HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY

(Song 5:16) NKJV

(Psa 104:34) Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.

(Song 5:10) "My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, Outstanding among ten thousand.

(1Pe 2:6) For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

(Psa 45:2) You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.

(Php 2:9) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

(Col 1:19) For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

(1Pe 1:8) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

(Php 3:8-9) More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY

(Song 5:16) NKJV

(Psa 104:34) Let my meditation be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in the LORD.

(Song 5:10) "My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, Outstanding among ten thousand.

(1Pe 2:6) For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

(Psa 45:2) You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever.

(Php 2:9) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

(Col 1:19) For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

(1Pe 1:8) and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.

(Php 3:8-9) More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

ANTI-MISSIONARY CHRISTIANS

Merriam-Webster Definition for Missionary:

A person undertaking a mission, especially a religious mission such as missionaries who strove to convert natives to Christianity.

(Act 1:8) ... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

An anti-missionary Christian is a contradiction, as it is impossible to be so. It is impossible for the divine and human forces to put people in such a position not to align them with the missionary cause.

Missionary impulse is the heartbeat of our Lord Jesus Christ sending His own vital forces through the whole body of the church. The spiritual life of God's people rises and falls with the force of those heartbeats.

When these life forces die down, then death follows. Likewise, anti-missionary churches are dead churches, just as anti-missionary Christians are dead Christians. --[E. M. Bounds; The Power of Prayer]

Growing up into adulthood, I had read many stories about missionaries and their travels to foreign lands. Steaming jungles teaming with bugs and snakes, or blazing deserts where dying of thirst was a daily reality. I recall seeing pictures of those who were called to be missionaries. None of the visuals I remember were of men or women who you might call physically reflective of the mission and tough conditions under which they seemed to serve. They looked like regular Joes, or Josephines to me. Not a John Wayne type in sight! This seems to be the stereotype that many hold today when they think about missionaries. It was dangerous, uncomfortable, demanding, and, well.....not very attractive at all!

The word missionary does not appear in the Bible but let there be no doubt, Jesus Himself had great interest in making sure every born-again Christian carries the mantle of missionary to every corner of this earth;

(Mat 28:19-20) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

For Christians, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was our Lord's promise being fulfilled and from that moment forward, guess what? We all became Missionaries!

If you are still stuck in the mindset that all missionary activity has to happen in some strange land, or far away from home, have heart. Young or old, here is your chance to get some skin-in-the-game.

Share the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your neighbor at home. Reflect the beauty of God's presence by helping a senior citizen find his lost car in the Walmart parking lot. Volunteer to help repair a set of porch stairs at a private home in your community. Join others in filling food bags for needy area school aged children, and be willing to deliver them to the schools.

Come out of the safety of the church building and venture into the non-sterile surrounding of your own home town. Meet people, talk with them, listen to their issues, and share the beauty of the Holy Spirit with them.

Welcome to the world of the Missionary!

Now, I want you to go back and read again the last two paragraphs of E.M. Bounds article above. Read the paragraphs slowly. Read every sobering word. Then answer the following questions;

Is your church a dead church? Are you a dead Christian?

(Joh 17:16-18) "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

ANTI-MISSIONARY CHRISTIANS

Merriam-Webster Definition for Missionary:

A person undertaking a mission, especially a religious mission such as missionaries who strove to convert natives to Christianity.

(Act 1:8) ... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."

An anti-missionary Christian is a contradiction, as it is impossible to be so. It is impossible for the divine and human forces to put people in such a position not to align them with the missionary cause.

Missionary impulse is the heartbeat of our Lord Jesus Christ sending His own vital forces through the whole body of the church. The spiritual life of God's people rises and falls with the force of those heartbeats.

