Devotion~ Palm Sunday! 2020

 Luke 19:35-40

As I read these verses I thought about why they were singing praises to Jesus. I believe it was became in him they saw "Hope". Many of them thought that he would be the one who would free them from Rome's rule. But he did not come to free them from Rome. He came to free them and us from our sins. 

The Pharisees tried to get Jesus to tell the worshipers to be quiet. But Jesus said, " If these would be quiet, even the stones will cry out." I know that we may not be in a church to celebrate the beginning of the Holy week. But like these worshipers we too can take time this week to sing praises to God. I don;t know about you, but I will not have a stone cry out for me. I will sing praises to Jesus myself. 

Devotion~March 29, 2020

 2 Cor. 4: 8-10, 15-18, or Romans 5:1-5

In the song, "My hope is built on nothing less then Jesus' blood and righteousness." The chorus  says, " On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." That is what I want to talk to you about today. 

I grew up with another song that goes like this..."

"The wise man built his house up one the rock, the wise man built his house upon the rock ,the wise man built  his house upon the rock, and the rains came a  tumbling down. The rains came down and the floods went up, the rain came down and the floods went up, the rains came down and the floods went  up, and the house on the rock stood firm. 

 The foolish man built his house upon the sand, the foolish man built his house upon the sand, the foolish man built his house upon the sand, and the rain came tumbling down. The rains came down and the floods went up, the rains came down and the floods went  up, the rains came down and the floods went up and the house on the sand went splat.

So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ, So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ, So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ and the blessing will come down. The blessings will come down , as the prayers go up, the blessings will come down as the prayers go up, The blessings will come down as the prayers go up. So build faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. "

We are in a storm right now called, "Cornonavirus".  For some people, it may feel like they are standing in the middle of a tornado with all of this stuff flying around them and they are fearful.  I believe that when we put our hope in Jesus Christ, We will not only get through this storm, but will also build a stronger faith on the foundation of Jesus Christ. Then we will not be fearful. 

Devotion~March 15, 2020

 Praise the Lord!

Ps. 150

When you are out in nature, have you felt like breaking out in praise to god? I have!

Once I was at a cabin next to a river and across the river was a hill with threes on it. I noticed that the trees looked as though they had their branches up as arms raised to God and praising God. So I too started to sing praises to God. 

As I did, I saw a frog and sang inviting the frogs to praise God with me. Then I thought of the fish in the river & invited them to join us in a song of praise. 

That is about when I closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes. Along my side of the river~ the fish were blowing circles that looked like notes on the water. 

At that moment~ I felt as though~ "Everything that has breath" was praising God with me. It was awesome!

I challenge you to go outside and sing praises in nature. Remember as Jesus said, " If these  be silent ( that is us), the very stones would cry out."  Don't make the stone cry out for you, go out and sing praises yoursel

March 8, 2020

 

Is there help?

Ps. 121

Have you ever felt alone? I have.

I once lived on a 110 acre farm where I only was around people other then David 2 xs a week. David was working nights during part of the times we lived there. I could get lonely. 

The farm was surrounded with hills. Each night, I would end my work day on the farm with a walk. At the end of the walk, I would watch the due ascend onto the hills around me and felt as though God was saying, " You can rest now. I'm watching over you." 

Each morning, I would take the same walk and watch the due raising from the hills that surrounded the farm & felt as though God was saying, "Ok. girl, it's time to get to work."

During that time, I always felt protected by God. 

As I read Ps. 121~ I think of that farm. Then the thought hit me~ God is STILL with US now & we can always "look unto the hills" now.

Devotion~March 1, 2020

 Heart Health

Ps. 51

Howard and Wanda Jones both had plans for their lives when they entered college, but God had other plans for them. 

They both had times when they had to put their wants & plans aside to do God's plan. It was not always easy for them, but they kept setting aside their selfishness and make the decisions to do God's will. 

Because they did that, they were blessed with great ministries in our country and overseas. 

In time, God had them work with Billy Graham. In fact, they were the 1st Afro-Americans to work with Billy Graham during a time in our country when that didn't usually happen. 

