Saturday, May 9, 2026

BE CAREFUL!

  BE CAREFUL!

 Alyson Kieda- After years of struggle and crying out in prayer, Frank quit drinking. He attributes his continued sobriety to God's work in his life. But he also made some important changes, He no longer kept alcohol in the house, watched for warning signs in his thinking and moods, and was wary of certain situations. He leaned on God and knew not to leave an opening for temptation or sin. Struggling in prayer

  "Be alert and of sober mind," the apostle Peter warned. "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

   Peter knew we needed to be watchful because the devil's attacks are often unexpected — when it seems like our life couldn't be better, or we think we'd never be tempted in a certain area.

   James too warned his readers to submit to God and "resist the devil." When we do, our enemy "will flee" (James 4:7). The best way to resist him is to stay close to God through prayer and time in Scripture. When we do, God comes near to us (v.8) through His Spirit (Romans 5:5).

   James also offered this encouragement: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up: (James 4:10). We all face challenging moments in life when we're tempted and struggle. We can rest knowing that God wants us to succeed and overcome. He is with us in our troubles.

Let's pray-

   In the name of The One Who Was, Who Is, and Who is To Come. Who is above all and before anything that was. All things are from Him, through Him, for Him, and in Him, are held together. He is Eternal. Manifest in the flesh, but with no sin, justified in the Spirit, witnessed to by angels, believed on in the world, He is the Most High, the Sovereign, the Powerful, and Supreme over all.
   He alone is worthy of adoration. He was slain to receive power. Now resurrected, all riches, wisdom, strength, and honor belong to Him. He is full of mercy, grace, and truth. He is the Eternal Judge, and He alone has the power to forgive sins. Blessed be His Holy Name.
   His name is Jesus, and He is God. We pray in His name. Amen.


My weekly advice from the book,  Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller: (p. 23)

   "The beauty of cancer research is that every day brings a new discovery. Shortly after my 'low-survivability' diagnosis, a new drug was approved for treatment of my 'high-risk' leukemia. One pill daily (and God) stopped the progression of my cancer, giving me hope for many years of joyful living. Reality: "One day our bodies will stop breathing and we will meet the Lord. Are you ready? I hope so. If you're unsure, pray."


 #137 Testimony-  about a friend's husband

   "During the Vietnam war, my husband served as a helicopter medevac corpsman. Once, when his helicopter was shot down, he survived injuries that could have been fatal. Another time, he happened to stand up in flight to prepare for landing and  boarding wounded Marines. At that moment, a bullet shop up through the seat he had just left. By an instant, he escaped death. Our days are in God's hands. death could come to us momentarily or years from now. The date and time is God's call, not ours."


1831-1835 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- 
 
1831- Ez. 16:44a "Behold everyone that uses proverbs shall use this proverb. . .
          As is the mother, so is her daughter."
1832- Is. 29:9a "Stay (stop) yourselves and wonder."
1833- 1 Chron. 16:14 "He is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth."
1834- Jer. 22:16 "He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well 
          with them: was not this to know me? saith the LORD."
1835- Matt. 22:16b "Master, we know that Thou art true, and teachest the way of 
          God in truth."
 
 #137 Hymn-  I'd Rather Have Jesus
 

   George Beverly Shea, "America's beloved gospel singer," has traveled with the Billy Graham evangelistic team since 1946. He was born in 1909 in Winchester, Ontario. Bev's mother , the church organist, had a piano that came from England; and, seated in front of its keys, she became a sort of "human alarm clock" for the family.
   When Bev was 21, he began working for the Mutual Insurance Company of New York, assisting medical examiners in obtaining information relating to the applicant's health history. Among those who came into the office was Fred Allen, host of a cost-to-cost radio talent show. 
   Learning that Bev liked to sing, Mr. Allen arranged an audition, and a few weeks later Bev found himself singing "Go Down Moses' to a nationwide audience on the National Broadcasting Company. Though he lost the contest to a yodeler, he received fifteen dollars and a taste of widespread fame.
   One Sunday shortly afterward, Bev sat down at his mother's organ to practice for the morning church service. His eyes fell on a clipping she had left for him there, a poem written in 1922 by Mrs. Rhea F. Miller. As Bev read the words, they spoke to him about his own aims and ambitions in life. An appropriate melody came easily, practically composing itself.
   When Bev's mother came in from the kitchen, he played and sang it for her. Wrapping both arms around him, she placed a wet cheek against his. In church that morning, Bev sang "I'd Rather Have Jesus" publicly for the first time. It later became a sort of "signature song" expressing his own decisions in life.

