SCRIPTURE

Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

~Luke 2:34-35, NLT

QUOTE

When we obey God, it is going to cost those around us more than it cost us.

~Oswald Chambers

COMMENTARY

Mary watching Jesus Being Beaten

In all my education or lack thereof, until Saturday I had never had the above thought. When a disciple is in love with Jesus, he or she does not think of service to Jesus as a sacrifice. Better still, I don’t think Jesus [who made the ultimate sacrifice] thought primarily about the sacrifice He was making. I don’t recall Him using the word sacrifice in connection to His death. You and I know that it was a sacrifice, one that we cannot fathom but Jesus was so consumed with love for the Father and human kind that He endured the cross, despising the shame for the joy that was set before Him . Jesus suffered as no man has ever suffered but Simeon’s prophecy was fulfilled, Mary suffered also: a sword pierced her soul. I’m sure she would have preferred one pierce her body. I can’t imagine the grief she endured as she watched them abuse and mistreat her Son.

As I meditated upon this thought, I realized; it is not I who has sacrificed but my mother and my wife. I think Chambers has hit the proverbial nail on the head. This blog is dedicated to all pastor’s wives.

EXTRA

• What about that Sunshine and those 65* temps Saturday: and yesterday [March 2]. Can I get a shout out to the LORD: Thank You Jesus!
• Men’s Breakfast went great: Big Daddy, Catfish and Steadman did a good job. Johnny is joining the crew as a gravy maker since I bombed out.
• SON OF GOD was very moving. Like the Passion of Christ, I needed to see it but I don’t want to see it again, not anytime soon. Our sin and inhumanity to man is a sobering thing to watch. Believe it or not, I had already written the above devotion before going to the movie. It was Sunday’s post and I forgot to upload it on Sunday morning.
• I am getting aggravated at myself: I keep forgetting to take pictures when we have a POF. Luis Weaver came yesterday morning and then Walker Young made a POF at home. His mom called me Sunday evening. This good news put the icing on my cake, what a day, two POF’s. We now have three awaiting Baptism.
• I made the logo at the top using paint…If you can do better, do it and email it to me. I know someone out there can make me a colorful CELEBRATE JESUS.
• If Mary looked familiar, it was probably because you have seen her on Touched By and Angel. Her name is Roma Downey and she and her husband Mark Burnett were producers of Son of God. She is a catholic and a member of Women of Faith. She and her husband have been mocked by the unholywooders for their part in the movie. I’m telling, when HE returns and it may be soon, He will set the house in order.

Roma Downey

We Need A Shepherd

Pray For Revival

Scripture

I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, Nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.

Jeremiah 23:10, NASB

Quote

Life always offers you a second chance, it is call tomorrow.

~Anonymous

Commentary

Last night we talked about praying in God’s will and the first key to praying in His will is to walk in His steps. No one is going to pray in God’s will when they living in active rebellion against His will for their life.  Albert Schweitzer who is considered by some the greatest modern missionary was blessed with a brilliant mind and multiple gifts. He could have had a career in music, medicine or teaching and I am talking about the Oxford level, not high school. He had degrees in music, medicine, philosophy and theology. He was cleaning off his desk one day when he came across a piece of mail, a news letter from the Paris Missionary Society that he had gotten by mistake;  it was addressed to a neighbor.  The headline of the news letter read THE NEEDS OF THE CONGO MISSION. You know the rest of the story, to the Congo he went and spent the major part of his life practicing medicine and theology in Africa.

A life spent in service to others is not a wasted life.

Extra

BLOCK PARTY COUNT DOWN-10 DAYS

Parking Crew

The Twins

Bull Pen for Funnel Cakes

Drug Bust…to much Coke

Indiana Bowling In the Lost Cause

Shock, Shock, Willard hanging out with young women

 

 

 

 

 

Praying For Pastors, Missionaries and Evangelist

Prayer For REVIVAL in America

SCRIPTURE:  Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you. {2 Thessalonians 3:1, NASB}

QUOTE: “The greatest thing anyone can do for God or man is pray.” S.D. Gordon

COMMENTARY: The older I get, the more I covet the prayers of my congregation and friends. In my daily bible reading, I noticed that Paul gives us a prayer guide in II Thessalonians 3– These are things to ask for in behalf of your Spiritual Leader or any worker that is involved in the harvest:

1. Pray that we stay focused on the Gospel.
2. Pray that the LORD’s teachings spread like wild-fire.
3. Pray that God’s servants be protected from the evil one.
4. Pray that the LORD gives us strength and confidence to continue the work.
5. Pray that God would fill us with the love of Jesus Christ.
6. Pray that God would give us the patience to suffer graciously like Christ our LORD.
7. Pray for the LORD to give us energy to do all that needs to be done.
8. Pray that the LORD would give us a tenacious spirit so that we do not tire from doing good.
9. Pray that the LORD would give us a discerning mind: to know what to do and when to do it.
10. Pray that the LORD would give us peace of mind and the awareness of His abiding presence.

I have no greater need than that you remember me when you kneel before the LORD.

EXTRA

• Supper for Doug went great and we give him a free rein today. He can sing and preach if he wants to. We do pray God’s blessing on him as he goes to a new work. We covet his prayers for us.
• Light Schedule today so enjoy; next Sunday will be a horse of a different color.
• I hope you have a great Memorial Day Weekend.

Uri Says Come to VBS