Yet Will I Rejoice

This morning a tragic car accident happened and a sweet 3 year old girl entered the arms of Jesus. Her family and friends are heartbroken, but amidst the tragedy, there is still hope. God is STILL in control, and He makes no mistakes. I thought this daily devotion put out by Pastor Thomas Smith in St. Clair, MO was SO timely.



YET WILL I REJOICE
Devotion for February 20, 2012

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
Habakkuk 3:17, 18.

The word happiness is defined as being "favored by luck or fortune." In other words, happiness is understood as being dependent upon circumstances or happenings. We all enjoy and appreciate it when circumstances are favorable and things are happening which are in our favor. It is easy to be happy when we have our health, our needs are met, and things seem to be going our way. However, Habakkuk speaks of a place of joy that is not the result of these things. He speaks of trees failing to blossom, vines being barren, fields yielding no fruit, flocks being lost, and yet being able to rejoice.

I think we all long for a place of constant joy that is not affected by every problem of life. There is no question about this; God wants our lives to be filled with joy. However, our rejoicing must be in something that is constant, not constantly changing. For instance, if we can only rejoice when the sun is shining, what shall we do on rainy days? If we can only find joy when we are feeling well, what are we to do when we are in pain? Circumstances will change, but some things never change. Our rejoicing can be consistent if we are finding joy in things that remain the same. Habakkuk says, "I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." We can always rejoice in the Lord because He never changes. His character and attributes never change. God's love for us is constant. His promises to us are unchanging.

Notice also that the prophet speaks of rejoicing in the "God of my salvation." We can always rejoice in our salvation because this is also something that does not change. We can be joyful because our sins are forgiven and Heaven is our future home. Nothing can alter that. We can rejoice every day that God is our Father and Jesus is our Lord. The kind of rejoicing that we find in our text is not based on feelings or fortune, but it is the result of Bible faith. By faith, we can rejoice because of the blessings that are ours in Jesus Christ. Even when the way becomes difficult, through faith we are able to find reasons to rejoice.

One Small Choice

You can choose your sin but not your consequence.

Talk about a profound truth. We never really know the full extent of our choices until it's too late. Think about how scary that is! One small choice can lead you down a path of forever change, and it often does! You can choose your sin, but not our consequence.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

Pride tells us that we are in control, that we "know what we're getting ourselves into" when in reality - we don't have a clue what the consequences will be. Lust = Desire and Death = Separation. When you choose to pursue the desires of your wicked heart, it will always result in separation - from family, friends, God's best, a life of blessing, etc.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

How many people do you think would honestly tell you that they have no regrets from their choice to sin? It is true that there is pleasure in sin for a season as the Bible tell us, but that season is SO short and the scars, regrets and consequences are for a lifetime!! Sin robs us of God's best for us, of true joy, and of wonderful blessings.

Pr 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Now why wouldn't you want to have the blessing of the Lord, to be rich in Him and to have pure joy that only He can give?! Let's consider our choices and pattern them after God's Word!! Submission to God and His Word will save us from the consequence of sin and a life full of regrets.

I sure want that, don't you?


~Lauren

Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Ps 27:8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.


I love the verse above and thought I would share it as part of our "Monday Meditation". What better to way to start off the week than with God's Word?!

Is it the desire of your heart to seek the Lord? To seek the face of the Lord requires humility on our part and a desire for holiness, for the Lord is holy!

For those of you who don't have a personal relationship with Him, the Lord desires a relationship with YOU!
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Whether saved or lost, it's pretty clear that we're to seek the Lord. Are we really serious about our soul's condition? Are we really seeking to become more Christ like? A good test is whether or not our heart is seeking the face of the Lord. I pray that is our desire!

Happy Monday!

~Lauren

How Profound!

"It is not the absence of sin but the grieving over it which distinguishes the child of God from empty professors of faith." Arthur Pink

I recently read this quote and could not help but share it!! How many people do you know who claim the name of Christ as being "Christians" yet live a life full of sin? You might say, "well nobody's perfect" which is true, but the Bible clearly says that if we're in Christ we're a NEW CREATURE!!

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Does your sin grieve you? When you have that negative attitude, jealous thought, lustful eye, gossiping tongue, prideful look - do you repent and ask the Lord for His forgiveness? Does it grieve you when you sin against your Lord?

