Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Jul 23rd A Letter to a Teenager by Pastor Matthew Swiatkowski

Today’s Passage – Proverbs 25 – 27 (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 – Luke 1 – 2; Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)

Read the “0723 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “A True Friend”

“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

Recently, I received a letter from a dear couple whom I have known since before their wedding. This letter contained a unique request that I had not received before. They asked me to write an encouraging letter to their oldest child who is soon turning 13 years old, as he is entering his teenage years. As I sat in front of my computer, staring at a blank page, I asked the Lord for guidance on what to write. He laid it on my heart to write something that I would have needed at 13, as these principles would work for both boys and girls. After I sent off the letter, I began to reflect on what I wrote. I had several more thoughts cross my mind so I added them here. Those extra thoughts will be in italics. 

Dear ___________

I want to extend my warmest wishes to you on your 13th birthday. You’ve officially entered your teenage years, and I’m sure you’ve been eagerly anticipating this milestone. Remember, your teenage years are what you make of them. Make the most of it and enjoy this exciting new chapter in your life. I sincerely urge you to cherish and embrace your teenage years rather than rush to reach your 20s. Life is a precious blessing bestowed upon us by our Heavenly Father, and every phase of it has its unique charm. As we move on to a new chapter, we leave behind some experiences that can never be relived. Therefore, I encourage you to make the most of your teenage years and treasure every moment, for they will never come again. 

I have vivid memories of my teenage years, but unfortunately, most of them were spent serving the world instead of my Lord. I want you to know how fortunate you are to have been blessed with two wonderful Christian parents. However, I understand that your youth may present challenges, so I want to offer some words of encouragement. 

First, It’s important to cherish the time you spend with your family, whether it’s sharing meals, enjoying family time, or going on vacations together. If you and your brothers are sharing a room, know that as you grow older, you’ll look back with fondness on the memories you created together. Even the arguments and disagreements will become a source of laughter and joy in retrospect. I speak from experience, having been the youngest of four brothers. I have countless happy memories of us talking and joking around in our beds at night. Having brothers is a true blessing.

Second, as the eldest in the family, you hold a great responsibility to set a positive example for your younger siblings. Even if you don’t feel like a leader, they will look up to you and follow your actions. It’s important to remember that your words and behavior have a significant impact on them. My brother Edward was the oldest in our family, but he passed away in 1985 and I miss him greatly. He set the tone for us and we followed him because he was our big brother. Embrace this role with wisdom and make choices that are beneficial to all.

Third, As you venture into your teenage years, you will face new challenges and emotions. It may be difficult to fully appreciate now, but having godly parents is a blessing that you will come to understand as you grow older. Seeking counsel from your father and mother is the wisest thing you can do. Drawing from my own experiences, I recall sitting with my mother at the kitchen table for hours, discussing everything from our ancestors to current events. She was a delight to talk to. My relationship with my father was more challenging, as he was not a Christian man. However, both your parents have valuable life experience and a deep understanding of the world. They are aware of its dangers and pitfalls, and they want to help you avoid making the same mistakes they may have made.

Fourth, every young man wants friends and be careful of the ones that you make. Psalm 1 gives some wonderful advice in this department. Avoid any young man or any young lady who will try to take you away from the Lord or obedience to your parents. They are not your friends. Forming friendships with individuals who do not have love for the Lord or a desire to serve him will not be advantageous for you, and will only bring harm.

Fifth, it’s important to prioritize your relationship with God. Seek His guidance through prayer before making any decisions, and make sure everything you do aligns with His teachings. Though it may not be easy, being a Christian is more fulfilling than anything else this world can offer. I’m grateful that God touched my heart at 18 and transformed my life for the better. Those who serve Jesus Christ never regret their life’s journey. Attend church regularly, study the scriptures, heed your pastor’s teachings, and respect your parents in the Lord. Sadly I have seen too many young people ignore this advice and have watched them go off the rails.

Sixth, As you appreciate your current age, it’s crucial to consider the future. Every decision you make will guide you toward a particular destination. Your future is determined by the decisions you make in the present. Bad decisions can lead to negative consequences, while good decisions can bring positive outcomes. Remember to always make wise choices to create a better future for yourself. It is a fundamental truth in the Bible that decisions made without considering the Lord will inevitably lead to unfavorable outcomes.

