January 18, 2011

Nov 16 - Thanksgiving by Elder Burdette Thomas

I would like to thank the many people that have pulled me aside and have given encouraging words to me for the devotions that I have written. It does my heart good to know that there are people out there reading and being blessed by them. These people are not afraid to let me know how much they enjoy them. The devotion on baptism was a big hit with everyone. This was the one most people talk about. Please pray for me that I will also know and do the will of God. 1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. 3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. 4 Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul Psalms 116:1-4 (KJV)
    O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Psalms 118:1 (KJV)
    We have so much to be thankful for in the day in which we live. God has been so good to us. He has given his only son to die on the cross of Calvary to pay our sin debt. We need to be thankful that we live in a country that is free. We are free to worship God in the way he wants us too. We should be thankful for churches in our land. People need to be thankful for true men of God that have been called by God to preach his word. Men that will stand and preach the gospel and the Holy Spirit prick our hearts and God save our souls for Jesus sake.
    I have never seen a time when people feel like they don’t have anything to be thankful for. If you were able to rise up out of bed this morning then you have something to be thankful for. If you say preacher I was not able to get out of bed this morning so I don’t have that to be thankful for. Well just let me tell you this that you are still breathing this side of eternity so this is something to thank God for. People feel like they are in such bad shape today. Every time I felt like that I was in bad shape all I had to do was look around and soon I would see that there are people in worse shape then I am.
    We need to love the Lord because he heard our cry. We need to love him because he helped us when we could not help ourselves. We are living in a land of plenty. We have more today than I feel that any people have had in the time before us. We have more food in the day in which we live than any other in time. We throw out more today than some countries have to eat. God has richly blessed us here in America . So yes may I say we do have a lot to be thankful for. There have been many times that no doubt we have set down to eat a meal and when we finished we make a statement you know it would have been good if we would have had some of this to go along with the meal. We are entering the month of November when we celebrate Thanksgiving. So when you sit down this year to eat your Thanksgiving dinner please remember who has made it possible for you to enjoy what you have. We have food on our tables and shoes on our feet. We have a roof over our heads and cloths on our backs. Yes I believe we have a lot to be thankful for. If you don’t think you have anything to be thankful for close your eyes and picture yourself in New Orleans under a bridge holding a card board sign saying I need food. Then open your eyes and look at the table spread before you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas

Nov 16 - Rimes With Reason

    We are reaching Thanksgiving Week and this gives another reason to think of  food.  Maybe, if we’re careful, extra delicious meals this season won’t add to our girth.  Instead of thinking of increasing our pants size I would rather emphasize a nicer saying like: “Southern cooking makes you good looking.” I’m not discounting the beauty of the many adults I know, but either food choices or a slower way of life seems to make Southern young people more attractive.
    Thanksgiving is mentioned many times in the Bible. When walls and gates of Jerusalem were repaired under leadership of Nehemiah names were drawn to move one of every ten Jewish families to that newly fortified city.  The rest were to live in their own towns. At this occasion was the  first mention of a prayer of thanksgiving: “And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer  . . . ”-Nehemiah 11:17-KJV.  Songs and praises were other ways to magnify God: “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”-Psalms 69:30-KJV.
    This is one of the most familiar verses in the Bible:  “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”-Psalms 100:4-KJV. This verse talks of food leftovers:  (29) “When you offer a Thanksgiving-Offering to God, do it right so it will be acceptable. (30) Eat it on the same day: don’t leave any leftovers until morning.  I am God.” - Lev. 22:29-30-MESSAGE. Fast food places aren’t some new phenomena: When God visited Abraham: “Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah.  He said, ‘Hurry, Get three cups of our best flour; knead it and make bread.”-Gen. 18-6-MESSAGE.
    There are recipes in the Bible like Ezekiel bread? One of our massage clients often brings a loaf.  It’s moist, heavy, delicious and healthy. “Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt: put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself . . . ”-Ezekiel 4:9-NIV. The Bible even mentions cooking spices: “She gave the king four and a half tons of gold and sack after sack of spices and precious stones.  There hasn’t been a cargo of spices like the shipload the queen of Sheba brought to King Solomon.”-2 Chronicles 9:9-MESSAGE.
    Some cooks go from sickbed to the kitchen: (14) “By this time they were in front of Peter’s house.  On entering, Jesus found Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed, burning up with fever.(15) He touched her hand and the fever was gone.  No sooner was she up on her feet than she was fixing dinner for him.” Matt. 8:14-15-MESSAGE.  Jesus used cooking yeast in this Spiritual parable: “. . . ‘God’s kingdom is like yeast that a woman works into the dough for dozens of loaves of barley bread –and waits until the dough rises’.”-Matt. 13:33-MESSAGE.
    Jesus promised that food will be supplied to those who trust: “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”- Matt. 6:31-KJV.
    These verses in the last Book of the Bible are the example to follow in our reverence and praise to Holy God:   (11) “And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, (12) Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”- Revelation 7:11-12-KJV.

