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Author: Pastor Ted Stahl

One To Care And One To Curse – The Saturday Morning Post

One To Care And One To Curse – The Saturday Morning Post

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Son_Of_Encouragement

Today’s Passage – 2 Samuel 15 – 17 (Click on the references to listen to the audio –Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 23 – 24; Proverbs 12; Psalms 56 – 60)

Scripture Memorization for April –  Verses I commonly use when sharing the gospel.

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song –  Psalm 48:1 & 2

Read a previous post from this passage – “Let Him Curse“

Read the “0412 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king’s household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.” (2Samuel 16:1-2)

“And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.” (2Samuel 16:5-8)

Good morning. Two different kinds of people come to king David at the beginning of 2Samuel 16: one to care and one to curse: one to build up and one to tare down: one to encourage and one to discourage: one to edify and one to destroy. God’s Word teaches us to try and restore those who have fallen, but many will kick a person when He’s down.

“Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” (Proverbs 12:25)

How hard could it be to speak a “good word” and encourage someone. These days: hard. In the second miler readings, in Matthew 24, Jesus talks about the love of many shall become cold…

“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 24:3-12)

We may have to encourage ourselves as David did…

“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” (1Samuel 30:6)

Didn’t anyone realize that the Amalekites had taken David’s wives also, and that he was hurting as much as his men were? They should be comforting each other, but they talked of stoning David.

In a world where a child can’t pray in school for his or hers food: a world where sexual perverseness and hatred is running rampant: a world where it’s okay to say allah, buddha, and not Jesus Christ (unless it’s being taken in vain) the love of many will wax cold… but be encouraged… and be a Ziba, not a Shimei.

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Theselonians 4:13-18)

“We’ve been told:
God’s done warned us:
Jesus is coming soon.”
(Blind Willie Johnson 1897-1945: Jesus Is Coming Soon)

Peace. (Revelation 22:20-21)

People Need The LORD

People Need The LORD

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The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl

Today’s Passage – 1 Samuel 22 – 24 

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 9 – 10; Proverbs 5; Psalms 21 – 25

“David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.” (1Samuel 22:1-2)

Good morning. Your family needs the Lord. Everyone in distress needs the Lord. Everyone who is in debt needs the Lord. Everyone who is discontented needs the Lord. And they all flocked to David because he had the Lord. People need the Lord. Some think they don’t need the Lord, and Jesus told this parable…

“…A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.” (Luke 14:16-24)

People need the Lord. All people: for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We all need the Lord. All we can expect from the world is temporary: we will still have distress, we will still have debt, and we will still be discontented. We all need the Lord. People need the Lord.

“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John3:16-17)

Jesus died for the sins of the world: the sins of the drug addict, the sins of the alcoholic, the sins of the pornographer, the sins of the politicians (…and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…” (Revelation 21:8)), the sins of the pastors, the sins of the congregations, the sins of the thief, the sins of the murderer, the sins of the homosexual, the sins of the lesbian, the sins of the Pope, the sins of Billy Graham, the sins of those who think they have not sinned, and the sins of everyone else: people need the Lord.

“Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations, And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto Jerusalem; Thy birth and thy nativity is of the land of Canaan; thy father was an Amorite, and thy mother an Hittite. And as for thy nativity, in the day thou wast born thy navel was not cut, neither wast thou washed in water to supple thee; thou wast not salted at all, nor swaddled at all. None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live. I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare. Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.” (Ezekiel 16:1-8)

As we look at the possibility of starting a Reformers Unanimous here at Jersey Shore Baptist, keep us in prayer. This program is for everyone who has an addiction. And for everyone who has their “ducks in a row”, it will put them in order for you. People need the Lord. Will you help?

Peace. (Isaiah 51:5-6)

Have You Heard God Today? – The Saturday Morning Post

Have You Heard God Today? – The Saturday Morning Post

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Today’s Passage – 1 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 – Revelation 10 – 12; Proverbs 29; Psalms 141 – 145

“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.” (1Samuel 3:19-21)

Good morning. The LORD revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of the LORD. Have you heard God today?

“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.” (1Kings 22:19)

Have you heard God today?

“As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” (Psalm 18:30)

Have you heard God today?

For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.” (Psalm 33:4)

Have you heard God today?

“And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.” (Acts 13:44)

Have you heard God today?

“The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.” (Ezekiel 37:1-10)

O ye dry bones, hear the Word of the LORD. Have you heard God today?

Peace. (Colossians 3:16)

For As The Man Is So Is His Strength – The Saturday Morning Post

For As The Man Is So Is His Strength – The Saturday Morning Post

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“Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king. And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you. And he said unto Jether his firstborn, Up, and slay them. But the youth drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet a youth. Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose, and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments that were on their camels’ necks.” (Judges 8:18-21)

Good morning. And how are you? For as the man is, so is his strength. And man should have been strong: he was created in God’s image…

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:26-27)

If we are created in God’s image, then when people look at us, they aught to see Jesus. Do they? As a man, Jesus is our example: our perfect example. He is obedient to the Father. He is truthful. He cares for and loves others, even His enemies. He is faithful and prayerful.

How do you stack up against a real man? You don’t have to answer, the Bible is clear: we all fall short of God’s glory. The best thing we can do is stop comparing ourselves to other, and use Jesus as our example on how to be a man. For as the man is, so is his strength.

Peace! (Judges 16:19-30)

Don’t Mess With God’s People – The Saturday Morning Post

Don’t Mess With God’s People – The Saturday Morning Post

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Today’s Passage – Joshua 10 – 12

(Second Milers also read – 1 Timothy 1 – 6; Proverbs 15; Psalms 71 – 75)

“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29)

“And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us.” (Joshua 10:6)

The Kings of the Amorites had a plan…

“Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel. Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.” (Joshua 10:3-5)

But God hears the prayer of the righteous…

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.” (Joshua 10:8-10)

But why would God save a heathen nation? The verse says that He hears the prayers of the righteous: were the people of Gibeon righteous? No, but…

“And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.” (Joshua 9:22-24)

The Gibeonites knew where they could find God: with Joshua and Israel. Let me ask you something, if the Gibeonites looked at you, would they know that’s where they could find God? Jesus said…

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)

Peace! (Jude 1:22-25)

Amazing Grace – The Saturday Morning Post

Amazing Grace – The Saturday Morning Post

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Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 23 – 26

(Second Milers also read – 2 Corinthians 9 – 13; Proverbs 8; Psalms 36 – 40)

“If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.” (Deuteronomy 24:7)

“Amazing Grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.” – John Newton

Good morning. We can see by Deuteronomy 24:7 how God feels about slavery. There was a time that John Newton realized he was in trouble with God. John Newton worked in the slave trade. And God started working on him…

“‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!”

Joseph’s brothers were in a mess too: they sold their brother into slavery; and they knew it was wrong, but they also saw an example of God’s amazing grace…

“And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying, So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.” (Genesis 50:15-21)

God had sent Joseph ahead into Egypt to preserve the lives of his family. God sent Jesus ahead to preserve our lives by shedding His precious blood as payment for our sins.

“Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath bro’t me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.”

What has you in bondage today? What are you enslaved to? One day, all the works of man held in this world will be burnt in fervent heat. The only thing you can take with you is that precious soul you led to the Lord. We should get our priorities in order: God, family, and everything else. Jesus said…

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

“When we’ve been there ten-thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.”

Peace. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Feminine And Modest by Pastor Erickson for The Saturday Morning Post

Feminine And Modest by Pastor Erickson for The Saturday Morning Post

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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

“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” – (Deuteronomy 22:5)

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.” – (1 Timothy 2:9-10)

In our text today, we see the famous verse that has no doubt been preached millions of times in reference to the attire of a lady. I know that I have quoted this reference countless times myself, but perhaps, I haven’t preached this principle as much as I should. I am very concerned that there has been an accelerated trend toward immodest as well as masculine dress among our Christian ladies, even in our fundamental churches over the past few years. There has always been immodest dress in our churches, but it seems that lately so many of our ladies are completely throwing in the towel in any attempt to obey biblical principle in the area of dress.

As far as I can see, there are two overriding principles when it comes to women’s dress: femininity, and modesty. A women should dress in such a way that there is clearly a distinction between herself and a man. This principle would also apply to hairstyles as well. Many women today are choosing to wear their hair very short, and even with a masculine style. The Bible is clear that a woman’s hair should be longer than a man’s. It seems like our culture is reversing the Biblical model. Men’s hairstyles seem to be becoming more feminine, and vice versa.

Women should also dress modestly, meaning their clothing should not draw attention to their bodies. Tight pants, and low-cut tops are magnets for mens’ eyes. Many ladies in our churches today are wearing dresses, which are definitely feminine, but, unfortunately, many are not modest: either too short, or too tight, or very revealing in the top. There have been many times, even at church, where I have caught my eyes wandering where they shouldn’t simply because there was someone dressed inappropriately. I know, shame on me; but shame on the lady also that reveals herself through her clothing to men that are not her husband. Clothing should not draw attention to the body. You may have heard this illustration before, but I once heard someone speaking on this subject who said that if a man’s attention is drawn to your body, and not your face, you are dressing immodestly. The word translated apparel in 1 Timothy 2:9 is “katastole”, which is defined as a loose garment, “let down”; or a long, flowing robe.

There is a lot more that I can say regarding this subject, but I think that you get the point. I am not saying that women should wear burlap sacks down to their ankles, but I do believe that Christian ladies should be much more careful when choosing their attire.

