About Me

Hell-oween

(warning: not suitable for children)

I felt urged to write an article about Halloween. It is October and every store in America already has stocked up on Halloween candy and decorations. Halloween is fast approaching so I want to spread the word as quickly as possible. I want to make this clear. Halloween is not a Christian holiday and a follower of Jesus Christ should not partake in this holiday.......

To read the rest of the article visit Apples of Gold Ministries

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Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Wednesday's Word ~ Pain

Pain ~

Webster's Def: N - bodily or mental suffering, penalty

                             V - inflict pain upon

Rev. 21:4 - "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

   Pain ~ who likes pain? Not Me!!!! Actually, I'm am a great empathizer (empathy - ability to enter fully into another's feelings, experience.) Don't believe me? Just ask my hubby, he'll vouch for me. How you ask?   If you just tell me any story of pain and I'm liable to pass-out on you. If the pain is inflicted on me; it's guaranteed I'm a goner. I don't do shots or give blood without laying down. Learned that way back in my teen years. It runs in my family - 10 brothers and sisters and we all don't do pain. We come by it honestly, my mom is this way. Thanks, MOM! My Motto is: "I don't do PAIN."    I was very concerned when expecting my first child. How was I going to make it through labor. I have to say God's grace was sufficient. Surprisingly enough I made it through and didn't have to ask for any meds. Had the baby completely natural. Actually, had both my kids without meds (natural) PTL!

Back to my opening questions Pain - who likes it? Looking back on my childbirth experiences God got me thought it. Many prayers went up during my nine LONG months of pregnancy. I didn't know how I was going to make it through. God wants us to recognize we need Him in order to survive even through the pain. II Cor. 12:9 - " And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." II Cor. 3:5 - "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;"

I can truly say Jer. 29:12 &13 - "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."    He brought me through my childbirth pain. I'm so glad that Jesus knows and understands my pain. He went through greater pain than childbirth on the cross. He can truly say, "I've been there done that." And to think it did it for me and for you; for everyone.

When in pain, physical or mental, whom do you run to for comfort? Lift it up to God in prayer. God waits and is ready to take care of your pain.

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Saturday, October 4, 2008

Living for Jesus

HYMN HISTORY:

The composer of this gospel hymn, C. Harold Lowden, has left the following account regarding the origin of this popular consecration hymn:
In 1915, I wrote a “light and summary” type of gospel song entitled : The Sunsine Song” for children’s
services. It became quite popular, and many pastors wrote to me that the music should be saved, and
a more general setting of words wedded to it. In 1917, I came across a copy of it in my files, and played
it over. The rhythm and tempo suggested the words “Living for Jesus.” The idea came to me that a
deep consecration setting of words would be most appropriate.

After much thought and prayer I decided to ask T. O. Chisholm to write the words. I mailed him a copy
of the music and suggested the title and the type of refrain which I felt it deserved. In a day or so,
Mr. Chisholm returned it to me, saying he didn’t have the slightest idea as to the method used in writing
words to music. Immediately, I sent the material back to him, telling him I believed God had led me to
select him, and suggesting that he permit God to write the poem. Within a couple of weeks he had
completed the writing of the words, just as they appear in the song today. More than a million copies
have been sold, in song sheet form. It appeared in scores of hymnbooks of all denominations, and has
been translated into more than fifteen languages and dialects.

The author, Thomas Obediah Chisholm, was born in a humble log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky, on July 29, 1866. After an early career as schoolteacher and editor of the weekly newspaper, The Franklin Favorite, he was converted to Christ at the age of twenty-seven under the ministry of Dr. Henry Clay Morrison, founder of Asbury College and Theological Seminary. In 1903, Chisholm was ordained to the Methodist ministry and pastored a Methodist Church at Scottsville, Kentucky, for a period of time. When his health began to fail, Thomas Chisholm moved his family to Winona Lake, Indiana, and became an insurance salesman and continued this work when he later moved to Vineland, New Jersey, in 1916. Writing, however, was always Mr. Chisholm’s first love, and he wrote more than 1,200 poems, of which 800 were published in such periodicals as the Sunday School Times, Moody Monthly, Alliance Weekly, and others. A number of Mr. Chisholm’s poems have become well-known hymn texts:
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions,” “Christ Is Risen From the Dead,” “O to be Like Thee!” and “Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart.”

