JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL
Read your favorite Bible passage today
(Second Milers also read – Proverbs 31)
Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 4:7 & 8
Read the “1231 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from today’s passage – “Resolve To Be Transformed“
Do You Believe In Me?
“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)
There are so many great verses in the Bible about God’s love or His promises that we could claim to be our favorite verse. I think that Revelation 20:10 is one of my top 3 of favorite verses.
Throughout history there have been many woes and sorrows. How sad Adam and Eve must have been when Cain killed Abel. Later, all but 8 souls died from the flood. The sadness of Lot, when all his family and friends, save his two daughters, were destroyed by fire and brimstone. Of modern times, we have the sinking of the Titanic, the bombing of Pearl Harbor and many other wars where thousands of family members have been killed. We now see children as young as 1 and 2 years old bald from chemo and radiation. All kinds of mental illness is around us. Parents killing children and children killing parents. We’ve seen God taken out of school and quickly out of government and soon they will try to take Him out of our lives. It used to be the rebel who was the outsider, now the outsiders are the ones who stand for Christ. The family is being ripped apart by sexual ‘freedom’, children rebelling, and bossy wives. When will it all end?
Now take a trip to Heaven with me if you will. God calls for an assembling of all the Saints. We are sitting in the stands waiting for our Lord to appear. There is much chatter wondering what will happen next. Then walks out Jesus clothed in white. Everyone starts singing, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Praise to the Mighty King of King! He stands on the 5o yard for all to see. Jesus raises His nail print hands for all to be silent. Then as everyone gasps, out walks Satan. Still no one says a word as Satan walks up to Jesus. Then Satan’s trembling body begins to bow.
“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;” (Philippians 2:10)
Just then the ground begins to quake and open. The flames of Hell are exposed. As Satan stands, Christ lifts his nail print hand and Satan is cast in to Hell forever and ever. The Saints rejoice as they again sing praises unto the LORD of Heaven. Oh yeah, I’ll be sitting first row on the 50 yard line. AMEN!
Now there is also a verse, I believe, is one of the saddest.
Not all are Saints.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
These also will spend eternity separated from God. There will be more of them then Saints. Time is getting short. Once we leave this earth, it will be too late to tell others about the saving blood of Jesus.
This New Year, let’s make a commitment to ourselves and to God, that we will tell others about Jesus. There is plenty of room at the table, but not many who are willing to leave it to invite others to dine. Remember Satan is alive and well, for now, on the planet earth.
No one Believes In Me Anymore – (Satan’s Boast)
A Song by Keith Green
Well my job keeps getting easier, as time keeps slipping away
I can imitate the brightest light, and make the night look just like day
I put some truth in every lie, to tickle itching ears
You know I’m drawing people just like flies, cause they like what they hear
I’m gaining power by the hour, they’re falling by the score
You know it’s getting very simple now since no one believes in me anymore
Heavens just a state of mind, my books read on your shelf
Oh have you heard that God is dead, I made that one up myself
They’re dabbling in magic spells and get their fortunes read
You know they heard the truth and turned away and followed me instead
I use to have to sneak around, but now they just open their doors
You know no one’s watching for my tricks, since no one believes in me any more
Everyone likes a winner, with my help you’re guaranteed to win
Hey man you ain’t no sinner, no, you’ve got the truth within
And as your life slips by you believe the lie that you did it on your own
But don’t worry, I’ll be there to help you share a dark eternal home
My job keeps getting easier, as day slips into day
The magazines, the newspapers print every word I say
This world is just my spinning top, it’s all likes child’s play
You know I dream that it will never stop, but I know it’s not that way
Still my world goes on and on, always stronger than before
I’m going to make it dark before the dawn since no one believes in me anymore. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Thank You
1 John 5:13
Posted in Just for Ladies by admin with no comments yet.
…And Gave Glory To The GOD Of Heaven – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” (Revelation 11:3-13)
Good morning. When I read this passage, I started thinking about Ben and Robert: two friends who went home to be with the Lord. I thought about my Uncle Frankie, he’s been eating very little and sleeping all the time. I thought about my older brother, Harry, how he was having difficulty breathing during our Christmas get-together. This March he will turn 71 (I’ll be 60 in February). We are all stamped with an expiration date that only God can change. As I look near the bottom of my computer screen, I see a picture of Melissa. I am comforted in knowing she is with the Lord, though I still miss her. But there is a great deal of comfort to be found in this passage…
Notice that there were two witnesses.
