Light in the Darkness

A friend came up this morning and told me I need to post something. Apparently I have been quiet for too long. I told him I’ve been too stressed to write lately. Let me just say I hope January is not what the rest of the year is going to be like for me. Twenty six days into the year and it seems like everything is crashing down. The last week of December my car broke down and it would be cheaper to replace it than to fix it. God came through and found a very affordable replacement for me, but the unexpected coming up with enough cash to replace a vehicle put a little strain (stress) on the finances.
I’m starting online classes. The last two weeks have been nothing but a big stressball as I tried finding out what books were needed, getting the cash to get them, and praying that they arrived in time for me to read them before the reading assignments were due. Then my DVD lectures didn’t arrive, so I have to get that handled. Plus worrying about how I’m going to do in school and how I’m going to balance time between family, work, school and church.
I had a lot of unexpected extra responsibilities come up at church and a strain in a close friendship at the same time. Needless to say the last three weeks have been hectic.
Now I’m done with my sob story and will move on to the important stuff. Where does Jesus fit into all this? As we go through our lives, many times we seem to get overwhelmed by the world. Jobs, school, family, hobbies even church and religion in itself will come between our time with Jesus. We have to remember that Jesus promised to take care of us. Matthew 6:26 ask us are we not more than the birds of the sky and our Lord takes care of them? If we seek first the kingdom of God, God will take care of everything else.(Matthew 6:33)
Yet when we feel that the sky is falling down on top of us, what can we do? As the stress has built up I have deepened my prayer life. As I talk to Jesus and give my burdens to Him, He reminds me of the many blessings he has given to me. The blessings always outnumber the trouble. Once you pray and thank God for all your blessings you realize the treasure you truly have. When you ask the Lord to help you through the problems you are facing, you feel relief knowing that He will live up to His promise to take care of you.
The other thing that has helped me is starting a very aggressive reading of the bible. Everyday as I read and study the bible God shows me something to help me. For example yesterday as I read 2 Samuel 22:29-37 God spoke to me and reminded me He was there and would never forsake me (Hebrews 13:5-6)
So hopefully I will be back to posting more regularly soon.
MSW

And I leave you with 2 Samuel 22:29-37

29 You are my lamp, O LORD;

the LORD turns my darkness into light.

30 With your help I can advance against a troop;

with my God I can scale a wall.

31 "As for God, his way is perfect;

the word of the LORD is flawless.

He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

32 For who is God besides the LORD ?

And who is the Rock except our God?

33 It is God who arms me with strength

and makes my way perfect.

34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;

he enables me to stand on the heights.

35 He trains my hands for battle;

my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 You give me your shield of victory;

you stoop down to make me great.

37 You broaden the path beneath me,

so that my ankles do not turn.

Everything

I love this video. I cry every time I watch it. I have found hundreds of skit versions and three video versions of this skit. It starts with our walk with Jesus then it shows how we let relationships come between us and Christ. Then it moves on to money, status, alcohol, depression and finally we run back to Jesus who will help us fight off the evils that tempt us. I Hope you enjoy this version. I'll also post the lyrics below the video.
MSW

Find me here, speak to me
I want to feel you, I need to hear you
You are the light that's leading me to the place
Where I find peace again
You are the strength that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
You are the light to my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
You calm the storms and you give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You still my heart, and you take my breath away
Would you take me in take me deeper now
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
Cause you're all I want,
You're all I need
You're everything.. everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything.. everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything.. everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
Everything.. everything
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better any better than this
And how can I stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this
Would you tell me how could it be any better than this

