Anticipation

Have you ever really thought about what it will be like when you see Jesus
face to face? I look to certain Bible verses with anticipation, verses like
*Ps17:15 As for me, I shall see Your face in righteousness; I will be
[fully] satisfied when I awake [to find myself] seeing Your likeness.* and
also *Matt5:8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature]
are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly
character], for they will see God.* A few years ago I developed a tumor in
my neck. It ended up being the size of a peach before it was removed. I was
on the operating table and "I Can Only Imagine" was on the radio, in its
lyrics are thoughts of what it might be like when we see Jesus: "Will I
dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still Will I stand in your presence
or to my knees will I fall Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak
at all". I knew that whatever happened, I was going to be ok. I was excited
that in the next moment I might see Jesus and concerned as well because I
know who I am. I have heard people say that they do not want to go to
heaven "yet", that there is so much more "stuff" they want to do here. For
those that think that way, I feel sad. It seems as if they have no real
understanding of what heaven is all about. I am ready to go today. I want
to be with my Jesus. I also understand that there is so much more to do for
the kingdom here. May we be heavenly minded and earthly good to the glory
of God, in Jesus precious and powerful name, amen. Maranatha - Come quickly
Lord Jesus!

Douglas 

1 John 5-Have you read the instructions?

Effective Prayer

13I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.b 14And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

So how do we know if what we ask is according to His will? The answer is, by studying the Bible. It’s chock full of life experiences, sin and failure. But is also full of forgiveness, prayer, salvation and Gods will. 

BIBLE stands for; basic instructions before leaving earth.

When you ask, is it according to His will? How do you know if you haven’t read the instructions?

Blessings, David 

What Just Happened? Genesis 26:7-11 NLT

In verse 6 Isaac listened to God, in verse 7 he lies, just like Abraham did, and throws his wife under the bus, just like Abraham did. 

How did Isaac go from being a man of God, who listens and follows Him to a lying coward? 

But wait a minute, aren’t I guilty too? Didn’t I just go from a woman who reads and dissects scripture to one who passes judgement on a man who lived thousands of years ago? 

Easy to do isn’t it. 

1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT

If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 

Genesis 26:7-11  NLT

7When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekah, he said, “She is my sister.” He was afraid to say, “She is my wife.” He thought, “They will kill me to get her, because she is so beautiful.” 8But some time later, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out his window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah.

9Immediately, Abimelech called for Isaac and exclaimed, “She is obviously your wife! Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’?”

“Because I was afraid someone would kill me to get her from me,” Isaac replied.

10“How could you do this to us?” Abimelech exclaimed. “One of my people might easily have taken your wife and slept with her, and you would have made us guilty of great sin.”

11Then Abimelech issued a public proclamation: “Anyone who touches this man or his wife will be put to death!”

Blessings, Cecilia 

1 John 5-Are you concerned for them?

11And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Pretty simple, accept and believe a testimony from God that life is in His Son or die a second death. 

“whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life”.

How many of those around you do not have the Son?

Are you concerned for them?

Blessings, David 

I Remember!

I remember my first real encounter with Jesus. There were many times before
that I can see His fingerprints in my life, but this was different, this
was personal. It was not in a church, it was not at a revival, it was not
by friends, I met Jesus, Father's Day 2000 in my children's bedroom. I was
all alone, it was just me and Him. That day He saved my life for eternity.
From that day forward, my desire has been to know Him more and to make Him
known to all that I come in contact with. I look at so many people in the
Scriptures and want to be like them. I look at Paul and want his boldness.
I look at Barnabas and want to encourage. I look at Andrew, and see a man
who had an experience with the Christ and was bringing everyone he met to
meet Him. *John 1:40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him,
was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon,
and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the
Christ).42 And he brought him to Jesus.* There are many people who profess
Christ and tell no one about Him. People will talk of sports, a job, money,
politics, of a spouse or grandchildren without hesitation and yet the
mention of Jesus is far from their lips. Charles Spurgeon wrote. "You have
never truly found Jesus if you do not tell others about Him". Brethren, “We
have found the Messiah” and the world, our world needs to know, they need
to meet Him too. May our God give us all the boldness of Paul, the
encouragement of Barnabas, and the enthusiasm of Andrew, in Jesus name,
amen.

