Worth The Effort?

Another year is in the books and I am thinking; was it worth the effort? Some might make a list and compare the good and bad events of the year to calculate a value. Most of us do a good job of remembering the bad and forgetting the good so our list may be lopsided. Most of us don't journal each day and if we do we don't have the time to read the thing later so we rely on memories. This can be tricky but....I have seen the birth of a second GREAT grandchild (girl), GREAT GRANDSON saying "Pa-Pa" for the first time, oldest GRANDSON graduating from college,  oldest GRANDDAUGHTER and HUSBAND buying their first home, baby DAUGHTER beginning her doctoral thesis, losing another 60 pounds, exiting the rental business with the sale of our last rent house, reverse mortgage on home-place, my first new pick-up truck, paying off all credit cards, finishing a re-model of the guest house, replacing fence on one side of yard, planting rose hedge on south fence, automatic watering system in front flower-beds, commercial gas stove w/vent-a-hood and sink in church kitchen, well house replacement at church, off-site sign for church on HWY 377, light in cross behind pulpit, Nancy playing the harmonica for worship service, buying a new RV (to pull with new truck), signing up for medicare, preaching over 100 times, actually finishing a "bible study" in the same year I started it ( study subject: The Will of God), 46th wedding anniversary, parents celebrating 65th wedding anniversary.
2015 was a busy year......and well worth the effort!

12-31-2015          Luke 24:50-53

S.          50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: 53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

O.         Jesus ascends into Heaven and the disciples go to Jerusalem.

A.         Joy should be my everyday practice, my lifestyle. I will worship God today……in Spirit and Truth!

P.         Father; I worship, praise and adore you. Thank you God, for loving me and sending your                     son to redeem me from sin. Amen. 

Filled with satan or filled with God?

I see many articles stating that God has not fixed the problems between the different religions. Why do people think like this? God has provided the answer to this problem and the solution two thousand years ago.....in a manger, at the grave of Lazarus and between two thieves on a cross. The primary message of Jesus was a message of love. Active, alive, all embracing love is what we need. These terror attacks are the work of satan, not directly but through poor, deceived sin filled people. God gave man the power of "free will". This one attribute make man "like God" more than any other attribute. It is the misuse of this will that kills, steals and destroys and that attribute belongs to satan. The bottom line.....Love and be like God........Kill and be like satan. CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE!

12-4-2015      Luke 22:7-13

S.       7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the Passover must be killed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat. 9 And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?10 And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he enters in.11 And ye shall say unto the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples?12 And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.13 And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover.

O.      Finding a place for the Passover.

A.      Jesus gave very specific instructions for the disciples to follow, they did as instructed and the last Passover is shared by all. God gave me specific instructions in his Bible. If I follow, I will be blessed. If not, I will be cursed. All this is my decision and the results are up to me.

    P.       Father; I choose to follow you with all my heart, mind and         soul. Fill me with courage, endurance and the wisdom so I               won’t stray. Amen. 

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.

Wasting Time?

My calling, and yours, is to reach as many lost people as possible before they die or the rapture takes place. Please set your affection on the lost, their eternity depends on you. We don't have time to waste on the color or design of a coffee cup!

11-13-2015    Luke 19:29-34

S.       29 And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, 30 Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.31 And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. 32 And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. 33 And as they were losing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? 34 And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

O.      Jesus sends two on an errand to bring him a colt.

A.      Many of the everyday needs of this world seem to be mundane and unimportant. There is not much glory or praise in these deeds but they must be done to accomplish greater goals. I will do everyday things with a servant’s heart, not looking for praise, and know that all things are a part of a bigger, better plan.

P.       Father; thank you for showing me this simple story of humility and service. Grant me a place service in your kingdom. Amen.

Thankfulllllll

As we enter the month of Thanksgiving and start into another winter season I always get excited. I enjoy all the extra family time around the holidays, the special decorations, the great food and a re-focusing for the coming new year. I am a blessed man and that makes me a happy man. I have a great family, church and best of all, I have a Saviour. Jesus has been my best friend for almost fifty years and the blessings just seem to keep improving. Jesus in my life is my only goal. I want as much of his love, mercy, grace as I can contain. Not to hoard it up but to give it away. The more I give the more I seem to receive. I am thankful. I am thankful.

Jesus "In Me" Appreciation Day!

Today I will be honored in a "Pastor Appreciation". There will be cards, gifts, special words and dinner. We will also be Baptizing some new converts. These special days are in October of each year and I am in many ways conflicted. My calling is to Shepard people into the kingdom of God, keeping the focus on Jesus and their relationship with him. Like most people I do appreciate being appreciated and this special "thank you". I am conflicted because of my pride. I have been the Pastor of this congregation for more than thirty years, built many additions to the facility, seen countless numbers of converts, weddings, baptisms, baby dedications and funerals and I still battle with the idea that "I" have done this. Truth is, I have accomplished nothing. All these things came from the hand of God and Bill was only the delivery boy on duty. Yes, I have been faithful and consistent. Yes I have worked sick, tired, and weary from the load of being bi-vocational. Yes I have confessed my failures and my victories. All this and more. I still know that none of my deeds were accomplish in and of my own strength. Jesus has washed me with his Grace, filled me with his Spirit, and lead me through each day. I am calling this day. Jesus in me Appreciation Day!

10-25-2015    Luke 16:19-31

S.       19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

O.      The eternal end of a rich man and a beggar.

A.      I must share my blessings with those in need. My actions will decide my eternity. Above all, I must be righteous and holy.

  
   P.       Father; cleans me of sin and lead me by your Holy Spirit as         to how to share my blessings. Amen. 

Sufficient

Been working on several construction projects and using all my energy up before the day has passed. Jerry (brother) and I put together a steel building while he was off work. Now I am replacing the fence with a six foot, wood, privacy and adding concrete runner to keep the critters out that like to dig. The 90 lbs. that I have lost is allowing me to get more done. Still much slower than I like but it's all good. 
My study these days has been centered around one word; sufficient! I am slowly seeing that this may be a stronger word than I realized before. Not sufficient to endure, but to fully overcome. Paul is my case study. He has this "thorn" thing. A messenger from satan ( no caps for him). You know, the "kill, steal and destroy", liar and enemy of your soul. I see Paul as being set free from this problem and not "enduring" forever. Keep checking in and I will give you more.