The Punishment Due Us

What is the worst punishment a man can have for doing wrong? Our criminal Justice system has many punishments in it. They range from community service, fines, jail time all the way up to even capital punishment. Let’s think about the jail time for a minute. You have done wrong and now you must be punished. You are locked up and separated from your friends and family. You can no longer see the ones you love whenever you want.
Even worse than that is the punishment that is due all of us. In Genesis 4:13-14 we are told of Cain’s punishment for slaying his brother. Cain tells God his punishment is more than he can bear. What is his punishment? He is to be put out of the presence of God. Cain can not stand the thought of no longer being in the presence of God. While Cain gave into flesh and did not give God the offering he should he still loved and worshipped God. Now because of his sin he is lost and sent out of God’s presence.
You and I are on that same trail 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21, and Revelation 21:8 all give a list of those who will not inherit the kingdom of God. We all fall somewhere on those lists. The alternative to the kingdom of God is hell and eternal separation from God.
Think about that for a minute. We all have times we fail and feel we are separated from God. Now imagine that separation is eternal. Cain said my punishment is too much for me to bear.
We do not have to suffer the same fate as Cain though. We can be forgiven and not only have an eternity with God, we can have a personal relationship with Him through Jesus. All we have to do is admit to God that we are a sinner, understand that through the blood of His Son we have been washed and sanctified. Completely forgiven of our sins, we can live a life walking with Jesus and knowing that we will never be separated from God.
MSW

The Rooster

Yesterday I was lying in bed thinking about a discussion on freewill that had been going on. That got me thinking about my grandmother. I know my mind works weird.
Anyways, my grandma Cill used to have a pet rooster. It would ride on her shoulder as she worked in the yard. This rooster trusted and loved her. Most roosters are mean and see humans as trying to control THEIR barnyard. It is their natural tendency to either attack or run from humans, but this rooster, after learning that my grandmother cared for it, would come to her and trust her.
We are like that rooster. Our natural tendency is to do everything for ourselves and if someone tries to control our lives we get defensive and attack or we run the other way. Yet when we learn that Jesus loves and cares for us, many of us will choose to obey. Then through the help of the Holy Spirit, we come too fully and trust and obey. Even though it goes against our nature to ask for help we choose to ask for God’s guidance.
Our choice to go against our very nature and worship God and follow Jesus brings Glory to God. By freely choosing Jesus over our sin nature we lead an example to those who have not yet conquered the world’s hold over them. Plus when we turn our lives over to Jesus He then helps us to overcome the world through His Holy Spirit.
MSW
By the way I’m not sure if the chicken escaped the dumplings or not. Maybe one of my aunts or uncles will see this and let me know.

LORD, You have treated Your servant well,
just as You promised.

Teach me good judgment and discernment,

for I rely on Your commands.

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep Your word.

You are good, and You do what is good;
teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:65-68 HCSB

Lord Prop Us Up

I received this in an email yesterday and thought I would share it here


Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, 'Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.' After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this... I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of weather; it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years.

It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit.

So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.

Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time.

I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times.

Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't . So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord. ''

It's so wonderful that we have Jesus to lean on.

Hamas

While Israel is fighting Hamas, it is nice to know God is still at work converting people to Christianity.
Voice of the Martyrs' Persecution Blog pointed me to a Fox News story about Mosab Hassan Yousef, The son of one of Hamas Founding members. It tells a little about his conversion to christianity.
Praise God on how he is working on some in the Middle East. In David Jeremiahs' Book What in the World is Going On he tells of a Muslim who had Jesus appear to him in a dream. This then led him to an Egyptian Christian who gave him a bible. The authorities found out and sentenced him to die. On the day he was to be executed no one showed up. They came to him later and said away you demon and set him free. He later learned on the day he was to be executed the executioners son died.
Jesus is still working on lost souls in the Middle East.
MSW

New Year Prayer

It's 2009, Happy New Year! For the second year in a row I brought in the year with the youth of my church. A minute before midnight we knelt before the altar and prayed in the new year. This is such a powerful way to bring in the year. Talking with God about the last year and the upcoming year. It was extra special for me this year as I have two of my own girls in the yourh and my wife came to the church with my son to join us for praying in the new year. So I got to bring in the new year worshipping God with the youth and my family. Thank You Lord for that blessing.

Lord I thank You for the blessings You have given me in the last year. Father I thank You for the trials and lessons You have given me. Some of them Lord, I did not think I could make it through, but You were always there proving the promises You gave in Your Word. I realize now they strengthened me and prepared me for the plans You have in the future. Father I pray You will be there in the next year to lead me and show me the way. I pray that when You call I will move with out hesitation. Father thank You for allowing me to bring in the year with the youth and with my family at Your altar. May we all serve you faithfully in the upcoming year. I pray these things in Your Sons name .In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
MSW

A New Year

2008 is behind us and we have begun 2009. As we start this year out it is a great time to reflect on last year and ask ourselves some questions.