Because of them having obedient hearts, they have a great testimony today. Which you can read in this book. 

What about Us, if we are willing to obey God's will for our lives~ we too will have wonderful testimonies to share with others.

devotion! Nov. 17, 2019

 

Devotional: Heb.10:11-14~"And every Priest stand day by day at his service, offering again & again the same sacrifice that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, "he sat down at the right hand of God," and since then has been waiting "until his enemies would be made his footstool for his feet." For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." Imagine this... King Jesus is sitting in heaven on his throne looking down to earth watching how sin is destroying mankind's souls like cancer does the body. He has tried guiding them through prophets & his Word. But it has not been enough to cure the cancer of the soul~sin. Animal sacrifices was only covering up the affects of the soul like a band-aid on a cancer patient.  But it was not a cure. Jesus knew that the only cure was the sacrifice of blood of a pure soul for mankind. But he could not find a man who was pure enough to do that.  SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, In His love for mankind. He decides to be that sacrifice.That is when he stood up and laid aside his crown & rope and stepped down to earth to become a humble human. To live the perfect life & then become our perfect cure for our souls' cancer~ sin.  Given what he has done for us & all mankind~ How can we do anything less then to serve our KIng by living the life he taught us to live. A life of love that brings healing, hope and justice to those around us and around the world? ReplyForward

Nov. 9, 2019

 "God used the Good News that we preached to call you to be saved. He called you, so you can share share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thess. 2:14 NCV).

The Holy Bible has been like a rare and precious jewelry box covered with gems & gold in many parts of the world. In years past, missionaries had to go and tell the story of God's Good News that there is room at the cross for all who believe.  But thanks to people like Cameron Townsend more people have the Bible today. 

Cameron Townsend answered the call to take the Good News to the nations. How? He started the Wycliff Bible Translators. Because of this ministry, today many people have the Word of God in their own language. Many would not know of God's great love, grace, mercy & forgiveness if they did not have the Bible in their own language. 

It makes me think of a song I learned as a child that goes like this...

Into a tent where a gypsy boy lay

Dying alone at the end of the day

News of Salvation we carry, said he

"No one has ever told it to me."

Did he so loved me a poor little boy?

Send unto me the good tidings of joy.

Need I not perish, my hand will he hold?

Nobody ever the story has told?

Bending we heard that last words of his breath

Just as he entered the valley of death.

God sent his son, "Whosoever", Said he.

Then I am sure that he sent him for me.

Smiling, he said as his last sign he spent.

I am so glad that for me he was sent.

Whispered while sank the sun in the West.

"Lord, I believe, tell it now to the rest."

Tell it again,

Tell it again.

Salvation's story repeat ovr & ovr

Still none can say of the children of men

Nobody has told me before.  

 

Devotion~Nov. 1st

 Welcome to the great hall of Faith! We will be will be walking down this long hall with pics of the saints that has gone before us. Let us start now. He we pass all the saints from the Old testament like Abraham & Sarah, past the prophets like Jeremiah. here we pass the pics of the saints from the New Testament like Mary & Joseph, clear to ones like Paul. Now we are walking pass the saints that has been here long past Bible time. 

Now we will stop in front of the pics of Worley & Mae Pettet. After Worley got black lung from working in the mines of Ohio, he became a Christian Union Pastor where he preached in very small country churches. Since he had only a 3rd grade education he could not read well. so Mae who had an 8th grade education would read the Bible to him. He would ponder the b\verses and when he was ready he would sit down with Mae and tell her what he wanted to preach. She would then read the sermon to him over and over until he had it memorized. Then come Sunday morning he would preach that in 2 churches. Worley was mowing the lawn of one of 4 churches he was preaching in when he had the first heart attache that lead to his graduation to heaven. Just before he died, he said, " Listen to that beautiful music, Maie. It is the most beautiful music I have ever heard." A light then shone in to through the window and he was gone. 

Why are these saints important to me? Because, they were my Grandparents. They left behind a wonderful Christian example for those of us who have gone behind them. I am thankful for that!

