Election Season

The party conventions have been now been gaveled to a close. The race and the political rhetoric are about to take on new dimensions as we travel the road to November. (That road is a WIDE road, I thought I should mention that!)

I am finding value in taking the back roads as much as possible. Those roads are narrow, and strewn with frequent stops. The effort is greater since the way is not always well signed. While moving slower on these narrow paths there seems to be a friendlier collection of travelers. Folks who will smile and wave as you drive by. Yesterday, a fellow actually slowed down when he saw my turn-blinker so that I could move over. You don't find that much, out there, on the Big WIDE Road.

The towns I drive through, on the narrow highway, actually have a palpable pulse. Life lives and flows right there in front of your eyes. The pace is just fast enough to validate motion, while slow enough that one can appreciate the beauty of the caring spirit and evidence of the hand of GOD.

It is remarkable how much quieter it is, traveling the more difficult route. The TRUTH is easily heard above the noise. Not hidden in the clatter of the dollar, the Mighty God of the Interstate Highway.

We really need to pray and pray hard and long that repentance will come to those who will be selected, then elected, and finally anointed into leadership of this gasping land of ours. Gasping because she has been sorely wounded by the crass, the crude, the lewd and the vulgar. Our Lord is at the door. The time is quickly drawing nigh.

Tell your story, tell it often. Tell it to all who will hear. Tell them the TRUTH. Be a part of the harvest not the chaff. Some will listen, most will not. Share the WORD, then move on. They will either hear or they will not. The rest is up to Jesus.

(Act 28:26-27) …..GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.

Share the TRUTH, share the LOVE. The clock is ticking!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Election Season

The party conventions have been now been gaveled to a close. The race and the political rhetoric are about to take on new dimensions as we travel the road to November. (That road is a WIDE road, I thought I should mention that!)

I am finding value in taking the back roads as much as possible. Those roads are narrow, and strewn with frequent stops. The effort is greater since the way is not always well signed. While moving slower on these narrow paths there seems to be a friendlier collection of travelers. Folks who will smile and wave as you drive by. Yesterday, a fellow actually slowed down when he saw my turn-blinker so that I could move over. You don't find that much, out there, on the Big WIDE Road.

The towns I drive through, on the narrow highway, actually have a palpable pulse. Life lives and flows right there in front of your eyes. The pace is just fast enough to validate motion, while slow enough that one can appreciate the beauty of the caring spirit and evidence of the hand of GOD.

It is remarkable how much quieter it is, traveling the more difficult route. The TRUTH is easily heard above the noise. Not hidden in the clatter of the dollar, the Mighty God of the Interstate Highway.

We really need to pray and pray hard and long that repentance will come to those who will be selected, then elected, and finally anointed into leadership of this gasping land of ours. Gasping because she has been sorely wounded by the crass, the crude, the lewd and the vulgar. Our Lord is at the door. The time is quickly drawing nigh.

Tell your story, tell it often. Tell it to all who will hear. Tell them the TRUTH. Be a part of the harvest not the chaff. Some will listen, most will not. Share the WORD, then move on. They will either hear or they will not. The rest is up to Jesus.

(Act 28:26-27) …..GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY, YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE; FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL, AND WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES; OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN, AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.

Share the TRUTH, share the LOVE. The clock is ticking!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

An Eternal Pledge

Charles Spurgeon

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord. (Hosea 2:19-20)

Betrothment unto the Lord! What an honor and a joy! My soul, is Jesus indeed thine by His own condescending betrothal? Then, mark it is forever. He will never break His engagement, much less sue out a divorce against a soul joined to Himself in marriage bonds.

Three times the Lord says, “I will betroth thee.” What words He heaps together to set forth the betrothal! Righteousness comes in to make the covenant legal; none can forbid these lawful bans. Judgment sanctions the alliance with its decree: none can see folly or error in the match. Lovingkindness warrants that this is a love union, for without love betrothal is bondage and not blessedness. Meanwhile, mercy smiles and even sings; yea, she multiplies herself into “mercies” because of the abounding grace of this holy union.

Faithfulness is the registrar and records the marriage, and the Holy Spirit says “Amen” to it as He promises to teach the betrothal heart all the sacred knowledge needful for its high destiny, What a promise!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE TODAY?

An Eternal Pledge

Charles Spurgeon

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord. (Hosea 2:19-20)

Betrothment unto the Lord! What an honor and a joy! My soul, is Jesus indeed thine by His own condescending betrothal? Then, mark it is forever. He will never break His engagement, much less sue out a divorce against a soul joined to Himself in marriage bonds.

