Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Nov 20th A Little Word Called ‘ON’ – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passages – Acts 14 – 16 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 96 – 100; Proverbs 20)

Read the “1120 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:25-31)

Good morning. After you rub the sleep out of your eyes, and the caffeine from your coffee works it’s way into your foggy brain cells, you’ll probably wonder what is Mary Poppins doing on your screen. Well, I’ll explain… in a few. Get your mind off Mary Poppins, and on the Bible. Take a look at Acts 16:19-31. Paul had just cast a spirit of divination out of a woman. Of course this led to trouble with the woman’s masters. Their hope of gain was gone: it cost them money: they would have to go out and get a real job.

Paul and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison and their feet made fast in the stocks. What happened next should be an example to all of us when things go wrong.

“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:25-31)

What do you believe?

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19).

Believing alone will not cut it; believing on the Lord Jesus Christ will.

I want to focus on that little word called ‘ON’. This little word is G1909 in your Strong’s Concordance, and it means ‘superimposition’. Ahhh! Mary Poppins! Superimposition when used in film making terms is basically the sandwiching of two separate pictures to make one picture. And you need to become one with the Lord Jesus Christ. Think about it: what are you without Jesus? Jesus completes you, just like the husband completes the wife and the wife completes the husband. Jesus prayed in John 17…

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:20-23)

What a beautiful prayer. You have a God who loves you so much that He gave His life, dying a horrible death, so that He and you could be one. Believe ON the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.

Peace.

Nov 13th That The Scripture Might Be Fulfilled – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passages – John 17 – 19 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 61 – 65; Proverbs 13)

Read the “1113 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:1-3)

Good morning. What a great way to start the morning with one of my favorite chapter from the Bible: John chapter 17. Jesus is praying to His Father before going to the cross. Jesus prayed for His disciples, and us: those who would believe through their testimony: their word. And there was only one who was lost: the son of perdition: Judas. And the explanation is given as to why: that the Scripture might be fulfilled (vs12). The Scripture, God’s Word, should be one of the most cherished possessions in our lives. Chapter 17 is all God’s Word (yes, even the 13 words printed black in verse 1). Because God’s will is being done no matter what, we can trust the promises from the Scripture will come to pass: that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

1) The Father would be glorified through Jesus.

The Father would be glorified through Jesus, that the Lord’s glory would be restored as it was before creation, and that we would glorify Jesus…

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.” (John 17:1-10)

Revelation 19 says…

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-16)

That the Scripture might be fulfilled.

2) Safety for believers.

“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:11-16)

John chapter 10 tells us also…

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 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. I and my Father are one.” (John10:27-30)

We are protected so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

3) Jesus also prayed that we would be sanctified (made holy) through the Scriptures…

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John17:17-19)

And in Hebrews 10, the Scriptures tell us that…

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)

Because of His sacrifice the Scriptures say we are sanctified. I’m getting excited about this. Isn’t it great to know you’re saved and on your way to Heaven!

4) Jesus prays for the unity of believers.

In verses 20 through 23, Jesus prays for the unity of those who believe, and that the world would also believe.

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:20-23)

Revelation chapter 7 gives us a glimpse into the future. John said…

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 7:9-12)

And that’s only the tribulation saints, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

5) One day we will see the Living Word of God: Jesus.

I especially like verse 24 which tells us that one day we will see Jesus…

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John17:24)

Stephen saw Jesus just before he was stoned to death, Acts chapter 7 tells us…

“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55-56)

Face to face we shall behold Him that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. And that brings us to verses 25 and 26.

6) Jesus prayed that we would have the same love of the Father that He had.

“O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:25-26)

This is the sacrificial love, the agape’ love. Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This was Jesus going to the cross, paying the price for our sins, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. We are supposed to have the same love in us. We need to die too: die to self. If we can be a little bit humble, maybe bury our pride, we can easily forgive our brothers and sisters when they sin against us, or hurt us. We should be demonstrating the love of God to others so that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Peace.

Nov 6th The Good Wine – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passages – John 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 26 – 30; Proverbs 6)

Read the “1106 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.” (John 2:1-11)

Good morning. I hope you have been blessed this week. This is a day that the Lord made: rejoice and be glad in it! I guess it depends on our attitude. Even the worst of times have no hold on us when we realize that in the end we will to see Jesus face to face in all His glory. The Good Wine is coming. John chapter 2, verses 1 through 11, give the account of Jesus’ first recorded miracle: turning the water into wine. What I want to focus on is what the governor of the feast said to the bridegroom…

“When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” (John 2:9-10)

