Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Women's Program at New Hope Baptist Church, Choudrant, LA
The Women's Group will meet June 10, 2009, 6:30 pm, at New Hope Baptist Church, Choudrant, Louisiana. The program will be about Christ and the Church. Mary Lou Cheatham will be the speaker.
Visit Do You Know How God Loves You?
Revelation's Books & Gifts
Revelation's, a Small Shop with a Big InventoryRevelation's Books & Gifts is a quaint little book and gift store on the Sterlington Highway (Highway 2) in Farmerville, Louisiana. It is located on the east side of town. It's loaded with Christian books and well-selected gifts. Before the holidays people buzz in and out of that little shop to select the sweet nectar of beautiful and meaningful gifts that will be remembered by the recipients.
The owner has invited me to sign Do You Know How God Loves You? in Revelation's on June 12, 2009, from 11 am to 1 pm. This big devotional book will make a unique Father's Day gift. Dad, the spiritual leader of the home, will benefit from the thoughts shared here.
Paul Elliott, the editor, gave me his input. This way the book has the perspective of both men and women.
Do You Know How God Loves You? goes beyond light devotionals. There are deep discussions of theology as it has been presented through the ages; practices of Chrisian living such as tithing, witinessing, and praying; and examinations of trends that are leading people away from traditional beliefs. Although the book has over 400 pages, the reader is asked to read an introduction each month and then only a page a day.
Visit Do You Know How God Loves You?
Monday, May 11, 2009
What Is Different about Do You Know How God Loves You?
You don't have to look very far to find a daily devotional book. You can buy several online or in stores, and you can probably pick up a free one each month in your church.
What am I offering you that is different? People have told me they enjoy the stories about my friends and my family, as well as my own experiences. Others have told me that the thoroughness of the studies present sound theology. Perhaps you can find other books that offer these characteristics.
Several people have described the book as one that is easy to read, one that takes complex thoughts and expresses them in down-to-earth terms. I have written as God led me to so that I can show you how much He cares about you. Still others tell me it has good ideas with a more thorough treatment of each idea than they had expected.
There is something more: accessibility. Do You Know How God Loves You? is an interactive study to help you live successfully every day. Since I published the book five months ago, I have communicated with hundreds of people, who were either old friends I had not heard from in years or new friends who have blessed my life.
Many people I have talked with have deep concerns. I thank God that I am at a stage in my life in which I can take time to talk to people or merely to listen. The great blessing of interacting is the unique quality of the ministry of Do You Know How God Loves You?
Visit Do You Know How God Loves You?
What am I offering you that is different? People have told me they enjoy the stories about my friends and my family, as well as my own experiences. Others have told me that the thoroughness of the studies present sound theology. Perhaps you can find other books that offer these characteristics.
Several people have described the book as one that is easy to read, one that takes complex thoughts and expresses them in down-to-earth terms. I have written as God led me to so that I can show you how much He cares about you. Still others tell me it has good ideas with a more thorough treatment of each idea than they had expected.
There is something more: accessibility. Do You Know How God Loves You? is an interactive study to help you live successfully every day. Since I published the book five months ago, I have communicated with hundreds of people, who were either old friends I had not heard from in years or new friends who have blessed my life.
Many people I have talked with have deep concerns. I thank God that I am at a stage in my life in which I can take time to talk to people or merely to listen. The great blessing of interacting is the unique quality of the ministry of Do You Know How God Loves You?
Visit Do You Know How God Loves You?
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Participating in God's Family
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Every holiday when young children give their parents gifts, the same happy drama is played out much to everybody's satisfaction. The preliminary is always the same. In order for the children to buy their parents gifts, the parents must make arrangements for the children to shop.
If it's Mother's Day, Dad discreetly slips away with the little person to buy something special for Mom. It is always special, whether it is a card or a diamond necklace. Even if the child makes the gift or card, a parent must help acquire the supplies. Suppose the child “works” to earn some money. No matter how the money is obtained, the parents usually furnish it. Whatever the child gives, the parent receiving the gift is thrilled to receive it, and the child beams with delight about pleasing the parent.
