Seek and Trust

As I sit here listening to the tornado sirens screech, the rain pounding on my metal roof, the rushing wind and the loud floor-shaking thunder, I have utter peace. I know I am in the Lord's care and nothing will harm me unless it is His will. When you learn that He is in control of your life and death, you know you must trust in Him. It has not always been that way, only as I have learned to trust Him through His Word and realized, I am not in control, God is! All the uncertainties of this world fade as I seek His face. Ps.63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Is.26:9 My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. Ps.119:41-42 Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. John 14:1 NIV "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
Precious Lord, I am a sinner saved by grace. Forgive me for the foolish things I do and say. Thank You for Jesus. Lord, open eyes to Your truth. Amen

God's Country

All my life I have heard this saying, this is "God's Country". I just returned home from vacation in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. It is very beautiful and you will surely know that there is a God, when you see His marvelous creation, the Smokies. The Supreme Spirit, God, of which there is no equal, created the universe!
Gen.1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Ps. 90:2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
God created man: Gen.1:26-27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
There is only one God: James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder!
One way to God: 1 Tim.2:5-6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
God's word is alive: Heb.4:12 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Man can not deny God because of Earthly creation: Romans 1:19-20 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Look around you, can man create a sky, a star, a galaxy of planets, or a living cell to produce life? God is Creator, man is NOT! Heb.11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Lord, forgive man's impertinence! That man envisions himself as Your equal is a very wicked thought. All knowledge is from You God and man is indeed foolish when he thinks he has done anything apart from Your power and Your grace! Father, forgive us our foolish deeds and thoughts. Let us be ever mindful that grace is a gift from You and Your son Jesus. Your Word is a blessing to us! Amen

The Sweet Song of Praise

As I sit here this morning, I can hear the birds singing outside my window. Their sweet song of praise to the Lord fills my ears and makes my heart feel all is well for those who rest in the Lord's care. Thanks You Lord, your Grace is truly sufficient for me! As you age, your body begins to ache, especially at night when you try to sleep. When sleep is allusive I like to pray. His Words ring in my ears and are as comforting as a warm blanket.
Ps.150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!
Hen. 13:15  Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
I love the bible truth about Paul and the thorn in his side. 2 Cor.12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor.12:1-8 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-- and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
God deserves our praise. Even the animals sing His praise for He is our Creator and God of the universe. He sent His only Son to save sinful wicked man. Trust in the sufficiency of Christ today! Your eternity is resting on your willingness to repent and trust Christ for salvation. Acts 4:12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Lord, You are sovereign God. There is no other! While we have breath, we will praise You and in death we will still praise You as our soul departs this frail home. Open the blind eyes of the lost ones so they can taste Your glorious gift of salvation. Amen

The Four Gospels/ A Complete Testimony About Jesus

Why four Gospels? Lets explore that question! Each Gospel was intended to enlighten different audiences. The Gospels were written by different authors, inspired by the Holy Spirit. They all have a unique message, presented from a different perspective. Each one is suited to the intended audience. They have powerful answers to questions about who Jesus is! Taken together, the Gospels form a complete testimony about Jesus. I would like to thank John MacArthur for his wonderful teaching. His books are valuable teaching tools for diving deeper into God's Word.
The Gospel of Matthew was written for the Jews. It states the truth of Jesus being the Messiah/King who fulfils Old Testament prophecy and expectations. Matt.1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Matt.16:16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt.20:28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
The Gospel of Mark was written for the Romans/Gentiles. It states that Jesus is the Son of God. Mark demonstrates the humanity of Jesus and His servant heart. Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 8:27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."  Mark 15:34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
The Gospel of Luke was written for the Hellenists. It's truth states that Jesus is the perfect Son of Man who came to save and minister to all people through the power of the Holy Spirit and prayer. Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
The Gospel of John was written for the Greeks. It's truth states that Jesus is the fully divine Son of God in whom we should believe to receive eternal life, the I Am of God! John 20:31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
I Am: John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 10:7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Lord God, only You can change a heart. I pray for repentance to come to the lost through the teaching of Your precious Word. I am unworthy Lord to carry Your message, but by Your power and through Your forgiveness I am able. Amen