I pray that you'll take the above quote to heart and meditate on it this week. The world claims Christ, yet so many live a life of sin and have empty professions. This is what the Bible says in reference to the above quote:

1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth:"

1 John 2:4 "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

Praying you all have a blessed Monday!
~Lauren

Destructive Pride

This devotion is such a powerful reminder of the dangers of pride in one's life. May we strive to live like Christ, in a spirit of humility and repent of the sin of pride in our lives.

DESTRUCTIVE PRIDE
by Pastor Thomas Smith, St Clair, MO

"Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility."
Proverbs 18:12.

None of us want to see our lives destroyed. We do not want to experience spiritual and moral ruin, or see our dreams and worthy goals disappear. We do not want to see reproach come upon the Name of the Lord and His work due to our spiritual collapse. Is it possible there could be some indication of self-destruction before it occurs? Are there warning signs that might make moral bankruptcy avoidable? According to the Scripture, there is something that often precedes the fall of mighty men: "Before destruction the heart of man is haughty."

One of the most destructive forces in a person's life is pride. Many great leaders have been destroyed through personal pride. People of tremendous spiritual influence have seen their ministries ruined because of pride. It was pride that led to Lucifer's revolt and expulsion from Heaven. Pride is not a problem for a pitied few of God's creation, but rather it is present in every heart. Children begin to exhibit pride in their earliest years. It is a part of the sinful nature we inherited from Adam and remains a dreaded foe throughout our lives.

One reason pride is so dangerous is because it is very deceptive. We can easily be blinded to its presence in our hearts and minds. Because it is such a powerful force, when it has a stronghold in our lives, its very presence resists attempts to rid the heart of its influence. Pride rebels against the acknowledgment and removal of itself. We must be aware of the destructive nature of self-reliance and self-exaltation, and treat pride as an enemy.

Is there any antidote for such a harmful condition? The Bible declares that "before honour is humility." Just as pride can bring destruction, humility can bring blessing and honor. The cure for the poison of pride is having a humble attitude and spirit. As pride wants to exalt self and refuse correction and instruction, humility recognizes how undeserving and incapable we are. While pride is a natural part of man's fallen nature, humility must be chosen and developed in our hearts.

We are told in the Word of God to humble ourselves. We are responsible to keep ourselves humble and to repent of the wicked sin of pride. This is the way of God's blessing: He actively resists the proud, but pours out His grace on the humble.

Where Is Your Treasure?

Enjoy this wonderful devotion by Pastor Thomas Smith from St Clair, MO. As you begin another week, start by asking yourself where your treasure is. "As we obey the Lord and invest in heavenly things, we will find our hearts will be there also."


WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?
Devotion for August 01, 2011

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
Luke 12:34.

Jesus teaches us to train our hearts and minds to think more in terms of eternal things than earthly things. We are either laying up treasures on this earth, or we are laying up treasures in Heaven. This is not the natural way for men to live, but it is a part of the transformation that is taking place in the sincere child of God. It only makes sense that we be thus minded. This life is brief, and the older we get, the more real this becomes. However, we are going to live eternally in the place that God is preparing for us. Treasures that we lay up on this earth will remain here after we are gone and will one day perish. Treasures that we lay up in Heaven will last forever.

This important question, "Where is your treasure?" should help guide us in our decisions and priorities. Just prior to this verse, Jesus told a parable about a man that was rich, whose farm was prospering abundantly. He had no room to store the harvest of his land, so his only solution was to build bigger barns. Jesus said this man's reasoning was foolish, because he was going to die and leave it all behind. He then instructed His disciples to live more for the world to come than for this present world. This does not mean that we are not to earn money or provide for our families, or even leave an inheritance to our descendants. These things are not wrong; they are indeed our responsibilities. However, this world is not our priority. Jesus told these followers that if all we do is live for material things, we are no different from the world.

How is it then, that we lay up treasure in Heaven? Jesus instructed the listeners that by giving rather than hoarding, they would be laying up treasures in Heaven. The more we invest our resources in eternal things, the more treasure we will have in Heaven. What things are eternal? The first things we think of are the eternal souls of men, women, boys and girls. As we give to the work of God, as we pray for souls to be saved, as we teach and train others to serve the Lord, and support the work of missions and our local church, we are investing in eternity. And the more of our treasure we have in Heaven, the more our hearts will be there. The reason our hearts are so fixed on this world and on temporal things is because that is where our treasures are. As we obey the Lord and invest in heavenly things, we will find our hearts will be there also.

