DANGERS

 

Dangers

   

Kevin Spencer-

   Fritz, our large, six-year-old, orange tabby house cat, trotted happily out the door with me onto our front porch. With tail held high, he bounced by my side into the hot, humid August afternoon.

   Every day, Fritz would take his “walkabout.” He would take off on a long circuit of his world here on our Tennessee ridge. He is usually gone a couple of hours, returning in time for his supper in the late afternoon. Our property borders a Wildlife Management Area along the Duck River, which is designated a National Scenic River along this miles-long stretch.

   The Wildlife Management Area means wildlife is protected, and because of this, we are used to a wide variety of creatures and critters meandering through our yard—deer, turkeys, ’possums, raccoons, skunks, foxes, boar, and a host of the other usual suspects. Fritz is familiar with all these, and despite being quite territorial and possessive of his ridge to other male cats, he adopts a live-and-let-live attitude with nearly all wildlife. 

   I’ve seen a flock of turkeys pass peacefully around him as he lounged lazily on a rock in the middle of them. (Rodents and snakes are another story, however. Frequently, Fritz will proudly bring those home as gifts … sometimes while they are still wiggling.)

   But this day differed. Fritz took a couple of steps onto the porch and froze. His nostrils went into overdrive. Hopping up on a table for a better look, he slowly scanned the front yard while tasting the air, his tail occasionally swishing with concern. Eventually, he focused on the thick woods that border the eastern edge of our property, the tree line about a hundred feet away.

   His body went rigid, and his hackles rose. His tail sliced the air. Occasionally, he would look back over his shoulder at me to make sure I was still close, his green eyes as wide as quarters. Something was out there. A something he didn’t like and even feared—and I have rarely seen Fritz fear anything. Cats aren’t called nature’s gunslingers for no reason.

    I didn’t see a thing. I scanned the area carefully with binoculars but saw nothing. When I got up to go back inside, Fritz dashed to the door with me and slipped safely back into the house. Definitely no walkabout today.

   Fritz sensed something he couldn’t see, and he heeded that warning. I, too, have an early warning system. God’s wonderful gift, His Comforter, His presence in the form of His Holy Spirit, lives in me. The Spirit sees things I don’t, sees across time, teaches me, and helps to guide me through the hidden dangers of this fallen world. 

   Often, my problem is stilling the clutter in my mind long enough to hear the Holy Spirit’s soft voice speaking. I must focus on God’s Word, let His peace soothe the chaos that usually swirls in my head, and most importantly, listen for and recognize that sweet soft voice."

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."  Psalm 143:10 NIV

   Are you listening to the Spirit’s voice?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

Let's pray-

   Father, I have an early warning system too, as the cat does in this story. Your wonderful gift of Your Spirit, the Comforter, is present within me. You see things that I don't, and over time, you help me through hidden dangers of this fallen world.

   Often, my problem is stilling the clutter in my mind long enough to hear You speak softly to me. I must focus on Your Word, let Your peace soothe the chaos that usually swirls in my heart, and most importantly, listen for and recognize Your sweet soft voice.

   I ask this in the lovely name of Jesus. Amen. 

# 84 Testimony- GrJean

   One evening, when I was driving three ladies home from a church meeting in Moria in snowstorm on Rt 11, I asked the Lord to please do something about the snow coming down, as I couldn't see well, and I was concerned that I would drive the ladies safely to Potsdam.

   Immediately, the storm turned into just flurries! A car sped by at that moment, and I followed it all the way into Potsdam! I must admit that it was the Lord's doing! I give Him praise now, for His helping me that night!

1456-1460 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1456- Is. 40:28 "Hast thou not known? Hast you not heard, that the everlasting God,                  the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?                  there is no searching of his understanding."

1457- Is. 44:8a "Fear ye not, neither be afraid."

1458- Ez. 9:8b "I fell upon my face, and cried."

1459- Ps. 71:7 "I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge."

1460- Is. 63:14b "So didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name."

 #84  Hymn-  Jesus, Lover of My Soul

 

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (pg. 53)

 

   "We don't know the exact occasion for Charles Wesley's hymn, Jesus, Lover of My Soul, but its words seem to anticipate the huge crowds, lawless mobs, midnight escapes, traveling danger, and flea-infested beds he would encounter in coming years.

   As the Methodist movement spread through England, Charles traveled horseback from place to place, an itinerant, homeless evangelist. His fiery preaching incited revival in some people and outrage in others.

