Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Reaping What We Sow

Sowing seeds of greed and hatred
Reaps corruption, loss, and pain;
But if we sow love and kindness,
We will reap eternal gain. —Sper


The seeds we sow today determine the kind of fruit we’ll reap tomorrow.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Death Destroyed

O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? —1 Corinthians 15:55

Medical researchers are working tirelessly to find a cure for cancer, a clue to the mystery of Alzheimer’s, and ways to conquer a host of other debilitating diseases. But what if you awoke to headlines saying DEATH DESTROYED! Would you believe it? Could you believe it?

The New Testament proclaims that for the believer in Christ, death has been destroyed—reduced to inactivity—rendered incapable of doing what it once did. “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Cor. 15:54).

This good news is for everyone who will receive it—just as the angel told the shepherds when Jesus was born, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

The birth of Jesus was the beginning of the end for death. “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:56-57).

That is why we celebrate Christmas! —David McCasland

Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth. —Wesley

The birth of Christ brought God to man; the cross of Christ brings man to God.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Christmas Journey

When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son. —Galatians 4:4


How far is it from Nazareth to Bethlehem? If you’re in Pennsylvania, it’s about 9 miles and takes about 10 minutes by car. But if you’re in Nazareth of Galilee, and you’re traveling along with your pregnant wife, as Joseph was, it’s about 80 miles to Bethlehem. That journey probably took Joseph and Mary about a week, and they didn’t stay in a nice hotel when they got there. All Joseph could find was a stall in a stable, and that’s where Mary delivered “her firstborn Son” (Luke 2:7).


But the journey for the infant Jesus was much farther than 80 miles. He left His place in heaven at God’s right hand, came to earth, and accepted our humanity. Eventually, He was stretched out on a cross to die, and He was buried in a borrowed tomb. But the journey was not over. He conquered death, left the tomb, walked again among men, and ascended to heaven. Even that is not the journey’s end. Someday He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.


As you take a Christmas journey this month, reflect on the journey Jesus made for us. He came from heaven to earth to die for us, making salvation available through His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection.


Praise God for that first Christmas journey! —Dave Egner


When God stepped out of heaven above
And came down to this earth,
He clothed Himself in human flesh—
A Child of lowly birth. —D. De Haan


Jesus came to earth for us so we could go to heaven with Him.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Our Hope

The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14


As we drove home from a Christmas party one evening, my family and I approached a small country church nestled between glittering snowbanks. From a distance, I could see its holiday display. Strings of white lights formed the capital letters: H-O-P-E. The sight of that word shining in the darkness reminded me that Jesus is, and always has been, the hope of humankind.


Before Jesus was born, people hoped for the Messiah—the One who would shoulder their sin and intercede with God on their behalf (Isa. 53:12). They expected the Messiah to arrive through a virgin who would bear a son in Bethlehem and would name Him Immanuel, “God with us” (7:14). The night Jesus was born, their hope was fulfilled (Luke 2:1-14).


Although we’re no longer waiting for Jesus in the form of an infant, He is still the source of our hope. We watch for His second coming (Matt. 24:30); we anticipate the heavenly home He is preparing for us (John 14:2); and we dream of living with Him in His celestial city (1 Thess. 4:16). As Christians, we can look forward to the future because the baby in the manger was, and still is, “the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt


That night so many years ago
Which brought the Savior’s birth,
Gave promise of a brighter hope:
Good will—and peace on earth. —Anon.


The key word of Christmas is “Immanuel”— God with us!

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

One More Week!

Christmas Lights - Merry Christmas - Daniel Stowe Gardens in Belmont

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Luke 2:11

For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord. Pink Christmas PoinsettiasLuke 2:11 Pretty light pink poinsettias

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. —Sammis

It’s no small thing to trust and obey.

Christmas Decorations

Christmas decor is always so beautiful this time of year. It's one of my favorite things to photograph. Beautiful piano with Christmas reflectionsDaniel Stowe Gardens in Belmont

Visit North Carolina: Traditional Holiday Recipes to Share

Visit North Carolina: Traditional Holiday Recipes to Share: Since it’s the holiday season, we thought we would share a few recipes. These recipes are for two North Carolina traditions: mulled wine and...

