What are you living for? Psalm 4:6-7 NLT

In October 1929 the stock market crashed, the average value of 50 leading stocks falling by almost half in two months. Despite occasional rallies, the slide persisted until 1932, when stock averages were barely a fourth of what they had been in 1929. Industrial production soon followed the stock market, giving rise to the worst unemployment the country had ever seen.

The Great Depression followed.

On November 8th, the president of the County Trust Co. shot himself. A few days after that, a small butter-and-egg wholesaler went out the seventh-floor window of his lawyer's Beaver St. office. Similar suicide reports began coming in from across the land. 

Suicide peaked in 1935 at 17 per 100,000 people.

I saw a tee shirt the other day that said something about "living in the moment" . I thought "How sad, not me. I'm living for eternity."

If your living in the moment, for money or the things money buys you, your not really living in my view.

Psalm 4:6-7 NLT

6 Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”

Let your face smile on us, LORD.

7 You have given me greater joy

than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

Blessings, Cecilia

Tithing. Psalm 4:5 NLT

Psalm 4:5 NLT 

5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD. 

The Bible says a lot about tithing. We know we are suppose to give monetarily. People have many different views on giving. Probably no two people will agree in every aspect. There's just so many different ways to go about it. You can give a percentage of your gross or net, a set amount, to different charities or just the church. You can give weekly, monthly, semi annually or annually. You can give to the general fund or specify different miniseries within the church. Write a check or use your credit card, automatic withdrawal or donate online. The possibilities go on and on. 

How much you give, the method by which you give, where you give to are not as important as the state of your heart when you give. Do you resent giving? Are you grumbling as you write the check? Are you thinking of the things you could be spending that money on instead? If you are, you might as well keep that money. That sacrifice is tainted and ugly. 

So when we tithe, do it with a cheerful heart, give freely and in the right spirit. After all, are you trusting in your money to give you what you need or in God to provide for your needs. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 NLT 

7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, 

“They share freely and give generously to the poor. 

Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” 

Psalm 112: 9 NLT 

He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor. 

Blessings, Cecilia 

Genesis 7:11-12, 9:11-13 Rain & Rainbow!

Genesis 7:11In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened. 12The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights.

I’m lightening (gun) shy, our last house took a lightning hit and did $7k worth of damage. 

Last night I saw with my weather app we had a chance of thunderstorms so I disconnected the antennas and unplugged the television, satellite etc.

During the nite we had a power bump because the stove clock was reset and flashing. After checking my rain gauge I recorded the rainfall at .68” of rain.

But take note of what this verse says; “all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates of the sky were opened”

I don’t believe this was just a typical rainstorm! It was greater than a deluge!

And it continued for forty days and nights!

Some people comment on my driveway because of the crown and drainage cuts on the sides. When snow melts or rains persists it has to flow somewhere and I prefer my drive not to wash out.

What is the heaviest rainstorm you’ve been in?

Have you ever experienced a flood?

When you see a rainbow, remember His promise. 

Genesis 9:11“I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12God said, “This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; 13I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.

Blessings, David 

Genesis 7:2-3 Noah preserved them!

Genesis 7:2“You shall take with you of every clean animal by sevens, a male and his female; and of the animals that are not clean two, a male and his female; 3also of the birds of the sky, by sevens, male and female, to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth. 

We live in the woods and our house is a cap cod style with an upstairs which has dormers. When it’s hot at night we open a window downstairs and a dormer window upstairs an install a fan in the dormer which draws air from downstairs up an out the dormer window cooling down the house. Last night at 3:30 am I woke up with a horrible smell in the house and I had to get up and close the window.

Was it a bear or a skunk?

How did Noah deal with these animals in the Ark? My guess God made them easy to deal with and neutralized their odors. Yes he kept the bears and skunks alive! “to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth.”

Next time you see or smell a skunk or bear remember, God created them and Noah preserved them! “to keep offspring alive on the face of all the earth.”

Blessings, David 

Numbers 1:2-3 The Draft and Adulthood!

Numbers 1:2“Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head 3from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

The draft, “every male, head by head 3from twenty years old and upward”. 

