Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Sep 23rd, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Amos 6 – 9; Obadiah 1 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – 2 John, 3 John, Jude; Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Ephesians 4:32

Read the “0923 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“We” Did It!

  “Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength?” (Amos 6:13)

Here we see God mourning over the fact that He is going to have to judge His chosen people because they are at ease.  They’re comfortable and laid back, not looking to God.  They believe they are doing fine the way things are.  They only look to God for what He can do for them to make them even more comfortable. After all, they’re God’s chosen people, right? Well, yes. But look at what He told them here in verse 8.

“The Lord GOD hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein.” (Amos 6:8)

That meant that despite Jacob’s seed being His chosen people, He hated what they had become.  God tells Israel that despite their status as His chosen people, He was going to deliver them into the hands of their enemies.

Because they weren’t looking to God, the children of Israel were looking to ‘other gods’.  “Ye which rejoice in a thing of naught” – In your idols: for an idol is nothing in the world.

They were also boasting about doing great things in their own might.  “Have we not taken to us horns” – We have arrived to power and dignity by our strength.  Horns were the symbols of power and authority.

My question is, if God was displeased with Israel, is He not displease with what’s going on today?  We too are pushing for a Godless country.  We are enticed by the lusts of the flesh that Satan puts before us.  When God’s judgment comes, we shake our fists at Him, yes even Christians.  When something great is accomplished, we take all the credit.

Not too long ago, the Seaside Board Walk burnt down for the second time.  A few business owners stated, “Why is God doing this to us?”  It has since been rebuilt and they are advertising what a beautiful job they did rebuilding the Board Walk.  And there are many other examples.

God is still in the business of afflicting the comfortable. When we are at ease in Zion, He sometimes has to shake us up with righteous affliction. To put it in today’s language, sometimes God has to shake our world to wake us up.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Sep 16th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Daniel 4 – 6 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Philemon – Hebrews 4; Psalms 76 – 80; Proverbs 16

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Read the “0916 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Control Your Pride

“While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws.”  (Daniel 4:31-33)

When Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Babylonian Empire, it was the most powerful empire on earth.  The king was a ruthless, heartless tyrant who ran over anything in his path.  God put the prophet Daniel into the King’s court as his top advisor.  It was a dangerous position, but Daniel was loved and blessed by God and could interpret dreams.  When King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed a dream, Daniel was the only one who could help him.  Daniel only had bad news for the king.  Even though King Nebuchadnezzar tried to stay humble, his pride took over.  In verse 30, the Bible says that Nebuchadnezzar spoke out.  While the word was in his mouth, God spoke and the Kingdom departed from Nebuchadnezzar.  After 7 years of living a nightmare, Nebuchadnezzar came to his senses.

“And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:”  (Daniel 4:34)

At last he realized that God was in total control of all things, not himself, and because of his arrogance, God had taken everything away.

Our Heavenly Father loves us very much.  He wants to bless us. When He does, we must be careful that not to take the credit.  We should never boast.  We should always give the glory to God, because we can lose it all in a blink of an eye.  Nebuchadnezzar did.

“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”  (Proverbs 11:2)

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”  (Proverbs 16:18)

“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”  (Proverbs 29:23)

Thank You

Revelation 20:10

Sep 9th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 32 – 34 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Colossians 1 – 4; Psalms 41 – 45; Proverbs 9)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 61:1 – 3

Read the “0909 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Danger, Danger, Sound the Alarm!

“Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;”  (Ezekiel 33:2-3)

Sep 2nd, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 10 – 13 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – 2 Corinthians 5 – 8; Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 34

Read the “0902 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.   But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”  Psalms 1:1-2

King David, the writer of the majority of Psalms, was a talented poet.  His writings were bold and personal with God.

In verse one and two we see David talking about getting counsel. And his counsel comes from the Word of God.

In life we have many trials and testing.  There are so many self-help books, TV and radio shows, and other worldly advisors.  Verse one warns us about this kind of counsel.  My friend, the best self-help book is the Bible, and the best group session to attend is church.

How should I dress?

It seems like women are showing more and more skin. But the Bible says,

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.”   (1Timothy 2:9-10)

How should I treat my husband?

Just watch most TV programs.  The wife will puts her husband down and tries to take his place as the head of the house.  She shows no love or respect towards him.  The Bible says,

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22

Men, this is for you.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Ephesians 5:25

Who should I marry?

The world would tell you that you don’t need to marry. Or you can marry anyone you want.  If it doesn’t work out leave.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”  (2Colossians 6:14)

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”  (Genesis 2:24)

I could never forgive ….. for what they did.

