Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Aug 18th Spiritual Drought … by Mason Atwood

Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 14 – 17 (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 – Acts 10 – 12; Psalms 86 – 90; Proverbs 18)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 40:31

Read the “0818 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.” (Jeremiah 14:22)

In this passage, God is speaking to Jeremiah concerning the impending drought about to come upon the land of Judah and Jerusalem. God promises to Jeremiah that because the people of Jerusalem have wandered about and become overtaken in sin, He is going to visit them. This visiting will not be one of peace and providence but one of death and destruction. 

As God reveals to Jeremiah what is about to come upon these wicked people, He makes a very odd statement. In verse 11 and 12, God said:

“Pray not for this people for their good.When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.” (Jeremiah 14:11 – 12)

Living in the Dispensation of Grace, we do not know this side of God. Not long, and this same fate will rest upon those who have not accepted His Son. 

Next, Jeremiah tells God of the prophets in that day and how they are prophesying messages of peace. They were telling the people that they needed not to fear the sword, famine, or pestilence. How much does this sound exactly like the so-called preachers of our world today. They speak of how God is a God of love and that He would never send someone to Hell. In this specific passage in the Word of God, God is telling Jeremiah not to pray for them because God would not regard it. God does not tolerate sin. His grace is only dispensed for a short time. 

I’ve chosen verse 22 because of the light in which it shines upon who God is. God is the Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, Creator of the universe. He controls the sword of our enemies, He controls the clouds which pour the rain, and He controls the largest of pestilences. Jeremiah points out in this verse that the gods of the Gentiles could in no way cause rain to fall. For that matter it was only God who could cause the rain to cease in the first place.

In conclusion, in chapter 15 God tells Jeremiah that even if Moses or Samuel had entreated on behalf of these people that God would not honor it. We are in a drought. Our country is ridden with sin and the only hope we have is if God sends us revival. Remember during this season of pestilence that the rain falls (or ceases) upon the just and the unjust, so let us not forget the One who controls it… even if this disease lasts until His Bride is raptured out.

Aug 15th What Will Ye Do In The End Thereof? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 4 – 6 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 1 – 3; Psalms 71 – 75; Proverbs 15)

Read the “0815 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jeremiah 5:23-31)

Good morning. A trap was sprung when the supreme (small “s” on purpose) court took the Bible out of the school system. Since then the school system has produced godless reprobates who do not care about what is morally right and what is morally wrong. They only care about what is in it for themselves. As it says in our text passage, they have grown great and rich, their deeds are surpass that of the wicked (Israel may have only caused 1,000 children to be killed – passed through the fire – unto Moloch, but, at over 61,800,000 abortions, we have surpassed them (1973-2018)). Look at the last two verses from our passage…

“A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely [THERE IS NO HELL; WHY WOULD A LOVING GOD SEND ANYONE TO HELL; WE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF GOD], and the priests bear rule by their means [NOT GOD’S]; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jeremiah 5:30-31)

And the people love it that way – a religion without God. Paul warned timothy about the end times…

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” (2Timothy 4:1-7)

Do you want a fable? We have them all here in the United States, just take your pick. We have Allah, Buddha, Harri Krishna or any of the other 3500 gods from India. You can be your own god with secular humanism. Your god could be Mother Nature, and you can go out and hug a tree today. But what does the true, living God say?

“They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?” (Jeremiah 5:28-29)

America is due for a visit.

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

Could the sounding of the trumpet be the trumpet that begins the raising of the dead in Christ, and us getting caught up with them to meet the Lord in the air? And that ushers in the last seven year period of the Great Tribulation? I don’t know. and no other man knows, the Bible is clear that only the Father knows. There could be another 50 years leading up to the next jubilee, and this may not include America.

“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)

I don’t want to be around if those in power pull that bonehead stunt. What will you do in the end thereof? Are you saved? Was there a time that you realized you are a sinner (Romans 3:10,23)? Did you know that sin has a price (Romans 6:23a, Ezekiel 18:4, 20)? Did you know that God Himself came down from Heaven to die on a cross and shed His blood for your sins (Isaiah 53:1-11; John 3:16; Romans 6:23b)? And all you need to do is pray, and ask Him to forgive your sins, and He will save you from an eternity of suffering in Hell. Look at the thief on the cross…

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

Don’t be caught pondering the question, “What will I do in the end thereof.”

