3-3-2017 Arizona

Sleeping better and longer these days. Must be this mountain air. The wind is blowing and rocking the trailer. Took off at 10:30 (again) and could only drive 50 to 55 mph because of the wind. Being pushed sideways by strong gusts make me nervous. One gust hit so hard that the steps on the trailer popped out so I pulled over to put them back......found a short piece of rope laying on the side of the road so I tied them up. How strange, a piece of rope laying on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere, just the right length, right where I stopped......thank you Lord. Pulled into Phoenix traffic and remembered why I love the country so much. Our navigator warned us of an accident ahead and gave us a route around it; right into a closed road. Sixteen miles too far west, fourteen miles back east, six miles back north and pow; on the original route in the middle of the accident slowdown. I can now put this rig in some tight places. We arrived at Mountain of Life church at 5:30 and set up before dark. John and Cathy came and picked us up and out to supper.....Texas Road House.....yum!

All that traffic made me think of how we get in a hurry, push, shove and compete with each other to be in the front of the line. I would like to see the same effort and enthusiasm going into our spiritual lives. Can you just see it in your mind? People driving around and around the church parking lot hunting a spot, lines of cars at the stop light setting through five or six cycles just turn towards the church. Rushing to God's house to worship. Yes....I am a dreamer.

Heaven on earth.

Even with all this rain and flooding we were blessed to have all our family together yesterday. The house was bursting with singing, games, picture taking and fun fun fun. My family is filled with bright, happy people who love each other. There was not a cross word spoken, no hurt feelings, no put-downs. I got the feeling that heaven would be similar to this blessed day.....many times greater. I am asking God to help me prepare as many people to spend eternity in heaven as I can. I don't want anyone to miss what I felt yesterday. God Bless.

11-27-2015    Luke 21:5-6

S.       5 And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, 6 As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

O.      Jesus tells of the Temple’s destruction.

A.      The things built by man will all crumble and fall. I will build a relationship with God and live by his statutes. This relationship will last for eternity.

P.       Father; Thank you for adopting me into your family. Guide me by your Word and Spirit. Amen.

Sing with me?

America is a great melting pot. This is what I was taught in elementary school. Never paid too much attention to it. My classroom was filled with every race one could imagine and we lived in peace. I was thinking about the violence and hate on the evening news, the political name-calling and bashing and all the world-wide wars and I just want to go back to my elementary school and enjoy some peace and harmony. The only melting I see anymore is the melting away of trust, friendship, love and dedication. I guess I will just "try harder"and raise a song of hope and love above the sounds of fear and frustration. Won't you join me in this song?

9-1-2015         Luke 10:18-20

S.       18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

O.      Having a name in Heaven is most important.

A.      When my sin is washed away, my name is written down in God’s book. I then also have power over evil. I must guard against imbalance and backsliding to maintain my joy.

    P.       Father; open the eyes of my understanding as I hide your word in my heart that I sin not.                  Amen. 

Christian POWER!

God gave Jesus power when he walked on this earth as a man. Jesus used this power to heal and set people free. Jesus gave power to his disciples and they used this power to heal and set people free. I am a disciple.....so I have power, you are a disciple......so you have power. Healing and freedom are ours to give.

8-25-2015      Luke 9:49-50

S.       49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 50And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

O.      Jesus includes all who live in faith.

A.      I was not there to see the miracles of Jesus or hear his words firsthand. I am his disciple and he is my brother. I will fight the works of evil in his power and authority and win.

P.       Father; lead me to the one’ I can help today and fill me with joy that I may represent you well. Amen.

Up or Down...Heaven or Hell?

Where do we go from here? Government is a mess, the courts are filled with political activist' acting as judges, preachers are spending more time beating each other up than saving souls and perversion is the order of interest. God told us that there situations would be the norm.......Just before he sends Jesus to "Catch Away" his bride......the Church. Where do we go from here? That depends on your choices, lifestyle and/or your standing before God. Where  you go.......is up to you!

8-18-2015      Luke 9:22-26

S.       22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

O.      Jesus foretells of his death and resurrection and gives warnings.

A.      I must spend my life in total surrender to the ministry. I must be a living example for Christ and speak boldly to any, and all, who will listen.

    
    P.       Father; increase my boldness and help me overcome my fears of failure. Holy Spirit, fill me              up. Amen.  

Peace

The only peace I see these days is in the advertising for the cruse lines. People are covered with bad news on every side. War, hate, crime are flowing onto the screen, and that's just the report in D.C.
I am glad that I don't need some reporter to feed me the good news. The Lord is my peace, my hope and my Joy. If you look in the right place you will find......Peace.