Thou Hast Lacked Nothing – The Saturday Morning Post

Thou Hast Lacked Nothing – The Saturday Morning Post

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horn-of-plenty-marian-christopher-zacharow

Today’s Passage – Deuteronomy 1 – 2 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 1 Corinthians 9 – 12; Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5

Scripture Memorization for March – 1 Corinthians 6:9 – 20

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Joshua 1:8

Read the “0301 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.” (Deuteronomy 2:7)

“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)

Someone posted a picture on Facebook of an Exxon sign with gas priced at $1.84/gallon. Underneath the sign, in the billboard portion was something to the effect:”ONLY JOKING THIS WAS THE PRICE WHEN OBAMA BECAME PRESIDENT.”

Last time I looked, gas at my local station was around $3.34/gallon. That’s the way it is with a Socialistic government as apposed to a Free government. Just as the devil wants to play god, the government wants to supply your every need.

Who are you relying on, God, or a government that works hard at taking God out of everything it can? As Christians, we can claim the promises that God has made, like Hebrews 13:5, “…I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Now re-read what God told Israel in Deuteronomy 2:7…

“For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.” (Deuteronomy 2:7)

There is a great wilderness that we are now walking through which may not end for us until the Rapture, or the Lord calls us home. But the Lord is with us, and if we take a step back, and look at our lives so far, we can see that in reality we lack nothing. As long as our nation turns their back on God, God will turn His back on our nation. There is one thing that God says we can do to save our nation…

“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)

Our nation needs healing which the government has proven that it cannot supply. The only thing that can heal this nation is the power of the one who created it…

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

…the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s seek God to heal our nation, and turn it back into the Christian nation it once was.

Peace. (Revelation 22:20-21)

SATURDAY MORNING POST BY CAMILLE STAHL

SATURDAY MORNING POST BY CAMILLE STAHL

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NO SIN

Today’s Passage – Numbers 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 – Acts 25 – 28; Proverbs 22; Psalms 111 – 115)

DELIVER US FROM EVIL

“Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah. Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor: And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.” (Numbers 20:24-26)

God had clearly instructed Moses to only speak to the rock so the children of Israel could drink.  Moses didn’t obey God and struck the rock with his staff.  God still kept His word and the rock brought forth water.  But as a result of Moses disobedience, Moses and Aron were not able to go into the promise land.

We must be very careful in the decisions we make.  We always say things like ‘I can do whatever I want because I’m not hurting anyone.’  Or ‘It will only effect me.’  But we see throughout the Bible that the consequences of sin effects many.  Eve is a perfect example.

Here are a few suggestion on how to avoid the temptation of disobedience.

Study and Memorize the Bible.  Every time Satan tried to tempt Jesus, Jesus quoted scripture.  We can defeat Satan the same way, but we need to know verses.  The more you understand the promises of God, the easier it will be to throw Satan down.  Just remember,

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

With studying the Bible, learn what God would have you to do. When a situation arrives, you’ll already know how to respond no matter what is going on around you.  Daniel was a great example of this:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8)

Be Honest With Yourself.  Satan tells us that what we are about to do is not so bad, go ahead it will be ok.  Call sin what it really is, sin.  If you’re in doubt, just don’t do it.  If you know in your heart that God is telling you no, walk away and don’t look back.

“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)

Fellowship with Positive People.  Moses was surrounded with negative people.  They complained about everything all the time.  Be careful who you let into your life.

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Pray.  Ask God to show you His direction.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:” (Matthew 6:13a)

Thank You

1 John 5:13

Does This Mean I Can Retire?

Does This Mean I Can Retire?

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Today’s Passage – Numbers 3 – 4 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 4 – 6; Proverbs 15; Psalms 76 – 80)

Scripture Memorization for February – Missions

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

Read the “0215 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

“All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers, From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation, Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore. According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.” (Numbers 4:46-49)

Good morning. I am 60 and 4 days old today. I like it that way: each day brings me closer to my going to be with the Lord. In our text, God told Moses that those from thirty years old to fifty years old are to do the service of the ministry. Does this mean I can retire? No. I’ll retire when the Lord takes me home. There are dangers to quitting. Here are a few verses to consider…

“For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)

Since the gifts God gives us are to edify others, we both suffer if you quit. And if God’s calling is without repentance (He will not change His mind), well, just look at Jonah and watch out for great fishes…

1) Quitting not only affects you, but others also.

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” (John 15:8)

“There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:2-3)

Peter, and those who followed him, went fishing and caught nothing…

2) Quitting does not glorify God.

“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (1Kings 19:1-4)

“And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.” (2Kings 2:9-14)

3) Quitting could end in an untimely demise.

What if? Let me give you this ‘what if’ here. What if Elijah would have kept going, and the Lord performed a few more miracles through Elijah, say five more. Elisha saw Elijah depart, and Elisha did get his request granted and performed twice as many miracles as Elijah. This would mean that there would have been ten more miracles done by Elisha. Considering quitting? Consider the consequences it will have on you and on others.

Peace. (Luke 22:41-44)