Douglas 

Yesterday, Today and Forever. Genesis 26:1-6 NLT

If you grew up with good parents, their rules were established to protect you and keep you safe. Some of their rules at the time probably seemed archaic. When we become adults and hear ourselves echoing our parents words, we finally get it. They weren't being mean, or didn't care. It was in fact because of their love for us those rules were in place. 

The same is true with God. So many people pick and choose God's laws they want applied to their life but disregard or excuse away the laws they don't want to follow. 

Here's the thing. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.Hebrews 13:8 As are His laws. God is never changing, either is His Word, the Bible. If the Bible says something is wrong, it's wrong. For everyone. All the time. If the Bible says something is right, it's right. For everyone. All the time. 

Isaac wanted to go to Egypt because of the famine in the land. God told him not to go, so he didn't. What is God telling you not to do today? Still want to do it anyway? 

Genesis 26:1-6 NLT 

1 A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived. 

2 The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you.  3 Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I will be with you and bless you. I hereby confirm that I will give all these lands to you and your descendants,  just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father.  4 I will cause your descendants to become as numerous as the stars of the sky, and I will give them all these lands. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed.  5 I will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions. 6 So Isaac stayed in Gerar. 

Blessings, Cecilia

What is your soul worth?

What is a soul worth? Whatever it takes to save it! I read the verse *Matt
5:42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants
to borrow from you.* and think, am I giving enough? I do not have a lot of
money, but I do want to offer my time as much as possible. Recently, I have
not been truly thankful for all that I have. God has given me so much. I am
thankful to Jesus Christ for saving my life more than once. I am thankful
for family, friends, health, ability to work, strength to endure, home,
food, clothing, love from others, the ability to pour out the love of
Christ to others. My heart is sad at the thoughts of others who did not see
today and may not see tomorrow, some because of health reasons and some
because of poor decisions that they made. I miss my dad, James Blaser, who
started smoking when he was young, and even though he stopped 20+ years
before his death, smoking still killed him. I scroll through my contacts on
my phone, my "prayer list", and see the names of others who have died. Some
as strong Christians. Some as broken people. Over the past few years, many
people that I have known have lost their lives for one reason or another.
More "contacts" in my phone that I will not talk to again on earth.
Sometimes to encourage a person, all that person needs to know is that
Jesus loves them and that you love them too! I know it helps me. God bless
you all, my beloved.

Douglas 

1 John 5-Do you believe Him?

9Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son. 10Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about His Son.

Do you have God’s testimony in you, or have you made Him out to be a liar?

Let’s face it, we are all liars! And if you say you’re not, your lying!

But it’s another thing to make God out as a liar, “because he has not believed in the testimony God has given about His Son.”

Believe it or make Him out to be a liar!

Do you believe Him?

Blessings, David 

Your money or your life?

"Your money or your life!" What do you do? There is a drug addict with a
knife, who is high, out of his mind, in front of you and your family, you
only have seconds to respond. What do you do? You and your family are all
Christian's. One more thing, you have a gun. Do you shoot to kill or to
wound? There are clear Bible verses that say what will happen to each of
you if you die. For the believer, we will go to heaven. We count on verses
like *Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and
believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be
saved.* and also *2 Cor 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to
be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.* and understand
where we as believers will go when we die. What about the drug addict, or
just the pagan sinner, do you realize what awaits them when they die? Hell
awaits them, eternal separation from God. We can reflect on the one person
in scripture that was physically saved from death. Think about the fact
that Jesus went to the cross willingly for Barabbas. Jesus knew that He
would have to be treated like Barabbas, so Barabbas could have the
opportunity to be treated like Jesus. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe,
because we owe a debt we cannot pay. There are many that we all know, that
are going to end up in hell. May we remember the words written in *2
Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.* Decisions
between life and death are never easy, I hope when the time comes, and I
need to make the decision, that I have enough courage to stand in front,
share the gospel, no matter the outcome. Brethren, Jesus loves you and I
love you too!