Suppose the children decide to prepare breakfast for Dad to celebrate Father's Day. Mom will make sure the right groceries are available, she will coordinate the meal, and finally she will make sure the kitchen is cleaned afterward. No matter how hard the children work on the project, a parent is assisting somewhere in the background. Everybody is thrilled with the outcome.
That's the way it is when Jesus graciously stands and knocks at our door. Jesus owns the door and the whole house, the earth beneath it, and the sky above it. The Father God wants us to open the doors of our hearts with joy. God describes Himself as our Father and us as His children. The Holy Spirit is ready and eager to move into every believer's heart. As any parent knows, it is an absolute delight to have your children help you. God in His grace does not rely upon us, but He delights when we participate.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:13)
God tenderly loves the children everywhere, and He loves that which is childlike in us. He gives us His salvation and more gifts than we ever realize.
And they brought unto Him also infants, that He would touch them: but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” (Luke 18:15-17)
Every holiday when young children give their parents gifts, the same happy drama is played out much to everybody's satisfaction. The preliminary is always the same. In order for the children to buy their parents gifts, the parents must make arrangements for the children to shop.
If it's Mother's Day, Dad discreetly slips away with the little person to buy something special for Mom. It is always special, whether it is a card or a diamond necklace. Even if the child makes the gift or card, a parent must help acquire the supplies. Suppose the child “works” to earn some money. No matter how the money is obtained, the parents usually furnish it. Whatever the child gives, the parent receiving the gift is thrilled to receive it, and the child beams with delight about pleasing the parent.
Suppose the children decide to prepare breakfast for Dad to celebrate Father's Day. Mom will make sure the right groceries are available, she will coordinate the meal, and finally she will make sure the kitchen is cleaned afterward. No matter how hard the children work on the project, a parent is assisting somewhere in the background. Everybody is thrilled with the outcome.
That's the way it is when Jesus graciously stands and knocks at our door. Jesus owns the door and the whole house, the earth beneath it, and the sky above it. The Father God wants us to open the doors of our hearts with joy. God describes Himself as our Father and us as His children. The Holy Spirit is ready and eager to move into every believer's heart. As any parent knows, it is an absolute delight to have your children help you. God in His grace does not rely upon us, but He delights when we participate.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him? (Luke 11:13)
God tenderly loves the children everywhere, and He loves that which is childlike in us. He gives us His salvation and more gifts than we ever realize.
And they brought unto Him also infants, that He would touch them: but when His disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” (Luke 18:15-17)
Who Am I?
Scott McKain's book Collapse of Distinction: Stand out and move up while your competition fails (NelsonFree)
is one I've been studying. McKain teaches that only the businesses that differentiate themselves from others survive. He is asking me, the reader, to ask myself what makes me stand out from the crowd.
My business is encouraging you to buy my books, I must first let you know who I am. In the context of Do You Know How God Loves You?: Successful Daily Living
Here is the answer to the question, “Who am I?” Whatever I am on a deeply personal level is irrelevant. When you look at the book, you want to know why I am qualified to answer such a profound question and to ask you to spend a few minutes every day for a year examining the answer.
First, let me tell you that I am a sinner saved by grace. In my lifetime, even after I was saved by God's grace, I have not always lived a sinless life. Frequently, God has chastised me and brought me back into His will.
Second, let me tell you that I am not a scholar who has attended seminary. My careers have included teaching and nursing. I have diligently studied God's word, received instruction from Bible teachers and pastors, read extensively, and prayed for guidance.
