Daily Word of God - 2 Samuel 22:31-37

2 Samuel 22:31-37 New International Version (NIV)

31 “As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
33 It is God who arms me with strength[a]
    and keeps my way secure.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
35 He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 You make your saving help my shield;
    your help has made[b] me great.
37 You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.

Footnotes:

1. 2 Samuel 22:33 Dead Sea Scrolls, some Septuagint manuscripts, Vulgate and Syriac (see also Psalm 18:32); Masoretic Text who is my strong refuge
2. 2 Samuel 22:36 Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text shield; / you stoop down to make

Daily Word of God - Psalm 119:73-80

Psalm 119:73-80 New International Version (NIV)

י Yodh

73 Your hands made me and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
    according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
    that I may not be put to shame.

Daily Word of God - Exodus 23:25-26

Exodus 23:25-26 New International Version (NIV)

25 Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.

Daily Word of God - Isaiah 56:1-2

Isaiah 56:1-2 New International Version (NIV)

Salvation for Others

56 This is what the Lord says:

“Maintain justice
    and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
    and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
2 Blessed is the one who does this—
    the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
    and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”

Mid-Week Message - The Most Difficult Time of the Year

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [healing their pain and comforting their sorrow.]  Psalm 147:3  (AMP)

On December 14, 2012, a young man entered an elementary school in Connecticut and proceeded to kill twenty-six people, twenty of whom were children between the ages of six and seven.  Most of us heard the story and watched the horror unfold on television.  As we sat, shocked that this could take place at all, let alone during the Christmas season, we cried, we prayed and we thought about the parents who would go home without their children, only to see empty stockings hung by the fireplace with the names of babies they would never hold again.  

I mention this terrible incident because we are entering a time of year that is incredibly difficult for many people.  Those who have family members that will be missing from around the Thanksgiving table and Christmas tree, especially for the first time, will feel that absence intensely.  Others will find their loneliness almost unbearable as they spend the holidays alone, for whatever reason.  For some the holidays bring unpleasant memories due to family issues.  And there are many that will simply refuse to acknowledge the dates on the calendar at all.  

Each time I hear of an accident I ask the Lord for His protection to be over the person or people involved.  I pray for their lives to be spared and their bodies and spirits healed.  When I hear of a death I ask for Him to comfort the family and friends in the way that only He can and to surround them with His angels and godly followers so that every need might be met in a compassionate and immediate way.  And I remember the times that He did those things for me.  

At this time of year especially, we need to be alert and aware of those around us and to ask the Father to direct us to those that need His love.  Although He can do anything without our help, He uses people to help people.  The love that He has shown us is to be shown to others in need.  Any blessing He has provided for us is intended to be shared.  Our personal experiences with His guidance, healing, compassion and presence can be an encouragement to those who are hurting now.  Sometimes what is needed most is to know that someone cares.  A hug or a prayer can go a long way to assure those with aching hearts that they are not alone.  

When I was studying to gain my certification in hospice, the one thing that stuck in my mind the strongest was that more than anything those who were going through the process of dying or those who loved the ones who were dying, just needed to feel the presence of the chaplain involved.  It wasn't the words spoken, but the mere fact that someone was there who represented God and the hope He provides.  At such times words fall very short but love and hope are always welcome.  

As we decorate our homes and prepare for the holiday season, let's make time for those around us who may be struggling.  If it is possible, maybe set another place at the table for someone who otherwise would be alone.  Buy an extra gift to show them they are remembered and loved.  Spend time with someone who is hurting. And most of all, pray for those who are grieving and ask the Lord to wrap His holy arms around their shoulders as they walk through the days ahead.  

If you are one who is hurting right now, I want you to know that I am praying for you.  I may not know you personally but I love you still.  Most importantly though, I want you to know that you are not alone.  Your Father in Heaven loves you.  He is always there and He is fully aware of your situation.  He has promised in His Word that He will "bind up your wounds".  Whatever He has promised, He will do.  Even if you have never done so before, I urge you to reach out to Him.  He loves you more than you can ever imagine.  God bless. 
 

Daily Word of God - Romans 5:6-11

Romans 5:6-11 New International Version (NIV)

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 28:6-7

Psalm 28:6-7 New International Version (NIV)

6 Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

Daily Word of God - 1 Timothy 5:24-25

1 Timothy 5:24-25 New International Version (NIV)

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Remember Those Who Served

Tell your children of the valor of those who served to secure and protect the blessings of freedom. Teach your children well.

Daily Word of God - Deuteronomy 32:1-4

Deuteronomy 32:1-4 New International Version (NIV)

 Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;
    hear, you earth, the words of my mouth.
2 Let my teaching fall like rain
    and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
    like abundant rain on tender plants.

3 I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
    Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
    and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
    upright and just is he.