Peace!

Aug 14th God’s Presence and Provision … by Pastor Corey Woolner

“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.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 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 – John 21; Psalms 66 – 70; Proverbs 14)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0814 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Here in chapter 1, we see that the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah as a young child. Jeremiah, the Weeping Prophet, heard the voice of the Lord in his younger years. In verse 5, we see a strong reference to life in the womb. God knew him when he was in the womb, proving that life begins at conception!  When a baby is in the womb, God knows that baby and that baby is a precious life! Abortion is the murder of that precious life and we as Christians need to speak up about that.

Continuing on, God tells Jeremiah that he was ordained a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah claims that his age and inexperience mean he cannot do and be what God wanted. The Lord gave Jeremiah assurances. In verse 7, the Lord tells Jeremiah that this calling was not about Jeremiah himself, but about his God. In the next verse, God told him to not be afraid of their faces, since that would be tempting because of his youth.

At times, I feel like Jeremiah. The Lord opened the door for me to become a Pastor back in October. After much prayer, we accepted the position. I’m 25, and trust me, my age was a great concern. “God is this too much for me? Am I too young?” These questions would run through my mind. One passage that helped me was in Joshua 1, where God told Joshua that just as He was with Moses, He would be with him. The assurance the Lord gave Joshua was His presence, and that’s the same assurance He gave Jeremiah. As a young Pastor, I am not to be afraid of their faces, but rather to preach the Bible as God commands.

God also gave Jeremiah the assurance of provision. He said in verse 8 “…for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.” God is able to deliver us from anything we face! There is nothing too hard for Him! The God we serve is the God of Jeremiah and the other prophets. As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said “…our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…” Christian, you have nothing to fear. You have been promised His presence and His provision. God will take care of you!

Aug 13th God is Good! … by Elizabeth Hamilton

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 63 – 66 (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 – John 19 – 20; Psalms 61 – 65; Proverbs 13)

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

Read the “0813 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

When I read through these few chapters in Isaiah I was definitely a little intimidated and nervous about what I was going to write about. Isaiah is filled with so much depth and amazing truths. As I was reading, these few verses really jumped out to me and God gave me this simple but convicting thought.

“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.” Isaiah 63:7

How often do I mention just how good God is to me in my life? Do those around me know that God is working and answering prayers, or that I am blessed far more than I deserve?  Or does everyone only hear about my complaints?  I know in my own life I can get so caught up on the negatives, the things I don’t have, the things I wish I had, the things I wish happened differently; I need to stop and think, am I glorifying God to those around me when I act like what I have is not enough? 

In this day and age everyone is so vocal about politics, celebrities, sports, their favorite movies, what they made for dinner, etc. We have social media platforms where our thoughts can be broadcasted to everyone around us but do we ever use that to share about God working in our lives? We like to show off and brag about our own achievements but do we ever brag about God? It is easy to criticize the Israelites when they murmured and complained after God performed these amazing miracles and provided for them every step of the way, but we are absolutely guilty of doing the same thing.  In this chapter it mentions how God was always with the Israelites as He brought them through the wilderness and delivered them from captivity, and it is so important to always remember all that God has brought us through in our own personal lives. I know in my life God has answered prayer after prayer after prayer.  When I look back I am ashamed how little I shared these answers to prayer with others around me. 

It’s easy to be vocal and loud when things don’t go our way, but when things are good and easy we are quiet. This verse really convicted me personally, about how often I share empty thoughts and complaints compared to how often I publicly praise God. How are others supposed to see God working and moving in our lives if we don’t actually share it with them!   On days when I’m complaining or feeling discontent I need to sit down and realize everything I have, and thank God for His loving kindness, praise Him for all the blessings He has showered over my life, and share with others all the answered prayers that I have received.

