Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

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

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