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Visit North Carolina: Christmas on the Coast

Visit North Carolina: Christmas on the Coast: Although photos of snowy mountains are often what we associate with Christmastime, there is no better place to spend the holiday season than...

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Christmastime

At Christmastime we celebrate
The coming of the Prince of Peace;
Though now our world is locked in strife,
One day He’ll make all conflict cease. —Sper

Jesus took our place to give us His peace.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Advent Themes

The hope we have in Jesus Christ
Brings joy into our heart;
And when we know the love of God,
His peace He will impart. —Sper

If you’re looking for hope, peace, joy, and love this Christmas season, look to God.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Honor Your Parents

Don’t miss the opportunity
To honor and obey
The parents God has given you—
For they’ll be gone someday. —Sper

Honoring our parents has no age limit.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Teaching Us

Sure it takes a lot of courage to put things in God’s hands,
To give ourselves completely, our lives, our hopes, our plans;
To follow where He leads us and make His will our own;
But all it takes is foolishness to go the way alone! —Kline


Life is a beautiful song that God is teaching us to play.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone a great Thanksgiving weekend! And safe travels

Happy Thanksgiving - Pumpkin patch and haystacks (two photo effect, background blurry)

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Peace

Lord, thank You for the peace we have down in our
hearts. And that we can be peacemakers with others
through our attitude, words, and deeds.
Help me to show Your mercy and peace. Amen.


Because of the peace of God and peace with God, we can be peacemakers for God.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Christmas Cards

Scripture Christmas Cards

These are blank on the inside, 12/$15.00

Shimmer Surprise Red & White speckled poinsettiasLuke 2:11

Christ’s Cleansing Power

Lord, give me a listening heart and help me
to cooperate with You when You
point out changes that need to be made in my life.
I want to honor You and please You. Amen.


Christ’s cleansing power can remove the most stubborn stain of sin

Friday, November 18, 2011

The Bible

To earn your neighbor’s ear
And prove you really care,
Use terms he understands
To show you are aware. —Branon


The content of the Bible must be brought into contact with the world.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Word of Truth

To handle the Word of truth Takes diligence and care, So make the time to study it And then that truth declare. —Hess

Apply yourself to the Scriptures and the Scriptures to yourself.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Christmas Scripture Pictures

Download Christmas Scripture pictures and use for your graphic designs, Christmas cards, bulletins, etc.

Luke 2:11 A Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.

Light pink poinsettias in a soft finishLuke 2:11 A Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.


















You can also purchase these as Christmas cards.

3.5x5, blank on the inside 12/$15.00

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Water

Gracious and Almighty Savior,
Source of all that shall endure,
Quench my thirst with living water,
Living water, clear and pure. —Vinal


Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy the thirsty soul.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

The Word

Lord, grant that we may hear You speak
As truth within Your Word we seek;
And may it show us all our sin
And make us clean without, within. —D. De Haan


Read the Bible to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Mystery

It may not be for me to see The meaning and the mystery Of all that God has planned for me Till “afterward”! —Anon.

In a world of mystery, it’s a comfort to know the God who knows all things.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

To Everything....

there is a season. Loving these beautiful autumn colors! To everything there is a season.  Ecc 3-1Red leaves in the fall with foggy mist Please remember me if you need autumn scripture pictures. Thanks!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Holy Spirit

God’s guidance and help that we need day to day Is given to all who believe; The Spirit has sealed us—He’s God’s guarantee Of power that we can receive. —Branon The Christian who neglects the Holy Spirit is like a lamp that’s not plugged in.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Who Do You Follow??

What freedom lies with all who choose To live for God each day! But chains of bondage shackle those Who choose some other way. —D. De Haan

You can never go wrong when you choose to follow Christ.

Friday, October 7, 2011

With God

With God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

Red Dogwood Leaves
With God all things are possible - Matthew 19:26Red Dogwood Leaves

Friday, September 30, 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Glory

I've got some new scripture photos! These are some autumn scenes from years ago. Can't wait to see what this fall brings from the Lord!