Seventh, Do not sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the temporary. Some things in life are very precious and they should not be thrown away or treated lightly. Your purity and virtue are gifts and they should not be wasted on a fleeting moment. Follow what God teaches and you will have no regrets.

Dear friend, I hope these seven points of wisdom I shared with you are helpful. As you continue to grow, always remember to appreciate life for what it truly is – a beautiful gift from the almighty God, filled with wonder, excitement, and many blessings. Even though there may be moments of sorrow and heartache, these experiences only serve to help us cherish and appreciate the wonderful things that God in Heaven has provided for us. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

God Bless 

Matthew B. Swiatkowski Sr.   

Pastor Matthew Swiatkowski is the pastor of Gospel Light Baptist Church in Kearny, NJ

Jul 22nd Jealous? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Proverbs 22 – 24 (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 – Mark 15 – 16; Psalms 106 – 110)

Read the “0722 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

(Proverbs 23:17-18) “Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. (18) For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.”

Good morning. Did you ever watch any of those TV shows about flipping houses? They by a house in really bad shape for $100,000. Then they invest another $100,000 to make it like new. Then they sell it for half a million dollars: and profit $300,000. Did you ever take a good look at the people who are buying them? Where are these people getting all that money from?

Jealous?

Did you ever wonder about Jack LaLane, or Richard Simmons, or even Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper of The Biggest Loser? How can they get their metabolism up to burn extra calories and I can’t?

Jealous?

How about those who seem to ‘get away with murder’, as the saying goes?

(Proverbs 24:1-2) “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. (2) For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.”

Now, granted, some of those people are paying $500,000 for a house with money that was honestly earned. And there are some who are not. Surely there is an end. Bob and Jillian, and most of us, are just one step away from disaster. If something happens and they are laid up in a hospital for a year, they may not be able to get back into the same shape they are now. And the evil man is not getting away with anything. One day, just like all of us, he will have to stand before the Lord and give account. Surely there is an end and your expectation may or may not be cut short. And surely there is an end, and that end is either Heaven or Hell for eternity. If you receive Jesus as your Saviour, Heaven, your expectation, will not be cut short. If you reject Jesus as your Saviour, your expectation is cut short, and your dreams of Heaven are turned into Hell.

(Romans 14:11-12) “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

The apostle Paul said…

(Philippians 4:11-13) “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. (12) 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. (13) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

And the apostle Paul went through a lot…

(2Corinthians 11:23-27) “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. (24) Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. (25) Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; (26) In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; (27) In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

And yet Paul was content. God allows us to have what He allows us to have. Some people think they can serve God better if He gives them a million dollars. Do you have a million dollars? God knows it would corrupt you: it would not be good for you to have all that money. Many times when I hear people complain about this thing or that thing, I always think about a passage at the end of John…

(John 21:14-22) “This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. (15) So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. (16) He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (17) 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. (18) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (19) This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (20) Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? (21) Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? (22) Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.

Still jealous? Maybe we should be like Paul and be content; and like Peter, and follow Jesus.

Peace.

Jul 15th Come And Dine – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Proverbs 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 – Mark 1 – 2; Psalms 71 – 75; Proverbs 15)

Read the “0715 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

(Proverbs 1:7) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

(Proverbs 1:23-33) “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. (24) Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; (25) But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: (26) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; (27) When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. (28) Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: (29) For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: (30) They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. (31) Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. (32) For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. (33) But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.”

(Proverbs 10:21) ““The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.”

Good morning. One of the lamest excuses ever devised for leaving a church is saying I’m not being fed. But your Host is saying come and dine. When you go to somebody’s house for dinner, you should expect to be fed. The Host puts the plate He has prepared in front of you. You are being fed, but if you don’t eat, that’s not the Host’s fault: you are not eating. God has prepared the perfect meal for you, but He will not force you to eat it. You are the one who must come and dine.

1) Look at your plate, see the beauty, and smell the aroma.

(Proverbs 25:11) “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”

God has given you something to enjoy, something you need. You may not notice or need it just yet, but you will. Or it could stand out and be easily seen as golden apples on a silver background.

