5-29-2014 Andrew's 20th Birthday

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”

2 Peter 1:8–10

God - Thank you for the blessings of raising Andrew into a fine young man.  Let me not forget how you gave me wisdom, so I can be encouraged to always thank you and serve you in humble gratitude.   I pray that I always remember so that on my off days of not having a strong desire to pray, read your word or reflect that it will bring me back to my senses.  I pray that I continue to look into the future so that I can happily reflect on the past.

6/30 The doubt of the disciples

Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

Mark 16:14

On Sunday morning the day that Jesus rose from the grave he appears to the eleven apostles, sits down with them and discusses their unbelief.  Several people have seen Jesus already and have told the disciples that Jesus is alive, but they did not believe them.  Can you imagine that Jesus' closest followers did not believe and understand what Jesus told them before.  Jesus told them that he would be killed but on the third day he would rise again.

Have you ever been told a story that you thought was totally wrong, but later found out that it was true?  Sometimes it's hard to believe something because it just seems so outlandish that it cannot be true.  The internet is full of stories that are really not true and over time we get jaded and think that it's just another story.  We've all seen the pop up message that we won a million dollars and all we have to do is just click the box to claim our money.  Their is even a site called Snopes that checks into these internet claims.

The difference with Jesus and the Bible is that whatever is told is TRUE.  When God says it, you can take it to the bank because it is true.  Jesus told his closest followers that he was going to die soon and that it is God's plan so people can have a way to go to Heaven.

What's neat about this verse is that it's filled with hope and love.  God loves us in spite of who we are and our lack of faith at times.  Here were the disciples who doubted Jesus, but Jesus sat down with them and took the time to help them to believe.

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Today's Theme
Take the time to sit and listen to God and he will restore our belief

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Reading Thru The Bible

Mark 15-16

5/11 The God of second chances

And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,  Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

Jonah 3:1,2



It's always great when we get a second chance at times.  I remember playing some carnival games, trying to get the rings across an animal and after the end of my turn the guy giving me a second chance for free.

It's moments like that when something happens to you that you do not expect it that can be a blessing in your life.  I'm thankful that God is a god of second chances.  Sometimes He gives many more chances. 

Jonah failed to obey God, but God gave him a second chance.  God gave us a second chance by allowing Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  A lot of people just don't realize that second chance that God is offering.  Look for your opportunities that God is giving you today for a second chance at something.

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Today's Theme
When you get a second chance at something today, thank God for it.

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Reading Thru The Bible

Jonah 3-4

1/31 Have a Cause

And Moses brought their cause before the LORD.   

Numbers 27:5

Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed at the age of five and performed before European royalty.  But just because Mozart was brilliant didn't mean that he had to stop practicing.  In order to learn more, Mozart had to travel and spend time away from his family.  He had a cause and his cause was to grow in his music.

Sometimes it takes a gentle push from a parent to give their child a cause.  I remember how I encouraged my children to play a sport at least once so they could determine if they would like it.  I remember pushing Emily to play volleyball and then later having her tell me how she was glad that she tried it once.

I also provided avenues for my children to participate in church activities, be faithul in church attendance and take notes during lessons.  Today they love the Lord and serve Him on their own.  You see, my cause was to live in such a way for the Lord that the kids would know my cause was genuine and my prayer was for them to see why I had such a cause for the Lord.  Then they too, would have the same cause in their lives.

Jesus had a cause too.  His cause was to ensure everyone had a way to go to Heaven.  His cause was the greatest sacrifice of all, because His cause cost Him rejection from the people, suffering on the Cross and eventually death.  But Jesus saw beyond the initial cause because He rose again on the third day for you and I.

What is your cause in life?  Think about Jesus' sacrifice and His cause for you and I.  If you don't know what your cause is, then pray that God reveals yours to you.

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Today's Theme

Have a cause for God.  Because a good cause for God is a great cause.

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Reading Thru The Bible

Judges 3-5

1/30 Making a difference.

And of some have compassion, making a difference: 

Jude 1:22

“Of all the sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these: it might have been."

- John Greenleaf Whittier

Helen Adams Keller was born on June 27, 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama. In 1882, she fell ill and was struck blind, deaf and mute. Beginning in 1887, Keller's teacher, Ann Sullivan, helped her make tremendous progress with her ability to communicate, and Keller went on to college, graduating in 1904. During her lifetime, she received many honors in recognition of her accomplishments.

It took someone like Anne Sullivan to make a difference in Helen's life.  In a dramatic struggle, Sullivan taught Keller the word "water"; she helped her make the connection between the object and the letters by taking Keller out to the water pump, and placing Keller's hand under the spout. While Sullivan moved the lever to flush cool water over Keller's hand, she spelled out the word w-a-t-e-r on Helen's other hand. Keller understood and repeated the word in Sullivan's hand. She then pounded the ground, demanding to know its "letter name." Sullivan followed her, spelling out the word into her hand. Keller moved to other objects with Sullivan in tow. By nightfall, she had learned 30 words.

Someone had compassion and made a difference and that is what God is asking us to do.  Make a difference in other people's lives by sharing the joy that Jesus has brought in your life.  Spiritually you might meet someone who is deaf and blind to God and could be a blessing unto them helping know God.

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Today's Theme

Make a difference instead of dreaming of what it might have been

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Reading Thru The Bible

 Jude 1

1/29 Amazing 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.    

1 John 4:9

What an awesome love that God has for us!  He gave His son that we might have life through Him.  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. John 3:16

Chris Tomlinson sings a wonderful song about God's amazing love.

Chris Tomlin

Amazing Love

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,

I’m accepted, You were condemned.

I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,

Because You died and rose again.

(Chorus)

Amazing love,

How can it be

That You, my King, should die for me?

Amazing love,

I know it’s true.

It’s my joy to honor You,

In all I do, I honor You.

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,

I’m accepted, You were condemned.

I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,

Because You died and rose again.

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Today's Theme
If you ever feel unloved turn to God and experience His amazing love.

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Reading Thru The Bible

1John 4-5

1/28 Be an Encourager

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen; Acts 19:34

 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre. Acts 19:31

John Wilkes Booth and Lee Harvey Oswald are two notorious names that are forever linked to the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy.  There has been articles mentioning several coincidences between these two deaths.  One of them is the theatre.  Abraham was shot in the theatre and the killer fled to a warehouse.  Kennedy's killer shot him from a warehouse and ran to a theatre.

The passage today mentions that Paul's friends warned him not to go the theatre.  The Bible says that a certain man named Demetrius was mad about the preaching of the Word of God.  He was mad because he was going to lose sales selling his silver shrines to the worshippers of Diana and he wanted to Paul to stop preaching against worshipping Diana.  Paul's friends warned him not to go to the theatre.    

One man can change the events in history or cause such a ruckus to influence the minority to change things for the majority.  Just think what would have happened if Abraham was never shot?  What more could he have done to heal the nation during its most troubling times.  

But as Christians we have the same ability to influence, as one person, to make a difference in a positive way too.  God says that we are to be a light unto others.  Our light ought to be a beacon for someone who needs help or just needs some encouragement.  How about you?  Who could you encourage today?

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Today's Theme

Encourage someone today.

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Reading Thru The Bible

Acts 18-20