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A Word For Today 10-22-08
“How long, O naïve ones, will you love being simple-minded? And scoffers delight themselves in scoffing and fools hate knowledge? Turn to My reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make My words known to you.” Proverbs 1:22-23
As I read this passage this morning, I could not help but turn to thoughts of our nation and the state of its people, particularly the Church. My prayer for you this week is that you will take very seriously the commission by God to every one of His children to follow Him in wisdom and understanding: “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding (Proverbs 2:2).
I believe we are at a crucial crossroads in our country, but I believe the battle is not against party or ideology. It is a battle of good verses evil… right verses wrong … obedience verses careless and defiant disobedience by God’s people. This is a battle that cannot … hear me say, CANNOT be fought in the trenches. Nor can it be fought by words, or opinion, or cleverness, or scheme. It is a battle that must be fought in the prayer closets of those who call themselves Followers of Jesus Christ.
If you seriously believe that the coming election is going to affect the future of your country, then there is one thing you can do, and that is PRAY… unrelenting, courageous, prevailing, self-sacrificing, believing, unwavering prayer before the throne of the only One who can change, “the king’s heart like channels of water in the hand of the Lord” (Proverbs 21:1).
Do you remember in Scripture, the battle in the valley of Elah where the Philistine army and the “champion Goliath” came forth to destroy the Israelite army – God’s chosen people? Do you remember the terror struck in the hearts of God’s people as Goliath marched back and forth before Saul’s army shouting, “Why do you come out to draw up in battle array? Am I not the Philistine and you servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves and let him come down to me” (1 Samuel 17:8).
The Israelite army shook in terror and cried out in dismay, because as they looked at Goliath, they feared him greatly. He was bigger and stronger and more fierce than any warrior on their side, and they knew it! As far as they were concerned, there was NO WAY they could possibly defeat this horrific man, Goliath, and his evil army. As far as God’s army could see, they were as good as defeated, and the enemy Goliath reminded them of it day after day, with taunting defiance.
But then came David… a man who considered seeking the heart of God more important than food or drink; a man who had learned to listen to God and trust him in every circumstance of life. God had given him strength to defeat the lion and the bear that attacked his flock, rescuing them from a deadly fate. Arriving upon this scene, without a moment of hesitation, David knew that the same God who had given him strength to live every day, would certainly give him strength to stand up against an army that had come to defeat the very name of God! And do you know what David said as he faced this formidable foe? “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should dare defy the army of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)!
When is the last time you talked about God and His reputation that way? When is the last time you stood firm against evil and the belief that you were on the side of goodness and justice, therefore, not backing down? When is the last time you sought the heart of God in prayer, standing against the wickedness and defiance of Biblical principles all around you, crying out as David did, “How dare they, God! How dare they taunt You and laugh in Your face!”
And when have you prayed, “Move in the heavens, O God of might, and destroy the evil ways of the enemy, expose deception, and bring into light that which is hidden in darkness”? This place we are in, dear people, as a church, and as a country, is not a battle of flesh and blood. We need to stop believing and behaving as if it is, and get on our faces to cry out to the only One who can do something about it!
We must be careful not to forget that God put the story of David and Goliath in the Bible for a very specific reason! God knew that there were always going to be times when we, His people, would come up against the impossible, facing impossible odds in unrelenting circumstances. He wanted to remind us that He is not a God of possibilities – anyone can chant that mantra – but HE IS THE GOD OF THE IMPOSSIBLE.
What do you really believe about prayer? Are you willing you do whatever it takes to get yourself before the throne of God and pursue Him for His will to be done? Do we realize, as believers, that our God is great and that He does amazing and marvelous things? Have we forgotten that He has said, “Call unto to me and I will answer you, and I will show you great and mighty things that you did not know” (Jeremiah 33:3)? If you are a true Follower of Christ, if you know and believe the God of great and impossible things, then you cannot be one of the naysayers who is sad and troubled that things might not turn out OK. You cannot just “hope” that this country will somehow survive whatever may come. You have a great responsibility to storm the heavens with prayer.
