Sunday Message - Closing Prayer

As we come to the end of our day of worship and praise for our Heavenly Father, we humble ourselves before Him in prayer and prepare our hearts for the work ahead in the coming week. 

Father God, I thank you for this opportunity to share with all those who visit our ministry website this wonderful day of worship and praise. You have blessed all of Your children and showered them with even more. We humbly thank You for all that You do for us. 

As we go into the rest of this week, may Your grace and mercy surround us. Help us to be patient with those who try our patience. Help us to pray for those who persecute us. Help us to be courageous in sharing Your word with those who need it so desperately in their lives. It is because of Your plan of salvation that we, as Christians, can call ourselves Your children.

For those with prayer requests or burdens on their hearts, we lift each of them up to You. Each face a problem that weighs heavy on them. We ask that You lift that burden and let them know You are there with them.

It is in Your son's precious and holy name, we pray.

Amen.

Sunday Message - Having a Christ-Like Attitude - Part 4

In today's message, Chaplain JJ will be looking why we should have a Christ-like attitude and why we should continue to grow in Christ Jesus to perfect our attitudes.

Sunday Message - Scripture Reading from Psalms

As we continue our study of a Christ-like attitude, let us remember those words from Psalm 1. As Christians, we are to bear good fruit as the sign of our labor as followers of Jesus. Working for the Master and living for Him.

Psalm 1:1-3 New Living Translation

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.

Sunday Message - Praising Him with Song

As I think back to my childhood in Gatesville, Texas, I remember the dear hymns sung by the Eastwood Baptist Church choir. It seems so long ago. But when I hear one of those wonderful hymns that fill me with the spirit, I cannot help but feel like I am back at that little church.

Here is one of those wonderful, special hymns. This particular version of that beloved hymn is sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford. It is part of his CD, All-Time Greatest Hymns.

Bringing in the Sheaves

Knowles Shaw, 1874

Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness,

Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve;

Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Refrain:

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves;

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,

Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;

By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,

Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;

When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,

We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Answers Inside - New Testament

1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT)

2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

Answers Inside - Paul

Titus 3:4-5 (NLT)

4 But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Answers Inside - Old Testament

Judges 6:9 (NLT)

I rescued you from the Egyptians and from all who oppressed you. I drove out your enemies and gave you their land.

Mid-Week Message - Examples of Faith

Life can be hard.  I know that isn't exactly a news flash to anyone.  We all have our moments of struggle.  Sort of like breathing in and out, most of us have hard times but then "catch our breath" and things are better for awhile.  But for others, such as those with chronic diseases, the struggle comprises every moment of every day.  They don't get to put those issues behind them, ever. Because I haven't spoken with either of them I will not use their real names, but I want to tell you a little about two people who have graced our lives.

Joanna has muscular dystrophy.  Her parents were told when she was very young that they should make their memories because she wouldn't live long.  Now in her mid-twenties, She has earned her Master's degree and is a licensed professional social worker who strives to help others with disabilities.  She has a boyfriend and goes where she wants despite being confined to a wheelchair. She has very little ability to move her body on her own, so her family or her boyfriend help with almost everything.  You would think that she would have every reason to feel sorry for herself, but she doesn't.  She is grateful for every single moment she has and makes the most of her life.  She is joyful.  Always joyful.  She was raised by God-fearing Christian parents who live their faith openly and boldly and they taught her that life is a gift.

Randa, who recently passed away, was born with dwarfism.  Standing at only three feet tall as an adult, she was one of the tallest people I have every known.  Though being in constant pain, she was always smiling and spent her life loving and encouraging others.  Never complaining, she lived each day with dignity and a grace that is rarely seen.  Though needing physical help herself, she would be one of the first to volunteer if anyone needed assistance and would do anything she could to help. She was a person who found beauty in every person and God's hand in every situation she found herself in.  I believe she had a relationship with the Father that most of us will never know.  I can find no other explanation for the deep faith she had in Him.  Life was precious to her and when she passed there was a deep chasm left in the lives of those of us who knew and loved her.

I share these stories today because it is so easy to feel sorry for ourselves when we are in difficult situations.  We wonder where God has gone when He seems not to answer our prayers immediately. Rather than finding the joy in the gifts of each day, we find ourselves wallowing in self pity and lose sight of the blessings of the moment.  Blessings such as the realization that our families and friends love us and will get down on their knees to intercede for us.  What we can learn from Joanna and Randa is that God is always near and that His love is great enough to carry us through any circumstance of life.  If they can have joy and faith with what they have had to contend with, then surely we also can.

One night I dreamed a dream.

As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you."

