religious traditions and preferences

 

Nehemiah 9:5-33 ...

“Stand up and bless the Lord your God Forever and ever!

“Blessed be Your glorious name, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!

6 You alone are the Lord; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven worships You.

7 “You are the Lord God, Who chose Abram, And brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans, And gave him the name Abraham; 8 You found his heart faithful before You, And made a covenant with him To give the land of the Canaanites, The Hittites, the Amorites, The Perizzites, the Jebusites, And the Girgashites— To give it to his descendants. You have performed Your words, For You are righteous.

9 “You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, And heard their cry by the Red Sea. 10 You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, Against all his servants, And against all the people of his land. For You knew that they acted proudly against them. So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day. 11 And You divided the sea before them, So that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; And their persecutors You threw into the deep, As a stone into the mighty waters. 12 Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar, And by night with a pillar of fire, To give them light on the road Which they should travel. 

13 “You came down also on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven, And gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments. 14 You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, By the hand of Moses Your servant. 15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, And told them to go in to possess the land Which You had sworn to give them. 

16 “But they and our fathers acted proudly, Hardened their necks, And did not heed Your commandments. 17 They refused to obey, And they were not mindful of Your wonders That You did among them. But they hardened their necks, And in their rebellion They appointed a leader To return to their bondage.

But You are God, Ready to pardon, Gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, Abundant in kindness, And did not forsake them.

18 “Even when they made a molded calf for themselves, And said, ‘This is your god That brought you up out of Egypt,’ And worked great provocations, 19 Yet in Your manifold mercies You did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of the cloud did not depart from them by day, To lead them on the road; Nor the pillar of fire by night, To show them light, And the way they should go. 20 You also gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, And did not withhold Your manna from their mouth, And gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; They lacked nothing; Their clothes did not wear out And their feet did not swell. 

22 “Moreover You gave them kingdoms and nations, And divided them into districts. So they took possession of the land of Sihon, The land of the king of Heshbon, And the land of Og king of Bashan. 23 You also multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, And brought them into the land Which You had told their fathers To go in and possess. 24 So the people went in And possessed the land; You subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, The Canaanites, And gave them into their hands, With their kings And the people of the land, That they might do with them as they wished. 25 And they took strong cities and a rich land, And possessed houses full of all goods, Cisterns already dug, vineyards, olive groves, And fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and grew fat, And delighted themselves in Your great goodness.

26 “Nevertheless they were disobedient And rebelled against You, Cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets, who testified against them To turn them to Yourself; And they worked great provocations. 27 Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies, Who oppressed them; And in the time of their trouble, When they cried to You, You heard from heaven; And according to Your abundant mercies You gave them deliverers who saved them From the hand of their enemies.

28 “But after they had rest, They again did evil before You. Therefore You left them in the hand of their enemies, So that they had dominion over them; Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven; And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies, 29 And testified against them, That You might bring them back to Your law. Yet they acted proudly, And did not heed Your commandments, But sinned against Your judgments, ‘Which if a man does, he shall live by them.’ And they shrugged their shoulders, Stiffened their necks, And would not hear. 30 Yet for many years You had patience with them, And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31 Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful.

32 “Now therefore, our God, The great, the mighty, and awesome God, Who keeps covenant and mercy: Do not let all the trouble seem small before You That has come upon us, Our kings and our princes, Our priests and our prophets, Our fathers and on all Your people, From the days of the kings of Assyria until this day. 33 However You are just in all that has befallen us; For You have dealt faithfully, But we have done wickedly."

Psalm 89:11-18

The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours; The world and all its fullness, You have founded them. 12 The north and the south, You have created them; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Your name.

13 You have a mighty arm; Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand. 14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.

15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in Your righteousness they are exalted. 17 For You are the glory of their strength, And in Your favor our horn is exalted. 18 For our shield belongs to the Lord, And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Proverbs 21:29-31

A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

30 There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.

Acts 27:27-44

God has a plan for each one of us. In Acts 27, we read of God's plan to send Paul To Rome.

