Psalm 32:7 “For you are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.”
T.D. Jakes - “There’s purpose for everyone’s life. Yet a lot of people never discover what that is. But if you listen to your spirit, there’s a clue as to what God created you to do.”
John Wesley – “God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.”
Thomas LaManse – “Wish I had said it first – Rainbows apologize for angry skies.”
Charles Kettering – “Where there is an open mind, there will always be a frontier.”
Robert F. Kennedy – “Few will have the greatness to change history itself. But each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of all these acts will be written the history of the generation.”
John Stuart Mill – “One person with a belief is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interest.”
Bob Knisley - “I cannot reap the rewards of a good life unless I spend my years living that good life.”
Anonymous – “Come judgment day, God won’t ask you what neighborhood you lived in, but He will probably ask you how you treated your neighbor.”
Charles Spurgeon – “The first thing God requires of His child is obedience! “
Unknown - “Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for helping us to “walk the walk” in full faith, and not just glibly to “talk the talk.” Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
These days people are faced with the choice of being Politically Correct or Biblically Correct. Being Politically Correct leads one to the acceptance that all religions, beliefs and faiths are somewhat equal. All religions lead to God and heaven. This is a very popular and widely accepted idea. Unfortunately it is not true.
Being Biblically Correct means looking to the Word of God four our foundational beliefs. The Bible declares there is One God and besides Him there is no other god. The Bible declares there is only One Way to God and heaven. As Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father but by me.” He also said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”(John 14:6 KJV) Luke writes in Acts 4:12 (NIV) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
I must choose, and so must you, to be either Politically Correct or Biblically Correct. To paraphrase Joshua, “As for me and my house, we choose to be Biblically Correct”.
BUT WAIT! There is one thing every Christian should do that is both Politically Correct and Biblical Correct. VOTE! Tomorrow is Election Day. As a citizen you should vote. As a Christian you should vote. As for me, I voted early!
Today – Out loud and Purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the privilege of living in a country where we can participate in choosing those who lead our government. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
In a meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in the First Baptist Church of Knoxville several years ago one of the main messages was delivered by a black pastor from Morristown. His message was, “Jesus Christ Is the Answer.” In his message he indicated that whatever the question might be Jesus Christ is the Answer. I’ve heard that expression for many years. I have experienced the truth of it in my own life.
Our world is in turmoil. Greed and lust drive men to hatred and war. Christians are persecuted, even killed because of their faith. In this kind of world Jesus Christ is the Answer. J.H. Stockton wrote this song long ago…
THE GREAT PHYSICIAN
The great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus; He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, Oh, hear the voice of Jesus.
Your many sins are all forgiven, Oh, hear the voice of Jesus; Go on your way in peace to heaven, And wear a crown with Jesus.
All glory to the dying Lamb! I now believe in Jesus; I love the blessed Saviour’s name, I love the name of Jesus.
Refrain: Sweetest note in seraph song, Sweetest name on mortal tongue; Sweetest carol ever sung, Jesus, blessed Jesus.
Today- Out loud and on purpose thank and praise the Lord for the healing, cleansing power of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ, who is indeed the answer! Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
As American citizens we have the privilege of going to the polls every two years and voting for the person we want to see in a place of service and leadership in our government. We did that yesterday. Will the people elected – along with those already in office – solve all the problems in our country? NO! Government will go on. We hope things will get better and the economy will improve. I pray for our political leaders and our country every day. I know that many of you do the same.
As Christians we do not look to the government for all that we need. We are most thankful for what is provided. Social Security is a blessing for those of us who receive a check every month. But the Christian looks to God who has promised to meet our needs.
Will L. Thompson expresses it beautifully in his song……
JESUS IS ALL THE WORLD TO ME
Jesus is all the world to me, My life, my joy, my all; He is my strength from day to day, Without Him I would fall: When I am sad, to Him I go; No other one can cheer me so; When I am sad, He makes me glad; He’s my friend.
Jesus is all the world to me, My friend in trials sore; I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them o’er and o’er: He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest’s golden grain; Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain; He’s my friend.
Jesus is all the world to me, And true to Him I’ll be; Oh, how could I this friend deny, When He’s so true to me? Following Him, I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night; Following Him, by day and night, He’s my friend.
Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better friend; I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when Life’s fleeting days shall end: Beautiful life with such a friend, Beautiful life that has no end; Eternal life, eternal joy; He’s my friend.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for His provision for us in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah!! Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
Our e-mail is flooded with good things. I would like to have time to spend looking at the beautiful sites and the inspirational writings and poetry that comes my way. It is just not possible to take it all in, yet I am thankful it is sent my way.
Some to “live by” items recently received include the following. I do not know the author of these 5 simple rules to live by to be happy.
1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.
6. We would all agree that these five rules sound good. It would be interesting to know how much effort we put into living this way.
Johnny Wallace includes this acrostic in one of his mailings.
C. Christ
H. Helps
R. Reinforce
I. Improvement
S. Steadfast
T. Today
A good reminder of what Christ seeks to do in our lives.
Jabez prayed (I Chron. 4:10) Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, and that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank & Praise the Lord for helping us know the right way to live our lives. Have a TERRIFIC DAY !!!
From the Word. Psalm 37:3-5 “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you heart’s desire. Commit everything you do to the Lord, Trust Him, and He will help you.”
Fred Craddock – “Throughout history Christianity has civilized millions, moralized thousands, and converted a few.”
Rex Humbard – “God does not know:
1.One sin He does not hate.
2.One sinner He does not love.
3.A better plan of salvation than the one He has given.
4.A better time than now for you to be sure you are ready to meet God.”
God specializes in things that seem impossible. Mark 9:23 –“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Ray Lessin – “God does the most amazing things at the most unexpected time through the most unlikely people in the most unusual ways.”
St. Francis de Sales – “We shall steer through every storm as long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust is fixed on God.”
To realize the worth of an anchor, we need to feel the storm.
Today – Thank and Praise the Lord and pray this prayer-“God of All Power and of All Love, help me to love all people as you have loved me. Amen.”
Today is the old Armistice Day celebrating the end of WWI. That was a special time for me, even though I was not yet born. I’ve been told that my dad and mom celebrated with others in downtown Knoxville. Dad went to a store on Vine Street and bought a handbell to ring in the celebration. I still have the bell. My parents were married a little later and I was born around a year later in October 1919.
Today we call this Veteran’s Day in honor and recognition of all who have fought in battle for the United States of America. I read yesterday that we have some 88,000 Veterans still living. As you have the opportunity tell them how much you appreciate their serving in the armed forces and fighting to preserve our freedom. Listen to the speeches, watch the parades, join in the celebrations. Let your Patriotism show!
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for the ONE who died for all people that we may be free. Know that if the Son shall make you free, you are free indeed. Have a TERRIFIC DAY!!!
Today my heart goes out to those who are going through the tragedy of the tornadoes that hit many sections of our country on Sunday. I feel especially for those in Morgan County TN. I lived in that area in the mid-thirties. The names of these communities ring a bell with me. After all these years I probably would not personally know many people there. Nevertheless, my heart goes out to them. I pray also for the people in the other communities hit by the tornadoes and storms. Fortunately, our area was not hit by a tornado although we are only 40 or so miles away. We were treated to most dazzling display of cloud to cloud lightning that I have ever witnessed. The sky was continuously brightened by the lightning.
Other friends have gone through all the emotions that accompany the death of a loved one. Also there are always several requests for prayer covering many situations.
I am reminded that the Apostle Paul went through what are described as trials and sufferings. In the midst of all this he had a Word from the Lord, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Many of those who are going through difficult times right now can also take heart for God says to you, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
Today - Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He provides the grace we need in every situation.
Every now and then I get into a prowling mood. You know, going through things you have accumulated over the years. Some people prowl through a closet of clothes and shoes. I prowl through church directories and old church bulletins. I only have about 35 years of these stuck away. Anyway, last night I got to prowling. In a bulletin from a church I served as interim pastor I found this poem. It has probably made the e-mail circuit before but for some reason it seemed appropriate for today.
I KNOW SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT YOU
Wouldn’t this old world be better,
If the folks we meet would say,
“I l know something good about you,”
And then treat us just that way?
Wouldn’t it be fine and dandy,
If each handclasp, warm and true,
Carried with it this assurance,
“I know something good about you!”
Wouldn’t life be lots more happy,
If the good that’s in us all
Were the only thing about us
That folks bothered to recall?
Wouldn’t life be far more happy,
If we praised the good we see?
For there’s such a lot of goodness
In the worst of you and me.
Wouldn’t it be nice to practice
That fine way of thinking, too?
You know something good about me,
“I know something good about you.”