The way of the world would tell you to spend all your time and energy on getting even.  The Bible says,

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”  (Col0ssians 3:13)

God loves you.  He is your Heavenly Father.  He will guide you in all things.  His counsel is the only truth.  Together, let’s follow David’s advice and seek God’s counsel.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Aug 26th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 46 – 48 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Romans 9 – 12; Psalms 120 – 125; Proverbs 26)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 3:1

Read the “0826 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s reading passage – “Forgiveness”

My Loving Father

“Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.”  (Jeremiah 46:28)

I love this verse because it reminds me of my relationship with my Dad. He was and still is my hero. I loved being with him. I went everywhere with him. I did everything with him.  He taught me about safety if there was dangerous situations. If there was one thing my Dad gave me, it was his time, “for I am with thee;”

My Dad also guided me through life. He taught me direction when I didn’t know which way to turn. He helped me see the pros and cons in life decisions, but he also respected my opinion. If I made a mistake, he was there to pull me up and help me on my way, “for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee:”

Even with all the great times I’ve had with my Dad, I remember those times of correction. I don’t think anyone likes times of correction, but if we admit it, we know it’s for our own good. He didn’t have to do a thing to punish me because it would hurt me to disappoint my Dad. But when needed, I got what was coming to me.

Jeremiah was a man who was always under great persecution. Here at the end of chapter 46, we see our loving God taking care of His child Jeremiah.

God also cares for us in the same way He cared for Jeremiah. He protects us, He directs us, and when needed, He corrects us. He tenderly cares for us as a Dad cares for his child. But to me, the four most precious words in this verse is, “I am with thee.”

Thank You

Hebrews 13:5b

Aug 19th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 18 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 13 – 15; Psalms 91 – 95; Proverbs 19)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11

Read the “0819 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

The Beginning Of Sorrows

“And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.” (Mark 13:5-8)

Jim Jones, Charles Manson, Marshall Applewhite, and Warren Jeffs, are just some of the modern day men who claimed to be Jesus Christ.

The Gulf War, The Bombings of Afghanistan and Sudan, War on Terror, World War lll.

1994, USA – 2004, Indian Ocean – 2005 & 2007, Sumatra – 2010, Haiti & Chile – 2011, Tohodu – 2012, Italy.

1996, North Korea, about 600,000 people died of starvation – 1998 to 2004, Second Congo War, 3.8 million people died, mostly from starvation and disease – 2011 to 2012, Somalia and Sahel, brought on by drought – 2013, Somewhere in the World.

Talk about troubles, on the Wikipedia web site, there are about 100 minors listed who’ve committed murder.  Many people, young and old, have committed suicide since 1996.  Thousands are addicted to drugs sex and alcohol.  Divorce, same sex marriage, throwing God out and allowing other gods in.

Can you see that we are in the closer than ever to the return of Christ?

Fellow ladies, servants of God, I would like to challenge you, along with myself.  Pray and ask God to help you spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Put some Gospel tracks in our purses and pass them out.  Leave them in restrooms.  Put them in the envelope when paying your bills.  Leave them with a tip.  Pray for opportunities to invite people to church.  Be creative.  Teach our children to do the same.  If the Lord tarries, they will be the next generation to carry on the work of the Lord.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”    (Romans 10:14)

“And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:47-49)

We too must be about our Father’s business.  Will you join me this week and share Jesus with someone?  Someday, through death or the rapture, we will no longer be able to obey Jesus’ last words as He was ascending into Heaven:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.    (Mark 16:15)

Thank You

l John 5:13

Jul 22nd, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Passage – Proverbs 22 – 24 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 15 – 16; Psalms 106 – 110; Proverbs 22)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11

Read the “0722 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s reading from Pastor Erickson – “Don’t Quit!!!”

Oh Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say

“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” (Proverbs 21:23)

Have you heard that old saying ‘Open mouth insert foot”?  Or have you ever said anything that you wished you hadn’t and maybe even got in trouble for?  ME!  There are many verses in the Bible about guarding our mouth and tongue.

 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” (James 3:6)

  “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

 “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:” (1Peter 3:10)

It’s a very powerful a little member of the body that can destroy a life.  Many times we get in such a mess from just having a ‘blabbler mouth’.  We talk and talk and talk and never find the time to listen.  When arguing, we ramble on and most times say hurtful words.  Sometimes not saying anything is better than fighting over nonsense.  The best way to win an argument, is not to say one word.

 “Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” (Proverbs 17:28)

If we had to write every word before we said it, I believe we would get ourselves in trouble less.  Words, the one thing we can give, that we can never take back.  Remember ladies, our children are watching and listening to us.   Think before you speak.

Thank You

Revelation 20:10

Jul 15th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Reading – Proverbs 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 1 – 2; Psalms 71 – 75; Proverbs 15)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1

Read the “0715 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Remembering the Bible

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” (Proverbs 3:1-3)

What a great God we serve.  He tenderly cares and loves us. He has given us the Bible for instruction and warning. It’s a clear road map in the direction He wants us to follow. In Proverbs 3, God is telling us to follow the commandments of the law.  If we do, He promises a longer life.  He also is instructing us to memorize His word, the Bible, ‘write them upon the table of thine heart’. Many of us have more than one Bible in our home. Some are full of dust because they’re never read. For now we’re able to own and read the Bible freely. But slowly the devil is convincing the lost world to take those rights away. They may be able to take the Bible out of our arms, but they can never take it out of our hearts. God loves us. He has given us everything. He even died for us. We own Him everything, even our lives.

Will you heed the warning?  Will you write His laws on the tables of your heart? Start spending time with Him every day and experience the change in your life.

Thank You Revelation 20:10