God is good all the time...here's why!

I know that feeling

 

I agree with you 100%. Some of my greatest revival experiences have been when I have given of myself rather that sitting in the pew and being "fed". Don't get me wrong, I love a good southern Baptist revival. I found a quote many years ago, printed it on the computer and framed it. It says....

"If I give nothing of myself then I know nothing of calvary's love".

The key is to give of yourself selflessly without expectations of rewards or pats on the back. God will take care of that later.

I love this thread8)

 

Our posts have been leaning heavily on missions-oriented tasks recently so I thought I'd share a recent devotion I received from Dr. Adrian Rogers' Love Worth Finding Ministries:

BIBLE MEDITATION:
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also." James 2:26

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
When you ask God for something, do you just sit back, do nothing and say, "Well, I'm going to show my faith by doing nothing"?

To the contrary, you will show your faith by doing something.

For faith without works is what? Dead! (Also see James 2:20.)

Do you want a house? Pray for it. Then say, "Amen," with a hammer and saw. Do you want a wife? Pray for one. Then go shave, put on some cologne, learn some manners, and learn how to be thoughtful and loving.

ACTION POINT:
What have you been praying earnestly about this week? What is your heart's desire?

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can put feet to that prayer. Then, walk the talk!

Share devotional with a friend
http://www.lwf.org/site/R?i=v5DfIIH3TorB7zjXVqzXOQ..

Visit lwf.org
http://www.lwf.org/site/R?i=xBjzgSGffWO6-jz-07FIAw..
- - - - -
I thoroughly enjoy receiving these daily devotionals. I encourage everyone to visit the LWF site and sign up. There's no cost.

Mommy3: that was a good quote

Kent

 

Changed my user name

I initially intended to just talk about my garden interests, so the name "Strawbaleman" seemed appropriate.

But, since I've been led to other areas I felt like I needed to come up with something different.

From here on I'll be using my name.

 

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see

I finally found this song. It's one of my all time favorite gospel songs. I've heard different groups do it, but this is the first time I've been able to find it online.

It was sung at my mother-in-law's funeral and I'll never forget that. I loved her and miss her alot, but I know I'll see her again as we spend eternity with our Lord and all the Saints.

http://www.angelfire.com/oh3/kenskorner/whataday.html

 

So true. Charity starts at home. You know, if we look around at our relationships with our own neighbours, it might give us an idea of what is REALLY in our hearts. If we can't even care for our neighbours, how can we care for those thousands of miles away? Good point Ready. You are an inspiration.

Exodus 20:16
Matthew 22:39

 

Because it rained last nite..... and God knew how much we needed it....

 

John Piper - How does a person make a world wide difference?

Another church member has turned me on to John Piper and his ministry.

This is a short, but great message.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQhIxvaqteo


Piper's website: http://www.desiringgod.org/

Have a great day in the Lord tomorrow!

 

Webbie can change your username so all of your old posts username can change also.

Just a thought

 

Kent, I enjoyed that video, played it through a couple of times, and then today the choir sang that song for the anthem. What a day, glorious day that will be!

 

Many versions of this song... but one great meaning! Love this song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLwANXbnY88

 

dawn: that was fantastic. I loved that version. I love ANYTHING that Selah puts out. They are truly annointed to sing for the Glory of the Lord!

With my night shift coming back up Tues, I think I'll load that song up on my laptop and play it throughout the afternoon and night. Songs like that keep me lifted up and in the right frame of mind.

tawiii: thanks for the tip

KDsGrandma: I would have loved to have been singing in your choir today!

 

Yes, Lord!

Yes, Lord!

It’s something you say when you’re driving down the road with tears running down your face.

And life has handed you a tornado, and quite frankly all Hell is breaking loose in your life.

And you don’t even know what God is doing in your life, but you’ve got to trust Him.

Even when you don’t even understand what in the world He’s doing in your life.

And the Devil is telling you to just give up and throw your hands up and walk away.

And he’s telling you why don’t you just curse God and die!

And right when he expects you to walk away from God something inside of you says, “Yes, Lord!”

(Excerpt from a TD Jakes appearance on The Gaithers)

- - - - - - - - - -

Yes, Lord!

Have those words on your lips this week.

They'll be on mine.

 

Bookmark inscription

I was re-reading some portions of Dr. Adrian Rogers’ autobiography, Love Worth Finding, which is a wonderful insight into his life, and a bookmark fell out that I really hadn’t noticed before now.

I thought I’d share what it is written on the bookmark:

The New Testament is CONTAINED in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is EXPLAINED in the New Testament.

The New Testament is CONCEALED in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is REVEALED in the New Testament.

The New Testament AUTHENTICATES the Old Testament.

The Old Testament ANTICIPATES the New Testament.

The New Testament LIES HIDDEN in the Old Testament.

The Old Testament LIES OPEN in the New Testament.

The Old Testament PREDICTS a Person.

The New Testament PRESENTS that Person.

 

Directions to our Father's House...

OK, here's how to get to our Father's House...

The first road you need to get on will be Believeth Blvd.

Keep straight and go through the green light, which is Jesus Christ.

From there, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith, which is over troubled waters.

When you get off the bridge that will put you on the King's Highway -- Heaven-Bound.

Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son and One for the Holy Spirit.

Exit off onto Grace Blvd.

From there, make a right turn onto Gospel Ln.

Keep straight and then merge onto Prayer Road.

As you travel on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on Temptation Ave.

Also, avoid Sin St. because it is a DEAD END!!

Go past Envy Dr. and Hate Ave.

Also, go past Hypocrisy Rd, Gossiping Ln, and Backbiting Blvd.

However, you will probably have to go down Long Suffering Lane, Persecution Street and Trials and Tribulations Ave.

