Not all that call him Lord will enter in.

Christians should be the leaders in America. Christians should be the leaders in Texas. Christians should be the leaders in Hood county, Christians should be the leaders in church. Christians should be leaders in the home. Christians are the ones that "do" the will of Jesus, not "think" the will of Jesus. Christians lead by example......not empty words, selfish ideas or religious rhetoric. Are you truly a Christian?

8-7-2015         Luke 8:49-50

S.       49While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

O.      Jesus says: Do not fear death……Believe!

A.      Most people fear death because they don’t know Jesus in a personal relationship. My death will be my gain……because I do know Jesus.

P.       Father; I run to you today………keep me in your arms. Amen.

8-8-2015         Luke 8:51-56

S.       51And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.52And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.53And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.54And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.55And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.56And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

O.      A dead child is made alive by Jesus.

A.      In his words there is life, joy and hope. I will consume God’s word until I leave this world for the next.

P.       Father; May I always believe in every word you have sent. Help my weakness and un-belief. Amen.

Bible study is Awesome!

Wednesday night Bible study was awesome this week. We are studying about the "will of God" and discovery is exploding. God fills our hearts and minds to the overflowing each study and the open forum style gets everyone involved. I am blessed.

8-6-2015         Luke 8:41-48

S.       41And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.43And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.45And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?46And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.47And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.48And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

O.      The faith of a woman brings her healing.

A.      Faith is the vessel of healing, salvation and peace. My faith is more and more important to me as I near the end of my journey. Only by faith can I face the challenges in this evil day.

P.       Father; increase my faith that I may inspire others to receive this wonderful gift I enjoy. Amen. 

Slow

I may be "a slow starter", but I keep going until the job is done!

8-4-2015         Luke 8:26-37

S.       26And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, what have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not, 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he broke the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.) 30And Jesus asked him, saying, what is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32And there was there a herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herds ran violently down a steep place into the lake and were choked. 34When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country. 35Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. 36They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed. 37Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.

O.      A legion of evil spirits is cast out by Jesus.

A.      Evil spirits still exist and must be dealt with.  God gives his children power over this evil. I must never fear evil. I must overcome it.

P.       Father; grant me discernment and courage to overcome evil. Amen.

I love you Lord!

There is a song in my heart today. A song of joy and praise, because I know Jesus. I am full, I am satisfied and ready for this day to unfold. I love you Lord!

8-3-2015         Luke 8:22-25

S.       22 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was calm. 25 And he said unto them, where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, what manner of man is this, for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

O.      Jesus calms the storm.

A.      I must focus on the Master and not the storm. I must trust in his spoken word.

P.       Father; teach me your word by the Holy Spirit and aid me in remembering. Amen.

Tickets Please

Why would you buy a ticket for the Heavenly Express and never get on board? Better yet, why jump on and off at the station? If you are a traveler........get your ticket.......get on board......and stay there.

8-2-2015         Luke 8:19-21

S.       19 Then came to him his mother and his brethren, and could not come at him for the press. 20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

O.      Man must obey God’s words.

A.      I will live in God’s word. I will obey each and every day by its precepts: Love, forgiveness and peace.

P.       Father in Heaven; reveal yourself through my life. Amen.

Joy in Family

I sing because I'm happy.......happy......happy! Spent some time with my children and what a joy they are. You might have seen the picture on Facebook of me holding my Great Granddaughter and wondered why I was not smiling. I was in such awe that I did not remember to smile. Lizzy and Liam were so sweet to me that I was holding back tears.....tears of joy. My life is full, my cup is running over and all is well with my soul. Thank you God!

8-1-2015         Luke 8:16-18

S.       16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

O.      Everything about us will be made known.

A.      We think that we hide things from others and from God. God knows all and all will be made known. I must not deceive myself into thinking that I am hiding anything. I will be honest with myself, call things as they are and constantly go to God for help to eliminate the wrong.

P.       Father; cleans me from all sin and help me to renew my mind today. Amen.

Hearing from God

Romans 14:23b for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Inside each of us there is the voice of God to tell us about sin. As a preacher I have wasted countless hours trying to define sin for myself and others. This voice of God is clear, concise and leaves nothing out. So, why do so many people seem to be deaf. The Lord desires for his people to follow him in love, not be-grudged obedience. If we truly love God we will pay attention to his voice.......are you listening?

7-31-2015      Luke 8:9-15

S.       9And his disciples asked him, saying, what might this parable be? 10And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

O.      Jesus explains the parable to his disciples.

A.      I am glad that the Lord does not want me in a place of misunderstanding. Most problems in life can be explained. I will listen to the explanations to gain understanding and promote unity.

P.       Father; open my understanding and expand my patience that I may find unity with you and my fellow man. Amen.