We can so quickly get caught up in a negative mindset. It’s a trap that can hold our minds and thoughts hostage. But we don’t have to let it trip us up. When you feel yourself wanting to just sit and complain to someone try to slip in something God has blessed you with. Once you start thinking about all the goodness that God has bestowed on your life it’s hard to continue complaining! When we are busy mentioning all the other things going on in our lives we cannot forget to mention God! Spend some time today just bragging on our amazing God!

“I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:1 – 3)

Aug 8th I Am The LORD – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 41 – 43 (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 – John 9 – 10; Psalms 36 – 40; Proverbs 8)

Read the “0808 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” (Isaiah 42:8)

“If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.” (Malachi 2:2)

Good morning. God wants His glory and praise. And rightly so: He is the only One who deserves it.

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” (Psalm 24:7-10)

Praise means to give credit. Giving glory to God is acknowledging that He did something to, or for you. God is responsible for everything that comes into your life, whether we see it as good or bad. If it is bad, though, it was probably caused by us: we brought it on ourselves. We may perceive something as bad, but it could be the correcting hand of the Lord trying to get us going back in the right direction. That would make it good. Good or bad, we need to glorify God by thanking Him, and Him only. God will not give His glory to another. But what did man do?

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” (Romans 1:18-23)

And Uncle Sam is bending over backwards to make this country stink with everything that is abominable to God. Now they (the NAZI’s in charge) say that our children will be taught and exposed to homosexuality as early as kindergarten? Is lowering the age of consent to twelve the next thing on their agenda? Many years ago, Dr Jerry Falwell from Thomas Road Baptist Church showed hidden videos taken inside a convention of Sodomites. One of their agendas was to get the age of consent dropped to twelve years old. It was shocking back then, but in the America we live in now, it could become law. They need to read Luke 17…

“Then said he [JESUS] unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (Luke 17:1-2)

When it was discovered that Achan had stolen silver, gold, and a Babylonish garment, which caused Israel to loose 36 men in the battle for Ai, Joshua said to Achan…

“And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.” (Joshua 7:19)

The United States of America will someday have to give glory to the LORD God of Israel: the Lord of lords and King of kings. We can’t hide it from Him: He knew what would happen from the beginning of time. We will have to confess that Homosexuality is sin. Abortion is sin. Kicking God out of His nation is sin. Making Israel give up the land that God gave it is sin. And others too numerous to print here…

“Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.” (Isaiah 34:1-3)

But…

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)

Peace. (Revelation 22:1-7)

Aug 6th Your God Will Come … by Paul Meyer

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 33 – 36 (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 – John 5 – 6; Psalms 26 – 30; Proverbs 6)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 47:1

Read the “0806 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Streams in the Desert”

“Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” (Isaiah 35:3-4)

The Lord is always good to give comfort in our time of need. As the world ages it is ravaged by the effects of sin; effects that began all the way back in Genesis 1. The consequences of this sin can be seen everywhere. There is not a inch of ground that was spared the curse of sin; no woman is spared from the pain of child birth, and all food is gathered by the sweat of our brow. Furthermore, we see the effects of sin on the world system – injustice, riots, uprising, murders, child trafficking, natural disasters. Everyday we turn on the news it seems to be getting worse – and it will get worse, but we have this hope:

“Behold, your God will come with vengeance”.

This passage specifically deals with the deliverance of Israel, but the promises are still true. In Hebrews 13:5 the Bible says,

“…for he that said I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

In addition to this promise we see the promise of the Holy Spirit given by Jesus in John 14:

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”  (John 14:16)

This is not a promise of the lack of trials but the promise of his presence through them. We can take it further and see how this promise is fulfilled:

“but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you”. (John 14:17b)

One day we will be taken from this earth to live forever with Jesus Christ, and as we read in the rest of Isaiah 35 we know this to be a place where there is no sin, where there is no pain, where there is everlasting joy. The Bible describes it in Revelation 21:

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:4 – 6)

What a great reminder of the mercies of God and the haven of rest he has for his Children. In this world of sin and despair, remember there is coming a day when it will all be gone. Remember, Your God Will Come! 