When these life forces die down, then death follows. Likewise, anti-missionary churches are dead churches, just as anti-missionary Christians are dead Christians. --[E. M. Bounds; The Power of Prayer]

Growing up into adulthood, I had read many stories about missionaries and their travels to foreign lands. Steaming jungles teaming with bugs and snakes, or blazing deserts where dying of thirst was a daily reality. I recall seeing pictures of those who were called to be missionaries. None of the visuals I remember were of men or women who you might call physically reflective of the mission and tough conditions under which they seemed to serve. They looked like regular Joes, or Josephines to me. Not a John Wayne type in sight! This seems to be the stereotype that many hold today when they think about missionaries. It was dangerous, uncomfortable, demanding, and, well.....not very attractive at all!

The word missionary does not appear in the Bible but let there be no doubt, Jesus Himself had great interest in making sure every born-again Christian carries the mantle of missionary to every corner of this earth;

(Mat 28:19-20) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

For Christians, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was our Lord's promise being fulfilled and from that moment forward, guess what? We all became Missionaries!

If you are still stuck in the mindset that all missionary activity has to happen in some strange land, or far away from home, have heart. Young or old, here is your chance to get some skin-in-the-game.

Share the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your neighbor at home. Reflect the beauty of God's presence by helping a senior citizen find his lost car in the Walmart parking lot. Volunteer to help repair a set of porch stairs at a private home in your community. Join others in filling food bags for needy area school aged children, and be willing to deliver them to the schools.

Come out of the safety of the church building and venture into the non-sterile surrounding of your own home town. Meet people, talk with them, listen to their issues, and share the beauty of the Holy Spirit with them.

Welcome to the world of the Missionary!

Now, I want you to go back and read again the last two paragraphs of E.M. Bounds article above. Read the paragraphs slowly. Read every sobering word. Then answer the following questions;

Is your church a dead church? Are you a dead Christian?

(Joh 17:16-18) "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

LOOK AT ALL MY STUFF!!

(Luk 12:15) Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

Dear Lord God, we certainly are a troublesome lot. You provide all that we need, and we then turn that around and say give us all that we want. How quickly we forget what we collect in earthly possessions will never survive. Nothing of this earth will survive. Only that of which You give us will survive rendering honor unto You in that great day, Amen.

(Psa 37:16) A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. [KJV]

It seems that the less you have the more appreciative you are to have what you have.

(Pro 15:16) Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

Great wealth attracts those who would covet what you have and they attempt to steal what you have. Some might connive to hurt you just because of that what you own. Personally, I can think of may other things I would rather spend time with than worrying about who is trying to steal my stuff!

(1Ti 6:6,8) But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

If you can be very wealthy and still keep God in center focus, and use that wealth to advance the Gospel and give to others, and still remain a true follower of Christ Jesus, I believe He will reward you further. Not with the profane or worldly, but with a deep and lasting peace in your soul. A knowledge that you are being responsible with that which He has granted to you. Simply be truly satisfied with what you have. Be it little or be it much.

(Pro 30:8-9) Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

O'LORD, let me be truly satisfied with that which you provide.

(Mat 6:11,25) 'Give us this day our daily bread. "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

(Luk 22:35) And He said to them, "When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?" They said, "No, nothing."

(Heb 13:5) 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."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

LOOK AT ALL MY STUFF!!

(Luk 12:15) Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions."

Dear Lord God, we certainly are a troublesome lot. You provide all that we need, and we then turn that around and say give us all that we want. How quickly we forget what we collect in earthly possessions will never survive. Nothing of this earth will survive. Only that of which You give us will survive rendering honor unto You in that great day, Amen.

(Psa 37:16) A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. [KJV]

It seems that the less you have the more appreciative you are to have what you have.

(Pro 15:16) Better is a little with the fear of the LORD Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

Great wealth attracts those who would covet what you have and they attempt to steal what you have. Some might connive to hurt you just because of that what you own. Personally, I can think of may other things I would rather spend time with than worrying about who is trying to steal my stuff!

(1Ti 6:6,8) But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.