You are a soldier in the army of the living God! It is His people who are on the side of the God of great might. It is God who raises up and tears down. It is God who, “sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers”; who “reduces rulers to nothing, and makes the judges of the earth meaningless (Isaiah 40:22-23)! He is your God! And He has given us a signal, by raising up a godly choice for elective office, for whom and about whom He wants you to pray. He has given you a hope – not in a person, but in a person who knows how to listen to Him.
THERE IS NO MAN OR WOMAN ON EARTH WHO CAN SAVE US FROM THE MESS WE ARE IN. Whatever we may be facing in the future of this country, we have the opportunity to see God put in place His choice for leadership, and align ourselves with His plan. I believe that God is showing us He is willing to intervene. But our goal as believers must be to pursue His choice, so that He can lead us using people of tried integrity. There has never been a time in history when man’s selfish ideology has worked to either make or improve a righteous nation, and there never will be. If God has, by the greatness of His might, “created the stars and leads them forth by number” (Isaiah 40:26), how much more will He lead us if we will let Him?
My plea to you is about so much more than this election or the fate of this country. It is about a wake-up call that God has once again given us as His true church: to follow His path, not our own – to seek His face and not look to man for salvation – to rely on His great power, and to quit seeking the ideas and opinions of man as if they mean anything!
These are the things that God has laid on my heart during this time, and this is how I am praying. I have asked Him to cause us all to look to the God of wisdom and might for our solutions, and to remember as we do that He is, “The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth” who “does not become weary or tired,” and whose “understanding is inscrutable” (Isaiah 40:28). Let us remember that He “will not give His glory to another” (Isaiah 42:8).
Pray Christian, Pray! Ask the Living God to do the impossible. He is a consuming fire. Call upon His mighty Name for discernment to select the candidates chosen by Him, and believe that He can work in power from the heavenlies. Ask the God of all created things to create in you a hunger for His righteousness and a strong sense of rightness about your choices. Decide today to let God make you a mighty warrior in the battle of good and evil. And I encourage you to receive with humility and thanksgiving His words written below.
“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and cause him to (Literally) ‘feast his eyes’ on My salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16
Becky
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An incredible weekend up on the mountain with the women of Community Bible Church. It was so full of God appointed moments. First, thank you for praying for good weather. It stopped raining as I approached Ashville on Friday. The weather was beautiful! Secondly, thank you for praying for the women who attended and for me as I led the women in worship through music. I knew the Lord was up to something after our first session on Friday night. I went to bed with great anticipation. As I sat with the Lord early on Saturday morning, Cynthia my sweetmate and the main speaker said to me, look at the water out there Beth! (a large lake was outside our window). The water is stirring!! God is going to show up today. Women are going to be healed. She reminded me of the passage in John 5:7-9. Jesus ask a man who had been sick for 38 years "Do you wish to get well?" and the man replied, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming another steps down before me." Then Jesus says to him, "Arise, take up your pallet, and walk."
The leaders of the retreat invited women to come to our cabin if they wanted to be prayed for Saturday afternoon. We had no idea the impact this would have. As we knelt and began praying I felt a tap on my shoulder. A young woman tears streaming down her face motioned me to come with her. As we walked outside she told me her friend was in the car and needed and wanted to be prayed for. We went down to the lake to the waters edge!! They were still stirring!!! This precious woman sat on a bench and her friend and I knelt down and we began to pray. As I lifted my hands to the Lord, the picture of the man wanting to be healed but just coudn't make it into the water by himself came to my mind. The wind picked up!! We all three felt it, it was like a mighty rushing wind. Let me say here my friends, Jesus showed up and this woman was healed. Praise God.
Beth
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The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.
My confession:
I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not
bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees
Christmas trees. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's
what they are:Christmas trees.
It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, "Merry Christmas" to me. I don't think
they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it.
