JUNE 15
STEP OUT ON HIS WORD
Imagine the night when Jesus spoke to Simon Peter and said, ‘Come unto me!’ Then Peter, at that moment, encouraged beyond measure, took that first step out on the water and of all things WALKED!
The story:
Matthew 14:25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, WALKING ON THE SEA. –
Matthew 14:26 And when the disciples saw him WALKING ON THE SEA, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, BE OF GOOD CHEER; IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID. –
Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, BID ME COME unto thee ON THE WATER.
Matthew 14:29 And he said, COME. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, HE WALKED ON THE WATER, to go to Jesus.
Many years ago I heard Preacher York say that Peter didn’t walk on the water. He said, ‘Peter walked on the WORD!’ Jesus said, ‘COME!’ That’s what Peter stepped out on – THE WORD – CONSEQUENTLY the WALKING ON THE WATER was because HE WAS WALKING ON THE WORD!
Notice when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the wind:
Matthew 14:30 But WHEN HE SAW the wind boisterous, HE WAS AFRAID; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, LORD, SAVE ME.
It was never Peter’s doing that performed this great feat. The reason it happened then – and if great things happen now – the reason always remains the same – it is because God Spoke and man obeys THE WORD OF GOD!
Peter could not save himself and neither can we save ourselves. Notice the moment he realizes that he is not the one in control – he cries – ‘LORD, SAVE ME!’ When our humanity fails – it is then – and thus it should be – that we call on The Lord for help!
Jeremiah 17:14 HEAL ME, O LORD, and I shall be HEALED; SAVE ME, and I shall be SAVED: for thou art my praise.
Jeremiah 31:18 . . . TURN THOU ME, AND I SHALL BE TURNED; for thou art the LORD my God.
HEAL ME for I can’t HEAL myself!
SAVE ME for I can’t SAVE myself!
TURN ME for I can’t TURN myself!
Human efforts will fail!
There WILL COME that STORM that you can’t handle – BEFORE THAT – LOOK to JESUS,
LISTEN – AND THEN:
STEP OUT ON HIS WORD
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JUNE 14
THE SECRET OF THE A.M. WRITERS (THIS CHANGED MY LIFE)
I know I have used the following statement more than once and that’s okay. The Reason – It has impacted my Life as much as any statement that I’ve read. I knew that God was CALLING me to WRITE – I didn’t think I could – All of these examples encourage me and maybe they will you!
‘It has been said that no great work in literature or in science was ever wrought by a man who did not love SOLITUDE, and we may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion that no large growth of holiness or – real and continuous success in Christian work, was ever gained by one who did not take time to be OFTEN and LONG ALONE with God.’ (Author Unknown)
JESUS’ EXAMPLE OF SOLITARY DEVOTION — Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into A SOLITARY PLACE, and there prayed.
MOSES EXAMPLE OF SOLITARY DEVOTION — Exodus 34:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. –
Exodus 34:2 AND BE READY IN THE MORNING, and come up IN THE MORNING unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount. –
Exodus 34:3 And no man shall come up with thee . . . (A Time of Solitude/emphasis mine) –
Exodus 34:4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and MOSES ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. –
Exodus 34:5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, AND STOOD WITH HIM THERE . . .
Here’s an AMAZING STATEMENT:
‘The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early upon their knees.’ (Unknown)
MATTHEW HENRY used to be in his study at four, and remain there till eight; then, after breakfast and family prayer, he used to be there again till noon; after dinner, he resumed his book or pen till four, and spent the rest of the day in visiting his friends.
DODDRIDGE himself alludes to his “Family Expositor” as an example of the difference of rising between five and seven, which, in forty years, is nearly equivalent to ten years more of life. —
DR. ADAM CLARK’S “Commentary” was chiefly prepared very early in the morning. —
BARNES’ popular and useful “Commentary” has been also the fruit of “early morning.”
To them the MORNING WATCH was essential. They did not face the day until they faced God – they did not look into the face of others until they had looked into His. They did not expect to be victorious, if the day began only in their own strength.
Meet Him alone and regularly.
Meet Him with His open Book of counsel before you.