Every man sets forth good wine, and later the bad. Are we really like that? Do we take a good, long, hard look in the mirror and notice the things we are doing? Or are we like the man in James chapter 1 who beheld his natural face in a glass, and then went on his way forgetting what manner of man he was. When someone tells me I’m getting old, I tell them I’m aging like fine wine: I’m kept in the dark, I get dusty, and eventually I’ll turn sour. And that is how we get if we forget what manner of men (and ladies) we were. Have you cracked an off-color joke lately, talked bad about someone, or did something that you did before you got saved? Have you hurt anybody lately with harsh words? Proverbs tells us that…

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

“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

Who is your Bridegroom? He is the one that the governor of the feast went to. What do you want the governor to say: this is sour, or this is the best? Think of the governor being other believers. What are they telling the Bridegroom about you? Maybe it’s time to edify the brethren. Treat others with the kind of respect you would like (even if they do not return that respect). Also, in that vein, when somebody hurts you, be forgiving. Pray for that person. Do you really want to see God’s wrath come down on them. God hates what they did even more than you do. The good wine is coming; the question is, how worse will “that which is worse” get before the good wine is put forth? That choice is up to you.

Peace!

Oct 30th LORD, Teach Us To Pray – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Luke 10 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 30)

Read the “1030 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Good morning, and it’s always good to start your morning with prayer. In Luke chapter 11 we find the Lord praying…

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:1-4)

In this passage we see that when we go to the Lord in prayer we ask for something: we want God to do something. Lord, teach us to pray. Lord, make Your name Holy. Lord, let your kingdom come, and your will be done. Lord, give us what we need today. Lord, forgive our sins. Lord, lead us not into temptation. Lord, deliver us from evil. This is a prayer asking God to act: to do something. And notice that this prayer is not wavering, but specifically asks.

In Matthew 21, Jesus curses a fig tree…

“And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matt. 21:20-22)

In the October 2010 issue of In Touch magazine from Dr. Charles Stanley there was an excellent article by Allen Harris. The article was titled: “(All About Me) Two Prayers That Can Hold You Back.” I want to pass on these two nuggets of truth to you. These will more than likely ring a bell; we all have used them at one time or another.

The first is, “Lord, but if…”

My daughter Melissa had cancer. I would pray, “Lord, please heal my daughter from this cancer, but if not, help her to deal with all the pain and suffering.” My belief wavers. I don’t seem to believe that God can actually heal her, so I give Him a way out. God is fully capable of healing my daughter: He does not need a way out. “But if” just shows my lack of faith and trust. Now I just pray, “Lord, heal my daughter from the cancer, and giver her relief from the pain.” I’m not giving God an out, I’m trusting Him to answer my prayer. As Christians, we should be mature enough to allow God to answer: yes, no, or not right now. We need to keep asking until we get an answer. That’s what Paul did about the thorn in his side. After asking three times, God gave Paul the answer: My grace is sufficient.

The second hindrance that Mr. Harris mentioned is “Lord, let me…”

I want to see God work in my life. How can I if I’m in the way. “Lord, let me be the kind of father I need to be to Melissa.” I can do it, let me. No I can’t. Jesus said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” How about, “Lord, give me the wisdom and understanding to raise your child as you would want.” I’m relying on God to do something, and that includes giving me what I need to do the work that He has prepared for me to do.

We should all want to see God’s work in our lives. Allowing Him to work is a great start. And when we see God work, He gets all the praise. Thank the Lord for other believers who are willing to share what the Holy Spirit has taught them so the church can be edified. Jesus said…

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John14:27)

We should not be afraid to see God work in our lives. And we will not be disappointed if we allow Him to do the work.

Peace.

Oct 23rd Are You Angry At God? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Mark 14 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)

Read the “1023 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.” (Mark14:3-11)

Good morning. How in the world are you? I have two thoughts that may be a help to you today. In today’s reading we find the story of the woman with the alabaster box of spikenard: a very expensive ointment. And with the actions of Judas, this passage caused me to ask the question, “Have I ever been angry at God?”

How about you? When things don’t go your way, or the way you perceive they should go, do you blame God? Many people do. Cain was angry with God because He would not accept his offering. During the great tribulation, during the seven years, rather than repent, many will turn and shake their fists at God. Here in this passage we have Judas. John chapter 12 gives us a little glimpse into where his heart was at…

“Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.” (John 12:4-6)

So Judas was angry with God. What happens next? Judas goes to the chief priests to betray Jesus. God’s Word tells us to be angry, and sin not…

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath…” (Ephesians 4:26)

Sin has a price. Judas was told by Jesus what the price would be in verse 21 of Mark 14…

“The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.” (Mark 14:21)

And you know the rest of the story: Judas betrayed Jesus anyway, and ended up hanging himself. The Bible tells us that Judas went to his own place. Is that the hottest part of Hell? I don’t know, but it all started with being angry at God. We all need to ask ourselves that question: “Am I angry at God?”

