God's Plan for Me

 

His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6b

Every Jewish family probably knew the passage and longed for the coming of the Messiah to restore their land, but who had any idea it would happen the way it did? Do we have any idea how it happened? In the next few days, let's explore the reality of the miracle of our Savior's birth. Remember, your comments are always welcome.

Monday's Readings: Read the entire passage and let the Lord show you the verse(s) that will be significant in your life. The verse(s) I comment on are the verses the Lord had for me. That's why comments and sharing are significant, so we all may benefit.

      Luke 1:1-25 (vs. 6,7) Both Zecharias and Elizabeth were faithful to God. They kept His commandments, but it seems they were being judged by the community because Elizabeth was barren. She had no children. The people took it as a sign that Zecharias and Elizabeth were out of favor with God. Not true. God was waiting for the right time to use them both to demonstrate His power and to reveal His message.

It's hard to wait when we are discouraged and ridiculed, when people don't understand. But... we must understand, God has a plan. Whether the issue is children, husband, wife, weight, beauty, money, whatever, God is in control, and He has a plan for each of us.

Father, help me not to rush into things, but live by faith, knowing You are in control, and You have the best plan for me. In Jesus name. Amen.

Tuesday Readings: Luke1:26-38 (vs 38) Mary believed the angel and wanted to follow God's plan. But did she have any idea the hardships it would bring? I would think the first thing she might have done would have been to tell her mom. Have you ever wondered how Mary's parents figured in the story?

Growing up in the '50's and 60's, we sometimes saw teenage girls "disappear". You know, Aunt Sue or Cousin Jane, who lives in Somewhere, was sick and needed the girl to help out a little while. Six to eight months later, the girl reappears. Did you ever wonder why the angel mentioned Cousin Elizabeth to Mary? Could it be that Mary's Mom and Dad sent her to the distant hill country because they couldn't believe Mary's story? I'm sure they didn't want their daughter to be the talk of the community. Why did Elizabeth hide herself? Could it be that if she had told them she was expecting in her old age, the people would have deemed her the crazy old lady?

Father, help me to be like Mary, willing to follow You no matter the hardships that come. In Jesus name. Amen.

Wednesday Reading:
      Luke 1:39-56 (vs. 49).  Mary saw how great a thing God had done for her - her salvation, allowing her to be the mother of the Savior, the Messiah, and providing a friend in Elisabeth who understood.

When things seem overwhelming, and I'm sure Mary was feeling overwhelmed as she traveled to Elisabeth's, look for the great things God is doing in your life. Remember He has a plan for you just as He had one for Mary and Elisabeth.

Father, thank you for all you are doing in my life. Help me to cultivate the good things and not destroy the joy with doubts and complaining. In Jesus name. Amen.

Thursday Reading:
      Luke 1:57-80 (vs 74,75) At the birth of John the Baptist,  Zecharias called to remembrance the promise God had made to Abraham, the promise that God would deliver Israel from the hands of the enemy and they would serve God without fear in holiness and righteousness.

We who are Abraham's children by virtue of the new birth in Christ have the same promises. He will always be with us. We should serve Him without fear, trusting that He is in control and knows all we face. Isaiah 41:10

Thank you, Lord, for being in control. Thank you that we can trust You to handle every matter. Help me remember "No Fear" in Jesus name. Amen.

Friday Reading:
      Matthew 1:18-25 (vs19,24)   Joseph thought to put her away privately. In a day when an engagement was almost as binding as a wedding, Joseph wanted to break the engagement without causing her shame or endangering her life. Mary had gone to Elisabeth's. All this seemed a good way to solve a "problem," but God had other plans.

God sometimes interrupts our lives to bring about the best plan. Though Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were going to face ridicule all their lives, it was the best plan for the entire world. God loved Mary and Joseph, but He loves us, too. We needed Mary and Joseph to carry out God's plan. We need to rise from our sleep and let God use us in this our day - for such a time as this  (Esther 4:14).