Three times the Lord says, “I will betroth thee.” What words He heaps together to set forth the betrothal! Righteousness comes in to make the covenant legal; none can forbid these lawful bans. Judgment sanctions the alliance with its decree: none can see folly or error in the match. Lovingkindness warrants that this is a love union, for without love betrothal is bondage and not blessedness. Meanwhile, mercy smiles and even sings; yea, she multiplies herself into “mercies” because of the abounding grace of this holy union.

Faithfulness is the registrar and records the marriage, and the Holy Spirit says “Amen” to it as He promises to teach the betrothal heart all the sacred knowledge needful for its high destiny, What a promise!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE TODAY?

Mount Sion

(that is, Hermon)

It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing--life forever.

I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As the droplets on the fresh grass And as the showers on the herb. – For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. – For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. – It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.

(Deu 4:48) (Psa 133:3) (Hos 14:5) (Deu 32:2) (Isa 55:10) (Isa 55:11)

(Joh 3:34) (Joh 1:16) (Psa 133:2) [Thank-you Samuel Bagster]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Mount Sion

(that is, Hermon)

It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing--life forever.

I will be like the dew to Israel; He will blossom like the lily, And he will take root like the cedars of Lebanon.

Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As the droplets on the fresh grass And as the showers on the herb. – For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. – For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. – It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.

(Deu 4:48) (Psa 133:3) (Hos 14:5) (Deu 32:2) (Isa 55:10) (Isa 55:11)

(Joh 3:34) (Joh 1:16) (Psa 133:2) [Thank-you Samuel Bagster]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

KNOW THY NAME

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. --"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."

I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.-- For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.-- "For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.-- who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us --

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

(Psa 9:10) (Pro 18:10) (Isa 12:2) (Psa 37:25) (Psa 37:28) (1Sa 12:22) (2Co 1:10) (Heb 13:5-6) [Samuel Bagster]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

KNOW THY NAME

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. --"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation."

I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.-- For the LORD loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.-- "For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.-- who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us --

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

(Psa 9:10) (Pro 18:10) (Isa 12:2) (Psa 37:25) (Psa 37:28) (1Sa 12:22) (2Co 1:10) (Heb 13:5-6) [Samuel Bagster]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

WALK IN LOVE

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. – Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. – Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. –

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; – not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. – If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

(EPH 5:2) (Joh 13:34) (1Pe 4:8) (Pro 10:12) (Mar 11:25) (Luk 6:35)

(Pro 24:17) (1Pe 3:9) (Rom 12:18) (Eph 4:32) (1Jn 3:18) [Thank-you Samuel Bagster]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

WALK IN LOVE

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. – Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. – Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. –

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; – not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. – If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

(EPH 5:2) (Joh 13:34) (1Pe 4:8) (Pro 10:12) (Mar 11:25) (Luk 6:35)

(Pro 24:17) (1Pe 3:9) (Rom 12:18) (Eph 4:32) (1Jn 3:18) [Thank-you Samuel Bagster]

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

--you have been weighed

on the scales and found deficient.

More Daily Light

"Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.---And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."---Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.---For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?---But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.---You have tried my heart; You have visited me by night; You have tested me and You find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

(Dan 5:27) (1Sa 2:3) (Luk 16:15) (1Sa 16:7) (Gal 6:7) (Gal 6:8) (Mat 16:26) (Php 3:7) (Psa 51:6) (Psa 17:3)

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

--you have been weighed

on the scales and found deficient.

More Daily Light

"Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed.---And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."---Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.---For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?---But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.---You have tried my heart; You have visited me by night; You have tested me and You find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

(Dan 5:27) (1Sa 2:3) (Luk 16:15) (1Sa 16:7) (Gal 6:7) (Gal 6:8) (Mat 16:26) (Php 3:7) (Psa 51:6) (Psa 17:3)

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Reclining on Jesus bosom (John 13:23)

Daily Light

(Isa 66:13) "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem."

(Mar 10:13) And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.

(Mar 10:16) And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

(Mat 15:32) And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way."

(Heb 4:15) For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

(Isa 63:9) In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.

(Joh 14:18) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

(Isa 49:15) "Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

(Rev 7:17) for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY??

Reclining on Jesus bosom (John 13:23)

Daily Light

(Isa 66:13) "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem."

(Mar 10:13) And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them.

(Mar 10:16) And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

(Mat 15:32) And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, "I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way."

(Heb 4:15) For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

(Isa 63:9) In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old.

(Joh 14:18) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

(Isa 49:15) "Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.

(Rev 7:17) for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY??