Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Feb 11th, 2014 Take a Rest

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 22 – 23 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 15 – 16; Proverbs 11; Psalms 56 – 60)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 34:6

Read the “0211 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

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Take Time to Remember“

“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.” (Leviticus 23:3)

I remember as a young girl, my Dad, and sometimes my Mom, would work during the week, Monday through Friday.  Sunday mornings was church, then go visit family or we would stay home and have family time. Sunday night we always spent together at home playing games or watching TV. Saturday’s we would go shopping and working around the house because businesses were closed on Sundays.

In today’s society businesses are open on Sundays. People who would attend church are working. Many people work six days a week and feel their rest day does not include attending church.

God has set the example right from the beginning about having a day of rest.

“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.” (Genesis 2:2)

Families are falling apart, as a result of not spending time together, and not attending church regularly. If we will follow God’s word, we would not only get the rest we so need but we could build a great relationship with Him and our families.

My thought from today’s reading is short and sweet.  After attending Sunday morning, kick back, enjoy your family and rest!

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Feb 4th, 2014 I’m So Confused

Today’s Passage – Leviticus 5 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 1 – 2; Proverbs 4; Psalms 21 – 25)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

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

Read the “0204 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s passage – “Ignorant But Not Innocent” and “Do You Want to Shine?“

“This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;” (Leviticus 7:37)

I didn’t tell the truth.  What animal do I need?  Where do I put the blood?  I stole money.  Do I need to burn the fat on the rump? What meat do we eat and what meat do we burn?  I’m so confused!!!

The children of Israel not only had to learn the law, they had to have some understanding of the sacrifice.  If they didn’t own the right animal for that sin, they had to purchase or trade for it.  A lot of details were given on how to handle the animal and the blood, for each sin committed.

How simple God has made salvation for us.  Believe.  Jesus is our perfect sacrifice to atone our sin.  The unblemished Lamb who shed His blood for all our sin.  But what also gets me confused, most people won’t accept His blood sacrifice.  It’s so simple for us.  No fuss, no muss, so easy.

This reminds me of Naaman the leper.

“So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (2 Kings 5:9-14)

Why do we want thing complicated?  God made salvation hard on Jesus but simple for us, but like Naaman we just have a hard time believing it.

Let’s take time today and every day to share the simple road to salvation.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Jan 28th, 2014 Daddy and Mommy Know Best by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Exodus 25 – 27 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 11 – 12;  Proverbs 28; Psalms 136 – 140)

Scripture Memorization for January – Joy in Serving Jesus

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

Read the “0128 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.” (Genesis 26:34-35)

Why should it matter to God whom we marry? What are the consequences of obedience or disobedience in this area of our lives?

When Esau was forty years old, he married Judith, and also Bashemath. This was about the same age that Isaac was when he married, but Esau married two Hittite women. Although they are Hittites, they were in the Promised Land a long time, but they were of a bitter spirit. This brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah. It showed Esau’s continuing unfaithfulness, just as when he sold his birthright, which showed how unfit he was for God’s blessing.

God never intended for believers to marry unbelievers.

“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)

It would be like putting a donkey and an ox behind the plow together. They do not have the same strength. It would be impossible for a mismatched pair to plow effectively together Believers and unbelievers are different and cannot work together in the spiritual realm. For what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? It makes no sense at all because faith has nothing in common with unbelief. I am sure that as good and caring parents Isaac and Rebekah gave both of their son’s ample warning about marrying unbelieving Canaanite women.

Now this may come as a shock to you but sometimes children don’t do what their parents teach them to do.  When Esau rebelled against God and his parents they were grieved just as when we rebel.  Sometimes as parents you can do all the right things but your child grows up and rebels. At that point all you can do is pray for them and turn them over to the Lord.  No one can understand the pain of this, unless you have had a rebellious child.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Whether you’re the parent or the young person who is seeking marriage, seek the Lord’s will for your life and pray, pray, pray.  Remember Daddy (also Daddy our Heavenly Father) and Mommy know best!!

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Jan 21st, 2014 Hang in There

Today’s Passage – Exodus 4 – 6 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 13 – 14; Proverbs 21; Psalms 101 – 105)

Scripture Memorization for January – Joy in Serving Jesus

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

Read the “0121 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Hang In There!

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.” (Exodus 5:22-23)

“Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” (Exodus 6:1)

Moses was sent by God to free the children of Israel from 400 years of bondage.  God showed Moses his power, and reassured him that their freedom would come to pass, but he lacked faith. When things didn’t go the way Moses thought it would, he doubted God. But don’t be so hard on Moses. We’re no better. We’ll pray for something or someone and think all will be well. We’ve done exactly what God wanted and the way He asked and so on. But the prayer didn’t turn out in our time in our way. We question God, why?  Now please re-read Exodus 6:1. It says, “Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh.”

