'“As for me, I will certainly not sin against
the Lord by ending my prayers for you.
And I will continue to teach you what is
good and right. '
1 Samuel 12:23
https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.12.23
This is an interesting verse. I have never thought of NOT praying as being sinful. But, here it is. Samuel confessing that even though he might have thought about it, he was not going to SIN AGAINST THE LORD by not praying for his people.
Stephanie and I have been spending much more time in prayer together over the past two and a half years. We personally believe it has changed our lives. Sometimes we get busy (like a lot of you) and we forget. Our list of those we pray for just seems to get larger all the time.
This world needs people to pray. Yes, I would feel WE have some responsibility as this world falls deeper into sin. I know that we do not pray as we should. I know that many times we feel awkward, especially asking others if we can pray for them. I see so many people respond on facebook, or other social media, they will pray for someone. Do they? We should ALL be in DEEP PRAYER for this world. We owe it to our families, our friends, our communities, our governing officials, and YES our entire world. We ALL need to be in prayer to the Lord for this sinful and fallen world.
Dear Lord, Please forgive us that we do not come to you in prayer more often. We know that you alone are the answer to all of our problems. We also know that if this world would turn to you, our lives would be eternally blessed. Forgive us Lord for our sins. We Love you and want only to serve you. Amen!
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Hiding in the Baggage?
'So they asked the Lord , “Where is he?”
And the Lord replied, “He is hiding
among the baggage.” ' 1 Samuel 10:22 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.10.22
There are some things in the Bible that just make me chuckle! So just after God chose Saul to be the FIRST King of Israel, they took a vote (by casting lots) for Israel to choose their first King. Believe it or not they ALSO chose Saul to be their King. Saul was a big guy and handsome.
They went to find the King and he was cowering in the baggage. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I am wondering how many wanted to take their vote back? It just strikes me as hilarious to think of Saul hiding from this huge honor.
God has called Stephanie and I to serve. Right now we are serving through CMA. We love serving CMA and having a small role in bringing others to the Lord. We are in no way chosen to be KING, but we DO feel so honored to serve wherever the Lord calls us. So many people say we have given up a lot to do what we are doing, traveling the country as FULL-TIME RVers. We just don't feel like we have given up anything. As a matter of fact, we are a little embarrassed how blessed we are. God is using us and we sit back and think, WOW! We can't say we think we are special. We were working a motorcycle event last night and I have to admit I didn't ask as many people as I could about praying with them and blessing their bikes. We are not perfect! We don't always listen to the calling of the Lord. I just feel so sorry for people like Saul. I feel sorry for Christians that NEVER stop "hiding in the luggage". I feel sorry for those that never listen to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Lord, continue to give me a boldness and a supernatural power to get out from behind the fears and worries that keep me from sharing your love. We want nothing more than to serve you and your kingdom. Guide and direct our steps today and every day. Amen!
And the Lord replied, “He is hiding
among the baggage.” ' 1 Samuel 10:22 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.10.22
There are some things in the Bible that just make me chuckle! So just after God chose Saul to be the FIRST King of Israel, they took a vote (by casting lots) for Israel to choose their first King. Believe it or not they ALSO chose Saul to be their King. Saul was a big guy and handsome.
They went to find the King and he was cowering in the baggage. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I am wondering how many wanted to take their vote back? It just strikes me as hilarious to think of Saul hiding from this huge honor.
God has called Stephanie and I to serve. Right now we are serving through CMA. We love serving CMA and having a small role in bringing others to the Lord. We are in no way chosen to be KING, but we DO feel so honored to serve wherever the Lord calls us. So many people say we have given up a lot to do what we are doing, traveling the country as FULL-TIME RVers. We just don't feel like we have given up anything. As a matter of fact, we are a little embarrassed how blessed we are. God is using us and we sit back and think, WOW! We can't say we think we are special. We were working a motorcycle event last night and I have to admit I didn't ask as many people as I could about praying with them and blessing their bikes. We are not perfect! We don't always listen to the calling of the Lord. I just feel so sorry for people like Saul. I feel sorry for Christians that NEVER stop "hiding in the luggage". I feel sorry for those that never listen to the guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Lord, continue to give me a boldness and a supernatural power to get out from behind the fears and worries that keep me from sharing your love. We want nothing more than to serve you and your kingdom. Guide and direct our steps today and every day. Amen!
