LOVING GOD
God’s love for His creation is described in the Scriptures as a being a steadfast love. His love never changes. On the other hand, our love for God is not always steadfast. Our love varies in degree often dictated by what is happening in our lives.
I believe it is the sincere desire of every born again person to love God. We seek to bolster our love by the songs we sing. Take, for instance, the song, “Trust and Obey.” We sing lustily, “trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” Likewise, we sincerely sing “All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.”
An unknown author challenges us to give evidence of our love for the Lord in this song.
I LOVE THEE
I love Thee, I love Thee, I love Thee my Lord; I love Thee, I love Thee my Saviour, I love Thee, my God: I love Thee, I love Thee, and that Thou dost know; But how much I love Thee my actions will show.
Today -- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for implanting in our spirit the deep desire to love God and show it by the way we live. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
TRUSTING GOD
Many e-mails tell about the love God has for us. Wonderful words and inspiring thought. Often at the end of the message is the statement, “This is a test. All you have to do is send this to four others, etc.” I don’t prove my love for God or my faith or my trust by forwarding e-mails.
May I suggest a true Biblical test of our love for God? My church is having a “Prove the Tithe Day.” This is a test. Do I trust God and believe what He says?
There is a principle of tithing, giving God the first of the first fruits (Exodus 23:19) that runs all through the Bible. A Scripture often cited is Malachi 3:8-10. Read it.
Mal. 3:10 (NKJV) “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may food in My house, And try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven, And pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
The test is, Will you give God the first ten percent (tithe) of your income and trust Him to supply your need? Now, I submit, this is a test of our faith and trust in God.
You will find two points of view about tithing. (1) The tither says, “I am blessed.” (2) The non-tither says, “I can’t afford it.” God says, “Try Me, prove Me.”
I have tithed to my church almost all of my adult life. I am 83 years old – still tithing on retirement income. God has blessed me and my needs have been met.
Today - Out loud and on purpose I will Thank and Praise the Lord that I can trust Him, try Him and prove Him. This makes for a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
TRUSTING GOD, CONTINUED
As you read the Word of God you will find this to be true. People respond to God either by trusting and obeying God or by not trusting Him and living in disobedience. You will also observe that obedience to God brings blessings. Living by the principles set forth in the Bible results in blessings. Just as the farmer sows seeds and receives a harvest. We sow obedience and receive a harvest of blessings
According to Scripture, not obeying the principles of God results in not receiving blessings, but a curse.
Lida Shivers Leech captures the spirit of obedience and the results in this old song that is seldom sung in churches these days. I have not heard it in over 25 years.
TRUST, TRY, and PROVE ME
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, All your money, talents, time, and love; Consecrate then all upon the altar, While your Saviour from speaks sweetly, ….
When my wavering faith, in trials, falters, When His guiding hand I cannot see, Then in wondrous love and tender mercy, Thro’ His Word He says to me, My child just ….
I have yielded Him my life forever, All I am or have or hope to be; Naught on earth my hold on Him can sever, While I hear Him say to me, My child, just…
Trust me, try Me, prove Me, saith the Lord of hosts, and see if a blessing, unmeasured blessing, I will not pour out on thee.
TodaY -- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that our God has never failed a test!!! Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
FRIDAY GEMS
Psalm 92:1-4 (NLB) It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim Your unfailing love in the morning, Your faithfulness in the evening accompanied by the harp and the lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all You have done for me! I sing for joy because of what You have done.
Billy Graham ---- “How do you give? Is it liberally and cheerfully or is it sparingly and grudgingly? If you have been giving God the left-overs of your substance and your life, you have been missing the true joy and blessing of Christian giving..” 2 Cor.9:7 “God loveth a cheerful giver.”
John Ashcroft, quoted by Cal Thomas --- “Islam is a religion in which God requires you to send your sons to die for him. Christianity is a Faith in which God sent His Son to die for you.” Read Psalms 83 and 91. Also Jeremiah 50 and 51.