-Author unknown
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that by His help we can say, “I know something good about you!”
The aftermath of the devastating tornadoes and storms is the clean up of the debris. Our TV news and newspaper accounts and pictures reveal the destruction that took place as brick houses were blown apart, mobile homes destroyed, cars tossed around like pieces of wood, trees uprooted. These things can be reported visually and in print by the news media. What is not so easily seen is what has taken place inwardly in the lives of these people. Some of the scars and the fears will be with them for the rest of their lives.
Do you ever have problems with clean up at your house? If you have children, you do have these problems. Almost every day the kids are told to clean up their room. Much of the time it is as if they not hear or they will say OK and move on to something else. Rooms become disaster areas. I’ve heard the expression, “This room looks like a cyclone has hit it.” One mother finally got desperate. She mad a big poster and placed it on the door to her daughter’s room. These words were on the poster, “ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK,” Believe it or not the room was cleaned up!
Life has a tendency to cluttered with a lot of stuff we don’t need. Little sins – if there is such a sin – creep into our lives to disrupt our relationship with God. That little white lie, the TV program that has foul language and/or sex that are so common these days. Neglecting reading the WORD, or PRAYING, or TITHING. Little by little we allow ourselves to get further and further from a close relationship with God. Do a check up in your life. Do the clean up that is needed so there is nothing standing in the way of your relationship with God.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need.
Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT) I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry, He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be astounded. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Tom Elliff - “If a man does not confess his sins, his walk with the Lord will never get better. It will only get worse.”
Morris Chapman – “A milestone is a time to pause and reflect, but never to linger.”
Quotes of the Week – “If at first you don’t succeed….Sky diving is not for you!!!!”
John Ciardi –“The day will happen whether or not you get up.”
The old preacher said, “If God meant for today to be perfect, He would not have invented tomorrow.”
Leon Bloy – “Joy is the most infallible sign of the presence of God.”
A. Mark Wells – “The Christian does not consider death to be the end of his life, but the end of his troubles.”
Kenneth Copeland – “The Lord can change anything about you. He can take care of any situation in your life if you’ll give Him enough of your time. As you spend time with Him in the WORD and in PRAYER, you’ll begin to get the victory inside of you. And once you get the victory on the inside, victory on the outside is a sure thing!”
Finally from Proverbs 14:30 – “A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He knows the way through the wilderness. All I have to do is follow!!
Certain events bring into our lives joy and happiness. I remember a time in the fall of 1932. An event took place that changed my life at the time and has influenced my life since that time. I received Jesus Christ into my life as Saviour and Lord.. No other event has served to bring happiness and joy into my life as that event did.
The year 1940 was a memorable year. Two things of significance happened. The first annual reunion of my grand parent’s family took place. This event continues to this day. Another event that has brought joy and happiness into my life was that I met, courted and married my wife. Our first date was on April 12th. We were married on August 24th. This, too, I believe was a God ordained event.
In 1945 I felt God calling me into the ministry. From this has come much joy and happiness. More than enough to offset the heartaches that were also a part of this experience. In these years God blessed us with five children…a source of happiness. Our 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren are a source of happiness.
Someone has said, “We can’t depend on people to make us happy. Only God in His wisdom can do that.” I am thankful that God is the source of happiness and that He often uses those who are involved in our lives to bring happiness to us.
It all goes back- for me – to that time in 1932 when I trusted Jesus Christ for my salvation and eternal life.
Today - Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord and Proclaim, “O Happy Day that fixed my choice on Thee, my Saviour and my God.”
PLANTING
The following is an excerpt taken from an e-mail fwd’d to me. Check on your seed.
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap
miracles
But, if you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap
guilt.
So, be careful what you plant now.
It will determine what you will reap tomorrow.
The seeds you, now, scatter will
make life worse or better your life, or better the lives of ones who will come
after. Yes, someday, you will enjoy the fruits or you will pay for the choices
you plant today. ------Author Unknown.
Today – Out loud and on purpose
Thank and Praise the Lord who tells us-“Do not be
deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Gal. 6:7) Have a
TERRIFIC DAY !!!
We are coming into the time of year when there seem to be more cloudy, rainy, foggy, dreary days than there are bright and sunny days. Reminds me that life is often like this. There are the seasons in life that are difficult. Loved ones in the hospital with illnesses of varying degrees – some unto death. Unexpected accidents happen. Grief comes. Wayward children put us on our knees in prayer for God to watch over them and bring them home safely. If we allow ourselves to think only of these things we would be overwhelmed.
