Eternal Life – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – Judges 11 – 13
(Second Milers also read – 1 John 1 – 5; Proverbs 24; Psalms 116 – 118)
Scripture Memory for March – Psalm 1
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Proverbs 27:15
Good morning. What a week. My wife, Camille, had chest pains late Saturday night. I took her to the emergency room, and waited with her till they found out what was wrong. They moved her into a regular room Sunday morning around 4:30 am. They found out that she had suffered a heart attack. She is in need of a triple bypass. After several postponed operations, she came home, and we are now trying to get her into Deborah Heart and Lung. It has been very stressful, starting with the death of Melissa. The devil will use any device he can to destroy God’s people. Depression is just one of the many resources that he uses against us. When you are in deep sorrow, you lose focus in the grief and despair. It doesn’t matter that Melissa was saved. It doesn’t matter that she has no more pain. It doesn’t matter that she has a mansion that is probably larger than both of ours. What matters is a mother grieving for her daughter. Only someone who has lost a son or a daughter can understand that. Is it okay to grieve? Jesus wept. Eventually, in God’s timing, the pain will ease, and the Holy Spirit will comfort. I don’t understand how an unsaved person could ever get through this time. Praise the Lord, we have His Word and His Spirit to get us through. Because of 1John 5:11 thru 13 we know that one day we’ll be reunited again…
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 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 5:11-13).
Peace. (3John 1:14)
Posted in Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
You Can Take The Fire Part 5 – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – Numbers 8 – 10
(Second Milers also read – Exodus 7 – 9; Proverbs 18; Psalms 86 – 90)
My apologies if I get too graphic in my descriptions. I began writing this fifth part on Monday the 13th. As I sit here looking at Melissa, her fingers showing the almost 30 year battle she had with arthritis. Her body riddled with cancer. I am reminded of my mom. My mom went home to be with the Lord either at the end of October, or the beginning of November 1999. My mom had bone cancer. It was very hard on me being in Texas at the time. I wanted to be back in NJ, but I couldn’t. I managed to get home early October to see her. But seeing Melissa in the same condition as my mom, that’s been rough. Until this morning. God gave me a thought about what picture He was painting here.
It’s a picture of love.
Those of you with children, you can probably relate better to this than a single person. You know how our children do bone-head things, refuse to take direction, and are generally disobedient – you know, normal. Well, looking at Melissa, as tears start to flow, I realize just how much I will miss her, though only for a season. God put this thought in my head, that as much as I love her, He loves her more. This is just a sample of His love. All the things our children did, the anger that we had at their foolish acts, mean nothing: it’s the way God looks at His children. I got to see that: to experience it with the love I had for Melissa. We have all been disobedient at one time or another, but God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Our kids are still our kids no matter what they do or have done. I kind of have an idea of how God the Father felt watching His only begotten Son die on the cross. There was nothing He could do: the work started would be completed so that one day we could have a home in heaven. God’s love is a perfect, unconditional love.
Then came Wednesday night. Melissa’s breathing was very hard and labored. I could picture Jesus hanging on that Roman cross, lifting Himself up to breath, then His body collapsing slamming his back into that old rugged cross. I could hear Mary crying in the background, “My baby! My baby! Why is this happening?”
I can see the disciples watching in shock as the life of their Messiah comes to a close. They cry out to God for mercy: for God to end it soon. Jesus speaks from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
At 1:10am, Melissa gathers enough breath to say a few last words. Just a few more breaths after that, and she was safely in the arms of Jesus. The Lord Jesus Christ went through so much agony to be able to receive Melissa back to her real home. And every other believer too. Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross to pay for our sins. And He made it so simple for us to be with Him someday. All you need do is know that you are a sinner, and as a sinner you cannot save yourself. You need a Saviour. Jesus is the only one who ever fulfilled all the prophecies of Messiah. And Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
And He laid down His life for you. If you haven’t, you need to call upon the name of the Lord to save you. Tell Him in your own words that you are a sinner, and ask Him to come into your heart to forgive your sins, and to save you. And He will. Romans 10:13 says, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
So what were Melissa’s final words? She said what Jesus said in deed on the cross. They both said, “I love you.”
