Psalm 119:50,52; “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.”

I had a serious reminder today why we should memorize the Scriptures.  As I was ministering to a family that was hurting I sat my Bible down.  I walked from room to room in this house holding family members and praying for them and I could not remember where I laid my Bible.  I had the most awful feeling inside me.

Thankfully the Holy Spirit brought to my memory verses that I had committed to memory a long time ago and I was able to minster to the family.  God is so graciously wonderful.  What if I had not committed those Scriptures to memory way back when?  There would have been nothing there for the Holy Spirit to bring to my memory.  This would have been horrible for me to say, “Hang on just a second while I go find my Bible.”  Thankfully I did not have to do this.

I am not bragging on myself here.  Please do not get that idea.  I am bragging on the Lord for His goodness and help.  There is nothing like standing before a roaring fire and having a hose in your hand and no water in the hose.  That is how I felt momentarily as I collected my thoughts and the Scriptures.  To God be the glory!  May we all seriously commit the Word of God to memory so that in times of need it is there for us to rely upon.

So, how are you doing friend?

Today’s reading:  Psalm 119; Proverbs 31

Proverbs 30:19, “The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.”

Anyone who knows me very well knows that there are two subjects in the Scriptures that I love.  They are lighthouses and eagles.  This is what has drawn me to our Scripture for today.  I love that first phrase, “The way of an eagle in the air;”.  I am not too hip on snakes.  The ship in the midst of the sea is dependent upon aides to navigation to get safely to where they are going.  I think I can see a series of messages coming from this one verse.  God’s Word is awesome!

In thinking about “The way of an eagle in the air;” I was reminded that an eagle only flies 20% of the time.  The other 80% of the time he glides effortlessly on the wind.  This is a good example for you and I as Christians.  The Holy Spirit is sometimes referred to as a “wind”.  If we yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit we too, as the eagle, can glide along through life.  I am not proposing some easy go lucky lifestyle.  I am saying things go differently for us if we are yielded to God.

I was also reminded of how the eagles train their children to fly.  The mother puts the baby on her back and she takes off from their rock.  She flies straight up and then turns over until the baby falls off.  As the baby is tumbling downward it screams and cries.  Eventually after doing this time and time again the baby sees it’s parents flying and it tries it’s wings and they work.  With a puff of wind the baby too is gliding on the “wings of the wind” so to speak.  While this is going on the father is circling above watching as the protector.  Notice the words of Ezekiel 3:17, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.”  The male eagle is the “watchman” keeping guard over this training session.

When I think of eagles I think of how some are born on a rock, live on a rock and even die on a rock.  During the molting period of an eagle he sits on the rock with his feathers full of pollution and dirt, his talons that were once very powerful are now reduced to bloody nubs and there begins to form calcium over his beak and he cannot hardly breathe.  Eventually he will come to his senses so to speak and will beat his beak against the rock and break off the calcium so he can again breathe.  He at come point has plucked off all of his feathers and eventually they will grow back.  He will take off and fly out and back slamming himself into the rocks and breaking off the talons so they can grow back strong and powerful.  He knows that in his vulnerable condition that his rock is a place of safety.  The Lord is our rock.  Look at Psalm 90:1, “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.”

God has also equipped the eagle with a set of green sunglasses so to speak.  The come in over his eyes from the side and they shield him from the bright sun.  When he is under attack he flies straight into the sun and the enemy cannot take the light or the heat and will turn back.  So, you and I need to go straight to the “Son” when we are attacked.

I love the words of Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  You knew I was going there.  Today, my friends, stretch out your wings and fly!

Today’s reading:  Ezekiel 1, 2, 3; Psalm 30, 60, 90, 120, 150; Proverbs 30

Lamentations 3:22-24, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”

I remember growing up and going to school.  We would play on the playground and swing at recess.  This was my favorite subject.  There were many times that the games would not be going the way a certain team member would like for it to go.  When this happened someone would always shout, “Redo!”  Then, we started all over again, unless the majority ruled against the person.