Military service was expected of them for the survival of Israel.

Our nation was also numbering young men for the draft which held a lottery for the war in Vietnam. 

After high school I was required to register for the draft, which I did and shortly afterward the draft was ended.

But what age does a young man become an adult? In these verses the Bible seems to set the age of twenty years old. 

Several years ago there was talk about bringing back the draft and recently, restricting the rights of young adults. 

What do you think?

Blessings, David 

Ezekiel 16:3 Origins and Metaphors!

Ezekiel 16:3 and say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to Jerusalem, "Your origin and your birth are from the land of the Canaanite, your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.

Some of us are lucky enough to know our origin.

My fifth great grandfather came over from Northern Ireland in the 1720’s.

In this verse we see God telling Ezekiel what to say to the Jews as they drifted from God, He starts with their origin.

“A very extraordinary chapter this sixteenth of Ezekiel! A minister could scarcely read it in public: he certainly would not like to explain its metaphors to a general audience.” (Charles Spurgeon)

Israel was no different than you or I.

Left to ourselves we would drift from God and wallow in our sin just as this chapter explains.

What metaphors could be told about us?

We all have an origin, but our final destination is the only thing that matters. Are you living in the world or are you living for eternal life?

We are not responsible for our origin but we are responsible and accountable for our life just as Ezekiel explains to Israel, God was going to bring judgement upon them.

Are you ready for judgement?

Jesus is the only one who can erase your metaphors! 

I would rather have my name read from the Lambs Book than have metaphors read about my life!

Blessings, David 

John 13:34-35 How do you display His Love?

John 13:34A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

How do people know you are a Christian?

By your love for one another.

This isn’t easy because our flesh wants to complain and fight, to win arguments, to not give in, to be in control. 

When we can put away our flesh and let His love shine then others will see His love.

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples,”.

How do you display His love?

Blessings, David 

The Sin of Anger. Psalm 4:4 NLT

Psalm 4:4  NLT 

4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. 

Interlude 

What great advice. This verse reads more of a Proverb then a Psalm. And after we get this advice we are once again told to stop and ponder what we just read. 

How much embarrassment would we save ourselves if we all learned to hold our tongue. How much pain would we save the receiver of our wrath. 

Interlude

Blessings, Cecilia 

Psalm 91 Memorial Day

Security of the One Who Trusts in the LORD.

1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

            Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

      2I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,

            My God, in whom I trust!”

      3For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper

            And from the deadly pestilence.

      4He will cover you with His pinions,

            And under His wings you may seek refuge;

            His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

      5You will not be afraid of the terror by night,

            Or of the arrow that flies by day;

      6Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,

            Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

      7A thousand may fall at your side

            And ten thousand at your right hand,

            But it shall not approach you.

      8You will only look on with your eyes

            And see the recompense of the wicked.

      9For you have made the LORD, my refuge,

            Even the Most High, your dwelling place.

      10No evil will befall you,

            Nor will any plague come near your tent.

      11For He will give His angels charge concerning you,

            To guard you in all your ways.

      12They will bear you up in their hands,

            That you do not strike your foot against a stone.

      13You will tread upon the lion and cobra,

            The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

      14“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him;

            I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

      15“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;

            I will be with him in trouble;

            I will rescue him and honor him.

      16“With a long life I will satisfy him

            And let him see My salvation.”

Memorial Day.

Have you served in the military, a family member served or lost a loved one that served? 

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those that served, for those that didn’t come home.

I always remember my fourth great grandfather who served in the Revolutionary War. 

I wonder what it was like?

I wonder what ever happened to the  black powder pistol from the Revolutionary War my great grandfather had that his heir sold?

I wonder what it was like to give up land deeded by the king of England to fight for freedom?

Psalm 91 is a psalm of protection, a psalm of those who are in battle. 

This Memorial Day, instead of just having a barbecue, give thanks and remember those who served to give you freedom. 

Freedom to worship God.

Blessings, David 

Nehemiah 4:7-8 Do you lock your doors?

Nehemiah 4:7Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. 8All of them conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause a disturbance in it.

All of them conspired together.

Where do you get your news? If you have been following the real news, these verses fit what is unfolding in our government right now.