Aug 1st Jesus Is Coming Soon – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 9 – 13(Click on the references to listen to the audio)

(Second Milers Read – Luke 19 – 20; Psalms 1 – 5; Proverbs 1)

Read the “0801 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Good morning. A black gospel blues singer, named Blind Willie Johnson, wrote a song called Jesus Is Coming Soon…

[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris]
Well, we done told you, God’s done warned you
Jesus coming soon
We done told you, God’s done warned you
Jesus coming soon

In the year of 19 and 18, God sent a mighty disease
It killed many a-thousand, on land and on the seas

Great disease was mighty and the people were sick everywhere
It was an epidemic, it floated through the air

Soldiers died on the battlefield, died in the camps too
Well, the captain said to the lieutenant, “I don’t know what to do.”

Well, God is warning the nation, He’s a’warning them every way
To turn away from the evil and seek the Lord and pray

Well, the nobles said to the people, “You better close your public schools.”
“Until the events of death has ended, you better close your churches too.”

Read the Book of Zachariah, Bible plainly say
Thousands of people, they did die, on account of their wicked ways

We done told you, our God’s done warned you
Jesus coming soon
We done told you, our God’s done warned you
Jesus coming soon

This song was about the Influenza Pandemic 0f 1918. It was estimated that 500 million people were infected with the flu virus world wide. There is also an estimated 50 million deaths of which 675,000 died in the United States. Compared to only 20 million, world wide, who died in World War One.

Today we are faced with another pandemic: Covid 19. 17.3 million cases world wide of which 10.2 million recovered, and 674,000 died. Is this enough to say Jesus is coming soon? Yet the Supreme Court is going against the Constitutional rights of the churches to assemble. They’ve removed the 10 Commandments from all government buildings. They made it legal to kill babies. The World is embracing God-less Socialism. Jesus is coming soon. After the rapture; after the 7 year tribulation period; during the Millennial Kingdom and after, He will put all things in order, creating a new perfect world.

Jesus is coming soon.

Are you ready?

Jul 30th Rebellion Met With Grace … by Amanda Olive

Today’s Passage – Isaiah 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 – Luke 15 – 16; Psalms 141 – 145; Proverbs 30)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read the “0730 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master’s crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider. Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward. … Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.” (Isaiah 1:2-4; 13)

In the first chapter of Isaiah, I can feel and hear the sadness that the one and only true God, our Great Father in Heaven, the Creator of all things has towards His children. The spirit behind their worship was absent. These people had no morals, living by the lust of their flesh, they were full of greed, envy and deceit. There was crime and murder. But yet on the Sabbaths, appearing before God as if everything was good. Sounds a lot like the people of today doesn’t it? We live in a world that is immersed in all sorts of idolatry and religion; pride drives mankind to resist God. These people of Israel, their worship, their offerings and their keeping the Sabbath was all worthless, meaningless. because it was all religion. They were just going through the motions. God does care how we worship Him. The Lord has given us commands and examples in the Bible. We are to study and meditate on his Word daily. We are to gain a godly perspective on all things in our life.

Sin, a fallen world. It is a struggle for all. There is no good sin or bad sin it’s all sin. God has always given his people a choice to do what is good in his eyes or what is wrong in his eyes. Our great Father knew that mankind would sin. BUT!!!!

“In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.” (Isaiah 4:2)

The beautiful branch of the Lord. That beautiful branch of the Lord is God’s Amazing Grace. Our awesome God sent his son to pay the debt of the sins of mankind.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Cleansed by his blood! Totally undeserved, If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I’m praying that you reach out. To God be all the glory!

Jul 28th I Am Here / Where Are You? … by Ashley Acosta

Today’s Passage – Song of Solomon 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 – Luke 11 – 12; Psalms 131 – 135; Proverbs 28)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – James 4:10

Read the “0728 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.” (Song of Songs 2:8-14)

When Issan and I were dating, I wanted to be in his presence all the time. Not only in the same room as him, but I wanted to interact and engage him. I truly enjoyed his company, and wanted to talk to him, do new things with him, and most importantly be present with him. Everything we did was so fun just because we were together. I remember when we took a day trip to Valley Forge with my brother. I was thrilled to walk around a field and take pictures. It was like I was in a new world for the first time, taking time for the small things in life. It’s one of those moments I look back on and remember falling more in love with him that day. I was truly present with him, and he was present with me.