GOD IS PERSONAL

This is such a wonderful devotion, I pray that you all take the time to read it!! What a privilege to know the Lord and to be able to call Him my friend! He wants to have a personal relationship with YOU too!


GOD IS PERSONAL

Written by Pastor Thomas Smith, St Clair MO

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
John 17:3.

This is one of the most wonderful and frequently misunderstood attributes of our eternal God. He is personal. He wants us to know Him. As a matter of fact, this is the primary purpose of man: to know God. He knows us individually and completely. He wants us to fellowship with Him. We see this characteristic in action in the Garden of Eden. God is seen walking with the first man, Adam, and talking with Adam. This is the nature of God. When Adam sinned, that fellowship with God was broken, but our personal God came into the garden calling for Adam. Because sin separated man from his Creator, God made provision for man's sin in the sacrifice of His Son. God's love for the human race is so strong that no price would be too high to pay to redeem sinners to Himself. God wants all mankind to be saved, and God saves us that we might fellowship with Him. Our Scripture says, ""that they might know thee the only true God."

How is it that we can know God? How might we have a personal relationship with the Lord? God has designed that we know Him by faith. We have not seen God, and we have not heard His audible voice. However, because He loves us so much, He has given us the record and revelation of Himself in the Bible. We can know about God through the pages of the Scriptures. We know how God is because of what the Bible, God's Word, teaches us. However, it is not enough to know about God. He wants to know us personally. The only way we can be brought into a personal relationship with God is through Jesus Christ. It is through faith in Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven, and the enmity between our Holy God and us is removed. When we repent of our sins and receive Christ as Savior, we are born into God's family. Immediately we have the capacity to know Him personally. We can talk to God and know that He hears us. God can communicate with us through His Spirit and His Word. We can walk with God by faith.

It is our great privilege to know God. Abraham was called the friend of God. Just prior to His death on the cross, Jesus told His disciples that He would no longer call them servants; instead, He would call them His friends. What a joy it is to know that God is personal and can be our Friend!

God Is Just

GOD IS JUST

by Pastor Smith in St Clair, MO

"He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."
Deuteronomy 32:4.

In a world overtaken with corruption and compromise, there is a source of truth and justice; it is found in the living God, "just and right is he." Words that help explain the meaning of just are right, lawful, and equal. God is morally right and righteous in all that He does. Friendships, fears, flatteries, or false information may influence men and thus pervert justice. However, God - because of His holy character and perfect nature - will always act justly. The Lord God is a righteous Judge. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25).

Because God is just, He establishes and imposes just laws and then executes them righteously. He will give to everyone what is due. Because He is just, He is impartial in His judgment. God cannot be deceived, and it would be futile to attempt to bribe Him. "God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34). We may not always understand or fully agree with God's judgments, but we can have complete confidence that what He does is always right.

God is just in the penalties He exacts for transgression. "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Because He is just, He requires that proper payment be made for sin. Also, He allows a substitute to pay for the sin of another. Thus, His Son made the just payment for our sins through His death on the cross and completely satisfied the just judgment of our sin. The penalty has been paid in full and God can and will forgive the sins of those who accept His payment. He is at one time "just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus" (Romans 3:26).

One of the common cries of the Old Testament prophets was the lack of justice among the corrupt leaders of Israel. The moral character and weakness of men today have resulted in a dearth of justice. In our current political climate, many government leaders are for sale and will champion any cause that wins them favor. Even in the arena of professing Christians, truth has fallen in the streets. There is a great need for men and women of justice and integrity who look to the Rock for wisdom. Thank God, there is a day coming when Jesus Christ will return to this earth and will judge the world in righteousness.

Such Were Some Of You....

What a great reminder for us as Christians! We must never forget the pit from which we were dug, and the sins that were forgiven us! Only because of God's grace, we are where we are today. Thank you, Lord!!

SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
I Corinthians 6:9-11.

The Bible teaches the absolute necessity of the new birth. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?" God is holy, and none of us are righteous within ourselves. Every person is in need of salvation. In our unregenerate and natural state, none will qualify for Heaven.

People are deceived about the seriousness of sin, the nature of salvation, and the requirement of rebirth and imputed righteousness. False teachers assure their listeners that good works or moral reform will gain an entrance into God's holy Heaven. This is not true. That is why the text says, "Be not deceived."

Thank God for salvation that brings forgiveness of sin and the new man of righteousness. God's gift of eternal life produces transformed lives in those who are redeemed. Only God can create a new person through the miracle of the new birth. We can identify with Paul's statement, "And such were some of you." We may not be all that we should be, but thank God we are not what we once were. God can change anyone. When we are born again, we become new creatures in Christ. Our past is exactly that; it is our past.