Think with me if you will. The people were praying all those year to be free. Who do you think would get the praise if Moses said lets go, and they left?  Moses, of course. It wouldn’t be by the hand of God that they would go, but Moses. God wanted to prove His love for His children by providing the impossible. God not only wanted to show His love, He wanted to destroy forever the very thing that hurt them, and He still works the same today.

What are you facing? What have you been praying for? When things look like it’s all over, hang in there. God is getting ready to work His will for you. He loves you and only wants the best for His children.  Just hang in there!

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Jan 14th, 2014 “What Did You Say”

Today’s Passage –Genesis 36 – 37 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read –Matthew 27 – 28; Proverbs 14; Psalms 66 – 70)

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

Read the “0114 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s reading – “Who Can Stand Before Envy“

What Did You Say?

“And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?” (Genesis 37:10)

In today’s scriptures, we read that Joseph was the bearer of bad news that his family did not appreciate.  Later in chapters 40 and 41, Joseph also delivered bad news to the baker and Pharaoh. Pharaoh, unlike Joseph’s family, received the news gladly.

People still today do not appreciate hearing bad news. Your Pastor will preach a great message but there was something that he touched on that just got under your skin. You become angry or hateful towards him. His intentions are pure, but will rarely be appreciated.  We’re not really ticked off at him, but at God because we’re under conviction. Remember he cannot always preach messages that please all the people all the time. He is led by the Holy Spirit to preach messages that make certain people very unhappy. The key is to make a decision based on God’s Word and remove our emotions from the way we respond. Do we hate the mailman when he brings us the bill we can’t afford?  Or how about the Doctor that tells you something is seriously wrong?

My thoughts from this verse is that we should be thankful that we have a man of God who loves us.  One who is yielded to the Holy Spirit? A Pastor who will give us what we need, not what we want. Love and pray for your Pastor.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Jan 7th, 2014 Oh Be Careful Little Mouth… by Camille Stahl

Today’s Passage – Genesis 20 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 13 – 14; Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7)

Scripture Memorization for January – Joy in Serving Jesus

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 34

Read the “0107 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read  “7 Commitments for Finishing Well” by Pastor Paul Chappell

Read a previous post from this passage – “God Will Provide Himself A Lamb”

Oh Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say

“And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.” (Genesis 21:9-11)

We read back in Genesis 16, Sarah was doubting God about her having a child in her old age. She convinced Abraham to take Hagar as his wife. The result of her wrong speaking is still felt today between the two sons of Abraham. We also see in Genesis 12:13, Sarah lying to the Egyptians about being Abraham’s wife. As a result, a plague was sent to Pharaoh and all  his house. But not to blame Sarah only, there are many other examples of harm resulting from lying.

If you’re honest with yourself, I’m sure you can think of a time when you lied or said something that you later regretted. I remember, (before salvation, not that it makes it right) saying things about a person that affected others. After salvation, I realized that the things I was saying, was just a criticism of her her personality type, which was very different than mine. But most importantly, I realized it was wrong for me to say what I said. For years I prayed for forgiveness, and to have the opportunity to apologize. I really thought I would never see this person again. Well, by the grace to God, I did see her and God allowed me to apologize. I think it would have been better not to say anything bad at all. As children we learned the saying: ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. How untrue. A black eye hurts for a while, but lies and poorly chosen words will last forever. Maybe there’s been a time when you allowed your child to do something that you wish you could take back.  Now you look back and say,”What was I thinking?”

We should always guard our mouths, because the devil is just waiting to use it for his purpose.

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:…” (Philippians 1:27)

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6)

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” (James 1:19)

This New Year, let’s use our mouths to praise and glorify God.

Just a thought!

Thank You

“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)

Dec 31st, 2013 JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL

Read your favorite Bible passage today

(Second Milers also read – Proverbs 31)

Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read the “1231 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Resolve To Be Transformed“

Do You Believe In Me?

“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)

There are so many great verses in the Bible about God’s love or His promises that we could claim to be our favorite verse.  I think that Revelation 20:10 is one of my top 3 of favorite verses.