Father, help me to know how to humble myself so You can use me to further Your kingdom. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of Your plan. In Jesus name. Amen.

O Beautiful Star

                  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. ~Matthew 2:12

Poinsettias are a common Christmas flower, but I often wondered why. The "flowers" are actually bracts. The small yellow centers are actually the flowers. Most poinsettias are red, but some are white or pink. So why use this flower from Mexico as a Christmas flower? 

Every culture has its legends to make a point and help the people remember the stories they represent. And so it is with the poisettia. In Mexico, the people tell the story of a little girl who wanted to bring something to the Christ child. The child was poor and had no money to purchase a gift, so she picked a bouquet of weeds. When she laid them before the Christ child, they turned into beautiful red flowers. In Mexico, the poinsettia is known as "Flores de Noche Buena" or "Flowers of the Holy Night". 

The shape of the poinsettia reminded the people of the shape of the Star of Bethlehem that led the wisemen to the house where the young child was. The red of the poinsettia represents the blood that Jesus shed for our sins, and the white represents his purity. I think the yellow flowers in the middle could represent a crown for the King of Kings. 

Matthew tells us that the wisemen went home a different way. So should we leave in a different way when we encounter Jesus as our Savior. May you know Jesus as Savior this Christmas season. 

Father God, help us demonstrate changed lives because we have encountered Jesus. The wisemen never forgot that special meeting and so may we never forget the time and place we came to Jesus repenting of our sins, seeking salvation. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

For God So Loved the World

 

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

I'll tell this the way it was told to me, though I am sure others would disagree with the story; surely no one will disagree with the message. So grab a candy cane and enjoy this sweet tale of Christmas with the whole family.

In the seventh century, when kings and queens declared and enforced the laws with the sword, a law was made that Christmas would no longer be celebrated. It broke the heart of an old candy maker who loved to see the smiles of children as they enjoyed his sweet Christmas treats. He also loved the telling of the Christmas story in churches and homes.  No one was allowed to own or read a Bible except the priests and now that was questionable under the rule of this queen. He wondered how this generation would grow up without the knowledge of Jesus if the laws forbade the telling of the story.

As the old candy maker locked his doors for the evening and knelt by his counter for prayer, the Lord gave him an idea. It was not illegal to make new kinds of candy and he knew just what kind of new candy he would make.

All night the candy maker tweaked his candy recipes to fit the story of Jesus. As the new day dawned, he set out for his shop anxious to get a start on his new candy. He would start with pure white candy and spice it with peppermint. Then he would layer it with red candy, making a pattern of a wide red stripe and three thin red stripes. As he rolled and twisted the hardening candy, he sliced off lengths of candy and bent them into a crook at the top. The next day would be Christmas and he would be ready to share his Christmas story. 

As families entered his shop the next day with faces long and sad because of the canceled holiday, he offered them a new candy and an old story. "See this crook?" he said. "On a night long ago, shepherds stood on a hillside watching their flock by night. Angels announced the birth of a baby born to a virgin. The baby was pure and sinless like the white of this candy cane. His father is God the Father. The baby is the Son of God and He would give us the Holy Spirit." The old candy maker pointed to the three thin stripes going around the candy cane. "The baby was to be called Jesus." The candy maker turned the cane upside down, making the J. "The big red stripe," he said. "stands for the blood Jesus shed on Calvary for our sins. Taste the candy now children. The peppermint reminds us of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus and the spices used to prepare His body for burial when He died upon the cross." The candy maker followed the large red stripe around the cane as he continued his story.  "His blood covers our sins and offers forgiveness. This, children, is the real story of Christmas, not the toys and candy, but the coming of the Savior of the world as a baby in a manger. Not just visited by shepherds and wise men but to be our Shepherd, who gives us eternal life in Christ."

The parents were grateful their children were able to hear the Christmas story that morning and take home a reminder of the true meaning of the season. 

