Home Time

My Children are home and safe, My house and heart are full, I am blessed. This must be a sample of how God will feel when he calls all his children home. I am planning on making Heaven my home some day but I don't want to be so heavenly minded that I become ungrateful for the blessings I have now. God is so good to me. Some time I marvel as I ponder the magnitude of his grace and how he could ever love me. I am glad he does.

S.O.A.P.

12-29-2014    Mark 15:27-41

S.       28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.31Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.36 And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.37And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.39 And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.40There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;41(Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

O.      Jesus is ridiculed as he is dying on the cross. His family and friends were keeping their distance and watching.

A.      I will not deny my friendship with Jesus or stand afar off. He is to dear to my life to be a sloppy Christian. I know that he died on that cross because of my sin. His sacrifice was too great for such a worm as I, but because of his love, mercy and grace I am made whole. I am a disciple, follower, worshiper, friend…….I am a CHRISTian.

P.       Father; wash me fresh today of sin, fill me with the Holy Ghost and use me for your glory. I praise you, exalt you and adore you. Thank you Jesus, Amen.

Get Ready,,,,Get Set....

Life goes by so fast. One day your a kid, the next a great grandfather. At the end of this year I am looking back at it's events, some with pleasant memories, some not so pleasant, all in all a great year. The question comes up; what would I have done differently? My answer; I would have prayed more, hugged more, laughed more, and spent more time with the ones I love. All these are simple things and don't cost much to make happen.....so.....I will start over and do a better job, glad that I serve a God of new beginnings.

S.O.A.P.

12-28-2014         Mark 15:16-26

S.       16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.21And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

O.      Jesus is crucified.

A.      The darkest day in the history of man. A perfect, pure, holy and loving man is killed. Jesus healed, fed, taught and helped others every day of his adult life and yet because he dared to expose the false, the fake and the hypocrisy of religion he was murdered. I will be a man of truth.

P.       Father; fill me full that there is no room for hypocrisy, no room for hate, no room for self and no room for sin. Amen.

Last one

Preparing for my last Sunday morning sermon for 2014 is, for some reason, quite difficult. I  want to lift the congregation to amazing heights of joy and gladness (in Jesus). This has been a hard year and many have faced trouble, loss and even death. I will look forward rather than back, I will preach faith, Lord God, please help me.

S.O.A.P.

12-27-2014    Mark 15:5-15

S.            5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.7And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection.8 And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them.9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews?10 For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.11 But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them.12 And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.14 Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

O.           The crowd calls for the release of Barabbas and the crucifixion of Jesus.

A.           Following the crowd can lead to many mistakes and sin. I will follow the God and use Jesus as my example, even at great cost.

P.             Father; I am determined to follow the example of Jesus but I am week and unlearned. Teach me his ways, help me to think pure thoughts, have holy ideas and give me endurance that I might overcome. Amen.

How I begin each day.

Early morning time alone with God is my "secret to success". Praying for my family and friends brings me comfort. Reading the Word fills my soul with delight and my day starts off right.

S.O.A.P.

12-26-2014    Mark 15: 1-4

S.       1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it.3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing.4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

O.      Jesus is silent before Pilate.

A.      The life of Jesus was his testimony and there was no need to justify or defend himself.  The life I live shall speak louder than any words. I need not defend or justify righteousness, just live it!

P        Father; I am committed to you and you alone as my God and Saviour. Reveal to me my shortcomings as I strive to live in righteousness and faith. Amen. 

What Christmas is to me.

What a beautiful Christmas Day. My head, heart and soul are all filled with Peace. I can't worry about the condition of this old world. I am enjoying my Savior's gifts to me. My wife and family, my daily needs, most of my silly wants and most of all my salvation. Each Christmas brings renewal. This year I am filled with a renewed peace. Not a shallow fleeting episode of wonder and emotion but a solid, soul rapture that multiplies and satisfies. Deep within is a profound calm. A strength that empowers me and a hope UN-movable. The Peace of God is amazing.

S.O.A.P.

12-25-2014    Mark 14:66-72  Christmas Day

S.       66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:67And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.71But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

O.      Peter denies knowing the Lord, three times before dawn.

A.      I can’t judge Peter a failure because every time I sin I am also denying Jesus. When a Christian willfully sins he is really denying his Saviour, just like Peter. I will stand strong in my faith, with God’s help, and fight sin on every level. I want to be known as a person who denies sin a place in my life, an overcomer!

P.       Father; grant me wisdom and knowledge to fight sin. Give me courage and strength to be a living image of your son. Amen 

God Fills me up

Just when I think that my life can't get any better God opens a new door and in comes a flood of wonderful. I have so much peace and joy in me today I am splashing it everywhere. Life is Good and knowing God makes it even better. I don't need a pill, drink or a fix of any kind........God supplies ALL I NEED....and some to share. Happy Christmas Eve.

S.O.A.P.

12-24-2014 Mark 14:53-65   Christmas Eve

S.       53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.59 But neither so did their witness agree together.60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?61But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.63Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?64Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

O.      The trial of Jesus, illegal, immoral and full of contradicting testimony.

A.      I put Jesus on trial with the actions and words of my day. When I chose to sin, I crucify him afresh or at the very least I cause him open shame. I will walk in his light, talk in his light and be a living example of faith. I have everything I need to be a victor, all supplied by my loving Father, I will…….I will.

P.       Father; fill my mind, heart and soul with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to be like Jesus. I must decrease and he must increase. Amen.

Happy

Happy is the man whose God is the Lord! I am happy, happy as a man, happy as a husband, happy as a father, grandfather, great grandfather, I'm just happy in every way. Not that temporary, situational happy that comes and goes. I am soul happy, from the inside out, complete and satisfied. I am a blessed man. I have been made whole through Jesus and our relationship......therefore I am happy!

S.O.A.P.

12-23-2014    Mark 14:43-52

S.       43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.47And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.50 And they all forsook him, and fled.51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

O.      Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss and all the disciples forsake Jesus.

A.      A kiss is a token of love. True love can never betray, ridicule, abandon or vanish. I will learn true love and because of that love I will follow Jesus. I will follow in good times and bad, in times of plenty and times of want, in health and sickness I will live my love.

P.       Father; Fill me so full of your love that I may spill out that love to all I meet today. May people see you, in me, today! Amen.