Happy Friday

No Forwarding Address

                                                    Greg Laurie

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

It’s a subject most of us would like to avoid, and for good reason. Yet at the same time, I think it
is important for us to know the truth about this mysterious creature known as Satan, Lucifer, or
the devil.

On one hand, many seem to have an exalted view of him and ascribe far more power to him
than he really has. That is a mistake.

On the other hand, there are those who discount him altogether, even laughing at the idea of a
real devil. They imagine some character with horns that runs around in a red suit with pitchfork
in hand.

That, of course, is not what the Bible teaches. The devil is a fallen but powerful spirit being with a
well-organized network of demon forces.

When we become Christians, we recognize that there is right and wrong, good and evil. There
are standards to live by. So the devil begins to tempt us and tries to bring us down.

However, we shouldn’t focus on him. We should always be looking to God instead.

The Bible tells us, “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God
and He will draw near to you . . . ” (James 4:7–8).

If we are in a state of humble obedience to God, submitted to Him, we can resist the devil’s
temptations. God has put a protective hedge around every Christian and He will not let us be
tempted above our ability to resist (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Let’s not make the mistake of underestimating the adversary. He is real, and he is dangerous.
We would all be wise to flee temptation and not leave a forwarding address.

Let’s draw near to God and resist the devil.  

JESUS Is All The World To Me
Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, my Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them over and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, and true to Him I’ll be;
O how could I this Friend deny, when He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night;
Following Him by day and night, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend;
I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend, beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy, He’s my Friend.

Daily Smile:

It was the firs day of school, and the first grade teacher decided to see how much her students knew about math.
“Steven, can you tell me what is 3 and 2?” 

Steven said, “That’s when you should watch very, very carefully before you swing at the next pitch.”

Happy Thursday

Night Fear

The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall
be with me. Psalm 42:8

Recommended Reading: Psalm 4

Research shows that newborn babies have no fear of the dark. After all, they've just spent
nine months in the darkness of the womb. We put nightlights in the nursery so we can see
them, not so they'll be unafraid. But a strange thing happens as we start growing. Many
children develop night fears, imagining creatures outside their windows or monsters under
their beds. As we age, those nighttime fears become more sophisticated. Many of us
struggle every night with letting go of our worries so we can sleep.

Listen to what the Psalmist wrote: The day is Yours, the night also is Yours.... He who
keeps (you) shall neither slumber nor sleep.... I will both lie down in peace, and sleep, for
You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety... You will light my lamp; The LORD my God
will enlighten my darkness... I meditate on You in the night watches.... He gives His beloved
sleep. (Psalm 74:16; 121:4; 4:8; 18:28; 63:6; 127:2).

As Spurgeon said: "They slumber sweetly whom faith rocks to sleep. No pillow so soft as a
promise."

If the Lord's going to stay awake all night, I'm going to sleep! There's no use in us both
staying up!

Anonymous

Everyday With JESUS

Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.
Every day with Jesus, I love Him more and more;
Jesus saves and keeps me, and He's the One I'm waiting for.
Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.

Daily Smile:

A man walks into the psychiatrist’s office with a zucchini up his nose, a cucumber in his left ear, and a breadstick in his right ear. He says, “What is wrong with me?

The psychiatrist replies, “You are not eating properly.”

Happy Wednesday

Are You Led By Your Emotions?

August 15
So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him. But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. Romans 8:8-9
 
There are several definitions of the word "emotion".
According to Webster's dictionary, the root source of this term is the Latin "emovere", meaning to move away. I find that definition very interesting because that is what carnal, uncrucified emotions try to do—to move us to follow them away from or out of the will of God.

In fact, that is Satan's plan for our lives—to get us to live by our carnal feelings so we never walk in the Spirit. The dictionary also says that emotions are "a complex, usually strong subjective response . . . involving physiological changes as a preparation for action." That is true. Because of their complexity, emotions are not easy to explain, which sometimes makes dealing with them difficult.

For example, there are times when the Holy Spirit is leading us to do something, and our emotions become involved, so we get all excited about doing it. The emotional support helps us feel that God really does want us to do the thing. At other times, the Lord will move us to do a certain thing, and our emotions will not want anything to do with what God is revealing to us and asking us to do. They give no support at all. At those times it is harder to obey God.

