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)
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
JUST FOR LADIES – BY Camille Stahl
Today’s Passage – 1 Peter 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 111 – 115; Proverbs 23)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Matthew 6:33
Read the “1223 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read a previous post from this morning’s reading passage – “Suffering“
Cleansed Through the Precious Blood!
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1Peter 1:15-19)
Well just two more days until Christmas morning. Everyone is racing around getting their last minute shopping done. Most of the gifts are wrapped and under the tree. The Christmas meat is thawing in the fridge. Lots of cleaning still to do before the family arrives. Up early, to bed late. There’s a snap of cold air and a slight hint of white flakes falling from the sky. Lights bring a beautiful display of the spirit of Christmas. Memories flood our minds as we sing the carols we heard since we were very young. Aww, Christmas. The Babe in the manger. The One who came to save the lost. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Holy One! The One who we will share eternity with. The One who is getting our home in Heaven ready. There is no amount of silver or gold that could buy even a little piece of the riches that Jesus will share with His children. What He offers is free. He paid for it. We are like that dirty spotted little lamb. We’re useless and not worth a dime. But the Lord Jesus Christ sees great value in His creation. We are so valuable, to Him, that no amount of silver or gold could pay for our value. Only the Blood of the Spotless Lamb could pay that price. You see, the Babe in the manger didn’t stay a babe. He came to die and shed His blood to pay the price. That Blood washes us, white as snow. No blemishes, no spots, so we could live a holy life. That’s when our Heavenly Father looks at us and sees us as that white lamb. Praise God for His gift of Love to us, Jesus, the Lamb in the manger.
I pray you all have a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your families.
Thank You
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12)
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My Worst Enemy – The Saturday Morning Post
Today’s Passage – Hebrews 10 – 11 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 96 – 100; Proverbs 20)
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Good morning. This is about my worst enemy. Actually the devil is our worst enemy, but excluding that snake, I guess this is about my other worst enemy. My worst enemy has some things in common with our worst enemy. He does not want me to hold fast my profession of faith, he would rather see me wavering. He would rather me crawl into a shell than to provoke others unto love and good works. And as the day approaches, he seems to be working overtime. The apostle Paul even wrote about him…
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:15-25)
My worst enemy is me. Tuesday, while reading Proverbs 16, I got a solution for suppressing my worst enemy, even sending him into remission…
“When a man’s ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)
According to this verse, God’s Word, and God’s Word is truth, if my ways please the Lord, He can even make my enemies to be at peace with me. How can we please the Lord? Have 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)
And where do we get faith from? From God’s Word…
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
And how do we know if we have heard God’s Word? Think about your kids…
“Go clean your room!!!!!!!!!!”, you scream.
Is it clean? If it is clean, your kids heard.
God gives us things to do in the Bible. Are you reading your Bible on a daily basis. That would be a good place to start. Do you pray daily? The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. How about soul winning? He who winneth souls is wise. Do think it would be wise to leave a tract with the gas station attendant. How about sending a tract back in the “junk mail” you get. The postage is already paid for too. It’s all part of the Great Commission . Do you think it would be pleasing to God? We are to provoke one another to good works. Are you?
“When a man’s ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7)
Peace. (James 2:20)
Posted in The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl with no comments yet.
Moving On
Today’s Passage – Hebrews 5 – 9 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read – Psalms 91 – 95; Proverbs 19)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Isaiah 40:31
Read the “1219 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” – (Hebrews 6:1-2)
The foundation of a house is very important. In fact, it is the most important part of the house because if it is not strong, the rest of the structure will not be able to stand for very long. However, if we are going to have a complete house we must build on top of the foundation. So, in order to have a house, we have to build beyond the foundation.
Kindergarten and grammar school are also foundational in the process of education, but if a student is going to learn all that he needs to know in life, he will have to enter into middle school, then high school, and possibly even higher education. Now this does not mean that we will never re-visit the things that we learn in grammar school, for those truths are the building blocks for everything else that we are going to learn in life. A knowledge of basic mathematics is necessary in order to do algebra, geometry, calculus, and accounting. Similarly, the basics of grammar and word building are necessary in order to effectively and intelligently communicate on an adult level. small child who is only about two and a half years old likes to play with pretty simple toys. He can even content himself with spoons and spatulas, and pots and pans. However, he won’t enjoy these things for very long as he will want to move on to bigger and better things. His world will enlarge. He will move beyond the confines of the house, and begin to explore the back yard, and eventually he will enter into the world; exploring and learning about all that is out there. He will not stay a toddler forever.