Remember…

“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)

That leads me to my second thought…

I had a friend who went home to be with the LORD 11 years ago. Bob was having heart problems. And we all have an appointed time. Bob’s time had come. And here is the connection…

God had given this alabaster box of priceless ointment for us to hold onto for a while. The time had arrived to give it back: to pour it out and anoint the Saviour’s head and feet. Because of God’s grace, because of Jesus coming and dying on the cross and shedding His precious blood to pay for Bob’s sins, he is in Heaven today. One day you will meet him if you’re saved. God’s Word tells us that we are all sinners…

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

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

and that…

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

The Bible makes it simple. In 1John chapter 5, the Bible says…

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 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.” (1John5:12-13)

All you need do to receive Jesus for your own is to call on his name.

Romans 10 says…

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

You can’t get to Heaven on your own. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us…

“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)

To God, love is an action word. Love was an action word to Bob also. Because of God’s action, Bob has a home in Heaven…

“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.” (John 3:16-17)

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Peace.

Oct 9th How’s Your Belief System? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Matthew 12 – 13 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 41 – 45; Proverbs 9)

Read the “1009 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matthew 13:54-58)

Good morning. I don’t know whether to ask, “How’s your belief system?”, or “Seen any mighty works lately?”

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” (John 6:66)

If John 6:66 is the saddest verse in the Bible, then Matthew 13:58 is next in line. Jesus did not do many mighty works because of the unbelief of the people in His home town. Believing is faith going to work: faith is not stagnant. And Hebrews 11:6 says…

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

It is a good thing to review what we believe that the Lord has given us to exercise our faith. So here’s a little check list that may help.

___ I am a sinner saved by grace: the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:29, 3:14-18; Acts 16:27-31, 19:4)

___ Salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ is a perfect salvation: an eternal salvation. I am saved forever. (1John5:13; John6:36-40, 10:27-30; Ephesians 4:20; 1Corinthians 3:11-15; Hebrews 9:11-15)

___ I pray. (1Theselonians 5:17; Matthew 7:7-11; James 4:2, 5:16)

___ I read my Bible daily. (Romans 10:17; Psalm 119:9-16)

___ I tithe because everything I have belongs to God, and I know that He will supply all my needs. I can do more with 90% of my income and God, then with 100% of my income without God. (Philippians 4:19; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 6:27-33; Luke 6:38)

___ I tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; John 15:8,16; Proverbs 11:30)

How many could you check off? Don’t let me know – that’s between you and the Lord. If you could not check off all of these, then we (yes, I said we because I could not check off all of these either) need to work on those unchecked. James said…

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:17-18)

Peace.

Oct 2nd Are You A Curse Among The Heathen? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Zechariah 6 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)

Read the “1002 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. For thus saith the LORD of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the LORD of hosts, and I repented not: So again have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.” (Zechariah 8:13-15)

As I mull over this passage that the Lord has given me I have to ask myself am I a curse among the heathen, the unsaved? I sometimes could care less about what other Christians think about me. They need to take a good look at themselves in the mirror. But what kind of impression do I make on the unsaved? Do they see any Jesus, or just me? Verses 16 and 17 instruct us in what to do.

1) Speak the Truth.

“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates…” (Zechariah 8:16)

If I love my neighbor as myself then I will want to be truthful to him. The Gospel cannot be watered down. Have you broken any of God’s commandments? Welcome to the club: we are all sinners, and as sinners we need a Saviour: Jesus Christ, who shed His precious blood to pay for our sins. As a preacher, I will preach that it was a bad idea that as a Christian nation we tried to keep God out of the government by removing the Bible from schools, the 10 Commandments from offices, and whatever else this anti-Christ ruling class has come up with. I will preach that homosexuality is not an alternate lifestyle, it is an abomination (See Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13). Don’t look down your nose at the sodomite, what about your little white lies? The abominable and all liars have their place in the lake of fire (See Revelation 21:8 ). We all need the Saviour, and that’s the truth…

2) Do The Truth.

The second half of verse 16 tells us to execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. We all need help in this area: doing the truth. I look forward to our Saturday morning prayer time at the church. Sometimes I don’t make it. But 1Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. I haven’t mastered that yet. But I going to keep trying and praying. God says that 10% of my income belongs to Him (Malachi 3:8-12). I’m still going to tithe, because I know that I can do more with God and 90% of my income then without God and 100% of my income. God set the tithe up to supply the pastor with his needs and to get the gospel out. When a church is tithing, the pastor can spend more time with God and feed the flock better: he shouldn’t have to work a secular job. Also tracts can be purchased, ‘Done’ books, and the like: things that edify the body of Christ. I’m going to support missions with an offering, because Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” I can’t go into ALL the world, so I’m going to give to missions. And the Bible says…

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

That should lead you to a question to ask yourself: “Am I putting my trust in the all mighty dollar, or the Almighty God?”