Third, I have a compelling desire to share with you the knowledge that Jesus Christ made the supreme sacrifice for you – that He loves us enough to pay your sin debt and my sin debt. Please refer to January 1 in DDo You Know How God Loves You?: Successful Daily Living
Beyond that desire, I want to share with you a way to walk in the love and guidance of our Lord every day. My business is to place this book in your hands so you can experience my ministry of showing you ways to walk daily in the light of Christ's love. I am an ordinary person with an extraordinary desire to help you realize how much God loves you.
is one I've been studying. McKain teaches that only the businesses that differentiate themselves from others survive. He is asking me, the reader, to ask myself what makes me stand out from the crowd. My business is encouraging you to buy my books, I must first let you know who I am. In the context of Do You Know How God Loves You?: Successful Daily Living
Here is the answer to the question, “Who am I?” Whatever I am on a deeply personal level is irrelevant. When you look at the book, you want to know why I am qualified to answer such a profound question and to ask you to spend a few minutes every day for a year examining the answer. First, let me tell you that I am a sinner saved by grace. In my lifetime, even after I was saved by God's grace, I have not always lived a sinless life. Frequently, God has chastised me and brought me back into His will.
Second, let me tell you that I am not a scholar who has attended seminary. My careers have included teaching and nursing. I have diligently studied God's word, received instruction from Bible teachers and pastors, read extensively, and prayed for guidance.
Third, I have a compelling desire to share with you the knowledge that Jesus Christ made the supreme sacrifice for you – that He loves us enough to pay your sin debt and my sin debt. Please refer to January 1 in DDo You Know How God Loves You?: Successful Daily Living
Beyond that desire, I want to share with you a way to walk in the love and guidance of our Lord every day. My business is to place this book in your hands so you can experience my ministry of showing you ways to walk daily in the light of Christ's love. I am an ordinary person with an extraordinary desire to help you realize how much God loves you.
Friday, May 8, 2009
A Real Book
A friend of mine was astonished when she realized that Do You Know How God Loves You? is a paper book – what she calls a “real book” printed in ink on paper. She had been looking at the videos on You Tube, including the book trailer by Misty Taggart, Do You Know How God Loves You?, “Ten Ways to Listen” , and “Thoughts for Meditation” . Also she had been reading the blogs mentioned on Facebook and following the links there. She is a member of the group, Do You Know How God Loves You? on Facebook.
When she saw the big book with its beautiful cover, she was astonished. BookSurge suggested the price of $26.99 for it because of the amount of material and the size of the book. It is 416 big pages in readable but not large print. The pages are 10 X 7 inches and the book is 1 inch thick. Its shipping weight is 2 pounds.
The plan for using it is to read 1 page per day during individual quiet time. Since there are 366 individual inspirational devotionals,1for each day of the year, the price for each day is less than 7 ½ cents.
In addition to the daily devotionals, there are 2 extra pages of material at the beginning of each month. These studies help the reader to focus on the monthly subject.
Another friend commented on the thorough index, which is 5 pages with double columns of topics that make this book a good topical study.
Some people have told me that they plan to read the book again next year. Others have started at the beginning and have read several days at a time.
As I wrote this book, I prayed, meditated, and studied. It was my aim to give the reader something to bring spiritual comfort while supplying knowledge of God. Whenever possible I included the portions of scripture related to each subject on the pages with the devotionals because I believe that God's holy word will show us what we need to understand about Him.
“So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
When she saw the big book with its beautiful cover, she was astonished. BookSurge suggested the price of $26.99 for it because of the amount of material and the size of the book. It is 416 big pages in readable but not large print. The pages are 10 X 7 inches and the book is 1 inch thick. Its shipping weight is 2 pounds.
The plan for using it is to read 1 page per day during individual quiet time. Since there are 366 individual inspirational devotionals,1for each day of the year, the price for each day is less than 7 ½ cents.
In addition to the daily devotionals, there are 2 extra pages of material at the beginning of each month. These studies help the reader to focus on the monthly subject.
Another friend commented on the thorough index, which is 5 pages with double columns of topics that make this book a good topical study.
Some people have told me that they plan to read the book again next year. Others have started at the beginning and have read several days at a time.
As I wrote this book, I prayed, meditated, and studied. It was my aim to give the reader something to bring spiritual comfort while supplying knowledge of God. Whenever possible I included the portions of scripture related to each subject on the pages with the devotionals because I believe that God's holy word will show us what we need to understand about Him.