Discover:
THE SECRET OF THE A.M. WRITERS
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JUNE 13
THE MASTER OF THE WIND
The Sea of Galilee is noted for sudden, violent storms that whip it into a churning froth. Winds sweep down the valley of the Jordan from the north, picking up speed in the narrow gorge. When they hit the Sea, it becomes extremely unsafe for navigation.
My Dad (a multiple time tour host to the Holy Land) gave me the following facts: ‘The Sea of Galilee is an unusual body of water. It is relatively small (7 miles wide – 13 miles long – 150 feet deep). Its shoreline is 680 feet below sea level. When the sea is raging (many times suddenly and without warning) it can churn the water and produce violent 20 foot waves.’ (BOB DAILEY)
On one occasion, Jesus was crossing the sea from the west side to the east. When a storm broke, the terrified disciples awoke Him with frantic pleas for help:
Matthew 8:23 And when HE WAS ENTERED INTO A SHIP . . .
Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose A GREAT TEMPEST in the sea, insomuch that the SHIP WAS COVERED WITH THE WAVES: but he was asleep.
Matthew 8:25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, LORD, SAVE US: we perish.
Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O YE OF LITTLE FAITH? Then he arose, and REBUKED THE WINDS AND THE SEA; and there was A GREAT CALM.
Matthew 8:27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! –
WINDS AND THE SEA OBEY HIM! – To their credit, the Disciples went to the RIGHT PERSON during the storm. Even though, at that moment, they did not realize nor comprehend that the CREATOR and SUSTAINER of the universe was in the ship that day! WOW!
HE AROSE, and REBUKED the Winds and the Sea. In the hour of her wildest uproar, Nature knew the voice of Him who was her rightful Lord, and gladly showed allegiance to Him!
The SEA is evermore in Scripture THE SYMBOL of the restless and sinful world. As Noah and his family (the kernel of the whole of humanity) were once contained in the ark tossed on the waters of the deluge (the flood) and threatened; so (the kernel of the new humanity – of the new creation – of the CHURCH) Christ and His apostles, in this little ship were threatened. The waves of the world still rage horribly around it, yet the storms are never prevailing to overwhelm it, and this is BECAUSE CHRIST IS IN IT!
All disciples encounter storms sooner or later. What a comfort to know that Jesus is in the boat with us. ‘No water can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies.’ No one can quell life’s storms like the Lord Jesus. \
FOR HE IS:
THE MASTER OF THE WIND
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JUNE 12
THE ABC’s OF LIFE
As I watch a young man or young lady receive his/her diploma for successfully graduating I truly feel a delight for them. It is a Mile-Marker on the road of their Life’s Journey. It indicates ACCOMPLISHMENT. It may be Pre-School, Kindergarten, Elementary, or High School, College, a Vocational Program, a Training class or something else. They should be commended!
I heard a Young Man give a GRADUATION SPEECH called the ‘ABC’s of LIFE.’ He was reminding his fellow classmates of each of their journeys to reach this place. It started with the Basic ABC’s as BUILDING BLOCKS,
I share his speech:
A We should take the ‘A’ and ACCEPT the challenge.
B We should take the ‘B’ and BELIEVE in ourselves
C The ‘C’ and CONVERT our thoughts into hope
D The ‘D’ Have the DETERMINATION to convert our hopes into DREAMS
E We should ‘E’ EXPECT some obstacles on the way up
F And ‘F’ FIGHT while being FAITHFUL and FINISH the course
G We should ‘G’ GET GOD on our side (or GET on GOD’S SIDE)
H We should ‘H’ HAVE a HEARTY model of leadership
I We should ‘I’ INSPIRE someone else
J And ‘J’ take JESUS on our JOURNEY
K And ‘K’ KEEP on KEEPING on
L And ‘L’ be a LEADER
M And ‘M’ MAKE every MINUTE and every day count
N We must ‘N’ NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up
O We must ‘O’ OVERCOME OUR OBSTACLES
P And ‘P’ PUT our best foot forward
Q We must ‘Q’ QUIT QUITTING
R And ‘R’ RUN the RACE with patience
S We must ‘S’ STRIVE on
T While ‘T’ TRUSTING in The Lord
U We should ‘U’ USE and UTILIZE our talents
V And ‘V’ VALUE our time
W We should ‘W’ WAIT for understanding
X And ‘X’ X-RAY our own lifestyles
Y We should ‘Y’ YEARN to achieve all that we seek
Z And ‘Z’ be ZEALOUS when reaching the top – Yes we can reach the top!
Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he TEACH KNOWLEDGE? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? . . .
Isaiah 28:10 For PRECEPT must be upon PRECEPT, PRECEPT upon PRECEPT; LINE upon LINE, LINE upon LINE; Here a LITTLE, and there a LITTLE.
(Always build upon):
THE ABC’s OF LIFE
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JUNE 11
THE EYES OF THE LORD
Many years ago, on several of our Youth Outings, we would go to the Smoky Mountains. We camped out with the kids and sometime during the week we would go to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and spend one of our days. We would do all sorts of activities and one in particular was a Christian Museum called Christus Gardens (a wax museum about the Life of Christ). The Wax Figures were so life-like that they looked like they were really breathing. What an experience!
One image we loved so much was a marble image of the ‘Eyes of Christ.’ No matter where you stood (in front or to either side) those EYES would follow you. The tour would last an hour or two but that image of the ‘EYES OF CHRIST’ (once you saw it and witnessed what it did) would last a life-time. I STILL REMEMBER IT WELL!
The following was engraved into the 6 Ton Marble Monument:
‘The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.’
The Museum has since changed and that Monument has been replaced but the TRUTH learned STILL LIVES ON!
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE EYES OF THE LORD:
Hebrews 4:13 NEITHER is there any creature that is not MANIFEST in his SIGHT: but all things are NAKED and OPENED unto the EYES OF HIM with whom we have to do.
NAKED reminds us of the way God saw through Adam’s feeble hiding. God sees and knows.
OPENED is the ancient Greek word trachelizo, used only here in the New Testament. It was used of wrestlers who had a hold that involved gripping the neck (THE CHOKE HOLD) and was such a powerful hold that it brought victory. The saying used when I was a kid was ‘Go for the Jugular’ and it meant to attack fiercely in order to have no doubt about winning. It means the same as a Lion attacking its prey (which goes for the neck). Once that area is exposed the prey is extremely vulnerable. God reminds us that we are just as exposed when we stand before Him!
When the Apostle Paul (His name was Saul before conversion) met Jesus on the Road to Damascus he found himself pinned down by the Lord:
Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? – Acts 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to KICK AGAINST THE PRICKS.
The pricking was the FINGER OF GOD poking his chest and revealing, ‘I KNOW YOU and I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!’
Paul SUBMITTED because he knew he was looking into:
THE EYES OF THE LORD
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JUNE 10
HOW DOES GOD SEE THIS?
Samuel, the Old Testament Prophet, made the mistake of judging Eliab (David’s brother) based on his APPEARANCE. This was the same mistake Israel had made when it came to the FAILED king Saul. Saul ‘LOOKED THE PART’ of a king, but he ‘DIDN’T HAVE THE HEART’ that a king should have. He didn’t have the kind of heart a king should have to be a leader of God’s people.
1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, LOOK NOT ON HIS COUNTENANCE, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, BUT THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART.
FOR THE LORD SEES NOT AS MAN SEES . . . MAN LOOKS OUTWARDLY WHILE THE LORD LOOKS INWARDLY ON THE HEART. This was both a STATEMENT OF FACT, and an EXHORTATION TO GODLY THINKING.
FIRST, it was A STATEMENT OF FACT:
Even the best of men will look ON THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE. Samuel was guilty of it right at that moment. We must understand that we can’t read the secrets of someone else’s heart, and we often only judge on outward appearance.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATION:
‘The world is FULL OF IDOLATRIES, but I question if any IDOLATRY has been more extensively practiced than THE IDOLATRY OF THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE.’ (Blaikie)
I certainly cannot take credit for the above statement. However, it is so profound and convicting that I could not leave it out.
SECOND, it was AN EXHORTATION TO GODLY THINKING
God was telling Samuel, “Your natural mind-set is to only judge on outward appearance. But I see and can judge the heart of a person that you cannot see. Samuel needed to know his natural inclination to judge only on OUTWARD APPEARANCE, but he didn’t have to give into it. He could seek the LORD and seek God’s heart and mind when looking at people.
