TGIF - Thank Goodness It's Friday

Happy Friday...

Lower back is still a little sore, but feeling better and moving a little faster...I am focused on making up for lost time... Sorry about missing Thursday's Devotional... I have a good one today and most will agree that I had a good reason to Grumble, but found that even in pain there was much to be grateful about... 

I knew the pain would finally work through, it had so many times before... The heavy afternoon rain did little to dampen my spirit and walking through the puddles made me feel young again... 

Richard

Grumbling or Grateful?

BIBLE MEDITATION: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
One day a preacher was riding on a train. He saw a well-dressed man and magnificently dressed woman with expensive jewelry. The woman was complaining about everything – the train ride, the weather, the news, the food, the service.

The preacher decided to engage this couple in a conversation. He asked the man what kind of business he was in and the man told him. Then he asked, “And what does your wife do?”

The man replied, “Oh, she’s in the manufacturing business. She manufactures her own unhappiness.”

You know, there are a lot of people like that today. They manufacture their own misery because they fail to be grateful. Only Christ can turn our lives around and stir up a grateful heart within us.

ACTION POINT:
Go through the alphabet and thank the Lord for something beginning with each letter and choose to be grateful.

Daily Smile:

Two peanuts where walking down the road and one was a salted!

My Whistling Hymn Of The Moment:

Glorious is Thy name, O Lord
1.
Blessed Savior, we adore Thee
We Thy love and grace proclaim:
Thou art mighty, thou art holy,
Glorious is Thy matchless name!

Chorus:
Glorious,
   (Glorious is Thy name, O Lord!)
Glorious,
   (Glorious is Thy name, O Lord!)
Glorious is Thy name, O Lord!
Glorious,
   (Glorious is Thy name, O Lord!)
Glorious,
   (Glorious is Thy name, O Lord!)
Glorious is Thy name, O Lord!

2.
Great Redeemer, Lord and Master,
Light of all eternal days;
Let the saints of ev'ry nation
Sing Thy just and endless praise!

3. From the throne of heaven's glory
To the cross of sin and shame.
Thou didst come to die a ransom
Guilty sinners to reclaim!

Happy Tuesday & Wednesday

Good Morning Readers,

     Thought I had sent this one Tuesday Morning... So Sorry...

     I have been having considerable pain in my lower back this week... I have a Doctor's appointment Friday week... Aug., 17th is also the deadline for the September paper... Praying I can make my deadline...

Happy Wednesday,

Richard

Coming Back by Luann Prater "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.'" Luke15:18-19 (ESV) Kay was a prodigal. She had been stunningly beautiful, but now her beauty was hollow and worn. Downcast with shoulders slumped, she walked through the doors of her childhood church. Heads turned and steely whispers followed her as she made her way to the front of the church during an invitation. She fell to her knees at the altar. A group gathered around her and prayed for what seemed like an eternity. She slowly rose to her feet and was asked, "Did you pray through?" to which the weary wanderer replied, "I think so." I don't remember ever seeing Kay back in church again. In my small town church the phrase "pray through" was synonymous with striving, straining, and working to find grace and deliverance. When I became a prodigal myself and wanted desperately to find answers and deliverance, I remembered the forlorn look of Kay and decided to keep wandering. It just seemed easier than trying to "pray through" somehow. Have you been wandering through life looking for answers? Do you long to return to the Father after being far away but hesitate, wondering how you will make it back to Him and what it will cost you? When coming "back home" we often have the same mentality as the prodigal son in our key verses, Luke 15:18-19: "'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.'" Feeling worn down and unworthy, we come to our Heavenly Father thinking we have to work like hired servants to earn our place. After many years, I discovered that forgiveness and salvation aren't chores for us to labor over. They are tremendous free gifts from an amazing God! How incredibly liberating to know that Jesus offers these to any and all who believe on His name. Jesus says, "Come to me." Period. It really isn't any more complicated than that. He loves you. He has been waiting for you and He welcomes you with open arms. We don't have to work for forgiveness or "pray through" like those well-meaning people in my childhood church felt the need to do. God's heart for us is the same as the prodigal son's father in Luke 15:20. "So he [the prodigal son] got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" (NIV). When you come to Jesus, or when you allow Him to walk through the doors of your heart, no pleading or striving is necessary, only faith that His salvation and grace are your gifts. No need to "pray through." He is watching, willing and waiting to receive you. Dear Lord, thank You for giving us the gift of salvation through Your Son Jesus Christ. Today I come to You and believe that You are my Savior. I ask You to come into my heart and forgive me. Help me to live in the freedom that You promised to give. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Daily Smile:

NOW, Where'd That Ball Go?
"How was your golf game, dear?" asked Jack's wife Tracy.

"Well, I was hitting pretty well, but my eyesight's gotten so bad, I couldn't see where the ball went."

"You're seventy-five years old, Jack!" admonished his wife. "Why don't you take my brother Scott along?"

"But he's eighty-five and doesn't even play golf anymore," protested Jack.

"Yes, but he's got perfect eyesight and can watch your ball for you," Tracy pointed out.

The next day Jack teed off with Scott looking on. Jack swung and the ball disappeared down the middle of the fairway. "Did you see where it went?" asked Jack.

"Yup," Scott answered.

"Well, where is it?" yelled Jack, peering off into the distance.

"I forgot."

Happy Monday

My Weakness

When General Lee came up the road toward Gettysburg, there was a German lady named Hannah, who tried to protect her town. She grabbed a broom and stood in the middle of the road to block the Southern Army. With smiles the Confederates gently moved her to the side.

Years later, Hannah explained, "I didn't think I could do anything, but I wanted them to know what side I was on."

Last month, up around Anchorage, Alaska, an 85-year-old lady, Dorothea Murphy showed the world whose side she was on.

Taking his golden retrievers with him, her husband, a retired bush pilot, had gone out for a walk. He hadn't gone far before the dogs alerted, and he spotted a moose. At the same time the moose spotted him.