As these readings from different sections of the Bible tell of God's plan, God also provides protection and provision. What is God's plan for you?

#1 Do you know Jesus Christ personally? John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

John 8:32; John 14:6

The bolded letters are for emphasis and not in the Bible. All the scripture is the NKJV from BibleGateway.com

David"s Song 1 Chronicles 16:7-36

 

David’s Song of Thanksgiving

7 On that day David first delivered this psalm into the hand of Asaph and his brethren, to thank the Lord:

8 Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
9 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
10 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
11 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
12 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
13 O seed of Israel His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

14 He is the Lord our God;
His judgments are in all the earth.
15 Remember His covenant forever,
The word which He commanded, for a thousand generations,
16 The covenant which He made with Abraham,
And His oath to Isaac,
17 And confirmed it to Jacob for a statute,
To Israel for an everlasting covenant,
18 Saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
As the allotment of your inheritance,”
19 When you were few in number,
Indeed very few, and strangers in it.

20 When they went from one nation to another,
And from one kingdom to another people,
21 He permitted no man to do them wrong;
Yes, He rebuked kings for their sakes,
22 Saying, “Do not touch My anointed ones,
And do My prophets no harm.”

23 Sing to the Lord, all the earth;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
24 Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.

25 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is also to be feared above all gods.
26 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
27 Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and gladness are in His place.

28 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
29 Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come before Him.
Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
30 Tremble before Him, all the earth.
The world also is firmly established,
It shall not be moved.

31 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
And let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
32 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;
Let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
33 Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord,
For He is coming to judge the earth.

34 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
35 And say, “Save us, O God of our salvation;
Gather us together, and deliver us from the Gentiles,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
To triumph in Your praise.”

36 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel
From everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord.

1 Chronicles 16:7-36            New King James Version

www.biblegateway.com/

Who is your personal God? English/Spanish

 

Pray Vote Stand Summit 2022

 

PrayVoteStand 2022 provided ideas on current events. This educational summit covered topics related to families and personal choices. On the evenings of Wednesday, September 14 and Friday, September 16, the room was filled with praise and worship by the FBA choir. On Thursday, September 15 and Friday, September 16, our morning sessions were started with praise by the FBA Praise Team. Thank you for setting the tone for the summit.

 Pray:

Many sessions started and/or ended with prayer. Anne Graham Lotz began with a prayer for the attendees that as we are given information, we would receive this information. A prayer for Your truth and for eyes to see what is going on around us. Anne challenged our focus with one example and one Bible teaching. The example centered on receiving a package wrapped in brown paper. Listen to her session for the complete example. Her question, “are we focusing on the brown package or the treasure inside?”

Anne, the founder of AnGeL Ministries, continued her challenge with the six “woes” in Isaiah chapter 5:8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22 and the answer in chapter 6.  When crises erupt look up, look up to the Lord, John 12, Jesus is on the throne. We need a fresh vision of Christ! When we pray, we are appealing to the highest authority in the university. No one is higher. No problem that we individually or as a nation encounter is greater than He. Isaiah 6:5, We all need to LOOK UP!!! Jesus, bring to my mind the sin that is hindering Your plans for my life. What have I been missing?  View Anne Graham Lotz heart sharing message and read her book Stormingthe Gates of Heaven. I purchased Anne’s book at The Book Store at FirstBaptist Church Atlanta.

Vote:

During the sessions, individuals and panels discussed issues facing our nation and offered possible solutions. Get involved! My responsibility is to pray, study the issues, become involved. A few examples:

George Barna, Senior Research Fellow, Family Research Council, excellent Power Point

The Values Shaping America, presented by a panel

America on the World Stage presented by a panel

Dr. Ben Carson interview on the Four Cornerstones of our Country: Faith, Liberty, Community and Life

David Limbaugh, Nationally Syndicated Columnist and daughter Christen

Faith, Politics, andthe Hispanic Realignment presented by a panel

Blue Schools in RedStates: Ideas for Reform presented by a panel

Pastor Corey Brooks, Founder and CEO, Project H.O.O.D.

