Thoughts for Life: DON'T NEGLECT GOD'S WORD

Don’t Neglect God’s Word

Phyllis Quals Freeman- After my husband’s two spinal surgeries, the neurosurgeon told us the pinched nerve in his left leg would not repair itself. He would need to use a cane to walk, or he would fall.

This diagnosis was difficult for Bill. He was embarrassed to use the cane in public. After all, he was only in his forties. Previously, he was athletic and played baseball on church teams and basketball with his sons. But going forward, he used the cane for assistance. He couldn’t quite do it on his own. (God's Open Word)

I copied Scriptures on the blank pages in my Bible between the Old and New Testaments to encourage me during these difficult times. I read them repeatedly, claiming God’s promises. During this time, I also had two major surgeries, but I continued to draw strength from God’s Word.

Bill and I attended Bible classes taught by Dr. Halton Starr. He said the Bible is “organic and alive.” I knew the Bible was inspired, but tte words organic and alive
gave me a new view of God’s Word. It reminded me of the verse in Hebrews that says the Bible is “living and active.”

When Bill and I wondered about our future, we leaned heavily on God’s Word. We lost our medical insurance when Bill lost his job, but we trusted God. When I had to look for full-time employment to gain medical insurance, I prayed God’s Word back to Him.

As Bill depended on his cane, we learned to lean on God’s promises—promises that gave us hope and built our faith. If you feel a little unbalanced in your faith walk or need encouragement to be steadier, lean on God’s Word. We can’t do life on our own.

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

Let's pray-

Father, after surgeries, the diagnosis may be challenging to our health and pride.

Previously, we may have been athletic and busy with sports, but being limited, and needing assistance if we can't go alone, will be difficult.

Copying down Scriptures to encourage us in these difficult times, will help us draw strength from Your Word. As it is "organic and alive," it will give us a new view to live by if we're unbalanced in our faith walk and need to be steadier, as we're learning to lean on You.

We ask for Your help through such hard times, to help us develop our faith and to trust in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen

#99 Testimony- An Army Major

One night a nurse called me to the hospital to see an Army Major. When he saw me, he began to weep. He and the men there with him were covered with bandages and looked as though they were badly hurt. Finally, the Major gained control of himself and began to tell me an amazing story.

Just a few hours earlier he had been a passenger in a helicopter. They had been hit by ground fire and crashed into the thick jungle. Six men had been scattered over the side of a mountain. When the Major came to, he realized he was injured too seriously to move. He could hear the cries of other men who were also unable to move. In the distance he could hear rifle shots. The Viet Cong were converging on the position where they had seen the aircraft go down. They were moving in to capture the Americans.

The Major tried to pray, but realized he didn't know how. He had attended church all his life, but he had never really talked to God. But all at once he "felt" someone say: "Just ask and believe!"

With a burst of anguish, and new faith he cried; 'Oh, God, please help me!" He realized that for the first time in his life he had talked to God. Still, he could hear the VC move in closer.

Miles away, another Army helicopter was flying north. The pilot later told this story: He felt a sudden, overpowering urge to turn and go east. But why? he reasoned. His destination was north. Contrary to all military rules he made a ninety-degree turn and headed east. He then felt an even stronger urge to fly lower and slower. This was even less logical than his first urge and contrary to all rules of flying over hostile territory.

He should be flying either high or low and fast. But the urge was so strong that he went down to treetop level, and somehow knew that he was looking for something. There it was! He suddenly spotted the remains of a helicopter scattered over the jungle.

He had no idea how long it had been there, but he felt compelled to check it out. The jungle was so dense that it was impossible to land. While he hovered over the treetops a member of his crew lowered himself by means of a winch. When the crewman reached the ground he found the wounded men.

One by one he secured them to the winch and raised them into the helicopter. When the last man had been lifted to safety, he secured himself and was pulled up. Just as he left the ground, the VC arrived and started firing at him The pilot saw what was happening, and as soon as the man was clear of the trees he moved the chopper up and out. In a few minutes the woulded men were safe in the hospital.

When the Major had finished his story he grasped my hand and said: "Chaplain, I just wanted you to come and help me thank God for His goodness to me. I'm going to serve Him the rest of my life!"

1531-1535 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-

1531- Pro. 8:13a "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance."

1532- Jer. 48:30a "I know his wrath, saith the LORD."

1533- Neh. 5:16 "Yea, also I continued in the work."

1534- Job 8:19a "Behold, this is the joy of his way."

1635- Ps. 73:17 "Until I went into the Sanctuary of God; then understood I their end."

#99 Hymn- Amazing Grace

The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL (pg. 79)

It was hard to shake off John Newton's earliest memories of his godly mother who, despite fragile health, devoted herself to nurturing his soul. After her death, John wanted to live a good life, but fell deeper and deeper into sin. He was pressed into service with the British Navy, deserted, captured and flogged. His life was a life unrivaled in fiction. On March 9, 1748, John, 23, was jolted awake by a brutal storm. The next day, in great peril, he cried to the Lord.

The next several years saw slow halting spiritual growth in John, but in the end he became one of the most powerful evangelical preachers in British history, a powerful foe of slavery, and author of hundreds of hymns, including Amazing Grace.

Some encouraging words-

Jesus, tough enough to singlehandedly drive crooks out of the temple, but tender enough that children clamored to sit on his lap. Strong enough that men would leave everything to follow Him. Yet caring enough to elevate women in a world that crushed their dreams. The Savior who has made many a man into whom he could never have been without Him.

Church Notes:

Mercy

God wants to give mercy. He controls judgments. His mercy turns back judgment, extenting grace, the favor of His forgiveness, when we repent of sins.

Upcoming posts:

8/23- A HAND TO HOLD- Lauri Lemke Thompson

30th- FINDING REST FROM CONTROL- Matt Holmes

9/6- WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE- Bill Crowder