We are very dependent upon emotional support. If we lack understanding about the fickle nature of emotions, Satan can use them—or the lack of them—to keep us out of God's will. I firmly believe that no person will ever walk in God's will—and ultimately in victory—if he takes counsel with his emotions.
From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2007 by Joyce Meyer.

Kum Ba Yah

Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Someone’s laughing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s laughing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s laughing, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Daily Smile:

Frank was madly in love with Susan, but couldn’t get up enough courage to pop the question face to face. Finally he decided to ask her on the telephone. “Darling! He blurted out, “Will you marry me?”

“Of course, I will, you silly boy,” she replied, “Who’s speaking?”

Happy Tuesday

Royalty Recognized 

READ: Philippians 2:5-11

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, . . . [and] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. —Philippians 2:10-11

As a kid, I loved watching the film Little Lord Fauntleroy. The story focuses on Cedric, a boy growing up in a poor home with his mother in Brooklyn. He discovers the stunning news that he is actually the direct descendant of the Earl of Dorincourt and the heir of a vast fortune. One day he’s a nobody playing “kick the can” on the streets of New York, and then suddenly he’s traveling through an English town to the cries of “Your lordship!” from adoring villagers. 

If you had seen Jesus playing in the streets of Nazareth as a boy, you wouldn’t have taken any special notice of Him (except that He probably wasn’t playing “kick the can”). If you had seen Him in the carpentry shop, you wouldn’t have had a clue about His deity. And if you had seen Him hanging on the cross, that horrific scene wouldn’t have enticed your heart to adore Him if you didn’t know what was behind it. 
 

But in His resurrection, Jesus revealed His true identity. He is the conquering King—ultimate royalty! Since “God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9), how much more should we adoringly worship Him who, in such surrendered humility, died so that He could become our victorious King! —Joe Stowell 


Behold Him there! The risen Lamb!
My perfect, spotless righteousness;
The great, unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace. —Bancroft

Recognize and respond to the royalty of God—worship Him!

'Tis So Sweet To Trust In JESUS
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Refrain

     Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
     How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
     Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
     O for grace to trust Him more!

O how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Refrain

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

Refrain

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

Refrain

Daily Smile:

Jeb and Jethro live in the hills, about 5 miles outside of town. Jeb asks Jethro to go in to town to pick up some lumber. Jethro walks the 5 miles to town to the local lumberyard.

"Jeb says we're gonna need some 4 x 2's" Jethro tells the yardman.

"Do you mean 2 x 4's?" asks the yardman.

"Well, I don't rightly know, I better go ask Jeb" says Jethro and walks the 10 miles to the hills and back to town.

"Jeb says we're gonna need 2 x 4's" Jethro tells the yardman.

"Now, how many 2 x 4's will you need?" asks the yardman.

"Well, I don't rightly know, I better go ask Jeb." says Jethro, and again walks the 10 miles to the hills and back to town.

"Jeb says were gonna need about 40 of 'em" Jethro tells the yardman.

"Now, how long will you need them?" asks the yardman.

"Well, I don't rightly know, I better go ask Jeb" says Jethro and yet again walks the 10 miles to the hills and back to town.

Upon returning Jethro says to the yardman, "Jeb says you better give 'em to us for a while . . . we're gonna build a barn."

Happy Monday

The Entrance of Error

Jude 4 gives us an ominous warning,

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."

Jude is giving us an idea of how the devil brings error into a church.  The key phrase is men have crept in unnoticed.  That phrase literally means to come alongside by stealth.  It pictures someone creeping in and coming alongside, like coming in through a side door.

The folks Jude is talking about look like everyone else, they talk like everyone else, but they are not like everyone else.

That is the way the devil brings error and false doctrine into the Church.  It looks like the truth, sounds good, seems like the truth, and it may even be partially true.  But there is enough poison in it to kill you.

It's like the guy who wanted to break into a used car lot to steal a bunch of auto parts.  The only problem was the two guard dogs.  So for the next week he showed up every night with some pieces of meat.

At first the dogs would bark like crazy, but after the man left, they would eat the meat.  By the end of the week, they didn't bark at all, they just wanted the meat.  So, having become familiar with the dogs, knowing that they wouldn't "sound the alarm," he approached them one last time-with poisoned meat.  The dogs ate, and he was able to get into the lot and steal all he wanted.