Our Republic elected a president to enforce the rule of law, to build a wall to stop an invasion from the south. The Obama administration conspired, planted evidence and spies in the Trump campaign. 

And when he was elected all of them conspired together and will stop at nothing to keep him from building a wall and to impede his policies.

I believe 2018 will be the year of the boomerang. God will turn it back around on their own heads.

Like Nehemiah we need to pray for our people, our country and that His will to be done. 

Jerusalem had a wall, Heaven has a wall, Israel has a wall, the United States needs a wall!

Do you lock your doors at night?

Blessings, David 

1 Timothy 4:6 Good Servant And Minister!

1 Timothy 4:6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and sound instruction you have followed.

This verse is teaching what it means to be a good minister in Jesus Christ.

All of us who are born again and saved are expected to be minsters for Christ.

The gate to hell is wide and many around you will pass through it.

Be a good servant, a minister and let His love shine through you. 

Start by praying for those around you. Then lovingly talk to them about Jesus Christ. 

Ask yourself, how can I be a good servant?

For starters get involved in a ministry at your church. And watch how God uses you!

Blessings, David 

Jesus is My Defender. Psalm 4:2-3 NLT

Years ago, when I worked in the Staffing Office at the County Hospital, there was a woman who worked there who didn't like me, solely because I got the position she applied for. When we had to work together, we got along fine but behind my back.....watch out! 

One day, I had another employee tell me Sharon was spreading rumors about me. They proceeded to tell me some pretty outlandish stuff. My response was "Isn't that interesting". As I walked away I thought to myself "Jesus will defend me, the truth will come out." I didn't give it another thought. Over time, as people got to know me, they learned the truth. 

Gossip, groundless accusations, lies, someone trying to ruin your reputation? They tried it with David, they tried it with Jesus, I'm sure someone has tried it with you. Let Jesus be your defender. 

Psalm 4:2-3 NLT

2 How long will you people ruin my reputation?

How long will you make groundless accusations?

How long will you continue your lies?

Interlude

3 You can be sure of this:

The LORD set apart the godly for Himself.

The LORD will answer when I call to Him.

Blessings, Cecilia

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Open the Door!

When I was training to become a chaplain we were instructed to choose the Bible verses on “why we wanted to be a chaplain”. 

These were mine;

2 Corinthians 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 

We live in a time of trouble! But I’m positive that every generation believed that. War, famine, elements, unrest, all spell trouble.

But when we live for God and seek Him, He comforts us. We have to stay focused on the prize! Our eternal life with Him! 

Man can kill you but they can’t kill your soul.

Turn everything off, go into your closet and close the door.

Look up towards Him, talk to Him and tell Him your troubles and thoughts. He is your God, your Creator, your Father, He’s listening and waiting for you to tell Him what’s going on. He knows it all, but is waiting on you to come to Him.

You have to open the door!

Do you hear Him knocking?

Blessings, David 

Acts 20:22-24 Be courageous and be a “Paul”!

Acts 20:22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. 24But I consider my life of no value to myself, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Why would Paul knowingly walk into the midst of the lions den? The Jews wanted to kill him.

He was compelled by the Spirit.

It was part of God’s plan. He wanted Christianity spread throughout the world. 

Are you involved in a ministry? Do you believe afflictions await you?

Maybe it’s part of God’s plan. 

Be a “Paul” and continue faithfully following the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 

Don’t give up when you meet opposition, but be stronger in the faith knowing that you are effective since Satan is using opposition to thwart you.

Be courageous and be a “Paul”.

Blessings, David 

John 5:24 Thank the Father!

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.

This was Jesus speaking to the Jews who sought to kill him because He healed someone on the sabbath.

Do you believe the Father sent Jesus as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world?

If so, you have crossed over from death to life. 

Because you accepted the free gift of salvation you have been given eternal life, you will not die the second death.

Barnes notes on the Bible:

“On him that sent me - On the Father, who, in the plan of redemption, is represented as "sending" his Son to save men.”

Thank the Father for sending His Son!

Blessings, David 

John 13:12-13 The lord or the servant?