But that's all right, because VICTORY ROAD is straight ahead!

 

The Master's Card

I'm sure you've all received applications for credit cards in the mail.

However, I'm here today to promote a different card.

I'm a card-carrying representative for The MASTER'S CARD.

That's right, The MASTER'S CARD.

Let me tell you about it.

There are no finance charges, and there are no payments due.

My bill has already been covered...it's a prepaid deal. I couldn't afford the price, anyway, so Jesus stepped in and paid it for me.

My Name is written on the card for all to see.

It is accessible 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world.

The MASTER'S CARD has so many benefits it's hard to list them all.

Let me share just some of them with you...

Just for starters there is UNLIMITED GRACE.

That's right; there is no preset limit to the amount of grace you receive from The MASTER'S CARD.

Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? Then, look no farther than The MASTER'S CARD.

It offers the greatest rate on love that has ever been offered.

The MASTER'S CARD gives you access to many "members only" benefits.

Want real joy despite the difficulties of life?

Apply for The MASTER'S CARD.

Want a lasting peace within your very soul? Apply for The MASTER'S CARD.

Looking for something you can always rely on in a jam? The MASTER'S CARD is perfect for you.

Another great thing about The MASTER'S CARD is that it never expires and will never be cancelled.

Once you're a member, you're a member for life...eternal life, that is.

Membership has its privileges, you know.

So why not apply today?

It's only a prayer away!

 

A personal testimony

Yesterday, I checked on duty a little early at around 12 pm for my afternoon/evening shift.

With this hot weather we’re having I have been putting a small cooler with some bottled water on my back seat to give out to anyone that needs some such as stranded motorists or victims at an accident scene, etc.

Since I was just getting back on duty after a 4 day break, there was nothing but warm water in my cooler, so I headed toward my church to get some ice from the machine at our Family Life Center.

After packing the cooler with ice I then head toward NC98 so I can get on Capital Blvd and head into Raleigh.

As soon as I get on NC98 I see a 3-car caravan on the shoulder with their flashers on.

I activate my blue lights and strobes and pull in behind them to see if they need some assistance.

Everything is OK with them; they have already called a tow truck. I spend a few minutes talking with them. Two of the drivers gladly accept my offer for some water, not too cold yet, but a blessing just the same.

It’s already in the 90’s and high humidity.

I get back in my patrol car and try to blow some cool air down between my chest and my vest. Imagine about 5 lbs. of Saran Wrap pulled around your body. No air gets through and once you get hot it’s hard to get cooled back down.

I resume my drive toward Capital Blvd and before I can get to Capital I see another car on the shoulder with their flashers on.

Same drill. I pull in behind the car.

The driver is a young, newly-wed, expectant mother. The right front tire had gone flat.

She seemed a little nervous and said she had just called her husband, who was a student at Southeastern Bapt. Theo. Seminary in Wake Forest. I told her I’d take care of changing the tire, and to call her husband back and tell him he doesn’t have to leave class.

She told me she had just passed me and saw me with the 3-car caravan when her tire went flat. She was so thankful I stopped.

Folks, I’m here to tell you, God was watching over that young mother-to-be.

First off, God protected her so she could pull safely off the road when that front tire went down.

He also knew that I would need some ice, thus making me take a different route to work.

He planted a 3-car caravan on the side of the road to detain me long enough to let that young lady get in front so I would be in a position to help her.

Thank you, God, for looking after Your children.

You say in your Word that You will never leave us nor forsake us.

And I believe it.

And thank you, God, for sending us a Savior, your Son, Jesus Christ, that through Him and by Him, we, your children, may have eternal life if we just put our faith and trust in Him.

Have you put your faith in Jesus?

Are you 150% sure that if today was your last day on this earth, you'd spend Eternity in Heaven?

If there's any doubt at all, then let today, let this very moment be the time you settle that question forever.

Here's all you have to do.

Repeat this prayer:

"God, I know that I have broken Your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."

If you just said that prayer, AND BELIEVE what you just said, then Praise God my brother or sister, your name has now been written in the Lamb's Book of Life and your reservation in Heaven has just been made, NEVER to be cancelled or revoked.

This is a GREAT DAY to celebrate!

You've just made news in Heaven. God's Word says that even the angels in Heaven rejoice at the news of every new Believer!

The next step is to tell someone about what you just did.

Find another Christian or a pastor of a church and let them know that you've just made the most important decision you will ever have to make.

If you don't know anyone like this, then PM me and I'll help you get started on your walk with the Lord.

 

got cliff notes?

 

It's worth reading.

 

Personal Testimony

Some time back I was doing some research at the Durham Co. Register of Deeds office.

At one point I took a bathroom break and returned to the deed vault.

I had hardly started back working when I got the urge to get a cold drink. I thought, that's odd, why didn't I just get a drink as soon as I went to the bathroom.

So, I stopped what I was doing and went down the hall to get a diet coke.

I had to pass by the bathroom on the way back and the closer I got something kept urging me to go back into the bathroom.

I'm thinking, I just left, I don't need to go back in.

This feeling is really growing by the time I get beside the door and it's almost as if I audibly hear, "Go in that bathroom, NOW!"

I make a military-precision left turn and go in the bathroom.

On the floor is a young man having a seizure.

I immediately yell for some help and hold this young man's head and upper body so he won't hit himself as the convulsions increase.

Someone sticks their head in the door and I tell them to call 911.

The seizures subside and I just calmly talk to him as we await EMS.

Everything turns out OK.

Who or what directed me back into that bathroom: The HOLY SPIRIT!

Thank you, Lord, for using me.

Is the Holy Spirit trying to tell you something? Are you listening?

Have a great and blessed day.

Oh, and tell someone about Jesus!