That is the way the devil does it a lot of times.  He sends someone among the believers in order to distract and detour them from the truth.  But it is calculated and happens by degrees.  Do not let your "inner alarm system" go silent through familiarity.

Beware of those who would move you away, even subtly, from the clearly revealed truth of God's Word.

Can The World See JESUS In You

Do we live so close to the Lord today,
Passing to and fro on life’s busy way,
That the world in us can a likeness see
To the Man of Calvary?

Refrain

     Can the world see Jesus in me?
     Can the world see Jesus in you?
     Does your love to Him ring true,
     And your life and service, too?
     Can the world see Jesus in you?

Do we love, with love to His own akin,
All His creatures lost in the mire of sin?
Will we reach a hand, whatsoe’er it cost,
To reclaim a sinner lost?

Refrain

As an open book they our lives will read,
To our words and acts giving daily heed;
Will they be attracted, or turn away
From the Man of Calvary?

Refrain

Daily Smile

A guy was walking beside a pond when a frog jumped out and told him that she was really a beautiful princess and if he were to kiss her, she would make him VERY happy! He picked up the frog and put it into his pocket.

A few minutes later, the frog poked her head out and said, "Didn't you hear me?! I'm a beautiful princess and if you kiss me I will stay with you and do ANYTHING you want!"

The guy took the frog out and said, "Look, I understand what you are saying, but I am a computer programmer and right now I don't have time for a girlfriend,........but a talking FROG is REALLY, REALLY COOL!"

Happy Sunday

The Bright and Morning Star

received August 18, 2009

"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." (Revelation 22:16)

The epilogue of Revelation contains many words of comfort to the believer. Our Lord promises, among other things, that "behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me" (v. 12), and "blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (v. 14). Likewise, there are many names for God given, such as "the Lord God of the holy prophets" (v. 6), "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (v. 13), and "the root and the offspring of David" (text). This rehearsal of names and deeds provides comfort, but why is Christ called the "bright and morning star"?

The analogy is to the planet Venus, so often seen shining brightly in the early morning. The sight of the planet provides a pledge of the coming day during which the light is brighter and the sight clearer. 

Likewise, however beautiful and awe-inspiring our perception is now by the light of our Bright and Morning Star, Jesus Christ, we are promised a more complete view. Although He has "shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6), and although Christ appeared as "the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person" (Hebrews 1:3), soon we shall see Him "face to face" (1 Corinthians 13:12) and even "be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). 

Our view now constitutes only the beginning of a clearer sight--a guarantee of the glorious day that has no night, when we shall see the King in all His beauty. There will even be no need of the sun, "for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof" (Revelation 21:23). JDM

O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
’Tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood availed for me.

He speaks, and, listening to His voice,
New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
The humble poor believe.

Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb,
Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Savior come,
And leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ your Head, you then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Glory to God, and praise and love
Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The church in earth and heaven.

On this glad day the glorious Sun
Of Righteousness arose;
On my benighted soul He shone
And filled it with repose.

Sudden expired the legal strife,
’Twas then I ceased to grieve;
My second, real, living life
I then began to live.

Then with my heart I first believed,
Believed with faith divine,
Power with the Holy Ghost received
To call the Savior mine.

I felt my Lord’s atoning blood
Close to my soul applied;
Me, me He loved, the Son of God,
For me, for me He died!

I found and owned His promise true,
Ascertained of my part,
My pardon passed in heaven I knew
When written on my heart.

Look unto Him, ye nations, own
Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone,
Be justified by grace.

See all your sins on Jesus laid:
The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.

Awake from guilty nature’s sleep,
And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep,
And wash the Æthiop white.

Harlots and publicans and thieves
In holy triumph join!
Saved is the sinner that believes
From crimes as great as mine.

Murderers and all ye hellish crew
In holy triumph join!
Believe the Savior died for you;
For me the Savior died.

With me, your chief, ye then shall know,
Shall feel your sins forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below,
And own that love is heaven.

Daily Smile:

Okay, so a Texan rancher comes upon a farmer from Maine. The Texan looks at the Mainer and asks, "Say, how much land you think you got here?" 

Mainer: 'Bout 10 acres I'd say." 

Texan (boasting): Well, on my lot, it takes me all day to drive completely around my property!" 