The husband, George, dove into a snow bank for protection. It didn't help much. The moose started to stomp him.

That's when 97-pound, 5-foot-tall Dorothea went into action. She grabbed a grain shovel and started to hit the moose. She hit the moose in the body and in the head, and the moose beat a retreat.

Understand, hitting a moose with a shovel is not a recommended practice in Alaska -- or anywhere else. Even so, Dorothea felt she had to show whose side she was on.

It was sort of like Moses at Pharaoh's court, King David standing before the giant Goliath or the apostles taking their first steps to bring the story of the Savior's salvation to the Roman world.

Each of these had to show whose side they were on.

I guess anyone who has really seen the commitment and compassion, the surrender and the sacrifice of the Savior cannot remain unmoved. That's why when the chips are down and a challenge presents itself, the Holy Spirit empowers us to action -- to do what is necessary so we might show whose side we are on.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have told us to take a stand for the Saviors who gave His life, so we might be forgiven and saved. There are times when taking that stand can be mighty intimidating. At such moments, replace our fear with a desire to show the world whose side we are on. This I pray in my Savior's Name. Amen.

Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries

Daily Smile:

An engineer dies and reports to the pearly gates. St. Peter checks his dossier and says, "Ah, you're an engineer — you're in the wrong place." So the engineer reports to the gates of hell and is let in. Pretty soon, the engineer gets dissatisfied with the level of comfort in hell, and starts designing and building improvements. After a while, they've got air conditioning, flush toilets and escalators, and the engineer is becoming a pretty popular guy. One day God calls Satan up on the telephone and asks with a sneer, "So, how's it going down there in hell?" 

Satan replies, "Hey, things are going great. We've got air conditioning, flush toilets and escalators, and there's no telling what this engineer is going to come up with next."

God replies, "What??? You've got an engineer? That's a mistake — he should never have gotten down there; send him up here." 

Satan says, "No way! I like having an engineer on the staff, and I'm keeping him." 

God says, "Send him back up here or I'll sue." 

Satan laughs uproariously and answers, "Yeah right. And just where are YOU going to get a lawyer?"

Happy Sunday

TWO GREAT SNARES By JOHN McKAY, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 29:25; John 12:42-43
John Knox had every reason to fear men (or the women who were the Romanist Queens of Scotland). Indeed he was arrested for treason. The great Scottish reformer preached the doctrines of salvation by grace through faith in the merit of Christ's blood shed at Calvary. He denounced the mass, as idolatry. Did he fear the human powers that had killed previous reformers? He may have had some hidden fears of men, but he did not let that stop him from the work that needed to be done. As one has written of him and the reformation in Scotland, "It was the victory of the people under the leadership of a brave and true man, against the combined forces of a queen, a court, and a powerful nobility."

Surely it was not for the praise of men that he suffered slavery, exile, torment, threats, arrest, and stress. We prefer to believe that John Knox suffered for the Lord Jesus Christ. We are convinced that he did not fall into the snares mentioned in our texts.

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." We should know God so well that we will not fear men. Sometimes being afraid of what men think, or will say, will deter us from saying or doing what we ought to say or do.

" ... among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him (the Lord Jesus), lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God." Don't let the fear of men or the love of their praise keep you from the will of God! 

Daily Smile:

Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son. "Wake up, son. It's time to go to school!" 

"But why, Mom? I don't want to go." 

"Give me two reasons why you don't want to go." 

"Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me, too!" 

"Oh, that's no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready." 

"Give me two reasons why I should go to school." 

"Well, for one, you're 52 years old. And for another, you're the Principal!"

Happy Saturday

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER TODAY by C. R. Stam

Grace and faith are the characteristic features of the present dispensation. Not only is salvation now declared to be by grace, through faith, but the Spirit also operates in the believer by grace, through faith. He does not take possession of us and cause us to do what is right, but dwells within each believer (I Cor. 6:19) to provide needed guidance and the strength to withstand temptation, and we may avail ourselves of this provision by faith.

The Spirit, Who first imparted life to us will also impart strength to withstand temptation and overcome sin. In our inability to even pray as we ought, "the Spirit... helpeth our infirmities" and "maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:26). In our weakness we are "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph. 3:16) and God even stoops to "quicken [our] mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in us" (Rom. 8:11).

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (Ver. 12).

The implication from the above passage is that though sorely tempted we are debtors to the Spirit who dwells within and provides overcoming power.

The question, in times of temptation, is generally whether we truly desire to overcome, for we may overcome in any given case by grace, through faith. In the present dispensation it is not true that it is not possible for the believer to sin, but it is blessedly true that in any situation it is possible for him not to sin, for the Spirit is always there to help. 

Daily Smile:

A police officer sees a man driving around with a pickup truck full of penguins. He pulls the guy over and says, "You can't drive around with penguins in this town! Take them to the zoo immediately."

The guy says okay, and drives away. The next day, the officer sees the guy still driving around with the truck full of penguins -- and they're all wearing sunglasses. He pulls the guy over and demands, "I thought I told you to take these penguins to the zoo yesterday?"

The guy replies, "I did. Today I'm taking them to the beach!" 

Happy Friday

Today's Discussion - Salvation

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved – Acts 4:12

In the last two days we have looked at the seriousness of sin and at the urgent need for repentance. Unrepentant sin leads to an everlasting lake of fire.

But where is salvation found? It is not found even in our repentance or good works, because we could never be good enough to please a perfect God. It is not found in sincerity alone, because many religions and philosophies are sincere and yet diametrically opposed to each other. Where can salvation be found?

It is found only in the perfect person and work of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. By His perfect life, selfless and substitutionary death, and powerful resurrection Jesus proved Himself to be what He claimed to be during His life — the one, true God. Salvation is found in Him alone because He alone is able and willing to save us from our sins.

Have you felt the weight of your sins? Have you been convinced of your inability to find any lasting joy, satisfaction, or forgiveness on your own? Then rush into the arms of the One in Whom salvation is found. There is no other name under heaven, whereby we must be saved, than Jesus Christ. But that name is sufficient to wipe away every sin and to save us completely from our guilt and shame.