Throughout history there have been many woes and sorrows.  How sad Adam and Eve must have been when Cain killed Abel.  Later, all but 8 souls died from the flood.  The sadness of Lot, when all his family and friends, save his two daughters, were destroyed by fire and brimstone.  Of modern times, we have the sinking of the Titanic, the bombing of Pearl Harbor and many other wars where thousands of family members have been killed.  We now see children as young as 1 and 2 years old bald from chemo and radiation.  All kinds of mental illness is around us.  Parents killing children and children killing parents.  We’ve seen God taken out of school and quickly out of government and soon they will try to take Him out of our lives.  It used to be the rebel who was the outsider, now the outsiders are the ones who stand for Christ.  The family is being ripped apart by sexual ‘freedom’, children rebelling, and bossy wives.  When will it all end?

Now take a trip to Heaven with me if you will.  God calls for an assembling of all the Saints.  We are sitting in the stands waiting for our Lord to appear.  There is much chatter wondering what will happen next.  Then walks out Jesus clothed in white.  Everyone starts singing, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Praise to the Mighty King of King!  He stands on the 5o yard for all to see.  Jesus raises His nail print hands for all to be silent.  Then as everyone gasps, out walks Satan.  Still no one says a word as Satan walks up to Jesus.  Then Satan’s trembling body begins to bow.

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” (Philippians 2:10)

Just then the ground begins to quake and open.  The flames of Hell are exposed.   As Satan stands, Christ lifts his nail print hand and Satan is cast in to Hell forever and ever.  The Saints rejoice as they again sing praises unto the LORD of Heaven.  Oh yeah, I’ll be sitting first row on the 50 yard line.  AMEN!

Now there is also a verse, I believe, is one of the saddest.

Not all are Saints.

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)

These also will spend eternity separated from God. There will be more of them then Saints. Time is getting short. Once we leave this earth, it will be too late to tell others about the saving blood of Jesus.

This New Year, let’s make a commitment to ourselves and to God, that we will tell others about Jesus. There is plenty of room at the table, but not many who are willing to leave it to invite others to dine. Remember Satan is alive and well, for now, on the planet earth.

No one Believes In Me Anymore – (Satan’s Boast)

A Song by Keith Green

Well my job keeps getting easier, as time keeps slipping away

I can imitate the brightest light, and make the night look just like day

I put some truth in every lie, to tickle itching ears

You know I’m drawing people just like flies, cause they like what they hear

I’m gaining power by the hour, they’re falling by the score

You know it’s getting very simple now since no one believes in me anymore

Heavens just a state of mind, my books read on your shelf

Oh have you heard that God is dead, I made that one up myself

They’re dabbling in magic spells and get their fortunes read

You know they heard the truth and turned away and followed me instead

I use to have to sneak around, but now they just open their doors

You know no one’s watching for my tricks, since no one believes in me any more

Everyone likes a winner, with my help you’re guaranteed to win

Hey man you ain’t no sinner, no, you’ve got the truth within

And as your life slips by you believe the lie that you did it on your own

But don’t worry, I’ll be there to help you share a dark eternal home

My job keeps getting easier, as day slips into day

The magazines, the newspapers print every word I say

This world is just my spinning top, it’s all likes child’s play

You know I dream that it will never stop, but I know it’s not that way

Still my world goes on and on, always stronger than before

I’m going to make it dark before the dawn since no one believes in me anymore.    HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Dec 24th, 2013 JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Passage – 2 Peter 1 – 3; 1 John 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 – Psalms 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)

Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Matthew 6:33

Read the “1224 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this morning’s reading passage – “He Already Came“

Love Not?

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)

It wasn’t until recent days that I understood this verse.  John 3:16 tell us that God SO loved the world, so why does this verse tell me not to love the world?

Who is the god of this world?  Satan.

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)

We cannot love the world because it will push God out and when we love the Lord, His love pushes the world out.  The reason the love of this world pushes out love for God is because of all that is in the world.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16)

This is how Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden.  Satan told her it was ok for her to eat it.  She looked at it, thought it was good food then pride set in.  She wanted to be wise like God.  Satan works the same way today.

Think of the way ‘the world’ is today.  Abortion, the killing of babies.  It’s not only legal, but our government has made it law that, through our insurance, we pay for it.  Homosexuality?  According to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin and God hates it.  Alcohol.  The Bible is clear about drinking wine or strong drink.

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)

Greed. We want things we can’t afford so we’ll go into hock or just steel for it.  Pride.  Why is it so hard to say you’re sorry?

But remember, everyone is a ‘whosoever’.  Jesus died for everyone, but He hates sin.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9)

You name the sin, this world will say it’s ok, and give you a great reason why.

My thoughts from this verse is to put more Jesus in my life and less of the world’s thinking.

One Day Jesus Will Call My Name

A Song By Phil McHugh

Some day’s drag, and some days fly

And some days I think of the day I’ll die.