Douglas 

1 John 5-Born of water and Spirit?

5Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 6This is the One who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ—not by water alone, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies to this, because the Spirit is the truth. 7For there are three that testify:a 8the Spirit, the water, and the blood—and these three are in agreement.

“but by water”

David Guzik from Enduring Word describes it best;

“i. When Jesus was baptized, He was not baptized in repentance for His own sin (He had none), but because He wanted to completely identify with sinful humanity. When He came by water, it was His way of saying, “I am one of you.”

ii. When Jesus died on the cross, He did not die because He had to (death could have no power over Him), but He laid down His life to identify with sinful humanity and to save us from our sin. When He came by . . . blood it was so that He could stand in our place as a guilty sinner, and to take the punishment our sin deserved.

iii. This explanation also connects best with what Jesus said in John 3:5: Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. The being born of water in this passage speaks of the cleansing waters of baptism.”

Have you overcome the world?

Are YOU born of water and the Spirit?

Blessings, David 

Do you lack wisdom?

There are many decisions that we make every day, that we need God's wisdom
to help us in making the correct choice for our life. At times I have
gotten impatient and went ahead and did something without clear vision and
direction from the Lord. I read the words written in * James 1:5 If any of
you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is
to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and
without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.* and come to
understand that all I need to do is ask. I have heard people say that,
"they know what they need to do and God needs to get on board" and this can
be dangerous. There are many people in relationships, that wanted a spouse,
and did not wait on the Lord, they got a spouse, maybe not the one intended
for them though. For those that are still waiting, I would like to share
something I read. It is better to wait long than to marry wrong. No matter
what our future holds, we must ask and trust in the One who holds the
future in His hands. Remember what is written in *James 3:17 But the wisdom
from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then
peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to
listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without
[self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].* No matter what
decision you need to make, schooling, a job, a relationship, finances, etc.
the wisdom from above is far greater than any earthly wisdom. Brethren, may
we trust in the God who is from everlasting to everlasting and not be self
serving. Ask God and wait expectantly upon the answer from the Father of
lights.

Douglas 

1 John 5- I have overcome the world?

1 John 5

Berean Study Bible

Overcoming The World

1Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him. 2By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome, 4because everyone born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith.

Do you have the love of God?

Answer these questions.

Do you care for the orphans and widows?

Does a tear come to your eye when someone comes to know Jesus?

Do you pray for the oppressed?

Do you help the hungry and poor?

If you have been answering yes then you have the love of God in you and you have overcome the world.

If you answered, maybe or no remember this, as long as you breath there is still hope and time! 

But will you wake in the morning? Will you survive the drive to work?

Time is short, use it wisely and ask Jesus into your life and ask God to give you His love so you can give it to others!

Can you say, I have overcome the world?

Blessings, David 

Nothing of this world. Genesis 25:27-34 NLT

What are we willing to sacrifice Jesus for? Not sacrifice for Jesus, but what of this world are you willing to sacrifice a relationship with Jesus in order to have? 

Esau was willing to give up Jesus for a bowl of stew. Esau was the first born, he would receive God’s promise, the Promise Land, Abraham’s wealth, and the lineage of Jesus from his blood line. But those things, those spiritual things were not important to him. He wanted the things of the world. It wasn’t just that he was hungry, his heart was not right for the job. 

So as God had told Rebekah before they were born, the older would serve the younger. 

I’ll ask again, what are you willing to give up Jesus for? I hope the answer is “nothing of this world “. 

Genesis 25:27-34 NLT 

Esau Sells His Birthright 

27As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home.  28Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 

29One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home from the wilderness exhausted and hungry. 30Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”) 

31“All right,” Jacob replied, “but trade me your rights as the firstborn son.” 

