Making A Difference Daily

Today’s Reading – 1 Chronicles 9 – 10 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – John 9 – 10; Psalm 41 – 45; Proverbs 9)

Read the “0509 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers. Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died. So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together. And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them. And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa. And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people. And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. And when all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days. So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.” (1Chronicles 10:1-14)

Good morning. King Saul is dead. Why? For his transgression against the Lord, even against the Word of the Lord which he kept not, and also asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; and enquired not of the Lord. What bothers me is that the Bible says, right here in black and white, that Saul not only transgressed the Law (Saul did what he shouldn’t do), but he also did not keep the Law (Saul didn’t do what he should have done).

Election time will be coming up: watch the campaigning. Does the candidate support Israel?

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 3:1-3)

Does your candidate support killing babies: abortion? There have been over 61 million innocent babies killed since Roe vs. Wade (1973).

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jermiah 1:4-5)

Have you lost a loved one to cancer, or some other disease? Maybe God had ordained one of those 61 million with a cure?

What does the candidate think about God’s Law? Should he get the Bible back into schools, government offices and courts? Do you feel the same way as David?

“It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.” (Psalm 119:126)

“Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.” (Psalm 119:136)

We need the True Living God, not some idol of stone that has ears, but can’t hear; eyes, but can’t see; a mouth, but can’t speak. Thus saith the LORD…

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45:22)

“Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me…” (Isaiah 46:9)

And God made it easy for us to be happy and blessed again…

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14)

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psalm 32:12)

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 144:15)

The government is going broke, affordable health care is a joke. The Communists are trying to kill us with germ warfare. But…

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.” (Psalm 28:3)

Peace!

Today’s Reading – 2 Kings 18 – 19 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Luke 19 – 20; Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)

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

Read the “0502 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Read a previous post from this passage – “Now You’ve Crossed the Line”

“Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake. And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.” (2Kings 19:32-37)

“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3: God promising Abraham)

Good morning. With the attack of COVID-19 going on, it would be nice to have God’s hedge of protection on this nation again. When you touch something that belongs to God, in trying to steal it from God, you are in some serious trouble. The king of Assyria should have read Genesis before invading and trying to conquer God’s city of Jerusalem. God said that He would bless those who bless Abraham, and curse those who curse Abraham. The king of Assyria ended up dead by the hands of his two sons. We had this same protection once, until we started messing with Israel… England, damaging the Bush’s home and many others.

August 23, 1992, talks resume for Israel to surrender “Land for Peace.”

1991, President George H W Bush institutes his Land For Peace Plan. The result is “the Perfect Storm.” One hundred foot waves pound New Withing 24 hours, Hurricane Andrew hits causing $30 billion in damages to the U.S.

August 27 through September 13, 1993, Israel and the PLO work out a compromise peace plan in Washington, D.C. Our country is hit with the worst flooding in our history and $21 billion in damages.

August 25 through September 10, 2001, the U.S., Arabia, and Israel prepared the most comprehensive peace plan ever. God lifts His hand of protection, and the Twin Towers along with the Pentagon are attacked on September 11th, just before the plans were finalized. This cost the U.S. over $40 billion.

November 7 through 12, 2002, during Ramadan, President Bush hosted a dinner to honor Islam and the “revelation of God’s word in the holy Koran.” When officials flew to pressure Israel, 88 out of season tornadoes hit seven states.

In 2005, President George W. Bush pressured Israel to give up the Gaza strip. Israel did, and the next day Hurricane Katrina hit: the largest disaster in U.S. history. One million people were forced from their homes, and close to $200 billion in damages.

Now, in 2020, even though this is not against Israel, there have been almost 62 million abortions performed since Roe vs. Wade in the U.S. Sixty-two innocent children murdered since 1973. Do you think God is angry? There have been 60,057 deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States. All states have been affected by this virus. Here in New Jersey, 6,770 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19. The United States is not mentioned in the end times, in the Bible. I would like to think that all of America was caught up in the Rapture. But this is doubtful, unless of course, America goes back to her roots and we become one nation under God again. The Bible needs to be back in schools, teach the children that life is precious: that they didn’t evolve from swamp scum: they were created in the image of the Creator. Maybe then they will stop chasing after drugs, alcohol, and stop killing themselves, or each other. The Ten Commandments need to go back in our Federal Buildings, and our Courts. Then our judges can judge righteously, and not compromise. And most of all we need to support Israel, God’s chosen people. If we stay on the same path in which we are going we will end up like Sennacherib king of Assyria: dead!