Would it not be nice to be able to shout, “Redo!” in the middle of a bad day?  What about a bad week?  Ah, the life of a child.  The reality is that we cannot go back and do things all over again.  What we can do is learn from our mistakes and press on in life.  This is where the rub comes in.  So often we do not learn from our mistakes.  We just keep repeating them.  I cannot remember who said it; but, it still true.  The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.  This is the wrong kind of “redo”.

In the Christian life we most often cannot “Redo!” either.  What we can do is learn what the Scripture says about the situation and apply it.  Then we need to press on to the destination God has for us.  I know many people who in the midst of trials would love to shout, “Redo!”.  I would be one of the masses who would like that very much.  Yet, it is God’s design that we cannot do such a thing.  We must keep going with God.

I love our Scripture passage for today.  Lamentations 3:22-23, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”  No matter how far we fall or how hard we hit bottom if we will confess and forsake our sin, Jesus will be there to show us mercy and compassion.  Mercy is God keeping from us the punishment we deserve.  Compassion was described by one man as, “Someone else’s pain in your heart.”

The great thing is that we don’t have to “Redo!”  We have the mercy and compassion of God there at our disposal if we will meet Him in honest confession of sin.  Have you done this?  I hope so.

Today’s reading:  Lamentations 3, 4, 5; Psalm 29, 59, 89, 149; Proverbs 29

Jeremiah 52:17, “Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.”

Modern day man would love nothing better than to tear down the Churches of today.  People today do not see the Church as relevant any more.  I was reading an article earlier today that even said that “Christians”, so-called, are leaving the traditional Church and especially mega Churches for a “home Church” movement.

The article said that people like the closeness of these smaller gatherings and they liked meeting in people’s homes instead of some building.  They quoted one person who said that she liked the fact there was not the same kind of leadership as the traditional Church.  She liked the fact that everyone shared in bringing whatever “spiritual” message was for that day.  They even did not take offerings unless there was a need to be address like someone they knew needed food or clothing, etc…

This should bother all of us who name the name of Jesus as our Saviour.  I like the “house Church” somewhat.  However; I do not like the fact that they totally depart from what Jesus Christ established.  We are not only fighting enemies from the outside; but, we also fight enemies on the inside.  God help us to walk with You and know your will.

One day, Christian, we are going to look around and what we know to be right is going to be gone if we do not stand up and make our voices heard.  We will echo the words of Lamentations 1:1, “How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people! how is she become as a widow! she that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary!”  We need to be faithful to attend Church and support it in any way we can, especially financially.  Your participation is vital.  Let God use you in whatever way He sees fit.  Take part in your local New Testament Church.  It is God’s plan.

So, how are you doing?

Today’s reading:  Jeremiah 52; Lamentations 1, 2; Psalm 28, 58, 88, 118, 148; Proverbs 28

Jeremiah 49:30, “Flee, get you far off, dwell deep, O ye inhabitants of Hazor, saith the LORD; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you.”

This year as in years past we have seen some powerful tornadoes come through the area.  I remember growing up and going to Church camp.  One year as we were down at the lake swimming and having a good time a tornado came right over the camp.  This was close to thirty-five (35) years ago so we did not have the early detection systems like we do today.

I still remember like it was yesterday seeing the tornado jump right over the camp and it even picked up one boy who was much smaller than the rest of us.  The wind carried him back toward the lake.  As he flew through the air a counselor grabbed him in a bear hug and ran with him to the chapel.  This was a cement block building and I remember us all singing during this storm.

As I was reading our Scripture passage for today I was reminded about our time at camp.  The truth of, “Flee, get you far off, dwell deep,” really came alive to me.  I wish I had known this back oh so many years ago.  This actually speaks of living down deeply like underground.  I thought of some of the shows I have seen on TV where people have made houses inside mountains and such.  I would love to do that myself.

I like to think this could also remind us and challenge us to approach Bible study this way too.  We need to  dig “deep” when we study the Scriptures.  Don’t just passively read them.  That is God’s love letter to you and I so we need to approach the Word of God that way.

I also thought about how you and I need to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.  If we are going to grow spiritually we are going to have to “Flee, get you far off, dwell deep,” so to speak.  If we do this we will be like a tree.  The older and more mature the tree is the deeper it’s roots are in the soil.  This keeps them upright in the storms.  I love the song, “The White Oak on the Hill”.  Part of the song says, “But when the cold wind blows it will bend and sway; but, when the storm is passed, straightens up and goes on.”  Another part of the song says, “Lord, help me be like that white oak on the hill.  Help me to live in your Almighty Will.”  God hear my prayers!

So, how are you doing?

Today’s reading: Jeremiah 49, 50, 51; Psalm 27, 57, 87, 117, 147; Proverbs 27

Jeremiah 48:6, “Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.”

Yesterday was a great day.  One lady trusted Jesus Christ as her Saviour and was gloriously saved.  Praise the Lord!  It was an interesting story.  In the Men’s Sunday School class I taught a lesson on evangelism or winning the world.  In my lesson I brought out that it starts right here at home; where we live.

During the invitation time our Pastor asks if anyone does not know for sure that they will spend eternity in heaven to please raise their hand.  It is so that he can pray for them.  He does not approach them about it; but, it simply helps him to pray for them.  Yesterday in the morning service five (5) people raised their hand to say they did not know for sure that heaven is their eternal destination.  As the invitation hymn was being played by my wife on the piano one lady grabbed her purse and darted for the back door.  Everyone has their head bowed and eyes closed.  The gentleman that runs the sound equipment cannot keep his eyes closed because of what he is doing.  He sees this lady start at the front of the Church walking toward the back.  He went to her just before she got to the door of the sanctuary and asks her, “Do you need to go up front and pray?”  I thank God he did that because she now knows for sure that she will spend eternity in heaven.

I know that this does not happen like this often and we do not put any pressure on people to make any kind of decision at all.  It has to be their own will and not us forcing a decision out of them.

The great thing is that when she came to the Lord she experienced Psalm 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”  It is with tears of joy that we look back and see what the Lord has done.  Praise His name!

How about you friend?  Do you know the Lord?  I sure hope you do.

Today’s reading:  Jeremiah 46, 47, 48; Psalm 26, 56, 86, 116, 146; Proverbs 26

Proverbs 25:9-10, “Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:  Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.”

I remember sitting in a meeting some time ago and being told that none of my co-workers had any confidence in my ability to perform my duties.  Wow!  That was like someone hitting me in the gut with a baseball bat.  I nearly passed out as my legs got weak and I know that I wobbled a little.  That hurt tremendously!  I tried not to be arrogant or prideful; but, I did feel confident in my ability to perform my job.  I did not always perform up to the best; but, I felt that I was able.  I guess not.

The biggest thing to me was not the fact that every one of my co-workers had lost confidence in me.  It was the fact that none of them were adult enough to come to me and tell me how they felt.  The sense of betrayal  wasf enormous.  I had even asked supervisors how I was doing.  To which I was told, “Hang in there buddy.  You’re doing fine.”  Either these persons did not know or they were just comforting me to get me through until it was hatchet time in the office.

I was so humiliated that I eventually resigned after letting this eat me alive from the inside out.  Now, I wish I had stayed and made them fire me so I could get unemployment.  I tried to do what I felt was honorable and all I received was a kick in the teeth every time I turned around.  I am; however, getting over the fact that nobody had the intestinal fortitude to come to me and tell me like it is.  Such is life.  I will keep trying to lovingly tell others how it is in hopes that they come to faith in Christ.

So, how are you doing?

Today’s reading:  Jeremiah 43, 44, 45; Psalm 25, 55, 85, 115, 145; Proverbs 25

Psalm 84:1, “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!”

Tomorrow morning we will wake up and either go to Church or not go to Church.  The choice is up to each one of us.  I am excited to go to Church tomorrow.  It is an exciting place to be.  I will have the pleasure to stand before the Adult Men’s Sunday School class in the morning.  We are going to learn how to study our Bible.  I am excited.  I don’t know if the other men are or not; but, I hope they are looking forward to it.