Did you know that when you have Jesus, you are never alone? Jesus is always with you. This is what the Lord told Joshua…
“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:1-9)
And according to Hebrews 13:5, God makes the same promise to us: He will never leave us, nor forsake us. So you are never going to be alone.
Secondly, notice that God had a job for them to do. He has a job for us to do also. And these two witnesses went forward with their work in the power of God. Nothing could stop them until there work was completed. What stops you? Jesus told us that without Him we could do nothing. These men went forward in the power of the Lord (Acts 1:8). When their testimony for the Lord was completed, God had another job for them to do: to die. Their work on earth was not over yet. The beast overcame them and killed them, but their lives were in the hands of the One who gave them life.
Are you sitting on the shelf, self-imprisoned? Are the devils celebrating the fact that you are no longer a threat? Do you long to get back into the Lord’s work? Have you been dead too long? It’s time to resurrect…
“And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.” (Revelation 11:8-11)
And we know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7), and wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Then look at what happened…
“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” (Revelation 11:12-13)
Because of Jesus, we are never alone.
Because of Jesus, we have a testimony.
Because of Jesus, we have the power to share that testimony.
Because of Jesus, we can witness in death as well as life.
Got Jesus?
Peace. (1John 5:11-13)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL
Today’s Passage – 2 Peter 1 – 3; 1 John 1 – 2 (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 116 – 120; Proverbs 24)
Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Matthew 6:33
Read the “1224 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this morning’s reading passage – “He Already Came“
Love Not?
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
It wasn’t until recent days that I understood this verse. John 3:16 tell us that God SO loved the world, so why does this verse tell me not to love the world?
Who is the god of this world? Satan.
“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
“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)
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
We cannot love the world because it will push God out and when we love the Lord, His love pushes the world out. The reason the love of this world pushes out love for God is because of all that is in the world.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16)
This is how Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. Satan told her it was ok for her to eat it. She looked at it, thought it was good food then pride set in. She wanted to be wise like God. Satan works the same way today.
Think of the way ‘the world’ is today. Abortion, the killing of babies. It’s not only legal, but our government has made it law that, through our insurance, we pay for it. Homosexuality? According to the Bible, homosexuality is a sin and God hates it. Alcohol. The Bible is clear about drinking wine or strong drink.
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)
Greed. We want things we can’t afford so we’ll go into hock or just steel for it. Pride. Why is it so hard to say you’re sorry?
But remember, everyone is a ‘whosoever’. Jesus died for everyone, but He hates sin.
“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2Peter 3:9)
You name the sin, this world will say it’s ok, and give you a great reason why.
My thoughts from this verse is to put more Jesus in my life and less of the world’s thinking.
One Day Jesus Will Call My Name
A Song By Phil McHugh
Some day’s drag, and some days fly
And some days I think of the day I’ll die.
Some days fill me, and some days drain
And one day Jesus, will call my name.
One day Jesus, will call my name – As days go by, hope I don’t stay the same. I want to get so close to Him, that there’s no big change – On that day that Jesus, calls my name.
Most days I pray, but some days I worse
A sad number of days, I put myself first.
But it’s not what I do, the cross made that plain
And one day Jesus, will call my name.
One day Jesus, will call my name – As days go by, hope I don’t stay the same. I want to get so close to Him, that there’s no big change – On that day that Jesus, calls my name.
Thank You and Merry Christmas
John 3:16
Posted in Just for Ladies by admin with no comments yet.
The Perfect Gift – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:13-17)
Good morning. My wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I did not know. Don’t laugh: do you know what you want for Christmas? There was a time when I could answer that question. Something would catch my eye, either on TV or in a catalog, and I thought I really wanted whatever it was. Now that I’m old, I guess I’m not impressed by the things of this world. There was a time when I was amazed at new technology. I saw a commercial the other day for a new wristwatch. One that could just about everything a smart phone could. Amazing how far LSI (Large Scale Integration) has come: cramming all that stuff into a wristwatch. Okay, maybe I’m a little impressed; do I want one? Na, I’d probably have the screen shattered within the first month. What do you want for Christmas?
“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Genesis 3:6)
And you know what happened after that. That ‘gift’ Adam received from Eve caused the downfall of all mankind. But James 1:17 tells us…
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)
Let me give you three characteristics of the Perfect Gift…
1) It costs the giver, not the receiver.
“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)
2) It is perfect: exactly what you needed.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
3) It is made to be shared so others will benefit from the gift also.