   He married Sally Gwynne, after publishing his Hymns and Sacred Poems, as well as his journals and sermons. He continued his itinerant ministry until 1756, when, at age 49, exhausted, he and Sally settled down. Charles busied himself preaching, visiting, counseling, fretting about his three unsaved children, trying to keep Methodism within the church of England, working tirelessly on his hymns and poems into 1788, when he became bedfast from a lifetime of fatigue.

 Some encouraging words-

   The process God takes us through as we wait on Him, is for our good and His glory alone. We're to pray that He will make us strong so we will dare to wait on His perfect timing, not our own.

   "No matter what life throws our way, we can know God is in control even when we are out of control. And if God's hands are as big and strong as they are, it does not matter what happens. When the situation is out of our hands, we can place it in His hands, and He will give us victory over our adversity. Even in our worst moments, God will never leave us. He is right there in our situation." Josh Bender

Church Notes: 

   Jesus was approached by a man who had leprosy for healing, believing that if He could, He would heal him. Christ was moved with compassion for the man, and healed him!

   We're to come to Jesus like that man did with our brokenness, for He will meet our needs as we acknowledge that He is willing to have mercy, and that He is able to help us.

   God was angry against the fallen state of man, and it caused Him to have compassion on the man!

Upcoming posts:

5/10- SATISFY YOUR HEART- Diane Ohlson

17th- WHY WE NEED TO PRAY- John Calvin

24th- BE PREPARED- Kevin Spencer

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

 

 FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS

Jasmine GOH- June's eyes were fixed on the gray car beside her. She had to change lanes to exit the highway, but each time she tried to overtake the vehicle, the other driver seemed to speed up too.

   Finally, she managed to cut in front. Smug in her moment of triumph, June looked in the rearview mirror and smirked. At the same time, she noticed her destination exit passing her by.

   With a rueful smile, she recounted: 'I was so fixated on overtaking, that I missed my exit.' Such a slip can also happen in our desire to walk in God's ways. 

   When the religious leaders persecuted Jesus for not keeping the Jewish law (John 5:16), He warned that they'd become so fixated on studying and enforcing the law that they were missing the person the law pointed to: 'These are the very Scriptures that testify about me yet you refuse to come to me to have life' (vv. 39-40).

   In trying to be right before God, the religious leaders focused on following the Jewish law and making sure everyone else did too. Likewise, in our zeal for God, we may keep up with good things—church attendance, Bible study, charity work—and even get others to join us. But we can become so focused on them that we miss the person we're doing them for—Jesus.

   In all we do, let's ask God to help us fix our eyes on Christ (Hebrews 12:2). He alone is "The way and the truth and the life."(John 14:6).

Let's pray-

    "Father, it is so easy to live each day with tunnel vision. To dismiss people because they don’t look like we do or act like we do. Jesus never did that. He always made time for the lonely man, woman and child in need. I want to be more like Him. I want to have His eyes and His heart when it comes to meeting the needs of people He brings into my life.  In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen."(Taken from a saying of Mary Southerland)


#83 Testimony-  A Christian General

   A Christian general came to me one day and confessed that the strain of presenting a perfect image before his men was about to kill him. I suggested that it would ease his tension if he would thank God for having created him exactly as he was.

   "You mean, as I am today? filled with fear and tension?" he asked, and I nodded.

   "Do you think the God who created this universe and placed the stars in the heavens was any less careful when He created you? Nor has He been careless with the circumstances He has allowed into your life in order to show you how much He loves you?"

   The general came to several sessioins in my office, and studied his Bible and read Prison to Praise with interest. Gradually he came to accept that God had a perfect plan for his life and that the contintuous stress he'd felt was serving the purpose of bringing him to rely on God.

   He began to praise God for his anxieties and a sense of peace slowly replaced the old habits of fear. For the first time in his life he was happy to be himself!

Ps. 141:8a "My eyes look to you, LORD my Lord. I seek refuge in you." (CSB) Christian Standard Bible

1441-1445 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1441- Job 16:20b "Mine eye poureth out tears unto God."

1442- Ecc. 7:19a "Wisdom strentheneth the wise."

1443- Ecc. 8:16a, 17a "When I applied mine heart to know wisdom . . . Then I 

          beheld all the work of God."

1444- Ez. 41:13a "So he measured the house." 

1445- Is. 9:7a "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end."