2) Pray…

You should always say grace, and thank God for what you are about to receive

(Psalm 119:18) “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”

Pray that God opens your eyes. Pray that you will understand the preacher as he delivers the Word that God has given him.

3) Taste.

If food is going to do a body good, you need to eat it. But what if I don’t like it?

(Psalm 119:140) “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.”

Let’s talk onions here for a minute. When I was a child, I did not like onions. I would go to my room, or outside, running, coughing, and hacking as I went. Come to think about it I had the same reaction when my wife cooked onions. Then I heard about a small Mexican restaurant on Rt. 35 in Neptune, NJ. I was told they had good chili. I went there to have a bowl. Guess what? They brought it out, and there on top of the chili, in the middle of the bowl was a pile of 1/4″ cubed raw onion. I did not have time to reorder: I was on my lunch break. I mixed them into the chili rather than try to eat around them. And guess what now? It was good!

Listen carefully to the message that God has given the preacher to give to you. You may not like it, but as you wander down the road of life, and you need it, the Holy Spirit will bring it to mind.

4) Come and dine: eat.

(Jeremiah 16:15) “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”

Food will not do you any good unless you take it in. You can sit there in the pew thinking you are not being fed, or you could eat…

(Psalm 19:7-10) “All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him. (8) He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. (9) A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. (10) Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

Peace.

Jul 11th Happy To Be In Church

Today’s Reading – Psalms 120 – 132 (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; Psalms 51 – 55; Proverbs 11)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51

Read the “0711 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” – (Psalm 122:1)

“Except the LORD build the house they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.” – (Psalm 127:1)

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” – (Psalm 133:1)

I remember when when my grandson Jaxon was just a young boy, Kindergarten age or so, you could put a smile on his face just by telling him that you were taking him to church. He loved to go to church and still does. When he was just a toddler, he loved to put on his little tie.  He loved to ride in the church bus on soul winning night. He loved (and still loves) everything about the church, and he is glad every time he goes.

For my devotion this morning I have listed a couple of verses from our reading today (and one from tomorrow’s reading) that I believe can certainly be considered together. Though, I may be taking a little bit of liberty regarding the proper interpretations of these Scriptures in their original contexts, I do not believe my thoughts violate basic Biblical truth. The first verse (Psalm 122:1) talks about the joy of being in the house of God. I also love to be in the house of God with God’s people, but there have been times in my life when I did not appreciate going to church. Before I was saved, the last thing I wanted to do was to go to church; and even after my salvation there have been times when I dreaded church. Thinking back at these times I now realize that the reason for my apprehension was either because my own heart was not right, or that there was something not right going on in the church.

I remember years ago my wife and I were at a church business meeting. The pastor of the church had fired the youth pastor. The problem was that a good portion of the church really liked the youth pastor and did not want to see him go. The result was a church split, with a lot of arguing, gossiping, and bitterness that certainly was not pleasing to the Lord. The lack of unity (Psalm 133:1) among the brethren caused the church to become an unpleasant place to go.

The bottom line is, however, that a church where the people are striving together, submissive to the will of God, is a place that is a downright joyful place for the Christian to go; unless, of course, his heart is at odds with the will of God. If the church is healthy, and the Christian is healthy spiritually, there ought to be a joyful anticipation of going to the House of God. I am very thankful for the church where I serve. Though we are not a large church, we enjoy serving and worshipping together. It is my prayer that our church will grow together, both spiritually and numerically. However, the house must be built by the Lord. It must be done His way, otherwise, we are just wasting our time.

Do you look forward to going to church, or to you you dread it? If the thought of going is unpleasant to you, you need to ask yourself, why? It may be that there is a major problem within the congregation; but more often than not, the problem lies within your own spiritual condition. If you are out of the will of God, being in God’s house, and around God’s people will certainly be a difficult experience. If that is your situation, please don’t blame the church for your misery, and don’t run from the church either. If you do, you may experience a temporary relief from your feelings, but it will ultimately lead to more sorrow. The best thing that you can do is get back inside the will of God. Inside of God’s will, the local church is a place of happiness.