C. G. Finney ---“True Saints view the Gospel as a provision of divine benevolence, having for its main design to destroy sin and promote holiness, . . . its whole value consists in its power to make men holy.”
George Sweeting ---- “Life minus love equals nothing.”
ANON. ---- “Nothing costs as much as loving------------except not loving.”
C.S. Lewis in his book The Four Loves wrote: “The only place outside of heaven where you can be safe from all the dangers of love is hell.”
Bob Knisley in his One Day at a Time states: “Yes, love hurts sometimes. But what an ugly world we would have without it.”
Robert Louis Stevenson ---- “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”
Modern technology makes it possible, according to Paul Crouch, President of TBN, to preach the gospel literally around the world at the cost of $150.00 per minute.
PICKED UP
In my years as a pastor I visited in many homes. Some were so perfectly arranged and cared for that I did not want to touch anything for fear of disturbing the décor. Most homes were what I called normal – meaning they were about like my home. Once in while there would be a home that was cluttered with too much furniture and too little cleaning.
Just recently I heard an expression not often heard these days. It was told by a friend. A woman whose house was cluttered and not well kept was visiting in a home where everything was spotless and in place. She said, “Your house is so “picked up.”
I thought about this expression “picked up” in relation to my spiritual life. Do you have problems with the clutter of the world messing up your spiritual life. I find that I need to be constantly “picking up” to keep my mind & spirit free from the clutter of this world.
David’s prayer in Psalm 19:14 (NLB) is a prayer I need to pray often. “May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Today -- Out loud and on purpose Thank and praise the Lord that He helps us keep a clean mind and a pure heart. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
TAKING SIDES
When I was growing up there were always times to choose sides. In our school, at play time, we would “choose up.” Two boys were selected to be captains. These two would choose players for their team from the remainder of the group.
In life we are constantly making choices. Where should I go to college? Whom should I marry? Which church should I attend? What about the kids? Shall they play this sport or go to that class? Which house should we purchase?
Choices yesterday, choices today, choices tomorrow --- always choices to make. And ever choice affects the choices which follow. So, choosing is important and is not to be taken lightly.
Can I make the right choices, choose the right course of action? Yes, by the help of God I can choose correctly. God will guide me to get everything in order, to get my priorities right. Joshua’s cry to Israel was, “Choose you this day whom you will follow.” Then, he set an example as he said, “As for me and my house, we will follow the Lord.”
Jesus said, “Seek (choose) first the kingdom of God.” When we have God in the right place in our lives, everything else will fall in place.
Today --- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that His Word is a light to our path which helps us make the right choices. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
HAPPY DAY
The days of our lives are not all happy days. Those who are retired have seen their retirement funds shrink as the economy remains uncertain. The fact that our country is at war does not make for a happy day. Various circumstances such as sickness, loss of income, death of a loved one do not make for a happy day.
On the other hand, taking life as a whole, more days are happy days than are not happy days. The cashier at the check-out always says, “Have a good day.” My response is, “Thank you I will. Every day is a good day.”
Philip Doddridge wrote about a happy day in the song:
O HAPPY DAY THAT FIXED MY CHOICE
O happy day that fixed my choice On Thee, my Saviour and my God! Well may this glowing heart rejoice, And tell its raptures all abroad.
‘Tis done --- the great transaction’s done; I am my Lord’s and He is mine; He drew me and I followed on, Rejoicing in the call divine.
Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray, And live rejoicing every day; Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away.
Today ---- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that His presence in our heart makes this day a happy day. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
STAND UP
Nehemiah 9:5 (NIV) The people were told by their spiritual leaders, “Stand up and praise the Lord your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting.’
In Psalm 71:14-16 the writer talks about praising God. “I will praise you more and more.” “I’ll tell everyone, I will proclaim your power, I will praise your mighty deeds.”
Psalm 64:10 “…And those who do what is right will praise Him.”