 #83 Hymn-  Be Still My Soul

 

The composer of the music, Jean Sibelius was born in Finland in 1865. He later changed his name to reflect the French form of Johann, and was known thereafter as Jean Sibelius. He was also the composer for many orchestral works, including seven symphonies.

 Some encouraging words-

"Life’s storms sometimes blow away all that we cling to or that clings to us. I’m reminded then that when I have nothing left but Jesus, Jesus is all I need. Perhaps that is what is necessary to see the glory of God. In my weakness and lack, He shows His strength and bountifulness. In thinking about being a partner with Christ and having the prospect of seeing His glory, I rejoice that my leafless branches reveal the beauty of who He is. Then, my sadness turns to gladness." Anita van der Elst

 

Church Notes: 

   In the Gospel of Mark, we are encouraged to emediately confront people about their need of salvation. We're to look for hungry people, prepared by the Holy Spirit, who feel the need of something greater than they've known. Our relationship with the Lord, needs to be intimate, obedient in response to His urgings, and with expectancy of faith that He will answer our prayers. The power to resist the evil one is available only in Christ Jesus!

6 Amazing Attributes of God's Love

Upcoming posts:

 5/1st-  DANGERS- Kevin Spencer [I leave on the 2nd to travel to New Jersey

            to visit my son, John]

10th-   SATISFY YOUR HEART- Diane Ohlson

17th-   WHY WE NEED TO PRAY- John Calvin

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

 

THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES

 

The God of Second Chances

 

 Karen Huffaker-

As we venture into another New Year, we have a clear calendar—a clean slate to start things fresh and anew. Committing to new diets and exercise plans, starting new jobs or retirement, dreaming about new travel plans, and launching new hobbies are just a few. We can build new relationships or pledge to work better at old ones.

We may want to mend our ways, put aside bad habits, or face up to sins where we have shown weakness. As much as the apostle Peter loved the Lord and pledged his heart to His teaching, he denied his Lord in moments of weakness. In fact, because of fear, Peter denied that he knew Jesus three times. Immediately, Peter was crushed and heartbroken. But he pulled himself together, admitted his failure, and determined to overcome flaws and fears.

Peter became a solid rock—a force to reckon with—and helped lay the foundation for spreading the gospel in the early church. God gave him a second chance. Peter didn’t give up and quit. His love for Jesus and the good news of God’s saving grace motivated him to move forward in step with God. He claimed victory over his failures.

God is a God of second chances. Many times—most of the time, but not always—God will help us overcome our fears, sins, and failures. Not everyone will get a second chance, but if you are reading this, you still have time.

Ask God to do a new work in your life during this New Year. 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9 NIV

Let's pray-

   Lord, today I choose to become a student of the bible. Strengthen me through your truth and empower me to stand against temptation and sin. I also choose to make prayer a natural part of every day. Make me more aware of your presence and power, Lord. I want to be a godly person of discipline, and whose life honors you and draws other to you. Amen.

#82 Testimony- Job, in the Bible (As taken from pages 112-114 of Merlin R. Carothers' book, Power in Praise.

   Job was tested through Satan's troubles that he brought on him, after he asked permission from God. Satan may be the actor who acts out his role in the drama of our life, but God is still the Director.

    So what was Job's respnse? He fell down on the ground before God and tore his clothes in grief. 

  "I came naked from my mother's womb . . . and I shall have nothing when I die. the Lord gave me everything I had, and they were His to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).

   But that wasn't the end of Job's troubles. Satan came and asked permission once more to torment Job, and God gave it.

   This time Job was struck with boils all over his body, until he became so disfigured that no one could bear to look at him. His own wife told him to curse God and die, and his neighbors, who had always respected him, now mocked him and turned away. Three of his best friends came to tell him that his suffering was caused by his sins, and  advised him to repent.

   Job never doubted that God had brought his misfortune. He cried out for mercy, but was convinced that it was not his sins that had brought about his suffering. Job knew in his heart that he was a righteous man, and he trusted God.

   "Though He slay me, yet will I . . . trust Him. Nevertheless, I will . . . argue my ways before him - even to His face"(Job 13:15 Amp).

   Job's faith that God was in charge never wavered, but his understanding questioned God's purpose and methods. Job's questions have been echoed by all of us, at one time or another.

   "Why do you allow poverty, God? Why do you allow the innocent to suffer? Why are evil men living in ease and comfort? Why don't you listen to my plea? God, why don't you let me die so my suffering will end and I can rest with you?"