   "I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause, / I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
  I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame, / I'd rather be true to His holy name . . ."


 Some encouraging words-

   "When we're full of ourselves and wise in our own eyes, it's impossible for God to empower and use us. But when we're weak and empty, God can do great things through us as we simply take the place of a bondservant." Andrew Murray


Church Notes:    ZEAL IN GIVING

Wealth draws us from childhood.
2 Cor. 8:1-7 The Macedonian church was a good example for us.
They gave according to and beyond their own needs.
The Corinthian church was to do the same, to give, even though they were in need.
Abundant joy comes from providing for others' need. 
We're to give weekly as God reveals individually.
We're to be earnest in sharing our gifts, a zeal to give.
We're to look at the need and provide as we are able.
As Children of God, we're to have our eyes on Jesus, giving ourselves to Him.
Our act of grace in giving to others' needs as we see it, is given in faith.
We're to get back to tithing - giving the first portion to the Lord's work.
We're to consider what we care about, what we could do without in order to give to 
    our churches' needs.
We're to lay up everlasting treasures, not just earthy ones. 
Seek first the Kingdom and all other things will be added.
We're not to worry about anything.
The world tries to tell us we need more! We're to be content in Christ.
We're to have a zeal to give to the Lord's work!

Upcoming posts:

5/16-  SMALL BEGINNINGS- Kristen Holmberg
23rd- THE EXCHANGE - Jasmine GOH
30th- PARTING WORDS- Dave Branon


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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Saturday, May 2, 2026

GOD DID IT!

 GOD DID IT!

   Pastor Cymbala told of the Pakistani Christians under siege and how the Holy Spirit had made a way for us to help them. But the story didn't end there. 

   On Saturday night of the same week, Steve, our CFO, called me. He had just been talking to the minister from Pakistan, and news was grim. The pastor told Steve that something had set off the Muslims again during their evening call to prayer. "He said they're shouting, 'Death to the Christians! Death to the Christians!' He's afraid of what might be coming." Steve and I agreed that we would both pray that night and that the next day we would ask the church to pray as well. (Pakistani Christians)

   The next morning, I, Pastor Cymbala, went to The Brooklyn Tabernacle, (his church), and prepared for our Sunday nine o'clock service. My associate pastors and I were in my office, along with some of our prayer band members — seven or eight church members who pray with us before the services and then stay together and pray for us during each service.

  We finished praying. I was on my way to the elevator when one of  the volunteers who was answering our phones that day called out to me. . .

   "Pastor Cymbala, there's a phone call for you."

  "I can't take it now; the service is about to begin."

  "Pastor, the call is from Pakistan."

   I made a U-turn. The call came through to my phone. I answered. It was the Pakistani minister. There was terror in his voice.

   I asked, "What's going on?"

"We are trapped on the roof on a house. I'm up here with other believers from our church. There is a mob in the square carrying torches. They are working themselves into a frenzy. They are screaming, 'Death to the Christians! Death to the Christians!"

   "Okay," I said. "Be strong, brother. I'm going into our Sunday service now. And we're going to pray."

   I hung up the phone and went downstairs as fast as I could. The service had begun, and the congregation was singing. I walked directly to the pulpit and interrupted the meeting. For the benefit of those who had not been at the prayer meeting, I told them what had happened on Tuesday. I then told the congregation what was happening in Pakistan at that very moment.

   "We need to pray right now!" I said.

   The Holy Spirit helped us, and we prayed fervently, our hearts united in prayer for our Pakistani brothers and sisters in Christ. We continued praying for several minutes. Then a sense of peace settled over everyone. We felt confident that God had heard our prayer.

   On Monday, Steve called and told me that he had talked to the Pakistani pastor again. And I thought, "Thank God he's alive!"

    "Is he okay?" I asked. 

   "He's fine, But you're not going to believe what happened."

   Steve then related the story.

   "The Pakistani church members had been stranded on the roof, clinging to one another. Shortly after the pastor called me, dark clouds formed in the sky. It got dark, almost as dark as it gets after the sun goes down. Then it began to rain torrentially. It rained so hard that the crowd scattered and ran to their homes. And that was that. The tension was broken, and the Christians were able to get down from the roof and return to their homes."

   Even now, when I look back on it, the whole story amazes me. It was something that only the Lord through His Holy Spirit could have done!