Thomas O. Chisholm describes his purpose for writing as follows:
I have sought to be true to the Word, and to avoid flippant and catchy titles and treatment. I have greatly
desired that each hymn or poem might have some definite message to the hearts for whom it was written.
Mr. Chisholm concluded a long and fruitful ministry on February 29, 1960, at the Methodist Home for the Aged in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.

Carl Harold Lowden, the composer, was born on October 12,1883, at Burlington, New Jersey. At the age of twelve, he sold his first song to the Hall-Mack Publishing Company, where later he was employed. Mr. Lowden taught music for several years at the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania (now the Philadelphia College of Bible). He also served as the minister of music for the Linden Baptist Church in Camden, New Jersey, for twenty-eight years. During another twelve period, Lowden was music editor for the Evangelical and Reformed Church board (now the United Church of Christ.) Mr. Lowden composed a number of hymn tunes and edited many songbook collections during his lifetime. His death occurred on February 27, 1963, at Collingswood, New Jersey.

“Living for Jesus” first appeared in a hymnal, in 1917, in a collection titled, Uplifting Songs, compiled by Lowden and Rufus W. Milled and published by the Heidelberg Press. The tune name “Living” was chosen by Mr. Lowden when the hymn was selected for inclusion in the 1956 edition of the Baptist Hymnal.

Living for Jesus

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

This is my Father's World

his Is My Father's World

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

Establishing Boundaries With Kids

I thought SisterLisa did a wonderful job on this article for Apples of Gold Ministries web site so I'm adding it to my blog of special articles.

Establishing Boundaries With Kids

Why kids need Boundaries:
Kids are not born with boundaries.
a. They're Born sinners, and are not perfect:

Romans 3:10, “10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"

Children are not perfect and must not be expected to live right on their own.

b. They live in the flesh:

Galatians 5:16, “16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

They'll naturally live in the flesh because they're not perfect.

c. They're a Blank Canvas:

Proverbs 4:1, “4:1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding."

Every artist begins with a blank canvas, but must ADD to the canvas to create the painting.

Parents: Not just a responsibility, but an opportunity:

Children are a gift:

Psalm 127: 3-5, “³Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

⁴As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

⁵Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”

Children are a gift from God and a man who has an abundance of children who walk with the Lord will be a happy man. Some people misunderstand that verse and think that it means that any man who has a lot of children will be happy. That's just not so. The verse is talking about a man who has his quiver full of arrows as in the hand of a mighty man. A man who is skilled and knows how to aim his arrows for the right target will be the happy man. He will be a man who is not ashamed.

Parents need to:

Train them:

Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

We cannot expect our children to live right unless we first train them. A brand new puppy when left to himself in the home will NOT automatically find the doggie door to go do his duty outside. That puppy will relieve himself right on your floor, UNLESS you train him. You wouldn't expect your child to be born and know how to get up on the commode all on his own, so don't expect that he'll know how to avoid sin or use manners.

Teach them:

Deuteronomy 11:19, “And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

Take time to teach when the child is NOT already in trouble. Have moments of teaching time. We don't wait for a failing grade in order to teach them their academics. They're taught ahead of time before being given the lesson at hand.

Discipline them:

2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

Once the child has been taught and trained, and then insists on violating your rules, THEN proper Biblical discipline must be administered.

Proverbs 13:24, " He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. "

By Definition" Chasten; "1.to inflict suffering upon for purposes of moral improvement; chastise."

We will look further into chastening in love in the future, for now understand that God has commanded us to raise our children for Him. Children are from God, they are on loan to us from our Heavenly Father. May we be found faithful in raising these gifts God has given to us.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wednesday's Word ~ Season

Season ~

Webster's Definition: N - one of the four divisions of the year associated with a type of weather and a stae of agriculture; proper time; period during which something happens, grows, is active, etc.