Nov 16 - Testing Of Faith by DR Mallery Callahan

    The testing of faith produces patience which is the hallmark of the mature believer. We must adopt the four consummate virtues of Christian living: justive, mercy, humility and faithfulness. Remember only God can judge his people. Faith is simpler than it seems.
    Trust that :
(a) God is Good!
(b) He is  a place of safety for us when we are in trouble.
(c) He is faithful to care for those who trust Him to do so.
    Guard against bitte4rness in your own heart and among God’s people. Remember the battle is the Lord’s. Trust your battles to Him, and rest in His victory. He will fight your battles.
    believe that God is able to supply all the needs, even when you have no idea how.
            Trusting Him always,
            Pastor Callahan

Nov 16 - Who Will U Invite For Thanksgiving Dinner? By Minister Frankie L Crosby

7 “And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them, 8  When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honorable man than thou be bidden of him; 9  And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. 10  But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. 11  For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 12  Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee.  13  But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14  And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. 15  And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. 16  Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18  And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19  And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20  And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21  So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22  And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24  For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper."  Luke 14:7-24
    Our Father has for many years invited us to partake of his goodness and his mercy.....
    As we enter into this holiday season, we must ask the question: “Who do I know that needs a good meal?”
    Jesus tells us when we give to the poor, it's like giving to him. Too often we invite only those who can repay or do a favor for us.....
    God's word lets us know He will bless us! There is so much joy in giving when its done from the heart, expecting nothing in return. What excuses do u make for not doing what we've been instructed to do by the Lord?
    Throughout these scriptures, the invited people made excuse, after excuse why they couldn't attend the banquet. There's gonna be a banquet in Heaven for those chosen and invited by God. After the servant(us) had done what the Master(Jesus) had commanded him to do, there was still room at the banquet for more! Just like most of our churches today, there's still room for you and me! That's why we must continue to "go to the highways and the by-ways and compel men to come, that my Father's house may be filled".
    I know, not everyone is gonna accept the invitation to come but one day, you are gonna come----you might be rolled in but you are gonna come! To God be the Glory and no devil in hell can take that away. Enjoy your Thanksgiving with family and friends and please include Jesus at your banquet.
one of His kids,
Min. Frankie L. Crosby

