The Builder – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.” (2Corinthians 13:11-14)
Good morning. Paul is concluding his letter to the Corinthians. Under the dictation of the Holy Spirit, he writes us a To-Do list…
Be perfect (complete).
Be of good comfort.
Be of one mind.
Live in peace.
Matthew Henry gives a good explanation of these in his commentary…
“(1.) To be perfect, or to be knit together in love, which would tend greatly to their advantage as a church, or Christian society. (2.) To be of good comfort under all the sufferings and persecutions they might endure for the cause of Christ or any calamities and disappointments they might meet with in the world. (3.) To be of one mind, which would greatly tend to their comfort; for the more easy we are with our brethren the more ease we shall have in our own souls. The apostle would have them, as far as was possible, to be of the same opinion and judgment; however, if this could not be attained, yet, (4.) He exhorts them to live in peace, that difference in opinion should not cause an alienation of affections – that they should be at peace among themselves. He would have all the schisms that were among them healed, that there should be no more contention and wrath found among them, to prevent which they should avoid debates, envyings, backbitings, whisperings, and such like enemies to peace.”
Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 13:10…
“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” (2Corinthians 13:10)
If the Apostle Paul came to your church, would he have to use sharpness to get you to do what was right? Or, could he be uplifting Generic Viagra, building you up: edifying you. In 1Corinthians 14:12…
“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” (1Corinthians 14:12)
And in verse 26, “…Let all things be done unto edifying.”
When you edify someone, you build them up in the Lord: train them as a child in the way they should go, and they will help someone else; and so on.
Today the teens are going to the Youth Congress out in New Egypt, NJ. They will be receiving a Christian Life Journal. I would ask them to add one more question to the daily page if it is not already there: “What did I do to edify someone today?”
If we answer that question on a daily basis, we will be focused on what Jesus was focused on: others. If we get our eyes off ourselves, and look to the needs of others, edifying them, God’s work will get done.
Let me leave you with an example that my wife and I are very thankful for. Two actually: one from God, and one from someone unknown…
December 6, 2013, is my daughter’s 38th birthday. Camille and I celebrated by going over to the grave, adding new flowers, and a few other Christmas items. It had been raining and drizzling all day. When we got to the cemetery, God held back the rain. We were edified: God reinforced the fact to us that He is in control. He cares for us in the little things, as well as the big. Just think about it: the Creator, who spoke everything we have into existence cared enough about us to hold back the rain while we went to the grave. Just a note: as we drove away, the rain came down in buckets! God is good!
Part two of this is also a part of what inspired this blog today. Somebody had come and visited Melissa’s grave earlier, and left a message written in the ground behind the gravestone. Maybe the message was from God too. I know we received much joy from reading it, and knowing that someone else cared. The message simply said, “I LOVE YOU.”
Peace! (JOY: Jesus, Others, You)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
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
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Can You Imagine – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1Corinthians 1:10)
Can you imagine what our churches would be like if we were “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment”? Can you imagine all the souls getting saved and baptized each week because they want what we have? Can you imagine the impact we would have on our communities, on our states, on our country? Can you imagine? Even the liberals may get converted!
It came to Paul’s attention that there were contentions among the members of the church at Corinth. It had gotten to the point where Paul had to plead with the church to be of one mind. Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 2…
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)
Jesus, who is God the Son, was in the form of God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God. If He were not God, He would have been steeling glory and worship from God. That would be sin, and that would make His sacrifice worthless, and He would have never risen from the grave. But He is God, and being God, He is perfect, and He rose from the grave, and all the glory and honor and worship goes to God.
Can you imagine if we were all of that same mind? Jesus, as God, humbled Himself putting on flesh and became a man, and was obedient even unto death on the cross. All that because He loved us. Can you imagine if we had the same love for each other? But of course we would have to be of the same mind and under control of the God the Holy Spirit to come close to that.