• How have I served God in the last year?
• Have I reflected my Lord and savior Jesus Christ in my life?
• What failings and mistakes have I made and have I confessed them to God?

Ask yourself “How have I served God?” “What have I given back to the Lord?” and “What sacrifices have I made?” God loves to see us use our gifts to spread His message. Not everyone is gifted to teach or go and witness to strangers. Not everyone has been given monetary wealth by God, but He has given everyone a gift and wants to see us use it. Some people are gifted with a smile. It is amazing what a smile can do for someone who is having a bad day. Some people are gifted with the ability to make a stranger feel right at home. Some people are gifted with planning or designing abilities. There are many gifts God can use. Take a moment and pray that God will show you your talents and how you can use them to serve Him. (Romans12:6-8)
When people see you do they know that you are a Christian? Can they tell that there is something different about you? Is the hope that Peter talks about visible in you? As a Christian you have a part of Christ living inside of you. Do you let that part show, or do you hide it? Our lives should be a living testament to the Lord! Paul said “Do you not know that your bodies are God’s holy temple?”(1 Corinthians 3:16)
Now think back over the year. Ask yourself “How have I failed God in the last year?” “Have I carried it to Him in prayer?” God knows we are human and that we will sin. (Romans 3:23) That is why He sent His Son to die for our sins. God wants us to confess to Him so that we will think and reflect on our sin. We must realize that we are sinners and a holy God cannot look upon sin. We must know that we don’t deserve God’s love before we can truly see it.
So take few minutes go to God in prayer and talk to Him about the last year. Let Him know that ‘yes, Lord, I am a sinner and I have not been everything I could be for you. Father I have not served you in every way as I should. Lord, there have been times when I wasn’t reflecting your glory as I should have. Lord I thank you for your forgiveness and grace. I thank you for sending your Son to be my Lord and Savior. Search me and give me a pure heart. Show me how you would use me. Lord may I be found faithful in the end. Amen.

MSW

Free Kutless MP3

A free Kutless MP3 is being given away at Bible Study Magazine. They are also having a contest to win cool Kutless gear and Logos Bible Software. Go check it out! They have some sample articles in PDF

My Anniversary Prayer

Today is my fourteenth wedding anniversary. As I look back over the last fourteen years I can truly say God has blessed my fountain. I have had the pleasure of a loving doe, whom's love I will be lost in forever. (Proverbs 5:18-19) I look at what Paul says in Ephesians 5:25 and believe that this is the perfect example of what true marriage should be. Just as Christ loved the church and would die and sacrifice Himself for it, a man should love his wife and be willing to sacrifice for her.
In the apocryphical book Tobit. The angel Raphael tells Tobias about the woman (Sara) he is to marry "for she is appointed unto thee from the beginning" ( Tobit 6:17) I have always felt that Amy was the one God appointed to me from the beginning of time. I look at how we met, the way we came together, and the way we raise our family, and know that God knew that we would complete each other.
In the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise tells Renée Zellweger "You complete me." It's hard to believe that Hollywood could get something so right, but they actually nailed God's plan for marriage on the head with that one. Look at Genesis 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (KJV)
God wanted us to have someone with us. Someone to be a part of us. Someone we can confide in. Someone to share our life with us.
When God created the animals He formed each from the ground. (Genesis 2:19) They were each according to their kinds, but man was to be male and female. (Genesis 1:24, Genesis 1:27) Mankind was special. God could have done woman just like man and formed her from the ground and breathed life into her nostrils. (Genesis 2:7) He gave man a special gift though. He took one of Adams ribs and made Eve so that out of man came woman. (Genesis 2:21-23)
There is a special significance in this. When a man marries a woman they become one flesh. They are no longer two separate people but one individual in Christ. (Genesis 2:24) The woman completes the man. This is why marriage will always be one man and one woman.

and He also said: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, man must not separate." Matthew 19:5-6 HCSB

