EDITOR'S NOTE: I will be stopping this blog very soon. I have decided to go with another blog site as I believe it will be more simple for you; my readers. I will put another message at the top of my post when all things are finalized. I deeply apologize for any and all inconvenience this may cause you. Thank you all for your kind thoughts and comments concerning my blog. I look forward to connecting wit you at: http://pastorstable.wordpress.com/ .
May God bless you,
David
Today's reading: Isaiah 55, 56, 57; Psalm 7, 37, 67, 97, 127; Proverbs 7
Isaiah 55:6-7, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."
I remember growing up on my uncle and aunt's farm so many great memories. I remember one day being outside with my aunt working in the flowers. They had some flowerbeds that were lined with rocks. Some were what I would call medium in size and one bed was lined with three rocks because they were so large. I remember we were working in a flowerbed on the west side of the house and my aunt smashed my finger between two of the rocks by accident. She moved the rock to get to a weed to pull out or something. She tells that I looked her straight in the eye and asked, "Why did you mash my finger?" She still nearly cries today retelling that story. I don't remember it that well.
You know I could have held that over her head all of my life. I could have kept her in bondage because of an accident. I chose to forgive her because she did not do it on purpose.
So many of us walk around in life carrying such an unforgiving spirit. Oh, don't think that I am high and mighty and talking down to you. This is one of those areas that I struggle with as well.
I am thankful that God is not that way. I was caught today by the phrase, "for he will abundantly pardon". I have met so many people that think they cannot be saved because they have done _____. This could not be farther from the truth. God is full of mercy and He is ready, willing and able to pardon. All we have to do is ask Him.
Do you need a little pardon today?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010
Today's reading: Isaiah 52, 53, 54; Psalm 6, 36, 66, 96, 126; Proverbs 6
Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
I don't know about you; but, I am not a "feet" person. I don't really like them, if you know what I mean. My dear wife thinks she has cute feet. I just nod and smile. She knows how I feel. I even remind her from time to time.
I remember growing up in Church singing with the other children on Sunday morning, "Oh be careful little feet where you go. Oh be careful little feet where you go. For the Father up above is looking down in love. So be careful little feet where you go." I think we need to sing this song today. Nobody asks my opinion though.
Our feet can take us places that we should not go. For instance we should not go to bars or nightclubs. On the other hand our feet can take us where we should go like Church. They can take us to places we like to go such as the beach or a favorite eating establishment.
One thing is for sure. Our feet should take us where we can share the good news of Jesus Christ to people that need to hear it. We are like the "watchmen" of the next verse in Isaiah 52:8, "Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion." It seems to me that we speak with our feet. People see where our feet take us and that says a lot about us.
What are your feet saying?
Isaiah 52:7, "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!"
I don't know about you; but, I am not a "feet" person. I don't really like them, if you know what I mean. My dear wife thinks she has cute feet. I just nod and smile. She knows how I feel. I even remind her from time to time.
I remember growing up in Church singing with the other children on Sunday morning, "Oh be careful little feet where you go. Oh be careful little feet where you go. For the Father up above is looking down in love. So be careful little feet where you go." I think we need to sing this song today. Nobody asks my opinion though.
Our feet can take us places that we should not go. For instance we should not go to bars or nightclubs. On the other hand our feet can take us where we should go like Church. They can take us to places we like to go such as the beach or a favorite eating establishment.
One thing is for sure. Our feet should take us where we can share the good news of Jesus Christ to people that need to hear it. We are like the "watchmen" of the next verse in Isaiah 52:8, "Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion." It seems to me that we speak with our feet. People see where our feet take us and that says a lot about us.
What are your feet saying?
Monday, July 5, 2010
July 5, 2010
Today's reading: Isaiah 49, 50, 51; Psalm 5, 35, 65, 95, 125; Proverbs 5
Isaiah 49:16, "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."
A long time ago I did something that was not very smart. I know, which event are we speaking about? Out of spite I went and got a tattoo. I am not very proud of that fact now later in life. I wish I had never done that at all. I do not have the outrageous amount of money to have it removed either.
Over a somewhat lengthy career in law enforcement communications I have seen men and women that were tattooed everywhere. Sometimes people get them all over their body. I remember seeing a show on TV one time where a person was tattooed like a tiger complete with metal implants under the skin of their head to be small mock ears. Not me! How sad, really.
This is not what our verse for today is talking about. When I was reading this verse I immediately thought of the scars in Jesus' hands from the nails being driven into them to secure Him to the cross. I wonder when He sees the nail prints in His hands does He think of everyone He died for. I am thankful that He endured the pain beyond human belief or comprehension to die in my place so that I might have eternal life. As the songwriter penned, "Oh, What a Saviour!"
Today I must ask you to reflect and evaluate your life. Have you placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation? It is my desire that if you have not that you do it now.
So, how are you doing?
Isaiah 49:16, "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."
A long time ago I did something that was not very smart. I know, which event are we speaking about? Out of spite I went and got a tattoo. I am not very proud of that fact now later in life. I wish I had never done that at all. I do not have the outrageous amount of money to have it removed either.