With the Holy Spirit in control, the life of the Christian, and the life of the church, would be showing the fruit of the Spirit…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [26] Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26)
Can you imagine if we had the same mind? How about the same judgment? God’s mind and His judgment are available to us from the same place: the Holy Bible: the Word of God. God’s Word has everything we need to have His mind and judgment. How can we make it our own?
1) PRAY…
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
2) READ…
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:9)
3) LEARN…
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)
Can you imagine?
Peace. (Psalm 34:14)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Be Ye Transformed
Today’s Passages – Romans 11 – 13 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalm 136 – 140; Proverbs 28)
Scripture Memorization for November – The Kenosis Passage – Philippians 2:5 – 11
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 4:7 & 8
Watch Pastor Chappell’s Growth Points Video – “Think-fulness is Thankfulness“
Read the “1128 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this passage – “What’s the Difference” and “The Fullness of the Gentiles“
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – (Romans 12:1-2)
In the Greek language, the word that is translated into the English word “transformed” is the word metamorphoo, which is the same word root word that names the process of metamorphosis. You may remember from high school biology that metamorphosis is the biological process by which a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. By the way, isn’t amazing that our God can take a something as “creepy-crawly” as a caterpillar and completely change it into a beautiful butterfly. God transforms the Christian in much the same way. He takes the worldly child of Adam and forms him into the image of Christ.
Notice from our text above that this transformation process comes through the “renewing of your mind”. God has to change the way we think. You see, the transformed Christian has the mind of Christ. How do we renew our mind? Through the transforming power of the Word of God. As we spend time daily in the Word, God gradually changes our whole mindset. Instead of thinking the way men think, we begin to see and understand things through the eyes of God. However, this process is dependent upon the fact that we take the time to read and study the Bible. It would seem to me then that we have the power within us to speed up, or hinder this process. It just makes sense that the Christian that does not open his Bible, will not be transformed as quickly as the one that takes the time daily to meditate upon the truths of God’s Word. We need to make our walk with God a priority if we are going to grow the way God wants us to.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Posted in Thoughts from Romans by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL
Today’s Passages – Romans 4 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 126 – 130; Proverbs 26)
Scripture Memorization for November – The Kenosis Passage – Philippians 2:5 – 11
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – James 4:10
Read a great article by Pastor Paul Chappell – “The Enemy of Gratitude“
Read the “1126 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this passage – “Imputed Righteousness” and “Peace“
Trials and Tribulations
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” (Romans 5:3-4)
Have you ever wondered why you go through, such hard times, of what ever kind? I’ve heard so many times and even said it myself “If God loves me so much, why does He allow this to happen to me?” (I know why and replied “Sometimes I wish He wouldn’t love me so much!”) He allows us to go through things because He loves us so much and knows what’s best for us.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
It’s so we can glorify Him and to help others.
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalms 34:18-19)
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” (1 Peter 4:12-16)
You can write it down, you will go through some kind of trial before you leave this earth pokie machine online. It’s all about how you handle it and what you’re going to do with it that counts.
A while ago, I did a blog on a woman named Corrie ten Boom. She was a lady who helped the Jews flee from going to Nazi war camps. She herself, a non-Jew, found herself in one of those camps. While there she was able to have Bible studies with the ladies and I’ve heard a least one was saved if not more. She later became a well-known speaker for ladies ministries. (Read or see the movie on Youtube for free: The Hiding Place). Elizabeth Elliot was another great lady who suffered but was greatly used of God. Her missionary husband was killed by the very people they were trying to reach. She too went on to be a well-known speaker for ladies ministries, she also led the very man to Christ who killed her husband. If you’re thinking that they are not the ordinary, you’re wrong. They started out just like you and I until one day God took hold of their lives. A more resent young lady who is being greatly used of God is Bethany Hamilton. She, as a young born again teen, was surfing and lost her arm to a shark. She too asked “Why?” Since the tragic event, she has given all glory to Jesus Christ and inspired more young people for the Lord. (Read her story “Soul Surfer”). What more can you ask for?
What can we do while in a trial?
Trust God. He has your best.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)
Pray. He’s listening.
