation more possible and achievable.  Which one do we feed?  Which one do we starve?  As we obey God and resist temptation, we become stronger and more effective in becoming moreChrist like.  When we indulge in sin, we feed our sinful nature and it becomes stronger and overshadows and overpowers our weaker good nature.  Which will we feed?  Which will we neglect.  Our sinful nature will not  die without a fight, so we should expect a fight now and again.  Satan doesn’t give up easily and will regroup and take another approach when fails.  But our Savior is not surprised nor unprepared and will not leave us unprepared either if we keep Him near.
“The flesh ever seeks to be glorified before it is crucified.”   Martin Luther 

8/26/17                              Relentless Pursuit                                          26    
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  1 Peter 5:8

SCRIPTURE:  I SAMUEL 24:8-15  “⁸ David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.⁹ And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men’s words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?¹⁰ Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord’s anointed.¹¹ Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it.¹² The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.¹³ As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.¹⁴ After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.¹⁵ The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.” COMMENTS:  The persistent way King Saul pursued David reminds us just how persistent our adversary, satan, is in his determination to wear as down until we yield to temptation.  Yet by staying in fellowship with God, David was guided and empowered to resist temptations and was securely protected by God under terrible odds until finally God let Saul die in battle.  There were times of discouragement when David took his eyes of God that he foolishly sought refuge amont the Philistines.  It is so difficult to sustain a strong relationship with Christ, but is essential if we are ever going to consistently refuse and defeat temptation. Diligence in our relationship with Christ is so important for a number of reasons.  We weaken over time on our own.  We are also easily deceived and satan is very good at deception. But satan is no match for Christ and Christ is not deceived by him either.   Christ wants to abide with and help us and provides that constant sustainable help and presence through the Holy Spirit.  So when we feel ourselves becoming discouraged or weakening, our automatic reaction and first reaction needs to be turning our eyes toward Him again and running back into His arms.  Scripture and prayer are key during those times but being accountable to and seeking help from Christians friends who are both trust worthy and mature in the faith are key too.  Those who are further down the path of growth and maturing in their walk with  Christ.   Seniors have so much to offer to younger in years and younger in their walk with Christ.  They need to reach out and be available but those younger need to seek them and make themselves available to them too.  Seniors need to feel needed and loved.  Younger adults and teens and even children need the experience and wisdom and insights seniors have.  But all need more and our God and Savior is the ultimate source of this.
“Satan does far more harm as an angel of light than as a roaring lion.” Vance Havner     COMMENTS

8/27/17                              The Weight of the World                     27 
Psalm 27  “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?² When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.³ Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.⁴ One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.⁵ For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.⁶ And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.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:  Psalm 27 reflects the tremendous hope and personal daily relationship David had with God.  He knew God’s protection and faithfulness would prevail over his enemy, king Saul.  David sustsain such faith by frequent and sincere conversation with God.  He did not wait til in the midst of crisis to ask God for help but sought His council and help constantly.  

We should do as well.  Sure David experienced sinful weak times such as when ran into Philistine to escape Saul, which made matters worse for him, and when committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed.  We would just especially the second unforgiveable.  But David, when confronted by Nathan, immediately ran to God seeking forgiveness with a repentant heart.  That was what God desired and waited for.   Doing so opened David for that forgiveness but  also God’s transforming and healing work to begin.   David could not be the king God intended nor the example for his people then, or for people in every generation since, until he humbled himself and allowed God to do the transforming work in him required.  In His eyes, we are just as sinful and in need of His transforming work as well.  But we too have opportunity to be freed of the guilt and heavy burden sin places on our shoulders too.
“Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up.”  Charles H. Spurgeon   

8/28/17                              A Wall of Fire                                                      28    
Zechariah 2:1-5  “I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.² Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.³ And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,⁴ And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:⁵ For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.  COMMENTS: Every day Christians all over the world face persecution and even death for being true to Christ.  The countries below are worst:

The top 10 nations where it is most dangerous and difficult to practice the Christian faith are:

1. North Korea
2. Somalia
3.  Afghanistan
4. Pakistan
5.  Sudan
6. Syria
7.  Iraq
8. Iran
9. Yemen
10. Eritrea

The top 10 nations over the 25-year span are:

1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Somalia
5. Afghanistan
6. Maldives
7. Yemen
8. Sudan
9. Vietnam
10. China

As with Daniel, they do not know if they will die or be spared.  They don’t know if they will endure ridicule or beatings or alienation from family and employment for following Christ.  They don’t know how low or how bad persecution will be.  BUT THEY DO NOT FACE SUCH ALONE.  Christ is personally with them with the Holy Spirit dwelling inside helping and strengthening and guiding each step.  But the greatest confident hope they each have is what Daniel had.  Assurance of an eternal home in heaven and God’s protection over their families and loved ones.  The assurance of a legacy of salvation that would overshadow and continue after our work on earth is done.  Christ is faithful and will remain faithful, but we need  to be and remain faithful to Him.  