Since we are inclined to LOOK ON THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE perhaps we are also inclined to CATER TO THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE. Everyone in some way gets caught up in FASHION. I’m not saying DO NOT LOOK GOOD – I am saying even in this WE SHOULD GET GOD’S OPINION AND MIND. So whether it is FLASHY to BUMMED OUT – Maybe a good start would be to DRAW LESS ATTENTION TO OURSELVES. A good principle would be – ‘IF HELLYWOOD (oops – Hollywood) DOES IT – THEN – I DON’T HAVE TO!
Certainly we should be more considerate of God’s way of thinking – at least ask:
HOW DOES GOD SEE THIS?
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JUNE 9
HE HAS A TRAINED EYE
The Doctor turned the Screen on and placed the x-ray on the panel and to my amazement he began to describe what he saw. He began to point out things by saying, ‘Do you see this?’ ‘This is’ . . . and he would tell us what it was. I remember saying, ‘I do now but before you showed me – it looked like – white clouds against a blackened sky!’
The difference was – He had a TRAINED EYE to read the x-ray and I didn’t. When he pointed at a certain thing and then described what he was seeing, I then could understand. He was a great Doctor for taking the time to do that.
JESUS HAS A TRAINED EYE TO X-RAY MAN’S PROBLEMS
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus BEHOLDING HIM loved him, and said unto him, ONE THING THOU LACKEST: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
The word ‘BEHOLDING’ means: to LOOK AT – but more than just to LOOK AT it means TO LOOK AT WITH THE MIND, to really consider.
Imagine, Jesus looked at people WITH HIS MIND and He knew their THOUGHTS. He knew their MOTIVES. ONE LOOK at the young man and Jesus told him what he needed. Just like an X-ray . . . Jesus LOOKED AT THE HEART. JESUS KNEW! Jesus, the Great Physician, could read what no man could read. He can DIAGNOSE because He has a TRAINED EYE.
1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, LOOK NOT ON HIS COUNTENANCE, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, BUT THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE HEART.
Samuel made the mistake of judging Eliab (David’s brother) based on his appearance. This was the same mistake Israel had made when it came to the FAILED king Saul. Saul LOOKED THE PART of a king, but Saul – DIDN’T HAVE THE HEART – a king should have.
Consider:
* God’s knowledge of human nature is IMMEDIATE and DIRECT.
* Being IMMEDIATE and DIRECT, God’s knowledge of man is PERFECT.
* Because God’s knowledge is DIRECT and PERFECT, it surpasses men’s knowledge of each other and of themselves.
He has the ABILITY to know the need because HE IS . . .
THE CREATOR . . .
HE HAS A TRAINED EYE
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JUNE 8
HUMAN INSTINCT
The word ‘INSTINCT’ is a very interesting word to me. It is said that any BEHAVIOR is INSTINCTIVE if it is performed without being based on prior experience. It is BUILT INTO our beings and it is like being on AUTO-PILOT. When ADAM and EVE sinned their behavior revealed such an ‘INSTINCT.’ Consider:
Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and THEY KNEW that they were naked; and THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES together, and MADE THEMSELVES aprons.
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife HID THEMSELVES from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Genesis 3:9 And the Lord God CALLED unto Adam, and said unto him, WHERE ART THOU?
Genesis 3:10 And he said, I HEARD THY VOICE in the garden, and I WAS AFRAID, because I WAS NAKED; and I HID MYSELF.
Genesis 3:11 And he said, WHO TOLD THEE that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
That which strikes us first of all is that Adam represents the average sinner. Adam’s conduct proves that the sense of God’s presence, awfulness, greatness, was still intact in his soul. ‘THEY HID THEMSELVES’ was the result of an INSTINCT. Man-made, or human attempts for covering sin, is also an inbred INSTINCT. Two motives would cause ADAM and EVE to HIDE FROM GOD:
- ‘FEAR.’ GOD’S GREATNESS and GOD’S HOLINESS was now the measure of the FEAR felt by those who had dared to disobey Him.