32“Look, I’m dying of starvation!” said Esau. “What good is my birthright to me now?” 

33But Jacob said, “First you must swear that your birthright is mine.” So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his brother, Jacob. 

34Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn. 

Blessings, Cecilia

1 John 4- Will you set yourself free?

20If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well. 

A simple commandment; “Whoever loves God must love his brother as well. “

Do you have a neighbor, a family member, someone in your past, a coworker that you hate? This Commandment of love speaks directly to your heart condition! 

With every sin that you have committed, you have personally nailed Jesus to the cross! But He still loves you. 

So what could these people have done to you that you didn’t do to Christ? Why are you trying to justify their sin against you and not your sin against God?

Forgive and pray for them and move on. Ask God to remove the bitterness in your heart.

Will you set yourself free?

Blessings, David 

Give thanks to God!

Thanksgiving is one day that is set apart in the year to give thanks to God
for the many blessings that we have received. There have been times
throughout my life that I have gotten tunnel vision. The only things that I
have been able to see is the pain and misery in my life and the lives of
others. It is written in *John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal
and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it
in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].* Jesus came, that we may
have and enjoy life. I look at my life and know that I do not have
everything I want, but I am thankful that I have everything I need. My
house is not huge, and yet, it is so full of love, the love of my family. I
may not have a spouse, but I have so many people, family and friends that
truly love me more than I can ever imagine. I may not be rich, but I have a
roof over my head, clothes to wear and food to eat. I am getting older and
wake up with aches and pains, and yet I am still able to walk and do things
that need to be done. I do not have a shiny new truck, but I am thankful
that mine gets me where I need to go. I am done letting the enemy take away
my joy. Today, I vow to count my blessings every moment, give glory to God
for all the He has given me, and rejoice even more for my salvation in and
through Jesus Christ. *1 Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks to the Lord, for He
is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!* If you are
struggling today to have the joy and peace of the Lord, know that Jesus
loves you and I love you too!

Douglas 

1 John 4- Will you?

18There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. 19We love because He first loved us.

“I cannot imagine a true man saying, ‘I love Christ, but I do not want others to know that I love him, lest they should laugh at me.’ That is a reason to be laughed at, or rather, to be wept over. Afraid of being laughed at? Oh sir, this is indeed a cowardly fear!” (Spurgeon)

“Look through all the pages of history, and put to the noblest men and women, who seem to still live, this question, ‘Who loves Christ?’ and, at once, up from dark dungeons and cruel racks there rises the confessors’ cry, ‘We love him;’ and from the fiery stake, where they clapped their hands as they were being burned to death, the same answer comes, ‘We love him.’ If you could walk through the miles of catacombs at Rome, and if the holy dead, whose dust lies there, could suddenly wake up, they would all shout, ‘We love him.’ The best and the bravest of men, the noblest and purest of women, have all been in this glorious company; so, surely, you are not ashamed to come forward and say, ‘Put my name down among them.’ ” (Spurgeon)

Will you? ‘Put my (your) name down among them.’ 

Blessings, David 

1 John 4- Have confidence but don’t be boastful!

15If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.

Do you confess, come to know, abide in love and abide in God?

If so, God will be in us!

Then “have confidence on the day of judgment”! 

To feel God’s love is very precious, but to believe it when you do not feel it, is the noblest.” (Spurgeon)

“You may know now you are not a better person than those who are going to hell; you will really know it in the day of judgment.” (Guzik)

Have confidence but don’t be boastful! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Blessings, David 

Do you trust Me?