Psalm 1:3 - "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."

Ecc. 3:1-2 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;"

Lince this week we began the fall season I thought this word was quite appropriate. As I sit and ponder this word season what do I think of? My first thought is change. I guess because there is such a difference when we think of it in light of nature: spring - new flowers, leaves, grass; life beings to come forth; summer - most things are to it fullness, color everywhere you look; rain, hot sun. Life is at its peak. Then fall comes. OH, the color show it brings forth. That's when I truly know God loves color (my opinion personally). On its heals we find winter bringing us a white blanket to the earth; things die or should I say go into a dormant state for a time. Oh, the quiet hush that lays on the land. But for a season because soon we know that Spring will break forth upon the land and newness comes again. Isn't God great! To see how He keeps it all running in His course and time. Nothing man can do to stop OR change it. God's beauty is all around you - enjoy the season He has given you. You can't change it.

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Saturday, September 20, 2008

Take Time to be Holy

Take Time to be Holy

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Wednesday's Word ~ Mind

Mind ~

Webster's Def: N -thinking faculties as distinguished from the body, intellectual faculties; memory; attention

V - attended to; care for; keep in memory

Matt 22:36-38 - "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment."

Every day there are many things that strive for our attention: jobs, chores around the house, friends, family, TV, computers, shopping hobbies, physical activities, school, you name it. We all have at one time or another wished for more hours in a day. It is so easy in the midst of everything wanting our attention to put God and the things of God on the back burner. However, God wants us to give Him some time in our day.

I love the times when I can just stop the world (not really, but I'd like to think I do) and pause to think on the things of God. Ps. 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." He wants us to take time to be with Him and think on how good He truly is.

Phil. 4:4-9 - "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

When I take the time to really meditate on Him I stand in AWE - I'm amazed and have to shake my head and say, "What an awesome God He is." Seeing Him in nature is just mind boggling for me.

Ps. 19:1 - "...The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork."
Ps. 8:3 & 4 - "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

Taking time to be with Him everyday is essential for the purifying process of our mind. Jam 4:8 - "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." Our mind dwells on that which takes up our time. If we're not spending time with Him how can He do His job? There maybe some things we need to cut out of our schedule so we have time to spend with Him.

Make time with God top priority. then you will see powerful things happening in your life.

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

Find Us Faithful

Find Us Faithful (sung by Steve Green)

We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

Chorus
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift though all we've left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

Chorus
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Wednesday's Word ~ Faithful

Faithful ~

Webster's Def: N or Adj - loyal; trustworthy; steadfast

Heb. 10:23 - "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)."
II Tim. 2:2 - "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."

Have you ever thought about what exactly it is that god wants you to do? One thing I know beyond a doubt He wants us, Christians, to do is to live a life radically different from the world around us. I have heard it said, "You may be the only Jesus men may ever see." Do they see Him OR do they see "U"? We should live our life so that others see Jesus in us. Are you being faithful to what God has called you to do? II Cor. 4:3 - "3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:"

Are your eyes set on Heavenly things?
Col. 3:1-3 - "3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."

Are we faithfully following Christ?
Will we be able to say this as Paul told Timothy?
I Tim. 1:12 - "....he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;"

Christ is faithful. I Thes. 5:24 - "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."

Don't miss your chance to tell others about Jesus. Be Faithful.

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Six Daily Steps to Strengthen your Christian Life

This article isn't my original; however, I did change the Bible verses to KJV

Six Daily Steps to Strengthen Your Christian Life

1. Establish a personal time alone with God on a daily basis.

Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God.."

We all need to set up a personal time between us and God on a daily basis. Some call it a quiet time, or a devotional time. It is time alone that we spend with God.

2. Read the Word of God.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."John 1:14

Jesus is the Word and the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us. The Bible is the living word of God and God communicates to us in his word.

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." John 6:35

Our spirit hungers and thirsts for the Word of God. God feeds us with his spiritual bread and fills our souls. It is very important to read the Word of God consistently. We eat three meals a day to satisfy our flesh's hunger. How much less does our soul require?