(2) ‘SHAME.’ SHAME was an absolutely new thing, unlike any other capacity or experience in himself with which our first father had been previously acquainted.
AS THE GREATNESS OF GOD WAS THE MEASURE OF ADAM’S FEAR – SO HIS OWN LOST GREATNESS WAS THE MEASURE OF ADAM’S SHAME
When any Christian person has fallen into sin and seeks to hide himself from the presence of the Lord – God is generally so merciful – He will not suffer that man to be at ease and forget Him. He calls him out of his hiding-place, as He called Adam from among the trees. No man is more busy in ruining himself, and hiding from the face of his Maker, than He, our gracious Savior, is watchful to awaken and save him. (Plain Sermons by Contributors to ‘Tracts for the Times’)
Look at the actions of humans – 1. There’s Mom – hide it. 2. There’s the Teacher – hide it.
3. There’s the Officer – hide it. 4. There’s the Boss – hide it. 5. There’s my Spouse – hide it.
6. Here they come – hide it. 7. There’s God – hide it!
Such behavior proves our sinful nature does exist and further proves our need for a Savior. What is so profound is that no previous practice was required – it was all done by:
HUMAN INSTINCT
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JUNE 7
I SEE YOUR TOES
I could plainly see the bulge in the Living Room Curtain caused from her tiny little body pushing it away from the wall. Little Bethany (my Granddaughter) was hiding behind that curtain. She was hiding from her Papa Steve. She knew I was frantically searching for her. Where’s Bethany? Oh my, Where is she?
I could hear the echo of her little giggles that seemed to be saying, ‘I’ve got him this time – Papa Steve can’t find me – Oh, this is so much fun!’ What she didn’t realize was that her TOES were showing from under the curtain. Her voice was loud and revealing. No matter how HIDDEN she thought she was – TRUTH WAS – she was not HIDDEN. I could say, ‘I SEE YOUR TOES!’
Have you noticed that a little child just covers up their head with a blanket or something and to them they are really HIDDEN. It is so funny to watch. If they can’t see you – (they reason) – you must not be able to see them.
IMAGINE THIS STORY PLAYING OUT IN THE BIBLE:
Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and ADAM AND HIS WIFE HID THEMSELVES from the presence of the LORD GOD AMONGST THE TREES of the garden.
Genesis 3:9 And the LORD GOD CALLED UNTO ADAM, and said unto him, WHERE ART THOU?
I wonder if ADAM and EVE really thought that they were HIDDEN? Probably, Yes! They probably were as convinced as my little Granddaughter. I can only imagine that their WHISPERS sounded like THUNDER in God’s ears. ‘He’s right over there, Eve . . . Shhhhhhh! . . . BE VERY QUIET . . .’
I can only imagine that when ADAM or EVE peaked around the tree to see where God was – it must have been like – my Granddaughter’s TOES sticking out from under the curtain! They would peek and say, ‘He’s right over there . . . Oh, I saw Him, but He didn’t see me . . . ‘
NOTICE: No sooner than God calls, Adam answers (oops, HE FOUND ME):
Genesis 3:9 And the LORD God CALLED unto Adam, and said unto him, WHERE ART THOU? –
Genesis 3:10 And HE (Adam) SAID, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I HID MYSELF.
My Granddaughter thought she was HIDING from me and people think they’re HIDING FROM GOD . . .
When you HIDE from God don’t be surprised to hear Him say:
I SEE YOUR TOES
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JUNE 6
ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE
When God sent Manna from Heaven, to feed His Children, He did so in a way that was totally OBVIOUS to them. God wanted His Blessings to be found and to be found quickly. He poured out the ‘BLESSINGS’ in the MIDST OF THE CAMP:
Psalm 78:28 And he let it fall in the MIDST OF THEIR CAMP . . .
When God sent His Son Jesus to be Lord and Savior for lost humanity – you might say JESUS CAME INTO THE MIDST OF THE CAMP. Consider John the Baptist and Jesus – When people wanted to inquire of John The Baptist they had to go out into the wilderness to seek him.
Jesus indicated this in the following:
Luke 7:24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, WHAT WENT YE OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS FOR TO SEE? A reed shaken with the wind?