Heavenly Father I praise You for the way Your creation works . How You gave man such a special place. Lord, not only were we created in Your image but You gave us a counterpart that would complete us. Lord I thank You for choosing Amy as my wife. Lord, I pray that You will help me to be the husband I should be. Lord I pray that my marriage will represent my Lord Jesus Christ's marriage to the church. Father I thank You for the blessings You pour out on my marriage and Lord, I ask that You continue to bless us . Father I thank You for the gift of my three children and Lord I pray that I will teach them in the way that they should go. Lord I pray that mine and Amy's marriage will be an example to them and that they will find the same happiness and joy in who You chose for them. Father I pray for those who have not found this same joy and that Lord You would call them and show them what you intended for them. Father I thank You for the fourteen years I have shared with Amy and pray that You will allow us many more. May I be found faithful. Amen
MSW

Amy, I love you!
Happy Anniversary!
Your husband Scott

Since the reference tool I use does not link to the Apocrypha I'm putting a link here for the KJV in pdf format for anyone who does not know what I'm referring to.

One In A Sea Of Faces

To see the analogies I am talking about, you need to read Tim’s Post that I have linked to below.

Back on December 15, Tim Challies posted a beautiful piece entitled One in a Sea of Faces. It is about the healing of the invalid from the book of John 5:1-15. The end of the post relates this to Calvinism. I realize in the blogosphere Calvinism reigns, and I read many Calvinistic bloggers but I cannot buy into the theology they use on Election.
I started to post on his blog but decided I would rather take a little more space and speak here instead. I do not believe that anyone should use the theology of Calvinism vs Arminianism as a reason to attack each other personally. It really is a small point as long as you don’t believe that because of Calvinism you should not go out and witness. Jesus makes it perfectly clear in the great commission (Matthew 28:16-20) that we are to go out and try to bring souls to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Paul makes it clear that we should be united in Christ and not different views of religious leaders.
If you read in Calvin: Commentaries Chapter VII, Calvin resorts to name calling to prove his point. “Some Theologians would make foreknowledge the mother of election and that very foolishly and childishly.” When someone has a legitimate argument name calling is not necessary. I guess I go with the foolish and Childish theologian Peter. an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood:( 1 Peter 1:1-2 ESV) (emphasis is mine).I also believe the great theologian Paul when in Romans 3:22, he said "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:" Or John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Notice all and whoever in these verses. These words are used because God offers salvation to all that believe.
God saw my life from the very beginning. He knew every mistake I would make. He knew every sin I would commit. He knew the exact date that I would be saved by the knowledge of God’s mercy through the death of Jesus Christ. He knew when I would answer His calling on my life. Nothing I have done or could do will get me into heaven. When God spoke I answered. Did I have a choice? I had the same choice Adam had when Eve offered him that apple. I could follow death or follow eternal life through Jesus Christ. God does not make any follow Him. There are many that know of Jesus that will perish in Hell because they do not know Him.(Matthew 7:22-23)
I have heard the “what do you make of Romans 9?” argument before. If you interpret Romans 9 with the rest of the book of Romans, you will see a pattern of Paul teaching that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. In Chapter 9 he is referring to the Jews who believe that they can be saved by following the law. (Romans 9:3-4) (Romans 9:30-31) He is speaking of the Jews that do not feel it is fair for God to grant mercy to the gentiles who did not seek mercy.
As for the shipwreck analogy that Jessica pointed out, yes it would be like God sitting on a raft saving those who ask for help. Do I have to deal with the hell issue in defending my belief? No, God tells us in 1 Timothy 2:3 He wants all to be saved by coming to the knowledge of the truth. Sometimes my kids are struggling with something and I offer to help and they refuse. Does it hurt me to see them struggle? Yes! Do I want to help them? Yes! Should I force them to let me? Not if it is something they need to do.
Curtis I love your analogy of the courtroom. It is the perfect picture of God’s Grace. The only problem is God doesn’t just go in and pay the fine because He has the money. He received the money through His insurance policy on His Son. If the guilty people will believe that His son gave His life so that Dad would have the cash to pay their fines He will pay them. Yes, God and the Son still get the glory.
I have done nothing to deserve grace. I deserve to burn in Hell for all eternity. I thank God that He loved me so much that He gave me a way to be with Him.