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14)

Peace!

Today’s Passage – 1 Kings 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 5 – 6; Proverbs 25; Psalms 121 – 125

Read the “0425 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak. So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king. And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD? And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil? And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee. But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.” (1Kings 22:14-28)

Good morning. Can you imagine being thrown in jail because you told the truth? King Ahab recognized that Micaiah lied to him in telling the king to go and attack Ramothgilead? The king should have known right then that he should not go. Then Micaiah explained how the LORD allowed a lying spirit to speak through Ahab’s prophets. He would believe it was ok to go and attack Ramothgilead. That got Micaiah a slap in the face from one of Ahab’s prophets. But Ahab imprisoned Micaiah and went off to do battle. And…

“So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot. And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country. So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.” (1Kings 22:29-38)

So the king died. Elijah was released. He roamed free until taken to Heaven in a whirlwind in 2Kings chapter 2.

We may be in lock down for this Corvid19 virus thing, but we are still free. We get to have our church services on-line. We can still go shopping at Walmart as long as we stay six feet away from others and wear a mask. Remember that even the nation of Israel, down in Egypt, had to stay inside their homes, behind the blood on the door posts till the LORD passed over the land taking the first-born.

“And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” (Exodus 12:29-32)

Freedom is coming. Wait on the LORD and renew your strength. Remember what Paul said…

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:10-13)

Peace.

Today’s Passage – 1 Kings 6 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 7 – 8; Proverbs 18; Psalms 86 – 90)

Read the “0418 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. He was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.” (1Kings 7:13-14)

Good morning. King Solomon was given the task of building a house for the LORD. Being it was for the LORD, it had to be the best. Solomon called for Hiram out of Tyre to do all the brass work of the house. Hiram was a worker in brass, filled with wisdom and understanding, and he was cunning to work all works in brass. God supplied Solomon with the right person for the specific job that needed to be done.

Have you ever been told you were good for nothing? Have you ever been treated like you had nothing useful to contribute? Are you good for nothing? God doesn’t think so…

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

We, me and you, are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Take a close look the end of verse 10: “…which God hath BEFORE ORDAINED that we should walk in them. God created good works, and then created us to walk in them. You may think that you are useless, but God created a thing specifically for you to do.

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight.” (John 9:1-11)

Here is a man born blind. Why? Not because of sin, but that the works of God could be made manifest in him. God has created you for a reason. He needs you to walk in the good works that He created for you to walk in. You are good for something. Maybe just to glorify God?

Peace.

Today’s Passage – 2 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 – Matthew 21 – 22; Proverbs 11; Psalms 51 – 55)

Read the “0411 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

”And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2Samuel 12:15-23)

Good morning. At the time of this writing, the Covid19 virus score of the world is: 1,450,092 cases; 83,474 deaths; but there are 309,321 victims who have recovered. In New Jersey there are 44,416 cases; 1,232 deaths; and 206 have recovered. Many of us have loved ones, friends, or relatives who may have the Coronavirus. In our reading today we see the child that David had with Bathsheba, through adultery, on his death bed. David has been praying and fasting for the child seven days. The child dies. David gets up from the ground, cleans up, goes to the tabernacle and worships the LORD. After this, he returns home and has something to eat. The servants question him as to why he is doing this, and not still morning for the child…

“Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2Samuel 12:21-23)

Do you have a loved one, friend, or relative, who may have the virus? Pray for them. Who can tell if GOD will be gracious to you, that they may live? Call them. Praise the LORD He gave us the technology to have video phone calls, apps like Skype, Zoom, and others. David had faith knowing that the child was safe with the LORD. He told his servants: “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

You don’t know if that loved one will survive the virus. Do you kow if they are saved? Are they going to Heaven when they die? Talk to them. Share the Gospel with them.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)

And…

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

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

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)

And Jesus makes us this promise…

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

Are you saved?

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1John 5:13)

The whole point is, is that we have an appointed time.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Nobody knows when that time is. Isn’t it time for all petty grudges to cease? All families fighting together and not speaking to one another should cease. When will loved ones, friends, and relatives be forgiving? You have no idea if you will ever see that person again. You will see them again, if you and they are saved. Just think, you will all have to spend eternity together forever in Heaven, loving each other, and praising the LORD. Wouldn’t it be nice to start now?

Before it’s too late.