Luke 7:25 But WHAT WENT YE OUT FOR TO SEE? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings’ courts.
Luke 7:26 But WHAT WENT YE OUT FOR TO SEE? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.
Luke 7:27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
John the Baptist, was truly a great man – but the people had to go out into the wilderness to find him. Unfortunately, we humans are that way. We are not easily found and many times not easily accessible (truth for myself).
But JESUS . . . MAY I TELL YOU A LITTLE ABOUT HIM?
When people wanted to inquire of Jesus, they found Him on their TRODDEN WAYS. He LOVED being in their HOMES. He was no stranger to the LOWLY VILLAGE. He was found sitting with the COMMON PEOPLE. Yes, He was perfectly familiar with the crowd.
He gave them BREAD FROM HEAVEN and it was just as THE MANNA. He never reserved such BREAD for the monastery shelter nor for the Religious Academy. He healed people right where they were. He fed them (right where they were). He does so even now!
He was found in the dull routine of DAILY LIVING – In the FIELDS – down by the SEASHORE – in the NARROW STREETS of UNIMPORTANT VILLAGES – in the rooms of OVER CROWDED COTTAGES – in the MEETING PLACES OF THE CITY – He was there IN THE MIDST OF THEIR CAMP (their lives).
HE WAS THEN AND HE IS NOW:
ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE
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JUNE 5
INTENTIONAL BLESSINGS
I knew I had to be a gentleman and let Grandma (my lovely wife) walk through the door of my Son’s house first. I knew those Grandbabies would smother Grandma with love, hugs, squeezes, and big Cajun Smiles. You see, Grandkids do not hug with just arms . . . they hug with the whole body . . . arms wrapped around your neck tightly and legs wrapped around as well. I love it!!!
Since Grandma would take the bulk of their strength, welcoming energy, and lovin’s . . . I knew Ole Papa would have to do something extraordinary to try to gain an advantage. I would get the leftovers . . . so this had to be good! I HAD TO HAVE A PLAN!!!
I’m a STUFFED ANIMAL kind of guy. I love to give Teddy Bears and all types of little stuffed creatures. So with that . . . I placed on my shoulders a couple of stuffed animals . . . one for ZOE and one for TATE. When it came my turn for the hug . . . Oh Yeah! . . . Big eyes . . . Big smiles . . . and . . . HERE IT COMES . . . ‘What is that Papa Steve?’ ‘Oh, my, that is for you my precious little friend!’ Both of them reached up and squeezed their fuzzy new friend. Needless to say – IT WAS A HOMERUN! Next to Grandma Darlene – this was my only chance! lol
My plan had to be obvious. The stuffed animals were not in a package. They were not gift-wrapped. They were out in the open (EXPOSED) because I did not want the Grandkids to miss them at all. I intentionally wanted the stuffed animals to be discovered. You might say this was an INTENTIONAL BLESSING! (ON PURPOSE)
GOD’S BLESSINGS ARE INTENTIONAL AND VERY OBVIOUS
Psalm 78:22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
Psalm 78:23 Though HE HAD COMMANDED THE CLOUDS FROM ABOVE, and OPENED THE DOORS OF HEAVEN,
Psalm 78:24 And had RAINED DOWN MANNA upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. – Psalm 78:25 Man did eat angels’ food: HE SENT THEM MEAT TO THE FULL. –
Psalm 78:26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. –
Psalm 78:27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
Psalm 78:28 And HE LET IT FALL IN THE MIDST OF THEIR CAMP, round about their habitations. (God delivered right to their door step – Hallelujah! /emphasis mine)
Psalm 78:29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;
God made His Blessings so obvious. He wanted the MANNA to be discovered. It RAINED IN THE MIDST OF THE CAMP (not a hard to reach place – not a far away place). God sends OBVIOUS BLESSINGS that He wants the recipient to DISCOVER, just like those Stuffed Animals.
God says, ‘Oh My, this is for you! Go ahead, squeeze your Blessing –
Thank God for:
INTENTIONAL BLESSINGS
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JUNE 4
THE NEXT GENERATION
When I came to the Lord and was gloriously saved – the year was 1973. I was a Senior in High-School (in my last semester) when this great miracle happened. Today, after all the passing years, I still serve the same Mighty God and have never been happier. I am so thankful for the choice that I made to give my life to the Lord! It was the best decision I have ever made!