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:9-11)
Wait. He will see you through.
“I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.” (Psalms 69:3)
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalms 27:14)
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him:…” (Psalms 37:7)
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs3:6)
I pray you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and enjoy your families.
Thank You
1 John 5:13
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Felix Trembled – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:24-25)
And wouldn’t you tremble too? Good morning. Felix listened while Paul tried to reason with him. And Felix trembled. And why not? Paul was giving Felix the Word of God. The Holy Spirit was at work on Felix’s heart. It was if the Lord Himself were speaking to Felix. And Felix trembled. Paul reasoned…
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
1) Paul reasoned of righteousness. Your righteousness must be greater than the righteousness of the Pharisees…
“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)
And you know what God says about our righteousness…
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)
And…
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one…” (Romans 3:10)
Only the Lord can make you righteous…
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2Corinthians 5:21)
He is our righteousness…
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
And Felix trembled as…
2) Paul reasoned of temperance. Felix, you need some self control. I’m trying to tell you about the Lord, and all you can think about is money…
“He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.” (Acts 24:26)
Temperance is also from the Lord. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:22-26)
And Felix trembled.
3) Paul reasoned of the judgment to come.
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 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. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:7-15)
And Felix trembled. Are you trembling? Jesus is coming back soon. Are you ready? You can be. If you have never called on the Lord Jesus Christ to come into your heart and save you, then you need to do it before it’s too late. Don’t tremble like Felix. Start rejoicing because the trumpet is about to sound!
Peace. (John 6:37-40)
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Just for Ladies by Mrs. Camille Stahl
Today’s Passages –Acts 11 – 13; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalms 91 – 95;Proverbs 19)
Scripture Memorization for November – The Kenosis Passage – Philippians 2:5 – 11
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 51:11
Read a great article by Pastor Cary Schmidt – “Shattering Pastoral Caricatures“
Read the “1119 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this passage – “Begotten from the Grave” & “The Beginning of the Journey“
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” (Acts 12:1-7)
“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.” (1Corinthians 10:13)
Peter was always getting in trouble for preaching the Gospel, but that never stopped him. He keeps going for the Lord. You would think that because he was doing God’s will that his life would just fall into place. No worries, no trials, just smooth sailing.
We too strive to do the will of God and serve him as we try hard to serve our family. As ladies, we are keepers of our home, raise our children, and serve beside our husband. But like Peter, we find ourselves in prison bound with chains. Most ladies have more on their plate then they should because of one reason or another. Our time is spent doing all we have to do and more. Satan is right there trying to defeat us. He keeps us too busy so there’s no time for us to spend with God. We then fall into a pit and there seems like there is no way out.
In l Corinthians 10:13, it says “…make a way to escape…”. God did not create us to be overwhelmed with our serving Him or our family. Let’s take a look at a few suggestions that can help us break the chains of prison Satan has us in.
First we must make time every day to spend with God. Some will say, “But I don’t have time”. This is the most important start of your day. We cannot neglect God if we expect Him to do a work in our life. Make Time.
Second, make a list of what you need to accomplish. Cross off the things that bog you down. Learn to say NO, because I am already over committed. We have complicated our lives beyond what God would have for us. Get rid of the extra stressful burdens.
Next, remember that God will always provide a way out if we follow.
“And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.” (Acts 12:8)
Peter had to follow the angel out, as we also must follow the Lord. Without the angel, Peter had to do something, he put his garments on, then followed. If Peter didn’t follow, he might have lost his way and found himself back in prison bound in the chains. We must make changes in our lives, and then follow Christ. Follow Christ.
Last, I want you to notice that Peter was on his death bed. The Bible says “…And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night…”. Herod wasn’t going to wait until after Easter, he wanted to get rid of Peter right away. But by the Grace of God, He delivered Peter at the last moment. Sometimes God waits to answer our prayer or to deliver us out of our chains. Then when He does, we can give Him the praise and the glory for what He has done.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. (Act 12:11)
Wait on Him.
Thank You!