Friday, February 14, 2020
I don't want to be like them!
'“We want to be like the nations
around us. Our king will judge
us and lead us into battle.”' 1 Samuel 8:20 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.8.20
This is so 21st Century. The Church and followers of Christ
are struggling with being in THIS WORLD. The issues of
abortion, gays, wealth, and politics are tearing the church
apart right before our eyes. Satan is loving it. In all reality,
things have not changed since the time of Samuel. Israel
had judges to help "rule" their nation of tribes. The Lord was
to be the center of their lives. HE WAS THEIR KING. In all
fairness to Israel, the memory of being defeated by the
Philistines was still fresh in their minds. They thought
the only way to be STRONG was to have a King.
They were wrong!
The loss to the Philistines can be directly related to their
DRIFT from God. This stubborn people just couldn't see
the "forest for the trees". They saw the Philistines with
their Kings. They saw other Nations with their SUPREME
RULERS. They just had to be the same as the rest of the
world. What a slap in the face to the Lord!
We are doing the same thing right now. The world is
"slapping the face" of the God of the Universe. Instead of
looking directly into the word of the Lord and clearly
reading his stand on the issues of our day, we create our
own truths. We look at the WORLD for advice instead
of trusting in the clear word of the Lord. Even Christians
are trying to reach the world by being LIKE THE WORLD.
What does it hurt? Doesn't it let us reach the lost if we give
in a little? The truth is certainly, NO. We must live as the
Lord has designed. We are NOT to live as members of this
world. We are called to live as children of the MOST HIGH.
Instead, We are rejecting GOD! The consequences are
eternal.
As followers of Christ, we are NOT to follow this world.
We need to take a stand regardless of the consequences.
We are called to transform NOT conform. We are called to
follow the PLAN of the Lord. Dear Lord help us!
around us. Our king will judge
us and lead us into battle.”' 1 Samuel 8:20 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.8.20
This is so 21st Century. The Church and followers of Christ
are struggling with being in THIS WORLD. The issues of
abortion, gays, wealth, and politics are tearing the church
apart right before our eyes. Satan is loving it. In all reality,
things have not changed since the time of Samuel. Israel
had judges to help "rule" their nation of tribes. The Lord was
to be the center of their lives. HE WAS THEIR KING. In all
fairness to Israel, the memory of being defeated by the
Philistines was still fresh in their minds. They thought
the only way to be STRONG was to have a King.
They were wrong!
The loss to the Philistines can be directly related to their
DRIFT from God. This stubborn people just couldn't see
the "forest for the trees". They saw the Philistines with
their Kings. They saw other Nations with their SUPREME
RULERS. They just had to be the same as the rest of the
world. What a slap in the face to the Lord!
We are doing the same thing right now. The world is
"slapping the face" of the God of the Universe. Instead of
looking directly into the word of the Lord and clearly
reading his stand on the issues of our day, we create our
own truths. We look at the WORLD for advice instead
of trusting in the clear word of the Lord. Even Christians
are trying to reach the world by being LIKE THE WORLD.
What does it hurt? Doesn't it let us reach the lost if we give
in a little? The truth is certainly, NO. We must live as the
Lord has designed. We are NOT to live as members of this
world. We are called to live as children of the MOST HIGH.
Instead, We are rejecting GOD! The consequences are
eternal.
As followers of Christ, we are NOT to follow this world.
We need to take a stand regardless of the consequences.
We are called to transform NOT conform. We are called to
follow the PLAN of the Lord. Dear Lord help us!
Thursday, February 13, 2020
What do YOU worship?
'Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, “If you want to
return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of
your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your
hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will
rescue you from the Philistines.” '
1 Samuel 7:3 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.7.3
When the Israelites lost the Ark it was because THEY left the Lord. They tried LIFE ON THEIR OWN. My experience tells me, THAT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA. As a matter of fact living life without the Lord is not life, it is DEATH. These lost people took the Ark and hid it away after the Philistines returned it (quickly -- it seems mocking the Lord can be painful and disgusting!). For twenty years the Isarelites had no idea what to do with the Ark. They possessed it but they did not give it AND their Lord, the worship he was due. It wasn't the power of the ARK that had failed. It was the trust of people who had forgotten the Lord. Then Samuel, a great leader, finally told them how to return to the Lord. They did everything he asked and AFTER turning back to the Lord, LIFE WAS GOOD.
Really our message is the same. If we really want to return to the Lord with all our hearts, we need to get rid of our FOREIGN gods. I don't see many graven images in our society. I don't see golden calves. But, we DO worship foreign gods. How many people do you know that WORSHIP their favorite sports hero. How many worship their cause, money, success, material things, people, TECHNOLOGY, or a place?
Worship is the act of ADORATION or DEVOTION. What amount of time do we give the THINGS I just listed compared to God. IF we truly are DEVOTED TO THE LORD, shouldn't he receive our devotion? Shouldn't we give him our TIME? Instead we spend all our time with anything BUT the LORD. We treat our Bibles like the Ark. We hide them away because, frankly, we don't understand the power unleashed when we dive into God's word. We are embarrassed and feel the Lord won't let us return. NOT TRUE. TURN BACK TO THE LORD NOW. GOD WILL ACCEPT YOU WITH OPEN ARMS.
In the past 6 months, Stephanie and I have worked hard to devote MORE time to diving into the WORD of the LORD. For nearly two years, we have devoted more time in PRAYER. I do not say this to BRAG. I say it to implore YOU to do the same. We have seen AMAZING BLESSINGS and when we have had issues come forward, we have been able to face them with more confidence than ever before. We feel more at peace and are so excited to see the Lord use us in everything we do. THE LORD WANTS OUR DEVOTION!
TURN YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD and OBEY HIM ALONE. He will rescue you!
return to the Lord with all your hearts, get rid of
your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your
hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will
rescue you from the Philistines.” '
1 Samuel 7:3 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.7.3
When the Israelites lost the Ark it was because THEY left the Lord. They tried LIFE ON THEIR OWN. My experience tells me, THAT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA. As a matter of fact living life without the Lord is not life, it is DEATH. These lost people took the Ark and hid it away after the Philistines returned it (quickly -- it seems mocking the Lord can be painful and disgusting!). For twenty years the Isarelites had no idea what to do with the Ark. They possessed it but they did not give it AND their Lord, the worship he was due. It wasn't the power of the ARK that had failed. It was the trust of people who had forgotten the Lord. Then Samuel, a great leader, finally told them how to return to the Lord. They did everything he asked and AFTER turning back to the Lord, LIFE WAS GOOD.
Really our message is the same. If we really want to return to the Lord with all our hearts, we need to get rid of our FOREIGN gods. I don't see many graven images in our society. I don't see golden calves. But, we DO worship foreign gods. How many people do you know that WORSHIP their favorite sports hero. How many worship their cause, money, success, material things, people, TECHNOLOGY, or a place?
Worship is the act of ADORATION or DEVOTION. What amount of time do we give the THINGS I just listed compared to God. IF we truly are DEVOTED TO THE LORD, shouldn't he receive our devotion? Shouldn't we give him our TIME? Instead we spend all our time with anything BUT the LORD. We treat our Bibles like the Ark. We hide them away because, frankly, we don't understand the power unleashed when we dive into God's word. We are embarrassed and feel the Lord won't let us return. NOT TRUE. TURN BACK TO THE LORD NOW. GOD WILL ACCEPT YOU WITH OPEN ARMS.
In the past 6 months, Stephanie and I have worked hard to devote MORE time to diving into the WORD of the LORD. For nearly two years, we have devoted more time in PRAYER. I do not say this to BRAG. I say it to implore YOU to do the same. We have seen AMAZING BLESSINGS and when we have had issues come forward, we have been able to face them with more confidence than ever before. We feel more at peace and are so excited to see the Lord use us in everything we do. THE LORD WANTS OUR DEVOTION!
TURN YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD and OBEY HIM ALONE. He will rescue you!
