Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

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

Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 10 – 12 (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 –Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 18:3 & 46

Read the “1202 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Learn From The Past“, “Are You Unworthy?” and “Be Careful“

Who’s Your Daddy?

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”  (1 Corinthians 10:1-6)

Our text starts off with the writer talking about the remembrance of the time when Israel first left Egypt.   For four hundred years they prayed to be freed from the bondage of Egypt.  They wanted to have the freedom to worship Jehovah God, and God answered their prayers. He send Moses who led them out to the mountain of God.  On the way they passed on dry ground as the enemy drowned before their eyes.  They witness the very presents of God in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud during the day.  He fed them manner from Heaven and they drank the water from the rocks.  But how quickly they forgot the very One who was with them each moment of the day.

“And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.” (Judges 2:10-14)

Now I would like to look at verse 6.

“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”

God has written His, road map / instructional book, the Bible.  It is to guide us and protect us as the pillar of fire and cloud did for the children of Israel.   He didn’t free His children from Egypt’s clutches without walking with them and showing them the way.  Neither will He leave us to flounder to find our own way.  We try to point our finger at Israel and wonder how they could form a calf of gold to worship it under the mountain of God.  Are we not just like them?  We have our gods we worship.  Money, boats, jewelry, a sports team, other people and many more.  These ‘gods’ keep us from serving the One True God.  You ask how?  Sports may keep you out of church because of playing or watching them.  Riches may have you working a second or third job during church time to pay for them.  Other people may entice you to stay out late on a Saturday night.   Now you’re unable to get up for church the next day and even miss your devotion time.

All that said to say, we must be in our Bible daily to learn from the examples revealed to us.  The Bible is our instruction to learn Evil’s crafty ways and avoid them.  It’s our sword.  Most would never dream of going anywhere without our cell phones.  How then can we leave our home in the morning without spending time with God?

Together let’s fight the Devil until he goes where he belongs.

Thank You

Revelations 20:10

Nov 18th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passages – Acts 9 – 10 (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 – Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)

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

Read the “1118 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Persecutor, Preacher, Prisoner”, “They’re All Precious In His Sight” & “The Beauty Of Salvation“                             

Shuttest Thy Mouth

“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 18:8

When God repeats something in His Word, He means business.  In Proverbs we see the same 19 words repeated twice.  That must mean that their message is extremely important.

“The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.” Proverbs 26:22

In this verse, the word, words, can be translated a tasty, deadly morsel or words of sport.  The word, talebearer, means spice peddler, wounds means deadly wounds, belly means the entire human cavity.

In other words, the tasty deadly morsels (words) of a spice peddler (talebearer) are as deadly wounds to the entire human body (belly). Notice it says, they are deadly wounds.

So there is the person who is gossiping (the spice peddler), the juicy gossip, maybe about a person (the tasty deadly morsels), and the person who is listening to the gossip (the person being killed with the morsels).

So who is destroyed, the talebearer, the listener or the one being gossiped about?

When a gossiper tries to destroy with the ‘morsels’ to the hearer, he thinks it’s the one who hears or accepts the morsels who is being poisoned and destroyed. The talebearer is already been destroyed or poisoned.  The morsel (the person or thing that is being gossiped about) is the only one who is innocent

A talebearer is trying to hurt you even though they don’t know it.  When you listen to gossip, you are the one who is being poisoned, and you are the one who is going to be destroyed. Most Christians don’t think that just listening to gossip is wrong, but it is self- destruction!  A Christian should run from talebearers and consider it as if someone is trying to kill them.  They usually are a good person who simply did not have the courage to rebuke the talebearer.  Run from the talebearer! Run from the slanderer.

God gave us warnings not to listen to gossip.  These are warnings to the hearers not to listen.

3 Things That Listening to Gossip Will Kill

1.  It will kill your spirit.

“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” Proverbs 18:14

2.  It will kill your trust.

“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)

3.  It will kill your joy.

“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.”  (Philippians 4:8)

Thoughts from Jack Hyles

Thank You

Revelations 20:10

Oct 28th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Luke 6 – 7 (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 – Psalms 131 – 135; Proverbs 28)

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

Read the “1028 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Cast Out First The Beam” and “The Prison of Pleasing People“

The Woman Who Anointed Jesus’ Feet

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50)

Think with me and imagine the scene. Simon, a Pharisee, was having a dinner party. He asked Jesus to join them. Now the Pharisee’s didn’t believe in Christ, yet He accepted the invitation and ate with them. In walks a woman with a questionable background.  Now I don’t know about you, but if I was home and a stranger walked in….., or was she. According to verse 39 Simon knew what this woman was. How did he know who she was and why didn’t anyone asked her to leave when she first came in? Just asking.