A Field in the Fall


Let the whole earth be filled with His glory  Psalm 72-19Field in the fall

Friday, September 23, 2011

Justice

The best of judges on this earth
Aren’t always right or fair;
But God, the righteous Judge of all,
Wrongs no one in His care. —Egner


One day God will right every wrong.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Reach Up

If you’re in a situation where you need God’s help, reach up your hand to Him in prayer. He has promised His comfort and help (2 Cor. 1:3-4; Heb. 4:16). —Anne Cetas


When serving the Lord and you lose your way,
Just hold out your hand and let Jesus lead;
He’ll come to your aid, and you’ll hear Him say,
I’ll show you the way and meet every need. —Hess


God’s dawn of deliverance often comes when the hour of trial is darkest.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

God's Name in Your Heart

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. —Pro_18:10 NKJV

When you are confused about the future, go to your Jehovah-raah, your caring shepherd. When you are anxious about provision, talk to Jehovah-jireh, the Lord who provides. Are your challenges too great? Seek the help of Jehovah-shalom, the Lord is peace. Is your body sick? Are your emotions weak? Jehovah-rophe, the Lord who heals you, will see you now. Do you feel like a soldier stranded behind enemy lines? Take refuge in Jehovah-nissi, the Lord my banner.

Meditating on the names of God reminds you of the character of God. Take these names and bury them in your heart.

God is
the shepherd who guides,
the Lord who provides,
the voice who brings peace in the storm,
the physician who heals the sick, and
the banner that guides the soldier.
The Great House of God


Max Lucado Devotions

Friday, September 9, 2011

Seeds

You think your word or deed is very small, That what you say will hardly count at all; But God can take the seed that you have sown And nourish it until it’s fully grown. —Hess

We sow the seed—God produces the harvest.  

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A Focus on Fairness

How others handle justice May not be up to me; But when I react to others, I must show integrity. —Branon Life is not fair, but God is always faithful.
Our Daily Bread

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Ant World

Lord, I love You and want to be a part of Your work around the world. Give me an open heart to know which opportunities You want me to be a part of and wisdom in knowing how to carry that out. Amen. Don’t let smaller things distract you from the bigger work of God around the world.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Saints

Oh, to be filled with His life divine,
Oh, to be clothed with His power and might;
Oh, to reflect my dear Savior sublime,
Always to shine as the saints in light! —Anon.

Saints are people whom God’s light shines through.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

God is in Control

Between the circumstance and me,
A Father’s loving hand
Is working all things for my good—
All moves at His command. —Anon.

God is behind the scenes and controls the scenes He stands behind.

Friday, August 5, 2011

A Hard Goodbye

From today's "Daily Bread"

A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. —Psalm 68:5

When our youngest son joined the Army, we knew that challenges lay ahead. We knew that he would face danger and be tested physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We also knew that in some ways our home would never fully be his home again. In the months leading up to his departure, my wife and I steeled ourselves for these challenges.

Then the day came when Mark had to report. We hugged and said our goodbyes, and then he walked into the recruiting station, leaving me with a moment for which I was decidedly unprepared. The pain of that hard goodbye felt unbearable. At the risk of sounding overly dramatic, I can’t remember when I have wept as hard as I did that day. The hard goodbye, and the sense of loss it delivered, cut me to the heart.

In such moments, I am thankful to have a heavenly Father who knows what it is to be separated from a beloved Son. I am thankful to have a God who is described as “a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows” (Ps. 68:5). I believe that if He cares for the orphaned and the widows in their loneliness, He will also care for me and comfort me—even in those moments when I face the struggles that accompany hard goodbyes. —Bill Crowder

When our loved ones say goodbye
And we have to be apart,
God can fill our loneliness
With His presence in our heart. —Sper


Loneliness comes when we forget about the One who is always with us.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Free

I know by faith in whom I have believed,
I know that God’s free gift I have received,
I know that He will keep me to the end,
My Savior, my Redeemer, and my Friend. —Anon.

Salvation is free, but you must receive it.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Sustains

Awesome is our God and King,
Who upholds the stars above;
We now bow before His throne,
Thanking Him for His great love. —D. De Haan

The God who sustains the universe sustains me.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Glory

Do my choices bring glory to God or draw attention to me?

Monday, July 11, 2011

Scripture Note Cards

Buy Scripture note cards for only $15.00/12. They are blank on the inside and perfect to send to friends and family!

Go here to the Scripture Note Card gallery.


