Good Morning,
Actor Cary Grant once told a story of how he was walking along a street when he met a man whose eyes locked with his. The man immediately got excited and said, "Wait a minute, you're...you're...I know who you are. Don't tell me! Uh...Rock Hud...no, you're.. Grant thought he'd help the man out, so he finished the man's sentence: "Cary Grant." The fellow responded, "No, that's not it! You're..." Cary Grant was clearly trying to identify himself to the man by plainly giving his name, but the fellow had someone else on his mind. The man couldn't accept who Grant was even though he clearly offered his identity. When I was a kid we sang a song in Sunday school, and Bible school: "Everybody ought to know, everybody ought to know, everybody ought to know who Jesus is." John said of Jesus: "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." Even when Jesus identified Himself as the Son of God--the Messiah--the response was not a welcomed recognition. Instead, it led Jesus to the cross on which He was crucified for the sins of man. Considering the times we live in today, this fact that every child and adult ought to know who Jesus is, is even more necessary. "Have you a heart that's weary Tending a load of care? Are you a soul that's seeking Rest from the burden you bear? Who knows your disappointments? Who hears each time you cry? Who understands your heartaches? Who dries the tears from your eyes? Do you know my Jesus? Do you know my friend? Have you heard He loves you? And that He will abide til the end?" God bless you today, and remember that Jesus loves you!!! Henry
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Hello,
It has been said, that the reason many American families don't have an elephant is that they have not been offered one for a $l down and easy weekly payments. Last week in our Sunday school class, we tried to uncover how our federal government got us into the massive debt we are in. Simply stated it is the same way the individual American or the American family has gotten into the massive debt we are in. Each year that you spend more money than you bring in will lead you deeper into debt. In the 1980's our government was the worlds number one lender. Today we are the worlds number one borrower. In the 1970's and 80's the individual American bought savings bonds, and treasury notes, and most had a savings account with a local bank. But today we save less than 1% of our income, and the average savings per year is $397, with a balance of around $1,000 per family. It seems that the individual American has followed the same pattern that the federal government has followed or vice versa. The "national federal debt" is over $14 trillion, while the "nations total household debt" rose from $7.8 trillion in 2002 to nearly $14 trillion in 2008. The household income did not increase by 80% during those 6 years, but our average household debt did. Are we the richest people on earth or are we just living like it on borrowed money? In 1952 the average debt to income ratio was 40%, but by 2006 that had increase to 126%. How can the individual blame Wall Street or the federal government for his personal debt? Is debt not typically a free choice? If it is, then the Christian must ask himself: "Does the Lord have anything to say in this matter of my finances?" Deuteronomy 15:4b-6. “…..for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, He will richly bless you. If only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. For the Lord your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you.” Romans 13:8 "Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." So He does have a word to the nation, and a word to the individual. Let's decide right now, we are not going to let someone sell us an elephant for $1 down and easy weekly payments. Those that were in Sunday school last week, be sure to fill out your discussion questions. Now those that did not come last week, please plan to be there at 9:30 this Sunday and enjoy these lessons by Dr. David Jeremiah. God bless you and yours and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry Hello;
Have you heard those complain about the speak repeating himself. About the writer going over the same idea time and time again, or even the preacher returning too often to the same subject. Well, they would be in good company. Because a close look at D. L. Moody's sermons would undercover this pattern in his preaching. He repeated the same simple gospel message over and over again, as did Dr. Billy Graham. "It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you." (Phil. 3:1) If anyone knew the pointlessness of trying to be righteous through carrying out the law, it was Paul. His pedigree and list of accomplishments are impressive, but he put no confidence in these things. Paul understood that his confidence was in Jesus Christ, the crucified and resurrected Savior. He was more than willing to tell this wonderful message over and over because he knew it was for their best. The Apostle John's message on loving one another, was repeated over and over again, because he heard it over and over again from our Savior Himself. Let's remember that we fulfill Jesus command for us, not by our merits, but by love for God and love for one another. The next time I hear someone repeating something to me, I will not complain, but I will remember that Jesus told me over and over again not to forget. God bless you today. Something else for you to not forget, is that in this unloving world, you are loved!!! Henry Good Morning,
"But let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching." (Heb. 10:25) May the prayer of our heart be everyday..."Oh God, today help me to be an encourager. Help my words to be your words, and help my tongue to be bridled with your tender mercy." Oh that God would always help each of us to only speak with a heart of love, to encourage and build up each other. Today lets evaluate our words and be found guilty of only finding the positive in those we work with, live and worship with. Henry Good Morning,
In Al Sanders book, “Crisis in Morality”, he compares the descendants of an atheist called Max Jukes to the offspring of a well known preacher that lived during Mr. Juke’s lifetime called Jonathan Edwards. Here is what he wrote: “Max Jukes, the atheist, lived a godless life. He married an ungodly girl, and from the union there were 310 who died as paupers, 150 were criminals, 7 were murderers, 100 were drunkards, and more than half of the women were prostitutes . . . But praise the Lord, it works both ways! There is a record of a great American man of God, Jonathan Edwards. He lived at the same time as Max Jukes, but he married a godly girl. An investigation was made of 1,394 known descendants of Jonathan Edwards of which 13 became college presidents, 65 college professors, 3 United States senators, 30 judges, 100 lawyers, 60 physicians, 75 army and navy officers, 100 preachers and missionaries, 60 authors of prominence, one a vice‐president of the United States, 80 became public officials in other capacities, 296 college graduates, among whom were governors of states and ministers to foreign countries.” Not all children raised in a godly home will be godly adults, and not all raised in an ungodly home will remain ungodly. Nor do we raise our children with a goal for them to be college presidents, or senators. But I am made to believe that the odds are with us, that they'll be spiritually successful, if we raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. It is in the home that children are to learn to talk and to pray. It is there that they are to learn politeness in working, in playing, in eating and in talking. It is there that they are to learn to study and to work, and not to be idlers. It is there that they are to learn to be selective in their companionship, that they may not get into evil associations later on. One of the strongest warnings of the Scriptures is to shun the fool and his way. It is in the home that the children are to learn order and punctuality. Counseling has the thought of mutual deliberation, of advising, and of exercising judgment and prudence. This is part of that "admonition of the Lord." As parents we have a task, a God‐given task – often an exhausting task that takes time and labor; that taxes the mind, the nerves, the patience, the endurance. The loving parent is willing to pay such a price, for he says: "My child is worth it. It may be easier to adopt permissiveness or to give an excuse, but for the sake of my child, I'm not willing to do that." He is going to approach this duty in a pro‐active way. The farmer who neglects the culture of his fields will soon have his acres overrun with thorns and briars and noxious weeds; and the parent who neglects the culture of his child may soon discover evils far more hideous and disastrous. This task is not just for the father. In Proverbs 31 we are given a description of a virtuous woman: "Her price is far above rubies," and, "she looketh well to the ways of her household." Mrs. Wesley never considered herself discharged from the care of her children. Into all situations she followed them with her prayers and counsel; and her sons, even when at the university, benefited from her wise parental instructions. Does the duty of a parent ever end? May God bless you today! Henry Hello;
"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation." Phil. 2:14—15 Our attitude about work, life, relationships, and suffering affects the world. Paul is talking about obedience. But this isn't a suggestion; it's a powerful tool for growth. If you do your work without complaining, your boss may be stunned, and your coworkers will notice. If you carry on in your walk with God, holding on to your beliefs and not turning back to your former ways, your friends will see. If you put the needs of others ahead of your own without argument, your family will observe. If you keep faith in God through suffering, the cynics will wonder. This crooked and depraved generation (it's still true today) will discern in you a different way. They will see something shining and pure that they want to look at and, hopefully, be like. Now as we start this new work-week, let's read this scripture again. "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked depraved generation." Phil. 2:14-15 Henry Hello,
God can have a real opportunity to bless a family that slows down for a meal together around the dinner table. It's a time when people are usually more relaxed and conversation flows freely. Good times as well as concerns can be shared. That seems to be a very natural thing for us to do. Bev and I just returned from a trip to Florida, where we spent a week with my brother, his wife, two sisters and their husbands. The eight of us had many great meals in the condo, and many great meals in the Sea Food restaurants along the beach. But all that was more richly blessed by the conversation, laughter, joy and even the shared struggles with those we love so dearly. What is so important about sharing a meal? In the life of Christ it was a scene often described. It was a key part of the Early Church. Why did Jesus choose to reveal himself as they were sitting together and bread was shared? I think it was for the same reasons. The dinner table unites people. Bread is basic to life. It was a clear reminder of what Jesus had taught the disciples while He lived among them. “I am the bread of life”. It is a great reminder for us today. Jesus is a necessity for life. Without His salvation, we do not know real life. With Him, we have everything we need for life. Married couples and parents, when an evening meal is finished, but before everyone jumps up and heads in different directions, is a great time to read a short passage, and have a prayer together. "But they constrained Him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And He went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with the, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened and the knew Him; and He vanished out of their sight." Luke 24:29-31 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Henry Hi,
The following is a prayer by Charles H. Spurgeon: "Satan tells me I am unworthy; but I always was unworthy, and yet Thou hast long loved me; and therefore my unworthiness cannot be a bar to my having fellowship with Thee now. It is true I am weak in faith, and prone to fall, but my very feebleness is the reason why I should always be where Thou feedest Thy flock, that I may be strengthened, and preserved in safety beside the still waters. Why should I turn aside? There is no reason why I should, but there are a thousand reasons why I should not, for Jesus beckons me to come. If He withdrew Himself a little, it is but to make me prize His presence more. Now that I am grieved and distressed at being away from Him, He will lead me yet again to that sheltered nook where the lambs of His fold are sheltered from the burning sun." "A friend of Jesus! Oh, what bliss That one so vile as I Should ever have a Friend like this To lead me to the sky Friend-ship with Jesus Fel-low-ship divine Oh, what blessed, sweet communion! Jesus is a Friend of mine." Joe C. Ludgate "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,...." Hebrews 10:22a God bless, and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry Hello,
Over 30 years ago, Ron England of Los Angeles, California, bet his brother he could save a million pennies. Twenty thousand rolls of pennies, 13 boxes, a full garage, and 30 years later, England won that bet. As a result, he now has $10,000 in pennies, and that's good news. The bad news is that England couldn't find anyone to take his 3.5 tons of accumulated copper without costing him a "pretty penny," so to speak. Now, Ron is stuck with a million pennies. Saving your money is a good thing, although you might not want to use the approach mentioned above. The bottom line is that in our country, most people actually spend more each month than they earn. Some people can operate under these circumstances because of their wealth. But this is not true for most of us. Proverbs 21:20 says that a wise man or woman saves, but a fool gets paid and spends everything he or she has. Or a wise person keeps his or her valuables safe in their home, but a fool puts everything out in the yard to sell. Whether your income is large or small, it's wise to save a portion. That rainy day will probably come when you need it most for a car repair doctor visit, or something else. This is especially important because of the present economy we are in. Be prepared for what may come so that you can have "stores of choice food and oil" in your house when the need arises. Proverbs 21:20 "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up." Spend time with Christ today, be blessed, and know that you are loved!!! 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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