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1Peter 4:10)
This Christmas, let’s try to stay focused on God’s Perfect Gift…
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Merry Christmas! (Luke 2:13-14)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL
Today’s Passage – 2 Timothy 3 – Titus 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio –click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalms 81 – 85; Proverbs 17)
Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Proverbs 3:5 & 6
Read a great article by Pastor Bob Gray Sr.– “Why?“
Watch the Growth Points video by Pastor Chappell – “Pressing Into the New Year with Godly Passion“
Read the “1217 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this morning’s reading passage – “Sometimes You Have to Stand Alone” & “Perilous Times“
What Is Creeping Into Our Houses?
“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 3:6-7)
You’re sitting down for dinner with your husband and children. There’s a knock on the door. When you open the door there is a woman with her under garments on. Would you invite her in? Of course not. You may slam the door or step out to figure out what’s going on, but I’m sure she’s not coming in. But how many of us sit and watch TV and the advertisements with women prancing around in their undies?
You invite quests over for dinner and someone brings a bottle of alcohol. They ask for a glass to have with their dinner. You say, we would never allow that. Yet, we can’t wait for Super Bowl to see the “Funniest” commercials and watch them with your children.
You’re watching a show of romance, which never depict real life. We become discontented with our husbands because we are living in this fantasy world. Their world looks better than ours. We want what they have, not what God has for us.
You just told you child that they must come home after school and they don’t get home until after dinner. When you ask them where they were, they start to give you a hard time, (disrespectful). I believe the word would be “Grounded!” But our young children watch cartoons and or TV programs that make parents look like fools, and the Moms and children on the shows make Dad look like a total loser; and we wonder why children have no respect for their parents.
By now you are realizing that I’m attacking television, and you’re right. TV is not the enemy, but the Enemy uses TV. (Just as a side note and confession, I do watch lot of TV but with great caution.) Television can be a great tool for education, sharing the gospel, and yes, entertainment. But like anything else, the devil want to get his hand into everything good and turn it around for his use.
Children are the main target for the devil through TV. He figures if he can get them when their young, they’ll be hooked. Be aware what they’re watching. He wants to get us off the path that God has set for us.
“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)
A few weeks ago Lady Ga Ga was on a Sesame Street special. (If you’re not familiar with who she is, you can google her name, but beware.) The movie, “The Smurfs” looks so harmless, but check out their names and story line. I can go on and on but it’s up to us to be the “Safety Patrol” of what comes in to our homes.
For our husband’s sake, for our children’s sake, and for our sake, we should do everything we can to protect our families. Just a thought.
Thank You
1 John 5:13
Posted in Just for Ladies by admin with no comments yet.
Deliverance – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – 1 Thessalonians 1 – 5 (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 66 – 70; Proverbs 14)
Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1 – 4
Read a great article by Pastor Bob Gray Sr.– “Why?“
Watch the Growth Points video by Pastor Chappell – “Pressing Into the New Year with Godly Passion“
Read the “1214 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from today’s Bible reading passage – “What’s Your Reputation Like?” & “What’s Right With It?“
“Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Rembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.” (1Thessalonians 1:1-10)
Good morning. I really like how chapter 1 ends:, “…even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”; and there is a wrath coming. Seven years of the wrath of God are going to be poured out upon the earth. Maybe you’re worried about this if you don’t believe what God’s Word says at the end of chapter 4. Look at this verse from chapter 5…
“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,” (1Thesselonians 5:9)
Before God pours out His wrath on the earth, He will call His people home in the twinkling of an eye. The end of chapter 4 tells us…
“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 these words were not true, how could we comfort one another with them?
And also…
“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)
Yes, I would also be worried about the wrath of God, if it were not for the fact that He poured out His the wrath that He had for me on the Lord Jesus Christ: as He hung on a cross, and shed His precious blood for me. If you can’t believe the rapture verses, how can you believe the rest of the Bible. All of the Bible is God’s Holy Word, and if He says He is coming back in the air to receive His bride, then you better believe He is. Can you believe the following verse?
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
God made salvation as simple as 1 John 5:12…
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)
I like what Jesus said about my salvation…
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)
If we all took God at His Word – He says what He means, and means what He says – there would be more obedience to God’s Word and less arguing over it.
Sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolations share,
Till from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home, and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout while passing throu’ the air,
Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer.