I did not write this post to insult anyone or to criticize their beliefs and theology. Calvinism gets the largest share of Blogs and for those who are struggling with the truth they need to see both sides. I would love comments on this post but I do not want to see anyone attacking anyone just explaining beliefs.
MSW

Clean Garments for the High Priest

Zechariah 3:1-10 HCSB

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?"
Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes."
Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you."
Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by.
The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.
" 'Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes [on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.
" 'In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,' declares the LORD Almighty."

This was the fourth vision that Zechariah had. It concerns Joshua the high priest. (Haggai 1:1, Ezra 2:36) It also shows us God's grace when we stand in judgment. Joshua means Jehovah saved. We will be saved by God through the death of His Son Jesus. We will stand in front of the throne of Christ. Satan will be there saying "He is mine. He is nothing but a sinner."
I will stand there knowing Satan is right and has every reason to call me his, but my savior Jesus will say “No, he is Mine.”
I was snatched from the fire when I accepted Jesus as my savior. I will stand filthy and stinking in front of Jesus, and He will say " Take off his filthy clothes! See I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you."
When we accept Jesus, (v7) we are to walk in His ways and keep His requirements, so that we may be given a place among the saints. Let us all be found faithful in that day.

Reread these verses and place yourself at the judgment. None of us can make it through the judgement on our own. We must have our Lord Jesus Christ's redeeming blood to wash our sins away. This is a picture of what is to come for those of us that have been snatched from the fire.
MSW

Are You Real

On my way to work earlier this week Kj52 Are You Real played. As I was listening to the lyrics, it got me thinking. When we first start out as a Christian we are always looking for God. Our old sin nature tries to make us doubt. As we mature we start seeing God working everywhere. I imagine we have all heard someone say if God was real, why doesn't He show Himself to us. Once we believe through faith God will show us He is there. When we give our lives over to God to run for us, we can almost here Him ask "Are you real?" Are you really ready to turn your life over to Me to serve My goals and not yours.
Read the lyrics below and think about it. Are you proving to God that you are real!
MSW

So much stress keeps running through my mind now.
Fell into a mess that I that wish that I could climb out.
I guess I hide it so nobody'll find out,
The way everyone thinks that everything is fine now.

At home things are messed up with mom and dad,
And at school all my friends stab me in the back.
No one is real anymore; I hate the way they act.
There's so many things that I wish I had.

So God if your there do u understand?
Don't you care about anything that's happenin?
It's not fair to put me through all this junk again.
You see that I'm scared, so help me if you can.

So please speak loud and clear 'cause I'm listenin'.
I need to know that you're real 'cause I'm strugglin'.
You need to show that your here 'cause I'm stumblin'.
Show me that you care this is why I'm saying this

Are you real?
I want to know (I want to know)
Are you real?
Then let it go (you got to let it go)

Are you real?
I want to know (I want to know)
Are you real?
Then let it show (you got to let it show)

It was right then, when everything began to change.
I started looking at these things in a different way.
I saw life through God's eyes and it wasn't the same,
And it was right at the time I called on your name.

Then I saw all these lies that was thrown away.
I recognized that I need you and on that day,
I cried out and seek you, that was when you came.
Now that I see you, I've been through a major change.

And I believe that you're real 'cause its so plain.
I finally feel I can make it through anything.
It don't matter what they speak or if they hate.
They can't keep me down no more 'cause I seen your face.

And for now on never will I be the same
'Cause I'm staying strong and I won't bend this way.
Now that I know that you're real, it's gonna be ok.
Yeah, you're speaking in my ear and this is what you say

Are you real?
I want to know (I want to know)
Are you real?
Then let it go (you got to let it go)

Are you real?
I want to know (I want to know)
Are you real?
Then let it show (you got to let it show)

See there's a war that's going on outside,
And you can try to ignore and just run and hide.
But everyday more and more people die.
See the battles for souls, we're on the front lines

So many souls, just too scared to fight
They're too worried about what people thinking of their life.
How can you fight if you don't lay down your pride?
And how will anyone see if you won't shine your light?

So many of your friends walking around blind
You got the source that can open up their eyes.
It's y'all's choice what you do with your lives,
But I'm gonna go to war 'cause I made up my mind.