Scripture and many life examples from all generations, including ours, show us countless examples of this promise being fulfilled in the lives of the faithful.  We must be and remain faithful if we are going to be including in His covering and the same legacy of Christians before us.

Above are the 50 worst country list.  If you live in one of those countries, you know the price of following Christ.   If you live in a country with little or less persecution, you need to pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters but also pray for God’s indwelling to prepare you for life’s trials and temptations.  If we are indeed living in the latter days, then persecution may soon reach Christians in all countries.  Not a time to fear but a time to put and keep our eyes on Christ and our hands in His.  He knows what is coming and is prepared.  He wants to prepare us so we are ready too. AMEN!                                                                                                                              “Lord, Thou art “a stronghold in the time of trouble.” I need Thy protection now. Thou art a wall of fire round about me now. I thank Thee, Lord.”  Marie Monsen

8/29/17                              Knowing Whom to Trust                               29    
There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines.
1 Samuel 27:1   SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 20  “The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;² Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;³ Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah⁴ Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.⁵ We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions.⁶ Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.⁸ They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.⁹ Save, Lord: let the king hear us when we call.”  COMMENTS:  It is always best to follow God’s council.  His council from scripture and council of Christian friends and relatives that is supported by scripture.  But we should not try to outguess God’s council.  Joseph followed God’s call to escape Bethlehem to Egypt but when David ran to Philistine to escape King Saul, that was not God’s council.  God was miraculously protecting David and his family but David was growing weary because of living at the edge for so long.  He needed a break to rest but instead of seeking rest in God, he decided to make his own solution.  IT DIDN’T WORK BUT ONLY MADE MATTERS WORSE.  He escaped by lying and deception.  David was far from perfect and not always faithful.  But David was different because he was always repentant.  That was the difference that God loved and responded to with forgiveness.                                                        

Has God ever brought you to the edge of danger?  That is a scary place to be and really tests our faith and trust in Christ like nothing else. It is then we need to hang on tighter but focus fully on Him.  I have said if I were hanging from a rope 3 ft off the ground, a ¼ inch rope is sufficient but if I were hanging 1000 ft  off the ground , I would want a 1 inch rope just in case.  God gives us a rope that will not break but so often does not allow us to see that rope that holds us.  It is then we need to rely on His many promises but especially His promise to not leave us or forsake us (Deut 31:6, Hebrews 13:5, I Kings 8:57).  This particular promise is given many places in scripture. I believe it is no accident God repeats this promise many times in scripture.  It is a promise He takes most seriously because He understands our fears and our weakness but also the depth of His love and compassion to us.  That is the most reassuring to realize that.  He is most trustworthy and capable.  AMEN!
“Oh, the blessings of God that will come to you if you will learn to believe God. It is absolutely necessary that you learn how to believe God.” Adrian Rogers

 

 

8/30/17                              Talking Tombstones                                            30                                                                              
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. Hebrews 11:4

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 73:23-28  “²³ Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.²⁴ Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.²⁶ My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.²⁷ For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.”  COMMENTS:

Philip D. Monjar lived in the small community of Clintonville from 1829-1851. I discovered this grave stone while volunteering with a group of men nearly 3 years ago repairing some old gravestone in disrepair in our local town cemetery. The words recorded on this tombstone, of a young man who died in 1851, are words taken from a Charles Wesley hymn noted below.  Words are verse 1 underllined below.  The hymn was inspired by Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” and written by Charles Wesley in 1742. Below is that hymn:

• Verse 1; “ O for a heart to praise my God, a heart from sin set free, a heart that always feels thy blood so freely shed for me.”
• Verse 2: “ A heart resigned, submissive, meek, my great Redeemer’s throne, where only Christ is heard to speak, where Jesus reigns alone.”
• Verse 3: “A humble, lowly, contrite heart, believing, true, and clean, which neither life nor death can part from Christ dwells within.”
• Verse 4: “A heart in every thought renewed and full of love divine, perfect and right and pure and good, a copy, Lord, of thine.”
• Verse 5: “Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart; come quickly from above; write thy new name upon my heart, thy new, best name of Love.”

We don’t know the background behind engraving these words on Philip’s gravestone, but have to believe this hymn was his favorite and reflects a deep love and faith for Christ that guided his short life.  We don’t know what cut his life short nor what he accomplished in his life.  But the impact his tombstone had on those after he died is likely significant.  They impacted me 163 years after he died and now are impacting you as are reflecting on them.  The legacy left by him is significant but suspect his impact rippling from those who knew him to those who then knew them and on through the generations to you and me is of eternal significance and very powerful too.

