Good Morning,
Okay, first, something personal. In my retirement now and with the volunteer work I've been doing, this "daily" message is sort of hit and miss, so to speak. Honestly, I just don't feel the Lord pushing and nudging as He once did to send something out every day now. Maybe the more than 12 or 13 years that I obeyed the calling He placed on me was enough for Him. I still check each day to see if there's something God wants me to send along. But it appears that He's taking it easy on me in this area of my life and "nudging" only when He feels it necessary. I know I should have said something to everyone along these lines before, but, well, I guess that I sort of didn't want this season of my life to be done with. God knows that, as well, I'm sure and that's why He still has me send something along once in a while. Thank you all for your understanding. I'll continue to be obedient in this ministry as God calls me to be. Now, on to what He's given me today...
Hebrews 13:1-3 (New International Version)
Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
This crossed my desk a few days ago and when I read it again this morning it was more meaningful to me than it was then. By the grace of God, He shows us what He wants us to see exactly WHEN He wants us to see it.
These few, short verses tell us something that we all OUGHT to be doing as a part of whatever small group, home group, cell church, or home ministry we need to be committed to in our service to God. Sometimes we get "involved" in some home type ministry and don't DO very much in that context. We read Scripture and discuss it (ALWAYS a good idea!), we pray for each other and the needs we know about as we should, we may sing songs and worship to the Lord, and we fellowship, as is needed for our spiritual health. However, it has been made clear to me today that these activities, no matter how wonderful and necessary they are, well, they aren't ALL we should do as a part of the small group to which we belong.
You see, I firmly believe that God wants us to DO things much along the lines of what we read in today's verses. Yes, love one another, of course. But then, read on... Entertain strangers in whatever guise that might take on, and it will be totally different for every group and even different from day to day within that group. Some kind of prison ministry or something where we can reach out to those who are probably MOST in need of hearing God's plan of salvation and the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. And, the last...but certainly not least...of what we read today, take up for people mistreated in any way that we see and know about.
Do you belong to a small group of some kind? If not, you should be, we ALL should be. If we do belong, and WHEN we do belong, we must remember that there is much, much more in a small group than what many of us are experiencing now. We have to remember that we have work we need to be doing as an integral part of ANY group of believers who gather for any other reason.
Let's keep this at the forefront of our minds as we go on from this day and as we join or start a small group of Christian believers. Let's not forget that we need to DO...not just talk about...for the Lord.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
WHY
Good Morning,
Proverbs 1:1-6 (New International Version)
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Sometimes we need to have a reason "why" in order that we read the Bible, or, really to do almost anything worthwhile.
That's the reason that this has come along to us today, I think. So that we have a really good "why" to read not only the Book of Proverbs, but the whole Bible. Read these 6 short verses of Scripture. Look at what God is telling us in what He gave to Solomon to write for all posterity...for all generations...for all time.
Now, read them again if you need just a bit more of a "nudge" in why you ought to get into a regular habit of reading your Bible. These words of wisdom should make us all more fully understand the reasons, the "whys," of reading God's words to us.
If we don't take these words to heart and, then, do as they say...read the Bible...then we have wasted the greatest asset we could possibly have to leading and living a good, decent, and productive life.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Proverbs 1:1-6 (New International Version)
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;
for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
Sometimes we need to have a reason "why" in order that we read the Bible, or, really to do almost anything worthwhile.
That's the reason that this has come along to us today, I think. So that we have a really good "why" to read not only the Book of Proverbs, but the whole Bible. Read these 6 short verses of Scripture. Look at what God is telling us in what He gave to Solomon to write for all posterity...for all generations...for all time.
Now, read them again if you need just a bit more of a "nudge" in why you ought to get into a regular habit of reading your Bible. These words of wisdom should make us all more fully understand the reasons, the "whys," of reading God's words to us.
If we don't take these words to heart and, then, do as they say...read the Bible...then we have wasted the greatest asset we could possibly have to leading and living a good, decent, and productive life.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Fathers
Good Morning,
Proverbs 23:24 (New International Version)
The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him.
Father's Day fast approaches. A "Day" when we are to honor and celebrate fathers, dads, and, I think, those moms who have to take a dad's role. I read this verse today and wondered why in the world we need such a "Day" to honor fathers. It seems to me that we ought to honor those who raised us every day, and not just one "special" day.
I guess what this short message is about this morning is to remind us about honoring our parents, just as we are told to do by God in what He gave to Moses in what we know as the 10 Commandments. Remember, one of those is to honor our parents.
I know that there are those of us who have not had an ideal father to raise us and others who had no father influence at all in their lives. For these many...TOO many I fear...people, we can turn to our heavenly Father and rely completely on Him.