Over a somewhat lengthy career in law enforcement communications I have seen men and women that were tattooed everywhere. Sometimes people get them all over their body. I remember seeing a show on TV one time where a person was tattooed like a tiger complete with metal implants under the skin of their head to be small mock ears. Not me! How sad, really.
This is not what our verse for today is talking about. When I was reading this verse I immediately thought of the scars in Jesus' hands from the nails being driven into them to secure Him to the cross. I wonder when He sees the nail prints in His hands does He think of everyone He died for. I am thankful that He endured the pain beyond human belief or comprehension to die in my place so that I might have eternal life. As the songwriter penned, "Oh, What a Saviour!"
Today I must ask you to reflect and evaluate your life. Have you placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation? It is my desire that if you have not that you do it now.
So, how are you doing?
Sunday, July 4, 2010
July 4, 2010
Today's reading: Isaiah 46, 47, 48; Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, 124; Proverbs 4
Proverbs 4:14-15, "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."
I remember growing up I always wanted to be like the other kids. I wanted my hair to be long like the others. I wanted to wear the same clothes as the other kids. The funny thing is that I was always the fat kid with glasses and they did not make those kind of clothes for fat kids. My hair is so naturally curly that it will not grow out long and straight. God does have a sense of humor.
Now that I am older I do my best to heed the counsel of king Solomon. I do my best not to walk in the same path as evil men or to go in their way. I do all I can to avoid it. I have matured to the place that I know that their way is not the best way and it is surely not God's way.
I remember going to do the laundry growing up. My aunt and uncle would drive to another town and sometimes we would go out to eat prior to doing the laundry. This time was so boring for me some times. I remember one time I tried to climb a large hill behind the building. I could not make it to the top. It took me two years before I was strong enough to climb all the way to the top. When I reached the top I was so disappointed. There were only houses at the top of the hill. There was nothing for a boy to mess with or play with.
Take time and evaluate the path you are on today. What is at the end of your path? I hope it is the blessings of God for a life well lived. If not maybe you should change paths now before it is eternally too late?
How are you doing?
Proverbs 4:14-15, "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."
I remember growing up I always wanted to be like the other kids. I wanted my hair to be long like the others. I wanted to wear the same clothes as the other kids. The funny thing is that I was always the fat kid with glasses and they did not make those kind of clothes for fat kids. My hair is so naturally curly that it will not grow out long and straight. God does have a sense of humor.
Now that I am older I do my best to heed the counsel of king Solomon. I do my best not to walk in the same path as evil men or to go in their way. I do all I can to avoid it. I have matured to the place that I know that their way is not the best way and it is surely not God's way.
I remember going to do the laundry growing up. My aunt and uncle would drive to another town and sometimes we would go out to eat prior to doing the laundry. This time was so boring for me some times. I remember one time I tried to climb a large hill behind the building. I could not make it to the top. It took me two years before I was strong enough to climb all the way to the top. When I reached the top I was so disappointed. There were only houses at the top of the hill. There was nothing for a boy to mess with or play with.
Take time and evaluate the path you are on today. What is at the end of your path? I hope it is the blessings of God for a life well lived. If not maybe you should change paths now before it is eternally too late?
How are you doing?
Saturday, July 3, 2010
July 3, 2010
Today's reading: Isaiah 43, 44, 45; Psalm 3, 33, 63, 93, 123; Proverbs 3
Isaiah 44:2-3, "Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:"
I remember growing up on the farm so many things that stand out to me. I remember one year my uncle allowed me to receive the profit from one small field instead of being paid. I think he probably calculated what he had paid me in past years and figured this particular field would pay me nearly what I had been making with the possibility of having a great year and really making a good profit.
I remember how dry the field would get in the hot summer. Sometimes it would dry up and crack so badly that it looked like something from television. Unfortunately, I do not remember how I made out getting paid that year. I do know that I made a profit and not a loss. Praise God! That was a lot of money for a young boy. I remember a bumper sticker my uncle had on an old refrigerator that said, "If gambling is illegal then what about farming".
I remember how when the rains would come that ground would soak it up and look like good Indiana dirt again.
People are much like that old Indiana dirt. Not only were we formed from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7); but, we also get dried out from time to time. I don't mean we need to be baptized again and again. Some "religions" will tell you that. What I mean is that we get spiritually dry if we do not drink from the "water of the word" (Ephesians 5:26).
I remember my wife used to sing with two (2) of her friends at another Church we attended. They sang, "drinking from the springs of living water..." That song still sets me off on a Baptist fit.
Are you feeling spiritually dry today? Run to Jesus and drink from His springs of living water and you will never thirst again (John 4:14).
Isaiah 44:2-3, "Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:"
I remember growing up on the farm so many things that stand out to me. I remember one year my uncle allowed me to receive the profit from one small field instead of being paid. I think he probably calculated what he had paid me in past years and figured this particular field would pay me nearly what I had been making with the possibility of having a great year and really making a good profit.
