Hi,
This morning I feel a real need for God! I am oftentimes ashamed of the lack of desperation after my God in my own life. Indeed, greater by far than the cry, "God, help me!" is the plea, "God, I want You!" There is a difference. Remember the story of blind Bartimaeus? He was a beggar, he did not whisper, help me, it was more likely he screamed, or yelled, the Bible says, he cried out! Was he not saying: "Jesus I need you". He was desperate! Mark 10:46-52 He’s blind! He’s a poor beggar! He’s desperate! Pastor Anthony's message Sunday was on the church at Sardis, which Jesus called a dead church. Most churches as well as individuals die spiritually when they lose their desperation for Jesus. However, those that experience revival are those who are desperate for Jesus. The single-mindedness after God, the laying aside of all hindrances in order to reach Him, the unconcern for all obstacles that stand between the one in need and the One there to rescue him, the contrition of spirit, the humility of mind, the openness before Him – all of this that comes to one in desperate need of rescue is a glorious thing! Bartimaeus was not concerned what people were saying around him or about him. How wonderful for sinner and saint alike to be desperate before God. It is only that man who comes begging for deliverance and salvation to whom the Lord responds. "…but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word" (Isa. 66:2). What a wonderful thing it is to be a beggar before God! The flesh doesn’t like that idea. It winces at the thought. It is true we are "children of God," "heirs to the Throne," "the elect," "saints," "Christians." But "beggars"? But how wonderful to stand before God and confess without guile, without hypocrisy, our great need. We are a needy people! "Jesus I want You!" May He bless your Tuesday, and remember that you are loved!!! Henry
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Good Morning,
During a conversation this past week with a young Christian lady, she shared with me the dilemma of a close friend of hers. The friend had recently given her heart to Jesus, and was describing the change He had made in her life. She no longer went to the same places, or ran with the same friends. Jesus had truly changed her behavior, and her character. She had a different "want to" in her life. Now what was her dilemma? The young adults she attended church with, "Christians", lived the same way she lived before she meet Jesus. In our Sunday school class we have been studying our foundering fathers, and the founding of our country. But in doing this we also looked into some of the early history of the Christian church. The following is from a letter sent to Diognetus in the second century, from an anonymous writer describing a Christian: "Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language, or customs; they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect. ...They live in both Greek and foreign cities... They follow local customs in clothing, food, and the other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the unusual form of their own citizenship. "They love everyone, but are persecuted by all. They are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are dishonored and yet gain glory through dishonor. ... They are mocked and blessed in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others. "When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attached by Jews...and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility." "......present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds......." Romans 12:1b and 2a Continue to be sanctified by the truth of God's Word and be in the world but not of it. (See 1 John 2:15) And when you do, you will be blessed beyond measure, have a Great Day, and remember that you are loved!!! Henry Greetings in that Matchless Name,
The previous home Bev and I lived in for some 18 years, the place where we raised our four kids, had a freezer in the basement. Once I had gone to the freezer and moved some meat around, trying to find something. Well some time later maybe 2 weeks or more, a horrible smell began coming from that basement. I was just sure the kids had left some Easter eggs down there. But no, you guessed it. My bad, I had mistakenly moved a package of frozen meat from the freezer and placed it on a table sitting next to the freezer. It didn't smell at first, and for those few days didn't even make its presence known. The same results can occur when food is left too long in the refrigerator, or sin is left in a heart. Maybe a lie, or jealousy, or anger that remains unaddressed by you in prayer. We must keep short accounts with Christ, if we are to be His. We cannot harbor sin in our lives. "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ....." 2 Corinthians 2:14-15a May the Lord bless you and your family today. May the sweetness of Jesus be recognized in you, and always remember that you are loved!!! Henry Hello,
If Jesus were coming to your house? There was a man Jesus encountered on earth, that seemed to me to be one of the most humble. Though he had the highest respect of the people who knew him, for he had done much for the community. He was in charge of one hundred Roman soldiers, but the Jews said he love their nation, and had built them a community building, where they had their social activities, their school, and their place of worship. They said he was worthy for Jesus to come and heal his servant. But his humility keep him from approaching Jesus himself, so he sent Jewish elders to bringing Jesus to his home to heal his beloved servant. Before Jesus arrived at this centurion's home he sent friends to say he was not worthy for Jesus to enter under his roof, and he was not worthy to come to see Jesus. Just say the words out there, and he will be healed. "When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the the people that were following Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." Luke 7:9 What would you do if Jesus were coming to you house? Henry GOOD MORNING,
