Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

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

Apr 1st, 2014 Michal, A Woman Whose Marriage Lacked Unity

Today’s Passage – 1 Samuel 12 – 14 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

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

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Proverbs 27:15

Read the “0401 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

  “Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:” (1 Samual 14:49)

This is the first mention of Michal, Saul’s daughter, David’s wife.  Let’s take a look at the kind of wife she became.

And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night. Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain. So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped. And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth. And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick. And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster. And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?     (1 Samuel 19:10-17)

“And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.” (2 Samuel 6:16-23)

Michal was the youngest daughter of King Saul.  Saul had arranged David’s marriage to Michal hoping that it would make him unhappy and cause his death.  (See 1Samuel 18:21).  But Michal loved David.  David was handsome, courageous, a brave warrior, popular with the people and had a relationship with God. 

Saul never changed his mind about David and hated him more.  He tried to get rid of him through war.  When that failed, Saul plotted to kill David in his own home.  However, Michal heard of it and warned David.  She lied to her father by saying David was sick and place a large idol god in David’s bed.  Lets take a closer look at that.  Why was there and idol in their home?   David loved the true God.  Their marriage was doomed from the start.  They were unequally yoked.

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

Later, we see Jerusalem, rejoicing together in receiving the ark of the Lord, in the place David had appointed it to be.  The priests and Levites had prepared themselves spiritually for their tasks.   Leader of the people with the  singers and musicians ready themselves for the joyous occasion.  David was over joyed.  He too prepared himself for this great event.  He put aside his royal robe and gird himself with linen  breeches that God had ordered the  priests to wear. (See Exodus 28:42).  David then expressed his overwhelming joy and thankfulness in a religious dance.  Michal did not share the religious convictions of her husband .  Like her father, Michal was not concerned about the ark of God.  She had no desire to play a tambourine and lead the women in song as Miriam once did.  Her words were of sarcasm to David.  She was putting her husband down.

Michal had a sad life.  Her father and husband used her to gain their own ends.  Obviously she wasn’t ‘Miss Innocent’.  But we can’t blame her for disliking her treatment as a pawn in the political game.  It just makes me wounder why she didn’t turn to the one true God.  Thing would have turned out much better for her then they did.

Lack of spiritual unity in a marriage at first might seem to be only a small crack, but it will quickly widens into a gulf that cannot be bridged.   A family must be started with a solid foundation, Jesus Christ.  You would never build a house without a foundation, because it would never pass through a storm.  So holds true in marriage.  Single ladies, only look for a mate who is equally spiritual as you are.  Married ladies, be true to your husband.  No matter if he is save or not, be careful of your treatment to him.  Remember, the husband you put down, there maybe a woman waiting to build him up.  Why take a chance.  Always encourage him to do right in the Lord.  God takes marriage very seriously: It pictures His relationship with us and cannot be put on and taken off at will.

The marriage of David and Michal stands as a warning in history.  If a husband and wife are not one in God, sharing spiritual unity, their marriage will fold under life’s pressures.

John 3:16

Thank You

Mar 25th, 2014 Delilah, The Woman Who Deliberately Betrayed Her Man

(Second Milers also read – 2 John, 3 John, Jude; Proverbs 25; Psalms 121 – 125)

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

Read the “0325 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.” (Judges 16:4-5)

Delilah grew up a Philistine who’s culture worshiped idols.  She had little respect for her body and threw away her honor.  What made her so deceitful?  Could it have been the money they offered her?  Samson was physically strong, but morally weak.  He became involved with Delilah but was not married to her.  Together they spelled disaster.  Samson’s future, a man of God, now lies in the hand of Delilah, a worshiper of Dagon.

Delilah took her first strike with flattery.  I can hear her saying, where do you get your strength from because your sooooo strong.

“With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;” (Proverbs 7:21-22)

Next she plays the victim.  Now sulking like a little girl she says, you lied to me and your making fun at me.  Samson was like putty in Delilah’s hands.  She was with him long enough that she knew how to push his buttons.  Again Samson lied to Delilah.  Now she had to use her final weapon to trap Samson.  Her attack was in the form of feeling of hurt love.  For days she sulked and whined and nagged.  How can you say you love me when you mocked my three times?  You don’t really love me.  Finally frustrated, Samson could no longer take it.  He gave in.  Delilah won.  She got what she wanted.

“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.  Her feet go down to death;” (Proverbs 5:3-5)

Talk about death, later we find Samson blind between two pillars.  He brought down the pagan temple and everyone in it.  We don’t know if Delilah was there, but maybe she wanted to take part in insulting Samson.

Looking at Delilah’s life, what can we learn?  How not to act.

First be very careful in our conversation with men.    The only man a women should flirt with is her husband.  Regardless if we ladies or the men are married, be careful in not sounding flirty because we never know what one is thinking.   There are many verses in the Bible that warns men about woman’s lips.

