Monday, February 28, 2011

The difference between ambition and vision is, ambition is centered around yourself, while a God given vision is centered around helping other people and building the kingdom of God!

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Discouragement is Hell's greatest weapon. So if you're discouraged, be encouraged that you must be doing something right, and that hell had to use its greatest weapon against you!

Friday, February 25, 2011

There was a time in America when our Hands were Dirty and Calloused but our Hearts were Clean and Soft, our Houses were Small but our Families were Big, our Backs were Sore but our Mind was at Peace, Men were Proud to be Providers and Women were Proud to be Mothers...we have lost some things in this Modern Age.  
- Repost from Facebook Friend

Thursday, February 24, 2011

If you have no burden for your neighbor, how will you have one for the world?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Come Spring

One this February day the cold wind blows
Blackbirds sitting on the telephone wires row after row.
It will be like this for a few more days
But in March the bright sun will sharpen her rays.

Just yesterday I saw the first robin
Hoppin' along with his head a bobbin'
Spring is coming he seemed to say
Old man winter will pack up and move away.

How much like life I stopped to consider
That God teaches us lessons from His little critters
We too are passing from winter to spring
Life is fleeting, like a bird on the wing
Soon we will embrace the eternal spring
Isn't the love of God a beautiful thing?

"Gathered Fragments" - Willard Thomas

Friday, February 18, 2011

How much blood is on your hands?

The Bible clearly tells us to spread the Gospel. Matthew 28:19 says Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Many of of know that verse and it comes to mind as soon as we think of missions. I've been in churches that have a sign over the main door stating "You are now entering into the mission field" as you leave. But, do you really know the consequences of NOT telling others?

Ezekiel 3:18 -19 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

God is talking to Ezekiel about the children of Israel. HE knows they are stubborn and hard headed and hard hearted, but He tells Ezekiel to witness to them anyway. (Does that sound familiar?) This passage tells us that if we do not tell others the truth that we have, and that person dies and goes to hell, their blood is on our hands. What a heavy burden! We are commanded to tell others, and this is the punishment of not being obedient.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day

1 John 4:7-13 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

And, my favorite:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Foreknowledge of God

The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.  And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards.  And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.  And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. (Isaiah 19:1-5)

This isn't taken from today's headlines, but it could be. Isn't it amazing that so long ago, God fortold of the events of today?

He even knows what we're going to do before we do - he also knows what we intend to do! So keep that in mind when you plan your day! When you say you're going to do something you never do. Even things as simple as reading your Bible, that you don't get around to doing. God knows your INTENTIONS too. But, even though we intend to do something doesn't mean we will ever get around to doing it.

You know, there are other things God has foretold in the Bible. Jesus is coming soon! Watch for the signs, you can find those in the Bible too, they're everywhere!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Create in me a clean heart

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

This comes from a Psalm written by David after he'd gone in to Bathsheba. He's asking God for mercy and to forgive him of his transgressions. We all should remember it's important to ask Him for forgiveness, as our sin debt grows daily.   1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Our visiting missionary preached yesterday about having a clean heart and being cautious about what we allow into our hearts through our eyes and ears. He also noted that whatever our heart desires, our eyes will look at and our mouths will reveal. What does your heart desire? Does it desire the things of God? Does it desire to be a "clean heart"?

Oh Lord, Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; (Psalm 51:12)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Exodus 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Isn't wonderful to know that God will fight your battles for you? We just need to remember to let Him!