Mainer: "Yep, I got one of them trucks too."

Happy Saturday

I Saw JESUS

 

 I Saw Jesus Last Week. 
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt. 
He was up at the church building; 
He was alone and working hard. 
For just a minute he looked a little like one of our church members. 
But it was Jesus, I could tell by his smile. 

I saw Jesus last Sunday. 
He was teaching a Bible class. 
He didn't talk real loud or use long words, 
But you could tell he believed what he said. 
For just a minute, he looked like my Sunday School teacher. 
But it was Jesus, I could tell by his loving voice. 

I saw Jesus yesterday. 
He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick. 
They prayed together quietly. 
For just a minute he looked like our minister. 
But it was Jesus, I could tell by the tears in his eyes. 

I saw Jesus this morning. 
He was in my kitchen making my breakfast 
He then fixed me a special lunch to take with me. 
For just a minute he looked like my Mom. 
But it was Jesus, I could feel the love from his heart. 

I saw Jesus today. 
He was praying on his knees all alone. 
He then began to cry for those he prayed for. 
For just a minute he looked like a lady from our church. 
But it was Jesus, I could see the compassion poured out of his prayer. 

I saw Jesus the other day. 
He was at the grocery store talking to a friend. 
He then put his arms around them to comfort them. 
For just a minute he looked like a young mother in our ladies class. 
But it was Jesus, I could see the concern for others who hurt. 

I see Jesus everywhere, 
Taking food to the sick, 
Welcoming others to his home, 
Being friendly to a newcomer 
And for just a minute I think he's someone I know. 
But it's always Jesus, I can tell by the way he serves. 


Let someone see Jesus in us today. "As the Father has sent me, so send I you."

I Must Tell JESUS

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Refrain

     I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
     I cannot bear my burdens alone;
     I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
     Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles;
He is a kind, compassionate friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.

Refrain

Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior;
One Who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus;
He all my cares and sorrows will share.

Refrain

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the victory to win.

Refrain

Daily Smile

Two paramedics were dispatched to check on a 92-year-old man who had become disoriented. They decided to take him to the hospital for evaluation.
 En-route, with siren going, they questioned the man to determine his level of awareness. Leaning close, one asked, "Sir, do you know what we're doing right now?"
 The old man slowly looked up at him, then gazed out the ambulance window.
 "Oh," he replied, "I'd say about 50, maybe 55."

Happy Friday

Hang In There
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." - Psalm 56:3

On a day when there was no school, I took my nine-year-old granddaughter to the school playground to give her a chance to try playing on the bars. At the time, she was recovering from a fractured elbow and dislocated arm due to being kicked by a young horse. Her cast had recently been removed, but her arm was still weak, and she could not yet totally straighten it. Before her accident, she loved playing on the bars at school, so with permission from the doctor to do "anything a kid would do," we headed over to the climbing structure.

She climbed up on the middle bar, but then lost her nerve. She asked if I would help her get back down. Knowing that I would not be with her on a normal school day, I instead encouraged her to do it on her own. She moved back close to a post and hung on, just sitting there. I coached her on how to get down, and although she was afraid at first, by following my directions she made it back to the lower bar where she successfully did a flip upside down. Then she let go with her hands and, hanging by her knees, touched the ground. She was able to get down easily from there.

This experience reminded me of how God helps us through situations that seem overwhelming. When we face tasks that are frightening to us, we may not know what to do at first, and the fear of making a mistake can be paralyzing. If we will only remember that God wants us to be like children when we find ourselves in uncomfortable situations! When we feel unsure of ourselves, the Lord is always right beside us, encouraging us to keep pressing on. He may not come in and miraculously take away our trials; He wants us to grow and learn from these experiences. But He will be our guide and help us each step of the way. All we have to do is hang on tight and follow His instructions. 


Marching To Zion
Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
Join in a song with sweet accord
And thus surround the throne,
And thus surround the throne.

Refrain

      We’re marching to Zion,
      Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
      We’re marching upward to Zion,
     The beautiful city of God.

The sorrows of the mind
Be banished from the place;
Religion never was designed
Religion never was designed,
To make our pleasures less,
To make our pleasures less.

Refrain

Let those refuse to sing,
Who never knew our God;
But favorites of the heavenly King,
But favorites of the heavenly King
May speak their joys abroad,
May speak their joys abroad.