Now, as you receive a candy cane, examine it for the three thin stripes, the large stripe, the taste of peppermint, and the pure white candy that makes the body of the cane. Turn it to make the J and the shepherd's crook. Now it's your turn to share the gift of Christmas with others. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of your Son to die for our sins so that we may have eternal life through Jesus Christ. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Picture credit to Pixabay.com

Legend of The Candy Cane - Sacred Literature Ministries, Taylors, SC

Hey Kids:

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.  

Psalms 34:

The Ambiance of Light

 

Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ~ Philippians 2:14,15 

What is there about candlelight that draws me to it?

Perhaps it's the ambiance it creates. 

• It never grumbles or complains
• It burns brighter and brighter
• It dances with the flickers of light
• It reflects that dance on the walls
• It comforts with warmth
• It opens up the vision 
• It draws others to it

The longer it burns the shorter it grows, but it never goes out as long as there is wick to burn.

The Reflection

So when I grumble and complain am I drawing others to Christ? Will others listen when I try to witness? Who would want to be a part of something or someone who promotes sadness and makes others around them unhappy or depressed? No one. 

The Ambiance

How can I create an ambiance of joy, peace, happiness, love? 

Perhaps by leaving the grumbling and complaining behind, giving it all to Christ.

Remember/reflect that no matter the situation, He is working things out for His purposes and our good.

The Comfort

Perhaps by living a blameless and harmless lifestyle.

Demonstrating love and kindness to all people goes a long way in the midst of a divided and hopeless people.

The Vision

Perhaps by shining as lights in the world, creating an ambiance of joy, of love, and of peace. People must first know we care before they will listen to the message of salvation. 

Heavenly Father, help me be your light. Help me create that ambiance of peace and comfort, of joy and dancing. Thank you for the privilege to shine for you even to my waning days. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Gail Cartee: Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Gail Cartee: Sleep in Heavenly Peace: And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehe...

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ~Luke 2: 15,16 KJV

Have you ever tried to picture Mary and Joseph in a stable tucked back into a cave? Close your eyes and uses your imagination. Create the sensory reactions of the stable. What does it smell like, How does the straw feel when walked or lain on? What sounds are heard?
Wait! What's that sound? Is it the sound of someone struggling from pain? Infant cries. What is going on in this stable. May I offer a poem of that first night?
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Mom and Joseph labored through the night
Now He is here, pink and perfect.
Joseph speaks and His head turns,
Eyes searching as if to say,
"I know that voice. That's my Joseph".


He easily finds both fists and suckles loudly.
Bright eyes search the face who holds him.
Mom nestles him close to her breast.
His head turns from His fists to her warm food.
She smiles and relaxes as her milk lets down.


He nurses strong, then begins to doze and
Awake to snack and doze and snack
And doze and ...
His chin quivers as her breast slips from His mouth.
Sleep, peaceful, quiet, heavenly sleep.


Swaddled in clean cloths, He is laid in the manger.
Whispers enter the barn door.
Shepherds shuffle in the shadows of lantern light.
Quiet awe at the sight of the angels' message.
"For unto you is born...a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord."


Father God, help us make the Christmas season real. May we be aware of Mary's struggles in a smelly barn. May we be aware of Joseph's anxious feelings of delivering a baby, Your Son into the world. Help us be aware of Your miracles around us swaddled in the ordinary. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Squanto

    

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. ~Psalms 105:1

You know the picture in our minds we all get of the Indian brave who walked into the Pilgrim village in the spring of 1621 to show the Pilgrims how to plant corn, beans, and pumpkins? Wasn’t his name Squanto? Or didn’t anyone ever tell you about Squanto?

Preparing for Thanksgiving

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. ~II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

Many people have prayed, I among them, and agonized over the condition of our country. Many breathed a sigh of relief and felt the answer to those prayers, but friends, prayer warriors should not let down their guard. We cannot say, "Oh, the battle is over. We can relax now." On the contrary, there is yet much work to do and prayers to be prayed. 