(This was taken from  FAN THE FLAME by JIM CYMBALA) (pp. 93-95)

Let's pray-

   Father, we are awed with what You did for our Pakistanian friends! What a perfect way to put out the torches and their animosity against the Christians there on the roof of the building! No one but You could have come up with such a solution to save them! Thank You for sending the rain! We know that it encouraged those Christians to see how fast You solved their real problem that night in answer to prayers by far away friends! In the mighty name of Jesus, we give You praise! Amen.
   

My weekly advice from the book,  Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller: (p.15)

   "We can't fight cancer, but we can walk victoriously through this day. Our joy is not because of our circumstances, but because we have an eternal relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Since our joy comes from the Holy Spirit and not by human effort, we can be like the Proverbs 31 woman who "laughs at days ahead.' We have joy and giggles, rest and stillness because God is fighting for us, and He never loses. Tie a 'joy ribbon' around your heart today and laugh!"


#106 Testimony- A friend's friend

   She was having a major surgery and they had to remove a large tumor. They had prayed that it would not be cancerous, and it wasn't! She is home recovering. The same thing happened with another friend who had a mass on her ovary. They prayed and it was not cancerous either!

MY STORY: GrammaJean

   When in Vermont years ago, living in a small trailer out in the open field we were buying, a wind storm suddenly came up. The trailer started to rock, so I called out on the name of Jesus! The strong wind immediately stopped!
   Another time, when we'd built a roof on the side of that trailer, covering our storage area and entrance, the wind again began to blow things around. I called out on the name of Jesus, and the wind stopped! 
   Another time, while driving home from a church meeting in Moira, here in NY, the snow was coming down so heavily, that I couldn't see the road to drive safely, so I prayed quietly to Jesus for help! (I had three ladies with me and I needed to get them safely to Potsdam!) The snow immediately became a flurry, and when a car sped past us, I followed it all the way into Potsdam! Truly, God hears and answers prayer!

(If you have a story of God's help, let me know of it, so I can share it too! Thanks. (With or without your first name.)


1826-1830 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- 
 
1826- Ez. 20:44a "And you will know that I am the LORD, when I deal with you 
          for my name's sake."
1827- Is. 55:4 "Behold, I have given him . . . a leader and commander to the people."
1828- Jer. 4:2a "The LORD, liveth in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness."
1829- Lam. 3:39a "Wherefore doth a living man complain?"
1830- Ps. 119:90a "Thy faithfulness is unto all generations."


 #106 Hymn-  O God Our Help in Ages Past

 

   Another hymn in Isaac Watts' 1719 Psalms of David is based on Psalm 90,
and is perhaps Watts' most bracing hymn. It was planed on the radio by the BBC as soon as Word War II was declared, and was later sung at the funeral service of Winston Churchill. Some of the original verses have fallen into disuse, but as you read them, think of the ailing hymnist, sitting at the desk in his room on the Abne estate, pouring over Psalm 90 and penning these words:

   "Our God, our help in ages past, 
     Our hope for years to come,
     Our shelter from the stormy blast,
     And our eternal home."


 Some encouraging words-

    "I'm not sinless but saved, not perfect but forgiven, not rejected but chosen, and not unloved but cherished. This identity in Christ comes through grace. Amazing grace!"
 

Church Notes:    GOD REMEMBERED!

1) He is the Star of Exodus. He remembered His covenant w/ Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.
    He promised that all families would be blessed through them.
    He promised to stay with them.
    Satan wants us to forget God's covenant, and bring hard times.
    We're strengthened through trusting God in the hard times!
    Weakness tends to develop during good times.
    We forget. God remembers and hears our cries.
2) We're not to forget that Jesus saves us and He's our Deliverer!
3) God won't let His children forget, but will remind them of His Goodness.
4) We must be born again of God's Spirit.
    We're to be prepared to help others know Him.
    Satan offers bribes to forget. But we will remember, as God will help us!

Upcoming posts:

5/9-     BE CAREFUL! -Alyson Kieda
16th-  SMALL BEGINNINGS- Kristen Holmberg
23rd-  THE EXCHANGE- Jasmine Goh


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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Saturday, April 25, 2026

A HOME YET TO COME

  


 Jody Potgeter-

   "Not long ago, one of my favorite uncles succumbed to a long-term disease.