Refrain

The God that rules on high,
And thunders when He please,
Who rides upon the stormy sky,
Who rides upon the stormy sky,
And manages the seas,
And manages the seas.

Refrain

This awful God is ours,
Our Father and our Love;
He will send down his heav’nly powers,
He will send down his heav’nly powers,
To carry us above,
To carry us above.

Refrain

There we shall see His face,
And never, never sin!
There, from the rivers of His grace,
There, from the rivers of His grace,
Drink endless pleasures in,
Drink endless pleasures in.

Refrain

Yea, and before we rise,
To that immortal state,
The thoughts of such amazing bliss,
The thoughts of such amazing bliss,
Should constant joys create,
Should constant joys create.

Refrain

The men of grace have found,
Glory begun below.
Celestial fruits on earthly ground
Celestial fruits on earthly ground
From faith and hope may grow,
From faith and hope may grow.

Refrain

The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets
Before we reach the heav’nly fields,
Before we reach the heav’nly fields,
Or walk the golden streets,
Or walk the golden streets.

Refrain

Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground,
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground,
To fairer worlds on high,
To fairer worlds on high.

Refrain

Daily Smile

In my job with a credit union, I often run across accounts that are protected by password. The credit-union member, when withdrawing funds, must produce identification and then give the password to the teller. 

Recently, when I asked a woman for her password, she sighed, rolled her eyes and replied, "Save." 

I was puzzled until she explained, "My husband put in that password so I'd have to say it every time I make a withdrawal."

Happy Thursday

Don't Give Them Vinegar!

(Author Unknown)

 The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit.
 He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
 "These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained. Then he upset one and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out. 

 "When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed. Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for 'out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.'" (Luke 6:45) 

 What if someone tipped you over today?? 

 What would flow out?? 

 Would you reveal the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm? 

 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1Peter 4:8) 

 Have a terrific day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking for some honey - Don't give them vinegar!

"Often times God demonstrates His faithfulness in adversity by providing
for us what we need to survive.  We are never alone.

Whispering Hope

Soft as the voice of an angel,
Breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion
Whispers her comforting word:
Wait till the darkness is over,
Wait till the tempest is done,
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone.

Refrain

      Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
      Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

If, in the dusk of the twilight,
Dim be the region afar,
Will not the deepening darkness
Brighten the glimmering star?
Then when the night is upon us,
Why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over,
Watch for the breaking of day.

Refrain

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil for the soul,
Whither the Master has entered,
Robbing the grave of its goal.
Come then, O come, glad fruition,
Come to my sad weary heart;
Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,
Never, O never depart.

Refrain

Daily Smile

Eight Levels of Joy
 - Your metabolism changes so that you can lose weight eating chocolate. 

- You realize that your kid's report card was really a bad dream. 

- Your computer actually crashes when the technician is there. 

- You bought Amazon.com 10 years ago -- and held it. 

- Steven Speilberg calls your boss looking for you. 

- You haven't put on weight -- your clothes shrank. 

- Your child calls from college just to say hi. 

- The IRS loses your name.

Happy Wednesday

GOD Cares
"The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17

My garden was ugly and dreary. Soggy leaves and mud were everywhere and all I had left was blackened, frostbitten remains of what once had been beautiful flowers. Then, in the middle of all this, I caught sight of some lovely blue sweet-scented violets. They were the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal scene.

As I viewed the simple beauty of those flowers, I was reminded of something that had happened to me a number of years earlier. I had just received some devastating news, which weighed me down and crushed my heart. The days following were as dreary and damaged as my garden. I could see nothing good left in my life, only continuing to live from day to day with sorrow in my heart.

Even so, Jesus was looking down and saw my plight. One day, as I knelt at my bedside and poured out my heart to Him, I felt the presence of Jesus right in my room, and I knew He was by my side. He seemed to say, "I know all about it, and I care." He became the one bright spot that I could look to.

Those out-of-season flowers in my garden were a precious reminder to me of God's presence that day. Though many years have passed since then, tears of joy still come to my eyes when I think of the wonderful comfort God sent from above. No matter what trials I may go through, I know that He will always be with me, and that His beauty will show up in every situation.