If you can be very wealthy and still keep God in center focus, and use that wealth to advance the Gospel and give to others, and still remain a true follower of Christ Jesus, I believe He will reward you further. Not with the profane or worldly, but with a deep and lasting peace in your soul. A knowledge that you are being responsible with that which He has granted to you. Simply be truly satisfied with what you have. Be it little or be it much.

(Pro 30:8-9) Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

O'LORD, let me be truly satisfied with that which you provide.

(Mat 6:11,25) 'Give us this day our daily bread. "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

(Luk 22:35) And He said to them, "When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?" They said, "No, nothing."

(Heb 13:5) 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."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

GOD IS MY DEFENSE

(Psa 59:9) I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.

(2Sa 22:2-3) And he said: "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.

(Psa 28:7) The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

(Isa 59:19) So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the LORD drives.

(Heb 13:6) ….We confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

(Psa 27:1) The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

(Psa 125:2) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.

(Psa 63:7) For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

(Psa 31:3) For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

GOD IS MY DEFENSE

(Psa 59:9) I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.

(2Sa 22:2-3) And he said: "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence.

(Psa 28:7) The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.

(Isa 59:19) So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west And His glory from the rising of the sun, For He will come like a rushing stream Which the wind of the LORD drives.

(Heb 13:6) ….We confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

(Psa 27:1) The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

(Psa 125:2) As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.

(Psa 63:7) For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

(Psa 31:3) For You are my rock and my fortress; For Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Give us this day our daily bread.

(Mat 6:11)

Oh Lord, our God, we come before You with thanksgiving in our hearts. We cherish this time of study, to refresh and to learn of Your ways. We come equipped with a desire to become better fitted to serve You and walk in Your ways, Amen.

(Psa 37:25) I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.

King David witnessed first hand the mighty hand of God making provisions for the needs of those who serve Him. In the 37^th Psalm, David calls upon his years of witness to challenge everyone to trust in the Lord. To have faith that He will provide what is needed to those who serve Him.

(Isa 33:16) He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.

When Elijah called on the Lord to withdraw rain for three years as punishment, in King Ahab's land, Our God protected Elijah, hiding him near the brook at Cherith;

(1Ki 17:6) The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.

Paul, in Philipians, encouraged the young church to hold true to the Lord's promise to provide;

(Php 4:19) And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

(Heb 13:5) …..for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU".

As Moses drew ever closer to God's promised land, he explained to the Israelites the lessons taught during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. A tough-love approach in dealing with a very stubborn people;

(Deu 8:3) "He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.

The Apostle John recorded the words of our Savior as He explained to the crowds at Capernaum the true meaning behind the words “Give us this day our daily bread;

(Joh 6:32-34) Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. "For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Lord, always give us this bread."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Give us this day our daily bread.

(Mat 6:11)

Oh Lord, our God, we come before You with thanksgiving in our hearts. We cherish this time of study, to refresh and to learn of Your ways. We come equipped with a desire to become better fitted to serve You and walk in Your ways, Amen.

(Psa 37:25) I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.

King David witnessed first hand the mighty hand of God making provisions for the needs of those who serve Him. In the 37^th Psalm, David calls upon his years of witness to challenge everyone to trust in the Lord. To have faith that He will provide what is needed to those who serve Him.

(Isa 33:16) He will dwell on the heights, His refuge will be the impregnable rock; His bread will be given him, His water will be sure.

When Elijah called on the Lord to withdraw rain for three years as punishment, in King Ahab's land, Our God protected Elijah, hiding him near the brook at Cherith;

(1Ki 17:6) The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook.

Paul, in Philipians, encouraged the young church to hold true to the Lord's promise to provide;

(Php 4:19) And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

(Heb 13:5) …..for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU".

As Moses drew ever closer to God's promised land, he explained to the Israelites the lessons taught during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. A tough-love approach in dealing with a very stubborn people;

(Deu 8:3) "He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD.