3. Meditate on the Word.

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

God uses this as a way to speak to you. The Holy Spirit reminds you of the verses you read and carries the message to you from God. It is very important to memorize and meditate on the Word.

4. Have a Good Prayer Life.

"17 Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

God wants us to deeply abide in him and to include him in everything we do in our lives. He wants to be woven into our hearts and our lives. He wants us to come to him FIRST before we make decisions about anything. When we seek him, he will give us his guidance. That is very

important. Do your best to make a habit of this and never give up!

5. Take delight in the Word of God.

In the verse, Psalms 1:2, "But his delight is in the law of the LORD."

It shows us that we need to praise God, delight in his law, adore him and worship him. There is true JOY when we abide in God. No matter what happens all around us, we turn our heads up and behold him. Seek the joy from God because he can supply it abundantly!

6. Put your faith into action!

"Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."James 2:17

We may become empty inside if we just sit and listen to the word of God without ever applying any of it to our lives. Let what you hear be spoken to you, not at you. Put your faith into action! Your faith will grow stronger and be more deeply rooted than ever before! God will use you to bear many good fruits!

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Saturday, September 6, 2008

Consider the Lilies

† Consider The Lilies †

(Verse 1)
Consider the lilies, They don't toil nor spin,
And there's not a King, With more splendor than them.
Consider the Sparrows, They don't plant nor sow.
But, they're fed by the Master, Who watches them grow.

(Chorus:)
We have a heavenly Father above, With eyes full of mercy
And a heart full of love.
And He really cares, When you head is bowed low,
Consider the lilies, And then you will know.

(Verse 2)
May I introduce you, To this dear friend of mine
Who hangs out the stars, And tells the sun when to shine.
And kisses the flowers, In the morning with dew,
But, He's never too busy, To care about you.

(Chorus:)
We have a heavenly Father above, With eyes full of mercy
And a heart full of love.
And He really cares, When you head is bowed low,
Consider the lilies, And then you will know.

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Sunday Beacon - August 24, 2008

Behold, I come Quickly
The expression "Behold, I come quickly" is repeated four times in Revelation (3:11;22:7, 11, 20). It refers, first of all, to His coming in God's perspective. It must be interpreted by God's clock, not ours. See II Peter 3:8. Elsewhere in the New Testament Christ's coming is described as soon (Lk. 18:8; Rom. 16:20). To God a thousand years is as a day or even less than a day. In Isaiah 54:8 He told Israel, "In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for A MOMENT; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD they Redeemer." Though He has forsaken Israel for at least 2,000 years, to God that is but a moment because He measures things by eternity. The quick coming of the Lord also refers to the imminency of His coming, meaning that it is not preceded by specific signs and could happen at any time (Matt. 24:42, 44; 25:13; Phil. 4:5; I Thes. 1:9-10; Tit. 2:12-13; Jam. 5:8-9). It will begin with the Rapture of church-age saints (I Thess. 4:3-18), and from then until they return of Christ to establish His kingdom as described in Revelation 19-20 only seven brief years elapse. If a father leaves his teenage son in charge of his younger siblings and the household affairs and tells him, "I have to go away on some business, but I will come quickly," what will the teenage son do if he is wise? He will be ready at every moment for the return of his father! The church-age believer is not looking for the Antichrist but for Christ. The events described in Revelation 6-18 are "the day of the Lord, " and it will come "as a thief in the night" as as "sudden destruction" (I Thess. 5:2-3). The New Testament believer is "not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief" (I Thess. 5:4). God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (I Tess. 5:5).

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A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ, that a man would have to seek Him first to find her.