It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It
doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection
near my beach house in Malibu. If people want a celebrate Jesus , it's just as fine with me
as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.
I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like
getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick
and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came
from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution
and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.
Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should
worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?
I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are
wondering where Nick and Jessica came from and where the America we knew went
to.
In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different:
This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.
Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jan e Clayson asked her "How
could God let something like this happen?" (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely
profound and insightful response. She said, "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we
are,but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and
to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can
we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"
In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine
Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in
our schools, and we said OK.Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible
says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.
Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their
little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son
committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from
wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.
Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal
to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."
Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny
how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can
send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages
regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene
articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and
workplace.
Are you laughing?
Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us.
Pass this on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if
you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
My Best Regards.
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November 28, 2007
Isn't It Strange----
-How a hundred dollar bill seems like a large amount of money when you donate it to a church but how
little it is when you go shopping.
-How endless two hours seem when we are serving God but how short it is when we watch a football
game or go to a movie.
-How boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but easy to read 100 pages of a popular novel.
-How everyone wants front row seats to concerts or games and back seats in the pews of churches.
-How we need to know of an event at church 2-3 weeks before the day so that we can include it in our
agenda but we can adjust our schedule for other things at the last minute.
-How hard it is to memorize scripture and facts about God's word and how easy it is to repeat gossip.
-How we believe everything in magazines and the papers yet question the words of the Bible.
-How everyone wants a place in heaven yet they are not willing to believe, do or say anything to get
there.
-How we can talk about God to just about anyone but at the name of Jesus people become
uncomfortable.
-How the name Jesus (man's only hope for salvation) is a "stumbling stone," a "rock of offense" to a
dying world.
Charlie
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October 29, 2007
"Once again I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of God was upon me!" Ezra 7:28 Thank you for praying so specifically for this ministry trip.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude for what the Lord did at Capital City Baptist Church in Mexico city. My dear missionary friends Lynn and Sandra Sasser welcomed me into their home and ministry. One of the days I was there, they took me into the homes of those who had come to know our Lord through what God is doing in Mexico City AND what the Lord is doing through their ministry. Let me tell you, God is at work among the people in a might way! Not just the Mexicans, but so many other nationalities living there!!!
The Women's Conference on Saturday was so incredible. On Friday Sandra led a group of women and me in a time of prayer as we prayed over every chair and all equipment in the sanctuary. I immediately began to feel the Holy Spirit begin to move. As we finished this time of prayer she washed our feet and then her husband Lynn (pastor of the church) led us in the Lords supper. On Saturday as the women began to arrive I once again felt the power of the Holy Spirit. 11 countries were represented that day. There was such a anointing in the sanctuary. The Holy Spirit helped Rosa Maria,translating simultaneously for me in Spanish, as I taught the Word of God. Half the women could only speak Spanish. Over 45 women came forward at the end, each surrendering specific things the Lord had shown them in their lives. Praise the Lord! All weekend the Lord spoke and ministered to me personally. I found myself often just weeping, lifting my hands in worship.
Sunday morning, Pastor Lynn handed the service over to me and I shared the Word of God through music and testimony. Once again, God moved. I am just so thankful today.
My Tom, Blake and Jo are doing great!! How I missed them. Thank you for praying for them as well.
Until all nations know Him,
Beth
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September 11, 2007
I have a young friend who is a Sergeant in the United States Army currently serving in Afghanistan. William said goodbye to his family last Spring for an 18 month tour. He left a wife, daughter and son who count each day until his return. Recently William wrote a letter to me relating how fortunate he and his soldiers are because there have been no fatalities. Some of his men have been hurt, but nothing serious. They all know how fortunate they have been because they are in a dangerous place.