   When God answered Job, it was the stern rebuke of a Father to a son.

   "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much . . . Have you ever commanded the morning to appear, and cause the dawn to rise in the east? . . . Where is the path to the distribution point of light? Where is the home of the east wind? . . . Can you hold back the stars? . . . Can you ensure the proper sequence of the seasons? . . . Who gives intuition and instinct? Who makes the wild donkeys wild? . . . Have you given the horse strength, or clothed his neck with a quivering maine? . . . Is it at your command that the eagle rises high upon the cliffs to make her nest? . . . Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? Or will you yield? do you - God's critic - have the answers?" (Job 38:4, 12, 24, 31-32, 36; 39:5, 19, 27; 40:2).

   Job replied, "I am nothing, How could I ever find the answers? I lay my hand upon my mouth in silence. I have said too much already" (Job 40:4-5). Job had learned his lesson.

   It is interesting to note that God blessed Job after Job prayed for those friends who had accused him wrongly. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before (Job 42:10).

  

   

1436-1440 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1436- 2 Chron. 20:20b "Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established."

1437- Pro. 8:4 "Unto you, O man, I call and my voice is to the sons of Man.'

1438- Ps. 101:2a "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way."

1439- Ps. 71:14 "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more."

1440- Is. 56:7b "For mine house shall be called a house of prayer for all people."

 #82 Hymn- There is Power in the Blood 

The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL  (pg. 249)

"Both the words and music of this old hymn were written during a camp meeting at Mountain Lake Park, Marland by Lewis Jones. Jones, a California naive, graduated from Moody Bible Insitute and spent his vocaitonal life with the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).

 Some encouraging words-

   Prayerlessness, or weak praying and even unbelieving prayer, restrains God's power,  disabling His divine interactioin. The gift to a community, town or person is a praying church. It alone can change the history of a people.

  "Paul’s sufferings were nothing compared to those of Jesus. Jesus endured beatings, rejection, humiliation, torture, and death on the cross of Calvary to save us all from our sins. Jesus had a choice and chose to pay our sin debt in full. He obeyed His Father and endured such suffering to show how much He loves us. We can’t help but be drawn to the one who loves us so much." Karen Huffaker

Church Notes: 

   God guides mis-guided people, attempting to show them they need to be wise and  intentional in their service for the Lord. Our fulfillment is found in the Lord Jesus, and we can find His will for each of us through asking the Father for guidance. He wants to fan our faith into flames of fire for the Kingdom through faithful praying.

   1) Entirely depending on the Lord for our lives.

    2) Be separated from all sin.

     3) Have faith in God's Word.

      4) Ask according to God's will so He'll hear our prayers.

We're to persist in our praying and never give up! 

Luke18:1 Always pray!

Upcoming posts:

