Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jul 1st, 2014 Share The Good News – by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Psalms 78 – 79 (Click on the references to listen to the audio; Click here to read the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Proverbs 1; Psalm 1 – 5; Mathew 1 – 2)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 40:31

Read the “0701 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:  Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”  Psalm 78:1-4

In a few days we will be celebrating our country’s independence.  The country which was founded on the word of God.  Its Constitution was written with the Bible in mind.  We stood for what was right.  Her laws were also written to protect the freedom to worship the God of Heaven.  Public school’s used the Bible to teach children right from wrong and to read.

In Psalm 78, the writer was concerned about the next generation knowing about what God has done for His people.  They prayed for four- hundred years to be free from Egypt.  God protected them when Pharaoh chased after them by parting the Red Sea.  God also destroyed the Egyptians by drowning them in the sea.  He gave them food and water in the wilderness.  God was there guiding them by a pillar of fire at night and a cloud covering by day.  What a wonderful God we serve.  All these things were taught to the children.

So what happened to our generation?  We’ve taken the Bible and prayer out of schools and other public places.  Our children are learning to read by books like “I Have Two Mommies”.  We’re no longer standing for what is right.  Many church members have one foot in the world and one in the church.  Some just quit.  People no longer want to hear the name Jesus unless it’s used as a curse word.  And yet our Lord and Saviour still is with us and loves us.  But what will our children and grandchildren praise the Lord about?

America, it’s time to take a stand.  Let’s grab our Bibles and gospel tracks and get our nation back.  Let’s make ‘the old stories’ so the next generation will have something to praise the Lord about.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Jun 24th, 2014 The Pits

Today’s Reading – Psalms 40 – 45 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 2 John, 3 John, Jude; Psalms 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)

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

Read the “0624 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from this morning’s reading – “God Wants To Hear You Sing” and “Thirsty?”

“He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”   (Psalms 40:2-3)

Psalm 40 was written by King David of how God lifted him out of a pit.  It does not state if it was a literal pit but nevertheless, a pit.  He is expressing a great truth that he realized, one that we all must realize.  Whatever kind of pit we find ourselves in, God can lift us out of, and we can praise Him.

The first pit God can bring us out of is the pit of hell.  Once you accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, your final destination changes from hell to heaven.  If that was the only pit God pulled us out of, that would be reason enough to praise Him.   But He is willing to pull you out of any pit.

There are pits of sorrow, loneliness, finances, lust, loss and all others.  Just follow him and He will guide you right out.

“The light of Jesus Christ is stronger than any deepest darkness.” (Quote from Corry ten Boom)

When He pulls us out of a pit we should praise Him for it.  It’s not only a way to worship Him, but a way to thank Him.  It’s also a testimony for others of what God did for you.

Why would God pull us out of a pit?  There are many people who are in pits and God wants to use you to pick others up.   God does not pick you up just so you can feel good about yourself, even though that may be a part of it.  God picks you up so that you can be His instrument in the lives of others.  We are all blessed so that God can use us to share His blessings with others.

God has picked you up and calls you to be His instrument to pick others up also.  God picked up David out of the “pits” in his life and he praise God.   God picks you up.

Let God use you to pick up those in need that are near to you ‘in your home, your work, your school – and in this community.

Let God use you to pick up those in need.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Jun 17th, 2014 Not For Ladies Only – by Camille Stahl

Today’s Reading – Psalms 1 – 8 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Philemon – Hebrews 4; Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)

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

Read the “0617 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from this passage – “A Recipe for Success” and “Kiss the Son“

“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 put her husband down and try 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 does not work out, leave.  The Bible says,

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

Jun 10th, 2014 Hush, Listen and Pray – by Camille Stahl

Today’s Reading – Job 19 – 21 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Colossians 1 – 4; Psalms 46 – 50; Proverbs 10)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17

Read the “0610 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Words of My Mouth“

“They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?”  (Job 21:13-15)

After several conversations with his friends, Job seems to be getting angry.  Jobs tells his friends if they want to help him just listen and then they could mock him.

Job had lived a good life. He had many animals, and many children. He was a good man. But thieves had taken his animals, and his children were dead.  In the middle of it all, his wife told him to curse God and die.  But Job stayed faithful to his God.  He knew the advice his friends were giving, was not true.

Job described the good life of some evil people, and knew they enjoyed their lives.  Their power, they believe, came from their own doings.  These people did not want to serve anyone, especially God. They only cared about their own pleasure. They didn’t pray because they said, ‘We will not benefit if we pray. Prayer is a waste of time.’

Job did not behave like they did. He was glad to serve God.  He would pray even if he didn’t received benefits from it. He didn’t care if evil people lived a better life than him. He would not listen to wicked people’s advice. Job respected God, and Job loved God. God mattered more to Job than Job’s wealth.