The Apostle John recorded the words of our Savior as He explained to the crowds at Capernaum the true meaning behind the words “Give us this day our daily bread;

(Joh 6:32-34) Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. "For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world." Then they said to Him, "Lord, always give us this bread."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HALLOWED BY THY NAME

(Mat 6:10) 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

(Eph 5:17) So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

(Mat 18:14) "So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

(1Th 4:3-5) For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

(1Pe 4:2) so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

(Jas 1:18) In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

(Jas 1:21) Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

(1Pe 1:16) Because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

(Mar 3:34-35) Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He *said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother."

(Mat 7:24-25) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

(1Jn 2:17) The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

HALLOWED BY THY NAME

(Mat 6:10) 'Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

(Eph 5:17) So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

(Mat 18:14) "So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

(1Th 4:3-5) For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

(1Pe 4:2) so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

(Jas 1:18) In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

(Jas 1:21) Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

(1Pe 1:16) Because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

(Mar 3:34-35) Looking about at those who were sitting around Him, He *said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! "For whoever does the will of God, he is My brother and sister and mother."

(Mat 7:24-25) "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.

(1Jn 2:17) The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

I WILL NOT BE AFRAID !

(Heb 13:6) ….."THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

Lord, You are God. We are Your people. You are the Creator, we are among the created. You, Abba, are our Father and we love You with all of our heart, all of our mind, all of our soul. Let us open our hearts and receive Your Word; through Holy Scripture, as we worship Your Hallowed Majesty, in Christ, Amen.

(Rom 8:35, 37) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Can you even imagine the darkness and the horror for those who do not believe? Even through Satan's feel-good claims of happiness, deep down inside, those absent Christ know they are doomed.

(Luk 12:4-5) "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

When we are tested, we are never alone. The Holy Spirit guides, and the Lord protects. When our foot begins to slip, we hold to Him and He reestablishes our footing.

(Mat 5:10-12) "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

None were persecuted more than our Christ, or His Apostles. The testimony of Paul is rich in reflecting the very character of His savior, who gave HIS all that we may be freed of sin and the sentence of death forever.

(Act 20:24) "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

(Psa 119:46) I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings And shall not be ashamed.

Never be ashamed or shy in telling the TRUTH to others. Just as the beautiful hymn reminds; “It is no secret what God can do, what He's done for others, He'll do for you.......”

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

I WILL NOT BE AFRAID !

(Heb 13:6) ….."THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

Lord, You are God. We are Your people. You are the Creator, we are among the created. You, Abba, are our Father and we love You with all of our heart, all of our mind, all of our soul. Let us open our hearts and receive Your Word; through Holy Scripture, as we worship Your Hallowed Majesty, in Christ, Amen.

(Rom 8:35, 37) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

Can you even imagine the darkness and the horror for those who do not believe? Even through Satan's feel-good claims of happiness, deep down inside, those absent Christ know they are doomed.

(Luk 12:4-5) "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

When we are tested, we are never alone. The Holy Spirit guides, and the Lord protects. When our foot begins to slip, we hold to Him and He reestablishes our footing.

(Mat 5:10-12) "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

None were persecuted more than our Christ, or His Apostles. The testimony of Paul is rich in reflecting the very character of His savior, who gave HIS all that we may be freed of sin and the sentence of death forever.

(Act 20:24) "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.

(Psa 119:46) I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings And shall not be ashamed.

Never be ashamed or shy in telling the TRUTH to others. Just as the beautiful hymn reminds; “It is no secret what God can do, what He's done for others, He'll do for you.......”

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

TURMOIL, HORROR AND TRAGEDY

Almighty God, sovereign Creator, we thank-you for all of our blessings. Blessings from our birth to the present. You are a merciful God and we love you with all of our heart, mind and soul. Father, how do we process the huge turmoil of back to back hurricanes, earthquakes, shootings, the losses, the deaths, and the seemingly impossible recovery that has begun? We place our faith in You, we pray, we cry, and yet there is sometimes a remaining emptiness that defies the usual consoling. As we lean on You, Great Healer of the soul, grant us peace and light as we place one foot in front of the other. Help us to find Your solace as You see all, and know all, and shelter us under Your mighty wings. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.