One of the things the Lord has laid on my heart is a return to reading God's word—not just reading but studying it so that we know how to humble ourselves and pray for God's forgiveness and direction for our nation.

This week I offer a short reading on which you can easily expand, a thought and a prayer for each day.  This, the week before our Thanksgiving, is a great time to start reading and studying our Bibles in preparation for humbling ourselves to give true Thanksgiving for all God's blessings on our families and our nation. 

As you study, make a few notes about the things God is revealing to you.

Monday Reading:
      Exodus 36:5,6 The people were so excited about the work of the Tabernacle that they brought in more than was needed. Moses had to give a command to stop bringing things for the Tabernacle.

What a wonderful situation to find ourselves in. When has the offering ever been too much? When has a congregation been so excited about God's work that they had to be told their gifts were enough?

Heavenly Father, at this season of Thanksgiving, may our thankfulness for all you have done be demonstrated in the enthusiasm we show in working for Your kingdom. May Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Tuesday Reading
       Exodus 37:1, 10, 25, 29 These verses demonstrate the responsibilities of Bezaleel. God chose him to do a mighty work but he is actually an unknown figure. His faithfulness to his calling has affected the understanding and worship of God for millions of people for thousands of years.

Can others look at my work and see my faithfulness to God's calling? How is my faithfulness or lack thereof affecting others? Surely everything we do affects others.

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me a work to do. Help me to be faithful to Your calling regardless of how much or how little credit I receive. You must increase and I must decrease. Be glorified, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday Reading:
      Exodus 38:8 The women brought their brass mirrors to make the brass laver, a place for the priests to wash their hands. Have you ever noticed women when they pass by a mirror, even in a store? We have to stop and check ourselves.  Beautiful hair, clothes, and make-up can all be a mess if a woman doesn't have a mirror to check herself. The women of Israel gave their most prized possession. They humbled themselves before God, putting aside their vanity for the building of the place of worship.

Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to the things I put before worship, before praise, before witnessing. Help me to humble myself for Your work. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Thursday Reading:
       Exodus 39: 18. The names of the tribes of Israel covered the priest's heart. His shoulders bore the weight.

Are God's people on my heart? Are the lost on my heart? Do I have a burden for people, or do I just complain about the situation?

Heavenly Father help me carry a burden for repentance among Your people and a burden to see the lost saved. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Friday Reading:
      Exodus 40:34. The people had followed God's directions. They had set up the tabernacle in God's order. He had descended on it. He guided their way day and night.

When our lives are clean God abides and directs our way. When we allow sin to enter in the Spirit departs until our lives are clean - forgiven. I John 1:9. We cannot do a work for God if we harbor sin.

Heavenly Father, direct my path that I might walk in Your way. May my life be pleasing unto You. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Saturday Review

    Pray. Review your notes. Is the Lord leading me in a specific direction? Has He revealed a work that needs strengthening or a new work begin? Pray again. Choose a direction for next week's readings.

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. 

Numbers 6: 24-26

In Jesus' name. Amen.

  

A Snowy Day

 

Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. I Chronicles 11:22 NKJV

A pristine snow covered the ground, covered the snags, and leveled the dips. The sun glistened and sparkled in the cold. Benaiah trudged home alone across the snow. He pulled his cloak close as the wind whipped around him. He had walked since sunup and now the cold was beginning to bite through his whiskers. Perhaps he should look for shelter, but where in this barren land? 

There, a hole in the snow. Perhaps there was a cave. Benaiah moved closer. A thatch partially covered the hole as if something or someone had fallen through. Again, the wind whipped his cloak, reminding Benaiah he needed to find shelter soon or he would succumb to the freezing temperature. He hoped no one or nothing was still in the pit. Grabbing a piece of the thatch he lowered himself into the dark pit. 