Daily Smile:

 Seems an elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for a number of years.

He went to the doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear 100%. The elderly gentleman went back in a month to the doctor and the doctor said, "Your hearing is perfect. Your family must be really pleased you can hear again."

To which the gentleman said, "Oh, I haven't told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations. I've changed my will five times!"

Happy Thursday

Today's Discussion - Repentance

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent – Revelation 3:19

Are you right now living in rebellion against God? Do you have sin in your life, that you know is displeasing to God, and yet you still have not confessed or turned from it? So often we put off the vital act of repentance by justifying or excusing our sin to ourselves.

Why? Why do we postpone repentance? Maybe it is because of the embarrassment and shame of coming before God and acknowledging our particular sin…perhaps for the second, or tenth, or hundredth time. Another possibility is that, because of the guilt we feel, we have begun to dread prayer and even begun to think of God as mean or tyrannical. Closely related to this is also the excuse that this particular sin does not seem to be all that dangerous, or wrong, or harmful.

But God tears away all of these excuses when He tells us that His commandments—and even His rebukes and chastening—are for our good, because He loves us. For this reason, we shouldn't feel reluctant to admit our sin to Him — He already knows about it and it is He who is drawing us away from it. Also, we can know with certainty that the restraints that His commandments put on us are for our good, to keep us from the real harm and deep sorrow of sin.

It is out of love that God corrects us with His word, the Bible; it is out of love that He warns us against every sin; and it is because of love that He is willing even to chasten us, if that is what it will take to yank us out of our sin. Our trials, our conscience, the admonition of our godly friends — God uses these things to wean us, to confront us, to awaken us regarding our sins. Such enduring love on His part should inspire zealous repentance on our part. "Be zealous therefore, and repent."

Daily Smile: 

 When Albert Einstein was making the rounds of the speaker's circuit, he usually found himself eagerly longing to get back to his laboratory work. One night as they were driving to yet another rubber-chicken dinner, Einstein mentioned to his chauffeur (a man who somewhat resembled Einstein in looks & manner) that he was tired of speechmaking.

"I have an idea, boss," his chauffeur said. "I've heard you give this speech so many times. I'll bet I could give it for you." Einstein laughed loudly and said, "Why not? Let's do it!" When they arrive at the dinner, Einstein donned the chauffeur's cap and jacket and sat in the back of the room. The chauffeur gave a beautiful rendition of Einstein's speech and even answered a few questions expertly.

Then a supremely pompous professor asked an extremely esoteric question about anti-matter formation, digressing here and there to let everyone in the audience know that he was nobody's fool. Without missing a beat, the chauffeur fixed the professor with a steely stare and said, "Sir, the answer to that question is so simple that I will let my chauffeur, who is sitting in the back, answer it for me."

Happy Wednesday

Today's Discussion - Sin and Its Effects

The fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death – Revelation 21:8

In our day, we have so minimized sin that we have become almost numb to its pervasive influence in our lives and in our society. Not believing Jesus Christ, worshiping material things, sexual sin, witchcraft, lying and deception…even murder — these have become so commonplace in our society that we run great risk of thinking that God is just as ambivalent toward our wickedness as we are.

But here, in this end-of-the-world revelation, we are reminded that "hell-fire and brimstone" sermons, while not always preached the right way or for the right reasons, certainly have clear foundation in Scripture. No matter how callused we become to personal sin, no matter how well we may be able to justify it to ourselves or others, no matter how much society may condone or excuse it —God assures us that the end of persistent, unrepentant sin is an everlasting lake of fire.

Our God, we are reminded, is not only love. He is truth (John 4:24), He is light (1 John 1:5), and He is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). If we desire to have fellowship with Him, then, we cannot walk in our own way; we must walk in His light (1 John 1:6).

The wonderful news of the gospel is that the Way that we need, the Truth that we need, the Light that we need is all found in the person of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Do not rest in your sins, but do not trust in your good works, either. Salvation is only found in Jesus.

Daily Smile:

 Quick Wit: 
A police officer in a small town stopped a motorist who was speeding down Main Street.
"But officer." the man began, "I can explain,". 

"Just be quiet," snapped the officer. "I'm going to let you cool your heels in jail until the chief gets back..." 

"But officer, I just wanted to say...." 

"And I said to keep quiet! You're going to jail!" 

A few hours later the officer looked in on his prisoner and said, "Lucky for you that the chief is at his daughter's wedding. He'll be in a good mood when he gets back." 

"Don't count on it," answered the fellow in the cell. "I'm the groom."

Happy Tuesday

Thought for Today

"Twenty years ago, the question: 'Does television shape our culture or merely reflect it?' held considerable interest for many scholars and social critics. The questions have largely disappeared as television has gradually become our culture." - Patrick Michele


T-R-A-V-E-L
(Author Unknown)

Inmate Mitchell King had a visitor -- his wife. King was serving a six-year jail term in Auckland, New Zealand for armed robbery. But his wife didn't want to be away from him for that long. So they held hands. And they stuck. She'd rubbed her palms with Super Glue. Their new-found closeness was short-lived. And their separation painful. Her technique is not one I'd recommend for a closer relationship.

But if you want more closeness; if you desire relationships that are deeper and broader, more meaningful and longer-lasting, then remember the word "travel."

T is for TRUST 
Trust is the glue that holds people together (not Super Glue). A relationship will go nowhere without it.

R is for RESPECT 
"Do not save your loving speeches for your friends till they are dead; do not write them on their tombstones, speak them rather now instead," writes Anna Cummins. It's about respecting others and letting them know that you value them.

A is for AFFECTION
Love - genuine love and care is a key.

V is for VULNERABILITY 
Though we may feel afraid to let another too close, no relationship will go anywhere without risking vulnerability. Entrepreneur Jim Rohn says, "The walls we build around us to keep out the sadness also keep out the joy." And the love.