My Linda shared with me a discovery she made regarding the hurricanes that have wrought carnage over a wide swath of our section of this earth. The discovery was in the storm names; Harvey, Irma and Maria. The first letters of these cyclones, in the order of their landfall spells H-I-M.

In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah found himself at the mouth of a cave as God passed by. We learn that God was not in that powerful wind. Nor was He in that powerful earthquake [Mexico], nor was He in the fire that followed. God used these mighty events to get Elijah's attention, and through him, the undivided attention of man. Through these events, Las Vegas included, our Father in heaven is speaking to us. I really recommend that we listen!

(Jer 17:9) "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

The heart, as with the tongue, can beguile or destroy.

(Mar 7:21) "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries...

Only our Lord knows what evil is to be found in the heart of a person like the man who killed so many innocent souls outside the Las Vegas Mandalay. The Lord rebuke you Satan.

(Jas 1:14-15) But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Now families grieve over the senseless loss of a son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife. This is evil in its purest form.

The earthquakes and the super storms are a wake-up call. Turn away from the idolization of earthly possessions, money, and self. Be reminded that we are the created. We create nothing, absolutely nothing is created by us. It all comes from Him. Everything. Even our very breath.

(Mat 6:19) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

We are a hard-headed, stiff-necked people. Almighty God is talking. We all had better start listening.

Please pray for all those suffering loss from the storms, the earthquakes, victims and families in Las Vegas, and especially for those now left behind to grieve and mourn. Pray.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

TURMOIL, HORROR AND TRAGEDY

Almighty God, sovereign Creator, we thank-you for all of our blessings. Blessings from our birth to the present. You are a merciful God and we love you with all of our heart, mind and soul. Father, how do we process the huge turmoil of back to back hurricanes, earthquakes, shootings, the losses, the deaths, and the seemingly impossible recovery that has begun? We place our faith in You, we pray, we cry, and yet there is sometimes a remaining emptiness that defies the usual consoling. As we lean on You, Great Healer of the soul, grant us peace and light as we place one foot in front of the other. Help us to find Your solace as You see all, and know all, and shelter us under Your mighty wings. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.

My Linda shared with me a discovery she made regarding the hurricanes that have wrought carnage over a wide swath of our section of this earth. The discovery was in the storm names; Harvey, Irma and Maria. The first letters of these cyclones, in the order of their landfall spells H-I-M.

In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah found himself at the mouth of a cave as God passed by. We learn that God was not in that powerful wind. Nor was He in that powerful earthquake [Mexico], nor was He in the fire that followed. God used these mighty events to get Elijah's attention, and through him, the undivided attention of man. Through these events, Las Vegas included, our Father in heaven is speaking to us. I really recommend that we listen!

(Jer 17:9) "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?

The heart, as with the tongue, can beguile or destroy.

(Mar 7:21) "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries...

Only our Lord knows what evil is to be found in the heart of a person like the man who killed so many innocent souls outside the Las Vegas Mandalay. The Lord rebuke you Satan.

(Jas 1:14-15) But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.

Now families grieve over the senseless loss of a son, daughter, mother, father, sister, brother, husband, wife. This is evil in its purest form.

The earthquakes and the super storms are a wake-up call. Turn away from the idolization of earthly possessions, money, and self. Be reminded that we are the created. We create nothing, absolutely nothing is created by us. It all comes from Him. Everything. Even our very breath.

(Mat 6:19) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

We are a hard-headed, stiff-necked people. Almighty God is talking. We all had better start listening.

Please pray for all those suffering loss from the storms, the earthquakes, victims and families in Las Vegas, and especially for those now left behind to grieve and mourn. Pray.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?