Praise the Lord------Why? When we praise Him we are acknowledge God’s wisdom and control over our lives. When we praise Him we are saying to the Lord, “I trust you.” An old song declares, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.’
Today ----- Out loud and on purpose (Stand up) thank and praise the Lord that He is present in the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
FRIDAY GEMS
“Wisdom is a divine endowment, and not a human acquisition. James 1:5(NIV) “If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God, who gives generously to all men without finding fault.”
“Our duty is not to see through one another, but to see one another through.”
Bits and Pieces:
“Wise sayings often fall on barren ground; but a kind word is never thrown away.”
“Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has.”
On a bumper sticker: “Next time you think you’re perfect, try walking on water.”
“You can give without loving but you can’t love without giving.”
“God gives us the ability to reach out and help someone.”
“When you give God will help you behave better”
“Give what costs us something, not what costs nothing.”
“The most unhappy people on earth are stingy people.”
“Endure means to outlast the devil.”
“You can’t get the devil back by acting like he acts.”
Romans 12:21 “Overcome evil with good.”
Today ----- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for His steadfast love that never changes. Have a TERRIFIC WEEKEND !!!
This week you will see and hear a lot about Easter, This is as it should be. Easter is a foundation stone in our Christian faith. Christ the Lord is risen. Hallelujah!! If Christ is not risen we believers are of all men most miserable. But, Christ is risen!
I remember an Easter Sunday when I was 10 or 11 years old. The Christian church in our community had an Easter Sunrise Service. The service was on top of a ridge. We had to walk a good distance to get there. Breakfast was served first. Sausage, eggs, bacon and bread were served. I thought it was wonderful. Then we sat or stood around the fire as the pastor gave a message about the risen Saviour. A lot of Easters have come an gone. This one stands out in my memory.
Today ------ Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead and He lives today!! Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
AMAZED
So many things and events that are a part of our lives today would hve been beyond the comprehension of our forefathers. Transportation is an amazing thing. It has progressed from walking to riding a horse, to riding a bicycle – the primary means of transportation in some places – to the automobile and finally to airplanes and rockets propelling space vehicles. AMAZING!
Another thing that is amazing to me is the love of God. This Easter week we are reminded in drama, pageant and song of the love of the Saviour who died for our sins. AMAZING!
I truly stand amazed in the presence of Jesus and wonder how He could love me. The words of this song will be sung many times in these days.
“How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be; How marvelous! How wonderful! Is my Saviour’s love for me!” ----------- Charles H. Gabriel
Today ----- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the Amazing love of God!! Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
RESURRECTION
A central truth in our faith is that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, voluntarily took our sin upon Himself as He died on he cross. He paid the penalty for us. He died and was buried. But, Hallelujah! He arose from the grave. He appeared many times to His followers. One appearance was to over 500 people. To the apostle Paul He appeared “as one out of due season.” He lives!!
Millions of people around the world will celebrate the resurrection come Sunday. We really should celebrate every day the fact that He Lives because He does live in the hearts of all who believe in Him.
Alfred H. Ackley wrote the song that has thrilled millions through the years.
HE LIVES
I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today; I know that He is living, whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives: He lives within my heart.
Today ------- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ is our risen, living Saviour!!!!! HAVE A TERRIFIC DAY !!!
NOT HERE
When I was a kid it was a fact of life that the bill collector came calling. It was not at all unusual for mother’s to send one of the children to answer the knock on the door. The child was instructed to say, “Momma’s not here.” Sometimes the child would say, “Momma said to tell you she’s not here.”
Early in the morning on the day after the Sabbath some women came to the tomb where Jesus was buried. It was their intention to put ointments and spices on the body of Jesus. Imagine their surprise to find the stone rolled away and to see angels. One account says there was an angel outside the tomb and two on the inside. The grave was empty. Only the grave-clothes remained. The angel said, “He is not here, He is risen as He said.”