Nov 16 - Where’s Daddy? by EJH

    It’s funny where inspiration comes from.  My kids seem to teach me more often than I do them.  Our family is pretty close.  As the children are young, and we were older when they were born, they are sometimes exposed to conversations adults have as we mature.  Additional curiosity comes from our outdoor and country lifestyle where we often commune with nature, wild, and domestic animals.  Kids watch us close, all of us, especially dads.
    As men we are directed by God to revere and honor our families.  I won’t quote scripture here, but you may search almost any Bible index for those key words.  Let’s, for a moment, forget Christian Doctrine.  Science, and common sense, demonstrate that, generally, the male of a species is typically larger, stronger, more agile, and all around more capable of protecting his family.  My belief is that God made us that way.
    Which brings me back to my kids.  We’re sitting here tonight watching Animal Planet, one of their favorites.   I’d like to boast training them to be comfortable talking about any subject.   Reality is, most times I feel like a failure, surviving only by God’s immeasurable grace.  They ask questions, or need some form of information, attention, or care, and all I can do is send up a quick prayer begging for guidance.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m smart, and tough, it only happens a few hundred times a day, and somehow the words come.
    So tonight they ask about the daddy bear.  It seems momma bear was protecting two cubs, and humans were trying to rescue the family.  ‘Where was Daddy?’ God must have been listening because we used it as an opportune time of discussion.  In nature, this is the norm for most species.  Darwin did have some validity to his research.
    However, men were not programmed or designed like the animal father.  Therefore, we have no business acting like members of the wild animal kingdom.  Our responsibility is at home, with our families.  Managing the household, comforting and encouraging our wife, providing a behavioral example, and sanctuary for our children.  We need to bring home the bacon, as well as the vegetables, clothing, and other necessities of life.  It is our responsibility to insure a safe, happy, and healthy home.
    Everyone knows the statistics, a divorce rate of 50%, and young men dying in the streets.  How long can it continue, still expecting civilized American society survive?  I submit to you that many examples in the animal kingdom, would shame their human counterpart, Emperor Penguins, for one.
    As men, we need to come home.  Not simply to our earthly residence, but to Jesus.  God’s word is a blueprint for life, the instruction manual for living.  He has brought many sinners, even worse than you or I, back from the shadows.  Our children need us, our wives need us.  No matter how little we like to admit it, we need them. 
    However, even in turmoil, men must take the lead.  It is your responsibility to make the first, second, and even third move if necessary.  Lead by example, following only the lead of our Jesus, not of this world.  It takes only a little inspiration for many others to follow.  Just envision what an entire U.S. State of devoted husbands and fathers could start!  America would be unstoppable.  ejh

Nov 16 - Stay Kind Together by Brother Shelton

    You know every day I see a husband and wife together sometimes they are happy and having fun together and sometimes they are fighting and cross with each other. I don’t know if it is good or bad, but I would like to take them to a quiet place and try to help them to understand that it is a gift from God that they know each other at all. They should stop and thank Him at least once a day or more for that blessing.
    You see I was lucky enough to have a wife for 35 years that I did not have any bad days with, and I am so glad that we made the agreement that we did right after we were married. We agreed that we would not stay mad at each other more than an hour at the most. No matter what we were mad at and we would spend as much time together as we could be each day. To be honest at first it was not too easy, then we found out that the more time we spent together the more we cared for each other. We got so use to doing things together that if we could not do it together we did not do it. This is what I would like to tell all the couples that I see. They need to enjoy each other as much as they can for they don’t know how much time they have left.
    One day we were in a car together, I had a wreck and she was killed. It will soon be three years and I was almost killed myself. I have been told by a lot of people that it could not have been helped. The law also told me this, but I must say that does not help me a lot. I would trade places with her in a second. I have prayed to God to do that, but as of now I am still here. I wonder if I am going to hell. You know about, ‘thou shall not kill. I have lost a lot of sleep thinking about that one. But on the up side I spend a lot of time thinking about the good times that we had together.
    I have had two specialists tell me I should have died to, that is doctors. One was a heart doctor and the other was a colon doctor. I have asked to trade places with her or just take me to be with her and so far nothing. So you see I could tell all the couples to forget everything they can find to disagree about and be glad to still have time together. You see I don’t know if I would be anything to anyone if I did not have all our good times to think about. I don’t sleep a lot because of what happened. I have half a heart that gives me pain. So I have turned to God for help. I must say that I have found good and bad things in the Bible like in Romans 14:11-13 says, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” I have done that every chance I get, now let me finish. 12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more; but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or on occasion to fall in his brother’s way.”
    I think that each time a couple has words they are putting stumbling blocks out for each other. If a child happens to hear them fuss, then what effect does it have on them. I have tried to walk closer with God since the death of my wife than ever before. I know that no man has had a better gift than I did when I meet my wife. I just wish everyone could understand the same thing before it is too late. None of us know how much time we have left on this earth. Married men and women remember that the one you married is a gift from God, treat them as one.
    In the book of James, chapter 4, verse 14 and 15 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow; What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that,” You see you should always put God first in everything. You see when you get married and time goes by you should start growing together not apart. So work harder to stay together, please.
In his love,
Brother Shelton