"Do you trust Me?" This is a question that I keep hearing God ask me
regularly. My answer is "Yes, I trust you. Help me to trust You more".
Recently, I have been led to go back to college and study Substance Abuse
Counseling, I was an expert in substance abuse. Through this journey, I
have put in my notice at work and they are in process of finding a
replacement for me. I have been asked to help interview people to find
someone good to do my job. This is a little strange, but good. My heart is
for God to bring the right person to help carry on the legacy of what A&M
Shell stands for, honor, integrity, and helping the community. But still, I
have not been unemployed for over 20 years. I have gone from one job on a
Friday to the next on Monday. I could count on the "paycheck" and now I
have to count on God for all provision. I reflect on *Proverbs 3:5 Lean on,
trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do
not rely on your own insight or understanding.6 In all your ways know,
recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and
plain your paths.* and think, am I able to do this? I understand that where
God guides He provides, but I also have doubt. I am moving forward in
faith, trusting as much as I can, with all that I am. I may not know what
the future holds, but I know Who holds my future. Please pray that I
continue to "know, recognize, and acknowledge Him" so that He will direct
and make straight and plain "my" paths. Jesus loves you and I love you too!

Douglas 

You’re Having Twins! Genesis 25:21-28 NKJV

Cain and Abel were the first example of sibling rivalry in the Bible. That relationship ended tragically with the first murder. Some believe Cain and Abel were twins. 

The rivalry of Esau and Jacob will have dire consequences too. 

There are several sets of twins mentioned in the Bible.  Soon we will meet Perez and Zerah (Genesis 38:12-30). From Perez would come the family of David (Ruth 4:18-22).

There is good reason to believe Ephraim and Manasseh were twins. Although not specifically stated, they were both born “before the year of famine came” (Genesis 41:50). Two conceptions are not mentioned in the text. If they were twins they fit into the pattern seen in the lives of Isaac and Judah: the younger twin inheriting the birthright, just as the younger Ephraim was blessed first by Jacob (Genesis 48:19). 

And then there was Thomas the Twin in the New Testament. His surname was Didymus (John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2), meaning “double,” or “twofold.” 

Genesis 25:22-38 NKJV

Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Blessings, Cecilia

1 John 4- Have you failed Him like me?

11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. 13By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.

testify; serve as evidence or proof of something's existing or being the case:

How many of us have failed to testify “that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.”?

I know I have with my neighbor and friend who committed suicide eight days ago. We didn’t spend a lot of time together but we checked on each other from time to time, discussed our neighborhood, woodworking, jobs around the house, snow removal and stuff like that. But I never talked to him about Jesus! So my friends, learn by my mistake and love one another. Love them enough to tell them about Jesus and “that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.”

Have you failed Him like me?

Blessings, David 

We deserve nothing but hell.

Charles Manson is dead and David Cassidy is dying. I have seen remarks
about Manson saying "Yeah!!! It is about time he dies!!! Thank God!!!". And
there is grief about David Cassidy saying, "Unfortunately David is very
sick. However he is getting the support he needs, surrounded by the people
he loves most." As we look at the contrast of their lives, we need to
wonder about the state of their hearts. Does one deserve to go to heaven
more than the other? I look at *Romans 3:10 As it is written, None is
righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one.*
and think what about me, how am I living my life? I know what the word
says, *Romans 10:13 For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord
[invoking Him as Lord] will be saved.* and think wouldn't it of been great
for every Christian to have been praying for Charles Manson's salvation
instead of his death? I think about what kind of celebration would have
been in heaven because of Charles Manson. * Luke 15:7 Thus, I tell you,
there will be more joy in heaven over one [especially] wicked person who
repents (changes his mind, abhorring his errors and misdeeds, and
determines to enter upon a better course of life) than over ninety-nine
righteous persons who have no need of repentance.* There are many people
that think they deserve to go to heaven. I read a quote from D. Martin
Lloyd Jones saying, "Grace is favor shown to people who do not deserve any
favor at all... We deserve nothing but hell. If you think you deserve
heaven, take it from me, you are not a Christian." Maybe the next time you
pray for someone to go to hell, think about the fact, that it is a place we
all deserve to be.

Douglas 

1 John 4-Will you squander His love?

9This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. 10And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Is there a love greater than this?

We have a debt (sin) we cannot repay.