Sometimes new believers have a hard time putting their past behind them because of guilt over past sins. It is important that we take God at His Word concerning our former lives. Our sins are under the blood; we have been justified by His grace; and we have peace with God.

Because we remember what we once were, it should help us have compassion on the unsaved and a desire to reach them with the Gospel. Nothing could have changed us like the power of salvation. We should never look, with a critical, judgmental eye, at others still bound in sin. But for the grace of God, we would still be there. The next time we get irritated or frustrated with the behavior of lost sinners, remember this: "And such were some of you."

This devotion was written by Pastor Thomas Smith, St. Clair MO

Pastor Smith's daily devotions may also be read by visiting www.straightpaths.mzbc.com.

His Compassions Fail NOt

I'm thankful for the Lord's mercies and love. Praying this devotion will help you start the week off right and be a blessing to your heart!

HIS COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT By Pastor Thomas Smith, in St Clair, MO "It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22, 23. How much does God care for His children? This is a question that defies a complete and suitable answer. We are not able to fully comprehend His love and concern for us. Considering any of God's attributes can stretch our imaginations, but some are harder than others for us to grasp. I can more easily understand His wrath because I know how much we have violated His commands. His jealousy is comprehendible because He deserves our complete love and devotion. But, His compassion is somewhat harder for some of us to wrap our minds around. Why would God so care for us? His compassions never fail and they are new every morning. As hard as this is to imagine, that God persistently and consistently cares for us, it is nonetheless true. Not only is it true, but also it holds the key to much in the Christian life. We are challenged, first of all, to come to the awareness of God's great love, but we also need to learn to accept that love for our lives personally. The Scripture testifies to the great care God has for us. We must personalize the fact that this abounding love from the Eternal God is directed specifically toward us. He not only cares immeasurably for others, He cares equally for us. His compassions never fail. His kindness knows no end. He meets us every morning with new and tender mercies. This is the nature of our God. These words describe His care for His children. By faith, we learn to see Him as the compassionate God that He is. No matter how much we come to receive His loving kindness, we know that we will never explore the depth of His care. This truth has the power to minister to every heart in a profound way. We can come to God when we fail because we know that He cares so deeply for us. We can ask Him for the things we need because we know He loves us and wants what is best for us. When we begin to doubt His care or when the devil brings destructive accusations, we can know that God's mercies are real for us. When we think we are alone and no one is there for us, we are reminded that there is Someone who will never leave us nor forsake us. His faithfulness is great, and never changes. He will never cease to care. No one will ever care for us like Jesus.

The Gospel At Work

Enjoy this "Monday Meditation" about the importance of maintaining a Christ-like testimony in the work place. We CAN be a witness to those around us!

Devotions from Pastor Thomas Smith

ADORNING THE GOSPEL AT WORK "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own master, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity: that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things." Titus 2:9, 10. How can we influence those we work with for Christ? One of the greatest mission fields many will ever see could be their place of employment. The majority of workplace associates are probably unsaved or unchurched. For many, the environment is very worldly, the philosophies humanistic, and the language deplorable. What can we do to help them see their need for the Gospel? What can we do that they might see the difference Jesus has made in our lives? The Bible speaks clearly about the relationship of the servant to his master. These principles are easily and accurately applied to our place of employment and our relationship to the boss or supervisor. Our testimony before those we work with and work for will be influenced by our obedience. Paul told Titus to exhort servants to "be obedient unto their own master." If we want to make a good impression on the boss and on those we work with, let's begin by doing what we are told. We are to follow instructions and obey commands. Be on time and give an honest day's work for a day's pay. Too many in our day are always looking for a way to get out of work or doing the least amount of work possible. Find out what is expected of you, and do everything that you are told, if not more than you are told. We are to "please them well in all things." This should be our goal, not to please ourselves, but to please the one we are working for. Paul further mentions, "not answering again." Christians should speak respectfully on the job, not arguing or talking back. Our work associates should know that we are honest and trustworthy. Purloining means "to hold back or embezzle." Literally this could mean taking things home that belong to the company, or even taking a salary when you have not done the work. We are not to take from our employer what is not rightfully ours. We are admonished to "adorn the doctrine of God" on the job. Witnessing and sharing gospel tracts when possible are important; these are ways we can direct others toward the Lord. However, along with those things, our work ethic will speak loudly of our faith in Christ.