John 13:12-13 “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Lord or servant? That is the question! We have noticed a difference with volunteers in the children’s ministry in our church verses our previous church. We are not sure of the cause. Could it be different area of the country, changing times or background and ages of volunteers?

In our previous church the volunteers would often ask, where do you need me? 

In our current church we hear things like; 

I will only volunteer in this room.

I will only volunteer with this person.

Our group serves together in that room.

I’m not doing that.

When asked at closing, to pile the toys the children have played with in the center of the room so the cleaning crew knows which toys to clean. We hear, no I won’t do that.

Or if someone disagrees with the churches written guidelines they gossip and spread dissension.

But in these verses we see the Lord, our God, the Teacher, remove His outer garments and humble Himself and wash the dirty feet of his disciples. It was about the lowest job a person could do. Back then they wore sandals, didn’t have socks and walked everywhere. When you entered a home a servant would remove your sandals and wash your dirty, dusty, stinky feet. 

But what example would we have had if Jesus said, no I’m not doing that?

Before we serve:

We need to pray, pry open my hands and my heart Lord!

We need to pray for a servants heart.

We need to pray, where do you want me to serve?

We need to pray, Lord please remove my stubbornness.

Pray.... Father remove my pride and allow me to serve where I’m needed.

Will you “wash one another’s feet”?

Do you want to be the lord or the servant?

Blessings, David 

Genesis 9:10-11 The Signed Contract!

Genesis 9:10-11 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. "I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth."

Spring is in the air, the snow has melted on the north side of the barn and the birds have returned! They are singing like there is no tomorrow. 

In this verse God is making a covenant to Noah, all flesh and every living creature that “never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth”. 

What is the sign of the covenant, this contract? If you read further in Genesis 9 you will see God set His rainbow 🌈 in the clouds.

Next time it rains and you see a rainbow remember this is God’s sign of this covenant, His promise!

The signed contract! 🌈 

Blessings, David 

Hebrews 10:29-31 & Jude 9:9 Have you judged someone?

Is it ever ok to tell someone they are going to hell?

It’s ok to tell someone their sins have consequences but it’s not ok to tell someone they are going to hell. By doing so, you are putting yourself in God’s judgement seat. 

Hebrews 10:29–31

29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, can insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” 7says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Notice ““The Lord will judge His people.””

Consider what Michael the archangel said in this verse.

Jude 9

9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

It’s ok to tell someone they need salvation to go to heaven or their sins have consequences and to repent before it’s too late!

But it’s never ok to tell someone they are going to hell! By doing so you are putting yourself in the judgement seat!

Can you see their heart?

Remember, “The Lord will judge His people.” 

Have you judged someone?

Blessings, David 

I didn't know. Psalm 3:6-8 NLT

I had a neighbor in Tucson I did NOT get along with. I know, hard to believe. I tried but we just couldn't seem to make it work. I remember one November I had been sick. It was a nice enough day outside but the house was cold so I had a fire going in the woodstove. I walked out to check the mail and my neighbor came over and asked to talk to me. Sure. She proceeded with profanity laced name calling related to the smoke coming out of the chimney. I had to walk away before I said something I would regret. Inside I was fuming. I stood on my back porch with clenched teeth and balled up fists. 

Then I prayed. I prayed for her. I didn't know what was going on in her life. I didn't know how her morning had gone. I didn't know what was happening with her family. I didn't know what trials or stressors or conflicts were brewing in her life. But God did. God knew. I asked God to bless her, to give her peace, to protect her. I asked God to use whatever was going on in her life to draw her to Him. I asked God to give me compassion towards her and not hold any ill will towards her. 

I really wanted to pray like David. "Slap all my enemies in the face!  Shatter the teeth of the wicked!" But that's not what Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:44b "Pray for those who persecute you!" 

Who do you need to pray for today? 

Psalm 3:6-8 NLT

6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies 

who surround me on every side. 

7 Arise, O LORD! 

Rescue me, my God! 

Slap all my enemies in the face! 

Shatter the teeth of the wicked! 

8 Victory comes from you, O LORD. 

May you bless your people. 

Interlude 

Blessings, Cecilia