This woman, with a bad reputation, heard the preaching of Jesus with conviction. She realized who Jesus was and brought Him what she had. She did not approach Him eye to eye.  She felt so unworthy  that she humbled herself at His feet and kiss them. Her tears of joy washed the feet of Jesus.  Her hair became a towel to dry them. There was no pride found in her.  She anointed His feet with oil, owning Him as “The Anointed One”. Finally someone who excepted and truly loved her. The Pharisee’s also heard His preaching and yet there was no humility or conviction. They sat and watched as she touched Jesus thinking, how can He let her touch Him. If He only knew who she was. If she would have touched Simon he may have said  “ …Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou….”  (Isaiah 65:5)

God’s warnings are all around us.  Time is short.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7)

Sinners of all kinds will be invited by the Holy Spirit to enter into our churches to receive the “Free Love Gift” of God.  Will we be willing to “rub elbows” with ALL types of repented sinners?

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

I don’t understand how a God so divine, could lower Himself to a life such as mine.

And consider me worth every minute of time, to rescue a sinner like me.

When I think of my Saviour alone on the cross, I know without Him that my life would be lost.

If He had not been willing to suffer the cost, to rescue a sinner like me.

To rescue a sinner like me, LORD, to rescue a sinner like me.

He abandoned His throne and His kingdom above, to rescue a sinner like me.

My mind is so limited that I cannot see, the reason He died and arose just for me.

So unworthy was I, yet He came willingly, to rescue a sinner like me.

To rescue a sinner as worthless as I, Yet He gave me a reason to sing.

It’s so hard to believe, that it happened to me, Hallelujah to Jesus my King!

To rescue a sinner like me, LORD, to rescue a sinner like me.

He abandoned His throne and His kingdom above, to rescue a sinner like me.

“But God commendeth His love toward us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Thank You

John 3:16

Oct 21st, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Mark 10 – 11 (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 – Psalms 101 – 105; Proverbs 21)

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

Read the “1021 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this morning’s reading passage – “Servant Leadership“

Mr. Fix It – And His Name is God

“Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”  (Mark 11:24)

There are times in all of our lives when we are broken or have trouble in a particular area.  We feel hopeless and we’re seeking for answers. But why are we looking to other people for answers when we know God has all the answers.   Imagine how God feels when we seek advice elsewhere.  I’m not saying that we shouldn’t seek good Godly advice, but we should seek expert advice from our Father first.  God is in the business of ‘fixing’.

In Genesis 2:18, God saw that Adam was lonely, so He ‘fixed’ his problem by providing a helpmate, a wife. So ladies, if you’re lonely, just ask God to do what He did for Adam.  Ask Him to reveal your helpmate.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  (Matthew 6:33)

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”  (Jeremiah 32:27)

Hoping and praying for a child?  So was Hannah and God heard her cries and ‘fixed’ her problem too.

“Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.”  (1Sammuel 1:20)

Think about it, He is God of all creation. Do you think there is anything in your life too hard for Him to ‘fix’? What is it that you have for God to ‘fix’?

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church…” (Ephesians 3:20-21a)

Do you believe your marriage is broken beyond repair?  Remember God can ‘fix’ it, though you can’t comprehend it.  Ask God, “What do I need to do?”  God will make you put forth some effort because He wants you to remember the process and appreciate what you’ve been through.

As a help, we should remember what He has already done for us

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.”  (Psalms 126:3)

If he brought Lazarus back from the dead, trust that He can ‘fix’ your troubled son or daughter.  Trust that if He can ‘fix a blind man eye’s (Luke 9), He certainly can open the eyes of your lost family members.  Have little or no money to pay your bills?  Remember how Jesus provided the money to pay the taxes.

“Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.”  (Matthew 17:27)

Encourage yourself by remembering.

“Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”  (Mark 11:24)

So, the next time you are faced with the impossible and need an expert to ‘fix’ it, before you Google the answer or spend any money on professional, attend a seminar, or get a DVD series, please remember your Father in heaven. He is the expert. God wants to do the impossible in your life.

Thank You

Revelation 20:10

Oct 14th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Passage – Matthew 24 & 25 (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 – Psalms 66 – 70; Proverbs 14)

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

Read the “1014 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s Bible reading passage – “Where Lord?“

The Parable Of The Ten Virgins

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.   Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”    (Matthew 25:1-13)

Although this is a parable, not a true account, there is much to learn from this passage.