The reason it was such a great miracle was due in part to the fact that I and my family had never attended Church. Many people see me, as Pastor, and they think that I was raised in the Church and attended Sunday School from the time I was a child. I did not have a Christian upbringing at all. The only Church I attended was an occasional summer Vacation Bible School.
To be truthful, it took me three or four months after coming to the Lord to finally get on the right track of stability. For me to fully say, ‘NO’ to sin and to its temptations was a challenge to a young man. Thankfully, God never gave up on me and He stayed with me during those growing pains. Thankfully, I stayed with HIM!
One of the most difficult things I encountered then and one of the hardest things to understand was – As I was COMING TO THE FAITH . . . I met many young people (my age) . . . that were RUNNING AWAY FROM THE FAITH. The sin, I had just come out of, was the sin they were running to. What heartbreak to see this.
IT TAKES ONLY ONE GENERATION FOR A NATION TO FORSAKE THE LORD
Judges 2:7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, WHO HAD SEEN ALL THE GREAT WORKS OF THE LORD, that he did for Israel.
Judges 2:8 And JOSHUA the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, DIED, being an hundred and ten years old. – Judges 2:9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance . . .
Judges 2:10 And also ALL THAT GENERATION were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose ANOTHER GENERATION after them, WHICH KNEW NOT THE LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and many of their generation witnessed some of the GREATEST MIRACLES ever recorded. They were truly BLESSED. When that generation passed away it equally amazes me how the next generation FORGOT GOD . . . ‘WHICH KNEW NOT THE LORD!’ We must pray for a continuance of generational blessings!
All of my Christian Life I have witnessed the traffic of SO-CALLED CHRISTIANS heading in the opposite direction (not toward but away from the Lord). This Loss must not go unchecked.
From one generation to another the choice is the same –
It is JESUS or the DEVIL.
Pray for the:
THE NEXT GENERATION
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JUNE 3
TAKE A STEP UP
One day a Farmer’s Donkey fell down into a deep well. The poor Donkey cried piteously for hours as the Farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well was beyond use and needed to be covered anyway. He felt bad, but he just couldn’t see a way to retrieve the Donkey.
The Farmer invited his neighbors to come over and to help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the Donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down and was silent.
A few shovel loads later, the Farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. The Donkey was not silenced because he had died as the Farmer thought. NO! Something INCREDIBLE was happening.
With each shovel of dirt that hit the Donkey’s back, he was doing something amazing. The Donkey would shake the dirt off and then TAKE A STEP UP!
As the Farmer’s friends continued to shovel dirt on top of the Donkey, he would simply shake it off and TAKE A STEP UP. Pretty soon, everyone was filled with JOY as the Donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off.
THE STORY OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC’S WELLS
Genesis 26:15 For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had STOPPED THEM, and FILLED THEM WITH EARTH (dirt).
Genesis 26:18 And Isaac DIGGED AGAIN THE WELLS OF WATER, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had STOPPED them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.
Genesis 26:19 And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and FOUND THERE A WELL OF SPRINGING WATER.
The Philistines were representative of a sinful world. They were always throwing DIRT in the Children of God’s wells. The People of God were never stopped. They always found a way to STEP UP and go on. What they did then – we MUST do now!
Life is going to shovel and throw a lot of dirt on you . . . ALL KINDS OF DIRT! The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and TAKE A STEP UP. Each of our troubles is a stepping-stone. We can get out of the deepest wells simply by not quitting. WE MUST NEVER GIVE UP!
When the world throws dirt in our wells . . . WE MUST BE DETERMINED . . . WE MUST DECLARE THAT WE ARE NOT THROUGH . . . .
SHAKE IT OFF . . .
TAKE A STEP UP
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JUNE 2
STUCK WITH THE BAD SEED
There is a great story of a Far Eastern King who was growing old. One day he called for the children in the kingdom and explained to them that he had devised a plan to find the next king. The king declared that he would pick one of the children to become the next king.