“So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Goodness and Mercy
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness. . . .” (Galatians 5:22)
When we follow the Lord, goodness goes before us, follows us, and surrounds us. Having accepted the grace of salvation, we are the children of God. Goodness is a feast at the spiritual table prepared for us. God's good blessings are everywhere we look: in the beauty of the little sparrows at the bird feeder, the red camellias in the snow, the cup of coffee with chicory.
Even in our adversity – especially in our adversity – we see God's goodness! When we ask God to show us the world through His eyes, we see all things in a new way. It becomes easy to thank Him in all circumstances. It is a great irony that we never know how much we need God until the events of life show us. Then our eyes are opened, and we can clearly see His goodness. In our hearts, the Spirit places hope that rises to strengthen our faith. Every day we have challenges that strengthen us like exercise.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
The mercy of God is a manifestation of His goodness. Flowing like a stream coming from the sacred fountain, it is provided to us in marvelous ways. There is pardoning mercy. We know that we deserve punishment, but He excused us from the sentence that we have earned. In His goodness, our Father has sought us and offered us redemption through His Son's cleansing sacrifice. He has given us new birth.
Our Father has adopted us into His family of love and given us a new name, Christians. He has placed a banner of love over us, surrounded us with His angels, placed a shield of protection around us, and sent His Spirit to dwell within our hearts. He has in these ways extended our protecting mercy.
He has sustained us with all the good things we need. Not only has He supplied our physical needs; more significantly, He has nourished our spirits with His outflowing of His spiritual wisdom when we have asked for it. When we fall into sinful behavior and repent, He provides His forgiveness. In these ways, He continues to give us His sustaining mercy.
Whatever we have needed, He has provided. He has promised that if we ask within His will, He will give us whatever we ask. He knows what we should have before we know. From the Lord's fountain of goodness flows His supplying mercy.
How do we respond to the Lord's goodness evidenced through His mercy that pardons, protects, sustains, and supplies? We offer praise for who God is and thanks for what He has done. There is an ongoing dialogue between the Creator and His Creation. The Holy Spirit nudges us to share goodness and extend mercy to other people, not because we want it to return to us as in the popular pagan concept of karma, but because we feel a desire to bear fruit.
When our lives here on earth are finished, He will change our residence to His house, where we will live forever in bliss. We are pleased with the goodness and mercy He provides; we are delighted with what He has promised. God is good!
When we follow the Lord, goodness goes before us, follows us, and surrounds us. Having accepted the grace of salvation, we are the children of God. Goodness is a feast at the spiritual table prepared for us. God's good blessings are everywhere we look: in the beauty of the little sparrows at the bird feeder, the red camellias in the snow, the cup of coffee with chicory.
Even in our adversity – especially in our adversity – we see God's goodness! When we ask God to show us the world through His eyes, we see all things in a new way. It becomes easy to thank Him in all circumstances. It is a great irony that we never know how much we need God until the events of life show us. Then our eyes are opened, and we can clearly see His goodness. In our hearts, the Spirit places hope that rises to strengthen our faith. Every day we have challenges that strengthen us like exercise.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
The mercy of God is a manifestation of His goodness. Flowing like a stream coming from the sacred fountain, it is provided to us in marvelous ways. There is pardoning mercy. We know that we deserve punishment, but He excused us from the sentence that we have earned. In His goodness, our Father has sought us and offered us redemption through His Son's cleansing sacrifice. He has given us new birth.
Our Father has adopted us into His family of love and given us a new name, Christians. He has placed a banner of love over us, surrounded us with His angels, placed a shield of protection around us, and sent His Spirit to dwell within our hearts. He has in these ways extended our protecting mercy.
He has sustained us with all the good things we need. Not only has He supplied our physical needs; more significantly, He has nourished our spirits with His outflowing of His spiritual wisdom when we have asked for it. When we fall into sinful behavior and repent, He provides His forgiveness. In these ways, He continues to give us His sustaining mercy.