As we stop to remember the saints that went before us. I wonder, will those who go behind us, find us faithful to our calling in Christ?

Devotion~July 21, 2019

 Stop & listen

Luke 10:38-42

When I was younger, I thought that I needed to fill every need I saw in ministries, I was a Martha.

But in doing so, I found that I was burning myself out spiritually & was getting physically sick every so often. When this happened I would not have anything to give to others including my family. 

In time, I figured out that I could not do it all. For I needed to take the time to stop , sit & listen to God's Word. Like Mary to refill myself. 

So if I say, 'No' to a request for ministry. It is because I want to be strong in the areas I am ministering in & not burn out so badly that I can't minister at all.

Devotion~Jul;y 7, 2019

 2 Kings 5:10-11, 13~ "Elisha sent a MESSENGER TO HIM, SAYING, 'gO WASH IN THE Jordan SEVEN TIMES, AND YOUR FLESH SHALL BE RESTORED AND YOU SHALL BE CLEAN." but nAAMAN BECAME ANGRY AND WENT AWAY, SAYING, "i THOUGHT THAT FOR ME HE WOULD SURELY COME OUT, AND STAND AND CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD HIS GOD, AND WOULD WAVE HIS HAND OVER THE SPOT, AND CURE THE LEPROSY! ... but HIS SERVANTS APPROACHED AND SAID TO HIM, 'FATHER, IF THE PROPHET HAD COMMANDED YOU TO DO SOMETHING DIFFICULT WOULD YOU NOT HAVE DONE IT? how MUCH MORE, WHEN ALL HE SAID TO YOU WAS, "WASH, AND BE CLEAN." 

Naaman was told what he needed to do to be healed. He precsripton for healing required him to humble himself and obey the Prophet, Elisha. 

In May, my  tough farmer Father rolled a tractor on his right side and broke 3 ribs, while cutting hay on a hill side.If you have ever had broken ribs you know that breathing and moving causes great pain. Yet while he was in the hospital he was told to do deep breathing, and walk often for this would help him to heal and not get sicker. I saw my tough Father be put in a situation where he was made humble and he has to obey if he is going to get well. 

How often are we broken in our minds, emotions,  souls & relationships? Our Great Doctor~ God has our proscription written his His Holy Bible. But we need to humble ourselves and obey His Word so that we too can heal. 

Devotion~ March 6, 2019

 Joel 2:1-2~Sound the alarm that the Lord is coming. 

Ps. 51:1-17~A sinners prayer for forgiveness and restoring joy of salvation

* 2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10~ How we as God's ambassadors should act.

Mat. 6:1-6, 16-21~Give alms, fast and pray in secret so that the God who knows and sees all can reward you. 

Read 2 Cor. 5:20b-6:10

There was a woman who presented the Gospel to the drug ring of a city in the USA. Those people got scared that the woman would turn them into the police, so they beat her up & filed false charges against her. She was visiting her family in a different state when they arrested her. That state decided to allow her to return back to the state that she lived in after her vacation was over. When the time came for her to go back to turn herself in. She made sure that she went back dressed up, for she knew that she was presenting herself as an ambassador of Christ. For she knew that how she acted from this point on could undo everything she had been trying to accomplish for Christ up to that point. 

We too, need to be careful how we act as people are "reading" the Gospel according to how we live. So what does the epistle according to you read? 

March 17, 2017

 Luke 23:31-35~ Jesus being lead to the cross to be crucified.

Phil. 3:17-4:1~ Walk worthy of the cross of Christ. 

How we live our lives affects how others around us view Christianity.  You don't believe that? How may times have you heard people say, " If how so and  so is is a Christian than I don't want to be one."

We should be real careful to live as Christ would live in our shoes, because if we don't we could become a stumbling block for someone to trip over that will keep them from getting saved. 

Devotion~ March 3, 2019

 EX. 34:29-35~ Moses face shined because he had been with God. 

Ps. 99~ God's worshipers called to God and he answered them. God spoke to them and they kept his rules and laws. 