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Your Best
'“What sort of guilt offering should we send?”
they asked. And they were told, “Since the plague
has struck both you and your five rulers,
make five gold tumors and five gold rats,
just like those that have ravaged your land. ' 1 Samuel 6:4 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.6.4
I read this verse last night and got a little bit of a chuckle.
The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant
because Israel went to war without God. They had NO IDEA
what they had gotten themselves into. SO, they started developing
tumors and rats infested their towns. God was going to let them
know HE WAS GOD and the gods of the Philistines were NOT God.
The Philistines had been ruthless in their attacks on Gods people.
Sure God was upset with Israel, but letting the Philistines MOCK
the God of the Universe just could NOT happen.
It took the Philistines 7 months to figure out they had made a huge
mistake and they needed to take action. But, again, I was shocked
at what they chose to "sacrifice" to the Lord. What were they thinking?
"Five Gold Tumors, Five God Rats?"
Are you kidding me? Is this the BEST they had?
As the Israelites knew, God demands REAL sacrifice in our lives.
God demands UNBLEMISHED sacrifices. He demands the
BEST OF THE BEST. The Philistines sent a TOKEN sacrifice to God.
God wants REAL Sacrifice. He wants to BE OUR GOD. He wants
us to genuinely love him.
Our dedication and commitment to the Lord must be real. God
can not be mocked. We can't just SAY we worship the Lord while
not spending time in his word, in regular, deep prayer, or REAL
worship. The Lord knows our heart. He knew the Philistines were
just going through the paces. He knew they had NOT come to
worship the Lord, they only recognized A God among their Gods.
They did not recognize THE GOD as the one and only God, creator
of the universe. God set the greatest example. He gave his BEST
when he sent Jesus to die for you and your sins. He gave his best.
Should we do LESS?
Please search your heart. Ask THE LORD to enter into your life.
Dedicate your life to serving him and growing in your knowledge
of the Creator of all things. Give the Lord YOUR BEST. Give him
ALL THAT YOU ARE. WORSHIP ONLY HIM. MAKE YOUR LIFE
A LIVING SACRIFICE!!!!!!!!!!
they asked. And they were told, “Since the plague
has struck both you and your five rulers,
make five gold tumors and five gold rats,
just like those that have ravaged your land. ' 1 Samuel 6:4 https://my.bible.com/bible/116/1SA.6.4
I read this verse last night and got a little bit of a chuckle.
The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant
because Israel went to war without God. They had NO IDEA
what they had gotten themselves into. SO, they started developing
tumors and rats infested their towns. God was going to let them
know HE WAS GOD and the gods of the Philistines were NOT God.
The Philistines had been ruthless in their attacks on Gods people.
Sure God was upset with Israel, but letting the Philistines MOCK
the God of the Universe just could NOT happen.
It took the Philistines 7 months to figure out they had made a huge
mistake and they needed to take action. But, again, I was shocked
at what they chose to "sacrifice" to the Lord. What were they thinking?
"Five Gold Tumors, Five God Rats?"
Are you kidding me? Is this the BEST they had?
As the Israelites knew, God demands REAL sacrifice in our lives.
God demands UNBLEMISHED sacrifices. He demands the
BEST OF THE BEST. The Philistines sent a TOKEN sacrifice to God.
God wants REAL Sacrifice. He wants to BE OUR GOD. He wants
us to genuinely love him.
Our dedication and commitment to the Lord must be real. God
can not be mocked. We can't just SAY we worship the Lord while
not spending time in his word, in regular, deep prayer, or REAL
worship. The Lord knows our heart. He knew the Philistines were
just going through the paces. He knew they had NOT come to
worship the Lord, they only recognized A God among their Gods.
They did not recognize THE GOD as the one and only God, creator
of the universe. God set the greatest example. He gave his BEST
when he sent Jesus to die for you and your sins. He gave his best.
Should we do LESS?
Please search your heart. Ask THE LORD to enter into your life.
Dedicate your life to serving him and growing in your knowledge
of the Creator of all things. Give the Lord YOUR BEST. Give him
ALL THAT YOU ARE. WORSHIP ONLY HIM. MAKE YOUR LIFE
A LIVING SACRIFICE!!!!!!!!!!
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