A low growl came from the dark end of the pit, growing louder and coming closer. As it entered the light of the hole, Banaiah saw a huge male lion shaking his head from side to side as he continued to growl at the man who invaded his privacy. 

The growl became a roar. Benaiah reached for his sword tucked under his cloak. He snatched the lion's mane before it could lunge for him. In warrior motion, Benaiah swiped his sword across the bare part of the lion's neck, slicing through to the jugular vein. The lion reared back, pawed the air, then dropped to the floor of the pit. Benaiah wiped the blade clean across the fur of the lion before tucking it away. The odor of blood was nauseating. The smell was not unfamiliar to Benaiah, who had fought many battles for David. He would rest before facing the snow and cold again in the morning. 

It seems odd to find such a story in the middle of the stories of David's mighty men. There was no one involved but Benaiah. His act was one of self-defense. Maybe a closer look will show us the heavenly meaning behind this earthly story. 

When I think of snow, I think of beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. Serene in all its glory, but is it? The snow completely covers the ground, causing us to miss the dips and pits that trip us and cause twisted ankles, broken legs, and tragic falls. And so the world looks good. It promises beauty, peace, and a prosperous life. When we try to find our hope in the things of the world, it covers the pitfalls and hides the tragedies.  

We often think we can shelter in our families, friends, and even church. We should never let our guard down. For Satan, walks about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He may lie quiet as a small thing in our lives and homes but his roar will grow in intensity unless we, like Benaiah, are armed with the sword of the Lord. Jesus used scripture to thwart Satan's temptations in the wilderness. We too must be armed and ready to face our lions with the word of God. Though the battle may leave its stench in our memories, through Christ there is rest before we face another day. 

Heavenly Father, help us hide your word in our hearts that we might not sin against you and that we may stay every attempt of Satan to destroy our testimony before others. In Jesus's name. Amen

Cast Your Bread

 Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Eccl. 11:1

I came across this verse while studying Ecclesiastes. Why would you throw bread on the water? Then I had a flashback to middle school. We read one of the banned books way back then - Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I remembered the people in the story casting bread on the water, but I couldn't remember the specifics. So I called on good ol' Google. I found "CliffNotes" with my answer. 

In Huckleberry Finn, Huck's pap locked him in their cabin. Huck figured a way out, but he also wanted to stay free of his abusive father. He planned to fill a bag with rocks and drag it to the river, leaving a path so as to make his father think he had been killed and dumped in the river. He filled another bag and drug it off in the other direction as if the robbers/murderers had taken Pap's "treasure". Huck hid in the woods to see what would happen. Sure enough, Pap wanted the town to help him find his treasure and to find his boy, that the murderers had thrown in the river. 

Huck watched from the brush as the men of the town put quicksilver (mercury) in the bread and set it afloat on the river. Huck was hungry so when one of the loaves came close he fished it out of the water and ate some of it. Of course, this was before the War Between the States so no one knew how poisonous mercury was. No matter Huck didn't die. 

The practice of placing mercury in bread and releasing it on water to find drowned bodies was practiced until the 1870s in the US. Though I had no idea what Solomon was talking about until I recalled the now banned book that I read as a child, I can now see some very important symbolism from this verse. When bread with mercury finds a body, it is supposed to begin to sink over the spot so divers can retrieve the body. 

Solomon used three important symbols in this verse. 

• bread - Jesus is the bread of life
• water - isles of the nations, Gentiles, people of all nations in need of the gospel. 
• find it after many days - rare is the person who repents and is saved after hearing the gospel for the first time.

Solomon had tried it all and had not found true happiness. It was all vanity, emptiness until he realized the real purpose of his life was to cast his bread upon the waters. He had the gospel. He had the opportunity to tell the world. 

Solomon wrote this for our benefit as well. We have the gospel. We have vast opportunities to share it with the world. Though we  may not see the results as this moment, rest assured people will hear and will come to salvation if we faithfully present Jesus. 