The passage above from Hebrews 6 teaches us this same principle, but the application regards our spiritual life. Too many Christians never grow up beyond the foundational truths of salvation. Now don’t misunderstand me, I love thinking about my salvation, and I re-visit those foundational truths often, but I also moved on beyond those foundational principles. At the end of chapter five, Paul rebukes some of his readers for their lack of growth:
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” – (Hebrews 5:12-14)
Don’t stay a baby Christian. Grow up. Take those foundational principles of Christianity and incorporate them into a deeper walk with God. The only way that you will be able to do this is to be daily in the Word of God, and weekly in the services at your church where the Bible is preached and taught. Don’t miss any opportunity that comes your way that will help you grow up in the Lord. Take advantage of chances to participate and serve in the ministry. By serving, you are exercising and putting into practice what you learned in the classroom. There is no excuse for not growing, especially if you are part of a church that is flooding its members with opportunities to serve and grow. Get involved. Grow up in the Lord. Move on to bigger and better things spiritually.
PS – I need to warn you about one more thing. If you do decide to grow up and move on in your spiritual walk, you will be leaving behind some of your friends that will not choose to take that journey with you. That’s OK, though. You will find many more friends that will share your vision as you move further down the road. Don’t let anything or anybody hold you back from the journey of faith that God wants to bring you on.
Posted in Thoughts from Hebrews by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl
Today’s Passage – 1 Timothy 4 – 2 Timothy 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 76 – 80; Proverbs 16)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 121
Read the “1216 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous post from this morning’s reading passage – “Where Would Our Church Be Without the Young People“ and “Christian Growth“
Respect?
“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.” (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
Did you ever wonder why God had to include such simple, almost a ‘no brainer’ type instruction to live by? Having respect for other people should be taught at a young age and followed throughout our life.
In more recent days, I’ve notice that being disrespectful to others is starting with children younger and younger. I’ve seen and heard many disturbing things coming from children while shopping or just being out and about. Many times you see on the news of boys under the age of 13 robbing, killing and sexually molesting others. What happen to game playing, participating in sports, build a fort? Sounds crazy doesn’t it? It’s the same thing with preteen girls. They seem to be only interested in looking older and or sexy so they can ‘attract’ the boys. They not only are disrespecting themselves but their parents by rebelling. They listen to the ‘pop world’ and not their parents. But many times the parents are to blame.
Several years ago, I heard a great sermon on “Looking Forward to the Past”. It was about how the older generation looks to the younger generation to set up the standard instead of the elder.
“And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;” (1Kings 12:2-13)
The younger generation should always look to the past generation to set up the standards for the next generation.
Now in fairness, it almost seems cruel to blame the young people without pointing the finger to the older crowd. As parents we’ve dropped the ball.
“And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.” (Judges 2:10-12)
I’m sure most of you who are reading this blog, try hard, and with much prayer, to train up your own children to do right in the Lord. But we should also
consider inviting others to church so they can learn also.
Together let’s labor to expand the Kingdom of God and by example train up the young while respecting the old.
Thank You
Proverbs 22:6
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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)
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with 1 comment.
JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl
Today’s Passages – Galatians 4 – 6; (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalms 41 – 45; Proverbs 9)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 48:1 & 2
Read the “1209 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this passage – “The Schoolmaster“ and “Don’t Shoot the Messenger“
So, What’s Got You Ticked Off?
(Galatians 4:16) Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Paul was preaching to the Galatians that it’s not through their works, the way of salvation, but through faith. He tried to tell them that they are free from the bondage of works and that salvation is free through Christ, (doing righteous works are a result of salvation not a way to obtain it).
The Galatians had been taught a lie. The doctrines they learned, and the character of those who had led them astray, and by their own error, proved that Paul ceased to be their friend. People don’t want man to tell us of our faults. The reason is, it pains us and we makes us take a good hard look at ourselves. We do not like to have another person tell us how to act or what to do and so on. It’s just human nature for someone to dislike the one who tell us of our faults, or the faults of our families, as our friend. We love to be flattered and it’s painful to think we must repent. Then we stay away from whom is reproving us for our faults and become offended at the truth. Yet they is our best friend.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful,” (Proverbs 27:6)
We’ll resist the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who brings the truth to our heart, and to convict men of their sins.