9-12-2015      Luke 9:6

S.       6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

O.      The ministry of the twelve.

A.      God would have me to share all that he has done in my life, my salvation, my healing and all my victories.

P.       Father; lead me to the ones that I should minister to today and I will speak of you. Amen.

Restore

I enjoy seeing old things restored. Cars are my favorites. I would like to see some old relationships restored. The world is changing at a very rapid pace and I am not at ease as to the direction we are headed. Building, or should I say re-building, the best things from the past would be my choice. Not to fill some great museum but to relax in the tried and true. Jesus is soon to return.

7-27-2015      Luke 7:36-39

S.       36And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touched him: for she is a sinner.

O.      The feet of Jesus are anointed by a woman with a bad reputation.

A.      Jesus knows the heart, the reason and the motivation behind all we do. I seek to have a pure heart and mind in my serving of God.

    P.       Father; create in me a pure heart and a clean mind and teach me how to accept and love                     others. Amen. 

Open Heart Surgery

We live each moment only a heartbeat away from eternity. Yesterday a wonderful friend from church received open heart surgery. Waiting for the Doctor to come and give us a report made me to think about the possible outcomes and how quickly our lives change and how close we live to death each day. (my friend is fine)  I must keep this thought before me more often and relish the moments and people I love.

S.O.A.P.

2-12-2015      Romans 7:7-9

S.       What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

O.      The law reveals sin to mankind and declares him guilty.

A.      God reveals sin to me to liberate me from its consequences not for grounds to punish me!

P.       Father; I am not blind to sin because of your Grace. Thank you for loving me before I even knew you. Help me share this love with some hurting soul today. Amen.

2-13-2015      Romans 7:10-11

S.       And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

O.      Sin overcomes, under the law, and leads to death.

A.      God holds man accountable to the law once the law is revealed. If I know the right way to live and refuse to do so I am guilty and deserve to be punished. I am my own judge and jury.

     P.       Father; open my eyes to all my sin that I may repent, change direction and walk fully in                    your will. Amen. 

God is healing his children ..... TODAY!

Raise up and claim your healing children, for our God has not changed, his word will never fail and he is longing to share his blessings with you. He is a loving father ...... with healing in his wings!


S.O.A.P.

1-25-2015      Romans 6:1-7

S.       1 what shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

O.      Those covered by grace no longer sin because they are dead to it.

A.      Sin should become our enemy when we are made new in Jesus Christ. People that teach that sin can’t be overcome are teaching in error. If God is powerful enough to redeem us from sin, he is powerful enough to help us to stop sinning. God sends the Holy Ghost to infill us and lead (teach) us away from sin … all sin!

P.       Father; help us to overcome the false teaching about sin and live the life you designed for us. Amen.

Put Christ in you....Then in Christmas!

We should walk into this day with the glory of God flowing out from us as a river overflowing it's banks. This is a dry and barren land and the only hope is God. Let the joy of your salvation shine bright. If we want Christ to be put back into this Christmas season let it begin within our own heart and mind and spirit. Show the world the Christ of Christmas.......in you!

S.O.A.P.

12-18-2014    Mark 14: 12-16

S.       12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

O.      The disciples prepare for the Passover.

A.      God is a God of preparation. I will learn and apply myself to preparation. I will learn god’s word to prepare my mind. I will learn how to pray his word to prepare my soul. I will learn his love to prepare my heart.

P.       Father; lead me by your Holy Spirit, prepare me to: serve, speak, listen and live as one of the redeemed.Amen. 

Call Out....And Be Healed!

11-25-2014    Mark 10:46-52

S.       46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48 And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49 And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50 And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

O.      This is the healing of blind Bartimaeus.

A.      This man spoke out loud his need to Jesus. Jesus said that “his faith” made him whole. I must “speak” my faith to obtain the gifts of God.

P.       Father; increase my faith and courage, I trust you and I believe. You are my God and I am your servant. Help me each day to become more and more like Jesus. Amen.

Funerals

Today I am officiating the funeral of a dear friend. She is 92 years young and she filled each year with love and joy. This world looses people like her everyday. The trouble is that; we do not see others to pick up the mantle and keep selfless love active. God told us that the gate into heaven was narrow and hard to find, I will be looking for the mantle at this funeral. I need it and so does our sin-sick world.

11-8-2014      Mark 8:38

S.       38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

O.      Jesus says that he will come surrounded by Angels and he will claim those that were not ashamed to declare him as Lord.

A.      I am not ashamed to declare that Jesus is my Lord and Saviour. I am planning on living in eternity with him in paradise. Others may turn from him, curse his name and defile their souls but I say; Jesus is Lord!