John 5:13
Posted in Just for Ladies by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Mirror Mirror – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages –Acts 4 – 6 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 76 – 80; Proverbs 16)
“Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him , and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:9-15).
Good morning. When others look at you, what do they see? When you look in a mirror, what do you see? When the men who sat in the council looked at Stephen, they saw his face as if it had been the face of an angel. And false witnesses had told the council that he blasphemed against God. Taken prisoner, forced to stand before false accusers, nowhere and nobody to run to. Trapped and about to be stoned, his face should have shown fear. His face should have shown anguish. There should have been trembling and there should have been tears running down his face. But his face was as the face of an angel.
Mirror, mirror, what do people see in my face? Do they see calm or adversity, strength in truth or cowardness in lies, angels or devils, Jesus or Satan. You can have the face of an angel if you want too.
1) Stephen was full of faith (vs 8). He must have pleased God…
“But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
2) Stephen walked with the Holy Spirit. Stephen was full of power (vs 8)…
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).
3) Stephen had wisdom (vs 10)…
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
When men accuse you, will you hang your head in shame knowing they are right? Or will you stand boldly on God’s truth, and have the face like an angel? Mirror, mirror?
Peace (1Corinthians 15:58)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
At the Men’s Retreat – No Wifi
Good morning! We are at the men’s retreat at Camp Calvary. I haven’t been able to access the wifi here yet, but as soon as I am able, I will post something. I am posting this note with my phone.
Today’s Passages – Acts 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
Scripture Memorization for November – The Kenosis Passage – Philippians 2:5 – 11
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 3:5 & 6
Read a great article by Pastor Paul Chappell – “The Joy Killers“
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL
Today’s Passages –John 14 – 16 (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 56 – 60; Proverbs 12)
Scripture Memorization for November – The Kenosis Passage – Philippians 2:5 – 11
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 119:105
Read a great article by Pastor Paul Chappell – “The Joy Killers“
Read the “1112 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this passage – “He Will Never Leave You“
Fall Pruning
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:1-6)
I don’t know about you, but I spent my Friday morning raking and blowing leaves and burning the branches that fell during the windy fall weather.
In the passages above, we see that God explains the question the disciple asked of how He will manifest (declare Himself plainly) to them and not the world.
The nutrition of a tree comes from the roots into the trunk or vine. It then goes through the branch into the fruit or flower. With out the vine the nutrition can not get to the branch to produce the fruit, no fruit.
As a child, my Dad had some fruit trees. For a couple of years, one of the apple trees was yielding little fruit and it was all rotten. Needless to say, he cut down that tree. While I was blowing and raking leaves, I also picked up many fallen branches, which I burned in our fire pit. In Texas, we rented a duplex that had a beautiful rose bush right outside the back door. It grew so big that you had to move the branches in order to get in the door, but the roses were small. At the end of the summer, I cut it back so much that I thought I killed it. Come spring, I notice the bush was budding. You would never believe the beautiful BIG roses it produced. This is what Jesus was referring to when He said ‘purgeth it’.
I wanted to expand on the purging. Because time is getting closer to Christ’s return, I believe God is warning us and trying to wake us up by purging us. So many of us are under such oppression, that we are ineffective to God, our families, others and ourselves. We must be aware of were this is coming from.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Peter 5:8)
What should we do when trials and tribulations come our way?
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1Thessalonians 5:15-18)
Are you weary are you heavy hearted? Tell it to Jesus – Tell it to Jesus
Are you grieving over joys departed Tell it to Jesus alone.
Do the tear flow down your cheeks unbidden? Tell it to Jesus – Tell it to Jesus.
Have you sins that to men’s eyes are hidden? Tell it to Jesus alone.
Do you fear the gath’ring clouds of sorrow? Tell it to Jesus – Tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow? Tell it to Jesus alone.
For Christ coming Kingdom are you sighing? Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus He is a friend that’s well known.
You’ve no other such a friend or brother, Tell it to Jesus alone.
Thank You
1 John 5:13
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