   We had watched this once strong and athletic man wither for years. When the Hospice nurse told him he was in congestive heart failure and didn’t have much longer to live, he whispered, “That is the best news I’ve heard in a long time.” He was so thrilled that he would soon meet his Savior. He sent a message to his many nieces and nephews: “I pray that you will all know the peace I now have because Jesus conquered death!” (Photo courtesy of pixabay and NoName_13.)

   When I was young, I did not understand the concept of longing for heaven. Intellectually, I knew heaven was better than earth, but I still had things I wanted to experience before I went. I wanted to get married, have children, be a missionary, and travel the world. As I got older and accomplished those things, I found none satisfied me. I began to understand what the Bible was talking about.

   Yet at times, I still look to external, earthly things to soothe my longings and fill my soul. Maybe we wonder, Would I be more satisfied with a better income? If I could afford a vacation, would I have more peace? Would my life be better if the world was less chaotic and confusing?

   Many temporary things can distract us from focusing on eternity and God. It’s easy to immerse ourselves in these distractions instead of spending time with Him and getting to know the One with whom we could spend forever with.

   I wonder what it would be like if we lived every day as if we were on our deathbed—if we could peer beyond all the chaos of this world and set our sights on heaven."

   Make it a point to wake up daily declaring that Jesus has conquered death. Because of that, you live.

 "For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking for a home yet to come." Hebrews 13:14 NLT 


Let's pray-

   Father, we may not yet understand the concept of longing for heaven, but we know there is a place such as that. Help us want to know and be satisfied that the Bible talks much about it. May we look to It to see what It says on the subject. May we not continue to look to external, earthly things to soothe us.
   Many temporary things can distract us from focusing on eternity and You, as it's easy to immerse ourselves in these distractions instead of spending time with You and getting to know You, with whom we could spend eternity.
   May we spend every day as it we were on our deathbed—so we could peer beyond all the chaos of this world and set our sights on heaven. May we declare that Jesus was victorious over death and the grave, making the way for us to go to heaven when we die.
 
My weekly advice from the book,  Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller:

(p.11) "God repeats His promise to fight for His children: ' . . . the Lord your God fights for you, just as He promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God' (Joshua 23:10-11 NIV) Could the key to stillness and confidence in this cancer battle lie in that least sentence? 'So be very careful to love the Lord your God.'"


#135 Testimony- GrJean

  It was years ago, that I was in the process of asking God for forgiveness for something I'd done, when He spoke these words into my spirit:

"Unless you forgive your husband for what he's been doing that displeases you, I cannot forgive you."

That advice has lasted me all these years as good counsel about the importance of forgiveness; both ours and God's.


1821-1825 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- 
 
1821- Dan. 4:37b "Honour the King of heaven."
1822- Is. 48:5a "I have even from the beginning declared it to thee."
1823- Jer. 2:7b "To eat the fruit thereof, and the goodness thereof."
1824- Ps. 143:11a  Quicken me, O LORD, for Thy name's sake."
1825- Luke 18:8b "When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on 
          the earth?"


 #135 Hymn- Shall We Gather At the River
   Robert Lowry was a cheerful man with a big beard and a quick mind. He pastored Baptist churches in the Eastern U.S. during the mid-1800s. One friend said, "Very few men had greater ability in painting pictures from imagination. He could thrill an audience with his vivid descriptions, inspiring them with the same thoughts that inspired him."
   He set many of Franny Crosby's hymns to music, including the classic, "All the Way My Savior Leads Me."  Lowry's best known hymn is "Shall We Gather at the River?
Though often used at Baptisms, it's actually a song about heaven. It came to Lowry on a mid-summer's day in New York, when, in the sweltering heat, he began musing about the cool, crystal river that flows through the city of God as described in Rev. 22.
   "As (Lowry) mused, the words began to construct themselves. They came first as a question of Christian inquiry, "Shall we gather?" Then they broke out in a chorus, "Yes, we'll gather." On this question and answer the hymn developed itself.
   

 Some encouraging words-

   "Quench not the Spirit" (1 Thes. 5:19). "The idea here is to avoid the extinguishing of the love and power of the Holy Spirit in relation to His purposes and work, and causing an utter cessation of their manifestation. Let the Spirit's love and power glow and burn like a flame of pure glory permeating and pervading the whole temple of the body, shining out from all the windows of the soul, and kindling other hearts." George Soltau

Church Notes:    REDEMPTION

God's plan is to buy back what He previously owned.
 His Word gives a listing of sins we're guilty of. He is Holy; we are not.
  He is worthy of praise and nothing more needs to be paid. Christ said "It's finished!"
   Christ paid the ransom debt with His blood to buy back humanity!
    God's interested in our personal relationship with Him.
     He forgives and helps us turn around bad situations, filling us with His Spirit.
      We are evidently valuable to Him!