We have no idea how God will bless us and how He will use us to bless and impact the lives of others when we seek and follow Him. But we do know God loves and cares for us like none other does or could.  We also know He takes an eternal perspective partnering with us to make an eternal difference.  Just as Philip Monjar continues to be blessed by a legacy God continues to use written on a tombstone.  A legacy that also goes back to Charles Wesley who wrote the hymn that impacted Philip but also goes back to David who wrote Psalm 73.  How could David or Charles or Philip know how God would wonderfully use their simple acts of obedience.  But He did and continues to do so.  He also is using your simple acts of obedience if you and I let Him.  If we are ridiculed or persecuted or even killed for following Christ nad sharing His Good News of redemption, the rewards and legacy far outweigh the cost to us.  But even more, the rewards far outweigh the cost to Christ, which is infinitely greater than any we may face.
“The reality of heaven doesn’t just help us die more peacefully; it helps us live more joyfully and productively.”   David Jeremiah  

8/31/17                              Not in Heaven Yet                         31                              Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding. Job 12:12

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 90: 10-12  “¹⁰ The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.¹¹ Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.¹² So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”  COMMENTS: God’s timing and in God’s way to accomplish God’s Will.  God’s redemption can quickly compensate for a long wasted life of time or even of disobedience.  God’s redemption can also reward a long life of faithfulness without evidence of fruit by quickly bearing great fruit.  Our job is not counting the fruit but being faithful.  Maybe you are one of those who has lived a long life working a job and raising a family without being especially faithful to Christ or even going to church.  You can think of any one especially impacted by your life nor anyone you’ve led to Christ.  Or maybe you are one who has been faithful all your life going to church faithfully all your life and accepted Christ at a young age but you too can’t think of anyone especially impacted by your life nor being led to Christ by you.  There are millions of examples of each and likely many examples of each in your own family and community.  Maybe you are even a pastor who has shared the gospel for many years and yet can’t remember the last time anyone has come forward for an altar call.  Is this a failure of you or me or is it God’s timing not yet being fulfilled.  Well, it is God’s will that all would be saved but God waits til our wills submit to His will.  He doesn’t force Himself on anyone, but truth is He has a incredibly deep passionate love for each of us. For both the rebellious ones and faithfull ones.  For the timid ones and the bold ones.  For the loveable ones and the unloveable ones.

Charles McKoy retired at age 71 but then answered a call to preach around the world.  A time in life when most rest and do what they want, he embarked on a new life of greater demands than every.  He did so for 16 more years leading thousands to Christ, even more than were impacted previously.  Below is a quote reflecting the reason why  He took this leap of faith.

“A fire kept burning on the hearthstone of my heart, and I took up the burden of the day with fresh courage and hope.”  Charles F. McKoy

I too have a similar but less dramatic story.   I accepted Christ at age 10 and have been faithful to my home church in my home town all my life.  I married and been faithful to my wife and raise our two children together  and now have 3 grandchildren.  I worked as an engineer for nearly 40 years before retiring and now have been retired for nearly 5 years.  I have answered God’s call to teach Sunday school and serve in many capacities in our church and community over the years, prayed with and witnessed various times during my working career but have missed many more opportunities.  When I look back, I feel disappointed because I can’t recall very many people  I have personally lead to Christ.  Not when consider am looking back over 56 plus years since I first accepted Christ .  But what is different now is the impact what I write is having on those overseas who read it but even more those who are using my writings to evangelize their communities and countries.  The blog I have been building since March 2016 and  this devotional journal I have been writing electronically and sharing by email since January 2013 is being read by more than I know but do know of over 50 who are reading it daily.

Well, when I started writing and sharing this journal, during a time of prayer God revealed to me that it would impact many but He also revealed to me that more would be impacted by it after I am in heaven than during my lifetime.  That revelation has spurred me to share and store it to as many and in as many pleases I can.  By storing at my blog site and creating and storing a “dropbox” location to store writings is an attempt to plant a seed that will one day bear fruit possibly when God’s word will not be as accessible.  If Christ’s return is eminent, as I believe it is, then that time may be at our doorstep. But even if not, someday it will and what I do can be a legacy I leave that will one day bear fruit that will honor Christ and win those He loves dearly unto Himself.   The focus and honor is to Christ, not to me or anyone else. 

I pray this journal is and will continue to be a blessing to you and encourage you.  I also encourage you to share as find value and opportunity.

You may access my blog at: https://donsdevotions.wordpress.com/

You may access my facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Don1951

You can also access my dropbox public storing site at my blog if go to a older post identified as :                                                                                                                  

   “Link to Outreach Resources + Don’s Devotional Journal Entries 2013-2017”

You may also contact me directly at my email:  dmcdaniel12@verizon.net

In Christ’s Service,

Don McDaniel

August 31, 2017