William writes the following describing his current situation in Afghanistan:
" I really think in a few years Afghanistan will be able to keep the
radicals out but they have a long ways to go. I'm so glad I came on this
mission because it is so rewarding to see the Afghan National Army grow and
mature. Their Soldiers are some of the most loyal people I have ever met and
they appreciate and love the US more than you will ever know. Donald
Rumsfeld stated last week that the mission here has been a success and for
once I have to agree with him.The situation in Iraq is a lot worse but with
time and a little more support from their government and the people of Iraq
I know they will succeed also. I thank God everyday for the freedom we enjoy
and I will never take it for granted. Please continue to pray for all of our
men and women in Iraq and Afghanistan as we carry out our duties. The
terrorists have been on the run for 6 years now and as long as we keep them
on the run they will not be capable of the destruction they caused on 9-11."
On this day when we remember the horrible events of 9/11, please take time out to remember in prayer soldiers like William who protect us, who leave their families to pursue the enemy so that we may live in peace. Please pray for their safety, their families, and for their return when the task is ompleted.
Charlie
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September 9, 2007
Education and Relation: Truth and Love
Think with me for a moment about education and relationships. Some of you care deeply that education not ignore or marginalize relationships of love. They are essential in real, lasting, life-changing education. Amen.
So I turn to the Bible. I find in place of the words, "education" and "relationship," the words, "truth" and "love." So what does the Bible say about how truth and love relate to each other? There are at least four ways of talking about this relationship.
1. Truth aims at love.
"The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5). Note: instruction is not the goal, love is. Instruction is the means. It is subordinate. Truth serves love. Education serves relationships - mainly the relationship between us and God, but also between Christian and Christian, and between us and unbelievers. The "goal" of all our education is love.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider one another how to stir up to love and good deeds, . . . encouraging one another" (Hebrews 10:23-25, literal translation). The aim of our "considering one another" and "encouraging one another" is that we stir up love. We mingle insight into "the confession of our hope" with insight into "each other," and the effect is stirring each other to love. The truth of doctrine and truth of people-watching unite to aim at love.
2. Love aims at truth.
"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). Love is glad when truth is spoken. Therefore love aims at truth. It supports truth.
"Out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you" (2 Corinthians 2:4). Here is an example of how love aims at truth. Paul is filled with love and it compels him to write a letter that was hard, and caused sorrow in him and in the Corinthians. But it needed to be said. So love said it. Love speaks the truth personally and doctrinally.
3. Love shapes how to speak the truth.
"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). There is an unloving way to speak the truth. That kind of truth-speaking we should repudiate. But there is a way to speak the truth in love, and that we should seek. It is not always a soft way to speak, or Jesus would have to be accused of lack of love in dealing with some folks in the Gospels.
But it does ask about what is the most helpful thing to say when everything is considered. Sometimes what would have been a hard word to one group is a needed act of love to another group, and not a wrong to the group addressed. But in general, love shapes truth into words and ways that are patient and gentle (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
4. Truth shapes how to show love.
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:2). It is not always obvious which acts are loving. So John tells us some truth will help us know if our acts are loving.
One truth test for our love is whether we are keeping the commandments of God toward people. In other words, love cannot be cut loose from the truth of God's will. Truth shapes how to show love.
Let us pray that God will cause his love and truth to abound and mingle in us in all these ways for the glory of his truth-filled love and love-filled truth.
Pastor John
John Piper is pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN
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August 6, 2007
Long Hot Summer.......
I remember a movie with that title from many years past. I can't remember what it
was about but I realize that the title parallels the lives of many people in the summer
of 2007.
Two of my good friends were diagnosed with cancer and have spent these summer
months fighting the good fight. They has been through difficult times, through
radiation and chemo, but have kept the faith.
My daughter has been suffering with severe back pain for 9 months. With 3 small
children she cannot rest her back and therefore suffers each day. She continues to
be a good mom and wife to her family. Her outlook is positive. She inspires me.
On June 3rd, the day of the celebration of my in-laws 60th anniversary, my father-
in-law fell and broke his arm. A few weeks later my mother-in-law had to have
surgery. The surgery was successful but her recovery has been slowed by several
unexpected events.
Today, Becky is sick in bed with her with a virus. It has lasted for over 3 weeks.