A SCOPE ON THE RIFLE, OR THE FIELD GLASSES IN THE HAND OF THE HUNTER, IS A GREAT HELP. BUT HOW DO WE MAKE GOD IN LARGER, OR GREATER THAT HE ALREADY IS? "O MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME, AND LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER. I SOUGHT THE LORD, AND HE HEARD ME AND DELIVERED ME FROM ALL MY FEARS. THEY LOOKED UNTO HIM, AND WERE LIGHTENED: AND THEIR FACES WERE NOT ASHAMED. THIS POOR MAN CRIED, AND THE LORD HEARD HIM, AND SAVED HIM OUT OF ALL HIS TROUBLES." PSALM 34:3:6 YES, IT IS THAT SIMPLE, TELL SOMEONE WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR YOU, AND SEE HOW HE GROWS IN YOUR HEART AND LIFE, AND IN THE HEART AND LIFE OF ANOTHER. MAY HE BLESS YOU TODAY, AND REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE LOVED!!! Henry HI,
PLEASE FIND COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT IN THE FACT THAT YOU ARE NOT ALONE TODAY. "O LORD, THOU HAST SEARCHED ME, AND KNOW ME. THOU KNOWEST MY DOWNSITTING, THOU UNDERSTANDEST MY THOUGHT AFAR OFF. THOU COMPASSEST MY PATH AND MY LYING DOWN, AND ART ACQUAINTED WITH ALL MY WAYS. FOR THERE IS NOT A WORD IN MY TONGUE, BUT LO O LORD, THOU KNOWEST IT ALTOGETHER. WHITHER SHALL I GO FROM THY SPIRIT? OR WHITHER SHALL I FLEE FROM THY PRESENCE? "I'M REJOICING NIGHT AND DAY, AS I WALK THE PILGRIM WAY. FOR THE HAND OF GOD IN ALL MY LIFE I SEE. AND THE REASON OF MY BLISS, YES, THE SECRET ALL IS THIS, THAT THE COMFORTER ABIDES WITH ME." EXPERIENCE HIS PRESENCE TODAY, REMEMBERING THAT YOU ARE LOVED, AND BE BLESS!!! Henry HI,
WE HAD A GREAT DAY AT DOGWOOD AGAIN YESTERDAY, EQUIPPING US FOR SERVICE. WE HAD SARA TAKING A PLACE AT THE PIANO, RICK LEADING THE SINGING, AND THEN THE COMMUNION SERVICE LEAD BY J. D. WAS JUST OUTSTANDING, "WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT THE CROSS AND THE EMPTY TOMB." HE CARRIED OUR BURDENS, AND HE STILL CARRIES OUR BURDENS. HE IS OUR EXAMPLE WE ARE TO CARRY EACH OTHER'S BURDENS. WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT EACH OTHER. THEN ANTHONY'S MESSAGE ON THE CALL TO HOLY LIVING WAS SO ON TARGET FOR TODAY, WHEN MEN CALL GOOD, EVIL AND EVIL, GOOD. WE ARE BLESSED WITH A VERY LOVING AND CARING CHURCH; MANY MEMBERS, BUT ONE BODY. PEOPLE NEED THE LORD, AND PEOPLE NEED HIS CHURCH. "AND SOMEBODY LIKE YOU CAN "TURN THE TRICK", FOR OUR LIVES ARE EMPTY AND OUR WORLD IS "SICK" WE HAVE LOST OUR MORALS AND OUR PRINCIPLES, TOO, AND WITH NO PURPOSE IN LIFE WE ARE LONELY AND BLUE.... WE NEED SOMEBODY VERY MUCH WHO HAS A WARM AND FRIENDLY TOUCH TO MAKE US SUDDENLY AWARE THAT THERE ARE THOSE WHO REALLY CARE!" HELEN STEINER RICE BE ALERT TODAY FOR OPPORTUNITIES. "BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS, AND SO FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST." GALATIANS 6:2 Henry Hi.
Another week is ending, and as we reflect back over the days just past, are we satisfied with the time spent. We had a very challenging message from Phil last Sunday. He encouraged us to follow through with what we felt led to do in respect to serving and helping others. Today is a new day, let's use it that very way to minister to others and glorify God. Ah, friends, how much it would ease our tasks For the day that's just begun, To live our life a step at a time And our moments one by one. "This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 Remember that you are loved today, let God bless you as you bless another. Henry Good Morning,
"Then He said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15) Over the past few years there has been much talk on prayer for our country. We all have our ideas as to what God needs to cure. But could self-centeredness be at the top of the list; and does it not lead us to many kinds of greed? Is not greed the center of the nations financial problems, drug problems, with drugs entering our country more than any other, alcohol problems, which have been destroying the individual life and the family for years? Is not the BP oil spill centered around greed; profit over responsibility? This cost 11 precious lives, families will be grieving endlessly. The business and environmental damage is immeasurable. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, and only He has the authority to give and to take. We are only stewards of the things God has entrusted to us, and our stewardship period is short. When we realize that we are only managers, we will give our things to Christ. Jesus said put me first and all these other things will come. It would be wonderful if every devotional thought was just positive, but to see the positive, many times we must see the negative side. Forty-five percent of the Evangelical Christians cast their vote for the one they believe will be the greatest help to them financially. To that group the moral issues take a back seat. It was not thway with our founding fathers. Jesus said put me first and all these other things will come. We as Christians in America could see a real turn around in the tone of our country if we could be the lead in finding real contentment. Casting off greed and self-centeredness. It's time to change our focus and thought patterns. Our lives are not measured by the things we own; possessing a wide array of things will not buy us a seat in God's kingdom. If we have the ability to enjoy what we have, we should be content with what God has entrusted to us. Wouldn't that be peculiar? But didn't God say His people would be a peculiar people? May our God bless you today, as we each exercise good stewardship over the many things He has entrusted to us. The most precious being the Gospel. Remember that you are loved!!! Henry GREETINGS IN HIS NAME,
"JESUS, MOVED WITH COMPASSION, PUT FORTH HIS HAND, AND TOUCHED HIM. MARK 1:41 REGARDLESS OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN, AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN UNCLEAN, JESUS CAN TOUCH YOU, AND MAKE YOU CLEAN. THE LEPER CAME TO JESUS, BEGGING HIM, KNEELING DOWN, AND STATING: 'YOU CAN MAKE ME CLEAN IF YOU WILL'. IMMEDIATELY JESUS DID. BUT THE SPIRITUAL TOUCH HE GIVES IS A GREATER MIRACLE, FOR IT WILL LAST THROUGHOUT ALL ETERNITY! "SHACKLED BY A HEAVY BURDEN, 'NEATH A LOAD OF GUILT AND SHAME; THEN THE HAND OF JESUS TOUCHED ME, AND NOW I AM NO LONGER THE SAME." GO WITH GOD 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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