I remember how dry the field would get in the hot summer. Sometimes it would dry up and crack so badly that it looked like something from television. Unfortunately, I do not remember how I made out getting paid that year. I do know that I made a profit and not a loss. Praise God! That was a lot of money for a young boy. I remember a bumper sticker my uncle had on an old refrigerator that said, "If gambling is illegal then what about farming".
I remember how when the rains would come that ground would soak it up and look like good Indiana dirt again.
People are much like that old Indiana dirt. Not only were we formed from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7); but, we also get dried out from time to time. I don't mean we need to be baptized again and again. Some "religions" will tell you that. What I mean is that we get spiritually dry if we do not drink from the "water of the word" (Ephesians 5:26).
I remember my wife used to sing with two (2) of her friends at another Church we attended. They sang, "drinking from the springs of living water..." That song still sets me off on a Baptist fit.
Are you feeling spiritually dry today? Run to Jesus and drink from His springs of living water and you will never thirst again (John 4:14).
Friday, July 2, 2010
July 2, 2010
Today's reading: Isaiah 40, 41, 42; Psalm 2, 32, 62, 92, 122; Proverbs 2
Isaiah 40:28-31, "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
I remember a time in my life where I nearly died from a bleeding ulcer. I passed out from blood loss. I ignored it for (14) fourteen years. I would not recommend this. By the time I ended up in the emergency room I had lost over half my blood through a hole in my stomach. I still remember most of the details. My memory is getting progressively worse as I get older and I wonder if some of it is due to loosing all of that blood over the course of all those years.
I remember being so weak that I could not hardly get into the bed in the emergency room. When I did I started to pass out again and the nurse lovingly shoved smelling salts up my nose (she was a bit over zealous).
It took me an entire year; but, I finally built my blood back up without the aid of any transfusions. My doctor and I argued over that one for a while; but, I finally prevailed. I was so weak that at times I could hardly move. God was absolutely faithful to my family and I during this time as always.
When I think back to those days I am reminded of the words of Isaiah 41:10, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Praise God!
I hope you are trusting in Jesus Christ today. If not there is no time like right now.
Isaiah 40:28-31, "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
I remember a time in my life where I nearly died from a bleeding ulcer. I passed out from blood loss. I ignored it for (14) fourteen years. I would not recommend this. By the time I ended up in the emergency room I had lost over half my blood through a hole in my stomach. I still remember most of the details. My memory is getting progressively worse as I get older and I wonder if some of it is due to loosing all of that blood over the course of all those years.
I remember being so weak that I could not hardly get into the bed in the emergency room. When I did I started to pass out again and the nurse lovingly shoved smelling salts up my nose (she was a bit over zealous).
It took me an entire year; but, I finally built my blood back up without the aid of any transfusions. My doctor and I argued over that one for a while; but, I finally prevailed. I was so weak that at times I could hardly move. God was absolutely faithful to my family and I during this time as always.
When I think back to those days I am reminded of the words of Isaiah 41:10, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Praise God!
I hope you are trusting in Jesus Christ today. If not there is no time like right now.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
July 1, 2010
Today's reading: Isaiah 37, 38, 39; Psalm 1, 31, 61, 91, 121; Proverbs 1
Isaiah 37:1, "And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD."
Isaiah 38:1-2, "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,"
We live in a dark day it is obvious. We do not have to be overwhelmed by trials and troubles. It has been nearly eleven (11) months since I have worked. So far we are only behind on our mortgage. I am hoping for some governmental cure-all to help with that.
I have watched people over the years that have been delivered bad news of all sorts. I have even been the one that has delivered that bad news. I don't like to do that. The reactions have been as numerous as the people. We all react differently to different situations. Think how boring life would be if we all acted the same way and liked the same stuff, etc... Plain vanilla life. How boring.
How would you react if the doctor said, "___________, you only have two (2) weeks to live." I don't want to know how I would react. We need to react like King Hezekiah. Grant it his life after God granted him 15 years was worse than it was prior to this event. He should have accepted it and not asked for more.
We need to react to things like King Hezekiah. We need to go immediately to the Father in prayer and seek His guidance and wisdom. Far too often we just go on like we can handle it; but, we can't. We must run to the Lord!
Isaiah 37:1, "And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD."
Isaiah 38:1-2, "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,"
We live in a dark day it is obvious. We do not have to be overwhelmed by trials and troubles. It has been nearly eleven (11) months since I have worked. So far we are only behind on our mortgage. I am hoping for some governmental cure-all to help with that.
I have watched people over the years that have been delivered bad news of all sorts. I have even been the one that has delivered that bad news. I don't like to do that. The reactions have been as numerous as the people. We all react differently to different situations. Think how boring life would be if we all acted the same way and liked the same stuff, etc... Plain vanilla life. How boring.
How would you react if the doctor said, "___________, you only have two (2) weeks to live." I don't want to know how I would react. We need to react like King Hezekiah. Grant it his life after God granted him 15 years was worse than it was prior to this event. He should have accepted it and not asked for more.
We need to react to things like King Hezekiah. We need to go immediately to the Father in prayer and seek His guidance and wisdom. Far too often we just go on like we can handle it; but, we can't. We must run to the Lord!
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