The Lord's Day

Blessed day at Elm Grove yesterday. Several seeking the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. Great teaching on; The Glory of God. My Christmas sermon on "A God of Power" was well received. My strength is coming back, I felt no weakness or fatigue at all while preaching. God is good. 

S.O.A.P. (two days)

12-14-2014    Mark 13: 23-32

S.       23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.26 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.27 And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors.30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done.31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

O.      Jesus tells his disciples of the end times, of the signs and that only God knows the exact day.

A.      This day will come and I must be prepared. I must share the gospel message with as many people as possible.

P.       Father; time is short and many have not heard the gospel. My heart is heavy for those who are sleeping in a false security, having heard the words of love and turning back to the old ways of sin. Give me wisdom and compassion to represent you in all I do and say. Amen.

12-15-2014    Mark 13: 33-37

S.       33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

O.     A warning: be ready for the Lord’s return.

A.      To stay ready I must avoid sin, read the word, pray and serve my fellow man. To this I will add fellowshipping, worship and intimate time with my Lord. I must decrease, that he might increase.

P.       Father; teach me all the ways of righteousness that my life may be pleasing in your sight. Amen. 

Grandsons Coming!

My oldest grandson is coming today to help his old, wore out PaPa do some heavy chores. (no lifting for two more weeks) I love this young man, it's his spirit that sets him apart. He is in college, dating a girl that lives many miles away, helping his mother maintain her house and yard, and he still finds time for me. If it sounds like I am proud......I am. 

S.O.A.P.

12-13-2014    Mark 13: 21-22

S.       21 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

O.      The false and the fake are ever present to turn man away from the truth, especially in the last days.

A.      I must know God’s word so well that I cannot be deceived.

P.       Father; as I hide your word in my heart send the Holy Ghost to reveal the truth to me and enlighten me to satan’s deceptions. Amen.

Funerals

My friend Buddy will be laid to rest today. I have ministered to five generations of this family and I have been so blessed by each one. This is a large family that is spread all across America with a strong Christian heritage. God, bless these friends on this difficult day and give me words of comfort for each of them.

S.O.A.P.

12-12-2014    Mark 13: 12-20

S.       12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house:16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment.17 But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!18 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.19 For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

O.      End time attitudes towards believers will be filled with hate. Families will betray each other and God will shorten the days because of his mercy.

A.      I will keep my eyes on the Lord no matter how I am treated by those around me. Christ is my reward, I will trust 

          in him.

P.       Father; fill me with love, even for those who hate me. Amen.

EXCELLENCE (Virtue)

I want to serve my Lord in an "excellent" manner. Not to be seen of man and receive his rewards or accolades, but because this is what my Lord deserves. I will not settle for a "just getting by" attitude or "doing as little as possible" approach. I will strive for EXCELLENCE! (with God's help of course)
Less of me, replaced with more of him, even when I don't fit in.

12-11-2014    Mark 13: 9-11

S.       9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. 10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations. 11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

O.      This is a warning concerning the treatment that the disciples would face in future ministry. They were instructed to rely on the Holy Ghost for their response to this harsh treatment.

A.      I must depend on the Holy Spirit for my responses to life’s challenges. Self-reliance is how I have failed, too much of my own will and confidence has landed me in my poorest estate. God fills with the Holy Spirit but I must yield.

P.       Father; I humble myself today and simply ask; Lead me by your Spirit. Amen.

Retirement....To Be Or Not To Be

New directions in life are just ahead for me. I have retired from my secular employment and will be able to devote more time to the ministry and to my beautiful wife and family. I plan on doing some traveling in my old car. My end may be nearer than before but I plan on enjoying every last day.

12-10-2014    Mark 13:3-8

S.       3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? 5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 7 And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. 8 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

O.      Jesus tells of the end of time and the attitude that his followers should have about it.

A.      I shall not fear the end of time. I am diligently following all that I have learned about faith in Jesus Christ. I am open and seeking a better understanding and relationship with God. I will not live in fear!

P.       Father; I want to know you as much, as deeply, as is possible while I am confined in this human shell. Draw me nearer to you this day and fill me completely. Amen. 

The Future

I am glad that I don't know all the details of the future. I might try to avoid many things that God has planned for me to experience. I have found that life has many unpleasant days. I am not calling these days bad or wrong because my faith has taught me to expect God to be with me and help me through. Thanks be to God that he gives warning and direction about the major future events, like heaven and hell. 

12-9-2014      Mark 13:1-2

S.       1 And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! 2 And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

O.      Jesus prophesies of the destruction of Solomon’s Temple.

A.      I must heed God’s prophesy and build my life accordingly. God foretells of his plans that I may be ready and not be caught off guard. God does this because of his great love for me. 

      P.       Father; Thank you Lord for warning and preparing me for future events. Thank you for your mercy, grace and                     love. Amen. 

Money and my Attitude.

Many were touched by God yesterday. Prayed for about ten different cancer reports.....just waiting for the good news to come back. God is able.

12-8-2014      Mark 12:41-44

S.       41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

O.      Jesus reveals a secret about giving of money.

A.      I must give my money with the proper motivation. Giving is an act of love and faith, not a law to be in bondage to. I glad that God notices even the small amounts.

P.       Father; I dedicate my wallet to you along with my soul. Please bless my giving and help it to bring many souls to redemption. Amen.