Oil in the Bible represents the Holy Spirit. In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, the Holy Spirit of God must live within you. The vessel is your heart. The Holy Spirit enters when we except what Jesus did for us on the cross.

In the parable, we see there where those who were wise, they had oil, The others were foolish. They had what they needed for the present time, just to make a show, with no real intent to be ready for the bridegroom. They had a lamp in their hands for show, but nothing within for the long haul like the seed that fell on stony ground. They did not prepare or think of the time to come after-wards as the ant does, nor lay up for the time to come.

“Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1Titus 6:19)

The wise virgins, took oil in their vessels. They were prepared to meet the bridegroom even if He was delayed.  No one knew when He was coming, they just knew He was coming. They were ready. They thought of their future.

Now lets take a closer look at this parable.

1. Both groups appear as followers of Christ. They both carried their lamps and they both saw the groom as ‘Lord’.  Both groups were invited to the wedding.
2. The wise and the foolish virgins slept. All awoke when the bridegroom arrived.  Note: It’s not about working, because salvation is not a result of works but of being ready.
3. We know that it’s talking about salvation because the parable starts out by saying “Then shall the kingdom of heaven…” .
4. It may come as a surprise that the five wise virgins did not share their oil. We know that they could not share their oil because they would have ran out.  We can’t lose our salvation but on the other hand, others can only be saved by their own salvation.  So when the foolish went to go and find it, the door was shut and it was too late.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27)

5. Later in Matthew 25:11 we see the foolish virgins say “Lord Lord open to us”

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus is warning us that there will be people who look like Christians, who act like Christians, and talk like Christians, who are not Christians.  We are never to assume that anyone is saved no matter how good they appear.  But time is getting short.  People are dying and going to hell.  Their door is shut.  We cannot give them our oil, but we must show them how to get their own.  What they do with it is up to them as it was for the foolish virgins, but we are commanded to tell them.   Those who don’t take the oil, are refusing the warnings of God’s Word of salvation through Jesus Christ.  They don’t think they need it.  They believe they have plenty of time to get oil.  It was this way in Noah’s day.  The people had a false sense of security but they were warned, the door was shut and it was too late.   Can you hear them screa“Open the door!  Why didn’t you tell me?  NO PLEASE, OPEN THE DOOR!! DON’T LEAVE ME HERE!!”

There is still plenty of room at the table in family of God.  Won’t you invite someone to come and dine with you.  Someone invited you!

Thank You

1 John 5: 13

Sep 30th, 2014 JUST FOR LADIES – Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Haggai 1 – 2 (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 – Revelation 21 – 22; Psalms 146 – 150; Proverbs 30 – 31)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 18:3 & 46

Read the “0930 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

DISREPAIR 

“Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.”  (Haggai 1:5-7)

The children of Israel had forgotten God. They began to worship Baal. As a result, God allowed the Babylonian’s to take Israel captive. Around 538 B.C., Cyrus permitted the Jews to return home and rebuild their temple at Jerusalem.

Haggai was a man of God who preached to a poor, discouraged, and frightened people. He blamed their lack of success in all areas of their life to one thing, their neglect of the temple. He preached to the people to rebuild the temple. The people said it wasn’t time. Haggai replied, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your ceiled houses, while this house lieth waste?” He rebuked the people for seeking their own prosperity while neglecting spiritual responsibilities. He preached to encourage the people who had undertaken the rebuilding. In his message he mentioned that it was sin and impure hearts that brought God’s punishment in the past and promised that obedience and pure hearts would bring divine blessings.

Like Israel, we find ourselves in a similar situation. Churches around the world are being neglected. The church has become unimportant as we are consumed with our own lives. We’re up early in the morning to get everyone ready for their day. Breakfast and lunches made, clothes washed and ironed and out the door we go. Then the drive to an eight hour day of work, with another drive back home. Then it’s homework with the kids, dinner, clean up, a few minutes with our spouses, then to bed. Saturday comes. Our beautiful homes take all day to tend to, food shopping and other errands are done.

Sunday morning comes:

I can’t go = “I’m tired. I only have one day to rest”.

Can’t give = “I don’t have the money”.

Can’t teach a Sunday school class = “I have no time to study”.

I won’t be there to help = “I have my own things to do”.

Excuses, we have many of them.  But if we’re not careful, we’ll find ourselves in captivity, and I believe we’re on our way already.  We must slow down.  Instead of fitting God in around our lives, we should be fitting our lives in around God.

What are you doing for the Lord?  What can you change to help ‘rebuild the temple?’  Are you fitting God in or fitting in your life?  It’s up to you!

Thank You

1 John 5:13

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