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Not Willing to Take Contempt
   But non of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.--Acts 20:24
   We are 20th century Christians. Some of us are Christians only because it is convenient and pleasant and because it is not costing us anything. But here is the truth, whether we like it or not: the average evangelical Christian who claims to be born again and have eternal life is not doing as much to propagate his or her faith as the busy adherents of the cults handing out their papers on the street corners and visiting from house to house.
   We are not willing to take the spit and the contempt and the abuses those cultists take as they knock on doors and try to persuade everyone to follow them in their mistaken beliefs. The cultists can teach us much about zeal and effort and sacrifice, but most of us do not want to get that serious about our faith--or our Savior.
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We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.
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In 1912 William Borden, graduate of Yale University, left one of America's greatest family fortunes to be a missionary to China. He got as far as Egypt and died of cerebral meningitis. He died---and was only in his 20's--but there was "no reserve, no retreat, no regrets" in his consecration to God.
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   John G. Paton, a missionary to the South Sea Islands, often lived in danger as he worked among the hostile aborigines who had never heard the gospel. At one time three witch doctors, claiming to have the power to cause death, publicly declared their intentions to kill Paton with their sorcery before the next Sunday. To carry out their threat, they said they needed some food he had partially eaten. Paton asked for three plums. He took a bite out of each and then gave them to the men who were plotting his death.
   On Sunday, the missionary entered the village with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. The people looked at each other in amazement, thinking it couldn't possibly be Paton. their "sacred men" admitted that they had tried by all their incantations to kill him. When asked why they had failed, they replied that the missionary was a sacred man like themselves, but that his God was stronger than theirs. From then on Paton's influence grew, and soon he had the joy of leading some of the villagers to the Lord.
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The Law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out.
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   Alila stood on the beach holding her tiny infant son close to her heart. Tears welled in her eyes as she began slowly walking toward the river's edge. She stepped into the water, silently making her way out until she as waist deep, the water gently lapping at the sleeping baby's feet. She stood there for a long time holding the child tightly as she stared out across the river. Then all of a sudden in one quick movement she threw the six month old baby to his watery death.
   Native missionary M.V. Varghese often witnesses among the crowds who gather at the Ganges. It was he who came upon Alila hat day kneeling in the sand crying uncontrollably and beating her breast. With compassion he knelt down next to her and asked her what was wrong.
   Through her sobs she told him, "The problems in my home are too many and my sins are heavy on my heart, so I offered the best I have to the goddess Ganges, my first born son." Brother Varghese's heart ached for the desperate woman. As she wept he gently began to tell her about the love of Jesus and that through Him her sins could be forgiven. She looked at him strangely. "I have never heard that before," she replied through her tears. "Why couldn't you have come thirty minutes earlier? If you did, my child would not have had to die."
   Each year millions of people come to the hold Indian city of Hardwar to bathe in the River Ganges. These multitudes come believing this Hindu ritual will wash their sins away. For many people like Alila, missionaries are arriving too late, simply because here aren't enough of these faithful brothers and sisters on the mission field.
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When Hudson Taylor was director of the China Inland Mission, he often interviewed candidates for the mission field. On one occasion, he met with a group of applicants to determine their motivations for service. "And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?" he asked one. "I want to go because Christ has commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," was the reply. Another said, "I want to go because millions are perishing without Christ." Others gave different answers. Then Hudson Taylor said, "All of these motives, however hood, will fail you in times of testings, trials, tribulations, and possible death. There is but one motive that will sustain you in trial and testing; namely, the love of Christ".

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Wednesday's Word ~ Worth

Worth ~

Webster's Def: N - merit, value; AJ - having value, specified, meriting

Matt. 10:29-31 - "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."

Every time I come across this passage of Scripture I'm awed by it; to think that God loves me so much to know exactly how many hairs are on my head. I have to shake my head. I love my daughters, but I couldn't tell you how many hairs are on their head. God can do it and not only that but He knows the number on everyone's head ~ WOW! His love is far greater than mine.
How much time do we spend trying to get others to like (value) us? Nothing matters to God - We are of great value no matter what. Shouldn't we spend more time doing right in His eyes?

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Saturday, August 30, 2008

Dare to be a Daniel

DARE TO BE A DANIEL

Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!

Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.

Many mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.

Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.

Many giants, great and tall,
Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band.

Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.

Hold the Gospel banner high!
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.

Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Wednesday's Word ~ Purpose

Purpose ~

Webster's Def: N - intention, design aim; V - intended

Ecc. 3:1 - "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"

II Tim. 2:9 - "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"

Have you ever heard someone ask: Why am I here? OR What's my purpose in life anyway?

What an open door for a Christian to go through. You have just been given your ticket to your God given purpose in life - to glorify God.
There is a purpose for everything and everything that happens in life is for our good.

Rom. 8:28 - "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

The Bible has the answers for everything. Just open it and you'll find all the help you need in life. The answers to every question that my come your way. Why am I here? God's Word tells us why. Live so that others sees God not you. We are to show others the way to Him. What better purpose to have in life! If others open the door why not walk through it with God's purpose. Take every opportunity to tell others of God especially when they open the door and pose the question.

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Saturday, August 23, 2008

Thank You for Giving to the Lord

Thank You For Giving to The Lord

I dreamed I went to heaven

and You were there with me
We walked upon the streets of gold
Beside the crystal sea.

We heard the angels singing
Then someone called your name.
You turned and saw this young man
And he was smiling as he came.

And he said, "Friend you may not know me now"
And then he said, "But wait"
You used to teach my Sunday School
When I was only eight.

And every week you would say a prayer
Before the class would start.
And one day when you said that prayer
I asked Jesus in my heart."

(Chorus)
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.

Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.

You didn't have much money
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I am here today."

(Chorus)
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.

Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made.
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.

As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child look around you.
Great is your reward."

(Chorus twice)
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave.

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Saturday, August 16, 2008

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

HYMN HISTORY:

The idea for this song came from Anthony Showalter, principal of the Southern Normal Music Institute in Dalton, Georgia. Showalter, a Presbyterian elder, was a well-known advocate of gospel music. He published over 130 music books with combined sales of two million copies, and he became known through the South for his singing schools in local churches.

Showalter took a personal interest in his students and enjoyed keeping up with them as the years passed. One evening in 1887, he was leading a singing school in a local church in Hartselle, Alabama. After dismissing the class for the evening, he gathered his materials and returned to his boardinghouse.

Two letters had arrived, both from former pupils. Each of the young men was heartbroken, having just lost his wife. Professor Showalter went to the Bible, looking for a verse to comfort them. He selected Deuteronomy 33:27 -
"The eternal God is thy refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms..."

As he pondered that verse, these words came to mind:

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, Leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

He scribbled replies to his bereaved friends, then, reaching for another piece of paper, he wrote his friend, hymnist Elisha Hoffman. "Here is the chorus for a good hymn from Deuteronomy 33:27," his letter said, "but I can't come up with any verses." Hoffman wrote 3 stanzas and sent them back. Showalter set it all to music, and ever since, these words have sheered us in adversity.

What have I to dread, what have I fear,/leaning on the everlasting arms./

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,/ leaning on the everlasting arms

Leaning on the everlasting arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Elisha Albright Hoffman - Lyrics
1839-1929
Born: May 7, 1839, Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania.
Died: November 25, 1929, Chicago, Illinois.
Buried: Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois.

Anthony J. Showalter - Composer
1858-1924
Born: May 1, 1858, Cherry Grove, Virginia.
Died: November 16, 1924, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Buried: West Hill Cemetery, Dalton, Georgia

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Saturday, August 9, 2008

Ten Thousand Angels

HYMN HISTORY:

Rarely has a hymn-writer been led to Christ by his own song, but such was the case with Ray Overholt. God literally picked him up out of the darkness and confusion of the nightclubs and brought him into His loving care, using Ray’s own song in an unusual manner.

Ray Overholt was born in Middleville, Michigan, in 1924. He seemed destined to a career in music from age eleven when his dad gave him his first guitar. He rose to a measure of success, hosting his own television show.

In 1958, at the height of his show-business career, Ray Overholt wrote his now-famous song, Ten Thousand Angels.

The following is his story as he related it—
“I had left my television show ‘Ray’s roundup’ and entered the nightclub scene. I was drinking pretty heavily. I began thinking there must be a better life than the nightclub, show-business whirlwind. I was so intent on changing my lifestyle that I went home and told my wife that I was quitting all of the smoking, drinking and cursing. I wanted to cleanup my own life.”