Many songs fill the air with the message of the resurrection. “Christ the Lord is risen today Alleluia.” ------------ Charles Wesley
“He is risen! He is risen! Tell it out with joyful voice: He has burst the three days’ prison, Let the whole wide earth rejoice: Death is conquered, we are free, Christ has won the victory.” ---------------- Cecil Alexander
I like this chorus: “Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes. He arose a victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!” ----------- Robert Lowry
Today ------ Out loud and on purpose just Thank and Praise the Lord. He Arose!!!
GOOD FRIDAY GEMS
On this Good Friday words from some of the Easter Hymns seem appropriate.
“Easter people, raise your voices, sounds of heav’n in earth should ring. Christ has brought us heaven’s choices; Heav’n-ly music, let it ring. Easter people, let us sing.” ----------- William M. James
“Christ is risen, Christ is living, dry your tears, be unafraid! Death and darkness could not hold Him, nor the tomb in which He lay. Do not look among the dead for One who lives forever more; Tell the world that Christ is risen, make it known He goes before.” ---------- Nicholas Martinez
“Christ is alive! Let Christians sing, The cross stands empty to the sky. Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die. Christ is alive! No longer bound to distant years in Palestine, But saving, healing, here and now And touching every place and time.” ---------- Brian Wren
“I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world todat; I know that He is living, whatever men may say; I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives: He lives with-in my heart.” -------------- Alfred H. Ackley
Today ---------- Out loud and on purpose Let’s just praise the Lord!!!! Have a wonderful and blessed Easter Weekend.!!!!
A BOOST
Quite often a special day like Easter Sunday is followed with somewhat of a let-down. Just in case this is where you are today give yourself a boost by grabbing hold of the message E. J. Thomas gives us in the song he wrote.
HALLELUJAH! WE SHALL RISE
In the resurrection morning, When the trump of God shall sound, We shall rise, we shall rise! Then the saints will come rejoicing, And no tears will e’er be found, We shall rise, we shall rise!
In the resurrection morning , What a meeting it will be, When our fathers and our mothers, and our loved ones we shall see,
In the resurrection morning, Blessed tho’t it is to me, I shall see my blessed Saviour, Who so freely died for me,
In the resurrection morning, We shall meet Him in the air, We shall rise, we shall rise! And be carried up to glory, To our home so bright and fair, We shall rise, we shall rise!
Hallelujah! A-men! We shall rise! In the resurrection morning, When death’s prison bars are broken, We shall rise, We shall rise!!!
Today ------ Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord and Rejoice that we can look forward to that Resurrection Morning!! Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
A.S.A.P.
I like these groupings of letters that remind me of something which should be a part of my life. These letters remind me to “Always Say A Prayer. I must admit this is not what I think of doing in some circumstances. If I am out driving and a tire goes flat my immediate thought is “call AAA.”
For the last several years I have been trying to train my self to respond to any situation by praising the Lord. For instance, one of my children might come to me with a problem they are dealing with. My response is most likely to be, “Praise the Lord.” I get some funny looks sometimes.
Scripture instructs us. I. Thes. 5:16-18 (NIV) “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Also see Ephesians 5: 18-20(NIV) “…be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Today --------- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for everything the Lord allows to come into your life. A.S.A.P. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
John 8:47 (NIV) “He who belongs to God hears what God says.” This is found in Scripture from the beginning to the end of the Bible. Are you listening? This means more than simply hearing with your ears. It means listening with the heart and spirit. This kind of listening always results in obedience to what God says.
THE MESSAGE BIBLE – Romans 8:1-17. Paul is writing about the changes that come in one’s life when Jesus Christ comes in as Saviour and Lord. He says that when God lives and breathes in you, you are delivered from that dead life (life before Christ came in). With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s !
Listen to this: “So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!” Are you listening?
Today -------- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise God for the new life in Christ Jesus that is vibrant and alive. A life that is willing to hear and obey what God says. Have a TERRIFIC DAY as you live for God.!!!
GOOD
Johnny Wallace writes, “Express thankfulness for all things and every person God has brought into your life and remind them of the love you have for them while you have the occasion.”