Peace.

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

Read the “0408 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord. Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him: And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.” (2Samuel 1:5-12)

“So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: “ When reading today’s scriptures, these words jumped out at me. Being part of the ministry for many years, unfortunately you see people fall away from the Lord. Some fall further than others but never the less they fall away from where they were. But praise the Lord some open up their hearts again and come back. But what are we doing when they fall? What are we doing when they come back? What about the ones who are struggling and are up and down?

When David heard that Saul and Jonathan were dead he mourned, and wept and fasted. It didn’t matter that Saul was always seeking to kill David, David stayed true to Saul even after his death.

So what should we do if we know of a Brother or Sister in Christ fall away.

1) Love Them Back To The Lord

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

2) Feed The Sheep

After they start turning their life around, back to the Lord, stick with them. Continue to help the find their way back. When you teach a child to walk, you have to stay with them until they can walk on their own.

”He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

3) You Are Your Brother’s (or Sister’s) Keeper – YES

There is no room in the family of God for kicking another when they are down. Why? Because we’re family. Although I come from a small family (I’m an only child) I could never understand why some families fought so much. I always thought they should stick together like glue, and we should.

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9)

All of us are in danger of backsliding or falling. It’s in our old nature to do so, plus there is one who is always waiting to trip us up.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Peter 5:8)

And just a note to the backslider, God has promised never to let us go. He will never throw us out of His family. We may grieve Him but He will always love us.

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:28-29)

Amen

Revelation 20:10

Today’s Passage – 1 Samuel 19 – 21 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 7 – 8; Proverbs 4; Psalms 16 – 20)

Read the “0404 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?” (1Samuel 21:10-15)

“And when he [JESUS] was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.” (Matthew 8:28-32)

Good morning. Here we have two examples of madness. David made himself mad to save his life. The herd of swine went mad when possessed by devils, and they lost their lives.

I use to work security in a casino, on the graveyard shift. You notice many things on this shift. Mainly around the slot machines. People stare, glassy-eyed into the machine watching the numbers and symbols spin around. Their only movement is to hit the spin button. The cocktail waitresses come around serving drinks and alcohol, which being a depressant just adds to the miserable look that is on their faces. From what I understand many are regular customers: they come there all the time. Can I ask you something? Is this the kind of life you planned on having? Something happened to draw these people into the madness of gambling.

I walked by a roulette table, and saw three separate gray chips placed as bets. The wheel was turned and the ball raced around. When all was said and done, those three gray chips went to the house: that’s $15,000 ($5,000 each): that’s madness. Is there a madness in your life?

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:20-27)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only one who can save people from this madness, as well as other madnesses. The Reformers Unanimous Addictions Program has a slogan: “Only the Truth makes free!” We can show you from the Scriptures how to end the madness. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the only Way: every other path is a dead end. Jesus is the Truth: He doesn’t sugar-coat your problem, but will stand right by your side, and face it with you. Jesus is the Life: He will help you with your life, and keep you from throwing it away. Jesus said…

“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.” (John 15: 4-5)

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (John 15:8-9)

If Jesus didn’t think your life was precious, why would He allow Himself to be beaten, spit upon, whipped by a whip that had sharp bones and metal pieces that ripped right through His skin, and then be nailed to a cross shedding His precious blood for your precious soul? He is able, and will stop whatever madness you have.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Peace!

Today’s Passage – Ruth 1 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Revelation 7 – 9; Proverbs 28; Psalms 136 – 140)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1 – 4

Read the “0328 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother’s house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people. And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons; Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.” (Ruth 1:1-13)

Good morning. Naomi was at quite a low point in her life. Her husband died, then her two sons died. All she had left were her two daughter-in-laws. And she told her daughters. “…it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.”

When things go wrong, do you blame God? I must have sinned for this to happen to me. Woe is me for the hand of the Lord is gone out against me. But we forget…

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

And that…

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

So what happened with Naomi? God had to turn her around and get her out of Moab. He needed her back home. She didn’t leave Moab when her husband died. When her two sons died, she left Moab. There was a divine appointment waiting in Bethlehemjudah. And Ruth stayed with her.

Did you know your face changes when your countenance drops, when you’re depressed?