I'm not going into a long, drawn out dissertation on all that is written about the love of God for us and His role as our Abba, Father. We've heard those sermons and read those messages many times. Today, I think that all we need to do is to reflect on fathers and fatherhood and to never forget we always have a loving Father in heaven.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Proverbs 23:24 (New International Version)
The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him.
Father's Day fast approaches. A "Day" when we are to honor and celebrate fathers, dads, and, I think, those moms who have to take a dad's role. I read this verse today and wondered why in the world we need such a "Day" to honor fathers. It seems to me that we ought to honor those who raised us every day, and not just one "special" day.
I guess what this short message is about this morning is to remind us about honoring our parents, just as we are told to do by God in what He gave to Moses in what we know as the 10 Commandments. Remember, one of those is to honor our parents.
I know that there are those of us who have not had an ideal father to raise us and others who had no father influence at all in their lives. For these many...TOO many I fear...people, we can turn to our heavenly Father and rely completely on Him.
I'm not going into a long, drawn out dissertation on all that is written about the love of God for us and His role as our Abba, Father. We've heard those sermons and read those messages many times. Today, I think that all we need to do is to reflect on fathers and fatherhood and to never forget we always have a loving Father in heaven.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Life's Questions and Puzzles
Good Morning,
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Jesus said, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Often we wonder why more people don't come to understand God's plan of salvation and exactly who Jesus it. I think today's verse explains it very clearly.
People in general will tend to look for that wide gate and the broad road because they are easy to navigate. When they see a small gate and narrow road that might be more difficult to get through and walk on, well, it's just too much trouble and effort. It occurs to me...and has been my experience in over 60 years on the planet...that people, for the most part, are, well, for lack of a better term...lazy.
Effort requires work and work is something that is reserved for the necessity of earning a living or putting food on the table. So, anything ELSE that has effort and work as something that's needed, well, folks are just not interested.
That brings us to why people will take a road that will lead to their ultimate destruction instead of one that will lead to eternal life. It's as simple as understanding, as we've already pointed out, laziness and just not wanting to put for effort for just about anything...even something that will mean an eternity in paradise with the Lord. Today...this moment we live in...is ALL that most people know or even want to know. They just want it easy for today and, they think, tomorrow will just have to take care of itself. So, people do exactly what Jesus told us: They take the wide gate and broad road because no effort or work is required of them.
You and I often need an answer to some of life's puzzles and wonders. Today we have an answer to something that many of us have had difficulty in truly understanding. Praise God that He has given us the Bible which gives us answers to so many of life's questions and puzzles.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
Jesus said, "Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Often we wonder why more people don't come to understand God's plan of salvation and exactly who Jesus it. I think today's verse explains it very clearly.
People in general will tend to look for that wide gate and the broad road because they are easy to navigate. When they see a small gate and narrow road that might be more difficult to get through and walk on, well, it's just too much trouble and effort. It occurs to me...and has been my experience in over 60 years on the planet...that people, for the most part, are, well, for lack of a better term...lazy.
Effort requires work and work is something that is reserved for the necessity of earning a living or putting food on the table. So, anything ELSE that has effort and work as something that's needed, well, folks are just not interested.
That brings us to why people will take a road that will lead to their ultimate destruction instead of one that will lead to eternal life. It's as simple as understanding, as we've already pointed out, laziness and just not wanting to put for effort for just about anything...even something that will mean an eternity in paradise with the Lord. Today...this moment we live in...is ALL that most people know or even want to know. They just want it easy for today and, they think, tomorrow will just have to take care of itself. So, people do exactly what Jesus told us: They take the wide gate and broad road because no effort or work is required of them.
You and I often need an answer to some of life's puzzles and wonders. Today we have an answer to something that many of us have had difficulty in truly understanding. Praise God that He has given us the Bible which gives us answers to so many of life's questions and puzzles.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
1 Timothy 6
Good Morning,
1 Timothy 6 (New International Version)
1All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
Love of Money
3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Paul's Charge to Timothy
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you.
No comment from me is needed, I don't think, to explain or expound upon what Paul wrote to Timothy...even though it was more than 2,000 years ago. (Think a minute about that...2,000 years...It boggles the mind!) The words that were written then are just as meaningful and instructional in today's present age as they were then.
Give this chapter a couple of reads. Then, stop all the noise and activity around you and simply let the Holy Spirit speak into your heart and mind exactly what it is God would have for YOU.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
1 Timothy 6 (New International Version)
1All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. 2Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.
Love of Money
3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Paul's Charge to Timothy
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you.