2 Cor. 3:12-4:2~ Moses face shined because he had been with God. 

Luke 9:28-36~ Moses and Elijah's bodies shined because they were with Jesus. 

It is said that the moon shines because it reflexes the light from the sun to the earth. 

In all these verses, the glory of God made their face, or body shine because they were or had been in God's presence. 

We too, are to reflex the light of God to the people of the earth. BUT we can only do that IF we stay in the presence of God by reading & thinking on His Word, and following it. Also pray without ceasing. 

Devotion~Nov. 25, 2018

 Alpha & Omega

Rev. 1:4b-8

As we grow older, we will go through many changes in life.  We live in a country that has a culture that is ever changing. And people may come and go from our lives. It can be enough to make our heads spin. 

BUT in this world of changes, we can hold onto the one who never changes. For He was, is and will always be the God who created us, and loved us enough to sacrifice his son, Jesus, so that he could have a relationship with us. AND He is ever walking by our side. Let us never forget to praise and thank Him for that.

Dec. 2, 2018

 Luke 1:5-8,11-13,18-20

This is the calling of Zacharias.

He was called to have and raise the man who would go before Jesus to prepare the way for him.

But Zacharias doubted his calling. Because of his doubts, he was not able to speak until it came about.

How many of us has had God call us to do something for Him? 

How often did we doubt God's calling? 

quiet, when we should be sharing the Good News with those around us. Maybe that is why we as Christians are so quiet when we should be sharing the Good News with those around us.

Are you raising a child? Who knows what that child has been called to do? Your calling is a lot like Zacharias.

To the rest of you. remember age does not matter. God called young Timothy to preach. He also called Zacharias & his wife who were both up in age. And God used them.

What has God called you to do this Christmas season? 

Devotion Nov. 4, 2018

 Heb.12:1

To me, life as a Christian spiritually looks like this...

 

We are on the field called earth,  running a relay race for God's team. The gospel has been handed to us, & it is our turn to run.  When we get tired, we look up and see all the faces of the Christians that has died cheering us on. Telling us that we can do it, and not to give up, but to keep on running. As we are running, we are to hand the gospel off to many others. So that they too can run the race and hand the gospel to others. We have our clouds of witnesses, will we be in someone elses cloud? 

Devotional Sept. 30, 2018

 Pastor's sermon~Seek wisdom

How can we help? How do you rescue someone today?

James 3:13-4:3  & 5:13-20 

My devotional:

Read James 5:13-20

In the past, I have been a prayer warrior. God often would wake me up giving me names to pray for or sometimes I would just see what look like pictures of faces going by & I would pray for them. Moat of the time I never knew the outcome of my prayers. 

*But there is one I do know the outcome of. Let me tell you about it. I had friends who were short term missionaries to Vietnam. Once when they went they were not only going to do mission work, but also adopt a girl while there.

One day while they were there, I was coming down the long staircase of the home we lived in and I saw a vision of them laying dead at the bottom of the stairs. I stared praying, claiming them and their lives for God. I did so until I felt the burden lift. 

When they came home from a successful mission trip, I ask them many times, how it went? They kept saying that it was great. Finally I told them what happened to to me while they were there. 

He got a funny look on his face, and then started to tell me about a Sunday that he was there. 

They were suppose to go to an underground church that Sunday. But some students that they had taught English to ,asked them to come to the beach and teach them more English. They did and had many chances to share Christ to them. 

Later, they found out that the police had showed up at the underground church.If they had been there they would had been killed. I later heard on World news that some missionaries that were in Vietman at the same time, were killed.  

James 5:16b

OR

During the time that we were in the process of buying the house we live in today. There was a slight delay. I asked why and was told that Mr. Gander was very ill and could die.  When I heard this, I contacted as many prayer chains as I could and asked them to pray for Mr. G. Prayers went up for him all over this state, country, and even overseas. I am sure that they were going up here as well. Well, we all know how that ended. Me. G is alive today because of those prayers.

 James 5:14-16