“One day I thought to myself: I’ve written secular songs, I’d like to write a song about Christ. I opened the
Bible, which I knew very little about, and began to read the portion of Scripture that describes Jesus in the
Garden of Gethsemane telling Peter to put away his sword. I read where Jesus told Peter that He could ask His Father and He would send twelve legions of angels. I didn’t know at the time that would have been more than 72,000 angels.”

“I thought a good title for a song would be He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels. I didn’t know
what happened during the life of Christ, so I began doing a little research. The more I read about Jesus,
the more I admired him for what He had done. I then remembered that He did this all for me."

"I was playing in a nightclub in Battle Creek, Michigan, when the Lord impressed me to write the song.
I wrote the first verse and put it in my guitar case. I then gave the club my notice that I was quitting.
As I opened my guitar case to put my instrument away, one of the other musicians saw the music written
out and he asked, ‘What are you doing there?’ I told him I was writing a song about Jesus. He asked the
title and I told him. He said, 'It will never go.’ I asked why? He said, ‘I don’t even like the title.’ But I finished the song and sent it to a publishing house, which reluctantly agreed to publish it."

"Sometime later I found myself singing at a small church. I sang ‘He Could Have Called Ten Thousand
Angels.’ Following my singing, the preacher spoke a message that gripped my heart. I knew I needed
Christ, so I knelt there and accepted, as my Savior, the One whom I had been singing and writing about."
Ray Overholt became a traveling singer and preacher. He has written a number of other songs, but none so moving as ‘Ten Thousand Angels.’

Ten Thousand Angels

They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where He prayed;
They led Him thro' the streets in shame.
They spat upon the Savior so pure and free from sin;
They said, "Crucify Him; He's to blame."

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.

Upon His precious head they placed a crown of thorns;
They laughed and said, "Behold the King!"
They struck Him and they cursed Him and mocked His holy name
All alone He suffered everything.

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.

When they nailed Him to the cross, His mother stood nearby,
He said, "Woman, behold thy son!"
He cried, "I thirst for water," but they gave Him none to drink.
Then the sinful work of man was done.

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.

To the howling mob He yielded; He did not for mercy cry.
The cross of shame He took alone.
And when He cried, "It's finished," He gave Himself to die;
Salvation's wondrous plan was done.

He could have called ten thousand angels
To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone, for you and me.

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Friday, August 8, 2008

Sunday Beacon - Aug. 3, 2008

The Parable of the Woman and the Meal

"Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened"(Matthew 13:33)
The leaven that Jesus described in this parable is not peace: it refers to the apostasy that will increase throughout the church age and leaven the whole "visible church." Compare 2 Timothy 3:13. Leaven in the Bible is always a symbol of sin or error. The woman of the parable "hid" the leaven in the meal, indicating deception. The first time we see leaven mentioned in Scripture is in Exodus 12:15. Beginning on the day of the Passover, which signified salvation through faith in the blood of Christ, there was to be no leaven in the Jewish homes for a full week. This signified the putting away of sin after salvation. The only offerings that had leaven were the two loaves of the feast of 50 days or Pentecost. (Lev. 23:17), and this is because those loaves signified the Jews and Gentiles united in one body in the church and the fact that they are not sinlessly perfect in this present world. On the other hand, the other offerings signified the sinless Christ and were thus made without leaven (Ex. 29:2; Lev. 6:17). Jesus warned the disciple to "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees," referring to their hypocrisy and heresies (Mat. 16:11-12; Luke 12:1). Paul warned the churches that "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," referring to the leaven of sin (I Cor. 5:6-8) and the leaven of doctrinal error (Gal. 5:9).
______________________________________________________
Children are natural mimics - they act lie us in spite of all our attempts to teach them good manners.
______________________________________________________
If a man gets drunk and goes out and breaks his leg so that it must be amputated, God will forgive him if he asks it, but he will have to hop around on one leg all his life. ~ D.L. Moody
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Noah's Sunday School
Noah had a Sunday School, bit it was very small,
Nothing like the SUPER ones, he just had eight in all.
Yet he kept right on preaching, warning men of sin,
"Except ye be converted, you cannot enter in!"