E is for EMOTIONAL INTIMACY 
Learn to be open. Learn to communicate freely. What kinds of relationships you make are largely determined by how openly you have learned to communicate.

L is for LAUGHTER 
Victor Borge got it right when he said, "Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." It's also the most enjoyable.

For relationships that can really go somewhere, just remember the word "travel." Make sure the relationship is one that God wants for you. Then enjoy the trip!

Daily Smile:

Too helpful

Working for a Judge in a common pleas court, I saw many criminal defendants. One man facing drug charges proved unusually helpful.
To determine the exact quantity of the illegal substance allegedly sold, the judge asked the prosecutor how many grams there are in an ounce.

As both attorneys checked their notes, the defendant, who had not yet entered his plea, proudly announced, "There are 28.3 grams in an ounce, your honor." 

His attorney advised him to plead guilty.

Happy Monday

Thought for Today

"The greatest need in the world is the transformation of human nature. We need a new heart that will not have lust and greed and hate in it. We need a heart filled with love and peace and joy, and that is why Jesus came into the world. He died on the cross to make peace between us and God and to change us from within by His Spirit. He can change you, if you will turn to Him in repentance and faith." - Billy Graham


For You and For Me by Roy Irwin

You may find this hard to believe, but just about everyone has a scar somewhere on their body. And with every scar there is a story to go with it.

I learned this lesson at a gathering where most of the people did not know one another very well and appeared to have little in common. As you might expect, there was a lot of small talk as each person more or less kept to themselves. Then the hostess introduced an 'Ice Breaker' - a question meant to jump-start the conversation by getting everyone to participate. Each person was asked to share their personal "scar story" - a story about how they got a scar.

As we went around the room everyone shared their particular story; some were funny, some very serious. But with each story we learned more about the person. It became obvious that everyone had more in common than was first thought and the walls that had once separated us began to disappear, bringing us closer together as a group.

As I was remembering that meeting I was reminded of my own scars. I have three: one on my foot caused when running barefoot in a field as a child; one on my forehead from a college prank - it becomes more noticeable each year as my hair becomes less noticeable; and one on my hand, caused in a moment of anger just a few years ago...

For every scar there is also the memory of the pain that went with it.

I was trying to imagine what it would be like if Jesus shared about His scars. About how He was mocked and beaten. About how He suffered the cruelest form of death by being nailed to a cross. About how He lived a sinless life yet would bear your sins and mine. About how He knew since the beginning of time those events would take place, yet He came, willingly, to take our place - paying a debt He didn't owe because we owed a debt we couldn't pay - removing the sin that separates us from God.

One day we will see Jesus face to face. We will see His scars and know the truth from Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (NIV)

For you and for me.

"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you loving us so much that you were willing to die for us so that we could live with you for all eternity. Help us to see the world through the scars in your hands. Help us to live each day for you. Amen."

Daily Smile:

The Atheist and the Shark

There is this atheist swimming in the ocean. All of the sudden he sees this shark in the water, so he starts swimming towards his boat.
As he looks back he sees the shark turn and head towards him. His boat is a ways off and he starts swimming like crazy. He's scared to death, and as he turns to see the jaws of the great white beast open revealing its teeth in a horrific splendor, the atheist screams, "Oh God! Save me!"

In an instant time is frozen and a bright light shines down from above. The man is motionless in the water when he hears the voice of God say, "You are an atheist. Why do you call upon me when you do not believe in me?"

Aghast with confusion and knowing he can't lie the man replies, "Well, that's true I don't believe in you, but how about the shark? Can you make the shark believe in you?"

The Lord replies, "As you wish," and the light retracted back into the heavens and the man could feel the water begin to move once again.

As the atheist looks back he can see the jaws of the shark start to close down on him, when all of sudden the shark stops and pulls back.

Shocked, the man looks at the shark as the huge beast closes its eyes and bows its head and says, "Thank you Lord for this food for which I am about to receive..."

Happy Sunday

Order

"Dominion and awe belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven." Job 25:2, NIV

God is a God of order. He established order in heaven. He establishes order for worship. God values order. He brings blessing where there is order.

We’ve recently been working in our offices to bring order to areas that have been neglected, due to our busy schedules. It’s amazing how much we hold onto just because it’s easier than throwing it away. But as we clear the office of things we no longer need, the environment is cleaner and more peaceful and easier to work in.

It’s this way in our lives, as well. Sometimes we choose to not deal with issues in our lives because it’s easier to ignore them. But what we don't realize is that these things are cluttering up our lives just as much as the pieces of paper clutter up our offices, when we don't deal with them on a daily basis. God wants us to bring order into our lives so we can live the full lives He’s planned for us, unencumbered by the hurts and sins of our past.

The good news is that today we can start the clean-up process. It takes time, but God is faithful to help us sort through all the things that are cluttering up our lives. Won't you take time to talk to Him today and ask Him to reveal to you the things that He wants you to get out of your life?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for allowing the busyness of life to keep me from the time I need with You and allowing my life to become cluttered. Would You please show me the areas that You want me to address in my life. Would You please help me to bring Your order into my life, that I may live the life that You want me to live? Thank You for Your grace to do this. Amen.

Today's Writer : Tanya Person

Daily Smile:

A wealthy lawyer

One afternoon, a wealthy lawyer was riding in the back of his limousine when he saw two men eating grass by the road side. He ordered his driver to stop and he got out to investigate. "Why are you eating grass?", he asked one man.

"We don't have any money for food.", the poor man replied.

"Oh, come along with me then."

"But sir, I have a wife with two children!"

"Bring them along! And you, come with us too!", he said to the other man.

"But sir, I have a wife with six children!" the second man answered.

"Bring them as well!"

They all climbed into the car, which was no easy task, even for a car as large as the limo.

Once underway, one of the poor fellows says, "Sir, you are too kind. Thank you for taking all of us with you."

The lawyer replied, "No problem, the grass at my home is about two feet tall."

