FRIDAY
DEVOTIONAL (070052013)
SCRIPTURES:
Jer 2:29 "What do you have against me, running off to assert your
‘independence’?" GOD’s Decree.
I am writing
this on July 4th as we celebrate our independence as a nation. Our
forefathers and founders of our nation were Godly men. They believed in God
and sought His direction as they voted and formed the laws of the land.
Prayer was an ingredient of every assembly and decision. America became known
as a “Nation under God”, a Christian nation. What a wonderful heritage but
one that is unfortunately quickly forgotten with prosperity.
Our president
declared that, “America is no longer a Christian nation.” We have chosen the
politically correct posture rather than standing up for Christian principle.
We have stood by and watched as prayer was banned in our public schools. The
very name of God has been taken off of public buildings and is no longer to
be mentioned in educational circles. The Ten Commandments have been declared
narrow minded and bigoted. Moral laws have been declared outdated and we have
accepted moral decline as a substitute. Sins that were declared to be an
abomination by the Lord have been deemed permissible and normal. Our media
and television and movies are consumed by including what use to be considered
according to God’s Word as perverted, to be okay and ones right and perfectly
normal. Recently California has entertained a bill that churches are required
to perform “gay” marriages or lose their tax exemption status.
Where are we
headed as a nation? The scripture today raises a question for America to
answer. What do we have against God? He has blessed us so exceedingly and
what is our response? The Bible says, “Woe unto those who call evil good, and
good evil.” We must have revival for survival here in America. Let us join
arms and hearts and as a nation of Godly people repent and pray, “Lord Send
Revival and Let it begin in me.”
PRAYER
THOUGHT:
Dear
Jesus, we need to have revival spread through our nation and cause a national
repentance and movement of God. We ask that once again Godliness be a mark of
our nation and realize that greatness is only achieved through the presence
of God in our hearts. This day we pledge seek first the Kingdom of God and
His righteousness for the sake of our nation and our children. In the Name of
Jesus we pray. Amen
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Devotionals By Pastor Glen
Friday, July 5, 2013
Running Off To Assert Your ‘Independence’?
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Meaningful Mourning
FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL
SCRIPTURES:
MATTHEW 5:4 (The Message translation)
4 “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost
what is most dear to you." Only then can you be embraced by the One most
dear to you.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they
shall be comforted. (NKJV Translation)
Meaningful Mourning
Mourning was expressed in many ways in the
Bible. Here is a list of a few examples. Can you find the common denominator?
1. by weeping #Ge 35:8 marg.; #Lu 7:38 etc.
2. by loud lamentation #Ru 1:9 1Sa 6:19 2Sa
3:31
3. by the disfigurement of the person, as
a. rending the clothes #Ge 37:29, 34 Mt
26:65
b. wearing sackcloth #Ge 37:34 Ps 35:13
c. sprinkling dust or ashes on the person
#2Sa 13:19 Jer 6:26 #Job 2:12
d. shaving the head and plucking out the
hair of the head or beard #Le 10:6 Job 1:20
e. neglect of the person or the removal of
ornaments #Ex 33:4 #De 21:12,13 2Sa 14:2 19:24 Mt 6:16,17
f. fasting #2Sa 1:12
g. covering the upper lip #Le 13:45 Mic 3:7
h. cutting the flesh #Jer 16:6,7
i. sitting in silence #Jud 20:26 2Sa 12:16
13:31 Job 1:20
These methods were to make a public display
of a hurting, lonely, broken heart. Jesus gave the best way to handle the
passing of a friend or loved one. The Bible says there is a time to morn and
so mourning is not a bad thing. So in today’s verse we find how to make it a
meaningful time. This verse says we are to be congratulated when we mourn because
we shall be comforted. God cares when we are in pain and He is the remedy for
a broken heart. Jesus wept on the occasion of the Lazarus death. Jesus weeps
with you as you mourn and sets his plan to comfort you in action. He has
designed a custom made comfort especially for you. Let your faith shine as
you lean on Jesus in times of grief. He has promised to be there through it
all. Joy of His presence awaits you
in the morning.
PRAYER THOUGHT: Dear
Heavenly Father I choose to lean on you and await your comfort with
gratitude.
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The God of the aged
A
timely message from May 25,1856 by Spurgeon
The
God of the aged
“Even
to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have
made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4
Suggested Further Reading: Psalm 71:1-18
Middle
aged man! Listen to what David says, again, “I have been young, and now am
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Go on, then, unsheath your sword once more. “The battle is the Lord’s;” leave
your declining years to him, and give your present years to him. Live to him
now, and he will never cast you away when you are old. Do not lay up for old
age and keep back from the cause of God; but rather trust God for the future.
Be “diligent in business;” but take care you do not hurt your spirit, by
being too diligent, by being grasping and selfish. Remember you will
“Want
but little here below, Nor want that little long.”
