Carry the Cross!

Jesus carried that heavy cross as long as he could. When his strength was gone another man was compelled to carry it for him. Will I carry the cross? Will I help Jesus finish his work? I have nothing of worth to give to the Lord. I will give him my love and my life. Oh God; help me carry the cross!

S.O.A.P.

1-7-2014         Romans 2:6-11

S.       6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

O.      A man’s works will judge him, not God. All men stand before God equally.

A.      If my works will judge me I must keep my actions holy, I must avoid sin (repent quickly when I do) and invite the Holy Spirit to be my guide and comforter.

P.       Father; I want to stand before you and hear the words “well done”. I put my trust in Jesus and fall before you in worship. Lead me today into your perfect will. Amen.

Change is Good

Today I will say goodbye to a special blessing of my life. Change is coming so quickly this year that my head is spinning. Change requires adjustment, re-thinking, evaluation and some rearranging. For many years I have kept old cars around, repairing, upgrading and certainly enjoying driving them around. Today I deliver my favorite old car to it's new owner. I have my memories and lots of pictures to cherish and enjoy. May the new owner be blessed with joy as I have been. Goodbye old friend. (sorry for the mush, just feeling a little sentimental today)

S.O.A.P.

1-6-2014         Romans 2:1-5

S.       1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

O.      God judges in truth and is patient and kind thus giving sinful man opportunity to repent. When we judge others and are guilty of the same things our judgment will condemn us.

A.      My judgment will be of myself and the parameters of that judgment will be God’s Holy Word. I will not throw stones!

P.       Father; reveal your judgments to my mind and soul. Lead me and keep me strong in the faith as I lean on you. Help me to see others through your eyes and love with a holy love. Amen. 

deep hurt

Praying for a Brother today that has a deep hurt. Asking God to lift him past this pain and set him free. He has carried this for many years and it effects every area of his life. He has a wall built around him and he keeps everyone out, even God. My heart breaks for this man, he is alone, in fear and knows little comfort or peace. God; please hear my plea; set my brother free and love him through me. Show him that the lie he is hearing is from satan (I never use a capital for satan), the father of all deception. Amen.

S.O.A.P.

1-5-2015         Romans 1:25-32

S.       25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

O.      These sins are unto death. No person active in these sins will be considered holy, righteous or a child of God. God calls them “reprobate”.

A.      This list of sins describes common practices of everyday America. I must warn as many as I can of the possibility of being condemned by God. Man must come to the place where he hates sin, all sin and especially sexual sin. The love of God is the only way of being set free from these sins. Please Lord; show the world your love through me.

P.       Father in Heaven; reach out to the people trapped in sexual sin and show them a way out, a path of deliverance, a holy and pure standing in your eyes. Keep me from being judgmental, hard or self-righteous when ministering to these deceived individuals. Amen.

Finding Grace

How long will God hold back judgement? As I read the old testament I see that God was angry at man and decided to erase him altogether. But one man was given special consideration because he was different. How was he different? He had developed a relationship with God, he respected God, he made acceptable sacrifices unto God, he did not practice sin and he listened to God! So God spared him (and his family) as he erased everyone else. Looking at the condition of the world today I am amazed that God has held back his wrath for so long. Just for the record; I am going to learn and practice Noah's relationship secrets.......and find Grace in the eyes of the Lord.

S.O.A.P.

1-4-2015         Romans 1:18-24

S.       18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

O.      God will not let wickedness, sin or self-pleasing go un-punished. He will not tolerate idol worship.

A.      I must guard against self-indulgence of every type or kind. Self-indulgence is idol worship and I am the idol. My focus will be on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as my teachers, leaders and protectors of my life. I will live to please God and bring my body into subjection and surrender to God’s will for me.

    P.     Father; without your help I can’t live a holy life, think holy thoughts or be a holy man.                        Cleans me, fill me, lead me and hold my hand that I do not stumble or fail. May the world see              Jesus living through me, Amen.

Times of testing are opportunities to either serve God or serve yourself. The more we serve God the more we speak his word, the more we sacrifice the more likely we are to win another soul into the Kingdom of God. What most people need in this world is a relationship with God. We can aid them in this discovery by being living examples, being consistent, loving, sin-avoiding and Christ-like. You know what I am saying......."Be a Christian", real, happy, and holy.

S.O,A.P.

1-3-2015         Romans 1:16-17

S.       16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

O.      Declare the gospel and find faith.

A.      I will live, speak and be a living example of faith. I will learn to think, feel and react to life’s events as Jesus did when he walked as a man. I will use the gospel as my guide and rule of life and share with as many as possible.

P.     Father; I cannot find my way alone, be my guide, teacher and friend and may the world see 

        you in me. Amen.

Praying for others.

You load sixteen tons, what do get, another day older and deeper in debt, Saint Peter don't call me cause I can't go, I  owe my soul to the company store. Woke up singing that this morning. Don't know why, not even heard it in many years. Praying this morning for all the soldiers around the world. Praying for everyone that may read this page; God bless you with health and give you extra Joy! Amen.

S.O.A.P.

1-2-2015         Romans 1:8-15

S.       8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

O.      Paul prays for the Christians at Rome and tells of his desire to minister among them.

A.      Praying for others is my primary reason to pray. When each of us prays for the others we learn not to be too self-centered, self-important and selfish. As I pray for you and you pray for me all our needs are brought before God and we also learn love for one another.

P.       Father; teach me to pray as I should, to focus outside myself. Amen. 

Romans

Trouble, trials and a stretching of our faith on this first day of the new year. Both daughters in hospital and wife and I are trying to cover all the needs as well as possible. Nancy spent the night with Christi and for the first time in our 46 years of married life we were apart on new years eve. Roads may be icing over and we need to get back and forth. We will find out if I can still drive in bad weather. Pray protecting Angels over me Please. God gave us a wonderful "Last" service at church last night, sweet spirit and many wonderful testimonies on last years blessings.
Blessed New Year and welcome 2015!

S.O.A.P.

1-1-2015              Romans 1:1-7

S.       1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

O.      Paul’s salutation to the Saints at Rome and his declaration of Jesus the Christ.

A.      Paul speaks of several important aspects in this salutation: He identifies Jesus in all his power and glory, declares peace to his readers and calls them saints. I need to remember every day that I am in Jesus. I am not a looser, a failure, a sinner; I am a holy follower of Jesus Christ, an overcomer. I am a saint, made so by the cleansing blood of Calvary.

P.       Father; cleans my memories of the stain of sin. Renew a right spirit within me and reveal the mind of Christ to me. Amen.