Mid-Week Music - Footprints in the Sand by Cristy Lane

Just when you think you can't go on or your strength is failing, He is there to carry you and lift you up. It is because of His grace that we have the strength to carry on.

This is a beautiful song sung by Cristy Lane. It is available through Amazon. Click here if you would like to purchase it.

Prayers for the Persecuted

According to Open Doors USA, a non-profit organization focused on serving persecuted Christians in more than 60 countries, each month:

• 322 Christians are KILLED for their faith
• 214 churches and Christian properties are DESTROYED
• 772 forms of violence (beatings, abductions, rapes, arrests and forced marriages) are COMMITTED against Christians

Please continue to pray for all who are persecuted because of their faith.

Answers Inside - Gospels

John 1:1(NLT)

In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.

Answers Inside - Proverbs

Proverbs 23:7 (NLT)

They are always thinking about how much it costs.
    “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.

Sunday Message - Closing Prayer

Dearest and most gracious Heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing us to come together to share Your words and wisdom with so many around the world. It is because of You and Your power that we are able to reach those in need of comfort, strength and courage. We pray for those who are in need of healing or facing a medical procedure. We pray for those persecuted for preaching Your word and following that wonderful commission given by Your son, Jesus.

As we prepare to start another week, we ask for that strength, courage and perseverance to get through the valley of the shadow of death. We know that You are there with us every step and moment of the perilous journey.

We thank You so very much for all those who continue to support this ministry through prayer, words and donation. They truly are blessings to us and this ministry. It is because their efforts that we are able to reach so many around the world. Thank you for each of them.

It is in Your son's most precious and holy name, I pray.

Amen. 

Sunday Message - Having a Christ-Like Attitude - Part 3

Sr. Chaplain Jesse Johns will be examining and discussing the meaning of a Christ-like attitude and how we should develop our attitude in accordance with the teachings of Jesus. This is part 3 of his sermon series.

Sunday Message - Scripture Reading from Psalms

No matter what happens in your life, you can always count on the Lord to be your refuge and strength. Even if nature or man hurls their worst at you, you will know the Lord's power and see for yourself that He is among us.

Psalm 46 (NLT)

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
    the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
    From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
    and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
    and the earth melts!
7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel is our fortress. 

Sunday Message - Praising Him with Song

In Philippians 2, Paul tells of a man and name that "God elevated ... to the place of highest honor and gave ... the name above all other names". That name is Jesus. A Savior who died to give us the gift of eternal life.

As you listen to the words of this song, think about the love that it took to give you that wonderful gift of eternal life.

There is a Name I Love to Hear

The Joslin Grove Choral Society

Best Loved Hymns

There is a name I love to hear,

  I love to sing its worth;

It sounds like music in mine ear,

  The sweetest name on earth.

Oh, how I love Jesus,

Oh, how I love Jesus,

Oh, how I love Jesus,

  Because He first loved me!

It tells me of a Savior’s love,

  Who died to set me free;

It tells me of His precious blood,

  The sinner’s perfect plea.

Answers Inside - New Testament

James 5:16 (NLT)

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

Answers Inside - Paul

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Answers Inside - Old Testament

Deuteronomy 6:4 (NLT)

“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

Mid-Week Message - Who Are We?

At times, I wonder about God's love for us.  This almighty being who has all power and can create anything at all with just a thought, chose us.  And He continues to choose us.  That is awe inspiring to say the least.  When you think of the works of His hands, the universe and beyond, everything that exists now, has existed in the past and will exist in the future, then Psalm 8:4 comes to mind.  "What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?"

Muse with me.  Picture the earth as a marble in the vastness of forever.  On that marble live over seven billion people at any given time.  So, seven billion tiny points on the marble represent the men, women and children of the world.  Think also about the rest that makes up our dwelling place. The animals, vegetation, seas, deserts, man-made structures, etc.  Feeling small now?

Now, think of the enormity of God.  His presence encompasses all that is.  And as He looked around at all that He had, somehow, someway, He came up with the idea of mankind.  He made the marble and each little point on it.  He designed a world that would sustain life then created each and every person in His image.  Not only did He mold us and fill us with His own breath, He desired a personal relationship with us.  Each of us.  Individually.  He declared His deep love for us and even sent His own Son out of the majesty of Heaven to become one of us and live and sacrifice His life on this tiny orb.  Love doesn't get any more passionate than that.  

So, who are we that He should be mindful of us?  We are dust with divine breath.  Imperfect with the promise of perfection.  Mortal with an immortal future.  Sinners covered with the blood of forgiveness.  Tiny little specks on a minute rock in the immenseness of space.  Yet, chosen and adored by the Creator of all.  

Yes.  Sometimes I wonder.  

Psalm 8:4-6 (NIV)

"what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?  You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.  You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet"