My Church is my Gift!

I am surrounded with many talented, hard working people. Last night as I watched the church Christmas program I laughed, cried, shouted and was just filled with pride and joy. The children seemed to shine with excitement and enthusiasm as they sang. The praise team read scripture and lifted us to heaven singing the story of Jesus from Bethlehem to the Rapture of His Church. Christ was truly exalted and our hearts were filled to overflowing. Just a simple country church where people love God.......and each other......And I have the honor to be the Pastor.......I am blessed.

S.O.A.P.

12-22-2014    Mark 14:32-42

S.       32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

O.      The disciples keep falling asleep as Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane.

A.      Staying awake and alert is my responsibility when it comes to spiritual matters. The weakness of my flesh is a difficult obstacle to deal with. God gives the Holy Ghost infilling to aid me in overcoming my flesh. I will rely on the Holy Ghost and respond to his direction and guidance.  

P.       Father; I surrender my will, heart and body to you. Baptize me with a fresh filling today…….that I may watch…..and not sleep. Amen.

Loving Life

What a special Sunday today will be. I will finish my Christmas sermon this morning and the program tonight will be wonderful. I am in awe of my wife's hard work to make so many things come together, both at home and church. We have built our lives around this country church and our family and Christmas time seems to bring all the best parts together. Loving life right now.......thank you Lord.

S.O.A.P.

12-21-2014    Mark 14:27-31

S.       27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.31But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

O.      Peter is foretold of his soon coming denial. None of the disciples thought he would deny Jesus.

A.      I must guard my soul from arrogance and conceit. I must be humble and never think myself to be more than I am.

P.       Father; I am nothing without you, your mercy, grace or your glory. Hold me close Lord and spare me from myself. Teach me the path of true holiness and help me walk therein. Amen.

Christmas Shopping

The best part of Christmas is the extra time I have with my Wife and family. Shopping wears me out but the fun is worth it. My new diet has changed many of our normal Christmas shopping eating rituals, but not many more days and I will be able to try some different foods. Gideon has been over helping me with some of my heavier chores (chopping wood, stacking and cleanup) and I was able to teach him how to change his own oil. I am so proud of my family and how they help each other out....and do it with love.

S.O.A.P.

12-20-2014    Mark 14:22-26

S.       22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

O.      Jesus shares the last Passover supper with his disciples.

A.      Jesus is always here to share with me, in good times and bad, in ease and hardship, in plenty and want. Jesus is the constant in my life. He never changes, he is always the same. I am not worthy in myself, I am made worthy by his sacrifice and love.

P.       Father; I give you my all, mind, heart and soul. Thank you Lord that I am never alone. Amen.

Too Busy?

Busy, busy, busy and never catching up. I call that normal. So glad that every item on the list is not essential. I will do what I can, and be happy.....just move the remainder of the items to tomorrow's list, then about once a month.....throw the list away and start over.....no problem. The world goes on.....even after I don't get everything done. Just be happy where you are and with who you are, in Jesus, of course.

S.O.A.P.

12-19-2014    Mark 14:17-21

S.       17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

O.      Jesus reveals his knowledge of the betrayal of Judas.

A.      Jesus reveals the truth to me to warn me and keep me from sinning. This is his love in action in my life, not judgment. He wants to spare me from judgment and pain of failure.

      P.       Father; thank you for mercy and favor. Speak to me….I am listening. 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. 

Shopping with my Sweetheart!

I spent the day yesterday with my wife out Christmas shopping. For almost forty seven years we have never missed doing this together, and I still feel like I'm on a date with the most beautiful woman on earth. Oh what fun and joy being together. God is good to me!

S.O.A.P.

12-17-2014    Mark 14:10-11

S.       10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

O.      The worst betrayal of all time.

A.      I must never betray Jesus. I must fight sin (first my own) and never let satan deceive me with temporal merchandise. All sin is a betrayal of the Lord’s gift given on Calvary. I hate sin.

P.       Father; I invite your Holy Spirit, I welcome your Holy Spirit, to the end that He may reveal, expose and declare all my sin, sin of commission and sin of omission. I seek to be pure, holy and blameless before you. Come sweet Spirit. Amen. 

I Love God!

God is pouring out his glory on me today. I am ministering to more people than ever before in my life. God is healing sick bodies, clearing clouded minds, repairing broken homes and filling his church up with his Holy Spirit. These ARE the last days. Jesus will soon split the eastern sky and call his own to himself. Oh how I want to be ready......ready to fly into his presence, to see him face to face, to banish all doubt and fear from my mind.......Lord, wash me clean, I repent, fill me with faith. You died for me, so I will live for you.......I love the Lord.

S.O.A.P.

12-16-2014    Mark 14:1-9

S.       1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

O.      Jesus is anointed by a woman with an alabaster box of expensive oil. His disciples thought it to be a waste but Jesus tells of his coming death and a need to be anointed.

A.      I must learn the meanings of life’s events from God’s perspective. I will ask for understanding, wisdom and patience……then……..wait (patience), apply (wisdom) and grow (understanding) in each event of life.

P        Father; Open my eyes, fill me with your glory and reveal to me your plan for this day. Amen.