Next is playing the victim.  “Well if you didn’t … then I could have…” or “It’s not my fault, you didn’t ….. It’s your fault, not mine.”  “ You never let me have any money…”  It sounds familiar to me, how about you?  We know exactly how to push our man’s buttons.  We want our own way and sulk until we get it, but to what end?  What does your man have to do to keep you happy?  We laugh when we say “That cost an arm and a leg” but to Samson, it was his eyes.

Last is nagging. If there is one thing that gets under my skin, it’s a nagging wife.

“A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” (Proverbs 27:15)

As a young girl I watched as a wife nagged her husband. I saw her put him down time after time. Because of his love for her, he tried to keep her happy by granting her every wish. Where were the kind words? Would she have liked it if he nagged her the same way? How many buttons would it take before he exploded and then granted her wish? How about you? How about me?

“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.” (Proverbs 21:9)

What will be the end?  What kind of death will it come to? God’s Word commands a faithful husband and wife relationship. Any dealings outside of marriage leads to heartbreak.  Romance is not a game, but a lifelong commitment. Yours may not come quickly and you may not die, but pain will come when you don’t live God’s way. Ask Delilah if you can find her under the rubble!

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Mar 18th, 2014 The Promised Land

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

Mar 11th, 2014 Under Daddy’s Wing

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 32 – 34 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Colossians 1 – 4; Proverbs 11; Psalms 51 – 55)

Scripture Memorization for March – Verses About the Bible

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 Timothy 1:17

Read the “0311 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Well Done”

“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12)

Believe it or not there are many lessons a Christian can learn from birds. Let’s take a look at a few.

If you ever observed birds, they are very protective of their young.  A Sand Piper bird will fake a broken wing as they lead you away from the nest.  If a predator falls for it, they will find themselves chasing after what they think is a helpless bird.  Suddenly the bird takes off into the air and the predator is far from the nest.  Some birds will dive bomb anyone or anything that gets near where the nest is.  If you get near some domesticated birds, they will bite your fingers if you go near their eggs.

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:3-6)

God protects us too.  God protected the children of Israel from the Egyptians.  He led them into the Sea and the Jews fled away.  The walls of Jericho fell (dive bombed) so the Jews could take the city (the nest).  And He loves and protects us today.

Birds provide protective homes for their young.  Finding a place to safely place and hatch their eggs, raise their young to the point of independence, is a challenge birds have solved in many clever ways.  Some birds build nests hidden away inside vegetation.  The Hornbill seals herself into the nest and stays inside the tree cavity throughout incubation.  An Australian bird will pick the fur from the back of a koala to make the nest comfy for her young.  Some find secure homes in caves and rock ledges.

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2-3)

God promises us a safe home.

There are some birds that are called ‘Brood Parasites,’ birds that never build their own nests but lay their eggs in the nest of other species.  The cuckoo is the best know brood parasite.  She will remove one egg of the other birds nest and replace it with hers.  Somehow she is able to match the size and color of the nest she is invading.  But many of the birds learn to recognize the cuckoo egg and discards their egg.  There are several other species that follow this way of life.

God also protects us in this same way.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” (John 10:27)

“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matthew 25:32-33)

“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matthew 25:46)

And there are many more comparisons. Although God does not have wings, He has loving arms to wrap around us.  So I will close with this song:

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

 Thank You

1 John 5:13

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Mar 4th, 2014 Are You Provoking God?

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 9 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio –Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read –  2 Corinthians 5 – 8; Proverbs 4; Psalm 16 – 20

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121

Scripture Memory for March – Verses About the Bible

Read previous posts from today’s reading – “Paving the Way“ and “The Choice is Yours”

Read the “0304 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against the LORD.” (Deuteronomy 9:7)

Because of a famine, the children of Israel went to live in Egypt.  By the hand of God through, Joseph, they lived, worked, multiplied and served the Lord.  Then the Bible says that ‘there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph’.  This king was not so kind to them.  He put them in bondage. The harder their life got, the more they prayed to be free to worship their God.

“And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:” (Exodus 6:5-6)

God kept His promise.

“And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.” (Exodus 51)

How long was it before the children of Israel complained and rebelled against God?

“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.” (Exodus 14:10-12)

And that’s all they did was complain.  It was so bad that in Deuteronomy 9:7, it say they provoked God to wrath.

Fast forward to Jesus.  The Jews wandered so far from God, that they didn’t even know who Jesus was.  Even today, most of the Jewish people reject Jesus’ gift of life, their freedom from bondage.

Now you say how dumb can these people be?  After all that God did for them, they went against Him?  They didn’t teach their children to love and honor God?  God gave them what they wanted and they threw the blessings of God out the door?

Let fast forward again.  People living in England were being persecuted by the Church of England. When they tried to move to surrounding countries, they were not allowed in or they had a hard time finding work.  They just wanted to escape persecution in England for Religious beliefs.  God heard the cries of the Gentiles.  In 1620 on the Mayflower, God guided them into the promise land, America.

