Stumbling

Turn your stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

God

Something to remember this morning – God is in control. Walk close to God so nothing can come between. Scripture for this morning – “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7)

God Knows

God knows our history and our future.

Thought

The right train of thought can take you to a better station in life. – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” – Psalm 37:23 KJV

GOD’S LOVE FOR YOU

John 3:16; I Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

John 3:16 is the verse that says so much with just a few words. If some one has memorized only one scripture from the Bible, it will be John 3:16. It is the scripture most often quoted.

We need to consider God’s Love For You in light of the statement, “For God so Loved…” This does not mean that God approved the conduct of men, assuredly it doesn’t. It means that His love was a feeling of benevolence toward man, not approving the conduct but “earnestly desires the Happiness of those who are sinful.

Let us consider the statement, “The World”. That simply means all mankind. It does not indicate a certain part of the world. It clearly shows man as man His love is for all men. All men of the world had rebelled and therefore deserved the punishment of death. His love for the world was shown in giving His Son. The giving of His Son was brought about because of these circumstances:

1. All the world was in ruin, and exposed to the wrath of God.
2. All people were in a hopeless condition.
3. God gave his Son. Man had no claim on him’ it was a gift – an undeserved gift.
4. He gave him up to extreme sufferings, even the bitter pains of death on the cross.
5. It was for all the world. He tasted “death for every man”, according to Hebrews 2:9.
6. He “died for all,“ II Cor. 5:15
7. “He is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world,” I John 2:2
8. Propitiation – The act of atoning for sin.

That He Gave – A free and unmerited gift. Man had no hold nor any claim to this gift. Where there was nothing else to save, it pleased God to give His Son into the hands of men to die in their place. “Who gave himself for our sins” – Galatians 1:4 Love moved God to express His eternal compassion and desire that sinners should not perish forever.

“His only-begotten Son” This is the highest expression of love which we can conceive. A Father gave His perfect without sin Son to die for others who stand guilty shows a higher love than could be manifested in any other way. What great depth of love that God has for wicked man, and it could not be shown in any greater way.

1Pe 1:18  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 

1Pe 1:19  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Peter gives us an argument here for a holy life to be lived. That argument is that we have been redeemed. This reminds me of the song, “I’m redeemed by love divine, glory, glory, Christ is mine.” What a comfort this is to know that the precious love of God has redeemed me. Nothing in this world could redeem me but the love of God has provided for my redemption.

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

This term – “faithful witness”. This is Jesus giving a testimony that he can be completely relied upon. He is worthy of our belief. “The First begotten of the dead.” Not that He is the first to rise from the dead, but he is the first who rose from the dead to immortality.

Notice how He loved us. Washed us from our sins. Jesus is the prince of the kings of the earth, yet he has made us kings and priests unto God, His Father. The Love of God has elevated us from sin and ruin into a kingship and priesthood that I do not deserve and certainly could not attain on my own.

HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD.

Trouble

Thought for the day – The company you keep will determine the trouble you meet.

Food

Thought for the day – Spiritual food is needed in hot weather as well as in cool.”There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother? (Proverbs 18:24)

Church

Skipping church is the beginning of spiritual decline.

SLEEPING WHEN THE WIND BLOWS

William Andrew Dillard

Bits and pieces of stories are often tucked away in memory from who knows where. But they give rise to practical thoughts of personal perspective in Christian wisdom that insist on being shared with others. Think with me as the story goes!
A farmer once advertised for a hired hand due to the increased burden of farming demands. His farm was in a region well known for violent storms, so most people were net excited about working on a farm.. They has seen crops destroyed and buildings badly damaged. One applicant for the job was an unlikely fellow: short, thin, and past middle age.
The farmer interviewed the applicant. “Are you a good farm hand?” he asked. The man replied, “Yes, sir! I can sleep when the wind blows.”
Puzzled by the reply, but desperate from some help, the farmer hired the man. In days ahead, he worked quite well, stayed busy from sun-up until sun-down, and caused the farmer to be satisfied with his choice of help.
Then it happened. One night the wind howled loudly as a strong weather front began to pass through. The farmer jumped out of bed and made his way to the sleeping quarters of his hired hand. He yelled at him, “Get up, get up, a storm is coming and things will get blown away if they are not tied down quickly and securely. But, the little man just rolled over in his bed as he said, “No, sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”
Enraged by the response from his hired helper, the farmer wanted to fire him on the spot. But not to waste time, he hurried outside to tend to things that might get blown away. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks has been covered. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down, so that nothing could bet blown away.
It was then that the farmer understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.
Are you prepared spiritually, mentally and practically to be at peace (to sleep and rest) when storms blow through your life? I am referencing a good knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, and being obedient to it. It is so reassuring to know that our Savior is He Who came to the disciples in their fear in a storm at sea. It was He who simply said “Peace be still.” and the storm and waves obeyed him. In Him, I can sleep when the wind blows.

Vacation

Never take a vacation from God.