NOTICE:

     The August '12 edition of The StarLight News is ready to read on line... Go To http://the-starlight-news.blogspot.com/
Happy Reading,
Richard

Happy Saturday

Failure Is Not Final

Devotional taken from messages by Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION: “O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful.” Psalm 31:23

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth were two of the greatest baseball players of all time. Ty Cobb was known for his record number of stolen bases, and Babe Ruth was known for his record number of home runs. What you may not know is that Ty Cobb was also thrown out more than any other man in baseball trying to steal bases. And Babe Ruth struck out more than any other man in baseball! These fellows didn’t let their failures stop them, and neither should you!

Fix your goal.
Face your faults.
Forget your failures.
Failure in the Christian life is not final.

ACTION POINT:
Maybe you or someone you know is feeling discouraged today. Remind them or yourself of the promise in Philippians 4:13.

Saturday Extra:

The whole POINT of our lives is

to POINT  everything and everyone to God;

To pray for and encourage with conviction & faith.

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Philippians 1:6

.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.·´v`·.

These Mini-Devos are composed and made by me, SissyMarlene.
Quotes are a collection of unknown authors.
I am however the major contributor of them, tee hee

Also, I have a Library of other Christian writings I have done.

Please check them out here:

http://anewcreationinchrist.yuku.com/forums/99/SissyMarlene-sWritings

Daily Smile:

Ol' Fred had been a faithful Christian and was in the hospital, near death. The family called their preacher to stand with them.

As the preacher stood next to the bed, Ol' Fred's condition appeared to deteriorate and he motioned frantically for something to write on.

The pastor lovingly handed him a pen and a piece of paper, and Ol' Fred used his last bit of energy to scribble a note, then suddenly died.

The preacher thought it best not to look at the note at that time, so he placed it in his jacket pocket.

At the funeral, as he was finishing the message, he realized that he was wearing the same jacket that he was wearing when Ol' Fred died. He said, "You know, Ol' Fred handed me a note just before he died. I haven't looked at it, but knowing Fred, I'm sure there's a word of inspiration there for us all."

He opened the note, and read, "Please step to your left -- you're standing on my oxygen tube!"

http://the-starlight-news.blogspot.com

Happy Thursday & Friday

Editor's Note: Finished the paper layout at 8am Thursday... Way too tired to think about a Thursday Devotional... Hope to get the paper posted in the next day or so... 
Happy Thursday & Friday,
Richard 
Overcoming the Four Ds
By Gene Markland, CBN Staff Writer

Roy was the Senior Pastor of the church he pioneered, when his marriage came to an end. This most significant disaster in his life nearly destroyed him. Feeling like he could not go on, Roy left his church of nineteen years and moved to Virginia to live with his sister and brother-in-law.

In the months and years to follow, Roy describes what he went through as the four Ds: Depression, Despair, Defeat, and finally Despondency. Though he would not admit it at the time, Roy was, in fact, a man of faith with the strength of a lion. God would not let him languish forever. Oh no. Christ was in him and scripture helped him keep his sanity.
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" (Romans 8:28 NLT).

Roy began to attend his sister’s church and eventually headed up the men’s group. He had one consistent message. It’s not too late, God is not through with you yet, and the best is yet to come. I was in that men’s group and witnessed the optimism and faith that sustained him.

Roy went on a short-term mission trip to Romania, and developed relationships there with Christian leaders. On a subsequent trip to Romania, God sparked a vision in him and Roy began to stay for extended periods of time, preaching in churches all over the country.

He found the Romanians to be a poor people with a rich hunger for God. All day they would work in the fields, and afterward eagerly come to his meetings at night. The people touched his heart and he realized God’s purpose for the next phase of his life.

He received the vision and calling to reach the Nation of Romania for Christ. With only his small minister’s pension, he turned his face from retirement and set out on his greatest adventure with Christ as his only partner.

He bought an old house with a barn and declared it Apa Vie, which means living water. He repaired and then renovated the building into a conference center. From this commitment began Evangelistic meetings for youth, and Pastors conferences training hundreds for ministry. Roy has spoken before the elite political and scientific leaders in the country, including major Universities.

He developed an outstanding reputation among Romanians from all walks of life. Pastors and churches in the U.S. have partnered with him and use his Apa Vie conference center as a base of operations for mission trips.

God proves through Roy that we do not have to wait until everything is in place to start. We must face the reality of our circumstances, hold faith in God and His plan for us, and act! You do not have to languish either. Don’t give up hope. Your dreams may seem impossible to accomplish. The four Ds may be your daily companions, but don’t quit!

Remember what the Bible says,
"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him" (Philippians 2:13 NLT).

Roy’s dream is still in progress as he has plans for further expansion. We are all part of God’s expanding Kingdom, so don’t fall prey to the four Ds. Take your rightful place in the Kingdom. With Christ, your dream is possible! In Roy’s words, "You are significant! The best is ahead of you! You never know what God is up to! Keep the faith, and trust God!

Daily Smile:

The Difference Between Men and Women

Let's say a guy named Fred is attracted to a woman named Martha. He asks her out to a movie; she accepts; they have a pretty good time. A few nights later he asks her out to dinner, and again they enjoy themselves. They continue to see each other regularly, and after a while neither one of them is seeing anybody else.


And then, one evening when they're driving home, a thought occurs to Martha, and, without really thinking, she says it aloud: "Do you realize that, as of tonight, we've been seeing each other for exactly six months?"


And then, there is silence in the car.


To Martha, it seems like a very loud silence. She thinks to herself: I wonder if it bothers him that I said that. Maybe he's been feeling confined by our relationship; maybe he thinks I'm trying to push him into some kind of obligation that he doesn't want, or isn't sure of.


And Fred is thinking: Gosh. Six months.


And Martha is thinking: But, hey, I'm not so sure I want this kind of relationship either. Sometimes I wish I had a little more space, so I'd have time to think about whether I really want us to keep going the way we are, moving steadily towards, I mean, where are we going? Are we just going to keep seeing each other at this level of intimacy? Are we heading toward marriage? Toward children? Toward a lifetime together?