‘It is time for me to step down and choose a new king. I have decided to choose one of you,’ the king said. The king continued, ‘I’m going to give each of you a very SPECIAL SEED today. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and then bring it back to me in one year. The new king will be chosen based on the plants that are brought at that time.’
One of the children was named Bobby and boy was he excited. He went home and told his mother what was happening. With her help, they got a pot and some soil and planted the seed and watered it carefully everyday. After a few weeks, some of the children were talking about how their seed was beginning to grow. Bobby kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
When the time allotted began to expire many of the children were bragging about their luscious plants and trees. They were boasting about how well their plants had grown. They were all excited about their opportunity – to show the king – and their chances of being chosen by him. Bobby said nothing and was very sad. He knew he had killed the seed and he was so stressed about bringing his pot of – NOTHING – to the king! He was ashamed. Why is my seed bad?
His Mother said to Bobby, ‘Son, you must be honest and tell the truth about what happened. You must tell the king that you tried but nothing grew.’ As Bobby prepared to go to the castle – He knew his Mother was right and he knew that the truth was the only way to explain his empty pot and what had happened.
‘My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you all have grown.’ ‘Today, one of you will be the king!’
Just then the king saw Bobby hiding in the back and ordered his guards to bring him forward. ‘Where is your plant young man?’ With a tear in his eye he told the king the truth about his seed and how he tried to no avail.
‘Boys and girls, meet your new king!’
‘One year ago I gave all of you a BOILED SEED – One that I knew would never grow. When you saw that your seed would not grow – all of you – substituted that seed for another and all of you brought me plants. Bobby brought me the TRUTH and HONESTY. All of you should be more careful about the seeds you plant.’
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. —
I guess we know now who was:
STUCK WITH THE BAD SEED
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JUNE 1
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING
At first, I laughed at what I saw because Children can be so cute and adorable. My son, Justin, was standing in my boots and standing right in front of me with the most precious little grin. ‘Look, Daddy, I’m in your boots!’ As I looked at that sweet innocent Child my heart sank with a most sobering (serious) thought. ‘If he is going to walk in my boots then I had better be an example for him to follow!’
The reality of that moment had a profound impact on me as a Dad. The reality was – that my Son WOULD BE FOLLOWING ME. My example – whether good or bad – would create a path for him to walk down. That moment brought a sense of URGENCY to my living. As a Dad – I MUST GIVE HIM A GODLY EXAMPLE!
We may not think much about people FOLLOWING US or PAYING ATTENTION to our lives, but believe me WE SHOULD. The Apostle Paul knew that his life would IMPACT (in a big way) the lives of New Converts and Seasoned Christians:
HE WANTED THE PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE
1Corinthians 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME.
1Corinthians 11:1 BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME, EVEN AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST.
He did clarify – that as HE FOLLOWED CHRIST – They could FOLLOW HIM. This has huge ramifications when considered. WE MUST PRAY if someone is to follow my example then I had better follow HIS (Jesus)! PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW AN EXAMPLE EITHER GOOD OR BAD. WE MUST MAKE IT GOOD!
1Thessolonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; AS YE KNOW WHAT MANNER OF MEN WE WERE AMONG YOU FOR YOUR SAKE.
1Thessolonians 1:6 And YE BECAME FOLLOWERS OF US, AND OF THE LORD, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
The missionary martyr, Jim Elliot, wrote in his journal: ‘In spiritual work, if nowhere else, the CHARACTER OF THE WORKER decides the QUALITY OF HIS WORK. Shelley and Byron (known friends) may be moral free-lancers and still write good poetry. Wagner (known friend) may be lecherous and still produce fine music, but IT CANNOT BE SO in any work for God. Paul could refer to his OWN CHARACTER and MANNER OF LIVING for PROOF of what he was saying to the Thessalonians. Nine times over in this first epistle he says, “You know,” referring to the Thessalonians’ observation of Paul’s private as well as public life. Paul lived a life that illustrated what he preached; it went beyond illustration to convincing proof. No wonder so much work in the Kingdom is shoddy; look at the MORAL CHARACTER of the worker.
Our WALK and TALK need to AGREE. Our WALK must match our TALK –
Look at my Son:
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING
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