Throughout the Bible we read about so many people whose lives changed because of seemingly bad times in their life.  When Noah, who was mocked by the people for building a boat on dry land, was saved, him and his family, from the flood.  When the male children were to be drowned in the Nile, God had His hand on Moses.  Moses later freed the children of Israel out of Egypt.  Joseph’s brothers sold him to be a slave.  Later in life, Joseph saved his people from the famine.  There are so many other examples.  But they all had one thing in common, they relied on God when the times got ruff.   Jesus himself, in His darkest hour, was praying and drawing closer to our Heavenly Father.

Testing will come to all believers.  If God is allowing it, we must remember it’s for our good and He is in control over everything.  We must trust.  If we know someone going through a trial, let’s remember to be a great friend and listen and pray.

Like Job, God may be saying to Satan, “Have you considered my servant,” and put your name there.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Jun 3rd, 2014 Vashti, A Woman Who Stood For Right

Today’s Reading – Esther 1 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – 2 Corinthians 5 – 8; Psalms 11 – 15; Proverbs 3)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 19

Read the “0603 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

t’s Read  previous posts from this passage – “Obsession” and “It’s a God Thing“

“On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him.”   (Esther 1:10-12)

The King and his men were drinking for several days.  Ahasuerus the king, demanded that Vashti, his wife, come to him so he could show her off.  But she refused. This was a dangerous thing to do because it looked like the king had no control over his wife.  So all the counselors came together to give their opinion.  They wanted Vashti to be stripped of her rank and never allowed to see the king.

The Bible doesn’t tell why Vashti took this stand, but it caused action to push her off the throne. Later in scripture we find God used her again when her son became king.

God is in control of all our lives, even when things look bad.  We’re facing hopeless situations.  We don’t think we can be pushed anymore.  We feel that we are being punished for our faith and are suffering for no reason.  God has not deserted us.  We may not see His purpose or justice until the end, but we can be certain He will prevail, just as He did for Vashti, a Gentile woman.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

May 20th, 2014 Searching or Forsaking by Camille Stahl

Today’s Reading – 2 Chronicles 13 – 17 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Acts 13 – 15; Psalms 96 – 100; Proverbs 20)

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

Read the “0520 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read previous posts from this passage – “Asa – He Started Well But Finished Poorly“; “Trust in the Lord“, and “Don’t Shoot the Messenger”

“And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” (2 Chronicles 15:2)

God desires fellowship with us.  But He will never push himself on us.  As much as we allow Him, He will bless us.  This is a glorious promise.  We need to fear nothing because with Him we can face any problem. The Lord was with Adam until he sinned.  The Lord was with Samson until he broke his vow.  In every case, man makes the break.  He could exist completely independent of us but we cannot live without Him.

Unlike other ‘gods’, if we seek Him, we will find Him.  The prophets and priests sought for Baal before Elijah.

“And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.” (1 Kings 18:28-29)

No matter how loud they cried or how deep they cut themselves, they had no power to call down their powerless god.  Hannah, the mother of Samuel, sought and found Him with just moving her lips with no sound.

The warning is not to forsake Him.

“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)

People blame God for tragedies that they themselves are responsible for. They don’t want to have to answer or be accountable to anyone. As a result, there is no reading of the bible or praying. No one wants to go to church. When things go wrong, and they will, no matter if you’re in the will of God or not. That’s when people throw their fists at God.

Whose team are you on?  Searching or forsaking.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Apr 22nd, 2014 The Widow Of Zarephath, Who Gave Her All – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – 1 Kings 15 – 17 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

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

Scripture Memorization for April – Soulwinning Verses

Read the “0422 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read a great article by Pastor Chappell – “Continuing the Celebration“

Read previous posts from this passage – “God Will Take Care of You“, and ” ‘There’ – The Place of God’s Will”

“And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth  Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.   And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.  And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.   And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.   For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.” (1 King 17:8-15)

The great famine that Elijah prophesied, would affect many lives, not just wicked King Ahab. When Elijah became hungry, and the ravens fed him no more, God provided another food source, a widow, who’s name is not mentioned. She didn’t have a storage shelter filled with food and water, she just had a great need. I always wondered what she thought when Elijah first asked her to give him some of the last of her food. She knew this was the last meal she and her son would eat before their death and yet she gave. God kept his promise and supplied food for Elijah, the widow and her son, and they lived. I wonder why God did not continue to supply Elijah with food through the ravens or some other way? Instead, He sent Elijah to a poor woman. It seemed that she would not be a likely candidate to provide food for anyone, but God graciously allowed this woman to become part of His plan. God reached out to her who had nothing, accomplishing much.

WARNING!! Things are tough now, but be warned, they will get tougher. The prices of everything are going up (except our paychecks). Our country, as a whole, is in a drought. With less rain there will be less food, which drives up prices. There are so many people out of work, but will we give? You say “We have no way to pay the bills”, but the work of the Lord must go on. It takes money to keep the doors open at the church. People are dying and going to hell every minute.

