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Good Morning,
Those who know their geography well might know that the longest place name still in use is Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapiki-maungahoronukupokaiwenuakitanatahu, a New Zealand hill. Or they might be aware that the full name of Los Angeles is El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula, which can be abbreviated to 3.63 percent of its size by simply calling it L.A. But no one can know a subject as well as God knows us. What's in a name anyway? Well I'm glad that the Bible teaches me that God knows my name. In our spirit, He can call our name, tell us He sees what we are going through, and that He is with us. He can also call our name, and rejoice with us in victories. Someday, because we have accepted what Jesus has done for us, dying for our sins and redeeming us, He will call our name and say, come on in. He will give us a white stone, with a new name written on it. I do not believe that it will be a new name for you and me, but that it will be a new name for Him, a name only known by us. I believe that each name will be different because He means something different to each one of us. It will be His personal and intimate name to each of us. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give eat of the hidden man-na, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Revelation 2:17 May the Lord bless you and your family today, and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry
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Hello;
Let me share with you a devotional thought I read just this morning. Simple and focused. " He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. " -Mark 16:15 Although the church accomplishes many tasks, its only message to the world is the gospel of Christ. Everything else we do is merely an extension of that primary goal. The gospel we offer the lost is superior to every worldly philosophy. Never outdated or in need of correction, it is always sufficient to meet humanity's greatest need: reconciliation with the Creator. Although the message is always the same, methods of making it known are many—including the spoken word, music, printed material, and electronic media. But all these avenues of communication require the individual involvement of God's people. It is every Christian's responsibility to use his or her spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities to help fulfill the Great Commission. Some Christians think that this role is given only to pastors, missionaries, or other people with an "up-front ministry." But all of us have the responsibility to be involved in whatever way we are able and in whatever opportunity God gives us. Not everybody is called to go abroad as a missionary, but we all can give, pray, and tell friends and family what the Lord has done for us. When you're truly committed to getting the gospel out, God will reveal what work He is calling you to do. He has a place for every one of us—nobody is insignificant or unusable. The limiting factor is not the Lord's ability to use us but our availability to His call. God bless you as you share your faith this week-end in the way God is calling you to, and always remember that you are loved!!! Henry Hello,
"God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him." -Psalms 67:7 It is God's nature to bless. However, we need to understand that He has a greater purpose in mind than we may realize. His ultimate goal is far more encompassing than just to make us happy, peaceful, protected, and prosperous. In fact, it is never the Lord's intention for His blessings to end with us. Rather, He wants them to flow out to others as part of His plan for the whole earth. When the Lord blesses you, He's not only doing something for you; He's also doing something in and through you to affect others' lives. Don't let the pleasures and comforts of His blessings blind you to their intended purpose. Ask God how to use His kindnesses as a way to point people to Him. May the Lord bless you today, then pass it on, remembering that you are loved!!! Henry Good Morning!!!
As we hear preachers say many times: "This message this morning is for me more than any of you", todays devotional is for me, but you all can read it if you want to. Few passages in Scripture apply to older men exclusively. Which is why I'm so grateful the Lord gave us today's verse! In this passage, Paul instructs Titus on the character of mature men in general. He first lists three qualities: temperance, dignity, and self-control. Then, he follows that with three areas in which senior men should be grounded: faith, love, and endurance. All of these qualities work in concert with each other. Temperance indicates a level of restraint. You should practice moderation. If you cannot exercise this quality, you'll certainly risk undignified behavior. It could even result in public embarrassment and loss of respect. Such actions do not indicate self-control. Older men should also strive to be "sound in faith, in love and in endurance." James 1 tells us that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. If you are grounded in your faith, then a natural side-effect should be spiritual endurance. Paul also reiterates the importance of love. We older men are always to be motivated by love for God and people, and act from that position of love. Thank you Lord for this passage, which is a good plumb-line for my life. May He bless you today, and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry Good Morning,
What is a home? Talmage said it is "a church within a church, a republic within a republic, a world within a world." He added: "If things go right there, they go right everywhere. If things go wrong there, they go wrong everywhere." Family devotions need to be reinforced or reinstated in Christian homes everywhere. Home life is threatened today by false ideals and subtle pressures carried by every wind that blows. The flaws of society will today lead many homes to tragic destruction. Only prayer and the teachings of the Bible will save our homes and preserve a Christian way of life. Moses said: "These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates" (Deut. 6:6-9). God’s people were commanded to carry these words of Scripture into their daily living. Parents instruction is the conveyer God has chosen to place memorized scriptures in the heart of the child. God blessings on you, and remember that you are loved!!! Henry Hi,