We Shall Never Forget

Never forget the sacrifice made by those who served this nation.

Daily Word of God - 1 Samuel 16:13

1 Samuel 16:13 New International Version (NIV)

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Remember Our Veterans

Please take time to remember our veterans and their families.

Daily Word of God - Genesis 15:1

Genesis 15:1 New International Version (NIV)

The Lord’s Covenant With Abram

15 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,[a]
    your very great reward.[b]”

Footnotes:

1. Genesis 15:1 Or sovereign
2. Genesis 15:1 Or shield; / your reward will be very great

Sunday Praise & Worship Message - God Provides for Us

During the course of a weekend afternoon, I visit various local stores and businesses to take care of my errands and chores. With Thanksgiving coming up quickly, there are organizations that are taking donations to feed the less fortunate in the community. Many of the businesses are sponsoring food drives to provide meals for families who would not have a meal or much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day. My family and I make it a point to help wherever and whenever we can. 

If there is one thing that I have learned, it is that God always provides for our basic essential needs. My wife and I have seen firsthand the blessings of the Lord. When we faced the unknown, He was there for us. Just like the Israelites, we knew that He would lead us to green pastures and to the Living Water that would restore our souls. But, there were times when we just didn’t see the blessings. Our minds became entangled in the realities of life. Our faith was challenged and it became more and more difficult to see the promised land of milk and honey.

We, like the children of old, felt that we wandered in the desert only to face more problems and heartaches. But, just when we were ready to give up, God provided us with exactly what we needed at the right time. The lesson was to always have faith in Him.

In Hebrews, the author, in chapter eleven, writes, “It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, even though God had told him, ‘Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.’ Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the dead.”

When you think about the words, you can see that it is only by faith that we are able to receive the blessing of God’s promises to us. Even when we feel that we are facing the worst thing in our lives, we should always remain faithful to the Lord, because we know that He will provide a way for us every single time.

In the story of Abraham’s sacrifice of his son, Isaac, Abraham remained faithful and did not question God’s command. He knew that God would do what He promised and would not go back on His word. His promises are eternal and unchanging. Abraham had no doubt in his mind or heart. He knew that God would keep His promise.

As many of you remember the story, Abraham did not sacrifice his son on the altar and that God provided a ram as a sacrifice. In Genesis 22, Abraham “called that place The LORD Will Provide. So to this day it is said, ‘On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.’” In Hebrew, it is one of the names of God, Jehovah-jireh. 

In order for us to truly receive what the Lord will provide to us, we must have faith in Him. We cannot just have a faith of convenience. Abraham knew from the very moment that God asked him to sacrifice his one and only son that God would provide. He remained faithful. 

When we face situations in our lives, are we strong enough to remain faithful and follow the Lord wherever He leads us? Once again, look at the life of Abraham. The Lord asked him to pull up stakes and go where He directed him. Speaking for myself, I know it would be so difficult to do so. I would question God repeatedly before taking the first step. In time, I remember the promise of the Lord. 

In the twenty-ninth chapter of Jeremiah, God tells us, “For I know the plans I have for you. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you.”

As a child of God, you should never doubt the promises of the Lord. He will not only provide you what you need but he will also provide you with what you need most. Look closely at the words of the author of Hebrews. He tells us that Abraham knew that God was able to bring Isaac back from the dead and, in a sense, did when He provided the ram as a sacrifice.

So, God not only provides us with our daily bread but He also provides us with the spiritual bread that gives us spiritual life. In short, God provides everything that we, as His children, need daily. There is nothing for us to worry about. The Lord will always provide.

But, it doesn’t end there. Just as God provides for us, we must, in turn, provide for those around us. We must give comfort just as God gives us comfort.

Paul writes in chapter one of his second letter to the Corinthians, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Just as we receive blessings from God, we are to, in turn, bless those around us and provide for their needs. God is the source of all comfort. God has blessed us and those blessings will also bless others. As we receive, so shall we give.

During this holiday of Thanksgiving, I urge each of you to remember the lesson of the second kernel of corn and remind those around you that the Lord provides for everything and that is only by faith that we can receive. As recipients of His blessings, we, out of love, must provide for those who are in need of more than just food but who also need the true gift of life eternal with the Father. When we receive by faith and act in faith, we are able to stand firm in His grace. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 52:8-9

Psalm 52:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

8 But I am like an olive tree
    flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
    for ever and ever.
9 For what you have done I will always praise you
    in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
    for your name is good.

Daily Word of God - Psalm 20:4-5

Psalm 20:4-5 New International Version (NIV)

4 May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

Daily Word of God - Colossians 3:5-11

Colossians 3:5-11 New International Version (NIV)

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[a] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

Footnotes:

1. Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient

Daily Word of God - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.