If we are experiencing a difficult time right now, we can be comforted by remembering that Jesus knows all about it and, more importantly, He cares!

Softly And Tenderly, JESUS Is Calling

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Refrain

      Come home, come home,
      You who are weary, come home;
      Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
      Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

Refrain

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

Refrain

O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

Refrain

Daily Smile

Vicky was at a business conference. During a break, she decided to call home collect. Her six-year-old son picked up the phone and heard a stranger’s voice say, “We have Vicky on the line. Will you accept the charges?” 

Frantic, the six-year-old dropped the receiver and came charging outside screaming, “Dad! They have Mom! And they want money!”

Happy Tuesday

LONGINGS FULFILLED

1 Samuel 1:21-28 (NRSV)

The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear in the presence of the LORD, and remain there forever; I will offer him as a nazirite for all time." Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Do what seems best to you, wait until you have weaned him; only--may the LORD establish his word." So the woman remained and nursed her son, until she weaned him. When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh; and the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he is given to the LORD."She left him there for the LORD.

_________________________

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

-Proverbs 13:12 (NIV)

_________________________

AS I sat in the obstetrician's office, I felt heartbroken. For the second time, my husband and I had lost a baby through miscarriage. Our hope of starting a family was deferred again. Less than a year later, I was overjoyed when God fulfilled my longing and gave us a son.

While reading 1 Samuel 1, I identified with Hannah's desire to have children. Pouring out her heart to the Lord, she prayed for years that God would bless her with a son. She eventually conceived and gave birth to a son, Samuel. "I prayed for this child," she said, "and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:27-28).

Hannah's story reminds me that my child is a gift that I should continually surrender to the Lord. It would have been easy for Hannah to keep Samuel to herself after years of hoping for a child. But she offered him back, in thanksgiving and praise, to serve the Lord.

Indeed, all of our fulfilled hopes are gifts from God and reminders that all we have comes from and belongs to the Lord. Our proper response to God is gratitude and surrender.

Prayer:Thank you, God, for prayers you have answered and longings you have fulfilled. Help us to remember your grace and faithfulness and to respond to your blessings by making them an offering of love to you. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Every fulfilled hope is a gift from God.

Kelley Brown

My Faith Looks Up To Thee
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream over me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

Daily Smile

A man gets pulled over by the police for speeding. The cop walks up to the car and says to the driver, “Sir, did you know that you were going 60 miles an hour?" 

The driver says, "Officer, there is no way I could have been going 60 miles an hour!" 

The cop says, “Really! Why is that? 

The driver replies," I could not have been going 60 miles an hour because I've only been out driving for 25 minutes."

HAPPY MONDAY

Repentance by Sumner Wemp

"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" Luke 13:5.

What is repentance? It was my privilege to major in Greek in seminary. The Greek word "metanoia," repentance, means "change of mind." Meta, like in metamorphosis means to change and noia like in paranoid, means mind. 

God must change their minds "The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, be patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth" 2 Tim. 2:24, 25. God must give them repentance, change their minds. 

God gets the glory What a difference it makes when in preaching, teaching or reaching the lost when we understand that. You and I cannot make them see the truth or change their minds. God must do that. When we depend on Him to open their eyes and change their minds so He gets the credit and glory, He will do it more for you. 

Acknowledge the truth He gives repentance "to the acknowledging of the truth" not to "turning from their sin." It is so vital in witnessing. I have seen it hundreds and hundreds of times. You witness to someone and they think they are good people and haven't done anything bad and you say, "We are all in the same boat, we have all sinned, haven't we?" They always admit they too have sinned. They repent and "acknowledge the truth." 

Not by our works Most people think they are saved if they do enough good deeds. When you share the gospel and tell how the Lord Jesus died for our sins, paid our debt in full and rose again, God opens their eyes and see it is not their works but Christ's work on the cross that pays our sins, They then, repent and "acknowledge the truth." 

What are you going to do about it Now, the question is, "What are you going to do about it?" They must believe and receive the Lord Jesus to be saved and THEN will they turn from their sins because they are born again, not to become born again. There is a vast difference.

Prayer:  Father, help us to depend on the Holy Spirit to do His work of conviction, convincing and conversion. In Jesus name. You are loved by God and me, ABC, sumner

Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Refrain

      Savior, Savior,
      Hear my humble cry;
      While on others Thou art calling,
      Do not pass me by.

Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.

Refrain

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

Refrain

Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?

Refrain

Daily Smile

The preacher stopped in the middle of his powerful sermon to ask, "Who is GOD, anyway?"

From the back of the church, a little boy said, "GOD is a chauffeur."

"WHY do you say that?" asked the preacher.

"Because," said the boy, "HE drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden."

Happy Sunday

Protecting
If you make the Most High your dwelling-even the LORD, who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Psalm 91:9-11

John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. On one particular night, a band of hostile, violent natives surrounded the mission to burn out the Paton family, destroy their possessions, and kill them. Throughout the entire terror-filled ordeal, John Paton and his wife were on their knees earnestly praying that God would deliver them from harm.

When morning arrived, they were amazed and grateful to see their attackers had left. The Patons knew their prayers had been answered, but were puzzled as to what specifically had driven the natives away. Only a year later, John Paton led the chief of the tribe who had come to hunt and kill his family into a relationship with Christ.

Still fresh on his heart and mind, Paton decided he would discuss that horrific night with the chief. He asked what had kept him and his men from burning down his house and killing his family. The chief replied in surprise, “Who were all those me there with you?” Paton never knew any men were present and explained this to the chief. But the chief said he and his men were afraid to attack and ran away because they had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with their swords drawn circling the mission.

God’s power is real. And his heavenly army is real. We often don’t think about the reality of His supernatural power and the angels that protect us, but as Christians we are shielded from danger every day. Isn’t it comforting to know that God has His army surrounding and protecting us from evil every day of our Christian life?

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for His mighty protection on your life. Ask Him to continue to keep His hedge of protection around you and your family, so that the Evil One won’t have a chance to  come in to kill, steal, and destroy.

Keep Me Ever Close To Thee

Source from whence the stream of mercy
Like a river flows to me,
With Thy cords of love so tender
Bind and keep me close to Thee.

Refrain

     Keep me ever close to Thee,
     Blessèd Savior, dear to me,
     With Thy cords of love so tender

     Bind and keep me close to Thee;
     Keep me ever close to Thee,
     Blessèd Savior, dear to me,
     Bind and keep me close to Thee.

There my life, my hope and comfort,
There a refuge for my soul,
When the clouds hang darkly round me,
And the distant surges roll.

Refrain

There in holy, sweet communion
With Thy Spirit day by day,
Faith to realms of light and glory
Bears my raptured soul away.

Refrain

Close to Thee, O Savior, keep me,
Till I reach the shining shore,
Till I join the raptured army,
Shouting joy forevermore.

Refrain

 

Daily Smile

Three Pastors in the south were having lunch in a diner. One said "Ya know, since summer started I've been having trouble with bats in my loft and attic at church. I've tried everything--noise, spray, cats--nothing seems to scare them away.
      
      Another said "Yea, me too. I've got hundreds living in my belfry and in the narthex attic. I've even had the place fumigated, and they won't go away."
      
      The third said, "I baptized all mine, and made them members of the church... Haven't seen one back since!!!"

Happy Saturday

Ignoring The Message

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:14-15

There was once a ranger in the Yellowstone National Park that led a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the various flowers and animals in the park, that he ignored the messages coming through his two-way radio.

They soon became distracting while he was talking, so he just switched his radio off. But as the group neared the tower at the top of the mountain, they were met by a nearly breathless lookout. He asked why the ranger hadn’t responded to any of the messages on his radio.

A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were frantically trying to warn them of the danger that followed. When we ignore the message God sends, we put ourselves, our loved ones, and those around us in danger. It is so important to keep constant communication with the Lord.

Are there those around you who don’t know of the danger that lies ahead if they aren’t believers in Jesus? Do they know that Satan stalks them day and night looking to devour them? As believers, it is our responsibility to make sure others know of the most important message in the world—the saving knowledge of Jesus!

The message is clear and should be passed along with urgency. Warn those you love of what awaits them if they don’t answer the call of Jesus. Open the lines of communication and seek to be a witness to others toward the path of righteousness.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the right opportunities for you to share Christ with those in your life that aren’t believers. Pray that He will give you the words to say and the answers to give as you share the message of hope and truth.