“Will a man rob God?  Yet ye have robbed me.  But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”   (Malachi 3:8-9)

Fret not. All is not doom and gloom with God. God promises to take care of His children when we obey Him.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10)

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.” (Psalms 37:25-26)

God is no respecter of persons. He took care and greatly blessed the widow and her son; He’ll take care of, and bless us.

Prolong your life. If your not tithing, I challenge you to start. To you who are tithing, don’t stop.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Apr 15th, 2014 DAVID’S BIGGEST SIN – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – 2 Samuel 23 – 24 (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; Proverbs 15; Psalms 71 – 75)

Scripture Memorization for April –  Verses I commonly use when sharing the gospel.

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Psalm 55:17

Read the “0415 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.” (2 Samuel 24:1)

“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.” (1Chonicles 21:1-2)

When we think of David sinning, we think of Bathsheba.  But in our reading today, we see a sin bigger than that in the eyes of God.

God was very angry at Israel.  God used Satan to move David to do what was already in David’s heart.  Why was it so wrong for David to take a census? The taking of a census is not wrong, it was the reason David took it was sin.

David had pride in his heart. He wanted to prove his power.  I’m thinking he wanted to brag about what a great king he was by the number of his army.  Any time Satan is involved, you can write it down, sin is to follow.

God tried to warn David through Joab not to take the census but David prevailed.

Now for the sin of David God gave him a choice of what punishment would be given.  Famine throughout the land for seven years, to flee from his enemies for three months or three days of pestilence (a deadly epidemic) upon the entire land. David choose to, ‘fall into the hands of the Lord’ – the pestilence. Ten of thousands died throughout Israel until the death angel that brought the plague was stopped.  David pleaded for mercy and was told to build an altar to God on a particular threshing floor (2Samuel 24:16 – 18).

What lessons can we glean from this passage of scriptures?

First we see that Satan is looking for prideful hearts.  He loves nothing better than to trip Gods children when they are weak.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”  (1 Peter 5:8)

In order to know the will of God, we must be in His Word and pray diligently.  Then we must surrender our will, accept His and obey it.

Next we see that God will always give us an escape route when temptations come.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Cointhians 10:13)

David took no thought, when he slew the bear and lion. David had no doubt that he could slay Goliath with just a sling. What happened to his faith in not knowing the number of his army? Pride.

Thirdly we see that sin affects others.

In the three choices God gave David for punishment, all of Israel would suffer for it.  We often hear people say, “Well I’m not hurting anyone by doing …”  But no one ever looks at the big picture.

“For the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23 a)

Last we see that God will always provide a way out.

God gave us a free will to choose. He also gave us His word, the Bible, to guide us in our decisions.  That’s why Preachers will continually encourage you to read your Bible.  It’s our guide to life.

“…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom 6:23 b)

Together, let’s keep our minds filled with the Spirit of God, keep out Satan’s lies, and remember that our decisions affect more than just ourselves.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Apr 8th, 2014 Rizpah, a Dedicated Mother – by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – 2 Samuel 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 – Matthew 15 – 16; Proverbs 8; Psalms 36 – 40)

Scripture Memorization for April –  Verses I commonly use when sharing the gospel.

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Psalm 25

Read the “0408 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah: and Ishbosheth said to Abner, Wherefore hast thou gone in unto my father’s concubine?”  (2 Samual 3:7)

Rizpah not even a wife, a gentile concubine of Saul, was a great example of a mother who would do anything for her children.

An example of:

Devotion – There was a famine in the land. Rizpah may have known it was caused by Saul’s sin when he broke a treaty with the Gibeonites.  It caused God to send the drought and famine. If she knew this she may have also realized the sons of Saul would be required as a sacrifice by the Gibeonites. She did not want her sons to die. If they had to die she wanted them to have a place of burial.

Rizpah loved her sons and did not shun them in their time of need.  Her devotion caused her to stay with them during the months of their shame. Family is always needed in time of need.

Then later we see her keeping the birds of prey and the wild beasts from devouring the bodies of her sons. It was the intent of the Gibeonites to have these sons of Saul ripped apart by the vultures and wild beasts.

A thought. As mothers we to should protect our children from the vultures and wild beasts of drugs, promiscuous sex, alcohol, ungodly music, and so on.

Dedicated – She had a true mother’s heart.  And the text says that Rizpah stayed with the dead bodies of her sons “from beginning of harvest until it rained on them.  The Bible tells us the bones of the sons were buried, therefore it had to be a long time since only the bones were left.  She made a personal sacrifice because she wanted a burial place for her children.  When David became aware of what was going on, he not only gave them a royal burial but he cared for the remaining son Mephibosheth.

A thought.   How much time are you willing to give to your children? How dedicated are you willing to be? Things right now, may not be as you wish with your children, but the final results are not in yet.  Rizpah didn’t succeed in a month or two, but her dedication led her onward.  Mothers, DON’T GIVE UP HOPE; continue to be dedicated to the ongoing task of Motherhood.

Thank You

l John 5:13