Dr. Albert Mohler text Ecclesiastes 3:1+ What time is it?

Allie Beth Stuckey, Host, Blaze TV’s “Relatable”

Mike Huckabee, Former Governor, Arkansas

Todd Starnes, “The Todd Starnes Show”

Bishop Vincent Mathews, Missions President, Church of God in Christ

Pastor Gary Hamrick text Luke 21:21 The Bible is our standard

Rep. Jody Hice, Congressman from Georgia

Governor Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma

A Parent’s WorstNightmare: Child Victims of the School’s… presented by a panel

The complete speaker’s video archive may be viewed at PrayVoteStand.org. 

Stand:

“As long as I am your Governor, we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves and protect the God-given potential of each and every Georgian who calls the Peach State home.” Brian Kemp in the Forward, pg 3, The Church’s Moment, by Cole Muzio. This is a Georgia and national issue.

We stand together, secular and church groups, single people and families, with one goal in mind; to make America a country for ALL people. We are in a spiritual battle for our families, our children, Isaiah 37:20.

The exhibitors shared their services and offered suggestions on how to serve our communities. A few of the exhibitors:

Conversation Balloons podcast Leah Farish

the Pregnancy center Pat Page, Executive Director

PublicSq. connecting Americans by offering “The Marketplace” and “The Community”

 iVoterGuide grounded in God, rooted in research

Leadership Institute develop your skills to advance Christian values within the public policy process

Students For Life Belong, Believe, Behave is the approach to the movement of the Pro-Life Generation, my bracelet reads “love them both”

The HeritageFoundation Solutions, Pocket Cards, wraps our purpose up with “Building an America were freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.”  We STAND together!

Cedarville University Psalm 90:12 make every day count

Renew a Nation Helping children develop a biblical worldview

Family Research Council advance faith, family, and freedom in public policy and the culture from a biblical worldview

Frontline Policy "…But the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. "Daniel 11:32

ShareHealthcare the new way to show you care about medical costs

 After listening to the speakers and talking with the exhibitors, my conclusion is that we are all created wanting the same things: security, belonging, and worth. Since, in my belief system, I was created in the image of God, Genesis 1:26-27; only God can meet my needs. Please read the following for more encouraging words:

 Joshua was called to lead into unknown territory, “Be strong and courageous…” Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18, 10:25, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 23, Isaiah 25, Jeremiah 29:11, 33:3, John 3:16-17, 14:6

 Why politics? Politics or politicians make policies and policies affect ALL families and/or single people.

PrayVoteStand.org

Do You Believe in God?

 

Matthew 6:33

". seek ye first the kingdom of God..."

Do you believe in God? I do! Do you believe the Bible is God’s written word? I do!

The following is part of an email I received last week, 3 August 2022. Since the author is well known and currently speaking at many conferences, I am not identifying the author.

“I’ve got a story to tell,” begins with the author’s credentials and extensive travel experiences. The author continues writing about visiting the largest Cathedral [gives the name] in the Middle East. Then the author continues “I proclaimed in that country that Christians, Jews, and Muslims are all children of Abraham.” The author continues, “What a marvelous message that God heals the deepest of wounds and brings people together, for we are all His children.” Yes, this is just part of the Bible.

As Paul Harvey used to say, “for the rest of the story…”

God has given each of us a different life plan, yet there is one God. God’s purpose for creating me and you, our main assignment, is to love God, part of Exodus 20, "I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  In Matthew 22:36-38, Jesus replies, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."

Let us also read: 

Galatians 3:26, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

2Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

Believe the WHOLE Bible: Romans 9:1-15, "... Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed..." 

Please pray and ask God, the one true God, to speak to your mind and heart. Please, if we are called Christians, if we believe the Bible, speak in love about the whole scripture. We are doing the people of the world a disservice when we pick and choose!!!

scripture is from https://www.biblegateway.com/ the KJV

 

Encouragement and Instructions to Judges

 

After reading these few paragraphs this morning, hopefully this note will encourage and instruct our Judges.