Great is Thy faithfulness

1. "Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
   There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
   Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
   As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
• "Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
    Morning by morning new mercies I see;
  All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
      "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!
2. Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
   Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
   Join with all nature in manifold witness
   To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
   Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
   Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
   Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
© 1923. Ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Co., Carol Stream, IL 60188 www.hopepublishing.com All rights reserved.  Used by permission.

Daily Smile 
Reasons churches don't ask clown ministries to return:
      
      1. They force people to smile during the 8 am service.
      2. It's hard to say with dignity, "The sermon today will be given by Brother Umpa-Doody."
      3. Whoopee cushions inevitably appear under pew cushions
      4. Sermons take a lot longer when they are in pantomime.
      5. Many denominations do not recognizeReasons Churches Don't Ask Clown Ministries to Return seltzer water baptism.
      6. Dribble glasses used during the communion service.
      7. They have to pay janitors extra to get all of the silly string off the ceiling.
      8. The kids pop their balloons during closing prayer.

Happy Friday

Does Jesus Make A Difference?

”Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to His word;  instead, put it into practice.”  James 1:22


" Let your Light shine before men... that they might see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven " Matthew 5:15

" If you were placed in a courtroom and accused of being a Christian, Would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

--- Carrie P. Boston --- Ohio

It is important to listen to what God's Word says, but it is much more important to obey it, to 'do' what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it has on our behavior and attitudes. Do you put into action what you have studied?

If Christ doesn't make any difference in my ethics and values at my job; if He doesn't affect my speech and attitudes toward coworkers; ... if He makes absolutely no difference in the way I live and work, then pray tell, what difference does He make?! What's the point of playing a religious game that is all talk and no action?

I take the matter of obedience as an action quite seriously. I challenge you to do the same. Whenever you're exposed to Scripture, ask yourself: How can I apply this to my life? What practical thing can I do to embed this truth in my attitude, character, and behavior? Where does it need to make a difference? That's a commitment to life-change.

How do we find God and grow in Him? Jesus was adamant at this point. He says we must do what he says. We must put into practical obedience the knowledge that we have. He continually asked people to drop their nets, to sell all they had and to follow Him.

We might say that Jesus had a theology of obedience. And the object of this obedience was a living person, not a historical norm, not a code of laws, but himself. He called people to be accountable to God whether they were believers or skeptics who were searching.

For example, he told his disciples, "What is the point of calling me, ‘Lord, Lord,' without doing what I tell you to do?"

Jesus knew that obedience to his and his Father's words yielded faith ... If I had to sum up one's response to the gospel message, I would say as William Pannell has said, "It's paint -- or get off the ladder." Jesus approached people exactly like that. He told them to pick up their brush and paint something.

Fred Gibbs
From the "Abundant Bible Study Devotional List"

My Faith Looks Up To Thee
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary, Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray, take all my guilt away,
O let me from this day be wholly Thine!

May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee,
Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!

While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread, be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to day, wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray from Thee aside.

When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream over me roll;
Blest Savior, then in love, fear and distrust remove;
O bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!

Daily Smile

From a passenger ship, everyone can see a bearded man on a small island who is shouting and desperately waving his hands. 

"Who is it?" a passenger asks the captain. 

"I've no idea. Every year when we pass, he goes nuts."

Happy Thursday

Resting Tomorrow or Borrowing Trouble?

Devotional thought from the messages of Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION:
Psalm 116:7 - “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.”

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I heard of a woman who woke up her husband because she thought she heard a burglar downstairs. He went down with a flashlight and was shining it around. Sure enough, there was a burglar in their home. He said, “Hold it right there. I’ve got a gun on you.”

He picked up the phone and dialed the police. “And another thing,” he said, “Before you go, I want my wife to come down here and meet you. She’s been looking for you for 24 years.”

A lot of people are that way. They borrow trouble by anticipating or worrying about what may happen. What you need to do is stop looking to yesterday in guilt or anticipating tomorrow with anxiety.

ACTION POINT:
Simply rest in the day the Lord has given you today.

Down At The Cross

Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

      Glory to His Name, glory to His Name:
      There to my heart was the blood applied;
      Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within;
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in;
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Come to this fountain so rich and sweet,
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today, and be made complete;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain

Daily Smile

"You know you are getting old when you stoop to tie your shoes and wonder what else you can do while you're down there."