She has been very ill. We are going back to the doctor this afternoon. My 4 yearold
grandaughter had this same virus for 19 days and lost 5 of her total 29 pound
weight.
Why do I write about these situations? First of all I would like for you to remember
these loved ones in prayer. But there is also another reason......an observation that
I would like to share. In each particular illness/injury I've seen no one questioning
God. No one has said "Why me?"
I've heard no one whining, seen no shaking of the fist. No one has lost their faith.
Indeed, what I have observed is increased faith, deeper understanding of the Father,
and a desire to share the Gospel. For instance, when my mother-in-law was in the
hospital, everyone who came into her room heard the name of Jesus. Her Bible was
constantly on her bed as open testimony to her faith. My friends with cancer
continue to send messages of trust in God and love of Jesus. They know their
strength comes from the Father.
When I first began my career, one of my older business mentors shared his
philosophy: "Life is hard and then you die." I know that's a brutal outlook on life
but there is some truth in it. As Christians we are guaranteed trials and hardships.
However we face these trials, these "temporary afflictions," whether they
be health, financial, family, children, career, etc., our focus should remain on Jesus.
Each hardship we face during our time on this earth provides an opportunity for
Christian growth, for strengthened character, for increased faith, for sharing of the
Gospel, for enjoying a closer walk with Jesus. Indeed, faith in our loving God and
trust in His Son is, I believe, our only hope for the "long hot summers" of life.
"Suddenly a terrible storm came up, with waves higher than the boat.....The
disciples shouted, 'Lord, save us.' Then He stood up and rebuked the wind
and waves, and the storm subsided and all was calm." Matt. 8:26
Charlie
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This morning I was reminded of Psalm 23:2 "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He
lead me beside the still waters." Note the two pronouns preceding the two verbs. He
makes me... He leads me... Who is the active one? Who is in charge? The shepherd. The -
shepherd selects the trail and prepares the pasture. The sheep's job...our job... is to
watch the Shepherd.
(Taken from Max Lucado, Grace for the Moment).
I am praying for you as you watch the Shepherd today.
Beth
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July 31, 2007
We're back from a few days vacation at beautiful Fripp Island, SC!!!! Thanks so
much to our sister and brother-in-law, Kim and Danny, for being such wonderful
hosts. They both are so considerate and giving.
Much of the time at Fripp was spent just being with our daughter, son-in-law and 3
grandchildren who also traveled from Columbia to be with us. But we did find time to
go to the pool and to the beach, play golf, and eat great food (thanks to Carrie).
We even had time to celebrate one birthday, one anniversary, and have an outing
on Danny's boat.
The kids were a little afraid of the boat at first but their mood quickly changed
when they saw porpoises in the channel. They watched in amazement
as several porpoises joined us and swam next to the boat.
On our trip back to the marina, I carried Anna Greer and Jacob to the front of the
boat. They were standing secured in their life jackets on the bow behind the railing,
water spraying in their little faces with me kneeling behind them holding them
tightly.
With my best Leonardo DiCaprio TITANIC impersonation I yelled, "I'm king of the
world." The adults laughed but over the noise of the motor, Jacob, my 6 year old
grandson looked at me and said, "Pop, Jesus is the king of the world."
There is great joy in knowing that your grandchilden know Jesus.
Charlie
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July 17, 2007
The information below was written by Pastor John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis,
Mn. (hopeingod.org) Becky spoke at a women's conference at his church last May. What a wonderful
experience for both of us.
How To Be A Refuge To Your Children
If Daddy is afraid, where can a little child turn? Daddies are supposed to be safe. They are
supposed to know what to do and how to solve problems and fix things and, most of all, protect the
children from harm. But what happens when a child sees fear in Daddy's face? What if Daddy is as
scared as the child and doesn't know what to do? Then the child is utterly distraught and in panic.
He feels that the one strong, reliable place of safety is no longer safe.
