Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

May 18th, 2013 Thank You – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 6 – 8 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 7 – 9; Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)

Scripture Memorization for May – Romans 10

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Psalm 119:105

Read a great article by Pastor Paul Chappell– “Launch Out“

Read the “0518 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from this morning’s passage – “Forgive”  & “The Fire Came Down From Heaven“

“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” (Psalm 86:12-15)

I had just finished doing some work around the house, and sat down outside on the deck to take a break. I got notified a few days before this, that my work was out of work so I was out of work. I had submitted a claim to Unemployment, and was considering a plan of action in my hunt for another job. So, I’m sitting there, and my eye catches a squirrel coming over to the deck. He made his way to the top of the railing, about 7 feet away from me, and started to eat an acorn. Did you know that squirrels have fairly large claws? I could see his clearly as I watched him devour the last bit of nut. Then he stared at me with his black beady eyes. Oh great! He’s going to jump and dig his claws into my leg, bite me, and then I’ll have to go to the hospital and get rabies shots. The squirrel started to scamper across the railing, stopping every yard or so to check on me: eying up his target. He didn’t jump on me, but made his way to the end of the railing where we have this large river rock with a hollow in it. It was almost like a bowl. And the squirrel started drinking the rainwater out of it. The more I thought about what just happened, the more I rejoiced in my heart. The Lord led this squirrel to a hidden acorn to eat. The Lord supplied the rain the night before, filling the hollow, and giving the squirrel water to drink. He will supply all my needs also. When the right job comes along, it will come from God, and in His timing.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.” (Psalm 103).

Thank You, Lord, for everything that You have given us.

Peace. (Psalm 69:30).