Some days fill me, and some days drain

And one day Jesus, will call my name.

One day Jesus, will call my name – As days go by, hope I don’t stay the same. I want to get so close to Him, that there’s no big change – On that day that Jesus, calls my name.

Most days I pray, but some days I worse

A sad number of days, I put myself first.

But it’s not what I do, the cross made that plain

And one day Jesus, will call my name.

One day Jesus, will call my name – As days go by, hope I don’t stay the same. I want to get so close to Him, that there’s no big change – On that day that Jesus, calls my name.

Thank You and Merry Christmas

John 3:16

Dec 17th, 2013 JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Passage – 2 Timothy 3 – Titus 3 (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 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)

Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation

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

Read a great article by Pastor Bob Gray Sr.– “Why?“

Watch the Growth Points video by Pastor Chappell – “Pressing Into the New Year with Godly Passion“

Read the “1217 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this morning’s reading passage – “Sometimes You Have to Stand Alone” & “Perilous Times“

What Is Creeping Into Our Houses?

“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.” (2Timothy 3:6-7)

You’re sitting down for dinner with your husband and children. There’s a knock on the door. When you open the door there is a woman with her under garments on. Would you invite her in?  Of course not. You may slam the door or step out to figure out what’s going on, but I’m sure she’s not coming in. But how many of us sit and watch TV and the advertisements with women prancing around in their undies?

You invite quests over for dinner and someone brings a bottle of alcohol. They ask for a glass to have with their dinner. You say, we would never allow that. Yet, we can’t wait for Super Bowl to see the “Funniest” commercials and watch them with your children.

You’re watching a show of romance, which never depict real life. We become discontented with our husbands because we are living in this fantasy world. Their world looks better than ours. We want what they have, not what God has for us.

You just told you child that they must come home after school and they don’t get home until after dinner. When you ask them where they were, they start to give you a hard time, (disrespectful). I believe the word would be “Grounded!” But our young children watch cartoons and or TV programs that make parents look like fools, and the Moms and children on the shows make Dad look like a total loser; and we wonder why children have no respect for their parents.

By now you are realizing that I’m attacking television, and you’re right. TV is not the enemy, but the Enemy uses TV. (Just as a side note and confession, I do watch lot of TV but with great caution.) Television can be a great tool for education, sharing the gospel, and yes, entertainment. But like anything else, the devil want to get his hand into everything good and turn it around for his use.

Children are the main target for the devil through TV. He figures if he can get them when their young, they’ll be hooked. Be aware what they’re watching. He wants to get us off the path that God has set for us.

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)

A few weeks ago Lady Ga Ga was on a Sesame Street special.  (If you’re not familiar with who she is, you can google her name, but beware.) The movie, “The Smurfs” looks so harmless, but check out their names and story line. I can go on and on but it’s up to us to be the “Safety Patrol” of what comes in to our homes.

For our husband’s sake, for our children’s sake, and for our sake, we should do everything we can to protect our families. Just a thought.

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Dec 3rd, 2013 JUST FOR LADIES BY CAMILLE STAHL

Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 13 – 14 (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 11 – 15; Proverbs 3)

Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 19

Watch Pastor Chappell’s Growth Points Video – “Pressing Into the New Year with Godly Passion“

Read the “1203 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “The Greatest of These is Charity” and “A Family Addicted to the Ministry“

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1Corinthians 13:11)

When we first accept the Lord as our Saviour, we instantly do not become Bible scholars.  Everything is new to us.  We are like little children doing and hearing things for the first time.  We are encouraged to read our Bibles and attend church services so we can learn the things of God.   We soon learn, and are convicted, that there needs to be some changes in our lives.  One by one, God makes changes.  Out with the old, in with the new.  Our speech, the places we go, the things we look at, the people we associated with, the bad habits we’ve acquired, and so on.  Boy life is good.  Moving right along.  But then something happens.  We find ourselves slipping back into our old ways.  “What’s happening to me?  Why am I slipping?”

“And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.” (Mark 4:7)

“And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19)

How can we detect areas of weakness to help us from backsliding?

We must recognize which aspects of life are easy targets for Satan’s attacks.  When we find ourselves sliding back, we should HALT.  Never allow yourself to get too:

H – hungry – A – angry – L – lonely – T – tired

Visualize yourself going in the right direction, pleasing God, instead of fantasizing about the old ways, sin.

Read the Word of God.  You won’t able to defend yourself against the enemy’s attacks if you don’t know your Scriptures.

Pray.  Having fellowship and conversation with the Lord each morning strengthens and alerts you to Satan’s attacks during the day.

Thank You

1 John 5:13