2 Chronicles 19:6, 7, 9, 10

He [King Jehoshaphat] said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment.

“Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”

Then he charged them saying, “Thus you shall do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and wholeheartedly.

Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the LORD, and wrath may not come on you, and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty.”

 Judge, may this encourage you to look to God for wisdom and knowledge, PRAY!!!

 Psalm 82:

A psalm of Asaf:

⁽¹⁾ Elohim [God] stands in the divine assembly;
there with the elohim [judges], he judges:
² “How long will you go on judging unfairly,
favoring the wicked? (Selah)
³ Give justice to the weak and fatherless!
Uphold the rights of the wretched and poor!
⁴ Rescue the destitute and needy;
deliver them from the power of the wicked!”

⁵ They don’t know, they don’t understand,
they wander about in darkness;
meanwhile, all the foundations of the earth
are being undermined.

⁶ “My decree is: ‘You are elohim [gods, judges],
sons of the Most High all of you.
⁷ Nevertheless, you will die like mortals;
like any prince, you will fall.’”

⁸ Rise up, Elohim, and judge the earth;
for all the nations are yours.

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) © 1998 by David H. Stern. BibleGateway.com

May ALL Americans come together and pray for our country and our leaders!!! May we pray that our judges and leaders will seek wisdom, knowledge and integrity!! This was my heart after reading from The CharlesF. Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible, July 12. The daily reading also includes Life Principle 10, “If necessary, God will move heaven and earth to show us His will, 2 Chronicles 20:12. God always wants the best for us, and He is committed to showing us how to follow the specific plan He has designed for each of our lives….” Dr. Stanley continues with nine ways God may help us to take notice of His will.

May this be a blessing and encouragement to us ALL to pray and seek integrity in our individual life.

Who was my Aunt Eleanor Lena Schuler Boldt, 1910-1995?

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...

Matthew 6:33 NJK BibleGateway

1925 Schuler family Front row l-r Dorothy 1921, Mildred 1919 Back row l-r Eleanor 1910, Nettie Couch1884, William John Schuler 1871, Lloyd 1912

Who was Aunt Eleanor to me? Eleanor was my mother’s older sister, the first born of the family. Aunt Eleanor married Rev. William J. Boldt in 1943. He was pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Joliet, Illinois. She moved into the parsonage attached to the church. From about 1946 to mid 1950s, our family lived next door. Eleanor was my Sunday school teacher, summer Bible school teacher, Sunday night junior high school leader. Many happy hours of instruction came from my aunt in the form of flannel-graph stories such as the “stoning of Stephen” and chalk talks with the music and story of “Peter and the Wolf.” Many pleasant memories of “childhood family” time flood my mind. That’s a whole different blog.

In the years before technology, Uncle Bill and Aunt Eleanor traveled many miles supporting missionaries in EVERY country. The missionaries would share their plans, needs and how the mission boards could support their specific work. In 1959, my dad traveled with them to Africa to film their trip firsthand, so different from zoom meetings today.  When they came home, we enjoyed many hours of stories and photos.  Matthew 28:19-20.

By 1980, they moved to Evansville, Indiana. Uncle Bill died in 1988; Eleanor continued sharing their interest in missions.  This time, she would use the mail service. She would go to the library and copy notes of joy and encouragement; as she wrote letters, the envelopes always had poems and scripture attached, example, Romans 8:32, 2 Timothy 1:7. Also, Eleanor spent many hours in her living room at her prayer table. This glass top coffee table displayed photos as reminders to pray for families and friends by name. Eleanor loved Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. She daily shared John 3:16 and John 8:32.

This is how I remember Aunt Eleanor by love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, not the young child searching for the meaning for her life. Truly, Ella S. or Aunt Eleanor found meaning for her life.

This blog was written in two parts for Eleanor's view of herself read Who was Eleanor Lena Schuler Boldt, 1910-1995?