But if Daddy is confident, then the children will have refuge. If Daddy is not panicking, but calm
and steady, all the walls can come tumbling down and all the waves can break and all the snakes can
hiss and the lions roar and the winds blow, and there will still be a safe place in Daddy's arms. Daddy is
a refuge, as long as Daddy is confident.
That's why Proverbs 14:26 says that "his children will have a refuge," if Daddy has a "strong
confidence." Daddy's confidence is the refuge of his children. Dads, the battle to be confident isn't
just about us, it is about the security of our children. It is about their sense of security and
happiness. It's about whether they grow up fretful or firm in faith. Until children can know God in a
deep personal way, we are the image and the embodiment of God in their lives. If we are confident
and reliable and safe for them, they will be much more likely to cleave to God as their refuge when the
storms break over them later.
So how shall we have "strong confidence?" After all, we, too, are little children, clay pots, weak and
broken and battling anxieties and doubts. Is the solution to put on the best show we can and hide our
true selves? That will lead to ulcers at best and to God-dishonoring teenager-rebelling duplicity at
worst. That is not the answer.
Proverbs 14:26 gives another answer. "In the fear of the Lord there is a strong confidence." This is
very strange. It says that the solution to fear is fear. The solution to timidity is fear. The solution to
uncertainty is fear. The solution to doubt is fear. How can this be?
Part of the answer is that the fear of the Lord means fearing to dishonor the Lord which means
fearing to distrust the Lord. which means to fear anything that the Lord has promised to help you
overcome. In other words, the fear of the Lord is the great fear destroyer.
If the Lord says, "Fear not, do not be dismayed, I will help you," (Is. 41:10) then it is a fearful thing
to worry about the problem he has said he will help you with. Fearing that problem when he says
'fear not, I will help you," is a vote of confidence against God's word and that is dishonoring to God.
If the Lord says,"I will never fail you nor forsake you," you can confidently say, "The Lord is my
helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to Me?" (Heb. 13:5-6) If the Lord says that to you, then
not to be confident in the Lord's promised presence and help is a kind of pride. It puts our reckoning
of the trouble above Gods. That is why we read the amazing words of the Lord in Is. 51:12, "I, even I,
am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of the man who dies and the son of man
who is like grass?' Who are you to fear man when God has promised to help you? So it is pride to fear
man. And pride is the exact opposite of the fear of God.
So yes, the proverb is true and a great help to us. Fear God, dads. Fear God. Fear dishonoring him.
Fear distrusting him. Fear putting your assessment of the problem above his. He says He can help. He
is smarter. He is stronger. He is more generous. Trust him. Fear not to trust Him.
Why? He works for those who wait for him (Is. 64:4). He will solve the problem. He will rescue the
family. He will take care of the little ones. He will meet your needs. Fear not believing that. Then
your children will have a refuge. They will have a Daddy who has strong confidence, not in himself,
but in the promises of God, which he trembles not to trust.
Learn to fear the Lord for the sake of the children. The fear of the Lord is the great fear destroyer.
Thanks to Pastor John!
Charlie
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July 16, 2007
An excerpt from Henry Blackaby's daily devotional Experiencing God.
Psalm 4:3 "But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly; the Lord will hear when
I call to Him. "
No one is more precious in the Lord's sight than a godly person. God is pleased whenever he finds
someone who strives to live a righteous life and bring glory to Him. God sets such people apart in a
special place in His heart. They are always kept before Him, and He stands ready to respond to their
faintest cries for help.
Sin separates us from God, causing Him to close His ears to our praying. It is futile for us to pray when
we are knowingly practicing sin. But the opposite is also true. God chooses to honor us by listening to
our every cry when we are living a godly life. An abiding security comes with living a blameless life.
The righteous person never has to wonder whether God has listened to his prayer (1 John 5:14-15).
The godly person has confidence that God has indeed heard his prayer and will immediately respond in
all of His power.