I love you.
I love you.
That’s what Calvary said.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you, written in red.
Peace. (Melissa Dilley: 12/6/75 to Eternity)
Posted in Devotions, Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
“Get Real” by Melissa Dilley
Today’s Passage – Leviticus 24 – 25
Second Milers also read – John 15 – 16; Proverbs 12; Psalm 56 – 60
Scripture Memory for February – Psalm 100
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 48:1 & 2
“After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth. At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people
(1 Kings 13:33-14:2)
At the end of the chapter we find Jeremiah doing evil – he is making anyone and everyone a priest. Anyone who would do his bidding, anyone who had itching ears, he would surround himself with those who would agree with him.
But the very next chapter tells us that his son became sick. His son was dying and all of these “spiritual men” could do nothing. The “yes men” were of no help whatsoever and Jeroboam knew it. So he asks his wife to go to the real man of God. He knows there is only one place to go – the real priest. Jeroboam knew who the real priest was (Ahijah), he knew where to find him (Shiloh), he knew the prophet would tell his wife what they wanted to know, and he even knew of the priest’s eyesight problem (he told her to disguise herself).
When the chips are down, and when the world reaches the end of the rope, they are going to want a real man of God. When they reach the end of the highway, they will know where they can go. They know who the real ones are. I know that I have been openly criticized for mentioning God, or faith, or salvation. But when those same people needed prayer or needed true advice they could call on me.
Be real. Sometimes it’s hard. You may be mocked or even yelled at. Some will ignore you, and some may even persecute you; but there will also be people who will listen and will respect you. There will be a handmaiden that says, “There’s a man of God who wants you to dip in the Jordan seven times.” Countless people swarmed to Jesus because they knew he was real. You be real.
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from 1 Kings by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Build Or Break? – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – Leviticus 22 – 23
Second Milers also read – John 13 – 14; Proverbs 11; Psalm 51 – 55
Scripture Memory for February – Psalm 100
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 47:1
Good morning. I want to delve somewhat into Psalm 51. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. Of course his sin found him out, and he wrote Psalm 51 of what he was going through and praying for. But before we go there, John chapter 8 tells the story of a woman caught in the very act of adultery. The scribes and Pharisees took her to Jesus. They told Jesus what the law said, and then asked if they should stone her. After a few minutes of writing in the sand, He stood up and answered them saying, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” And as Mike Warnke tells it: they dropped their rocks and split.
In the end, there was only the woman and Jesus. It will be the same with us when we sin. It’s going to be me or you and Jesus. That’s what the Bible says in John 8:9…
“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”
God knew what the woman did. God knew what the scribes and Pharisees did. God knows what you and I did. God gave us a conscience. David told God, in Psalm 51:3, that his sin was ever before him. David cried out to God for mercy, to have his transgressions blotted out, and to be washed throughly and be cleansed from his iniquity and sin.
Certain signs followed him while David was in this fallen state. He could not hear the joy or gladness going on around him (vs. 8). He knew God had seen what he did (vs. 9). He could feel the broken fellowship with the Lord (vs. 11). He had no joy or security in God’s salvation (vs. 12). He lacked in teaching God’s Word and soul winning (vs. 13). And he could not sing praises to God (vs. 14).
David was in a mess, and this was someone of whom God called a man after Mine own heart. But God doesn’t make mistakes. The first four verses in Psalm 51 say it all…
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” (Psalm 51:1-4)
1John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Back in John chapter 8…
“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:10-11).
Can you imagine how the woman, and David felt to have there sins forgiven and restored to fellowship with the Lord? All the joy, gladness, and singing. Praising God for His wonderful works. Can you imagine that? You don’t have to. To borrow a slogan from Lance Inc…
“Don’t go ’round hungry!”