 

 

 

 

 

When You Don't Know WHAT TO PRAY

 

WHEN YOU HAVE A Battle to Fight

There is no wisdom and no understanding

And no counsel against the LORD.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But victory belongs to the LORD.

Proverbs 21:30-31

Father, haow greateful I am for Your protection, guidance, and strength. Thank you for being my Commander in Chief. Truly, there is no Defender, Warrior, or King like You-in heaven or on earth. Regardless of the enemies or challenges in my path, You easily overcome them. No matter the conflicts and trials I face, You are always triumphant. I am grateful for Your love and guidance.

   Lord, I recognize You observe the full battle before me and know exactly what to do. I also realize I perceive the conflict only in part-I see only what is immediately apparent. But You fight in ways that I can't even imagine, with both spiritual and physical armaments and strategies that are so much greater than my understanding or abilities. You are all-powerful and all-knowing, and everything is in Your presence. No one in heaven or on earth can help me more than You can. So I know I stand tallest and strongest when I am in submission to You. And I am safest as I walk in the center of Your will. Therefore, Father, You are my Leader, and I will follow you. I obey You, Lord, knowing there can be only one General deciding the battle plan.

   Father, help me not to become angry or defensive at those who attack, but to always be as forgiving and gracious as You are. Guard my lips, Lord. Help me always remember that so much of this battle is spiritual, and often people act as they do for reasons that are unknown even to themselves. My job is to obey You and represent You well. Thus, You call me to turn to You privately in prayer as conflicts arise-and not fight in public with words or actions. So that is what I will do, Father. Likewise, Lord, when I am hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, remind me of how vulnerable I am and that I need to take shelter in You. No matter what happens, I will not run away or give in to fear but will find my strength in You.

   Thank You for always being available and leading me to success regardless of the battle. Thank You for working through Your Holy Spirit to guide me strategically around the Enemy's traps, to empower me for the struggle, to overcome every obstacle, to heal my battle wounds, qnd to direct me to victory. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me and to others through this. Help me to wait on Your perfect timing, trust You every step of the way, and be willing to obey all You ask. To You be all glory, honor, power, and praise in every triumph.

   In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

Stanley, Charles F. When You Don't Know WHAT TO PRAY. "When You Have a Battle to Fight." Zondervan, USA, 2021. pg 71-72,       This book includes 100 essential prayers for enduring life's storms. As I am using this as a devotional, God is revealing more areas that I am not even aware need confession and work. Thank you, Dr. Stanley.

FOCUS . . . RELATIONSHIPS

  Matthew 6:33

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  New King James Version   www.biblegateway.com

"JEHOVAH the relational God: You rule over all, yet You also seek a Relationship with your creation. You are worthy of ALL Praise and Worship." 1 John 4:10.*

Where is my focus? Where is your focus? May we encourage each other to focus on what is important to each of us RELATIONSHIPS. For me, I have finished reading Life Principles Daily Bible and look forward to reading in again starting tomorrow. Send me a note to let me know what is important to you, what is your focus?

The following examples of a few of the pages that have helped me through the year:

In Habakkuk, the prophet, we read about  violence, iniquity, plagues, pestilence and dissapointments. Yet, in Habakkuk 3, we read his prayer, "LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear, O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years..." This same day, 23 December we read, Psalm 146. "PRAISE the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!...Do not trust in princes, in mortal men,.." To continue on the depravity of mortal man, in Revelation 13 we read what will happen to people :18 "Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate..."

December 27, Psalm 147:12-18, reminds us to Never Give Up. 

Revelation 22:12, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, To render to every man according to what he has done..."

How will you or I respond to the Lord's challenges upon life? Will we respond with anger, strife, hate or love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galations 5:22)? Let us focus on building relationships!!!

*Evans, Tony. Experience the Power of God's Names. Eugene, Oregon, Harvest House Publishers. 2017. page 14.

Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible: Bilical Principles for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Thomas Nelson. 2011. pages 1596-1640.