Judy Patterson says it like this, “When you feel grateful for something others have done for you, why not tell them about it? Don’t let me get so busy that I forget to show gratefulness to others. Help me to especially appreciate the loved ones you have given me.” Amen
Just so you know. I am grateful for my grandsons who gave me my first computer which I said I did not want and didn’t know how to use and it was too complicated for me learn to use at my age. I am grateful for a son-in-law who has the technical knowledge about computers and was able to set it up and give me basic instruction. I am grateful for others in the family who put in their two cents worth to help me get it going. I can’t think of any other “one thing” that has so impacted my life.
Through the computer I have “met” many wonderful friends. Some of you I will not see this side of heaven, but you have blessed my life. I thank you. I do pray for you every morning.
Today ------------ Out loud and on purpose I am Thanking and Praising the Lord for the blessings He has brought into my life through my e-mail friends. Have a TERRIFC DAY !!!
FRIDAY GEMS
A good beginning is to recognize God this day.
Reginald Heber --- “Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee:”
Anon. ---- “No man ever sank under the burden of the day, It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear.”
Charles Dickens ----- “Never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time. Collar him!”
Carol Townsend ---- “Life is without purpose unless Jesus has preeminence. The life which Jesus gives is adequate to meet every crisis, is a balm to soothe the aching heart, and is meat to satisfy the hungry soul.”
William Osler ---- “The best preparation for tomorrow is is to do today’s work supremely well.”
Denis Waitley ---- “Don’t dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answers.”
Today --------- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He is God and beside Him there is none other!” Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
FOG
When I get up each morning I look out the window to see what kind of day we are having. I praise the Lord for the day, whatever it may be. Sometimes I see dense fog. I can recall driving through dense fog. It gives an uneasy feeling to not be able to see where you are going.
James reminds us that the length of our lives is as the morning fog. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. (James 4:14 TLB) We live on top of a ridge. Quite often we drive into the valley and find that the fog has already lifted.
To get the most out of life I need to be sure of going in the right direction. I can only know the right direction by following the instructions given in the Bible. Psalms and Proverbs are good places in the Bible to find clear instructions.
Proverbs 3:5-7 (TLB) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.” See also Psalm 37:3-5.
Proverbs 4:25-27 “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”
Today ----------- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He leads us through every experience of our lives. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
ENCOURAGE
I read that every person that has become famous has had behind him one or more persons who have encouraged him in some way. We have all heard that behind every successful husband is a good wife. Preachers will readily acknowledge that when the going gets rough they are often brought through the trial by the faithfulness and encouragement of a praying wife.
The Apostle Paul writes the longs to see the Christians at Rome that he might impart some spiritual so they might be established. (Rom1:12) That I might be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith of both you and me.
A member of a church I pastored in the 50’s often wrote notes of encouragement. They were always signed, “Your backer-upper.”
I’m sure we all welcome words of encouragement. Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone. If some one has blessed you, encouraged you, helped you in some way in your life, thank the Lord and then let that person know you are grateful.
Today -------- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord. From sinking sand He lifted me, Praise His name. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
Thursday, May 1st, is designated as a National Day of Prayer. There will be many gatherings on both national and local levels. I trust this will also extend to the individual level. On a personal basis it has been suggested that we pause for prayer at 12:00 Noon wherever we are.
Can you imagine the impact this could have? On a crowded street in any city people stop, move to the side of the walk, bow their heads and pray for this country. It could happen on a bus, a plane, a train. If in a car we could pull off the road and take a minute to pray.
As we think about praying for our country we ought to also be reminded of some of the things we need to repent of in preparing our hearts for prayer. God forgive us for killing over 4 million babies in their mother’s womb. Forgive us that we sill allow racial prejudice to divide us. We seek forgiveness for compromising the clear teachings of Your Word about sexual relationships and lifestyle.
I’m sure you can compose your own list of things for which we need to repent.
Today --------- Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that we can declare for all the world to hear, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”