Nov 16 - Don’t By Pass Jesus! The Word Doesn’t! by Joyce Mizell

    In her book, “Pack Up Your Gloomees In a Great Big Box,” then sit on it and laugh Barbara Johnson make three statements about words-If it’s free-it’s advice; If you pay –it’s counseling; If you can use either one-it’s a miracle. Of course, these words are facts in our every day life. The Holy Words of God are priceless to all for Light to guide; for Salvation of our soul and for Eternal Life. The Bible is old in time as we measure time but It’s always new to each generation.
    God uses the Holy Word to make known his Will to man. Prophets of the past spoke the Word, The Word is written in the Law and all other Scriptures. The Word lives in the person of Jesus Christ. John 1:1-In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
    The Word of God never changes. In the Old Testament the Word came to the prophets by divine revelation. God’s spoken Word formed creation. A true prophet of God speaks Truth. A false prophet speaks words to grease his own palm. In our New Testament the Holy Word is used as a specific function of Jesus Christ. The New Testament describes divine revelation. The Christian message is the Word of God. Luke 8:11 tells us the seed is the Word of God. The Word of God must dwell in a Christian. Colossians 3:16
    The Word of God is the Gospel. Three passages in the New Testament for Word are “logos” used as a title for Jesus Christ. John 1:1-14; 1st John 1:1; Rev. 19:13. John provided us with plain words we can understand Truth of the incarnation life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ which is the revelation of God. Hebrews 1: 1-God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2-Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. This is wonderful thought in the Holy Word.” JESUS HAS ALWAYS BEEN DIVINE! Don’t By Pass Jesus Christ! Please read Acts 3: 19-26. God sent Jesus and after his death, burial, and resurrection he has been received back into heaven. The prophets told us about Jesus and Moses spoke the Word. God sent his son Jesus to bless us in turning away every one from our iniquities.
    There are no detours or a way to meander from or around Jesus Christ! Should we ever think we can it’s a fatal mistake on our part. Reading what Barbara Johnson said about words was such a fact in our every day life that I decided to dig a little deeper about the Word of God and began a study on this article one morning.
    Jesus Christ is the promised prophet of God, our Savior. Deut 18:15-The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of they brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken This Prophet spoken about would be the mediator between God and man. Matt. 21:11; Luke 1: 67-80; Luke 2: 25-34; Luke 7:16; Acts 3: 19-26 The revelation of Jesus Christ is about God. John 1:8 The angel gave John the revelation for the Word through Christ. We should study and take God’s Holy Word to heart and Soul. We must never try to by pass Jesus. John the Baptist was sent by God to bear witness of the Light The Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Jesus was in the world and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came to his own and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, and full of grace and truth. No one has ever seen God because God is Spirit but in essence we see God through Jesus Christ.
    Barbara Johnston nailed it on the head what she said about words in our earthly life. The Holy Written Word of God makes it crystal clear what we need to know and do to have Eternal Life. Please be sure and read Hebrews 1: 1-2 again where God has spoken to us by his son Jesus Christ.
    I wonder if Jesus was here on earth today would he ask some of us the same question, HAVE I BEEN SO LONG TIME WITH YOU, AND YET HAST THOU NOT KNOWN ME, PHILIP? HE THAT HATH SEEN ME HATH SEEN THE FATHER, AND HOW SAYEST THOU THEN, SHOW US THE FATHER?
    DON’T BY PASS JESUS CHRIST!