Merry Christmas & peaceful New Year

 

"When you search for me, you will find me; if you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13, NRSV

   Many Christmas cards show three kings walking toward Bethlehem. Yet the Bible doesn't tell us that they were kings nor that there were three of them! We're told that they were 'wise men from the East' and that they carried three different gifts, but that's all. The important thing is that they came-not what their status was or how many of them there were.

   In the church calendar, they arrived not on the 25th of December, but on the 6th of January, which is celebrated as 'the feast of the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles.' As my birthday is January 6, I've always had particular interest in this part of the Bible story.

   The Wise Men come 'late,'-twelve days after the birth of the Savior-but they still come. They come from 'outside'-as Gentiles, not members of the people of Israel-but they still come. They come a long way-but they still come.

   They come to him because he came to them. He came first and formost in the newborn baby laying in the manager. But he also came to the Wise Men by means of the star that announced his birth and by means of their intelligence and courage which inspired them to undergo the grueling and hazardous journey.

   For Jesus is not only the Truth and the Life, he is also the Way. As we go toward him, we are already meeting him every step of the way. Unless he wanted us, we would not be wanting him.

   I once received a Christmas card that had no picture on it, but just the words: 'Wise men still seek Him.' May we be wise men, wise women, wise children this Christmas.

Continue seeking Him with seriousness.

Unless He wanted you, you would not be wanting Him.

C. S. Lewis, letter to Genia Goelz, June 13, 1951

O God, who by the leading of a star revealed your Son Jesus Christ to the Wise Men: mercifully grant us wisdom to know that we would not be seeking him unless he was first seeking us. Amen.

Michael Ward, the author of Planet Narnia, is a Fellow of Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, and professor of apologitics at Houston Baptist University. December 25 - SEEK HIM. "The Grand Miracle, daily reflections for the season of Advent." Christian History Institute. Worcester, PA & Marion E. Wade Center. Wheaton, IL. 2019.

The Making of an Encourager

 

Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble.

4 

Say to those with anxious heart,

“Take courage, fear not.

Behold, your God will come with vengeance;

The recompense of God will come,

But He will save you.”

Isaiah 35: 3-4 NASB 1995 BibleGateway.com

   Sometimes it takes only one word, a smile, or a grasp of the hand. Sometimes it means standing by someone during a particularly hard time and helping him or her not give up in despair.

   What does encouragement mean to you? Can you recall a time when someone came alongside you for the sole purpose of lifting your spirits or making you smile?

   Have you ever done that for a hurting person? It feels good to know you're loved. It feels especially good in those low moments when you can't see ahead clearly, when you don't grasp God's perspective and vison for your life. Isaiah 35: 3, 4 admonishes, "Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, 'Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you.'"

   The Father has given each of us special tasks within the body of Christ, and those with the gift of exhortation or encouragement (Romans 12:8) can rejoice in their unique and tender ministries. But encouragement isn't strictly the domain of those to whom the Lord has given a special gift; it's not an activity exclusively for those with naturally bubbly or warm personalities. Encouragement is the wonderful, God given function of everyone who belongs to Jesus Christ.

   In the early days of the church, new believers badly needed encouragement. Societal pressures mounted, persecution multiplied, and few had access to the Apostle's teaching (1 Thessalonians 3:1-10).

   Very often, encouragement for the early church came in the form of a person, as it does today. Sometimes just the sight of a certain loved one can reinvigorate your spirits and remove your focus from yourself. Sometimes Paul sent Timothy. More than once, he sent his associate, Tychicus, as a special envoy of joy.

   The ministry of encouragement is indispensable, both to you and to the body of Christ. There is no such thing as a person who doesn't need encouragement.

   By seeking ways to daily encourage those with whom you interact, you further the potential for meaningful, Christ-centered relationships. As Paul told the persecuted Thessalonians, "Encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing . . . Admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone" (1 Thessalonians 5: 11, 14).

Stanley, Charles. F. Life Principles Daily Bible: Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Year. Thomas Nelson: Nashville. 2011. pg 1181.