Whatever we have needed, He has provided. He has promised that if we ask within His will, He will give us whatever we ask. He knows what we should have before we know. From the Lord's fountain of goodness flows His supplying mercy.
How do we respond to the Lord's goodness evidenced through His mercy that pardons, protects, sustains, and supplies? We offer praise for who God is and thanks for what He has done. There is an ongoing dialogue between the Creator and His Creation. The Holy Spirit nudges us to share goodness and extend mercy to other people, not because we want it to return to us as in the popular pagan concept of karma, but because we feel a desire to bear fruit.
When our lives here on earth are finished, He will change our residence to His house, where we will live forever in bliss. We are pleased with the goodness and mercy He provides; we are delighted with what He has promised. God is good!
10 Ways to Listen
With the realization that you will spend eternity with God comes the concept that you can start enjoying a more intimate relationship with Him here and now on earth. Now is the time to become accustomed to spending time in the presence of your God by sitting before the Lord and humbly listening for His voice as you meditate and pray.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Thoughts for Meditation
The entire month of October in DO YOU KNOW HOW GOD LOVES YOU? is dedicated to growing closer to the Lord. Near the beginning of the October chapter, I have placed this meditative prayer on page 300. We often fail to realize that meditation focused on the one true God is to be practiced. I am sharing here with you so you can meditate with me about the love relatoinship available with the Lord.
Lord, I give myself to You.
Fill me with Your love and power.
Show me how I must serve You and let Your blessing fall on me
So that I can do Your will.
Lord, I give myself to You.
Fill me with Your love and power.
Show me how I must serve You and let Your blessing fall on me
So that I can do Your will.
Growing Closer to the Lord
When Ruth, my sister seven years older than I am, was young she had a baby duck. (This event happened before I was born.) For sport, she was chasing her duck through the yard. Our dad had removed the wooden frame that protected the well so he could repair it. The results were not as bad as they could have been.
Monday, May 4, 2009
How do you see Jesus?
Do you see Jesus with pity when you contemplate Him at Gethsamane as He lies there on the ground praying to God the Father? There are drops of blood coming from His face as He anticipates being separated from His Father because the other Persons of the Godhead will turn away. Do you see Him being whipped, spat upon, and ridiculed while He stands there and says nothing? Do you see on the cross Jesus going through hideous torture? Or do you see Him ascending into heaven?
You have seen Him at the head of the bed of your dying loved ones, haven't you? And you have felt His comfort when you suffered. In the good, giddy times, the image of Jesus has slipped away. Why is it that we don't see Him except when we are broken? I believe that we don't remember to seek Him in the really easy times in life. During the good times, He seems too far away, as we lose sight of Him.
We shall see Him in heaven as He is! John told us we will see Jesus Christ in His glorified form. His clothing will be a glorious brilliant garment with a golden belt, His hair will be pure and white, His eyes will be as a flaming fire, His feet will look like fine brass. and He will be in the midst of His glory. (Revelation 1:13-15) In Revelation 4 and 5, we read details of the glory of the triune God with more brilliant light emitting from the throne than we can imagine -- a light far brighter than that of the sun, yet painful to our eyes. As we pass through the Bema judgment and when we see Him in the glory that exceeds the power of words, we will not pity Him for His suffering, and He will not comfort us for our pain or chastise us for our foolishness. We will see Him only with love and adoration. He will discard all that is not good in our thoughts and remembered sins.
Beloved . . . we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. (I John 3:2)
He will transform us to be like Him and to enjoy complete fellowship with Him. He will shed His glory on our beings, and we will stand boldly before God's throne.
You have seen Him at the head of the bed of your dying loved ones, haven't you? And you have felt His comfort when you suffered. In the good, giddy times, the image of Jesus has slipped away. Why is it that we don't see Him except when we are broken? I believe that we don't remember to seek Him in the really easy times in life. During the good times, He seems too far away, as we lose sight of Him.