I will personalize these at no charge. Just let me know the photo and scripture.

Thanks for your support!!

Focus on Christ

When your outlook is blurred by problems, focus on Christ.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

God is Good All the Time

Lord, help us trust You all the time
Regardless of what comes our way,
Accepting from Your goodness that
You always have the final say.
—Sper

Life is hard, but God is good—all the time

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Confession

Admitting that we’re guilty,
Acknowledging our sin,
Then trusting in Christ’s sacrifice
Will make us clean within.
—Sper

Confession to God brings cleansing from God

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Happy Memorial Day!

Wishing everyone a great Memorial Day Weekend... be safe.

Thank you, Vets!!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

Glorious Day

One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/casting-crowns-lyrics/glorious-day-(living-he-loved-me)-lyrics.html ]
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing
My Savior, Jesus, is mine


Song lyricks from Casting Crowns

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

Empty Tomb with Crosses

Empty Tomb with Crosses

I visited the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida. They have great displays of how the land of Israel would have looked like way back when.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Christ's Death and Resurrection In the Old Testament

This was in my Khouse newsletter this week and I wanted to share.

Visit their excellent website of teachings sometime soon!

http://www.khouse.org/

"And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced…" -Zechariah 12:10

"…Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:" - Luke 24:46

John the Baptist wore camel's hair and ate locusts and wild honey (Matt 3:4). And by the Spirit, John recognized the true purpose of Jesus of Nazareth from the beginning, before Jesus' ministry had even started. John introduced Jesus to the crowds in John 1:29, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John understood. He got it.

After his resurrection, Jesus met two men on the road to Emmaus, and he expected them to already understand through the Scriptures that Christ was meant to suffer and die. "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself," (Luke 24:26-27).

We would all have loved to be there on the road to Emmaus that day, walking with the resurrected Jesus himself as he detailed the different prophecies that concerned his death and resurrection. Still, the apostles and other New Testament writers do a good job of filling us in. The Old Testament is filled with prophecies and types of Jesus' suffering and death and resurrection as payment for the sins of the world, and the New Testament points those out.

Psalm 16:8-11
Simon Peter starts out on the day of Pentecost explaining that Jesus the Messiah had risen from the dead, "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it," (Acts 2:24). Peter then pulled from the Psalms to prove the truth of his testimony.

"For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses." -Act 2:24-32

Psalm 22:
The sacrifice and resurrection of the Messiah are throughout the Old Testament. Psalm 22, written by King David a millennium before Christ, gives us the very perspective of the Lord hanging on the cross. It describes how the people mocked Christ (Psalm 22:7-8; Mat 27:41-43), how they cast lots to divide up his clothes (Psalm 22:18;Mat 27:35), how his bones were out of joint (Psalm 22:14), how the wicked had surrounded him and pierced his hands and feet (Psalm 22:16) – the scars of which Thomas later got to touch and feel (John 20:27). Psalm 22 ends by saying God's righteousness would be declared to "a people that shall be born" (Psalm 22:31).

The Sign of Jonah:
The Bible is also full of types and foreshadowings. Jesus Christ is throughout the Old Testament in a variety of details. For instance, before his death and resurrection, Jesus offered simply the "sign of Jonah" as a foreshadowing of how long he would be dead.

"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." - Matt 12:40

Isaiah 53:
Isaiah 52:13-53:12 offers one of the most profound prophecies in the entire Old Testament, written over 700 years before Christ's death and resurrection.

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."- Isaiah 53:3-6

Some have argued that this passage refers to Israel, but in the context that explanation makes little sense. Isaiah clearly says in verse 53:8, "for the transgression of my people was he stricken." That is, "he" stands in contrast to Israel, Isaiah's people.

In the next verse, Isaiah says: "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."

It cannot be said of Israel that there was no deceit in her mouth.

On the other hand, Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Mark 15:27), and yet was buried in the grave of Joseph of Arimathaea, a wealthy man with enough standing to go ask Pilate for Jesus' body (Mark15:43-46).

In Isaiah 53:10, we get a hint at a resurrection, because after his soul is made "an offering for sin" he will then "prolong his days."