Molded by the Master

 

Romans 9

20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?  NIV BibleGateway

When the potter takes the lump of clay, he knows what he wants to do with it-whether he wants to create a beautiful vase, bowl, or pitcher. He already knows what it is going to become. He takes the lump of clay, places it on the pottery wheel, and begins to shape it. However, the only way the potter can form this piece of clay into something beautiful is by getting it to the center of the wheel...

   One of the reasons God is not able to make us into the people He wants us to be is because we rebel against Him-we insist on doing things our way and get out of the center of His will. If we insist on questioning and contradicting Him, we'll never experience God's best.

   Romans 9:20, 21 warns, "Who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it? or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?"

   God is daily molding us through our circumstances, and we need to trust Him-our faith in Him is absolutely crucial. To follow are six words to describe our Master Potter that will help us when our faith falters:

1 Power.

   God has power in our lives because He is omnipotent... He allows our free will up to a certain point; however, the Master Potter has the ultimate power over the day.

2. Purpose.

   God has a specific purpose in mind for each of us...

3. Plan.

   ...to conform us into the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ...

4. Patience.

   God never hurries...  because becoming like Jesus Christ involves a lifetime process of learning the ways of God.

5. Perseverance.

   ...God never discards us... our Father has the power to overcome any obstacle in our lives...

6. Personal.

   God forms each one of us individually...

   Therefore, trust the Master Potter!  Trust the One who is powerful, who has a purpose and a plan for you, who is patient with you, who perseveres with you, and who loves you deeply and personally. As He molds you, learn from Him... You're a masterpiece waiting to happen, so submit to His touch.

read the rest of Dr. Stanley's notes on page 1013. Stanley, Charles F. Life Principles Daily Bible: Biblical Principles for Each Day of the Yea. Thomas Nelson publishers, Nashville. 2011.

God’s Will

 

If necessary, God will shake up heaven and earth to get our attention and show us His will.

2Chronicles 20:12

¹² Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” NIV  www.biblegaeway.com

The following is part of Life Principle 10 by Dr. Charles Stanley. For the complete page with scripture references, please open your copy of the 30 Life Principles.

   God always wants the best for us, and He is committed to showing us how to follow the specific plan He has designed for each of our lives. He wants us to listen for His voice, to hear what He wants us to do, and how He wants us to do it (Isaiah 30:19-21).

   When we begin to wander from the course God has set for us, He will take all kinds of measures to capture our attention and protect us from harm. He has a wide variety of ways to help us to take notice, among them:

• A restless spirit
• A spoken word
• An unusual blessing
•  Unanswered prayer
• Disappointment
• Extraordinary circumstances
• Defeat
• Financial troubles
• Tragedy, sickness, and affliction

   The Father always knows exactly where you are in your journey of faith and precisely what it will take to get your attention. Stay alert; notice if any of these divine methods are occurring—or recurring—in your life. If they are, ask Him what He wants to tell you. Be willing to hear and obey what He says.

When faced with a decision, ask, “What does the Bible say?” and “Will my actions reflect God’s love to someone else?” These questions are for me and my “snapping turtle” personality. With all the turmoil, life moving faster and faster, as tragedy upon tragedy piles up, Dr. Tony Evans presented an encouraging message to the Christian National Broadcasters Convention in June 2021. Please pray and then listen to Dr. Evans. This video encourages my heart!!!

 

God presented the reading on Life Principle 10 and Dr. Evans’ powerful message at the National Religious Broadcaster’s Convention within days of each other. So, as Bill Gaither says, “Something Good is About to Happen!” Dr. Evans concluded his message with the example of looking at coming attractions. As a believer in Jesus Christ, we are to allow the Holy Spirit to demonstrate God to all people. Will someone look at me and want to see the main event? Will they ask, “How do I purchase a ticket?” The ticket has already been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. All someone has to do is accept the ticket.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world [including add your name] that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever [including add your name] believes in him, [add your name], shall not perish but have eternal life.  NIV   John 3:16      https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/John%203:16