We shall see Him in heaven as He is! John told us we will see Jesus Christ in His glorified form. His clothing will be a glorious brilliant garment with a golden belt, His hair will be pure and white, His eyes will be as a flaming fire, His feet will look like fine brass. and He will be in the midst of His glory. (Revelation 1:13-15) In Revelation 4 and 5, we read details of the glory of the triune God with more brilliant light emitting from the throne than we can imagine -- a light far brighter than that of the sun, yet painful to our eyes. As we pass through the Bema judgment and when we see Him in the glory that exceeds the power of words, we will not pity Him for His suffering, and He will not comfort us for our pain or chastise us for our foolishness. We will see Him only with love and adoration. He will discard all that is not good in our thoughts and remembered sins.
Beloved . . . we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. (I John 3:2)
He will transform us to be like Him and to enjoy complete fellowship with Him. He will shed His glory on our beings, and we will stand boldly before God's throne.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Send Me!
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then said I, 'Here am I; send me.' ” (Isaiah 6:8)
The seraphim have the responsibility of hovering over the throne of God. We know that God does not need them, and He does not need any of us. He does not need the universe. No matter what He creates or if He allowed all His creation to disappear, He would still be God. And yet the seraphim have the vocation of guarding God's holiness.
We have our jobs too. After the seraph placed a coal on Isaiah's tongue, God asked a rhetorical question. Any question He asks is rhetorical. Since He already knows the answer, He asks to help us get our hearts right. He is running a volunteer army, not a draft board. He knows our answer to every question before we ask; yet in His perfect wisdom, He does not make us feel coerced. After Isaiah was cleansed of unrighteousness, God asked, “Whom shall I send?” Then He went on to ask, “Who will go for us?” (I believe that the word “us” referred to the triune nature of God.)
For the first time in his life, Isaiah was learning what he was supposed to do . . . what his mission in life . . . his purpose . . . his reason to be was. “Here am I: send me!” Can't you just imagine that he shouted those words with reverent enthusiasm. It was not a tentative response. He was a transformed man. His unclean tongue became a spirit-filled, heaven-sent flame.
At Christmastime we love to listen to Handel's Messiah. Most of the words in that magnificent cantata are quoted directly from Isaiah's book, which foretold the events of the coming of the Messiah to the earth. Also he prophesied much about the end times. Few men have been more inspired by the Holy Spirit than Isaiah was.
The mission God gave him on the day of the vision was a strange one. He was to go and tell people about the Lord, but God let him know that most of them would not believe. (6:9) His job was to tell, whereas the Holy Spirit's role is to convict. God told Isaiah to go to the children of Israel. He told us to go into all the world and to preach the gospel to everyone. (Mark 16:15)
Like the seraphim and like Isaiah, we need to have an attitude toward God that says “Only Thou art holy” and “Here am I.” After we have given our hearts to Him, He will commission us to do what He has planned for us in His own way and His own time. Meanwhile, we must pray with bold fervor, “Send me!”
The seraphim have the responsibility of hovering over the throne of God. We know that God does not need them, and He does not need any of us. He does not need the universe. No matter what He creates or if He allowed all His creation to disappear, He would still be God. And yet the seraphim have the vocation of guarding God's holiness.
We have our jobs too. After the seraph placed a coal on Isaiah's tongue, God asked a rhetorical question. Any question He asks is rhetorical. Since He already knows the answer, He asks to help us get our hearts right. He is running a volunteer army, not a draft board. He knows our answer to every question before we ask; yet in His perfect wisdom, He does not make us feel coerced. After Isaiah was cleansed of unrighteousness, God asked, “Whom shall I send?” Then He went on to ask, “Who will go for us?” (I believe that the word “us” referred to the triune nature of God.)
For the first time in his life, Isaiah was learning what he was supposed to do . . . what his mission in life . . . his purpose . . . his reason to be was. “Here am I: send me!” Can't you just imagine that he shouted those words with reverent enthusiasm. It was not a tentative response. He was a transformed man. His unclean tongue became a spirit-filled, heaven-sent flame.