4/26th- FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS- Jesmie GOH

5/1st-   DANGERS- Kevin Spencer

10th-   SATISFY YOUR HEART- Diane Ohlson

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

PROFESSING TRUTHS

Emily Marszalek-  Between jobs and feeling increasingly discouraged, I spoke negatively about myself:     "I’m a loser. I have no purpose. I’m worthless without a job." As I frequently spoke self-degrading comments, I began to believe the lies. My self-worth suffered, and I felt more hopeless about the future. I was not professing truths.   (Joyful woman)    When I expressed some of these self-deprecating comments to my mom, she gently reminded me that such statements did not align with what God says about my identity, worth, and future. As the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart opposed God’s Word, they displeased God. Thus, I was sinning. Although difficult to hear, I knew my mom was right.    Mom encouraged me to write down, memorize, and profess Bible verses that addressed each of the falsehoods I had declared. I replaced each false statement with a statement declaring the truth: I am a cherished daughter of the King. God has a good purpose for my life. My value and identity do not come from a job or any worldly successes.    As I continued to profess and think about God’s truths, the lies that had taken root were uprooted. Seeds of truth began to grow, flourish, and produce fruit in my life. Instead of constantly feeling discouraged, directionless, and depressed, I felt comfort, hope, and joy bud within. Although my future remained unclear, I rested assured that as I kept my eyes fixed on God, He would lead me and infuse purpose in my uncertain season of life.    Now, when negative thoughts arise, I offer them to God and ask Him to help me recalibrate my heart and mind to align with what pleases Him."  "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14 NLT Words about prayer- “The name of Jesus, when we are sure we are praying in accordance with God’s holy will, gives us confidence in prayer, authority in prayer, and special boldness in spiritual battle. The name of Jesus should help draw us into the close unity needed in the prayer of agreement, and it should be our spiritual missile to blast through Satan’s hindrances and blockage. There is power and authority in the name of Jesus.”  (pg. 139) of MIGHTY PREVAILING PRAYER by Wesley L. Duewel #81 Testimony- Man heard about praising God.     A man heard me speak about praising God for everything and promised God from that moment he would be thankful for everything that happened to him.    He and his family drove home from the meeting through a snowstorm in below-zero weather. they arrived home late at night, and the moment they stepped in the front door, they knew something was wrong. The house was ice-cold, and the furnace was dead.    The family huddled upstairs while the man walked down to the basement to check the furnace. He knew nothing about furnaces and had no idea what might be wrong.    He stood staring at the cold, silent furnace, and his first impulse was to pray that God would help him get it going again. Without heat in the house, he would have to take his family to a warm shelter for the night.    Then the thought came to him, "Are you thankful now?"    "I'm sorry, Lord, I forgot," he prayed. "But I know you must have planned this for our good, so thank you, God, for this furnace, just as it is."    At that moment a very distinct suggestion came into his mind: "Check the fan!"    "The fan? I don't even know where it is!"    "Look behind the plate on the right side," came the thought.    He found a screwdriver and began removing the plate. The whole scene suddenly struck him as rediculous. Was he just imagining things? Was the fan behind the plate? But if God was really at work giving him this direct kind of help, he couldn't stop now, he reasoned.    His fingers were numb with cold, but the plate came off - and there was the fan.    Now what? he thought.     "Look for the fan belt; it is off."    It was too dark to see inside the furnace , so he got a flashlight and directed the beam down the small opening in the furnace. There was the fan belt, lying loose. He slipped it over the drive shaft on the fan and removed his arm from the narrow opening. The furnace remained cold and silent.    "What now?" he prayed.    "Turn the furnace switch," came the suggestion.    As soon as he turned the switch, the furnace came alive with happy dancing flames, and the man ran upstairs to share with his family how God had blessed them with a cold furnace.    Following the furnace incident, the man's life was changed. He began to listen for the voice of God in all situations, and today has developed a rare sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. His open ear to the guidance of God has made him a channel for God's power in the lives of others also.   1431-1435 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-    1431- Jer. 1:19b "I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee." 1432- Is. 42:6a "I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine            hand, and will keep thee." 1433- Is. 32:15a "Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high." 1434- Pro. 19:23a "The fear of the LORD tendeth to life." 1435- Ps. 91:3 "Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from            the noisome pestilence."  #81 Hymn- Wonderful Grace of Jesus  The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL  (pg. 279) The author of this hymn, Haldor Lillenas was born in the fjord district of Norway in 1885, and, as a child, immigrated to the United States with his family. He had a musical bent, a talent that served him well when he entered the ministry in 1910 in the newly established Chruch of the Nazerene. He began writing gospel songs, and in 1919, he published his first book, and three years later he organized his own publishing house in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was serving as pastor of the First Church of the Nazerene. "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" is the best known of the 4,000 hymns Haldor himself wrote. Church Notes:    We're never not to be taught the ways of God. Sometimes judgment comes through affliction. We're to ask the Holy Spirit to teach us! He will download information on  ways to serve God. Being honest and open as we come before the Lord, He will teach us.  Some encouraging/challenging words- "The strongest person in the room isn’t the loudest—it’s the one who speaks with wisdom and knows when to stay silent with grace. True strength isn’t found in having the last word, but in responding with wisdom, humility, and restraint." Lisa Bevere For it is written, “As I live saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11 KJV) Jesus is coming back one day. He is returning for His bride, the church. Everyone will see Him, and they will all know He is God. After this, all who have died without believing will be raised from the dead to stand before Him and give an account of their lives. If you haven’t, accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you have, stay faithful to Him because He is coming soon. Darrell Waters    TOUCH the WORLD through PRAYER by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel Upcoming posts:  19th-THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES- Karen Huffaker 26th- FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS- Asmine GOH 5/1st-   DANGERS- Kevin Spencer Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts) Pages   Prayer for salvation For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers  Samples of Jean's crafts   The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches, located in the St. Lawrence county of NY, broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15 You can view past services too. Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library