There is, in the midst of all the circumstances of life, one sure, solid, unmoveable, eternal person. The Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus. Be blessed by the words of this song written by Anna B. Russell.
WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL JESUS
There is never a day so dreary, There is never a night so long, But the soul that is trusting Jesus Will somewhere find a song.
There is never a cross so heavy, There is never a weight of woe, But that Jesus will help to carry Because He loveth so.
There is never a care or burden, There is never a grief or loss, But that Jesus in love will lighten When carried to the cross.
There is never a guilty sinner, There is never a wandering one, But that God can in mercy pardon Thro’ Jesus Christ, His Son.
Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus, In the heart He implanteth a song: A song of deliverance, of courage, of strength; In the heart He implanteth a song.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise God for the song implanted in our hearts.
Such power as there is in words. Do you realize the Bible says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue?” (Prov. 18:21). Proverbs 18:20 – “Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person’s lips bring satisfaction.”
Because there is such great power in the words we speak we should be very careful what we say. There are right words for every situation. There are words of encouragement for those who are having a hard time. Words that challenge them to look up - outside themselves. Others have been through it. Let their words and example encourage you. There are words of comfort for those who grieve the death of a loved one. Find those words and speak them to those who need to hear them.
I like words that remind me of God’s love and the salvation He provided for all who believe what God says in the Word. Philip P. Bliss gives these words in his song.
WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE
Sing them over again to me, Wonderful words of life; Let me more of their beauty see, Wonderful words of life; Words of life and beauty, Teach me faith and duty:
Christ, the blessed One, gives to all Wonderful words of life; Sinner, list to the loving call, Wonderful words of life; All so freely given, Wooing us to heaven:
Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, Wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Saviour, Sanctify forever,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life; Beautiful words, wonderful words, Wonderful words of life.
Today - Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for Wonderful words of life.
Start your day with T.D. Jake’s 7 second prayer> “Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus’ name. Amen”
Psalm 104: 33 (NLT) “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise God to my last breath.”
Proverbs 22:1 (NLT) “Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.”
“When life’s problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself more fortunate than you had imagined.”
In the lobby of the Cerebral Palsy Center for Handicapped Adults on Woodland Ave., in Knoxville are these words: “A cheerful heart and a smiling face pour sunshine in the darkest places.”
Freidrich Wilhelm Nietzsche – “Strong hope is a much greater stimulant of life than any single realized joy could be.”
Sheila Wellington – “Succeeding in adversity makes success all the sweeter. At the end of the day, it’s not how far you fell but how high you bounced.”
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord for supplying our needs and directing our lives.
I watched the TV reporters as they interviewed people who were caught in the path of tornadoes that swept through portions of our area a couple of weeks ago. It was interesting to hear more than one person say, “ The Lord was good to us.” Maybe their house had been blown away but they felt the Lord was good to them.
Psalm 118: 1 – Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.
The psalmist wrote many time to testify that the Lord is good and worthy of our adoration, worship and praise.
This is Thanksgiving Week. More than at any other time of the year people think about being thankful. Search your life. Remember those times you have you have almost forgotten when the Lord was good to you. Give Him thanks.
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord, for He is good.!!
We all enjoy the Thanksgiving season. We talk about what we are thankful for. We encourage others to express their gratitude.
In Psalm 116:12 (NIV) the Psalmist asks, “How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness?”
Terry W. York wrote a song in answer to that question.
THANKSGIVING – THANKS-LIVING
Our life and its sustaining breath and life that’s promised after death come from God, our heav’nly Father. He gives us freedom from our fears; food, friends, and purpose thro’ the years. All the words of our Thanksgiving fail to show what we can show by our Thanks-living.
A life of living thankfulness moves life-less words to willingness; willingness to serve our Father. That service, born of love, demands our hearts, our minds, our strength, our hands. All the words of our Thanksgiving fail to show what we can show by our Thanks-living.
Our deepest love and highest praise in both routine and festive days sing of You, our heav’nly Father. Yet, while our songs of praise arise, deep in our hearts we realize All the words of our Thanksgiving fail to show what we can show by our Thanks-living
Today – Out loud and on purpose Thank and Praise the Lord that He enables us to show our Thanksgiving by our Thanks-Living. Have a TERRIFIC THANKSGIVING.