Peace. (Mark 9:50)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Leviticus by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
“Friend or Foe” by Melissa Dilley
Today’s Passage – Leviticus 8 – 10
(Second Miers also read – John 1 – 2; Proverbs 5; Psalms 21 – 25)
Scripture Memorization for February – Psalm 100
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Joshua 1:8
“And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” – (Matthew 26:50)
I’ve heard many sermons from this Scripture, mostly pertaining to why Jesus called Judas, “Friend” in this verse, and earlier called Peter, “Satan” (Matthew 16:23). The application of Peter hindering God’s will, and Judas propelling it, is understandable. However, Jesus used the word “friend” specifically. Why didn’t he call him “assistant”, or “helper”, or “facilitator”? I believe Jesus wanted Judas to know that He still loved him as a friend. Jesus knew what Judas was doing but still loved him, and was willing to forgive him and let him know that everything could be OK.
Being a friend is a choice. It means that despite how you are treated, you still love and forgive. Jesus was being betrayed to His death – not exactly a perfect relationship. But Jesus was showing us what a friend ought to be. “Love covereth all sins” (Proverbs 10:12) A friend is a friend in any circumstance. In fact the harder the situation – the more love expressed – the truer the friend. Jesus demonstrates this to us everyday.
Christ loves us unconditionally despite how we treat Him. While on earth, He cared for nothing but the people. He healed them, fed them, and even raised some from the dead. He took time to be with them, and taught them, and showed them how to live better. What did He get in return? They plotted to kill Him. They used every opportunity to trap Him in His teachings; and eventually they succeeded in putting Him to death.
Today the same things continue to happen. We no longer physically spit in His face, but the treatment we give Him is still just as wrong. Yet, Jesus is still doing things for us. He prays for us and takes time to listen to our prayers; He teaches us His Word, His preachers, and through the ministry of His Holy Spirit. He guides our lives, and sometimes even gives us the desires of our hearts. And what do we do? We ignore Him, and disobey Him; treating Him as if He doesn’t even exist.
My prayer is to use His example to be a better friend to others. It seems petty that after all Christ has forgiven in my life, that I can’t love and forgive someone else. I am so glad that Jesus is always a friend to me despite the way I treat Him, and I desire to be a friend to others despite the way they may have treated me.
Posted in Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 2 comments.
Believe! – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – Leviticus 5 – 7
(Second Milers also read – Luke 24; Proverbs 4; Psalms 16 – 20)
Scripture Memory for February – Psalm 100
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Deuteronomy 32:4
Good morning! Did you get to read Luke chapter 24. This is part of the Second Milers reading schedule. If you are doing the regular reading schedule, take a few minutes extra to read Luke 24.
Notice verses 1 through 10. The ladies who went early to the tomb were informed that Jesus was no longer in the tomb: He is risen from the dead. They ran back to tell the apostles and all those who were with them that Jesus was risen from the dead! The tomb is empty! And what was the result? Verse 11:
“And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.”
Cleopas and another believer were walking on the road to Emmaus when a “Stranger” joined them. The Stranger asked why they were sad. They started to explain what had happened to Jesus. How they trusted that He would redeem Israel. How the chief priests delivered Him to be crucified. How that this being the third day certain women found the tomb empty and were told by angels that Jesus was risen (verses 13 through 24). And what did Jesus tell them? Verses 25 through 27 say: “Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”
Seeing is not necessarily believing; look what happens next…
“And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.”
Didn’t the women hear the angels tell them that the Lord was risen? Didn’t those in the room hear the women when they said the angels told them Christ was risen? Didn’t the two on the road to Emmaus tell those gathered that they walked with a Stranger who explained all the Scriptures about Jesus? Didn’t the two tell them how they stopped to have dinner with Him and then realized that the Stranger was Jesus: that He was indeed risen from the grave? So why were they terrified at the sight of Jesus in the midst of them? Maybe because they did not truly believe. Jesus showed them his pierced hands and feet, showed them that He could eat real food.