"There's a flood coming boys, this I know right well.
And unless you all repent, it'll wash you down to hell.
God told me to build this ark and all who come inside
Will be dept safe from harm as upon the waves we ride."

But all the people who came his way,
Laughed each time they heard old Noah, as he built his boat, and preached to them God's Word.
"To think that God would punish us, He must not know how we rate.
Why, we have the largest Sunday School in this entire state!"

Each year the churches held seminars on "HOW" and "WHO'S WHO".
On the ways to be the biggest and how to fill up each pew.
We've got to come up with something that's sensational and new,
To keep the people coming, for the "old way" will never do!

We've all tried it once before, the "old way"doesn't work!
"Old Noah is living proof of that!" Someone said with a smirk.
"By the way, how's he doing? Has someone heard from him of late?"
"It's still the same as last year, he only has his eight!"

"Well, let's forget about old Noah now, we've got much work to do.
We've got to come up with a plan to fill up every pew.
Let's get right down to business, your suggestions now we'll hear.
Does anyone have something new, since we met last year?"

Suggestions came pouring in from the front, back to the rear.
For each and every new thing the applause was loud and clear.
"A little rock and a little roll we gave the gospel sound.
Why we've had 'em pouring in from many miles around!"

"Vegas stars and night club acts is what caused us to grow.
Next year we have to have someone from the Champagne show."
"We have Circus Sunday with Bozo the Clown.
We have the largest Sunday School now in our home town!"

"We hid some gold dust 'neath one saddle in our camel fleet.
The whole caravan was filled, as they tried to find the lucky seat!"
"We've got the nicest building, and the most modern swimming pool.
I think that's what helped us most to become the largest Sunday school."

"Bubble gum and politicians and marshmallows on a stick,
Eating chicken on the roof, now that's a fancy trick!
To ride a donkey round the church, or an elephant down the aisle,
To Shaking of the monkey's hand which caused the kids to smile."

Yet Noah kept right on working, preaching as he went,
"There's sure a flood that's coming, you'd better all repent!
All your modern methods will be of no avail,
As its waters of judgment rise and sweep you down to hell!"

Then finally all the leaders met. They said, "We've had enough!
Now he's preaching against the movies, the way we dress and dipping snuff!"
"How many has he got in Sunday School?" Someone asked with hate.
"Why he's not gained one member. He still has only eight!"

But the ark was not completed and the animals gathered in.
The time had come for God to judge the people for their sin.
Counting Noah and his family, there were only eight,
as God called them into the ark , and then He closed the door!

A messenger came running through the land to spread the good news.
The church leaders all leaped for joy, and began to jump the pews.
"We didn't have to do a thing, God knew just what to do.
Old Noah will be so ashamed when his prophecy fails to rise.
After all, what Noah had said was but a pack of lies!

But the rain fell in torrents like from a bucket when it's poured.
The band played much louder to calm the wicked horde.
Under the doors the water came as it rose by leaps and bounds.
To keep the people from panic, they called in Bozo the Clown.

And though they tried to pacify, it was to no avail.
"TOO LATE! TOO LATE! TOO LATE!" came the bitter wail!
Fifteen cubits upward the flood waters did prevail,
Sweeping everyone of them down to a sinner's hell!

But safe and secure inside the ark were Noah and his own,
While all the rest were washed away to reap what they had sown.
He would never hear the taunting of their bitter hate.
His church was now the only one, though he just had eight!

Well, the waters slowly abated, and the ark finally sat
Upon a great hight mountain called Mt. Ararat.
As everyone came marching out, they had good news to herald,
NOAH HAS THE LARGEST SUNDAY SCHOOL, NOW IN ALL THE WORLD!
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Some people think God does not like to be trouble with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all. ~ D.L. Moody
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We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God. ~ D.L.Moody

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