Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Feb 6th Ouch! – The Saturday Morning Post (on Friday)

Today’s Passage –Leviticus 11 – 12 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – John 5 – 6; Proverbs 6; Psalm 31 – 35)

Read the “0206 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.” (Leviticus 12)

Good morning. I hope you don’t loose your breakfast over this rather tender subject: Circumcision. God told Abraham…

“This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.” (Genesis 17:10-14)

Today, many believe that the practice of circumcision is barbaric. In March 2007, the World Health Organization recommended circumcision to reduce the spread of AIDS after a large-scale study found that circumcision reduced the rate of HIV infection of men through heterosexual sex (a man and a woman) by almost 60%. This finding isn’t actually anything new; there have been many studies for many years coming to the same conclusion. But even this finding is controversial: anti-circumcision advocates reject these findings and claim that the studies are flawed. In any case, circumcision is no substitute for abstinence.

Why on the 8th day? Many studies show that the factors that come together to make blood clot are at their highest level on the 8th day after birth. But in my research on this, I did come across a website that gave this reason: God wanted it on the 8th day, and He wants what is best for us. King David said…

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16)

God knows us better than we know ourselves. If I had to decide on whether to circumcise my child or not, I would have to go with what God said. We are not under the Law, we walk in the Spirit. Circumcision appears to be a good thing to do.

In the previous chapter (chapter 11), God tells the Jews it okay to eat Locust. God knows. It turns out that insects are a high source of protein, and could be the answer to the problem of feeding the world. In many countries, around the world, insects are a part of their diet. I’ll abstain!

Peace! (Leviticus 11:22)

Jan 31st What Would You Do If You Were God? – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Exodus 33 – 35 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read –Luke 17 – 18; Proverbs 31; Psalms 1 – 5 (Jump start on February because it is a short month)

Read the “0131 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” (Exodus 33:1-3)

Good morning. What would you do if you were God? What would you do if you were faced with a stiffnecked people? You wanted to give them a land that flowed with milk and honey, and yet they rebelled. What would you do with a nation who though was started based on your Word, whose laws and government come from your Word? What would you do to a nation who had…

Almost 60 million abortions performed since 1973?

Almost 15,000 murders in 2012?

Removed your commandments from all government buildings to please a few God haters?

A government that passes laws allowing strange flesh which is an abomination to you?

Worshiped money, people, false gods, and many things other than you?

What would you do if you were God?

Would you step on and crush your people like an ant?

Would you send an angel to lead your people…

Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” (Exodus 33:3)

I’m glad you’re not God, and you should be glad that I’m not God. Be glad that God is who He is.

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” (Hebrews 12:6)

Dearborn, Michigan was the first city to adopt the Muslim Shariah Law. “The new law could see citizens stoned for adultery or having a limb amputated for theft. Lesser offenses, such as drinking alcohol or abortion, could result in flogging and/or caning. In addition, the law imposes harsh laws with regards to women and allows for child marriage.” – See more at: http://nationalreport.net/city-michigan-first-fully-implement-sharia-law/#sthash.qM0kxjVK.dpuf

Chastisement is coming because God loves America, and is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. What would you do if you were God?

Peace! (2Corinthians 3:17)

Jan 24th The Right Hand Of God – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Exodus 13 – 15 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 3 – 4; Proverbs 24; Psalms 116 – 120)

Read the “0124 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses. Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.” (Exodus 14:26 – 15:6)

Good morning. God is all powerful, but in this passage, Israel focuses on His right hand. His right hand is become glorious in power and has dashed in pieces their enemy. His triumph caused Israel to sing praises unto the Lord. Leading the congregational singing, I notice the faces of those out in the pews. Very few look happy. It is like they are mouthing the words, but do not understand what the words mean. They are not singing from the heart: it is like they do not have the victory: they have not seen their enemy dashed in pieces. And it’s sad. Remember our theme verse for last year? The Bible says…

“A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100)

Are you focusing on the Victor or on the victory? Do you perceive yourself as fighting a never ending battle. We should focus on the Right Hand of Power: the One who has already given us the victory…

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:28-34)

We already have the victory. Christ is triumphant. Christ is triumphant over sin…

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Christ is triumphant over death…

“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.” (Matthew 28:1-8)

Christ is triumphant over the devil…

“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.” (Revelation 20:7-10)

Christ is the Victor, and by Him we receive the victory…

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1Corinthians 15:51-58)

So the when you’re singing in church tomorrow, remember the One you are singing about, what He has done for you, and the victory He has won for you. And smile!