Consider monetary debt, over half of this country has so much credit card debt they can only pay the interest! Get out of debt! Pay off your credit cards and then burn them!

But what about your sin debt? Will you accept His love and atoning sacrifice or squander it like cash?

Blessings, David 

No Regrets.

Deer hunting season in Michigan is a big deal. The 16 days in November from the 15th through the 30th are sacred to hunters. Schools close for opening day, so do some business, Thanksgiving gets celebrated early or late, it's like a state holiday. 

David and I have spent the last 6 days deer hunting. That's why my devotionals have been sporadic. There is no wifi in the deer blind. Sitting out there for hours on end gives me plenty of time to reflect and pray. God has revealed an important truth to me during this time and I want to share it with you. 

Have no regrets. 

It began last Tuesday, November 14th. I was cooking a few dishes up for the coming week so we would have some dinners ready when we came in from hunting. I was in a really good mood, excited for my second year of hunting with high hopes of a deer this year. 

David had been outside doing final preparation for the start of hunting season. He heard emergency vehicle's approach our street, shut off the sirens and drive past our house (we cannot see the road from our house, our driveway has a 90 degree bend in it).  He heard them stop at our neighbors a half mile down the road. About a half hour later, while he was at the bend in the drive, he saw the emergency vehicles leave with there lights on. He came in and told me about it and called our neighbor Al, (not his real name) to see if everything was okay. He then used my phone to text Al's wife Sue (not her real name) and asked if everything was okay. I'm thinking the whole time "It's probably the older couple across the street from them." 

Three hours later, Sue text me back. She just said "No Al's gone." I called her immediately and asked if she was alone, I know their family all live downstate. She said yes. I told her I was on my way and hung up. I told David Al died and Kelly was alone. I asked him to get my car out for me while I got myself together to go over there. 

I walked in her house, threw my arms around her and asked what happened. I'm thinking heart attack, Al was only 60 years old.  She simply stated "depression". I could not believe what I was hearing. She began by telling me Al had suffered from clinical depression for years and was on medication. I quickly learned that morning Al had shot himself in the head in front of Sue. His final words to her were "Look away" as she tried to get to him to stop him. Over the course of the next couple hours, from things she told me and comments she made it is my belief they had been having a disagreement before it happened. They had been married 25 years and have two grown children. Her son was on the way from Detroit and her daughter from Seattle. I stayed with her until her son arrived. 

So you see, from Al's death, I learned have no regrets. Don't let petty squabbles come between you and the people you love. Don't walk away mad. When someone stops by unexpected, as Al often did, give them time, as David did, even if you're going to be late. We never know what someone is going through, what burdens they carry, what's going on at home. If someone you care about is gone tomorrow, don't let your last interaction with them bring you regret. 

Live life and treat others with no regrets. 

Please pray for Sue (God knows who she really is) she has to live with the image of Al's death for the rest of her life. And pray for David, he lost a friend. 

Blessings, Cecilia

Chicken or the egg?

What came first, the chicken or the egg? It truly is a matter of faith of
which one you choose. It is written in *Gen1:24 Then God said, “Let the
earth bring forth living creatures according to (limited to, consistent
with) their kind: livestock, crawling things, and wild animals of the earth
according to their kinds”; and it was so [because He had spoken them into
creation].* Why is it that some Christian's take a strong stand for their
faith and others do not, or why are some strongly convicted in obedience to
God's word and the next one, not so much? For the believer, it comes down
to, did you add Jesus to your life or did you submit to His Lordship? It is
written in *Ps 100:3 Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord
Himself is God; It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are
His]. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.* Brethren, we cannot
loose perspective of who God is and what He has done. We must trust in the
words of the Bible, "In the beginning God". Many believe the evolution
fairy tale. I put my faith in Jesus Christ, who came down from heaven,
lived, was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day He rose again
as was foretold in the scriptures. I listen to the lyrics from the song,
"The Stand" by Michael w. Smith - "I'll stand with arms high and heart
abandoned In awe of the one who gave it all I'll stand my soul Lord to you
surrender All I am is yours." Who will stand with me? Closing thought, it
was the CHICKEN!!!

