GOOD MORNING,
John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." Learning to listen to God is an essential part of following His will. Do you feel like you are standing still or even confused and out of His will? Christ has not changed, for He regularly speaks to His followers through four resources: 1. The Bible. -Scripture is God's guidebook to His thoughts and actions; for God to offer instructions on how and where to apply His Word. 2. Prayer. -Like all real friends, the Lord desires give and take in His relationships. Therefore, prayer is not complete when I'm done talking. I must quiet my mouth and thoughts so that my spiritual ears can open. 3. Circumstances. Situations differ but God does not. He uses everyday life to open or close doors of opportunity, and prove His promises true. 4. Others. -Pastors, friends, and mentors can all speak truth into a person's life. God is talking to you. Are you listening? "MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME." JOHN 10:27 Have a wonderful Wednesday! And remember that you are loved!!! Henry
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GOOD MORNING,
WE RECEIVED A REAL BLESSING FROM THE LORD SUNDAY MORNING AT DOGWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH, AND ARE STILL REFLECTING ON THAT. THERE WAS SO MUCH TO PRAY ABOUT, WE GATHERED AROUND THE ALTER, AND SPENT SOME TIME IN CALLING ON GOD FOR HIS HELP IN PHYSICAL HEALING AND FOR THE SALVATION OF OUR LOST FRIENDS AND FAMILY. GOOD MUSIC AND A POWERFUL MESSAGE AGAIN FROM PASTOR ANTHONY BLESSED EVERYONE THAT WAS THERE, AND WE FEEL THIS HAS HELPED EQUIP US TO SERVE CHRIST THROUGH THE WEEK. PAUL IS WRITING TO PHILEMON, AND IN VERSE 6, HE OFFERS A DYNAMIC PRAYER. BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED BY GOD; INSPIRED BY GOD. IN OTHERS WORDS THIS SCRIPTURE IS FROM GOD TO YOU AND ME, AS CHRISTIANS TODAY. THEREFORE, LET'S HAVE IT SPEAK TO US AS WE GO THROUIGH THIS NEW WEEK. PHILEMON 6 "I PRAY THAT THE SHARING OF YOUR FAITH MAY BECOME EFFECTIVE WHEN YOU PERCEIVE ALL THE GOOD THAT WE MAY DO FOR CHRIST" LET US, THE PEOPLE OF DOGWOOD, PURPOSE IN OUR HEARTS THIS WEEK, TO SHARE OUR FAITH WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS AND THOSE LOST FRIENDS AROUND US, FOR HIS GLORY. "I'LL TELL THE WORLD THAT I'M A CHRISTIAN I'M NOT ASHAMED HIS NAME TO BEAR. I'LL TELL THE WORLD THAT I'M A CHRISTIAN; I'LL TAKE HIM WITH ME ANYWHERE. I'LL TELL THE WORLD HOW JESUS SAVED ME, AND HOW HE GAVE ME A LIFE BRAND NEW AND I KNOW THAT IF YOU TRUST HIM THAT ALL HE GAVE ME HE'LL GIVE TO YOU." SEE ROMANS 1:16, AND GO WITH GOD'S GRACE TODAY, BE BLESSED, AND NEVER FORGET THAT YOU ARE LOVED!!! HENRY GREETINGS,
1 JOHN 4:1 "DEAR FRIENDS, DO NOT BELIEVE EVERY SPIRIT, BUT TEST THE SPIRITS TO SEE WHETHER THEY ARE FROM GOD, BECAUSE MANY FALSE PROPHETS HAVE GONE OUT INTO THE WORLD." DO YOU REMEMBER THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA? SO MANY VOICES WERE SPEAKING SO LOUDLY IN THE PLACE, NO SPECIFIC VOICE COULD BE HEARD; THE SOUND WAS A LOUD ROAR. SOMETIMES THE MANY VOICES OF POPULAR RELIGION CAN BEGIN TO SOUND LIKE THE ROAR OF A SCHOOL CAFETERIA. CERTAINLY OUR DAY IS NOT THE FIRST TO HAVE MULTIPLE VOICES SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF GOD. JEREMIAH ENCOUNTERED COLLEAGUES IN MINISTRY WHO WERE SPEAKING A MESSAGE THAT FED THE PEOPLE SIMPLY WHAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR. SEE JEREMIAH 29:15-19. THE PEOPLE BECAME CONSUMERS; THE MESSAGE BECAME A PRODUCT; THE MINISTER BECAME A SALESPERSON. WHAT TO DO? IN ORDER TO KNOW WHAT IS FALSE, WE MUST KNOW WHAT IS TRUTH. LET'S KNOW THE WORD OF GOD. LET'S STUDY THE SCRIPTURES. LET'S BE LIKE THOSE AT BEREA, FOR THE SCRIPTURE SAYS IN ACTS 17:11 "THOSE JEWS WERE MORE RECEPTIVE THAN THOSE IN THESSALONICA, FOR THEY WELCOMED THE MESSAGE VERY EAGERLY AND EXAMINED THE SCRIPTURES EVERY DAY TO SEE WHETHER THESE THINGS WERE SO." DRAW NEAR TO CHRIST TODAY, AND BE BLESSED, REMEMBERING THAT YOU ARE LOVED!!! HENRY GOOD MORNING,