Peace! (Psalm 144:15)

Jan 17th Judah – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Genesis 43 – 44(Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 5 – 6; Proverbs 17; Psalms 81 – 85)

Read the “0117 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“Then Judah came near unto him, and said, Oh my lord, let thy servant, I pray thee, speak a word in my lord’s ears, and let not thine anger burn against thy servant: for thou art even as Pharaoh.”

“Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren.” (Genesis 44:18 & 33)

Good morning. In chapter 44 of Genesis, we find that Joseph had framed his little brother, Benjamin, in order to keep him in Egypt. Judah stepped forward and made intercession for Benjamin. Reading this had made me remember another member of the tribe of Judah. He is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Judah interceded for his brother, Jesus intercedes for us…

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)

When Judah stepped forward, his mind was on his father, Israel, and Benjamin. When Jesus went to the cross, His mind was on us…

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Judah was willing to leave his wife, family, everything he had to set Benjamin free…

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Hebrews 2:9-10)

“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.” (John 17:1-5)

And we could go on, but let me ask you, have you thanked God, and praised Him for what He has done for you, yet, today?

Peace! (John 3:16)

Jan 15th God’s Perfect Plan – by Issan Acosta

Today’s Passages – Genesis 38 – 40 (Click on the references to listen to the passages. Click here to view today’s passage on Blue Letter Bible.)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 1 – 2; Proverbs 15; Psalms 71 – 75)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 89:1

Read the “0115 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s passage – “What About Judah?“

“And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.” (Genesis 38:39)

When reading Genesis Chapter 38, I could not help but see God’s sovereignty through the Messianic line of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Old Testament clearly prophesied that the Messiah would come out of the Tribe of Judah.

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be” (Genesis 49:10)

Before Ruth, a Midianite woman; and Rahab, a harlot, were part of the lineage of Christ, there was a woman named Tamar, also a harlot who was part of our Saviour’s lineage as well.

“And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse” (Matthew 1:5)

“And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;” (Matthew 1:3)

Tamar was Judah’s daughter in law and she deceived Judah into sleeping with her. She stood where the harlots stood and dressed the way they did. Tamar ends up giving birth to Pharez and Zarah. She is named in the lineage of Christ with her twin boys. Although the Bible does not record positive things that Tamar has done, she was a great, great, great, great grandmother to King David, and was also in the lineage of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even though Tamar used a deceptive method, she was a woman who risked her life to bare a child for her deceased husband. She knew she had the right to a child, and she knew that her first husband (Er) had the right to an heir. It is amazing how God’s plans can develop through the deceptive means of a person. Not one person in this story knew what God was planning in the long term. They were just living their lives, but the mind of God had a plan of which they knew nothing. Christian, you may be living your life today without a clue of what the future holds for you. Know this, however, that God has a plan for your life. Walk with God and stay close to God and he may just unfold his plans for you as He wills.

Jan 3rd In Search of Noah’s Ark – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage –Genesis 7 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 5 – 6; Proverbs 3 ; Psalm 11 – 15

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 18:3 & 46

Read the “0103 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged; The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated. And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.” (Genesis 8:1-4)

Good morning and Happy New Year! 2015 is finally here, and that brings us closer to the Lord’s return for His bride. Our passage, in today’s reading tells of another rescue by the Lord: the story of Noah’s ark. While reading this passage (and being old), I remembered a TV series (In Search Of), and a movie (In Search Of Noah’s Ark). With all the evidence presented in those shows, they determined that the ark of Noah is on Mount Ararat in Turkey. You can still see some of these old shows on YouTube. But we already know that this is where the ark is: God told us…

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

God told us the ark came to rest upon the mountains of Ararat, so the ark is there. What I’m looking for is Noah’s other ark…