Douglas 

1 John 4-His Love

7Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

“Never let it be thought that any sinner is beyond the reach of divine mercy so long as he is in the land of the living. I stand here to preach illimitable love, unbounded grace, to the vilest of the vile, to those who have nothing in them that can deserve consideration from God, men who ought to be swept into the bottomless pit at once if justice meted out to them their deserts.” (Spurgeon)

God is love and through His love we have divine grace and mercy through His Son. Out of love He died on the cross for your sins. 

If we accept His grace, mercy and love shouldn’t we reflect a smidgen of that love towards our fellow man?

How else will they know you are His?

Blessings, David 

Step Out In Faith. Genesis 24:21-27; 48-67 NLT

What's your favorite romsntic movie? I love "City of Angels" and " What Dreams May Come" is a good one too. If the story of how Rebekah and Isaac got together were made into a movie, it would be just as unbelievable, accept this story really happened. 

Personally, I could not imagine leaving all of my family, going off with a stranger to an unknown land to marry a man I had never met. Rebekah didn't hesitate though. She believed God had a plan for her life and she was faithful to do her part. She stepped out in faith. She trusted in God. 

Will you? 

Genesis 24:21-27; 48-67 NLT 

21 The servant watched her in silence, wondering whether or not the LORD had given him success in his mission.  22 Then at last, when the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring for her nose and two large gold bracelets for her wrists. 

23 “Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “And please tell me, would your father have any room to put us up for the night?” 

24 “I am the daughter of Bethuel,” she replied. “My grandparents are Nahor and Milcah.  25 Yes, we have plenty of straw and feed for the camels, and we have room for guests.” 

26 The man bowed low and worshiped the LORD.  27 “Praise the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham,” he said. “The LORD has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.” 

48 “Then I bowed low and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master, Abraham, because he had led me straight to my master’s niece to be his son’s wife.  49 So tell me—will you or won’t you show unfailing love and faithfulness to my master? Please tell me yes or no, and then I’ll know what to do next.” 

50 Then Laban and Bethuel replied, “The LORD has obviously brought you here, so there is nothing we can say.  51 Here is Rebekah; take her and go. Yes, let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the LORD has directed.” 

52 When Abraham’s servant heard their answer, he bowed down to the ground and worshiped the LORD.  53 Then he brought out silver and gold jewelry and clothing and presented them to Rebekah. He also gave expensive presents to her brother and mother.  54 Then they ate their meal, and the servant and the men with him stayed there overnight. 

But early the next morning, Abraham’s servant said, “Send me back to my master.” 

55 “But we want Rebekah to stay with us at least ten days,” her brother and mother said. “Then she can go.” 

56 But he said, “Don’t delay me. The LORD has made my mission successful; now send me back so I can return to my master.” 

57 “Well,” they said, “we’ll call Rebekah and ask her what she thinks.” 58 So they called Rebekah. “Are you willing to go with this man?” they asked her. 

And she replied, “Yes, I will go.” 

59 So they said good-bye to Rebekah and sent her away with Abraham’s servant and his men. The woman who had been Rebekah’s childhood nurse went along with her.  60 They gave her this blessing as she parted: 

“Our sister, may you become the mother of many millions! May your descendants be strong and conquer the cities of their enemies.” 

61 Then Rebekah and her servant girls mounted the camels and followed the man. So Abraham’s servant took Rebekah and went on his way. 

62 Meanwhile, Isaac, whose home was in the Negev, had returned from Beer-lahai-roi.  63 One evening as he was walking and meditating in the fields, he looked up and saw the camels coming.  64 When Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she quickly dismounted from her camel. 65 “Who is that man walking through the fields to meet us?” she asked the servant. 

And he replied, “It is my master.” So Rebekah covered her face with her veil.  66 Then the servant told Isaac everything he had done. 

67 And Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother. 

Blessings, Cecilia