Nov 1 - Where Will You Spend Eternity by Elder Burdette Thomas

    Luke 16:19-31 19. “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,  21. And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28. For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
    Today I would like to take our study from Luke 16:19-31. In these verses of scriptures we will find a story about two men that lived long ago in the days of Moses. We are going to take these verses of scripture to show us that there is a place called heaven and a place called hell. And in one of these places you will spend your eternity. There is no might or maybe about it you will. Let us look at these verses of scripture now. First of all let was take a look at the man that is mention first, the rich man. “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:” Luke 16:19 (KJV)
    From what the Bible tells us about this man he was very rich. A man that must have every thing money could buy. He had fine cloths and ate a wonderful meal every day. No doubt this man had a fine home, servants and any thing else money could buy. Next the Bible tells us about the other man. A beggar by the name of Lazarus. 20 “And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:20-21 (KJV)
    This was a poor man that had nothing. He was full of sores. He had nothing to eat because he would beg for the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The dogs were the only thing other than God that had pity on the man. No doubt this man went to sleep many nights hungry. We read that both of these men died.22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;” Luke 16:22 (KJV)
    There are some people in this world that don't believe there is a hell. According to Luke 16:23 “And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23 (KJV)
    You see both of these men died. The rich man went to hell and Lazarus went to heaven. The rich man was able to feel, see, hear and talk. He was in torment. He even saw Lazarus the poor beggar that he wanted nothing to do with in the comfort of Abraham's bosom or the paradise of God. The rich man did not go to hell because he was rich. He went to hell because he refused to trust Jesus as his savior. This man no doubt was given the opportunity to be saved just like the beggar. Jesus is the maker of the rich man and the beggar. The rich lifted his eyes in hell and new where he was. He begins to beg Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and put that one drop on his tongue. “And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Luke 16:24 (KJV)
    Abraham begins to remind him of the life that he had lived. When all was said and done the rich man begin to plead with Abraham to send Lazarus back to his father's house to warn his five brothers. You see he did not want them to come where he was. There has been many in this world to die and lift their eyes in hell. They never intended on going to hell. Hell is a place where there is no love, joy, and peace. What you will find there is trouble, torments, pain and sorrow. Hell is a place you don't want to go. The thing is you don't have too. Jesus came into this world bleed and died on the cross that you may mess hell and go to heaven. Each one of us well spend eternity some where. So I ask you where will you spend yours. You don't have to go to hell. You have a choice. Please choose Jesus and go with me to heaven. It is so wonderful that God fixed it so that the rich and the poor can stand side by side on the other side. Please don't put off salvation because you may not get another opportunity. Then you like the rich man will lift your eyes in hell. I beg you don't let that happen. Jesus died for you.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas

Nov 1 - Rimes With Reason by Charles Rimes

    Statistics and numbers were an interesting part of my former life as a banker.  I spent 42 years before retiring from that occupation by observing, handling and balancing sums and figures as do all who are still employed in those capacities. This type work was mentally challenging and you hear a lot of success stories, but many more sad ones.  I’m glad that part of my life is over. We never kept up with “the Joneses” at our home by overspending or like some, trying to be overly competitive in business, by excessive borrowing because stress and ulcers will occur particularly at repayment time.
    My life now as a Massage Therapist at our business is basically stress free.  We are interested mainly in making individual clients feel better with quality care and less interested in numerical volume or quantity.  Still, around town I hear interesting numbers in daily communication with people.  For example one told of friends getting married in October.  They timed it perfectly so that they were pronounced married at 10 minutes past 10 a.m. on 10/10/10. Thinking ahead, now that it’s November, next year someone can be married at 11 minutes past 11 a.m. or p.m. on 11/11/11.  
    There are many statistics and numbers in the Bible.  I am not writing about what individual  numbers mean or about the supposedly coded numbers or passages, but our Bible often mentions specific numerical data.  Abram heard from the Lord:  “I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.” - Genesis 13:16-NIV. Here’s another: “Look up at the heavens and count the stars-- if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” - Genesis15:5-NIV.
    Women compared David against Saul in this verse: “As they danced, they sang Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” -1 Samuel 18:7-NIV. Around this era David separated those with musical ability to play harps, psalteries and cymbals: “Along with their relatives –all of them trained and skilled in music for the Lord–they numbered 288.” -1 Chronicles 25:7-NIV.
    We now have 12 million illegal aliens in the United States, but this is not a new problem.  King Solomon had a similar situation in the nation of Israel.  “Solomon took a census of all the aliens who were in Israel, after the census his father David had taken, and they were found to be 153,600.” - 2 Chronicles 2:17-NIV.
    In this verse they counted just the great fishes maybe implying there were more caught:  “Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.”- John 21:11-KJV.
     This verse should give each saved individual  confidence that our Heavenly Father keeps up with every tiny detail of our bodies, our lives and actions on this earth.  The unsaved should be afraid.  (29) “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny.  Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.  (30) And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  (31) So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” - Matthew 10:29-31-NIV.
    Jesus’ name’s sake is a priority over anything, including family, property or material possessions.  Worshiping only Him is our answer, “And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”-Matthew 19:29-KJV.

Nov 1 - The Age of Laodicea by Rev. Chad Jenkins

    I sit here with my stomach in knots, and my heart in shreds. In the last months I have seen and heard of so many misrepresentations of Christ, that it makes my head swim. From the protesters at the funerals of our fallen servicemen, to the kook that wanted to burn the Koran, and all points in between. My sickness comes not from what these misguided souls are doing though, as much as it comes from the realization that it is far too easy for ME to misrepresent Jesus.
    I can’t do anything about how anyone else behaves, but I can check my attitude about Christ. Jesus told the church at Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev 3:15-16). In other words, their self-serving attitude toward faith literally made the Holy God of Eternity sick! How many of us today are claiming the name of Jesus, and locking arms with the church out of sheer convenience?
    Are you a Christian of convenience? Do you show up at church on Sunday, and drop a little something in the offering so that you feel better about the rest of the week? When people speak to you during your daily routines, can they see the love Jesus in your life?
    More and more it seems that folks want to claim Christianity, and find every “loophole” of grace that they can to justify loose living. Too many of the problems that plague the world today are just as prominent in the church: divorce, adultery, teen pregnancy, suicide, domestic violence, etc. The list goes on. And the church is in lock-step with the world. We don’t want to be told that our sin is what nailed the Savior to the cross, we want to be told how good we are. We don’t want to hear that our sin separates us from God, we want to know “how to live our best life now.” This is the very attitude that incited Jesus to walk into the temple courts and start tossing tables!
    There are people literally dying for their faith in Christ around the world, and we don’t want to be bothered with gathering at church on Sunday. We want a “Christianity” branded and packaged for us.
    Well, let me tell you, this is not what the Lord intended. Faith is not about our feelings, our comfort, or our prosperity; it’s about Christ and Him crucified (see 1 Corinthians chapter 2). It is about stepping out and trusting Jesus to lead (see John chapter 10). It is about letting go of our priorities and following His (see Matthew chapter 16).
Don’t preach to me, Preacher,
Tell the other guy.
I know that I have done some things,
But I had good reasons why.

These other folks don’t understand,
They’re much worse off than me.
So you be sure to tell them,
And don’t start tellin’ me!

I’ve shown up for church sometimes.
Even more than twice last year.
So don’t make me feel guilty,
Because I like to drink my beer.

Don’t God want me happy?
Is He worried how I live our lives?
I haven’t ever killed no one,
And I’ve been good to all my wives.

I don’t mind saying “Jesus,”
When my friends say it’s ok.
So don’t preach to me, Preacher,
I like myself this way.