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” (Hebrews 11:7)

“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. 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.” (Genesis 6:22-7:1)

Noah’s other ark was faith…

“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)

In Genesis 7:1, God invites Noah, his wife, and their family, and their wives into the ark, “…for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Noah and his family were the only ones on earth who God saw as righteous in his generation. But what about todays generation? Noah’s ark has already been built, but is broken in pieces, and scattered underneath the snow and ice of Mount Ararat. Today’s generation has an ark too. Our Ark can only be entered in by faith…

“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)

Our Ark was…

“…despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:3-12)

Our Ark is now seated at the right hand of the Father: He is the Lord Jesus Christ.

“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)

If you haven’t been invited into the only Ark that can save you from the coming flood of destruction, allow me to. Twice in Ezekiel 18, verses 4 and 20 tell us that “…the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”; we are all sinners…

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

…And…

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

Romans 6:23 says…

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

But the Good News is in Romans 5:8…

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

And Jesus told us in John 3:16 and 17…

“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)

God’s word makes salvation plain and simple…

“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.” (1John 5:12-13)

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

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Romans 3:20)

If you call upon the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, He will. Isn’t it time to climb aboard the Ark by faith?

Peace. (2Corinthians 6:2)

Dec 30th JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl

Yeaaaaah!

“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.” (Revelation 20:10)

This is my favor verses concerning the devil.  I thank God I read the back of the book.

Soon Christ will return for His bride, when the dead in Christ shall be raised and the living shall be changed.  The church and the Holy Spirit will be taken and the tribulation will begin.  Satan will give every effort to gain control of the earth.  He will give power to the Antichrist who will gather the armies to the battle of Armageddon.  At the end of the tribulation, Christ will return to the earth with the saints, riding on a white horse.  He will win the battle for His children at Armageddon.  Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.a  The flesh that remains, both great and small, will be devoured by the ‘fowls of the air’.  Revelation 19b ends stating, “All the fowls were filled with their flesh.”

But that’s not Satan’s end.

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.”(Rev 20:1-3)

After the awful condition of the tribulation and battle, Jesus will live and reigned on earth.   Satan will no longer have the power to  destroy, and disrupt.  But when the thousand years are over, Satan returns to stir up strife against the saints of the Lord.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

But be of good cheer, Satan may win many battles but he WILL lose the war!

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.   (Revelation 20:10)

Satan’s desire is to destroy and take every soul to Hell that he possibly can.  A saved soul is a testimony to God’s power therefore he desires to keep people from accepting Christ.

Satan hates Christians.  He causes people to murmur against God and to complain.  He leads them to worship false idols and gods.  Churches have often been torn apart.  He makes us feel unworthy to be called a child of God.  He loves to destroy families, he wants to destroy your life.  The only way we can conquer Satan and cause him to flee from us, is through the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So if it seems that Satan has a hold on your life and there’s no way out, remember this, some day Satan will bow before the Lord Jesus.

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 2:10-11)

Just as God destroyed the Egyptians, Satan will be cast out, no longer able to hold his power over you and never shall you be tempted by him or anyone again.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.  (Exodus 14:13-14)

So when the devil reminds you of your past [sins], remind him of his future.

Amen!

Dec 27th For Thy Pleasure – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Revelation 4 – 10 (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 131 – 135; Proverbs 27)

Read the “1227 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Revelation 4:8-11)

God created all things, and for His pleasure they are and were created. Even the United States of America. For His pleasure. In 2010, the United States sent out 127,000 of an estimated 400,000 missionaries. There were 32,400 missionaries that were sent to the United States from other countries in 2010 also. In 2010, there was an estimated 314,000 Christian churches across the United States. And in 1998 the porn industry was making almost 1 billion dollars per year. Leviticus 18 says…

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD. None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness. The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness. The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness. Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness. Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time. Also thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness. Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour’s wife, to defile thyself with her. And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 18:1-30)

What are your eyes focused on? Does it bring pleasure to the Lord?