Solomon and his wife describe a world of beauty and adventure that awaits them. With excitement and joy, she awaits for her husband. Even Solomon is looking through the window, intentionally, at his wife. He invites her to come with him so they can enjoy the beauty around them. They show us that enjoyment of life can be greatly enhanced through relationships.

This can only be possible when you are present with each other. I looked up the word “present” The definition is “in a particular place” that seemed simple enough, I thought, I’m with my husband a lot. Then the Lord quickly convicted me. “Is your mind there as well?” Am I truly present?  Am I waiting by the door, upon his arrival like the woman in this passage? Unfortunately, a lot of the time my mind is absent from him. In verse 10 he says “ rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away” He is referring to physically coming away with him, but sometimes we need to tell our spouses, rise up, my love, and come away emotionally, and mentally. Turn off whatever is distracting you from being present with me. 

“78.6% of men, and 91.6 % of women are involved in an emotional affair at some point in their life,” according to fatherly.com. We focus a lot on physical affairs, but do not realize that emotional affairs are even more relevant in our Christian circles; especially with Christian women. We are busy people, and most of our attention is on our ministries. If we aren’t present with our spouses, the truth of the matter is, someone else will be.

This applies to all relationships. It can be with our children, our friends, or family members. We think that the relationships that are the closest to us are the ones we don’t need to be as present with. We tend to turn off emotionally because we have been mentally turned on with so many others all day. What is most important is that we work harder at those relationships. The relationship with Solomon and his wife was an intimate relationship that was truly intentional. Be intentional with your husband or wife. If you’re single, be intentional with the people you love.

Jul 25th He That Increaseth Knowledge Increaseth Sorrow – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Ecclesiastes 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 – Luke 5 – 6; Psalm 119; Proverbs 25)

Read the “0725 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14-18)

“And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17)

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” (Psalm 14:1)

Good morning. The United States of America has been around since 1776, that’s 239 years. You should, when you have time, take a look at Wikipedia’s Timeline of US History. It will take you up to 2014.

Here are a few highlights, although some may not be on this timeline.

1789, April 30, after being sworn in as our first president, Washington dedicates the new nation to God.

1830 The Second Great Awakening for revival in the United States.

1963 The Supreme Court ruled ending official Bible-reading in American public schools.

2004/2005 The Supreme Court ruled: Thou shalt not display the Ten Commandments in any government building or court.

2015, June 26, Gay marriage is legalized by the Supreme Court.

If you look at the timeline, you can see the many great things accomplished by Americans. In 1977, Commodore introduced the PET (Personal Electronic Transactor) home/personal computer. This was the first home computer. That was only 38 years ago, and now, in 2015 we have smart phones. And smart phones go back to 1992 with the IBM Simon: 23 years ago. Information technology has certainly advanced quickly these days. A tremendous increase in knowledge: for in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. And we have much sorrow. Why? Because in our search for wisdom and knowledge, we have left God out. And God will judge…

“And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17)

What can we do?

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7)

Here is a question for you, Christian: something to ponder. You are saved. You have the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we have iniquity (a wrong, especially moral) are we defiling God’s righteousness that He gave to us? Just something to think about. Where have you gone with the Lord’s righteousness lately? What knowledge are you getting? Will it make you more like the Lord Jesus Christ? Or will it make you more like the world? In the place of righteousness (your’s) is iniquity found? I don’t have to try smoking to know it is bad for me. I don’t have to mix alcohol and drugs to know that they can kill me. I have God’s Word that tells me about these things. Principle number 3 from Reformers Unanimous fits perfectly in this: “It is easier to keep the heart clean than to clean it after it has been defiled.”

With and increase in knowledge (of sin) is an increase in sorrow.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

Increase your knowledge of the Lord, and allow God to make you more like Jesus. There is no sorrow in that.

Peace