Psalm 147:3-5 How big is your God? I shared my faith with a friend of mine I often ate lunch with. He was a medical doctor, and said he had trouble believing in God, because he was aware of such small, minute things he had studied through his telescope; as well as the larger things, such as the galaxies. The God of the galaxies is also the God of the brokenhearted. That's what David tells us in verses 3 and 4 of our passage: "He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. He tells the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names." (vs 3-4) The contrast we see in these two verses--between the heavens and the broken heart--ought to encourage us. God made the heavens. He spoke and it was done. His creation stood steadfast. The God who made the heavens is concerned about your broken heart. Others may not be concerned, but God is. He's not so far away that He doesn't know your heart is hurting. He's not so great that He can't stoop down to you when you are pained, weeping and looking for help. Yes, the God of the heavens is the God of your heart. The God who numbers and names the stars knows your needs. He knows all about you, and thus He is able to meet your every need. More than that, He very much wants to! "Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite" (vs. 5). His love and understanding are limitless. His power is great. He can do what needs to be done. Go with God's blessings today, and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry Hello,
From time to time, our pastor brings us messages concerning the need for balance in our lives. It has nothing to do with compromise, but everything to do with discerning God's direction in today's issues we face. For instances one can become so consumed by end time prophecies, that they neglect all else. Others can ignore this matter altogether and not be prepared or concerned about helping others to be prepared to meet the Lord. Horatius Bonar, in his poem below may have been concerned by the troubled times he lived in, and was expecting the Lord's return. But though concerned for his children, his foremost desire was that they be in the Master's hands. A Parent’s Prayer Father, our children keep! We know not what is coming on the earth; Beneath the shadow of Thy heavenly wing, O keep them, keep them, Thou Who gav’st them birth. Father, draw nearer to us! Draw firmer round us Thy protecting arm; Oh, clasp our children closer to Thy side, Uninjured in the day of earth’s alarm. Them in Thy chambers hide! Oh, hide them and preserve them calm and safe, When sin abounds and error flows abroad, And Satan tempts, and human passions chafe. Oh, keep them undefiled! Unspotted from a tempting world of sin; That, clothed in white, through the bright city gates, They may, with us, in triumph enter in. "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up." Matthew 24:42-43 Henry Good Morning,
In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas are sharing stories of people coming to know and accept Jesus. This reminds me of what happens when Christians get together today to share their stories. One can bring a report of how they have seen the Lord save a poor soul, trapped in sin. They share how people have come to know Jesus and joined the fellowship. Have not you and I seen and heard some wonderful reports of spiritual victory? When that happens, everyone rejoices. That is what is happening with Paul and Barnabas. The church leaders in Jerusalem were the governing body. On their way to the assembly for a meeting to work out some problems, Paul and Barnabas shared the good news of God’s grace that had been bestowed on the Gentiles in the churches in Phoenicia and Samaria. Those who received the report were blessed. The news of someone’s salvation always brings great joy to those who are listening. It encourages them to keep sharing the story of Jesus. May we always have a story of victory to share. "Then the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them." "We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus Saves! Jesus saves! Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves! Bear the news to every land; Climb the steeps and cross the waves. Onward! 'tis our Lord's command. Jesus saves! Jesus saves!" God bless you and yours today, and always remember that you are loved!!! Henry Hi,
We have enjoyed the presence of the Lord, throughout the Sunday service, as well as the rest of the day. Now as we face this new week, why should we do differently? It may seem that our path in this busy life has already been determined for us, but we can follow the Lord, and enjoy His unbroken presence through our days. Let's start this week off by continuing to worshiping the Lord, as He leads us. "Sweet are the promises; kind is the Word. Dearer far than any message man ever heard. Pure was the mind of Christ, sinless I see. He the great Example is, and Pattern for me. Sweet is the tender love Jesus hath shown. Sweeter far than any love that mortals have know. Kind to the erring one, faithful is He. He the great Example is, and Pattern for me. Where He leads I'll follow, Follow all the way. Where He leads I'll follow, Follow Jesus every day." William A. Ogden "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and follow Me." Matthew 16:24 Henry Hi,
We have enjoyed the presence of the Lord, throughout the Sunday service, as well as the rest of the day. Now as we face this new week, why should we do differently? It may seem that our path in this busy life has already been determined for us, but we can follow the Lord, and enjoy His unbroken presence through our days. Let's start this week off by continuing to worshiping the Lord, as He leads us. "Sweet are the promises; kind is the Word. Dearer far than any message man ever heard. Pure was the mind of Christ, sinless I see. He the great Example is, and Pattern for me. Sweet is the tender love Jesus hath shown. Sweeter far than any love that mortals have know. Kind to the erring one, faithful is He. He the great Example is, and Pattern for me. Where He leads I'll follow, Follow all the way. Where He leads I'll follow, Follow Jesus every day." William A. Ogden "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself and follow Me." Matthew 16:24 Henry |
Henry DeatonHenry D. is from Southern Indiana and writes these wonderful daily devotionals to encourage those at the Dogwood Community Church located in Paoli, Indiana. Henry has graciously agreed to share these wonderful devotionals here at Without Excuse Ministries to encourage you our valued guest! Archives
January 2013
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