Peace. (Proverbs 15:3)

Dec 13th Zombies – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – Colossians 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 –Psalm 61 – 65; Proverbs 13)

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:1-17)

Good morning. According to the dictionary, a zombie is a dead body that has been reanimated by a power or spell. You see them every day. They walk the earth just like you and I, going about their business. The spell, and the power, and their business are called sin. Zombies go about their business of committing acts of anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication from their mouth, and lying. Sometimes the living can be like zombies: they do the same things that zombies do. Yes, even though they are called Christians, and are made alive by the Holy Spirit living inside them, they can still do the works of Zombies: acts of anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, etc.

How can we get rid of the zombie in us? Take the advice given in verses 16 and 17…

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

Peace! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Dec 6th How To Have Happy Holidays – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passages – 2 Corinthians 6 – 10 (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 –Psalm 26 – 30; Proverbs 6)

“We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2Corinthians 6:1-10)

Good morning. If you happen to drive past Germania Cemetery, on Moss Mills Road, tell Melissa, “Happy Birthday!”: she’s 39 today. On February 16, 2012, at 1:15 am Thursday, Cervical Cancer took her to her new home: Heaven. My wife remarked today that many people do not seem to be in a ‘Christmas Spirit’. We just finished with Thanksgiving, and I was thankful for God’s salvation, and a Heaven. Early this year, my brother went home to be with the Lord. Shortly after that, my Uncle Frankie joined him there. All this was evident around the Thanksgiving table. Just me and Camille, my sister Ruthie, and my sister-in-law: Kathy. Our group is shrinking in size. But we can still be happy knowing that the separation from loved ones is only for a season. Let me give you three ways to have happy holidays…

1) Have JOY (Jesus, Others, You).

Put your sorrow into perspective. Start with Jesus. We thank God on Thanksgiving for all the love He has given us throughout the year…

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

We celebrate Christmas. Yeah! Santa Clause! No! Emanuel, God in the flesh, Jesus’ birthday. We thank God for sending us His only begotten Son…

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

On Resurrection Sunday (Easter), we celebrate Jesus’ sacrifice, thank God for the love He showed us, allowing His Son to die on a cross, and shed His precious blood for us…

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Romans 5:8-9)

We should be thankful, not only on those special days, but every day of the year. If we keep our focus on the One who gives us every breath we breath, our lives will start coming into perspective. JOY: Jesus first, and then others.

One thing we learned from our dwindling table, is that life is short: compared to eternity, our life is just a breath. Do you really have time for petty quarrels with family and friends? You don’t know how much time you or they have left on this earth; is it worth it? No. Go bake some cookies and be reconciled with them…

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” (Matthew 5:21-24)

Jesus first, others second, then you. And what do you think our attitude should be? Jesus was our example. Shouldn’t we be more like Jesus who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1Peter 2:24). Paul vowed…

“And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” (2Corinthians 12:15)

If you are saved, your not going to Hell. Why do little things bother us so much? We need JOY: Jesus, others, then you. So…

1) Have JOY.

2) Have Peace.

Jesus said…

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 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 14:26-27)

Some may have been praying for Melissa’s recovery: that God would heal her from the Cervical Cancer. Thank you for your prayers for they were answered. Like I said, my daughter is 39 today. When she was 8 years old, she was afflicted with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. She underwent several joint replacements which gave her some relief from the pain. But the drugs she was taking affected her bones. When her head started slipping down on here spine, the doctor told us it would be a 4 hour operation. Ten hours later, the doctor told us she would be okay. He was able to wire her head so it would not slip. The reason it took 6 hours longer: every time he went to place a wire, a piece of her vertebrae would break off. Melissa was no stranger to pain. After almost thirty years of dealing with the pain of Arthritis, and the Cervical Cancer, God finally healed her by taking her home. Now she is alive and well, no more aches and pains. She is with her Saviour: the Lord Jesus Christ. And in perfect condition: even better than new! We can have peace through all this… but… we still miss her. And that brings us to…

3) Have Faith.

“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.” (1Thessalonians 4:13-18)

It’s only for a season, and then we’ll get to see Melissa again. So Have JOY, Have Peace, Have Faith, and you will have a happy holiday!

Peace! (Jesus IS the reason for the season.)