Saturday, May 31, 2025

BE PREPARED

 BE PREPARED

Kevin Spencer-

"Long ago, deep in the last century, I was a Boy Scout. This was back when being a Boy Scout meant learning something useful. Studying practical skills like walking into the woods with just a pocketknife and not starving or dying of hypothermia. It also meant embodying the Boy Scout motto of "Be Prepared," which basically meant learning how to not find yourself in the position of walking into the woods with just a pocketknife to survive.

I loved my time as a Boy Scout. During those years, every summer, my parents would ship me off for two weeks to the Western North Carolina Boy Scout Camp at Raven Knob, about fifteen miles west of Mt Airy, NC. This was where most scouts worked on merit badges, usually testing for five to ten badges each session. On one summer visit to Raven Knob, my third, I was going for one of the most coveted badges: camping.

There wasn't time in just two weeks to teach all a scout needed to know about camping to obtain the badge. A scout was expected to know how to survive in the woods before he got to Raven Knob. Because back then, to pass the Camping Merit Badge requirements, they simply handed you a topographical map and a compass, told you where on the map to make camp, had you shoulder a pack, and told you to report back in three days. And off you went. No GPS, no cell phone, and no alert necklace … you were on your own.

My pack was checked by counselors and passed muster before I departed. I think they wanted to ensure I remembered to pack food and didn't forget my tent. One of the most necessary items in my pack was my well-worn copy of the Boy Scout Fieldbook. (All these years later, it’s still one of the best outdoor books I've ever read.) I had read it cover to cover, and I knew if I got stuck on something, the Fieldbook would bail me out. And boy, did it. I referred to it over and over when setting up my camp. Eventually, most of this would be second nature, but for this trip I didn't yet have enough experience. I did have the Fieldbook, and that proved to be enough. I earned my Camping Merit Badge.

Surviving in this fallen world is much more terrifying than stepping off into the woods on a solo camping trip. Fortunately, our loving Father has provided us with our own "Fieldbook" to sustain us—a step-by-step survival guide. He has given us His glorious Word, voice, and loving instruction—all to help us weather this world. God implores us to immerse ourselves in the Bible, to meditate on what it says, and to plant His Word in our hearts.

It isn’t always easy. Satan attacks the Word and my ingesting of it every chance he gets. But I have to constantly remind myself—and this might help you as well—that when the Great King of all the Universe gives us His survival guide, it's probably an excellent idea to read it.

Are you prepared?"

"I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."
Psalm 119:16 NIV

Let's pray-


   Father, we're encouraged to study practical skills, like when walking into the woods, to provide the basic supplies. In our past, we've had some training as scouts, and some have even earned badges.
   What was given was just a map and a compass and we were told where to make camp. No GPS, no cell phone and no alert necklace that are available today!
   Our surviving in this fallen world is much more terrifying than stepping off into the woods on a solo camping trip! Our loving heavenly Father has provided us with our own "Fieldbook" to sustain us, a step-by-step survival guide, His Word, the Bible. He desires to plant His Word in our hearts so we can come against Satan's attacks. It is an excellent idea to read it!
 
#87 Testimony- Paul and Silas  Power In Praise book, p.117-119

   Saul of Tarsus became Paul the apostle after a remarkable conversion experience on the road to Damascus. He experienced his share of what looked like mishaps in spreading the gospel.
   Once when Paul and Silas came to Philippi, they were accused of corrupting the city and were stripped and beaten with whips until the blood ran from their bare backs. Then they were put in the inner dungeon of the prison with their feet clamped in stocks (see Acts 16:20-24).
   But Paul and Silas didn't think that Satan had won a victory or that God had deserted them. They were convinced that God had called them to preach in Philippi, and that He was actively working in everything to bring about His perfect plan for them. So they didn't whine or complain or cry out for the Lord for help. They sat there in the dungeon with the blood stiffened on their sore backs, unable to stretch their aching legs, and they were praying and singing hymns of praise to God.
   Suddenly, at midnight, there was a great earthquake, the prison doors flew open, and the chains fell off every prisoner. The jailer was horrified, thinking they had all escaped, and drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul called out, assuring him that all the prisoners were there, and the jailer came and threw himself down before their feet, "What must I do to be saved?" he begged.
   God had a perfect plan for the city of Philippi. He sent Paul and Silas to be His witnesses there, and they had faith to believe that God was working out His plan, even if He used circumstances they could not have anticipated!


1471-1475 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- 
 
1471- Is. 44:23a "Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it."
1472- Job 13:15a "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."
1473- Jer. 29:10b "I will visit you, and perform my good word towards you."
1474- Jer. 34:4a "Yet hear the word of the LORD."
1475- Pro. 17:3b "The LORD trieth the hearts."


 #87 Hymn- Does Jesus Care?

 
The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. MorganTHEN SINGS MY SOUL   (p. 253)

   Rev. Frank Graeff, a Methodist minister wrote this hymn. He had a special way with children, who were drawn to his simple faith and perpetual smile. When a series of heartbreaks shattered his spirits, and he found himself in the unfamiliar valley of deep depression and despondency, his gloom became as great as the bliss he had previously enjoyed. At length, he collapsed into the Everlasting Arms and found himself singing again. Out of his experience, Frank wrote "Does Jesus Care?" with its series of commonly asked questions.


 Some instructive words-

   "With the chaos of adulthood, we often miss the mark. Jesus said we should have a childlike faith. How different would life be if we only rested in faith? What if we did not question every obstacle or try to fix every problem ourselves? If only we would rest in God’s love for us. If only we could sit with Jesus for a while and go to Him as a little child. After all, he is our Father." Gretchen Martin

Church Notes: 

   Life changes are difficult if we face them on our own. Jesus was our Example, He turned to the Father for help in all He did. We are promised that we can do all things through Christ, if we ask Him for help. God's Word is where we'll find power to accomplish what we know to be His will for us. His Holy Spirit within us as believers, is what makes the difference, as He is the Life Changer!

Upcoming posts:

6/7-   CASTING ALL YOUR WORRIES- Diane Ohlson
14th- UNDER ATTACK- Jordan Zuniga
19th- THE RODIO GIRL- Theresa Pierce

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 


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