How often have you gone to a church service and got mad at the Preacher because it seemed his sermon was about you? I have. Believe it or not, it’s what we needed, a message from God. When you get your electric or credit card bill, do you get mad at the mailman? Of course not! Sound silly? But that’s what we do when we gossip about the Preacher because of his sermon God gave him.
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:17)
Whose fault is it that the electric and credit card bill is high? We shut off lights and stop spending too much to rectify the bills. Shouldn’t we do the same with the preaching? Just saying.
If you’ve made the mistake of staying out of church because of a sermon, pray to God, ask for forgiveness and get back to church. Trust me, it will make your Pastor’s day.
Thank You
John 3:16
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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.)
Posted in Devotions by Pastor Ted Stahl with 1 comment.
JUST FOR LADIES – By Camille Stahl
Today’s Passages – 1 Corinthians 10 – 12 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)
(Second Milers also read –Psalms 6 – 10; Proverbs 2)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 18:3 & 46
Read the “1202 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from this passage – “Learn From The Past“, “Are You Unworthy?” and “Be Careful“
Who’s Your Daddy?
“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-6)
Our text starts off with the writer talking about the remembrance of the time when Israel first left Egypt. For four hundred years they prayed to be freed from the bondage of Egypt. They wanted to have the freedom to worship Jehovah God, and God answered their prayers. He send Moses who led them out to the mountain of God. On the way they passed on dry ground as the enemy drowned before their eyes. They witness the very presents of God in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud during the day. He fed them manner from Heaven and they drank the water from the rocks. But how quickly they forgot the very One who was with them each moment of the day.
“And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.” (Judges 2:10-14)
Now I would like to look at verse 6.
“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”
God has written His, road map / instructional book, the Bible. It is to guide us and protect us as the pillar of fire and cloud did for the children of Israel. He didn’t free His children from Egypt’s clutches without walking with them and showing them the way. Neither will He leave us to flounder to find our own way. We try to point our finger at Israel and wonder how they could form a calf of gold to worship it under the mountain of God. Are we not just like them? We have our gods we worship. Money, boats, jewelry, a sports team, other people and many more. These ‘gods’ keep us from serving the One True God. You ask how? Sports may keep you out of church because of playing or watching them. Riches may have you working a second or third job during church time to pay for them. Other people may entice you to stay out late on a Saturday night. Now you’re unable to get up for church the next day and even miss your devotion time.
All that said to say, we must be in our Bible daily to learn from the examples revealed to us. The Bible is our instruction to learn Evil’s crafty ways and avoid them. It’s our sword. Most would never dream of going anywhere without our cell phones. How then can we leave our home in the morning without spending time with God?
Together let’s fight the Devil until he goes where he belongs.
Thank You
Revelations 20:10
Posted in Just for Ladies by admin with no comments yet.
Thankful For Family and Friends
Today’s Passages – Romans 8 – 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)
Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1
Read the “1127 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Read previous posts from today’s reading passage – “Paul’s Motivation“ and “‘Whosoever’ Meaneth Me and ‘Preacher’ Meaneth Me, Too”
“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,” (Philippians 1:3)
Last night, as we were studying the Book of Romans during our Wednesday Evening Bible Study, I was reminded of the fact that one of the characteristics of our fallen nature is a lack of thanksgiving. Romans 1:21a states: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful;”. Selfishness and discontentedness come naturally to sinful men, but true thanksgiving, on the other hand, is supernatural, something that we can only get through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit of God within us. The carnal man sees himself as the center of the universe and is never satisfied or content with the way life treats him. Conversely, the spiritual man sees himself as a rotten sinner deserving of nothing but judgment, so much so that when he receives even the smallest blessing, he is thankful for it.
I have an awful lot to be thankful for today. God has truly blessed my life in so many ways. However, after carefully considering how awesome God has been to me, I have realized that the things that I am most thankful for are not things at all; they are people. God has brought into my life so many wonderful people. Not only has He given me an amazing wife and great children (and now grandchildren); God has also blessed me with many good friends that have been a tremendous source of encouragement and strength during the difficult seasons of life. You cannot place a value high enough for family and friends. If I were to lose all of the things that God has blessed me with, but still retained my friends and family I think I could still find happiness; but if I were to lose the people I think my life would be miserable.
To all of my family and friends, I would like to say “Thank You”; and please know that I truly appreciate the fact that God has brought you into my life.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.