Jul 8th God’s Wonderful Works Remembered – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Psalms 108 – 114 (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; Psalms 36 – 40; Proverbs 8)

Read the “0708 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

(Psalm 111) “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. (2) The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. (3) His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. (4) He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. (5) He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant. (6) He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. (7) The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure. (8) They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness. (9) He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. (10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”

Good morning. Six years ago, we went on vacation, and saw Noah’s Ark. In Kentucky! I know, all this time you thought it was on the mountains of Ararat in Turkey. The Bible says…

(Genesis 8:4) “And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.

(Psalm 111:4) “He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.”

God’s works are to be remembered, and that He is gracious and full of compassion. In the case of Noah and the ark, many do not believe in the world wide flood wiping out all but a few. But the Lord is gracious and full of compassion, remember this work. According to “Answers From Genesis” the population of the world at the time of the flood could have been low, or as high as 4 billion…

“Some people believe the population was relatively low. The Bible explains that people were extremely corrupt and violent prior to the Flood. It is not hard to imagine the world being filled with wars, diseases, and other factors that would keep the population in check. Others believe that Earth’s population was much higher. If the growthrate in the pre-Flood world was equal to the growth rate in 2000 (0.012), there could have been about 750 million people at the time of the Flood. However, given the extremely long lifespans prior to the Flood, the growth rate could have been much higher. Increasing the rate by just 0.001 would put the population at close to four billion at the Flood.”

Can you imagine what the time of Noah was like with up to 4 billion people sinning and doing evil in the sight of the Lord?

(Genesis 6:5-8) “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. (7) And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. (8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”

(Genesis 7:1-24) “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. (2) Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. (3) Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth. (4) For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. (5) And Noah did according unto all that the LORD commanded him. (6) And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth. (7) And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons’ wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood. (8) Of clean beasts, and of beasts that are not clean, and of fowls, and of every thing that creepeth upon the earth, (9) There went in two and two unto Noah into the ark, the male and the female, as God had commanded Noah. (10) And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth. (11) In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. (12) And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. (13) In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah’s wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark; (14) They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort. (15) And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life. (16) And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in. (17) And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. (18) And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. (19) And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. (20) Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. (21) And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: (22) All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. (23) And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. (24) And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

Because Noah believed God, and was obedient in building the ark, you are here reading this today. The world population today is estimated at 7.5 billion people. With all the war, and violence going on at home and in the world, not to mention AIDS, flesh eating bacteria, and amoebas that eat your brain, it is almost easy to see that these things do not keep the population in check. The population at the time of the flood could have been 4 billion. God’s works are to be remembered, and that He is gracious and full of compassion. And 2000 years ago, God made Himself an Ark: the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome to climb on board and be saved from the coming judgment of God. Jesus said…

(John 6:37-40) “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (38) For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (39) 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. (40) 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.

God’s works are to be remembered, and that He is gracious and full of compassion. And coming to earth and dying on a cross to pay the price of our sins is God’s greatest work: He showed us how much He loves us: He is gracious and full of compassion.

Peace.

Jul 1st Why Me? Why Not? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading –Psalms 78 – 79 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

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

Read the “0701 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

(Psalm 78:26-32) “He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. (27) He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: (28) And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations. (29) So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; (30) They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, (31) The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. (32) For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.”

Good morning. My wife and I both have heart problems, eating problems, assorted health problems, and problems on top of problems. Why me? Why me?

Why not?

If you look at the verse stamped on the cover of my Bible, Jesus makes it clear…

(John 16:33) “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.”

Look at Psalm 78, and verse 32 again…

(Psalm 78:32-33) “For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works. (33) Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.”

It’s clear that life is not always going to be a sweet smelling bed of roses. Things are going to happen. God could be trying to get our attention. Look at verse 34…

(Psalm 78:34-41) “When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. (35) And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. (36) Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. (37) For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. (38) But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.”

Because of the love He has for us, God did not stir up all His wrath…

(Lamentations 3:22) “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”

Many times it is just because we sin that all this trouble comes upon us. Or, like Job, God wanted to use him as an example to show the devil God’s unlimited love. Or maybe like Paul, and his thorn in the flesh to show us that God’s grace is sufficient for us.

(Psalm 78:39-41) “For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. (40) How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! (41) Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.“

What a great example of who we are. We are but flesh; a wind that passeth away and cometh not again. We are all sinners, and we are still going to sin. But will we allow God to use us as an example to others? Will we trust in His grace, which is sufficient? Or will we limit he Holy One of Israel?