No comment from me is needed, I don't think, to explain or expound upon what Paul wrote to Timothy...even though it was more than 2,000 years ago. (Think a minute about that...2,000 years...It boggles the mind!) The words that were written then are just as meaningful and instructional in today's present age as they were then.
Give this chapter a couple of reads. Then, stop all the noise and activity around you and simply let the Holy Spirit speak into your heart and mind exactly what it is God would have for YOU.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Monday, June 7, 2010
i am slow of speech
Good Morning,
Exodus 4:10-12 (New International Version)
Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
I think most of us are familiar with what Moses says to the Lord here, aren't we? When we feel sort of led to speak up about God, about Jesus, about the Gospel message, too many of us say to God, "Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Or other words similar to that. We say this because we think we will not have the right words to say or if we find words, then we won't say them in the right way.
Well, God's answer to Moses those thousands of years ago are His answer to us today. "No go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
It IS just that simple. If we will simply open our mouths to speak, God will help us with WHAT to speak. Then, if we begin to speak out for Him, God will also help us in the correct way to say what He gives us.
So, the next time you feel that you don't have the words to say or the way to say them, remember that Moses felt the same way. Then, put aside your fears and just let God work through you.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Exodus 4:10-12 (New International Version)
Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."
The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
I think most of us are familiar with what Moses says to the Lord here, aren't we? When we feel sort of led to speak up about God, about Jesus, about the Gospel message, too many of us say to God, "Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue." Or other words similar to that. We say this because we think we will not have the right words to say or if we find words, then we won't say them in the right way.
Well, God's answer to Moses those thousands of years ago are His answer to us today. "No go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
It IS just that simple. If we will simply open our mouths to speak, God will help us with WHAT to speak. Then, if we begin to speak out for Him, God will also help us in the correct way to say what He gives us.
So, the next time you feel that you don't have the words to say or the way to say them, remember that Moses felt the same way. Then, put aside your fears and just let God work through you.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Saturday, June 5, 2010
The Good News
Good Morning,
Isaiah 61:1 (New International Version)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners
Luke 4:17-18 (New International Version)
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed
First Isaiah said it and then Jesus said it by quoting Scripture..."The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor."
So, here's what I have heard...The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon EVERY ONE OF US and WE, you and I and every believer in Jesus Christ, has also been anointed to preach good news to the poor."
This isn't something reserved for those like Billy Graham or some other highly rated preacher - evangelist. This isn't just for those who have gone to seminary and have a degree in theology or religion of some kind. This isn't only for those who preach from the pulpit during a worship service. This isn't an anointing to be used only by those ordained by some denomination or other. No, these words spoken thousands of years ago are meant for ALL of us. Yes, each of us who has accepted the Lord into our lives as our Sovereign Lord and our Savior, we have the very same Spirit upon us and the exact same anointing to bring the Good News of the Gospel to the world.
Now, that doesn't mean that every one of us should now go out and start a congregation or our own or that we need to make arrangements to begin preaching in some church house or other. What it DOES mean is that we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit to speak out to someone when we feel that little nudge; when we hear that still, small voice, in order that the person we are speaking with doesn't go away without hearing about Jesus Christ.
Let's not miss the opportunities to apply this anointing in our lives. Let's not be afraid in any way to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us.
Let us "preach the good news" by simply showing the love of Jesus and telling the lost of a better way of life.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
Isaiah 61:1 (New International Version)
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners
Luke 4:17-18 (New International Version)
The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed
First Isaiah said it and then Jesus said it by quoting Scripture..."The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor."
So, here's what I have heard...The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon EVERY ONE OF US and WE, you and I and every believer in Jesus Christ, has also been anointed to preach good news to the poor."
This isn't something reserved for those like Billy Graham or some other highly rated preacher - evangelist. This isn't just for those who have gone to seminary and have a degree in theology or religion of some kind. This isn't only for those who preach from the pulpit during a worship service. This isn't an anointing to be used only by those ordained by some denomination or other. No, these words spoken thousands of years ago are meant for ALL of us. Yes, each of us who has accepted the Lord into our lives as our Sovereign Lord and our Savior, we have the very same Spirit upon us and the exact same anointing to bring the Good News of the Gospel to the world.
Now, that doesn't mean that every one of us should now go out and start a congregation or our own or that we need to make arrangements to begin preaching in some church house or other. What it DOES mean is that we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit to speak out to someone when we feel that little nudge; when we hear that still, small voice, in order that the person we are speaking with doesn't go away without hearing about Jesus Christ.
Let's not miss the opportunities to apply this anointing in our lives. Let's not be afraid in any way to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit when He speaks to us.
Let us "preach the good news" by simply showing the love of Jesus and telling the lost of a better way of life.
Love, peace, and blessings,
David
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