The Church is not a building.  The Church consists of the people that will meet inside the Church building.  So many people are really confused about that.  Just the other day a story on the news told about approximately (10) ten teenagers that set a historic Church on fire in southern Indiana.  They called them devil worshipers and many other unkind adjectives.  It is so sad.  I don’t agree with the doctrine of this “Church”; but, I don’t think they deserved to have their building to burned to the ground.  God will deal with these youngsters and that is a fearful thing.

I hope you are excited to attend worship services tomorrow.  I am looking forward to standing in front of the choir and leading them as they life their voices in praise and then leading the congregation in songs that will hopefully prepare their hearts to hear the Word of God as our Pastor preaches the Word of God.

We all need to make an effort to prepare our heart, mind and soul for the services in the morning so that God can speak to us and we will not have any distractions trying to drown out His voice.  I hope that you look at the Church as “well loved” or amiable as the writer of our Scripture looked toward the temple.

Are you ready?  I hope so.

Today’s reading:  Jeremiah 40, 41, 42; Psalm 24, 54, 84, 114, 144; Proverbs 24

Jeremiah 37:3, “And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.”

I have a friend who tells a story about a time in his life when he was working in the secular world.  The establishment that he worked had mostly lost people working there.  He said one man in particular was very antagonistic toward my friend because of his Christian values and beliefs.  This man went so far as to try to intimidate my friend.  When he got face to face with my friend he pulled back and was going to hit him.  My friend grabbed the man’s nose and twisted it until it began to bleed and he quoted Proverbs 30:33, “Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.”  This man did not bother him again.  As a matter of fact the man even came to him for prayer occasionally as did others.

This man just needed a wake-up call from the Lord.  Sometimes God uses us to bring about that wake-up call and sometimes it is other trials and circumstances.  When someone comes up to you and asks you to pray for them would you be able to know with complete assurance that your prayers would be answered?  You and I must live in a constant state of prayer and if we confess and forsake our sin then God will hear us and answer our prayers.  What a confidence in knowing that the God of Heaven, the Creator of the universe is in Heaven waiting he hear and answer our prayers.

My friend, if you have never been born-again, if you have never put your faith and trust in God for your eternal salvation then do not think that you will get your prayers answered.  You are deceiving yourself.  Look at Jeremiah 37:9, “Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.”  We need to be very careful not to allow ourselves to get deceived in this matter because it could be very costly.  Don’t deceive yourself.  The devil wants to deceive you so you will not go to God for salvation or whatever your need may be.  Run to the Lord and have your sin forgiven and have the lines of communication opened so that you can have your prayers answered.

So, how are you doing?

Today’s reading:  Jeremiah 37, 38, 39; Psalm 23, 53, 83, 113, 143; Proverbs 23

Jeremiah 34:13, “Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; I made a covenant with your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondmen, saying,”

Today’s reading:  Jeremiah 34, 35, 36; Psalm 22, 52, 82, 112, 142; Proverbs 22

As I was reading my cousin’s blog ( http://dalebyers.wordpress.com ) I was challenged by some questions he posed to his readership.  His first paragraph goes as such:

“How long does grieving take? When a soul is wounded, how much time is needed to heal? What does spiritual healing look like? Those are difficult but important questions.”

Now Dale and his wife and boys have been through great grief in their lives.  I would urge you to read his blog from the beginning until today.  He only writes once a week.  He says in one blog posting what takes me all week in seven blog postings.

When I was reading our Scripture passage for today I was caught by the phrase, “… I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, …”.  I was reminded of how the children of Israel were sent into Egypt and were spared only God knows what.  Think of the trials they endured being slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt.  I think of having to make bricks and go collect the straw themselves.  Such difficult times they were enduring.  Yet God was faithful to them and one day they will be restored to the place that God intended for them.

Yet, I have to know that God intended for my dear cousin and his sweet family to go through this horrible, dark time in their lives.  Trials either make you bitter or better.  In the case of these dear saints it has made them better and more like Jesus Christ and I know this is their goal and His too.

Maybe you find yourself in an Egypt sized trial.  Let me tell you that you are loved supremely by the Lord Jesus Christ and His people.  Run to Him for comfort and allow Him to be the healer of your hurt today.

How are you doing?