The bead was supposed to sink over the body so the body could be retrieved. We were all dead bodies, rotting in our trespasses and sin. Jesus brought us up. He resurrected us. He gave us new life. We see this demonstrated everytime we see a believer immersed in baptism and resurrected to a new life in Christ.

Father God, help me never give up spreading your gospel by whatever means, knowing that You will bring people to you giving them a new life in Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Wondrous Water

 

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. Genesis1:7

Eight times in the first nine verses of Genesis, the word water or waters appears. One of my Bible Study students mentioned that her "aha" moment this week was the often-mentioned water in the creation, since the Holy Spirit is often symbolized by water. 

I'd never really thought of water in the creation like that! All three of the Trinity were present at the time of creation. God said, "Let us make man in our image." But here was the water covering everything, as the Spirit covers our lives and controls our thoughts and actions if we know the Lord and allow Him to control as we should. Here, the water was above and below, saturating the universe with life. Yes, life, because without water we cannot live, and without the Holy Spirit we have no eternal life. 

The image above helps me think of the beginning of the world. The clouds above and the water beneath, both in motion yet controlled and purposeful. The tides to cleanse the ocean and more. The clouds moved by the winds to move great ships, bring more water in rains, and more. All working in tandem for God's purposes. 

There is so much the Creation can teach us about God and His eternal purpose if we will only stop and take the time to notice, if we will study and share, if we will listen to God speaking to our hearts through His creation and His word. 

Our Bible Study uses the S.O.A.P. method. 

• Scripture
• Observation
• Application
• Prayer

Read a chapter and write down the verse that seems to jump out.

Write down what you observe about the passage

Write how it applies to you.

Pray and ask God to help you apply this truth to your life.

What will you study and share this week? 

Heavenly Father, help me pay attention to the wondrous things of your creation. May I study your word and understand how you bless us and teach us through the creation we so often fail to notice. Thank you for all your marvelous ways. In Jesus' name. Amen.

An Apple Butter Church

 

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41 KJV

The apples are in so apple butter is in the making. It's really quite simple when you have the right tools. I use a crank apple peeler. I can crank out a 1/2 bushel of apples in about an hour. Try hand-peeling that many and see how long it takes. I have a large turkey roaster that holds my apples. It will cook a 1/2 bushel of apples into apple butter while I sleep. The next day, all I need to do is put it in the jars. The apple peeler will take out the core, peel the apple, and slice it into rings all at the same time. I use a large variety of apples so the mixture brings out the best apple flavors. Winesaps and Cameos are my favorites. I also added Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Fuji, and maybe a Gala or two. Add a little apple pie spice and sugar, and a few splashes of apple cider, and the apples have a new purpose, the makings of great homemade apple butter.

I was thinking about how we tell the kids about the salvation transformation with pumpkins, taking out the yucky stuff and putting the light inside to shine through the smiling face. That put me to thinking about apple butter and the church. Apples have a core with seeds. The seeds contain a cyanide compound. It won't hurt us to eat the seeds. A person would have to eat a tremendous amount to cause harm but our mothers told us apple seeds were poison. We take out the core before we make apple butter.

We have a core that has to be removed before we can become a Christian. That core will kill us if left inside. You know I'm talking about our sinful heart. We have to allow Jesus to cleanse us of our sins if we want to be saved. That's the first step in becoming part of a church. Just as a rotten apple would spoil the whole batch so an unsaved person will spoil the witness of the whole church.

The appearance of an apple has to change before it becomes apple butter. The peel has to be removed. Leaving it on would add a tough consistency to the butter.  It has to become soft, sweetened, and spiced to have the right smell and taste. It needs to be cooked on low for several hours to get the tenderness and consistency needed to create great butter.