Peace! (Luke 2:14)
Posted in Guest Posts by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Memories of a Friend
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)
Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 89:1
Read a great article by Pastor Bob Gray Sr.– “Why?“
Watch the Growth Points video by Pastor Chappell – “Pressing Into the New Year with Godly Passion“
Read the “1213 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from today’s passage – “The Importance of Discipleship” and “Plugged In“
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” – Psalms 116:15
I received the news yesterday morning that a dear friend, Ben Thompson, passed away to Heaven after battling with pneumonia for the past couple of weeks. I first got word of his illness two Sunday’s ago and even though his condition was listed as critical, I was sure that Ben would pull through. Our family prayed and our church prayed, and for a time it seemed as if his condition was improving, but for some mysterious reason, the Lord chose to take him home.
I got to thinking about Psalm 116:15, which is a verse that I have quoted hundreds of times in order to try to comfort those that were hurting. I know that our loss is Heaven’s gain, and I also realize that Ben is in a “far better” place and would not desire to return to this earth again even if he could. But, I must confess that sometimes I get a little selfish and complain to God a little because the “life” of a friend like Ben is precious to me also, and even more precious to his family. Frankly, there are quite a few people that I can think of that I would like to send in Ben’s place. But, far be it for me to question God. He is always right in what he does.
When I was first saved, I used to wonder why people would get so excited talking about Heaven. Don’t misunderstand, I wanted to go there someday, and I certainly didn’t want to go to Hell; but to be truthful, life on earth wasn’t all that bad from my perspective. In fact, it was pretty good. At that point, as a young man in my twenties, I hadn’t really experienced the death of a close loved one; I knew little sickness or suffering personally, and I enjoyed many of the pleasurable things that this life could offer. As time goes on, however, I have learned that life on this earth can be very painful, and extremely sorrowful at times, and even though there are still many joys associated with living here inside the will of God, I find that more and more I am longing to go to that wonderful place where sin, sorrow and sickness will be no more. And no more death!! No more saying good-bye to people I love.
Thank you, Ben, for being a friend. I don’t use that word casually. I know thousands of people, but I only have a few that I call friends, and I really can’t spare any more. Thanks for the great conversations we had on the many, late Sunday night trips to and from Texarkana. Thanks for buying dinner for me and my son on more than one occasion at that all-night restaurant in Atlanta. Thanks for being available for breakfast or lunch every time I came back to town. Thanks for loving me and my family. Thanks for being my friend. I will miss you, and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Thank you, Thompson family, for being a consistently faithful and godly testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. You never waiver. You were a tremendous inspiration to me when I was in college, and you are even more so to me now. You have the prayers and sympathy of my family, and our church as well. We love you!
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
JUST FOR LADIES – BY CAMILLE STAHL
Today’s Passages – Ephesians 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalms 46 – 50; Proverbs 10)
Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 51
Read a great article by Pastor Chappell– “Making the Most of Christmas“
Watch the Growth Points video by Pastor Chappell – “Pressing Into the New Year with Godly Passion“
Read the “1210 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this passage – “Saved To Good Works”
Dead To Sin
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:1-7)
Did you ever have someone cross you in some way? Maybe they lied about you or to you. Maybe stole something or even picked a fist fight with you. How about deserting you when you really needed them the most. I guess you would say they weren’t very nice people and you would have a hard time being friendly with them again. But can I tell you, that’s exactly what we do to our Heavenly Father everyday yet He still loves us. His love for us is beyond what we could ever imagine.
We were all the children of wrath. All of our desires were under the evil one. Our spirit was dead. There was no good in us. Yet Jesus freely gave his life for us.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
We don’t have to be sinless for God to accept us, we just have to accept what His son Jesus did for us, died.
How can you describe that kind of love?
There are two thoughts I have from these passages.
First is the greatness of our Saviour’s love. If He did nothing but save my souls from Hell, I should be His slave for life. But He didn’t allow me to be a slave, He made me His child. I must strive to please Him. There is no way I could ever repay Him for what He did and continues to do for me. God don’t even remember my sin.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalms 103:12)
It’s would be like me buying a hundred million dollar home and not being able to pay for it. When the bank comes to my door to throw me out, someone comes along and pays for it in full. Most people would feel as if they owed that person their life. How much more do we owe God our life for pulling us out of Hell?
My second thought is that if God can forgive us of all our unrighteousness, why do we have such a hard time forgiving one another?
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” (Matthew 18:21-35)
Conclusion
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Thank You
1 John 5:13
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Ephesians by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
The Builder – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.” (2Corinthians 13:11-14)
Good morning. Paul is concluding his letter to the Corinthians. Under the dictation of the Holy Spirit, he writes us a To-Do list…
Be perfect (complete).