P.       Father; help me to convince the lost that Jesus is the Lord. Help me teach them that they must abandon sin and confess to the world that Jesus is their Saviour. Help me Father to live my faith openly and in purity and to declare my love for you. Amen.

Rest a while

10-23-2014    Mark 6:30-32

S.       30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.32 And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

O.      After the twelve return and report their ministry to Jesus he leads them away for a time of rest.

A.      Ministry is very demanding both physically and mentally. It is important that time is set aside for rest and rejuvenation. The key to successful rest is to include Jesus. Jesus was with the twelve during their time of rest.

P.       Father; help me to understand the need for rest and guide me to the type and place of rest that will be beneficial and spiritually renewing. Amen. 

Heal Sam!

Happy to see Sunday again. Will see some of the greatest people on earth at church today. People that I love and respect. People that love and respect me. I have one hurting spot in my heart today. A dear cousin is fighting cancer. I am asking God for a miracle of divine healing for her, not because she deserves it, not because it's me asking, not because the need is so great but because Jesus paid the price for our healing on Calvary's hill. Please God........heal Sam.

10-12-2014    Mark 5:1-9

S.       1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

O.      Jesus cast out a demon named Legion who had been terrorizing the land of the Gadarenes.

A.      Demons are real and still walk among men. I will not fear any unclean spirit. I will use the word of God to defeat them.

     P.       Father; fill me with your Holy Spirit to the full. Give me discernment to recognize the activities of evil spirits                    and build up my courage to speak your word against them. Amen.  

Going to Hell?

When will the leaders in America wake up to the depth or religious commitment in the hearts of man. These Islamic fanatics that are covering the globe with their hate and evil are not swayed by fear or deterred by  political maneuvering. The souls of these people are filled with evil. They are the tools of hate, vengeance and destruction to be used on anyone that is not "just like them".
Christians arise! Every one of these poor souls is headed to their own destruction in HELL! Pray for their lost souls. Ask God to send conviction into their hearts. Fight the war that can change their eternity.

10-1-2014      Mark 4:1-2

S.       1 And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.2 And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,

O.      Jesus spends time teaching his new doctrine.

A.      Teaching is important for all believers. I must constantly learn that I may teach others and keep the faith active and alive in our lives.

P.       Father; send your Spirit to instruct my learning. Reveal the truth to me that I teach no other doctrines. Teach me to be humble and useful. Amen. 

Sabbath

9-22-2014      Mark 2:23-28

S.       23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

O.      Jesus explains why the Sabbath was established.

A.      I will honor the Sabbath and keep my covenant with God.

P.       Father; direct my path, fill my heart and teach me your plan for the Sabbath. Amen.

Healing

8-30-2014      Acts 28:7-10

S.       7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

O.      God heals through Paul’s hand in the house of Publius. Upon departing this house the people shared with the shipwreck victims the things that they needed to travel.

A.      In every circumstance we should be the hand of God extended. Even when our need is great and our troubles come we should be concerned about those around us.

P.       Father; teach me humility and use me in ministry. Heal through my hands and lift the burdens from the shoulders of the suffering. Amen.

Told and Re-Told

8-16-2014      Acts 25:13-21

S.       13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.14And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

O.      King Festus shares his experience with King Agrippa and Bernice concerning Paul. Festus declares that he found nothing worthy of judgment in Paul and would have the matter handled in Jerusalem by Jewish courts but Paul exercised his right as a Roman to be judged by Caesar.

A.      When we are working to spread the gospel many of our listeners will rehearse our words to others. Our work is multiplied and God’s good news becomes a point of interest. We must plant the seed willingly and vigorously to as many as possible. Then and only then is the gospel imprinted into the minds of others that will continue the spreading.  

P.       Father; lead me to the individuals today that I may plant your words in them. Fill me with your spirit and speak through me. Amen.

Special Miracles

7-8-2014         Acts 19:11-12

S.       11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

O.      Here we see a unique reference to miracles and evil spirits. Most miracles are referenced at the touch of hand, from one person to another; these are carried to the needy by a surrogate method.

A.      God is not limited by method or man’s understanding. If there is a need and faith is applied then method should be of minor importance. Our confidence should rest in God, not method.

P.       Father; increase my faith in all things concerning healing and deliverance. Use me as your ambassador, your vessel, your servant. May many be healed and delivered and may the focus always be on you Lord and not me, or the miracles. You are the giver of life, health, joy, peace, and salvation. Come among us to heal and deliver today. Amen.  

Healing

6-7-2014         Acts 14:8-10

S.       8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

O.      This is an instant miracle at the hand of Paul.

A.      God does not change and is no respecter of persons. I can be used to bring healing today.

P.       Father; use me in the gift of healing to bring glory to your son Jesus. Let none of the glory rest on me. Amen.