So we should Speak the Truth, and Do the Truth, and we should also…

3) Focus and Meditate on the Truth.

“And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the LORD.” (Zechariah 8:17)

The Bible also says…

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5)

You will have a love for people: friends, enemies, neighbors. If you love them with the mind of Christ then you will not imagine evil in your hearts against them. Read God’s Word. The more Bible you have, the quicker the Holy Spirit can bring Scripture to mind when you need it. If you have the mind of Christ then speaking and doing the truth should be no problem.

Don’t be a curse among the heathen. If we are going to be called Christians, let’s live like Christians. Speak the Truth. Do the Truth. Focus and Meditate on the Truth.

Peace.

Sep 25th A Better Day Is Coming – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Micah 1 – 4 (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 – Revelation 4 – 6; Psalms 121 – 125; Proverbs 25)

Read the “0925 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.” (Micah 4:1-4)

WHAT A DAY THAT WILL BE

(Jim Hill)

There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come,

No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye;

All is peace forever more on that happy golden shore,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

Good morning. Today maybe. Yes, a better day today. What a day that will be… When my Jesus I shall see. We just need to wait for it!

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)

We are going to mount up with wings as eagles: we are going to fly away!

“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.” (1Thesalonians 4:16-18)

And oh what a comfort this is. Jesus is coming back for us. Those who have died in Christ, their graves will open, and they will rise first. Then we who are alive will be caught up with them to meet Jesus in the air. So shall we ever be with the Lord. And if you belong to Him, you will be there too!

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)

It is so sad to be rejected by the LORD. He is your only way into Heaven. If He does not know you, personally, you will not get in. But the Bible, God’s Holy Word tells us what we need to do to receive eternal life.

“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)

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

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

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

Pray and ask Jesus into your heart.

“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)

Then you can be part of that better day coming.

Peace.

Sep 18th The Wicked Shall Do Wickedly But There Is Love – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Daniel 10 – 12 (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 – Hebrews 9 – 13; Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)

Read the “0918 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.” (Daniel 12:9-13)

“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)

Good morning. One look at the world today and you can see the wicked doing their wickedness. They hate God, and they hate you! But Jesus tells us to love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use and persecute you. The wicked do wickedly because they do not understand. They need to know the LORD before they will understand spiritual things. Maybe our prayers should be not only for our country, but for the salvation of our leaders. And I don’t mean to pray for their demise, pray for their salvation: they need to get saved. Until they get saved they will still murder babies, and tell your 4-year olds that he can become a she, and she can become a he if they want. Life is short. Pray for our leaders. Show them the love of Christ. Time is short. James tells us that our life is like a vapour…

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14)

Maybe someone in your family wronged you, are you holding a grudge? Life is too short to not show God’s love to someone. Do you want them to go to Hell? It’s easy to hold a grudge. It’s easy not to speak to anyone again. And it was probably over something stupid. What would Jesus do? He would forgive them. That is what you and I have to do. If they don’t change, then pray for them. Pray for the politicians who have wronged you, and pray for the family members who have wronged you. Remember that the LORD has forgiven you. You can have…

Peace.

Sep 11th Did We Forget? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Ezekiel 38 – 40 (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 – 2 Thessalonians 1 – 3; Psalms 51 – 55; Proverbs 11)

Read the “0911 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought: And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.” (Ezekiel 38:10-12)

Good morning. Do you know what today is? That’s right. It is the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. A group of Islamic terrorists, from al Qaeda, hijacked four passenger jets. They crashed one into each of the two World Trade Center towers. The third one was crashed into the Pentagon. On the fourth jet, freedom fighters who loved their families more than life, rose up against the hijackers, to regain control of the jet. The jet crashed about 30 minutes away from it’s target: the Capitol Building, near Shanksville, PA. Everyone on all four jets perished. The terrorists thought they would be getting 70 virgins each. Instead they will be burning in Hell for all eternity because they put their trust in a false god named Allah instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Right now, there are illegals crossing into the United States from Mexico, bringing drugs, guns, sex slaves, terrorism, etc., because the wall that would have prevented this was never finished due to forces in government that are out to destroy America. As people are dummed up with legalized Marijuana, they will not see their attackers come.

“And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates, To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.” (Ezekiel 38:11-12)

But there will be peace…

…when Jesus returns.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That OF LORDS. And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:11-21)

“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:7-15)

Perfect peace!