Be of good comfort.
Be of one mind.
Live in peace.
Matthew Henry gives a good explanation of these in his commentary…
“(1.) To be perfect, or to be knit together in love, which would tend greatly to their advantage as a church, or Christian society. (2.) To be of good comfort under all the sufferings and persecutions they might endure for the cause of Christ or any calamities and disappointments they might meet with in the world. (3.) To be of one mind, which would greatly tend to their comfort; for the more easy we are with our brethren the more ease we shall have in our own souls. The apostle would have them, as far as was possible, to be of the same opinion and judgment; however, if this could not be attained, yet, (4.) He exhorts them to live in peace, that difference in opinion should not cause an alienation of affections – that they should be at peace among themselves. He would have all the schisms that were among them healed, that there should be no more contention and wrath found among them, to prevent which they should avoid debates, envyings, backbitings, whisperings, and such like enemies to peace.”
Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 13:10…
“Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.” (2Corinthians 13:10)
If the Apostle Paul came to your church, would he have to use sharpness to get you to do what was right? Or, could he be uplifting Generic Viagra, building you up: edifying you. In 1Corinthians 14:12…
“Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” (1Corinthians 14:12)
And in verse 26, “…Let all things be done unto edifying.”
When you edify someone, you build them up in the Lord: train them as a child in the way they should go, and they will help someone else; and so on.
Today the teens are going to the Youth Congress out in New Egypt, NJ. They will be receiving a Christian Life Journal. I would ask them to add one more question to the daily page if it is not already there: “What did I do to edify someone today?”
If we answer that question on a daily basis, we will be focused on what Jesus was focused on: others. If we get our eyes off ourselves, and look to the needs of others, edifying them, God’s work will get done.
Let me leave you with an example that my wife and I are very thankful for. Two actually: one from God, and one from someone unknown…
December 6, 2013, is my daughter’s 38th birthday. Camille and I celebrated by going over to the grave, adding new flowers, and a few other Christmas items. It had been raining and drizzling all day. When we got to the cemetery, God held back the rain. We were edified: God reinforced the fact to us that He is in control. He cares for us in the little things, as well as the big. Just think about it: the Creator, who spoke everything we have into existence cared enough about us to hold back the rain while we went to the grave. Just a note: as we drove away, the rain came down in buckets! God is good!
Part two of this is also a part of what inspired this blog today. Somebody had come and visited Melissa’s grave earlier, and left a message written in the ground behind the gravestone. Maybe the message was from God too. I know we received much joy from reading it, and knowing that someone else cared. The message simply said, “I LOVE YOU.”
Peace! (JOY: Jesus, Others, You)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
JUST FOR LADIES BY CAMILLE STAHL
Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 13 – 14 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalms 11 – 15; Proverbs 3)
Scripture Memorization for December – The Incarnation
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 19
Watch Pastor Chappell’s Growth Points Video – “Pressing Into the New Year with Godly Passion“
Read the “1203 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this passage – “The Greatest of These is Charity” and “A Family Addicted to the Ministry“
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1Corinthians 13:11)
When we first accept the Lord as our Saviour, we instantly do not become Bible scholars. Everything is new to us. We are like little children doing and hearing things for the first time. We are encouraged to read our Bibles and attend church services so we can learn the things of God. We soon learn, and are convicted, that there needs to be some changes in our lives. One by one, God makes changes. Out with the old, in with the new. Our speech, the places we go, the things we look at, the people we associated with, the bad habits we’ve acquired, and so on. Boy life is good. Moving right along. But then something happens. We find ourselves slipping back into our old ways. “What’s happening to me? Why am I slipping?”
“And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.” (Mark 4:7)
“And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19)
How can we detect areas of weakness to help us from backsliding?
We must recognize which aspects of life are easy targets for Satan’s attacks. When we find ourselves sliding back, we should HALT. Never allow yourself to get too:
H – hungry – A – angry – L – lonely – T – tired
Visualize yourself going in the right direction, pleasing God, instead of fantasizing about the old ways, sin.
Read the Word of God. You won’t able to defend yourself against the enemy’s attacks if you don’t know your Scriptures.
Pray. Having fellowship and conversation with the Lord each morning strengthens and alerts you to Satan’s attacks during the day.
Thank You
1 John 5:13
Posted in Just for Ladies by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.