    Jesus gave the Laodiceans an answer to this attitude, and it is the same answer for us. “REPENT!” – Revelation 3:19

Nov 1 - THE MAJESTY OF GOD by Joyce Mizell

    Reverence for the glorious, divine, heavenly Father our True God should take precedence above all things...
    When Job speaks of the majesty of God it should quicken our thinking! He makes an extremely sensitive impression in Job 38:23-41 concerning our Divine Heavenly Father, Almighty God.
    Abraham fell on his face when God spoke with him. This was the time when God told Abram that his name would be called Abraham and that he would be the father of many nations. Genesis 17:3-5 All who trust in the One and only True God realize his majesty and power. Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God. Job 23:11
    God spoke with the men of old and they saw no similitude of him. Graven images can never and will never replace Almighty God.Deut. 4: 15-21.
    Almighty God is the only one in the universe who is totally independent from creation. God revealed himself to Moses as the “I Am.” God is forever! God is God! He is majesty and no force or power is out of his control. Read Isa. 40:12 and continue reading.
    John gives three descriptions of God. Spirit John 4:24 Love 1st John 4:8 God is Light 1st John 5 God is an invisible spiritual being. He reveals himself in perfect emotion, intellect and will. Everyone can learn a life lesson from Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This woman must have been looking for the Messiah. Jesus offered her spiritual water.
    And we can have spiritual water through Jesus Christ. One and all are eligible for redeeming Grace through Jesus Christ.
    The majesty of our God deserves reverence. God’s greatest gift to man is his Son, Jesus Christ who is the One who gives us Life Eternal.
    Psalm 93:1-2 should make us sit at attention reading the words because they are so powerful! The Lord reigneth, he is clothes with majesty. The Lord is clothed with strength, wherefore he hath girded himself and the world also is established, that it can not be moved. God’s throne is established of old and he is from everlasting!
    Psalm: 8:1 O Lord, how excellent is they name in all the earth who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
    Please read Mark 9:1 on about the transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Then read Matt 24:29 through 31 about the coming of the Son of man. All who have come to faith by the Grace of God will be anticipating our Lord’s return. We find comforting words in 2nd Thes: 1:7 and to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. 8- In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and have obeyed not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 1- (Paul)
    That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    The foundation of the gospel, redemption, and salvation are the grace of God through his only begotten Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus built on his teaching that the hearers of him were believers in God and familiar with the Old Testament. God’s anointed was at work while Jesus was on earth. Luke 4:16-21
    Jesus is the stone the builders rejected. Matt 21:42
    Jesus is the King’s son who the guest refused their invitation. Matt: 22:2
    Jesus is the Bridegroom who expects us to watch for his return. Matt 25:1
    Jesus is the servant who will return in power. Matt: 25:14
    Jesus is the King who will judge the nations. Matt: 25:3
    Jesus is power and will make his presence known to all who believe he forgives sins and offers Eternal Life
    Jesus is the Bread from heaven. John 6:33
    Jesus built on believers in him were believers in God and familiar with the Old Testament.
    In 2nd Peter 3:10 Peter urges us to look beyond this present world. This is a sound solid message for our day. Jesus will be returning! His return will come as a thief in the night for those not watching and ready to go! All things in this world will pass away. It’s no wonder Peter urges everyone to look beyond this world to the New Heaven and New Earth. Jesus told us in Matt. 24:42 to watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doeth come. In Revelation Jesus also warns us to keep our garments righteousness otherwise our shame will show.
    All the riches of salvation exist in Jesus Christ. 1st Corinthians 1:30.
    1st John 2:1 tells us we have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous to forgive our sin.
    The Word of God is filled with scripture after scripture to remove any doubt as to Jesus Christ’ identify. Space will not allow for all the Word on the subject. We are instructed in the Word to search the scriptures because these are they that testify of me. (Jesus)
    Space is used up so what else can I say except what my neighbor the late Ms. Opal Sharpe would say to those she came in contact with- “Do you know my Jesus?”