Why you and me?

Why not?

Peace.

Jun 24th My Help, My Deliverer, My God – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Psalms 40 – 45 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – 2 John, 3 John, Jude; Psalms 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)

Read the “0624 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

(Psalm 40:17) “But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.”

Good morning. This is the last verse of Psalm 40 – A Psalm of David. David was king of Israel. God called him a man after mine own heart. Everything he wanted he was given. But David confesses, here in verse- 17, that he is poor and needy. He is poor and in need of the Lord spiritually. And if we examine ourselves, we can also see that we are poor and needy. The lifestyles we lead tend to put us in positions of working multiple jobs, always running here and there for this or that, and causes us to not always put the Lord first as we should. I sometimes go into Home Depot with a list of the things I need, and a tract; intending to give it to someone or leave it in the restroom. As I go through the store getting my things, I forget about the tract. I leave Home Depot, drive home, and that’s when I remember the tract. If I was to put the Lord’s work first, give someone the tract first, and then shop, I know I would not forget. David said that even though he was poor and needy, the Lord was thinking about him.

1) The Lord is my Help.

Remember the conversation David had with Goliath…

(1Samuel 17:43-46) “And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. (44) And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. (45) Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. (46) This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.“

2) The Lord is my Deliverer.

(1Samuel 23:8-14) “And Saul called all the people together to war, to go down to Keilah, to besiege David and his men. (9) And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod. (10) Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. (11) Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. (12) Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. (13) Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. (14) And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.“

3) The Lord is my God.

(Psalm 31:14) “But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.”

(Psalm 62:5-8) “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. (6) He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. (7) In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.“

David confessed that the Lord was his help, his deliverer, and his God. King David trusted in the Lord. Jesus said…

(John 15:5) “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.”

Maybe if we put God first we could accomplish something. Something like getting our lives simplified, and getting in a position to serve the Lord faithfully. Or we could stay stuck in the same old rut. The Lord wants what is best for us. Do we want what is best for us? The best place to be is in the middle of God’s will. The Lord will be your help, your deliverer, and your God.

Peace.

Jun 17th WHY DO THE HEATHEN RAGE? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Psalms 1 – 8 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Philemon – Hebrews 4; Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)

Read the “0617 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

(Psalm 2:1-5) “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? (2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, (3) Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. (4) He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. (5) Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

Good morning. The photo shown here is one of the riots that happened when President Trump was elected. Why do the heathen rage? Because they don’t know the God of the Bible. What is a heathen? Someone who doesn’t acknowledge the God of the Bible is the definition given in the dictionary. They do not believe in the true God. They have no assurance of salvation. They have been programmed for this: America, you reap what you sow. Let me give you a famous quote that the liberals, the socialists, don’t want you to know…

“A lie told once remains a lie, but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth.” – Joseph Goebbels – Hitler’s Propaganda Minister.

Why do the heathen rage? Because they believe a lie and not the truth. That’s why it’s okay for one teenager to shoot another teenager dead on the streets. They may think they’re doing the world a favor. What do they think…

You came from a blob of goo, you should have been aborted then.

Maybe in the next life you’ll comeback a something useful like a horse or a cow.

What are they thinking? They sure are not thinking godly thoughts. God said that thou shalt not kill, and gave that as one of the Ten Commandments. This what the Bible says…

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

It’s estimated that six thousand babies were thrown into the fire as a sacrifice to Molech. In comparison, since Roe vs. Wade, over fifty-two million babies were made to “pass through the fire” via abortions in America. And the cry rings out as the heathen rage: “My body, my choice.”

But what does God’s Word say about the baby growing inside you?

In Jeremiah…

(Jeremiah 1:4-5) “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, (5) 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.

God knows that child in your belly, even before He started to form him. God already had ordained the good works for him to walk in even before he came out of the womb. Look at John the Baptist while he was still in his mother’s, Elisabeth’s, womb…

(Luke 1:39-44) “And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; (40) And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. (41) And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: (42) And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. (43) And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? (44) For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.”

Why do the heathen rage? Because they don’t know the truth. And Jesus is the Truth. And if they do know the Lord, does the cry still ring out, “My body, my choice?”