In 1962 prayer was no longer allowed in schools.  In the 1970’s, Rock and Roll Stars were idolized and many people were openly having sex and doing drugs.  Reminds me of the account of the children of Israel waiting for Moses to come down from Mt. Sinai.

“And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.” (Exodus 32:17-19)

In the 1980’s, The 10 Commandment were taken out of public buildings.  We use the Lord’s name as a curse word.  It’s ok to have an intimate relationship with whom ever.  Same sex marriage.  Killing.  ‘In God We Trust’ is slowly disappearing from our money.  We blame God for everything that is wrong.  The more we push God out, the worse we become.  Are we also at the point where we’re ‘provoking God?

And we think the children of Israel were dumb?  We’re doing the same thing.  Does God have to put us back in bondage in order for us to turn back to Him?

Friends, let’s get back to what God has called us to do, love and serve Him.  The only thing that Satan has for us is trouble.  Let’s get back to studying God’s word and praying.  Being faithful to church, our families and each other.  Mostly telling other about Jesus and the wonderful freedom we have in Him.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Feb 25th, 2014 Esther, A Woman Who Risked Her Life For Others.

Today’s Passage – Numbers 27 – 29 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Romans 9 – 12; Proverbs 25; Psalms 126 – 130)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

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

Read the “0225 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so. Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.”     (Esther 2:4-10)

Esther was a beautiful young Jewish woman, who was raised by her cousin.  Being taught under the law of God, it’s hard to image the task her cousin Mordecai asked her to do.  You see King Ahasuerus was displeased with his Queen and put her aside to seek out another.  Mordecai told Esther to stand with many other women in the land in hopes that the King would chose her in place of Queen Vashti.  Because Mordecai treated Esther as a daughter, she obeyed him.

In our mind we think, how could a young beautiful young woman of God, stand before a heathen married man, hoping to be picked to be his next wife?  But God had a plan unknown to her. and He was guiding her life.

“Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all of them that looked upon her. So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”     (Esther 2:15-17)

King Ahasuerus knew nothing about Esther being a Jewish woman, because Mordecai told Esther to be silent in this matter.  Later Mordecai refused to bow down to the King’s highest nobleman, Haman.  Haman then plotted to rid himself of Mordecai and the Jewish people.  Mordecai told Esther of this plan and instructed her to go to the King.

“And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.”  (Esther 3:13)

She was now publicly identifying herself with her people.  She realized she was powerless without God.  Esther called her people to prayer and fasting.  The law was that no one could approach the King unless they were asked and she had not been called for some time.  But in spite of the law she said, “If I die, I die”.  The young Esther was willing to risk her position, her life, and her future for her people.

The heroine, who had saved the Jews by risking her own life, is remembered and highly respected by the Jewish nation even today.  She paved the way, unknown to her, for the coming of Christ.

God’s name is not mentioned in the book of Esther, but His hand on her life is apparent.  And so it will be with us: When we face trials, we can also trust He is working out something positive on our behalf.

Though becoming a King’s concubine may not have seemed good, God watched over Esther.  Even our most traumatic moments are also in God’s hands.  When we trust Him, nothing can go terribly wrong.

Obedient Esther acted on God’s will, gave in to her cousin’s wise counsel, and was safe.  Likewise, God protects us, especially when our faithfulness puts us in danger.  Will you trust Him no matter what?  Esther did.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Feb 18th, 2014 God Promotes the Elderly

Today’s Passage – Numbers 8 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 13 – 15; Proverbs 18; Psalms 91 – 95)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

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

Read the “0218 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read “Ten Ways to Extend Grace to Hurting People” by Pastor Paul Chappell

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, This is it that belongeth unto the Levites: from twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the tabernacle of the congregation: And from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof, and shall serve no more: But shall minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of the congregation, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charge.”  (Numbers 8:23-26)

God was giving Moses instructions on what He wanted the Levites to do.  At twenty-five they were to enter into their public ministry work.  This work required bodily strength and stamina.  But then God says at the age of fifty they would no longer preform that job, a younger group would take over the position.  The older Levites were not put aside in disgrace, but rather to be honored in a new position. They were to minister and train the younger Levites. With age came experience, maturity of judgment, and steadiness of behavior.  With a novice there is a danger of being lifted up with pride. Gifts are not always tied to age, but in this case, this is how God settled the affairs of the Levites.

Something I thought about after reading these verses is that God  is the one who promotes us from one type of work to another. He knows what we are capable of handling. He’s not preferring one person over another, but we are all working together for His glory. We may quit or even disqualify ourselves from a particular job, but God will never put us aside. God wants to use all of his children in His service.

Another thought is that as time goes on God may not allow you to work as many ‘ministry jobs’ as you once did.  Don’t take that to mean God doesn’t want you, but that God is allowing you to have some time of rest. When God has you here, there is always prayer. People and ministries need lots of prayer. With God there is always something to do.

So enjoy your life in Christ and ride God’s wave no matter where He leads you.

Thank You

1 John 5:13