In the end, Isaiah says in verse 12 that God would reward this righteous servant (numbered with the transgressors, but not one himself), "he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Our Redeemer Lives:
In the oldest book of the Bible, written even before Moses wrote the Pentateuch, Job prophesied from the ash heap where he suffered. He declared in verses 19:25-26:

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."

Passover:
These prophecies are just the beginning, of course. Exodus 12:1-28 describes the feast of Passover. It was set up as a type of Christ, one that gave the Hebrews an understanding of the use of a perfect lamb as a sacrifice, the blood of which would protect those under it from the wrath of God, the angel of death. The Jews were to prepare for the feast by removing all leaven from their homes, symbolic of removing sin from their lives.

Paul the scholar writes in 1 Corinthians 5:7, "Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us."

The Pure Spotless Lamb:
Peter describes how we are saved by "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." Just as John the Baptist understood, Jesus was the fulfillment of the Levitical system of blood sacrifice (e.g. Lev 8-9). Jesus was the true spotless lamb whose blood could take away sins. The sacrifice of bulls and goats could never take away sin, as the writer of Hebrews noted in verses 10:4-5, quoting Psalm 40:6:

"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:"

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity was not an afterthought of God. It was always the plan from the beginning. Revelation 13:8 calls Jesus, "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

Throughout the Law and the Prophets, God revealed His eternal plan of redemption to mankind. In advance, He described the sacrifice and resurrection of the Messiah. It was a plan He had purposed before He had even formed humanity. He then accomplished it, and through Jesus Christ we have the victory now and forever.

Praise the King!

"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it." - Isaiah 25:8

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Sunday, April 10, 2011

A Forever Service

In heaven we'll see our savior
And like Him we will be;
We'll praise Him and we'll serve Him
For all eternity!

Fitzhugh

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Tongue Control

Lord, set a guard upon my lips,
My tongue control today;
Help me evaluate each thought
And watch each word I say.
—Hess

Bite your tongue before your tongue bites others.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Wealth

In Christ we’re rich beyond belief
With wealth the world cannot see;
We have new strength and character,
New righteousness and purity.

Sper

The poorest person is he whose only wealth is money.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

God feeds us through His Word

God’s Word provides the nourishment
That every Christian needs to grow,
Supplying strength from day to day
By teaching what we need to know.

Sper

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Are We There Yet?

All God's testings have a purpose -
Someday you will see the light;
All He asks is that you trust Him,
Walk by faith and not by sight.
Zoller

"It's the journey, not just the destination that's important."

Friday, March 4, 2011

Color and The Queen City: Horsing Around With Color

Color and The Queen City: Horsing Around With Color: "If you've read my other color blog, A Color Specialist in Charlotte,  or my main website Decorating by Donna, you may have noticed me ..."

Anticipation

I will come again and receive you to Myself. —John 14:3

At the beginning of March, my friend began a countdown. Marked on the calendar in her office were the 20 days left until the first day of spring. One morning when I saw her, she volunteered, “Only 12 more days!” A few days later, “Only 6!” Her enthusiasm started to rub off on me, and I began to keep track as well. “Just 2 more days, Jerrie!” “I know!” she beamed.

As believers, we have something to look forward to that is even more exciting than the anticipation of budding flowers and lots of sunshine after a long winter. God has made many promises in His Word, and each one has been or will be fulfilled. But the certainty that Christ will return is one of the greatest promises of all. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. . . . Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,” and we’ll be with Him forever (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

Although no one can know the exact day, we have God’s promise that Jesus will come back (Acts 1:7-11). As we celebrate the spring and coming Easter season, let’s encourage each other in anticipation of that day! —Cindy Hess Kasper

He is coming! Oh, the rapture
To behold His lovely face,
And to tell Him how I love Him,
Who has saved me by His grace. —Dimmock

Christ is coming—perhaps today!

Our Daily Bread

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Win or Lose

During the 2009 college football season, University of Texas quarterback Colt McCoy began every post-game interview by thanking God for the opportunity to play. When he was injured early in the national championship game, he was forced to watch from the sidelines as his team lost.

The apostle Paul experienced God’s deliverance many times, but he didn’t insist on things going his way. From prison in Rome he wrote to Timothy: “I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:6). Some might say that Paul had failed to accomplish his goals and that his life was ending in defeat. But he saw it differently: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (v.7). He looked forward to an eternal crown (v.8).