(1Corinthians 6:19-20) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? (20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Why do the heathen rage? Because they need Jesus. And who is going to tell them?

Peace.

Jun 10th Job’s Faith – The Saturday Morning Post

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

(Second Milers Read – Colossians 1 – 4; Psalms 46 – 50; Proverbs 10)

Read the “0610 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-26)

Good morning. Job has been going through the mill. His so-called friends are raking him over the coals. In just two days, Job lost all his livestock, his children, even his wife was turned against him when she told him to curse God and die. Job’s friends went to comfort him, but only agrivated the situation by telling him he had sin in his life. That’s why all this was happening to him. But even his wife could see that Job held on to his integrity…

“Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” (Job 2:9-10)

But Job’s faith was strong, he held on to his integrity. He was still a man that was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

God even included Job with Noah, and Daniel demonstrating their righteousness…

“The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” (Ezekiel 14:12-20)

How do you react when the problems of this life show their ugly head? Is your faith strong? Does your integrity stand up? Do you have any integrity? Your righteousness? As Christians, we have the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. When God the Father looks at us, He doesn’t see the filthy rags of our own righteousness, but the perfect righteousness of His Son. Abraham had faith in God…

“And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6)

Noah believed God and built an ark that God used to save the animals and the human race. Daniel believed God and prayed as he always did, knowing he would be thrown in the lion’s den, and God protected him. Where can I get this kind of faith you may ask? If you’re saved, you already have it…

“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.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

And…

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

How can you know that you hear the Word of God? By being obedient to the Word of God. Let’s go back to Ezekiel chapter 14 and see…

“Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? Yet, behold, therein shall be left a remnant that shall be brought forth, both sons and daughters: behold, they shall come forth unto you, and ye shall see their way and their doings: and ye shall be comforted concerning the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, even concerning all that I have brought upon it. And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.” (Ezekiel 14:20-23)

The remnant that come forth are those that also believed God. They are ready to be taken into captivity and brought down to Babylon because they know that is what God wanted. Others will see their actions and see the difference. They will understand why the LORD did what He did, and they will be comforted.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-26)

Peace.

Jun 3rd Haman And His Antisemitism – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Reading – Esther 1 – 5 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – 2 Corinthians 5 – 8; Psalms 11 – 15; Proverbs 3)

Read the “0603 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” (Esther 3:1-6)

“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 12:1-3)

Good morning. Do you know the pride verse? The one in Proverbs…

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18)

Well Haman’s spirit was lifted up when king Ahasuerus promoted him to a position above all the princes that were with him. His pride was hurt, though, when a Jew named Mordecai refused to bow down, worshiping him. This was the start of Haman’s hatred of all the Jews. Haman gets the king to order the extermination of all the Jews. Not only this, but Haman built a gallows just for Mordecai to hang from. In chapter 7 we find that the tables have turned. God is keeping His promise of cursing those who curse the Jews, and Haman is put to death on his own gallows. How is your feeling toward the Jews. You can be a blessing and receive a blessing, or you could curse, and be cursed yourself. Just remember, if you are a Christian, you have been grafted in…

“For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” (Romans 11:15-21)

And then there was Balak, king of the Moabites. Israel had come up from Egypt, and the Moabites feared them. Balak sent messengers to enlist the help of a prophet named Balaam. Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel. And God told him not to go. He went anyway, and God tried to stop him. God finally let Balaam go to Balak, but He would not allow Balaam to curse Israel, only bless them. Balaam’s story starts in Numbers 22. Balaam descided to stick around. God tried to keep him from going, but we all have a free will, and in Numbers chapter 31…

“And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand of every tribe, them and Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the holy instruments, and the trumpets to blow in his hand. And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males. And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.” (Numbers 31:6-8)

So just nine chapters after going to Moab, Balaam is killed along with five Midianite kings.

So how should we treat the Jews? Remeber that they were chosen by God to be His bride, just as the church is the bride of Christ. They believe in and are trying to serve the same God that we are. The only thing we should do is to tell them who the Messiah is. Show them Christ. Help them to understand that God provided their salvation by dying on the cross for us. Pray for them and the peace of Jerusalem.

Peace.