What do you think we might need to be a great church? With salvation, our tough exterior will come off. We become the tender-hearted, loving person that desires to be like Jesus. We become part of a church where we can become that sweet odor of God to the world. Our lives are spiced with the truth of God's word. We are warmed to the things of God. We mix with others who may be of other races, backgrounds, and cultures to create a wonderful mix that is able to reach out to a lost world, telling them, once, we too were lost but now we're saved. Once, we too were tough guys who didn't need help. Once, our attitudes stunk, but with Jesus, we have a new life, a new attitude, and a new purpose.

Good apple butter is the best mix of apples. Just put it on a little homemade bread and see how delectable it is. Apple butter on a foundation of homemade bread, that's another analogy in the making. The foundation of the church, Jesus Christ the Bread of Life.

Heavenly Father, may those who do not yet know You, allow You to take away their sinful core, their heart that poisons their spirit. Father, replace it with your sweet savor. Mix them into Your church built on the foundation of Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that the world may know Your plan of eternal salvation. In Jesus's name, I pray. Amen 

Hey Kids:

Apple butter can be as easy as pie. If mom has an apple peeler, ask if you can help crank it. 

Wash and peel about 12 apples.

If you don't have an apple peeler, have an adult peel the apples. 

Slice the apples into small pieces with a plastic picnic knife. 

Place the apples in a crock pot.

Add about 1 cup of apple cider, juice or water.

Add 2 cups of sugar (optional)

Stir in 2 1/2 tsp of apple pie spice.

Place the lid on the crock pot and turn it on low overnight. In the morning, remove the lid, stir once in a while until the apples have cooked down to the consistency you desire.

Sterilize 4-6 jelly glasses (1/2 pint jars)

Spoon apple butter into glasses.

Bring to a boil in a water bath and boil for 5 minutes.

If you don't have a water bath, place several table knives in the bottom of a large pot. Place the jars on top of the knives so they don't touch the bottom of the pot. Cover with water and boil the same way as with a water bath.

Prepared and Vigilant

 

 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: ~I Peter 5:8

Have you ever been to a reenactment? Every October Walnut Grove Plantation has a reenactment of a revolutionary battle in which Bloody Bill Cunningham was killed. He massacred many patriots in the weeks before. No one seemed to know he was near Walnut Grove. The children were playing in the yard when the alarm sounded that the British were coming. People ran to get the children to safety. The British stormed the house where a patriot was being treated. Militia filled the yard along with British soldiers, and a battle ensued.

What if no one warned the children? What would the enemy have done to them? The patriots didn’t just rush in and shoo the children to safety. They stood their ground and fought against the invaders. They didn’t just rush in untrained. There were sessions to drill the men in resisting the enemy long before the enemy attacked. The children and wives were at the training drills as well. It was almost a social day. Everyone watched and prepared to meet the enemy. Even the little ones played militia games.

Have we trained ourselves in God’s Word to stand against the Devil? Are we training our little ones? Do we rush our little ones to safety, and stand our ground in defense of our families and our country? As one of the men in the film “Courageous” says, “Where are we men of courage?” And might I add, “Where are we women of courage?”  The enemy walks about even now seeking whom he may devour. Our enemy is not the British. The enemy is Satan himself. He will devour our children, our homes, and our country if we are not vigilant in watching and training our children to watch as well. They innocently play while Satan uses every means available to reach into their hearts and minds to destroy.

Where does the enemy lurk? 

• Should we change the TV channel often? 
• Should we monitor the music our children hear? 
• Should we monitor our children's social media and web history?
• Are we having trouble finding modest clothes? 
• Are the popular clothes covered with worldly or demonic symbols? 
• Are we aware of the books our children read, or have read them in school? 

Heavenly Father, help us be aware of the enemy surrounding our families. Show us how to live in the world but not be of the world. You have given us the most precious gift in our families. Help us defend it by being vigilant in training them to be aware of their surroundings and resist the devil's attempts to capture their hearts and minds. In Jesus's name. Amen 

Hey Kids:

One of the things I noticed when attending the Walnut Grove Reenactment was how the training was for the whole family, and it seemed like a social event. How could you and your family participate in training to confront the enemy while still having fun as a social event?