Am I ready for that level of commitment? Do I really even know this person?


And Fred is thinking: ...so that means it was...let's see...February when we started going out, which was right after I had the car at the dealer's, which means...lemme check the odometer...Whoa! I am way overdue for an oil change here.


And Martha is thinking: He's upset. I can see it on his face. Maybe I'm reading this completely wrong. Maybe he wants more from our relationship, more intimacy, more commitment; maybe he has sensed - even before I sensed it - that I was feeling some reservations. Yes, I bet that's it. That's why he's so reluctant to say anything about his own feelings. He's afraid of being rejected.
And Fred is thinking: And I'm gonna have them look at the transmission again. I don't care what those morons say, it's still not shifting right. And they better not try to blame it on the cold weather this time. What cold weather? It's 87 degrees out, and this thing is shifting like a garbage truck, and I paid those incompetent thieves $600.


And Martha is thinking: He's angry. And I don't blame him. I'd be angry, too. I feel so guilty, putting him through this, but I can't help the way I feel. I'm just not sure.


And Fred is thinking: They'll probably say it's only a 90-day warranty...scumballs.


And Martha is thinking: Maybe I'm just too idealistic, waiting for a knight to come riding up on his white horse, when I'm sitting right next to a perfectly good person, a person I enjoy being with, a person I truly do care about, a person who seems to truly care about me. A person who is in pain because of my self-centered, schoolgirl romantic fantasy.


And Fred is thinking: Warranty? They want a warranty? I'll give them a warranty. I'll take their warranty and stick it right up their...


"Fred," Martha says aloud.


"What?" says Fred, startled.


"Please don't torture yourself like this," she says, her eyes beginning to brim with tears. "Maybe I should never have...oh dear, I feel so..."(She breaks down, sobbing.)


"What?" says Fred.


"I'm such a fool," Martha sobs. "I mean, I know there's no knight. I really know that. It's silly. There's no knight, and there's no horse."


"There's no horse?" says Fred.


"You think I'm a fool, don't you?" Martha says.


"No!" says Fred, glad to finally know the correct answer.


"It's just that...it's that I...I need some time," Martha says. (There is a 15-second pause while Fred, thinking as fast as he can, tries to come up with a safe response. Finally he comes up with one that he thinks might work.)


"Yes," he says. (Martha, deeply moved, touches his hand.)


"Oh, Fred, do you really feel that way?" she says.


"What way?" says Fred.


"That way about time," says Martha.


"Oh," says Fred. "Yes." (Martha turns to face him and gazes deeply into his eyes, causing him to become very nervous about what she might say next, especially if it involves a horse. At last she speaks.)


"Thank you, Fred," she says.


"Thank you," says Fred.


Then he takes her home, and she lies on her bed, a conflicted, tortured soul, and weeps until dawn, whereas when Fred gets back to his place, he opens a bag of Doritos, turns on the TV, and immediately becomes deeply involved in a rerun of a college basketball game between two South Dakota junior colleges that he has never heard of. A tiny voice in the far recesses of his mind tells him that something major was going on back there in the car, but he is pretty sure there is no way he would ever understand what, and so he figures it's better if he doesn't think about it.
The next day Martha will call her closest friend, or perhaps two of them, and they will talk about this situation for six straight hours. In painstaking detail, they will analyze everything she said and everything he said, going over it time and time again, exploring every word, expression, and gesture for nuances of meaning, considering every possible ramification.


They will continue to discuss this subject, off and on, for weeks, maybe months, never reaching any definite conclusions, but never getting bored with it either.


Meanwhile, Fred, while playing racquetball one day with a mutual friend of his and Martha's, will pause just before serving, frown, and say: "Norm, did Martha ever own a horse?"

 

http://the-starlight-news.blogspot.com/

Happy Wednesday

The Value of Disaster
For 10 years Thomas Edison attempted to invent a storage battery. His efforts greatly strained his finances, then in December 1914, nearly brought him to ruin when a spontaneous combustion broke out in his film room. Within minutes all the packing compounds, celluloid fluid for records and film, and other flammable goods were ablaze. Though fire departments came from eight surrounding towns, the intense heat and low water pressure made attempts to douse the flames futile. Everything was destroyed. While the damage exceeded $2 million the concrete buildings thought to be fireproof, were insured for barely a tenth of the amount.
The inventor’s 24-year old son Charles searched frantically for his father, afraid that his spirit would be broken. Charles finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, white hair blowing in the wind. “My heart ached for him,” said Charles. “He was 67 - no longer a young man - and everything was going up in flames. When he saw me, he shouted, “Charles where’s your mother?” When I told him I didn’t know, he said, “Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as his lives.” The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, “There is a great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.” Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.”
With each new day, we have the opportunity to start again, to start fresh – no matter what our circumstances. Let the Lord show you how to salvage hope from debris. You never know what joys are ahead. We also glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation produces perseverance. Romans 5:3 NKJV

Daily Smile:

You Might Be A Redneck if...
Your mustache is longer than your wife's hair.

 You Might Be A Redneck if...
Cruise control in your truck involves fishing line, a pulley and a hook.

 You Might Be A Redneck if...
Your gear shift lever is a pair of vise grips.

Happy Tuesday

*Jerry and Sipho*
Today's Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: Revelation 6:9  "When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held" NKJV

The story is told of a man named Jerry. Jerry was a good "Christian man". Lived by the Ten Commandments and went to church every week. He was faithful in his giving. Jerry ushered at church and was friendly to everyone.

Jerry was very busy raising a family, earning a living and enjoying his life. He didn't tell many about Jesus because he felt that was the "preachers job." Jerry hardly ever read God's Word because the preacher spoke about it every Sunday. He didn't worry about the needy around him because that is what the government does. He did pray --- he knew the "Lord's Prayer" well.

Jerry was driving to work one day when he had an accident and died.

