Hi,
Paul was no spiritual “wimp”. Note his boldness: “obligated”, “eager”, “not ashamed”. It was because the gospel contained such amazing power. In Romans 1:16 he wrote: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek." There is a story of how Roy and Doris became present-day demonstrations of this power. Roy spent most of his life as an antagonistic. Yet, he was, by most counts, successful with a Harvard Ph.D. and position as an accounting professor. When friends visited their home and shared the gospel, they were intrigued. One visitor described forgiveness in Isaiah 53:6, “The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” He explained, “Roy, Doris, what happens to my sins? They’re all laid on Christ. I’m forgiven and free.” Roy and Doris fell on their knees at the white sofa, wept tears into it, turned from sin, and opened their hearts to Christ. They grew, displayed a righteousness received from God, and became leaders in the church. When asked, “What was the great truth shared that convinced you?” Roy said, “Jesus died for me!” If you have not prayed, repented of your sins and allowed them to be laid on Christ; and then accepted Him into your heart as your personal savior, please do that now!!! You can be forgiven and free as well. Henry
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Read Psalm 24:1-10
".....how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Genesis 39:9b Do we live in a culture today that blames their environment for everything they do wrong? Do you hear the wrong doer, as well as the society around him, excuse his actions and blame his parents, teachers, employer, police, laws, government, etc.? We don’t choose integrity because it is easy. We choose integrity because we love God and don’t want to hurt Him. Many would say, Joseph had every reason to shake his fist at heaven and accuse God of abandoning him. His brothers had sold him into slavery, and he was separated from the father he dearly loved. Joseph's father showed a lack of integrity many times in his life, but don't we seen Joseph paddling his own boat, so to speak, taking on himself his own responsibility. Therefore, in the midst of his personal tragedy, he chose to see the protective hand of God. He had a deep-settled peace that God was with him and was blessing him–even in this foreign land. That rock-bottom belief that God loved him was the source of his integrity. For many, temptation comes like an inescapable dilemma. “There was nothing I could do. I was trapped.” But, like Joseph, our firm commitment to love God at all costs must cause us to run from the temptation–even when we are running into personal sacrifice. We look at the temptation, fully aware of the pain we will endure if we run from it. Then, because we love God, we run from sin and into sacrifice. May Christ bless you today, and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry Hello, WHO SHALL BE ABLE TO STAND? Henry Hi,
Too often you sell yourself short. Do you realize how valuable Jesus thinks you are? Do you know how much He paid so you could be with Him forever? "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls....he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46 The merchant is Jesus, the pearls are us, and the price He paid is everything He had. May the Good Lord bless you today, see you in church Sunday, and remember that you are loved!!! Henry Good Morning!
Let's start out this morning with a song: "Turn your eyes upon Jesus; Look full in His wonderful face: And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace." There is great wisdom in waiting for the Lord's direction while keeping our focus on Him. Not only does this strengthen our faith, but it also enables us to see His answer. Eyes fixed on the impossibility of the situation rarely discern God's guidance and intervention for us. In prayer, we choose to either magnify the Lord or our difficulty. Are you concentrating on the faithfulness of almighty God or your overpowering problem and negative feelings? Let's keep our eyes on Him and wait with complete confidence until we see the great things He will do for us. "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee." -2 Chronicles 20:12 Henry Hello, Henry Good Morning,
We may be coming off of another great Sunday of worship and fellowship, but now you may be facing a very unkind world. Is there work or situations that you hate; relationships that are failing, or something else that just grips your heart with fear? Do you have a real battle? “God himself will fight for you,” now that’s a comforting thought! But sometimes, we need a little help believing that God will actually do that. Are you on the right side of the battle? Is your heart right before God? Then believe God. Max Lucado, in his book Six Hours One Friday, tells the story of a missionary in Brazil who discovered a remote Indian tribe. Ravaged by a contagious disease, people were dying daily. A hospital was relatively nearby but was only accessible by crossing a river they believed to be inhabited by evil spirits. Entering its water would mean certain death. The missionary led them to the bank and placed his hand in the water. They refused to follow. He walked waist deep into the river. Still no response. Finally, he dove in, swam beneath the surface to the other side and beckoned them to come. The Indians broke into a cheer and followed him across. Scripture tells us that every battle that we face, the Lord has already faced a similar battle and won. What a comfort to be reminded the Lord will go before us in our battle. "Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God , He shall fight for you." Deuteronomy 3:22 Henry Good Morning,
Have you ever noticed how much people smile in their wedding pictures? The bride. The groom. The parents. (Well, maybe not the father whose paying for everything, and at the same time feels like he's losing his daughter.) Regardless of what nervous jitters they had before the ceremony and even regardless of what troubles may be headed their way afterward, couples are always smiling in the wedding photos. A wedding day is a day of joy, a day of laughter. It's a party! Jesus tells us that our relationship with Him is to be like a marriage; He the Bridegroom and we the bride. Have you been in such a service, when this marriage took place between you and the Lord? In addition, maybe you have knelt with someone in prayer, and have seen this marriage take place between them and Jesus. Yes, there was nervous jitters; will He really accept me, am I worthy, what will the future be like? Then when the soul has trusted Him and has prayed through to salvation, then come the smiles. A day of joy, a day of laughter. "Although you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now you believe in Him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9 "Since Jesus came into my heart. Since Jesus came into my heart. Floods of joy ov'er my soul like the sea billows roll, Since Jesus came into my heart." Let's pray for such a day tomorrow throughout our churches, and let's all be there so we will not miss any of it. God bless, and remember that you are loved!!! Henry Good Morning,
"From there he moved on to the hill country on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and invoked the name of the Lord." Genesis 12:8 Many professional athletes proudly wear the corporate logo or company colors of those who sponsor them. They have no qualms at all in identifying themselves with the products and purposes of those who finance their careers. When Abraham pitched his tent near Bethel, he boldly identified himself with the Lord. God not only called him to leave family and all that was familiar, but also provided for his needs along the way. In response, Abraham built an altar to God. This was not only an act of worship but also a public declaration to everyone who saw it that he was a worshiper of Yahweh. Furthermore, he "called on the name of the Lord"--that is, he publicly acknowledged his commitment to and need for the God of Israel. Today in this Church age, I must ask myself, have I publicly declared to those around me that I am a worshiper of Christ? Have I publicly acknowledged my commitment to and need for Jesus; and am I faithfully carrying out that commitment? On an average Sunday in America, over 30% of those associated with a local church will not attend. Will I be one of those who will not be there to publicly worship God and declare my allegiance to Him? "Whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God......" Luke 12:8 Refuse to be slack in your commitment to the One who loves you and provides for your salvation. May the Savior bless you and keep you today, and never forget that you are loved!!! Henry Good Morning, Are you lonely? Some of our most lonely moments can be when we are in a crowd, and yet no one notices us. Our heart aches when we think no one cares. But Jesus is our ever-present friend. He promises, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" Hebrews 13:5 "Oh, spread the tidings 'round, wherever man is found, 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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