At my church, we have a packing party for Samaritan's Purse. 

Every month, we choose something for families to bring for shoeboxes. 

We store them until November.

Then we bring snack foods for a social event as we pack the boxes.

It's not just about toys and socks. We also teach others that the most important thing Samaritan's Purse will include in the boxes is a gospel booklet in the child's language. They get to bring the booklet to training sessions in their village or town. After the completion of the classes, the children receive a Bible in their language. Siblings, parents, aunts, and uncles also benefit from the children's shoeboxes. The children take the gospel home to their families! 

Whole families and their communities become prepared to meet the enemy with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Is your family prepared?

If My People

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. ~II Chronicles 7:14 KJV

Many people have prayed, I among them, and agonized over the condition of our country. Several spiritual leaders have passed in the last few weeks, Charlie Kirk and Voddie Baucham to name a few.  As Erika Kirk has demonstrated, now is not the time to lay down our armor and grieve, on the contrary, there is yet much work to do and prayers to be prayed. 

One of the things the Lord has laid on my heart is a return to reading God's word—not just reading but studying it so that we know how to humble ourselves and pray for God's forgiveness and direction for our nation.

This week I offer a short reading on which you can easily expand, a thought and a prayer for each day. This is a great time to start reading and studying our Bibles in preparation of humbling ourselves to give true Thanksgiving for all God's blessings on our families and our nation. 

Monday Reading:
      Exodus 36:5,6 The people were so excited about the work of the Tabernacle that they brought more than was needed. Moses had to give a command to stop bringing things for the Tabernacle.

What a wonderful situation to find ourselves in. When has the offering ever been too much? When has a congregation been so excited about God's work that they had to be told their gifts were enough?

Heavenly Father, at this season of Thanksgiving, may our thankfulness for all you have done be demonstrated in the enthusiasm we show in working for Your kingdom. May Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Tuesday Reading
       Exodus 37:1, 10, 25, 29 These verses demonstrate the responsibilities of Bezaleel. God chose him to do a mighty work but he is actually an unknown figure. His faithfulness to his calling has affected the understanding and worship of God for millions of people for thousands of years.

Can others look at my work and see my faithfulness to God's calling? Is my faithfulness or lack thereof affecting others? Surely everything we do affects others.

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving me a work to do. Help me to be faithful to Your calling regardless of how much or how little credit I receive. You must increase and I must decrease. Be glorified, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday Reading:
      Exodus 38:8 The women brought their brass mirrors to make the brass laver, a place for the priests to wash their hands. Have you ever noticed women when they pass a mirror, even in a store? We have to stop and check ourselves.  Beautiful hair, clothes, and make-up can all be a mess if a woman doesn't have a mirror to check herself. The women of Israel gave their most prized possession. They humbled themselves before God, putting aside their vanity for the building of the place of worship.

Heavenly Father, please open my eyes to the things I put before worship, before praise, before witnessing. Help me to humble myself for Your work. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Thursday Reading:
       Exodus 39: 18. The names of the tribes of Israel covered the priest's heart and his shoulders bore the weight.

Are God's people on my heart? Are the lost on my heart? Do I have a burden for people or do I just complain about the situation?

Heavenly Father help me carry a burden for repentance among Your people and a burden to see the lost saved. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Friday Reading:
      Exodus 40:34. The people had followed God's directions. They had set up the tabernacle in God's order and He had descended on it. He guided their way day and night.

When our lives are clean God abides and directs our way. When we allow sin to enter in the Spirit departs until our lives are clean-forgiven. I John 1:9. We cannot do a work for God if we harbor sin .

Heavenly Father, direct my path that I might walk in Your way. May my life be pleasing unto You. In Jesus's name. Amen.