“So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:19-21)

The people had to ask if this was Naomi. And Naomi said to call her Mara. Mara means bitter. Naomi was bitter, but she was home, and Ruth was with her. But it was all part of God’s plan. And to make a long story short…

“So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron, And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, And Amminadab begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.” (Ruth 4:13-22)

It took some sorrow to get Naomi and Ruth to Bethlehemjudah, but Ruth had to get there to meet and marry Boaz, so they could have a child, and Ruth would be the great grandmother of king David.

Are you going through something bad? Don’t blame God. Here are three verses to remember…

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

I’m sorry, but in this world ye SHALL have tribulation. I don’t care what the prosperity preachers tell you, believe the Bible. Tribulation is going to come. Bad things happen to good people and bad people. Maybe God is just trying to turn you in the right direction like Naomi. Just remember our second verse also…

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

That’s ALL things: the good and the bad. Bad things happen in life. But what we perceive as bad, God may be using that for His good, and our good. Before you become bitter, and blame God, go to Him with your problem. “Lord, things look pretty bleak. I don’t know why I’m going through this, but You do. Help me to understand. Show me what to do.” And that leads us to the third verses…

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Trials and tribulations should not separate you from God, they should draw you closer. When bad things happen, don’t get bitter; run to God where all things work for good.

Peace!

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

(Second Milers also read – James 1 – 5; Proverbs 21; Psalms 101 – 105

Read the “0321 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years. And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds. And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them; And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it. And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.” (Judges 6:1-6)

Good morning. The word – impoverished – means (of a person or area) made poor – deprived of strength or vitality. Kind of like the shelves at Shop Rite. Kind of like the toilet paper aisle. Kind of like Venezuela after the Socialists took over. It’s long food lines. It’s food kitchens and food banks. It’s dumpster diving for your needs. Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. America is doing evil in the sight of the LORD. Killing babies. Lusting after strange flesh. Whoring after Godless Socialism, Communism, and Fascism. We are getting a taste of Socialism now with shortages at the grocery store, curfews, and no toilet paper. The world has gone crazy. Did you ever imagine you would see a fight break out in a store over a roll of toilet paper? And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD. America is becoming impoverished, but what can we do? We can do as Israel did, and cry out unto the LORD.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2Chronicles 7:14)

If My people, which are called by My name, Christian. You call yourself a Christian, a follower of Christ, and yet you will not fight for what is right. What does light have to do with darkness? Your voter registration says Democrat. The Democratic Party is for killing babies. That alone should make you change parties.

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves. Realize that abortion is the murder of innocent babies. Realize all the sin that abounds in your life, all the abominations that surround you, humble yourselves. You can’t save yourselves. Humble yourselves and seek help.

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face. God is the only one who can repair corrupted hearts, open the eyes of those blinded by sin, and remove the abominations around us. We need to humble ourselves, and seek God’s help through prayer: seek His face.

If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways. We can sometimes see the sin of others around us, but do we see our own?

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” (1John 1:8-10)

So if we humble ourselves, and pray, seek God’s face, and turn from our wicked ways, what will God do? The LORD tells us then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. The only way to heal our nation is through the LORD. He is our only hope.

Peace.

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 19 – 22 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Galatians 4 – 6; Psalms 31 – 35; Proverbs 7)

Read the “0307 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you. But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. A man shall not take his father’s wife, nor discover his father’s skirt.” (Deuteronomy 22:22-30)

Good morning. The Beatles sang all you need is love. The Grass Roots had a song about the bass player’s love for a married woman. Crosby, Stills, and Nash told us that if you can’t be with the one you love, then love the one you’re with. Gangster, Al Capone died of Syphilis. Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen, died from Aids. Arthus Asch, the first black man to win the Wimbeldom US open (Tennis); and Rock Hudson, both died of Aids. Writer Oscar Wilde, and Artist Paul Gaugin, both died of Syphilis. This was a lust, not a love for just one woman as God intended. Lust can be for other things also. In 1771, Adolf Frederick, king of Sweden died after eating a meal of Lobster, caviar, saurkraut, smoked herring, champagne, and 14 servings of deserts. This was a lust for food. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison died in their lust for drugs. What do you love? Or is it a lust.

Love is an action word…

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

God also tells us how to love…

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

And Jesus said…

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John14:15)

You can kick a tire, but you may break your toe. You don’t test drive a woman.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:25-31)

Lust will eventually lead to sin, and sin to death.

“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

It takes time to get to know someone. If you can’t wait, you are probably lusting and not loving. If you love someone, you will not want to hurt them. If you follow the instructions that God has given you in His Word, you will be happy.

Peace.