Moments later Jerry found himself standing at the gates of heaven. An angel approached him and introduced him to a man who would show him heaven. They started walking together and the man introduced himself as Sipho.

Sipho began to talk as they walked. He told Jerry of the times he had his neighbors over to his house for dinner --- shared Jesus with them --- and he lost count after ten families were saved.

Sipho continued to speak about how he would tell people at work about the wonderful things Jesus had done for him. How Jesus loved him and helped him live a righteous life --- and many more were added to the roles of the Kingdom.

He told Jerry about helping needy people with clothing, food and how more people found Jesus.

Jerry listened intently and said, "you must have studied the Bible a lot or gone to a fancy Bible school. Perhaps even graduated from a Christian College. Then Jerry said he figured it out --- "God called you to minister to others."

Sipho stopped walking --- turned and looked at Jerry and said, "No, we were very poor, we could never afford a Bible school or college. There were no churches where I lived and I had only the book of John from the Bible that some missionaries left in our village years before. When I found the book the chief admonished me and said, "If you are ever caught speaking about Jesus it will be your last words."

Sipho started walking again and said, "Enough of me and my struggles. I want to hear about all the wonderful things you did for Jesus in your land of plenty and freedom."

Today in countries all over the world Christians are risking their lives and the lives of their families to speak about the Lord Jesus Christ. Not because they want to --- but because they have to. The Holy Spirit inside them is bubbling over and they are compelled to tell their testimony. Even if it means great harm will come to them and their families.
If you are like Jerry in our story now is an excellent time to switch gears and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to share your Jesus experiences with others --- you will be glad you did.

Prayer: Father thank you for what Jesus does for me daily and help me pass it on as a testimony to HIS love. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Pastor Bill Team Prayer:

Father please bring 1............. 2............. 3.............. into your kingdom.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Copyright (c) 2012
Pastor Bill - Christian*Cyber*Ministries

Daily Smile:

Church Signs

1. CHURCH CAR PARK - FOR MEMBERS ONLY! Trespassers will be baptised!
2. "No God - No Peace. Know God - Know Peace."
3. "Free Trip to Heaven. Details Inside!"
4. "Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins."
5. An ad for one Church has a picture of two hands holding stone
tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a
headline that reads, -"For Fast Relief, Take Two Tablets."
6. "People are like tea bags - you have to put them in hot water
before you know how strong they are."
7. "Come in and pray today. Beat the Christmas rush."
8. "Fight truth decay - study the Bible daily."
9. "How will you spend eternity - Smoking or Non-Smoking."
10. "Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives."
11. "Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long
and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world."
12. "It is unlikely there'll be a reduction in the wages of sin."
13. "If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns."
14. "If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again."
15. "Looking at the way some people live, they ought to obtain
eternal fire Insurance soon."
16. " A ch__ch is a church when (U R) in it.
17. "In the dark? Follow the Son."
18. "Running low on faith? Stop in for a fill-up."
19. "If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the Shepherd."

Happy Monday

"I took your place!"

One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, "I always park there! You took my place!"

 

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

 

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit!  You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

 

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change.

 

Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"

The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place!"

 

Daily Smile:

The Score

When I was visiting a friend who lived on the edge of a wilderness preserve, we drove along a rutted trail, and we saw a small creek ahead whose bridge was under water. 

"We have a serious beaver problem," our friend said. "They build dams that cause the creek to flood. Forest rangers take down the dams, and the beavers rebuild them." 

As we got closer, we could see a large scoreboard posted by the bridge. 

It read: BEAVERS 3 RANGERS 0

 

Happy Sunday

A Son given-literally

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this" Isa. 9:6,7.

Literal fulfillment
"A child will be born...a son will be given" was literally fulfilled. The last part, "the government upon his shoulder...upon the throne of David" must be and will be fulfilled literally too.

No more wars
Isa. 2 and scores of passages in the O.T. fit in here. "They shall hammer their swords into plowshares...and never again will they learn war." Imagine a thousands years of peace, no wars and a reign of righteousness. Satan is bound for this 1000 years "that he should deceive the nations no more" Rev. 20:1-6. Isa. 11 tells so much about that 1000 years of peace. "The wolf and the lamb shall lie down together"

The book
"All the Prophesies of Scripture" explained in one volume by Dr. John F. Waloord, you must get. This is by far the greatest book on prophecy ever written. I feel I have spent too much time on these articles on prophecy and must end them this week. There is, of course much more I have not touched on but this book will give you all the answers.

My goals
There are two reasons for this series, that we might be men like Issachar's sons, "men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do" 1 Chron.12:323. The second is that we might be blessed and transformed by this truth Rev; 1:3, 1 John 3:2,3.

O dear people, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" 2 Tim 2:15. Dig deeper daily. Soak yourself in the Word of God. Don't read or set your eyes on junk but fill your mind on "whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" Phil 4:8.

Prayer:  Father, bless your dear people and may we understand what is going on even though the lost world is blind to You and Your plans for all of us. In Jesus name

Daily Smile:

A guy is passing a Mental Hospital surrounded by a wall and he hears the chanting inside, Thirteen! Thirteen! Thirteen! Curious to see what’s going on he finds a small hole in the wall, so he bends and peeks inside. Someone inside pokes him hard in the eye and everyone starts inside chanting, Fourteen! Fourteen! Fourteen! 

Happy Saturday

Rapture! How in the world is it going to happen?

Surprise! Swiftly. Shockingly.

"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" 1 Cor. 15:52.

"The second coming of Christ is mentioned in both the Old Testament and Matthew 24-25 but the Rapture was not revealed until the night before the Crucifixion in John 14:1-3" Dr. John F. Walvoord pointed this out in his book, "Prophecy in the New Millennium." That is quite amazing. There is a multitude of Christians today who do not know about the Rapture or have not had it emphasized enough to be consciously looking for His coming for Believers.

How in the world is it going to happen?

SUDDENLY! The Rapture, the gathering and assent ion of who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, will take place just before the beginning of the Day of the Lord. More on this later. Paul tells us, "Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape” 1 Thess. 5:1-3.