“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:44-49).
Do you know what the saddest verse in the Bible is? It is Matthew 13:58:
“And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
Believing is faith. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Can you imagine what the church could do if they really believed? Can you imagine how many people would become soul winners because they believe there is a real hell? Can you imagine what the church could do with all the missing tithes when the congregation believes what Malachi 3 says about it. Can you imagine how pleased God would be if believers believed Hebrews 11:6? Can you imagine all the harmony among Christians if they believed the Lord’s commandment that ye love one another? There would be no gossip, no back-biting. Just a lot of Spirit-filled people who would rather edify and help others than say bad things about them.
Can you imagine? Do you have faith? Are you a believer? I gave you what I thought was the saddest verse in the Bible. Do you know what should be the scariest verse to a believer? How about Romans 14:12:
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Time is running out. The blood spilled on the earth cries out for Christ’s return. When He returns will He find faithful men, believers doing His will? Or will He return to a place where He could not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Peace. (Luke 24:52-53)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Leviticus by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
What Are You Waiting For? by Melissa Dilley
Today’s Passage – Exodus 28 – 29
(Second Milers also read – Luke 12 – 13; Proverbs 29; Psalms 136 – 140)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Micah 6:8
“And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” – (Exodus 2:23-25)
The children of Israel were under heavy bondage at the hand of the Egyptians. They had hit the bottom of the barrel and had nowhere else to go but to God. He heard them suffering and crying out to him to be delivered. God, in His infinite mercy, remembered His covenant with Abraham. He had already prepared a man (Moses) to fill their need of a leader to bring them into the Promised Land. Moses knew the desert; he knew Egypt, and he witnessed the sufferings of the Israelites firsthand. He knew there was a need, he had the ability to help, and he had a call from God to go. He was God’s perfect need-filler for this situation. But he hesitated. He argued with God all the reasons he couldn’t go. And how much suffering could have been avoided if he would have just said, “Yes, Lord, yes – to your will and to your way.”
Who do you know that has a need and is begging God to be delivered? What position has God placed you in to ease someone else’s burden? God will send someone to fill the need. Will it be you? A beaten man was once in need of help and God sent a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. Only one of them helped – the Samaritan. Would it have been you?
If you are crying out to God for deliverance then hang on – someone is coming. But, if you are the one that God has called and prepared to meet that need – then get going. What are you waiting for?
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
I Don’t Wanna by Melissa Dilley
Today’s Passage – Exodus 7 – 9
(Second Milers also read – Mark 15 – 16; Proverbs 22; Psalms 106 – 110)
Scripture memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to “Heaven’s Sounding Sweeter” by Monica McCoyMark 15 – 16
“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” – (Matthew 26:39)
My name is Melissa Dilley and I am 36 years old. I am laying in a hospital bed in my parents’ living room and I will never get out of it. I have rheumatoid arthritis and cervical cancer. I am going to die. Soon.
His name is Jesus and He was 33 years old. He was on His knees in a garden and the soldiers were coming to arrest Him. He had never done anything wrong but His people hated Him. He was going to die. Soon.
Jesus is the Son of God. He spent His entire life helping and loving people; teaching them how to live more abundantly, and how to know they will get to Heaven after life was over. But He was about to face a bad situation. He was going to die. He was a “good man”. He didn’t deserve this. He didn’t do anything wrong. It wasn’t fair. “Let this cup pass. [I DON’T WANNA].”
As humans we experience this emotion. God knows this. He knows everything that’s in our hearts. If Jesus could feel this way, why can’t we? The responsibility we have that comes with this emotion is to remember – “not as I will, but as THOU wilt” (emphasis mine). We can take a few moments to feel sorry for ourselves, but then proceed in doing what it is that God wants us to do.