Jesus gave us life when he went and died.
So the least that I could do is give him all of mine.
So how many of y'all are ready to fight by my side?
'Cause this is what he's saying right now here tonight.
Come on!

Are you real?
I want to know (I want to know)
Are you real?
Then let it go (you got to let it go)

Are you real?
I want to know (I want to know)
Are you real?
Then let it show (you got to let it show)

Christmas

How can we praise God during this year’s holiday season? What can we do during the rush of the season to remember that praising Jesus is the most important thing in our lives? What should be a joyous time for all is sometimes the hardest time of the year for many.
As our economy has taken a down turn, many have found themselves unemployed. High fuel prices all summer and still high gas prices for heat this winter have made people take a second look at their financial priorities. The commercialization of Christmas and trying to live up to the expectations of times past adds another monetary burden for many.
It all starts with Black Friday, as the Friday after Thanksgiving has come to be known. From this point to Christmas every store will be advertising holiday or x-mas sales as it is not politically correct to use the word Christ. People will be decorating trees and setting up yard ornaments. Yet none of this glorifies God. None of this brings praise to Jesus Christ. This commercialization leads us away from Christ and into depression and more financial burden. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus tells us “Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”
While not going into the subject of how Christmas came about or what its purpose really was, let’s look at the view most people perceive for Christmas. If you asked the majority of people why we celebrate Christmas, they would tell you to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Now ask them, “So how do we celebrate?” If they don’t stand there staring at you in surprise of your question, they will probably say by giving gifts to each other. So how is that celebrating the birth of your savior?
If you do celebrate, how can you do it in a way that will glorify the Son? This season is the perfect chance to witness. It gives an excuse to open up dialogue with a lost soul. During fellowship with family take time to reflect on why the birth of Jesus is a day to celebrate to you. Most of all take the time to reach out to others.
MSW
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Thanksgiving Prayer

Happy Thanksgiving! What a great time to take a few minutes and thank the lord for all the blessings He has given us.

Heavenly father I thank you for this day.
Lord I praise You for all the blessings You have given me.
Lord I want to thank You for the family You have given me.
Lord thank You for the three wonderful kids You have placed in my care.
Father I pray I may raise them in a way that brings glory to You.
Lord I thank You for my wife, who is always there for me to provide love and encouragement.
Lord I pray that I may be everything to her that she is to me and Father I pray that we may have a marriage that shows worship to You.
Lord I thank You for providing for all my needs. Lord You bless me with a roof over my head, food on my table and clothes to wear.
Father I thank You for the blessings You provide me in allowing me to serve You. Lord I pray You will increase those blessings and that I may be found faithful in Your service.
Lord I thank You for providing me with a job in these tough economic times that are going on.
Lord I pray for those who are less fortunate. Father I pray that You will bless them and take care of them during this time.
Lord I thank You for the movement of Your spirit that I can see in my life.
Lord I thank You for the things I have seen You do in the lives of those I have prayed for this year.
Lord I thank You for the trials I have had to face and how when I did not thank I could carry on You always would provide something in Your Word to give me strength and encouragement.
Lord I thank You for Your Word which speaks to me and gives me comfort and guidance.
Father I thank You for your Son Who came down from heaven in the form of man to take my sins upon Him and die in my place.
Lord I thank You for Your grace and mercy that is so undeserved.
Father I pray for those who don’t know You. Lord those who don’t see the blessings You have given them.
Lord I pray that You will use me to help spread Your name.
Father I thank You for my church and church family. Lord I pray You continue to bless us
Lord I pray You give strength and encouragement to all the church leaders who Sheppard your flock.
Father thank you for this life I have been given and all the blessings that I may take for granted.
Lord I pray that my life may bring glory to Your Name.
It is in Jesus’ precious name that I pray. Amen
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View From Above

I love this time of the year. This is a time I truly get to enjoy God' s creation. As I sit in the dark in my deer stand and wait for God's creation to wake up I feel so alive in Christ.
Before dawn I get to watch the creatures of the night interact with each other. I can see how God provides for even the smallest of his creatures (). As God starts the day with his sunrise, I can enjoy the spectrum of colors he blessed his creation with.
Normally the squirrels are the first daytime creatures to stir. It's such a pleasure to watch how they scamper through the woods finding and hiding nuts. Then a chase will start as two squirrels playful chase each other through the woods.
As I patiently wait, often while reading my bible I will hear the leaves as a deer carefully walks through the woods. What a marvel of God's creation? A few steps and they attentively look around. Even if you don't hunt to there is no better way to enjoy God's creation than to watch it wake up from it's nightly slumber.
Lord I thank you for the blessing you allow me in the chance to see your creation in all it's splendor. Lord thank You for the view from above. Amen