It is exhilarating to be set apart by God, knowing that God observes your consecrated life and is
pleased with what He sees. What a tremendous privilege to know that your life holds a special place in
God's heart! The world may not accord any special status to you, but you will know that you are
cherished by God. The world continues to find new ways to honor people, but even the world's most
extravagant accolades are pitiful compared to the unfathomable blessing of holding a special place in
the heart of God.
Charlie
July 15, 2007
I have found much wisdom over the years in a daily devotional by Oswald Chambers,
My Utmost For His Highest. Chambers has a depth of understanding of the Christian
life and speaks with such truth that at times my heart is broken because that truth
has revealed another flaw within me. What I have written below was copied from
Chamber's book. There is a startling truth revealed to all of us who identify with the
scripture recorded in Isaiah 6:5 "Woe is me for I am undone! Because I am an
unclean sinner."
"When I come into the very presence of God, I do not realize that I am a sinner
in an indefinite sense, but I suddenly realize (my sin) and the focus of my
attention is directed toward the concentration of sin in a particular area of my
life. A person will easily say, 'Oh yes, I know I am a sinner,' but when he
comes into the presence of God he cannot get away with such a broad and
indefinite statement. Our conviction is focused on our specific sin, and we
realize as Isaiah did, what we really are. This is always the sign that a person
is in the presence of God. There is never any vague sense of sin, but a focusing
on the concentration of sin in some specific, personal area of life. God begins
by convicting us of the very thing to which His Spirit has directed our mind's
attention. If we will surrender, submitting to His conviction of that particular
sin, He will lead us down to where He can reveal the vast underlying nature of
sin. That is the way God always deals with us when we are consciously aware
of His presence."
Blessings To All,
Charlie
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June 27, 2007
I have to tell you something that happed a few nights ago that reminded me of this truth. Tom turned to me late one evening and said, I need to check on that new duck I just put
in the pen. (the girls and Tom raise ducks on our little pond). When he got to the pen, the
little duck was halfway INSIDE the mouth of a rat snake!!!! Tom got a shovel and hit the
snake thus releasing the duck. He picked up the little duck, still breathing and rushed him
inside. He wrapped the little duck up and just started rubbing and talking to it. The girls did
as well. ( I was wondering where the snake went) Slowly the little duck came back to
life as Tom rubbed and talked to it. The next day that little duck was quacking,
almost saying, "Thank you Tom!"
God has saved us from an enemy that wants to devour us!!! He also promises that He
will show up when we need HIM most. Praise God! "Let the redeemed of the Lord say
so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary." Psalm 107:2
Have a great day!
Love, Beth
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May 7, 2007
Subject: Please Take Time To Read This Message
Everyone,
Marc and Catherine are dear friends of ours. They have two small children. They
were in our Sunday School class for several years before becoming teachers
themselves. I sat next to Mark in choir Wednesday night and asked about his family.
He said everyone was fine. Read below what happened to his family Thursday PM.
Charlie
Friends,
Our God is good! We know that, but sometimes He speaks to us a little bit louder and reminds us
of how much He takes care of us. About 4:45 today, Catherine and the girls were forced off the road
when an 18-wheeler tried to move over into Catherine’s lane. Catherine went into the median, struck
the metal ropes, did a 180, and skidded to a stop. The rear of the car was cut in half just above my
daughter Rachel’s head. She said she heard Jesus say “duck!” She hunched over and the guide
wire went right over her head, cutting the back of the car in half just above the head rest.
Other than a minor cut on her nose and a swollen cheek, Rachel is just fine. Gracie has a scrape
on her elbow and Catherine is totally unharmed. The car was completely destroyed.
When I got to them and as we gathered in the median at Chapin, we all got on our knees and
thanked God for allowing us to still be together. We know God still has plans for us – work left for
us to do.
Catherine shared with us a verse she had read this morning in her devotion time. She said it
jumped out at her and now she knows why. It is found in Exodus 14:3, when the Israelites were
about to cross the Red Sea. It reads: Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD
which He will accomplish for you today…"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." Tonight
we have no fear.
Thank you, Lord, for taking care of my family!
Marc