In Matthew 21:28 – 31, Jesus tells a story about a man who had two sons he asked to work fo him. The one son said he didn’t wanna, but then did. The second said he would work, but then didn’t. Then Jesus asked which son did the father’s will. Even the Pharisees knew it was the first son.
So the next time something bad comes your way, get in your prayer closet and cry for a while. Tell God: “I don’t understand, I don’t like it, I don’t wanna, but I will”.
Posted in Devotions, Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with 4 comments.
A Dry Thirsty Land – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – Exodus 4 – 6
(Second Milers also read – Mark 13 – 14; Proverbs 21; Psalms 101 – 105)
Scripture Memorization for January – Isaiah 53
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1
Read “How To Prepare For Revival” by Pastor Paul Chappell
“And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.” (Exodus 4:9).
Good morning. I saw something disturbing on the news yesterday. In Philadelphia – the city of brotherly love – there have been 20 killings since January first. When I watched the news at 10:00 pm, that number had jumped to 25. And there was still two hours to go. A Vietnam War veteran had his jaw broken and his skull fractured by a youth gang. What happened? America has gone dry: it’s a dry land. And it’s because people’s hearts have gotten harder.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2Timothy 3:1-7)
Many of us are to blame. We are afraid to stand on what the Word of God says. We are afraid to speak out and say that any Jew, Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, Baptist, Atheist, Agnostic, Unbeliever, Charismatic, Evolutionist, Secular Humanist, self-proclaimed Christian, or anybody else not mentioned in these groups are going to Hell if they have not received Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. This is not being hateful to any group. This is not a hate crime. This is what God’s Word says in 1John chapter 5:11-12:
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
Do you know what a real hate crime is? Allowing souls to slip into hell without giving them the Gospel: telling them about Jesus. Even if you are shy, you can still leave a Gospel tract. Leave one with a tip when you dine out. Give one to the gas station attendant when you get gas in your car or truck. You could even mail some out to addresses in the phone book. Can you afford 45 cents a week? That’s 52 people you could reach with God’s plan for salvation in one year.
Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission [of sins]. We need to pour out the water of God’s Word on this dry land, and let the people know that the blood of Jesus cleanses you from all sin.
“And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.” (Exodus 4:9).
Peace. (Colossians 1:19-20).
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
The Prisoner by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passages – Philemon – Hebrews 4; Proverbs 18
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 86 – 90; Memorize – Luke 2:11)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11
Good morning? Hope so. I would assume it all depends on what prison you are in. Maybe money is your warden. Will you have to work 80 hour weeks in the new year to pay for Christmas gifts because you are spending money like the government? Is time your warden? Are you a prisoner of time? I’ll be 57 in February (the 11th – mark your calendar). That means I may have only 13 years left on earth. Any time after that is borrowed. What about friends and family? Does family keep you confined from doing what you could, or should, be doing? I now about a person who would like to attend church service, but the spouse wants them home. That person only attends Sunday school. Maybe you are a prisoner of the church you attend. Are you there to see friends or worship God? Are you there to learn the latest gossip, or learn more about Jesus? Who’s prisoner are you?
Philemon 1:1 says, “Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ…”
Being Christ’s prisoner is so much better than being a prisoner of the world. Think about it. Think about a real prison. You get your 3 meals a day, a bed, a roof over your head, and 4 walls to hold everything in, including you. As a prisoner of Christ, we have LIBERTY! We are FREE! The only walls that contain us is God’s will. Even then when we try to escape over that wall, the Lord knows exactly what to do to get us back in. To be a prisoner of Christ, He supplies our every need. And, just like a prisoner who is waiting for his release date, we are also looking forward to that day, when we get to meet the Lord face to face. Because of God’s grace, we have a life-time sentence that we are serving. Even though we are confined sometimes by the cares of this world, we will be totally, absolutely, 100% free, one day. So when the cares of this world, the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping, and anything else get’s you down, run to the Warden, there is freedom and liberty in Christ Jesus. Become a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
Peace (John 14:27)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Philemon by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.