At Christmastime we love to listen to Handel's Messiah. Most of the words in that magnificent cantata are quoted directly from Isaiah's book, which foretold the events of the coming of the Messiah to the earth. Also he prophesied much about the end times. Few men have been more inspired by the Holy Spirit than Isaiah was.
The mission God gave him on the day of the vision was a strange one. He was to go and tell people about the Lord, but God let him know that most of them would not believe. (6:9) His job was to tell, whereas the Holy Spirit's role is to convict. God told Isaiah to go to the children of Israel. He told us to go into all the world and to preach the gospel to everyone. (Mark 16:15)
Like the seraphim and like Isaiah, we need to have an attitude toward God that says “Only Thou art holy” and “Here am I.” After we have given our hearts to Him, He will commission us to do what He has planned for us in His own way and His own time. Meanwhile, we must pray with bold fervor, “Send me!”
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Jesus, Always the Same
“Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
How have you changed? How has our nation changed? How has the environment changed? But Who never changes?
He is our Prophet, Priest, and King. As our Prophet, He came and spoke to us about His Father, the Holy Spirit, Himself, heaven, all our relationships, and the future. Now He sits on the right hand of His Father and fills the roll of the Great High Priest. One day He will come to earth as the King and will reign forever. His circumstances and His occupation have changed, but the essence of who He is, was, and shall be never changes.
He is the always the same. What never changes about Him? First, let’s consider the term Jesus Christ. Jesus is His name. Derived from the Hebrew name “Joshua” (Y’shua or Je-Hoshua), it means “Jehovah is salvation.” Christ, His title, means “the Anointed One, the Messiah.” True theology never changes. We may learn more from studying, but the truth of Jesus Christ is always the same.
What is the unchanging Jesus Christ like? He is God. To discuss all His characteristics would take years! Jesus is powerful: as a man, strong enough to walk miles every day and drive the money changers from the temple; as God, powerful enough to calm the sea with a word, wither a fig tree with a word, create the entire universe – omnipotent!
Jesus is gentle. He has always had a wholesome, compassionate, and loving relationship with the children, the weak, the lame, the downtrodden, the retarded, the widows, the orphans, and the bereaved. With all His tenderness and sweetness, He is, however, no pushover. His meekness is the essence of His almighty power submitted to the will of His Father so that He could become the sacrificial Lamb to pay for our sins.
Jesus is the God of grace and forgiveness; yet He is intolerant of sin. For some, this statement represents a contradiction; but for Jesus and the believer, there is no problem here. If there is any doubt about these two sides of Jesus Christ’s personality, study the book of James. He receives us through His grace and saves us unto good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
Jesus is the God of Glory. Only He, who has made Himself low and given His life for us, is worthy to open the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 5) The glorified Jesus is so dazzling that our human eyes are overwhelmed. Like His Father and the Holy Spirit, His glory shines likes a flame. In one word, He is perfection.
Jesus Christ is unique when He is compared to all other gods. Only Jesus has been crucified and resurrected. He is also unique in that becoming a follower is not the result of works. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9) Quoted from Do You Know How God Loves You?: Successful Daily Living
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)
The following is a delightful video. At the end there is a request for money, which I did not add.
How have you changed? How has our nation changed? How has the environment changed? But Who never changes?
He is our Prophet, Priest, and King. As our Prophet, He came and spoke to us about His Father, the Holy Spirit, Himself, heaven, all our relationships, and the future. Now He sits on the right hand of His Father and fills the roll of the Great High Priest. One day He will come to earth as the King and will reign forever. His circumstances and His occupation have changed, but the essence of who He is, was, and shall be never changes.
He is the always the same. What never changes about Him? First, let’s consider the term Jesus Christ. Jesus is His name. Derived from the Hebrew name “Joshua” (Y’shua or Je-Hoshua), it means “Jehovah is salvation.” Christ, His title, means “the Anointed One, the Messiah.” True theology never changes. We may learn more from studying, but the truth of Jesus Christ is always the same.