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Psalm 8:3-9

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
you put everything under his feet:

all flocks and herds,
and the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Walking Together With Christ

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos 3:3 KJV

Amos said this while prophesying against Israel. What a verse for us to think about today! As I was studying this verse I read a commentary by Vernon McGee. He said he was watching a young couple walk together, when suddenly the girl turned and went the other way. They were walking together until they were no longer in agreement then they could no longer go in the same direction.

Now picture your walk with Christ. He is never going to change direction. So if we are in agreement we are walking together, but sometimes we decide “Hey God I can handle this on my own”, and we head off in a separate direction. Once we realize we can’t we turn back to God and we again are in agreement and walking together.

Do you remember doing potato bag races as a kid? You and a partner would each place one leg in a bag and one outside. Then you would race other teams to the finish line.

To succeed you and your partner had to be in agreement on when to move the leg that was in the bag. If either one of you moved at the wrong time you would stumble and fall!

As we walk with Christ we are in that potato bag with Jesus, if we walk in step with Him we do fine. It’s when we try to get out of step with Jesus we stumble and fall short of God’s Glory.

So as you go through the day ask your self “Am I walking in agreement with God?”

MSW

Light for my path

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:05)

The Bible is such a joy to me. It is a way to listen to what God says to me. Often I will pray and then open up my bible saying LORD talk to me. It never ceases to amaze me, no matter how many times I may read the same thing over. God will have something new to show me each time. A lamp to my feet. During power outages I often use an old oil lamp to find my way and to light up a room. If I need to walk through my house I can hold the lamp up and see the choices of directions I can go in. Being able to see what is in each direction allows me to decide which way I should go. The bible shows us the way we are to go. It shows us the choices we have. A light for my path. Once I decide which way to go, I can see what lies in my path. The light will allow me to see what is ahead of me. The light will give me security in the darkness. Isn't it amazing how the bible can give us that same security as we walk through a dark world. It shows us how to find the light in this world.

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5)

MSW

The Bronze Snake

In John 3:1-21 Jesus is talking to Nicodemus. In John 3:14-15 Jesus says “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

This had to be confusing to an already confused Nicodemus. First he is saying I have to be born again, now He is talking about Moses and snakes. Just imagine the understanding he received after seeing Jesus on the cross and hearing of the resurrection.

In Numbers 21:4-9 we read about the bronze snake. As the Israelites were traveling through the desert they started to complain and speak out against God. They complained that while God was supplying for there needs, it wasn’t good enough. How often do we complain to God that we are not satisfied, even though he meets our every need?

God sent venomous snakes amongst them and many died from the bites. They confessed their sins and prayed that the LORD would take the snakes away. (Numbers 21:7)

God answered “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. (Numbers 21:8-9)

“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” John 13:14-15

The Israelites were dying in their sin, just as we were dying in our sin. (Ephesians 2:1) If they looked upon the bronze snake on the pole they gained life. If we look at the sacrifice Jesus Christ made upon the cross, we gain life.

MSW

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18

True Understanding

LXII.

I did not learn my divinity at once, but was constrained by my temptations to search deeper and

deeper; for no man, without trials and temptations, can attain a true understanding of the Holy

Scriptures. St Paul had a devil that beat him with fists, and with temptations drove him diligently

to study the Holy Scripture. I had hanging on my neck the pope, the universities, all the deep-learned,

and the devil; these hunted me into the Bible, wherein I sedulously read, and thereby, God be

praised, at length attained a true understanding of it. Without such a devil, we are but only speculators

of divinity, and according to our vain reasoning, dream that so and so it must be, as the monks and

friars in monasteries do. The Holy Scripture of itself is certain and true; God grant me grace to

catch hold of its just use.

From

Table Talk

By

Martin Luther