As we walk with God, we can praise Him for His faithfulness—win or lose.



I can always count on God, my heavenly Father,
For He changes not; He always is the same.
Yesterday, today, forever, He is faithful,
And I know He loves me, praise His holy name! —Felten

In every change He faithful will remain. —Katharina von Schlegel

Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. —2 Timothy 4:7

Our Daily Bread

Sunday, February 27, 2011

What God Had Done

You have been saved by God's grace. —Eph_2:5

Read slowly and carefully Paul's description of what God has done for you: "When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins. He canceled the debt, which listed all the rules we failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross. God stripped the spiritual rulers and powers of their authority. With the cross, he won the victory and showed the world that they were powerless" (Col_2:13-15 ).

As you look at the words above, answer this question. Who is doing the work? You or God? Who is active? You or God? Who is doing the saving? You or God?

Max Lucado - He Still Moves Stones

Monday, January 31, 2011

Ignoring Grace

Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. —Matthew 7:14

 
In the hectic downtown of one of Asia’s great cities, I marveled at the busy sidewalks filled with people. There seemed to be no room to move in the crush of humanity, yet it also seemed that everyone was moving at top speed.

My attention was drawn to the soft, almost mournful sound of a single trumpeter playing “Amazing Grace.” The crowds appeared oblivious to both the musician and the music. Still, he played—sending a musical message of the love of God out to whoever knew the song and would think about the words as he played.

I thought of this experience as a parable. The music seemed to be an invitation to the masses to follow Christ. As with the gospel message, some believe in God’s amazing grace and choose the narrow way. Others ignore His grace, which is the broad way that leads to everlasting destruction. Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt. 7:13-14).

Jesus died so that “whoever calls” on His name (Rom. 10:13) can find forgiveness in His grace. —Bill Crowder

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see. —Newton

Christ believed is salvation received.

Our Daily Bread Devotional

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Freedom

Galatians 5:1

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

The Message

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Give Thanks

Psalm 136:26

"Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever."

What do you have to be thankful for??

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Faith Always Pleases God

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

Hebrews 11:6
The Message

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Sowing Seeds of Peace

This is from one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado (The Applause of Heaven).

Plant goodness, harvest the fruit of loyalty, plow the new ground of knowledge. —Hos_10:12

"Want to see a miracle? Plant a word of love heartdeep in a person's life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens.

An employee gets a compliment. A wife receives a bouquet of flowers. A cake is baked and carried next door. A widow is hugged. A gas-station attendant is honored. A preacher is praised.

Sowing seeds of peace is like sowing beans. You don't know why it works; you just know it does. Seeds are planted, and topsoils of hurt are shoved away.

Don't forget the principle. Never underestimate the power of a seed."

Friday, January 14, 2011

Call It Good

I have trusted in Your mercy. —Psalm 13:5


Can we really know whether to label life’s circumstances as good or bad?

For instance, your car breaks down right before you are to take a family road trip. But when you take the car to the shop, the mechanic says, “Good thing you didn’t take this out on the road. It could have caught fire.” Is that bad because of the inconvenience, or good because of God’s protection?

Or perhaps your child decides to pursue interests that aren’t all that interesting to you. You wanted her to play basketball and run track in high school. But she wanted to sing and play the oboe. You feel frustrated, but she excels and ends up with a music scholarship. Is that bad because your dreams weren’t fulfilled, or good because God directed her in ways you could not have predicted?

Sometimes it’s hard to see how God is working. His mysteries don’t always reveal their secrets to us, and our journey is often redirected by uncontrollable detours. Perhaps God is showing us a better route.

To make sure we benefit from what might seem bad, we must recognize and trust God’s “unfailing love” (Ps. 13:5 NIV). In the end, we’ll be able to say, “I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me” (v.6 NIV). —Dave Branon

The circumstances in our lives
Seem random and unplanned;
But someday we will surely see
The order of God’s hand. —Sper

We may not be able to control events, but we can control our attitude toward them.

Our Daily Bread Devotions

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Snow in North Carolina

We had some decent snowfall this week... I love winter only when it snows like this.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

Praying everyone has a wonderful 2011!

Thanks for your support last year and I hope you'll continue to follow me.

God Bless!!