And
lastly, my dear venerable fathers in the faith, and mothers in Israel, take
these words for your joy. Do not let the young people catch you indulging in
melancholy, sitting in your chimney corner, grumbling and growling, but go
about cheerful and happy, and they will think how blessed it is to be a
Christian. If you are surly and fretful, they will think the Lord has
forsaken you; but keep a smiling countenance, and they will think the promise
is fulfilled. “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will
I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will
deliver you.” Do, I beseech you, my venerable friends, try to be of a happy
temperament and cheerful spirit, for a child will run away from a surly old
man; but there is not a child in the world who does not love his grandfather
if he is cheerful and happy. You can lead us to heaven if you have got
heaven’s sunlight on your face.
For meditation: Elderly
believers—the Bible tells us about their testimony (Psalm 92:14,15; Proverbs 16:31),
their teaching (Titus 2:2,3) and their
treatment (1 Timothy 5:1,2).
note: This sermon was
substantially repeated at Stambourne, Essex, two days later on the
commemoration of the jubilee of Spurgeon’s grandfather, Rev James Spurgeon.
Sermon
nos. 81-82
25 May (1856) |
Friday, May 3, 2013
BLESSINGS EVEN IN TRIALS
FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL
SCRIPTURE:
MATTHEW 5:1-3
1-2
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those
who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a
quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he
said:
3
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there
is more of God and his rule.
BLESSINGS
EVEN IN TRIALS
God
is waiting to bless those whose hearts are breaking because of sons and
daughters, moms and dads, brothers and sisters who are fighting a life
threatening disease. God wants you to know that He hasn’t forgotten you and
He will draw nearer to you more than ever before. We can thank God and Praise
Him because He has promised to give you strength in the toughest of times. He
knows every tear drop and is waiting to hug you and give you comfort. If you
trust Him and have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior then the Bible
reminds us that “Joy comes in the morning”.
I
sat at the bedside of a football team mate in the last stages of cancer. The
Morphine did not cancel the pain and yet he talked to me about the love of
the Lord. He was trying to imagine how Heaven would be and joy filled his
soul as he concentrated on living eternally in heaven free of imperfection
and walking with Jesus. We prayed thanks to God for what He had prepared for
my friend. At the end of the prayer He asked me to get his parents. I told
his parents that he was asking for them. He told them I love you mom and dad.
His dad asked if he was in pain and he smiled a big smile and in perfect
peace he said “no all is good.” His dad said then close your eyes and rest.
He said “Jesus” and closed his eyes and went to meet Jesus. “Oh death has no
sting but is swallowed up in victory by Jesus.
PRAYER THOUGHT: Dear Jesus we pray for all the victims
of cancer today and the loved ones who are walking the passage with them. May
their faith give Godly comfort which this world cannot give. We pray for a
cure to be discovered soon. In Jesus name, Hallelujah, Thine the glory. Amen
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Sunday, April 28, 2013
Waiting On God
Waiting On God
SCRIPTURE:
PSALM 62:1-2 (MESSAGE)
62
1-2 God, the one and only—
I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything
I need comes from him,
so why not?
He’s
solid rock under my feet,
breathing room for my soul,
An
impregnable castle:
I’m set for life.
WAITING
ON GOD
I
believe one of the main stressors in a home is experienced when a husband or
a wife has to wait for their spouse to get ready. However we can take this to
another level in our spiritual life. We ask God to answer our prayer today
rather than in His time. Do you have a pressing need from which you
desperately need deliverance? Are you willing to wait as long as he says? The
temptation to take matters into your own hands ends up as a disaster. David
was able to be patient because he believed that everything he really needed
comes from God. Do you realize that one must plant their feet on the solid
rock and praise God for deliverance even before it occurs. Faith will allow
us to be set for life. We need to pray for our nation’s leaders to
prayerfully make decisions that reflect faith in God. The core beliefs that
marked this nation as a Christian nation need to be returned to and be
reflected in our laws and statutes. Know that God has heard your prayers and
he will answer every prayer. As a parent my children would come and ask,
“Daddy can I…” questions. I as a responsible parent would consider if it
would benefit my child and then give an answer, yes or no or not now. Your
Heavenly Father does the same thing.
PRAYER
FOR TODAY: Dear Jesus: We vow to “stay the course” and Lord we need help to
restore the core beliefs among your people, namely recognition that God is
our help and deliverer. We seek a revival that brings us to our knees asking
for forgiveness. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.
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Saturday, April 27, 2013
KEEP IT SIMPLE
FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL (04262013)
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 6:5-13 The Message (MSG)
Pray
with Simplicity
5
“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production
either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping
for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6
“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be
tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you
can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense
his grace.
7-13
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant.
They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for
getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your
Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With
a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our
Father in heaven,
Reveal
who you are.
Set
the world right;
Do
what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep
us alive with three square meals.
Keep
us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep
us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re
in charge!
You
can do anything you want!
You’re
ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
DEVOTIONAL: “KEEP IT SIMPLE”. God doesn’t seek
eloquent and impressive prayers. He desires the utterances of your heart.
Remember he knows the position of your spiritual life and all of your needs.
So talk to Him about any sin in your life. He can reach down to the deepest
pit and lift you out of the miry clay that sucks at your soul. God really
cares and loves you and He is the answer for any problem you have.
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Saturday, April 20, 2013
The World Is Not a Stage
FRIDAY DEVOTIONAL 04192013
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