Have you ever noticed that a seed can be blown into the most unusually places, and a flower pop up. The little plant may grow out of a pile of refuse and be surrounded by filth and covered with the dust that floats on the breeze, but it's white roots are separated from the unclean soil, and it's leaves and flowers have no real connection with the dust that settles upon them. After God sent a shower of summer rain, they throw off every particle of defilement, and look as fresh and spotless as before. Their intrinsic nature cannot have any part with these defiling things. This is the separation which Christ requires and which He gives to the surrendered heart. There is no merit in my staying away from the intoxicating drugs or alcohol, or the magazines, movies or TV shows that are filled with pornography, if I am continually wishing I could have all that. My heart is there, and my soul is defiled by the desire for evil things. It is not the world that stains us, but the love of the world. The true Levite of old, as well as the true Christian of today, is separated from the desire for earthly things, and even if he could, he would not have the forbidden pleasures which others prize. "The God of Israel hath separated you—" Numbers 16:9 God bless you and yours today, as you remember that you are loved!!! Henry Hi,
THIS MORNING WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO JUST THANK JESUS FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US, AND FOR HIS FRIENDSHIP. "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! A FRIEND WHEN OTHER FRIENDSHIPS CEASE, A FRIEND WHEN OTHERS FAIL, A FRIEND WHO GIVES ME JOY AND PEACE, AND FRIEND WHEN FOES AS-SAIL! FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS! FELLOWSHIP DIVINE! OH, WHAT BLESSED, SWEET COMMUNION! JESUS IS A FRIEND OF MINE." JUST THINK OF THAT FOR A MINUTE; JESUS, THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS, THE KING OF GLORY, IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL US FRIEND, AND WALK HAND IN HAND WITH US. "I HAVE SET THE LORD ALWAYS BEFORE ME; I SHALL NOT BE MOVED. THEREFORE MY HEART IS GLAD. THOU WILT SHOW ME THE PATH OF LIFE; IN THY PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY; AT THY RIGHT HAND THERE ARE PLEASURES FOR EVERMORE." PSALM 16:7-9, 11 MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU AND YOURS TODAY, AS YOU REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE LOVED!!! Henry Good Morning,
In the middle of this work week would be a great time to ask the Lord to use us. There are lost souls all around us, individuals on their way to hell, as we were. In most every town or city in our area, 60 to 70 percent of the people do not go to church. We have such a precious Gift, salvation, and the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, we must share what we have. Read: II Kings 4:1-7 Elisha asked the widow, "What hast thou in the house?" And she said, "Nothing but a pot of oil." But that pot of oil was adequate for all her needs, had she only known how to use it. In truth it represented the Holy Spirit, and the great lesson of the incident is that the Holy Spirit is adequate for all our needs, if we only trust Him. This not only includes our physical needs, but our spiritual needs. However, in addition to those needs, as I read this again, I noticed a new application. Could Christ also be saying, "Your streets are filled with empty vessels. Go, gather all you can, bring them in so I can fill them with My Spirit. The space in our worship service, Sunday school rooms and the parking lot, is near capacity, but He will provide the needed space. Just like the oil in the story, that can never run out. We feel led, at this point to say, if you are receiving these daily thoughts, and really need to be saved yourself, find a quite place to pray, ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and to pour His love into your life. It will be the greatest day of your life, don't put it off any longer. Now God sends us new vessels to be filled with His Holy Spirit in those individuals that come into our lives. These are God's opportunities to pass on His love. As we meet them He comes to us in larger fullness for each new necessity. Don't miss out on the blessings of being used of Christ Jesus today. Now always, and we mean always, remember 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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