The Sower and the Harvest

Sower:  to plant seed for growth especially by scattering : to set something in motion
Harvest:  the act or process of gathering in a crop
God has granted us the ability to sow seeds of faith by sharing His Word. We are the sowers. He is the Master and will gather His own at harvest! When we share His Words, we are indeed planting crops. We tell of the wonders of a Holy God. A seed as tiny as a mustard seed but through it, God changes a heart for eternity. You see, God begins His work in ways we can not see nor understand. Even before we open our mouth to speak of His gift of salvation, He is already beginning to prepare the crop. It may be through illness, or a disaster, or some act of unbelievable kindness. God ways are not like ours.
Luke 8:4-8 And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold." As he said these things, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Luke 8:9-15 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that 'seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.'  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.God's imperishable seed: 1 Peter 1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of GodLord, by Your power, and through Your Word, let us bear fruit for Your glory. Give us a servant heart to share Your love to the lost. Amen 

That Old Rugged Cross

There is a old hymn that I love, "The Old Rugged Cross" by George Bennard. Here are some of the beautiful words; On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame; and I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,till my trophies at last I lay down;  I will cling to the old rugged cross,and exchange it some day for a crown. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me; for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above to bear it to dark Calvary. Don't these word just pierce your heart? I think most people don't even think about the cross and what it means. In obedience to God the Father and His plan, Jesus took all sin upon Himself and made restitution for us. For there had to be an atonement of a blood sacrifice, an unblemished Lamb, who is Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sin. Praise His name for this wondrous thing!! Acts 2:23-24  this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. Colossians 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. Lord, this makes me shout Amen and Hallelujah! He took away our sin!! John 1:29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 1Peter 1:19 with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. Sins eternally forgiven by His gift on that Cross:Heb.9:20-26 saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you."  And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Have you trusted this gift today? You may not have a tomorrow! Lord, our time is short. Open eyes and hearts to receive Your good news. In Jesus Holy name. Amen

April Bible Reading

Date                      Old Testament                New Testament

April 1                   Judges 6, 7                     Luke 8:1-21

April 2                   Judges 8, 9                     Luke 8:22-56

April 3                   Judges 10, 11                 Luke 9:1-36

April 4                   Judges 12, 13, 14           Luke 9:37-62

April 5                   Judges 15, 16, 17           Luke 10:1-24

April 6                   Judges 18, 19                 Luke 10:25-42

April 7                   Judges 20, 21                 Luke 11:1-28

April 8                   Ruth 1, 2, 3, 4                Luke 11:29-54

April 9                   1 Samuel 1, 2, 3             Luke 12:1-34

April 10                 1 Samuel 4, 5, 6             Luke 12:35-59

April 11                  1 Samuel 7, 8, 9            Luke 13:1-21

April 12                  1 Samuel 10, 11, 12      Luke 13:22-35

April 13                  1 Samuel 13, 14            Luke 14:1-24

April 14                  1 Samuel 15, 16            Luke 14:25-35

April 15                  1 Samuel 17, 18            Luke 15:1-10

April 16                  1 Samuel 19, 20, 21      Luke 15:11-32

April 17                  1 Samuel 22, 23, 24      Luke 16:1-18

April 18                  1 Samuel 25, 26            Luke 16:19-31

April 19                  1 Samuel 27, 28, 29      Luke 17:1-19

April 20                  1 Samuel 30, 31            Luke 17:20-37

April 21                   2 Samuel 1, 2, 3           Luke 18:1-17

April 22                   2 Samuel 4, 5, 6           Luke 18:18-43

April 23                   2 Samuel 7, 8, 9           Luke 19:1-28

April 24                   2 Samuel 10, 11, 12     Luke 19:29-48

April 25                   2 Samuel 13, 14           Luke 20:1-26

April 26                   2 Samuel 15, 16           Luke 20:27-47

April 27                   2 Samuel 17, 18           Luke 21:1-19

April 28                   2 Samuel 19, 20           Luke 21:20-38

April 29                   2 Samuel 21, 22           Luke 22:1-30

April 30                   2 Samuel 23, 24           Luke 22:31-53