Upcoming posts:
 
5/2-   GOD DID IT! - Jim Cymbala
9th-   BE CAREFUL! Alyson Kieda
16th- SMALL BEGINNINGS-  Kristen Holmberg

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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Saturday, April 18, 2026

JOINED BY JESUS

 JOINED BY JESUS


   XOCHITL DIXON- "Andy Goldsworthy's Grand Rapids Arch sits on the side of a road as if striding alongside travelers. The artist created the eighteen-foot-tall, free-standing arch with thirty-six blocks of Scottish sandstone without using mortar or pins.

   The ascending angled stones, each one different and cut to fit together, depend on pressure created by a wedge-shaped keystone—the top center stone—to remain perfectly intact. The keystone is essential to holding the structure together, much like a cornerstone.

   The sculpture reminded me of how Jesus serves as "the chief cornerstone" of His diverse church (Ephesians 2:20). The gentiles—all non-Jewish people—were once "excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world" (v.12). 

   Jesus made "the two groups one" and "destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. He created one new humanity, and in one body [reconciled] both of them to God through the cross," giving them all "access to the Father by one Spirit.  

   Christ builds us up as a church in which He lives by His Spirit. He sculpts each unique person, connects us to Him and to each other through Him, and walks with us. The church is joined by Jesus.

Let's pray-

    Father, Andy Goldsworthy's Grand Rapids Arch sits on the side of a road as if striding alongside travelers. The artist created the eighteen-foot-tall, free-standing arch with thirty-six blocks of Scottish sandstone without using mortar or pins.   
   The sculpture reminds of how Jesus serves as the chief cornerstone of His diverse church. The Gentiles—all non-Jewish people—were once excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without You in the world.
   Jesus made the two groups one and destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. He created one new humanity, and in one body [reconciled] both of them to You through the cross, giving them all access to You by one Spirit.
   Christ builds us up as a church in which we live by Your Spirit. He sculpts each unique person, connects us to Him and to each other through Him, and walks with us. The church is joined by Jesus. We give thanks in and for Jesus' honor. Amen


My weekly advice from the book,  Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo by Elaine W. Miller:

(p. 10) "I remember fighting the daily parenting battle. Picking up toys, putting children to bed, then turning around to find more toys and kids not in their beds. Life can be exhausting, on a good day. In tears, I called a friend who advised, 'When you feel you can't take any more, just burst out laughing.' I did. Laughing worked! Soon, everyone started laughing and life was bright again."

#134 Testimony- A friend

   "God is a great Provider. He always comes through when we are in need! Not only for my husband and me, but for our adult children. He provides from unexpected places when funds are short. He cares SO much for us!"


1816-1820 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- 
 
1816-  Jer. 7:32a "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD."
1817-  Ps. 138:3 "In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and 
           strengthenest me with strength in my soul."
1818- Ecc. 2:12a "And I turned myself to behold."
1819- Jer. 2:29a "Wherefore will ye plead with me?"
1820- Ez. 5:8a "Behold, I, even I, am against thee."


 #134 Hymn- Behold the Glories of the Lamb 
   Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. 



 Some encouraging words-

   When you come to something God wants to say to you, don't rush forward to ensure you fulfill your reading plan. You are here to meet with God in the morning: to set the course of your day, to cleanse your heart and to purify the double mindedness of your mind, to receive any instructions and fresh words from God for you and others on this particular day, and to put your head back and ask the question of God: "What do You want me to do today?"


Church Notes:   I AIM TO BE THAT MAN!

We're to desire tasks that are trustworthy.
What we are aspiring to do will demand accountability.
We're to seek noble tasks that include work! Show up the next day!
Character-building for the King of kings.
Intentionally serving the Lord God in whatever our work is.
Not all men are called to serve.
When shaken, what comes out of the mouth? Character matters!
May our mature men work through opportunities of the tasks at hand.
We're to grow deeper in faith before leadership is given.

Upcoming posts:

4/25- A HOME YET TO COME- Jody Potgeter
5/1-   GOD DID IT! -Jim Cymbala
9th-   BE CAREFUL! - Alyson Kieda


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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