 
SWIFTLY! "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound" vs.52. No man knows the day nor the hour. "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief" vs. 4. "So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober" (be serious about it) vs. 6. The blowing of the trumpet was for the gathering of the people of God Num. 10:2 ff. So it will be at the rapture.

Systematically! "The dead in Christ will rise first" 1 Thes. 4:16. This is all the believers from the day of Pentecost. "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body" 1 Cor. 12:13. Christ only has one body Eph. 4:4. This takes place at the moment of salvation even as we are "born of the Spirit" at that moment. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation" 2 Cor. 5:17. Every believer has been baptized by the Holy Spirit or he is not "in Christ."

"Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thes. 4:17. "What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see" and "we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is" 1 John 3:2. What a grand homecoming that will be. Please don't miss it, get in on it right now. Look up all the verses listed on the chart under "Rapture."

Prayer:  Father, help your children to be keenly aware that Jesus is coming so we will be ready and waiting with our eyes on You and things above. In Jesus name

And I love you, all because the Lord Jesus suffered and died for our sins, paid our debt in full and rose again so we can be forgiven and go to heaven, sumner.

Do you believe in that alone for your salvation? Believe and pray to receive Him as your Savior right now. "He that has the Son, has life" 1 John 5:12.

Daily Smile:

One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.  

Happy Friday

"The left behind" crowd

Who will be left behind?

The cultist and modernist church Suppose the Lord Jesus came on Sunday morning about 11:30 a. m. The cultist and modernist church, who deny that Jesus is Lord, won't miss a thing. Church will go right on as usual. There could be a believer who would suddenly disappear and shock a few but that would be all.

The Bible believing church
Remember Jesus had a Judas. They could have some visitors or professing Christians who would be shocked to death to suddenly see almost everyone around them just disappear in a "moment, in the twinkling of an eye."

A moderate church
Imagine a church where about half are saved and about half don't have a clue.  Can you imagine the consternation that will come over the lost left behind. There will be a lot more done than just scratching their heads in wonderment.

Transportation vehicles
Can you imagine what is going to happen to all the traffic on the roads, in the air and on the seas. On the roads there will be tons of wrecks. In the air, plane after plane will crash if the pilot were saved and no one to take over. A co-pilot will be stunned and call traffic control and report the disappearance. I have met a good number of "born again" pilots who have been aware of what could happen if they were flying at the coming of Christ. Awesome, when you think about it. The same goes for ships.

A husband and wife
She goes and he stays. What a shock will come over him. Years ago, I ran into John one day. He burst out to me, "Preacher, I got saved." Tell me about it John, I asked. He had heard me preach and heard about the rapture taking place. He said, "Last night, I was reading in bed. Mary fell asleep and when I looked at her it dawned on me that she would be taken and I would be left and I did not want her to go to heaven without me and so I prayed right then and accepted Christ as my Savior. I will be there Sunday and confess the Lord Jesus to everyone there." He did the next Sunday and went on with the Lord.

Prayer:  Father, help those who are not saved, and may they come to know Christ as their savior too. In Jesus name.

And I love you, all because the Lord Jesus suffered and died for our sins, paid our debt in full and rose again so we can be forgiven and go to heaven, sumner. Do you believe in that alone for your salvation? Believe and pray to receive Him as your Savior right now. "He that has the Son, has life" 1 John 5:12.

Daily Smile:

Money can't buy friends, but you can get a better class of enemy.  

Happy Thursday

"One shall be taken and the other left"

"Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. "Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left" Matt. 24:40, 41.

The context of this is clearly, the one taken in the flood was the lost person, the one left was Noah and his family, the saved ones. More on this later. BUT at the rapture, one is going to be taken, caught up to meet the Lord in the air and the other, the lost, left behind to go through the tribulation. What is it going to be like?

Let's start with churches
There will be many "left behind." The cultists and any who deny that Jesus is Lord (God), will be left. "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God" John 1:1. Excuse me, but I majored in Greek in seminary and this can only be translated, "the word was God" not "a" God, one among many but the only God. "All things were made by him" verse 3. "And the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth" Jn. 1 3, 14. It does not take a rocket scientist to see this is referring to the Lord Jesus as God.

"Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also. " 1 John 2:22, 23. This is strong language but solemn truth. It is not said by me in bigotry or hate but humbly as the servant of God, true to the Word of God. They will be left behind.

The modernist
In the Dallas newspaper, talking about Mel Gibson's movie, "the Passion of the Christ" said, "Not all believers share Gibson's view that Jesus died to atone for sin." One professed Christian said, "It doesn't make sense to me that God would need to be satisfied by sending his son to be killed. That's a vengeful God and not a God I want to worship." How blind can you be. I am so sorry, but that kind will be left behind.

The professer but not possesser "They went out from us, but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that it might be made manifest that they were not all of us" Vs. 19. Judas is the perfect example. He went "to his own place" Acts 1:25. There is a lot of professed believers as in Matt. 7:22, 23 who will hear the Lord Jesus say, "depart from me, I never knew you." These were never :"once saved" for Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice and I know them" John 10:27. He also said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU" Heb 13:5. These could have never been "once saved" because he said, "I will never leave you." They would have been taken in the rapture!

The unbelievers
"For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will... be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thes. 4:15, 17.

"But for the cowardly and unbelieving, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" Rev. 21:8.

Prayer:  Father, wake up those who profess to be saved but are not and open their eyes that Christ suffered and died for their sins, rose again and to trust You for that alone to get them to heaven so they can be born again. In Jesus name

And I love you, all because the Lord Jesus suffered and died for our sins, paid our debt in full and rose again so we can be forgiven and go to heaven, sumner. Do you believe in that alone for your salvation? Believe and pray to receive Him as your Savior right now. "He that has the Son, has life" 1 John 5:12.

"Rejoice evermore" 1 Thes. 5:16. The joy of the Lord is your strength" Neh. 8:10

Daily Smile:

 Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
- Thomas Jones