What is the unchanging Jesus Christ like? He is God. To discuss all His characteristics would take years! Jesus is powerful: as a man, strong enough to walk miles every day and drive the money changers from the temple; as God, powerful enough to calm the sea with a word, wither a fig tree with a word, create the entire universe – omnipotent!
Jesus is gentle. He has always had a wholesome, compassionate, and loving relationship with the children, the weak, the lame, the downtrodden, the retarded, the widows, the orphans, and the bereaved. With all His tenderness and sweetness, He is, however, no pushover. His meekness is the essence of His almighty power submitted to the will of His Father so that He could become the sacrificial Lamb to pay for our sins.
Jesus is the God of grace and forgiveness; yet He is intolerant of sin. For some, this statement represents a contradiction; but for Jesus and the believer, there is no problem here. If there is any doubt about these two sides of Jesus Christ’s personality, study the book of James. He receives us through His grace and saves us unto good works. (Ephesians 2:10)
Jesus is the God of Glory. Only He, who has made Himself low and given His life for us, is worthy to open the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 5) The glorified Jesus is so dazzling that our human eyes are overwhelmed. Like His Father and the Holy Spirit, His glory shines likes a flame. In one word, He is perfection.
Jesus Christ is unique when He is compared to all other gods. Only Jesus has been crucified and resurrected. He is also unique in that becoming a follower is not the result of works. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9) Quoted from Do You Know How God Loves You?: Successful Daily Living
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)
The following is a delightful video. At the end there is a request for money, which I did not add.
Friday, May 1, 2009
It Is Well with My Soul
"It Is Well with My Soul"
The Story Behind the Hymn Quoted from Wikipedia:
"It Is Well with My Soul" is a very influential hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss.
This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.
Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.
The Spaffords later had three more children, one of whom (a son) died in infancy. In 1881 the Spaffords, including baby Bertha and newborn Grace, set sail for Palestine. The Spaffords moved to Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony; its mission was to serve the poor. The colony later became the subject of the Nobel prize winning Jerusalem, by Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf.
My Story:
When my husband, Bobby, died after suffering five years of paralysis caused by a variant of Guillain Barre Syndrome, I thought about all the meaningful hymns he used to play in church on his trumpet. Since this was one of my favorites, I decided to ask the congregation to sing it, and Mickey Cloud, the music minister, listed it in the funeral program. Most of the men who were pall bearers at his funeral were musicians. All of them sang beautifully. I wish I had a recording of those men and the congregation, including former music students, singing "It Is Well with My Soul." It was one of the most touching performances of it I've ever heard.
After all we went through, my family and I could truly say, "It Is Well with My Soul" because we understood it was and is well with Bobby Cheatham's soul. Bobby had such a special gift that I believe God was ready to call him home to join in the music of heaven praising the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
The Story Behind the Hymn Quoted from Wikipedia:
"It Is Well with My Soul" is a very influential hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss.
This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.
Bliss called his tune Ville du Havre, from the name of the stricken vessel.
The Spaffords later had three more children, one of whom (a son) died in infancy. In 1881 the Spaffords, including baby Bertha and newborn Grace, set sail for Palestine. The Spaffords moved to Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony; its mission was to serve the poor. The colony later became the subject of the Nobel prize winning Jerusalem, by Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf.
My Story:
When my husband, Bobby, died after suffering five years of paralysis caused by a variant of Guillain Barre Syndrome, I thought about all the meaningful hymns he used to play in church on his trumpet. Since this was one of my favorites, I decided to ask the congregation to sing it, and Mickey Cloud, the music minister, listed it in the funeral program. Most of the men who were pall bearers at his funeral were musicians. All of them sang beautifully. I wish I had a recording of those men and the congregation, including former music students, singing "It Is Well with My Soul." It was one of the most touching performances of it I've ever heard.
After all we went through, my family and I could truly say, "It Is Well with My Soul" because we understood it was and is well with Bobby Cheatham's soul. Bobby had such a special gift that I believe God was ready to call him home to join in the music of heaven praising the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
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