FORGIVING OTHERS

This is a subject that is so crucial and yet one of the most "justified" in the Christian life. We all need countless reminders from God's Word to encourage us to be more Christ- like and FORGIVE! It is SO important! Enjoy this well written devotion by Pastor Tom Smith from St Clair, Mo. His daily devotions can also be read here.

FORGIVING OTHERS
Devotion for April 30, 2011

"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."
Leviticus 19:18.

God's ways are above our ways, and He wants to teach us godliness. He knows what is best for us and the kind of character He wants to develop in our lives. In doing so, God gives us clear and direct commands about certain responses, that often go against our natural tendencies. He tells us to humble ourselves because our natural inclination is to exalt ourselves. He tells us to give and share because we are selfish by nature. He commands us to serve others because it is normal behavior to want to be served instead.

In God's Word, there are numerous requirements or commands, forbidding us to take revenge or "bear any grudge" against others. The Lord knows our inclination to hold grudges, harbor ill feelings, or carry resentment toward those who have wronged us or offended us. He also knows how damaging these feelings or attitudes can be to us. Therefore He commands us, with no exceptions, to forgive others.

We are very capable of justifying grudges and making ourselves comfortable with a lack of forgiveness. Unforgiveness, however, is inconsistent with God's character. It has been said that we are never any more like Christ than when we forgive. God wants to forgive, and He wants us to forgive. Because God, in His wisdom, knows how beneficial it is for us to forgive others and how harmful it is to carry bitterness or unforgiveness in our hearts, He makes this a major issue in our spiritual growth and obedience.

Many of God's people are troubled with a lack of forgiveness toward those who have offended or wronged them. That lack of forgiveness will prove to be a source of spiritual defeat and an emotional drain until it is resolved. How can we forgive those who have hurt us so deeply? Because God requires it, we know He is available and able to help us forgive those we have not forgiven. We are also taught in the New Testament to forgive others as we have been forgiven. The forgiveness we have experienced becomes the pattern for the forgiveness we offer others. We did not deserve forgiveness, but received it freely through Christ. Because we have been forgiven of so much, we are able, by faith, to forgive others. It may seem impossible for us, but not for God.

UNRESOLVED CONFLICTS

Such a great devotion about the importance of forgiveness!!! Devotions from Pastor Thomas Smith, St Clair MO

UNRESOLVED CONFLICTS Devotion for April 04, 2011 "Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him." Genesis 37:3, 4. What causes the kind of violence and acts of hatred that are so common in our culture? Even among family members, heinous crimes are becoming more commonplace. What causes the malicious treatment often witnessed among professing Christians? The story of Joseph and his brothers has at least one answer to these questions. The ill treatment of Joseph by his brothers was the result of pent up resentment and bitterness. Joseph had reported some of his brothers' mischief to their father. Then they were jealous over Jacob's preferential treatment of Joseph. Added to that, they resented the dreams that Joseph shared with them. One thing led to another, and eventually they sold him into a life of slavery. Afterwards, they lied to their father, causing him to believe Joseph was dead. Thus, they sentenced their father to a life of grief. All of this behavior serves to teach us the way ill feelings can compound. It is doubtful that the bitter brothers would have banished their younger brother to a life of slavery after only one issue of disagreement with him. But what often happens is that one issue that is not resolved becomes the ingredient that future conflicts are mixed with. With each added bit of envy or anger, the hatred only grows stronger. If the brothers had been diligent in confessing and reconciling with each individual occurrence, it is highly improbable the eventual separation would have ever materialized. The damaging results of envy, bitterness, and unresolved conflicts are real and they are serious. When we allow resentment or envy to reside in our hearts, it will eventually cause great hurt. It will harm us as well as others. Even small differences, which we might think are unimportant, if they are not dealt with properly, can contribute to very serious problems. All of us have been hurt, or have had things happen to us that we just do not understand. Unresolved conflicts can be the ammunition Satan uses to destroy. The only way to avoid being corrupted by bitterness is to forgive others in the same way our Savior has forgiven us.

Almost....is not enough.

Last Sunday our Pastor preached a message entitled "Almost". It was so profound, I continue to think about it. I supposed you could say I've been meditating on it ever since I've heard it. How simply obvious to say that if you ALMOST have something, you DON'T have it. I think there are so many people who "almost" have salvation, and think they're ok....yet they miss the boat entirely!

Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT! I think one of the most heartbreaking stories in the Bible is that of King Agrippa. He was SO close to turning to Christ, he was one of those that ALMOST had it, yet the Bible never gives account of him actually getting saved. The following phrase is one that breaks my heart, because I know that just like King Agrippa, many people have essentially said this very thing!

Acts 26:28 "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

King Agrippa, like many in this world, are almost persuaded, almost saved - but even being so close they are still ENTIRELY lost! If you have 80% of something, you still do NOT have it!! I know of people who have come so close to getting saved, yet they end up rejecting Christ and deciding to live for self and remain lost in their sin. How tragic!! The power of sin and self is very real. It takes the Word of God to pierce the soul of man.

I'm reminded of this sobering Hymn written by Philip Bliss.

Almost Persuaded

(1) "Almost persuaded" now to believe;

"Almost persuaded" Christ to receive:

Seems now some soul will say,

"Go, Spirit, go Thy way;

Some more convenient day

On Thee I'll call."

(2) "Almost persuaded," come, come today;

"Almost persuaded," turn not away:

Jesus invites you here,

Angels are lingering near,

Prayers rise from hearts so dear,

O wanderer, come.

(3) "Almost persuaded," harvest is past!

"Almost persuaded," doom comes at last!

"Almost" cannot avail,

"Almost" is but to fail!

Sad, sad, that bitter wail,

"Almost," but lost!

Almost, but lost. Don't be that person who is "almost persuaded" to take salvation seriously. Don't be that person who is "almost persuaded" to seriously examine your soul's condition. Don't be that person who is "almost persuaded" to turn your back on your sin and turn to Christ in repentance and faith. Don't be that person who is almost....but lost.

Think on these things as you go throughout your week...

~Lauren

Rockin' Relics

I'd like to introduce you to the cutest little 40's diner located in Rugby, North Dakota. Rugby just so happens to be the geographical center of North America! No, seriously!
My Mom and sisters decided to visit this little known diner last Summer and I really felt like I should've been hosting "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives" on FoodNetwork. You know the show? Guy Fieri explores little known places with lots of charm and great food. Anyway....back to my story. We girls decided to do a bit of exploring and had such a great time together!
We walked into this charming cafe' and felt as though we had stepped back in time! Antiques greeted us at every turn and the entire feel of the place was so old fashioned and comforting!
Red and chrome spinning stools, vintage Coke A Cola items, and a Juke box all lent itself to the memorable experience.
This little diner even had some fabulous antiques for sale! What girl doesn't love shopping? :-D
Isn't this little vintage car so cute?!? I was so tempted to buy it for a photo prop!





The menu was quite varied and we had a tough time making up our minds on what to get that hot Summer day (typical girls). Amidst lots of talking, we finally decided on several delicious sandwich melts and of course classic ice cream floats! Mmm...good!

We had a great time together, and isn't that what it's all about? Creating special memories with your family is so important!! Explore new places, try new things, just make sure you do it together. You will never regret taking time to enjoy your family. One day you'll realize that the years have gone all too quickly and the memories you've made are all you have and are so very precious. Don't let the insignificant things of life become more important than your loved ones. Cherish them while you can!


So....if you're EVER in the small town of Rugby, North Dakota....make sure you take the time to visit this quaint little diner. You might just make some special memories of your own while you're there!

~Lauren

MM:"Prayer, Our Time Saver"

Ephesians 5:15-16 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

I heard a great message yesterday that I thought I would share as this weeks Monday Meditation.

Dr. Charles F. Stanley, a true man of God, is just an amazing preacher. I love to hear him speak. He lets God lead Him, and it is very evident.

His message this week, "Prayer, Our Time Saver", was so good. Just what I needed to hear.

If any of the following apply to you--this is a must see/read...

1) Do you feel like you never have enough time?

2) Are you making the most of your life, and fulfilling God's plans for you?

3) Why is prayer vital for a Christian?

To read the outline of this message, see here.

To see the sermon, (at least this week) see here.

Also, to see more from Dr. Charles F. Stanley, visit InTouch.org . There is tons of great information, great sermons, great Bible studies, and great resources available there.

Now, hold don to your pants--cause this is some good stuff! : D

~Page

New Year's Resolutions....

Happy 2011!!! We are now 3 days into this new year and I'm sure that every one of you desires for this year to be even better than the last. I'm not one to typically make resolutions, but there are a few that I've resolved myself to work at. I think the most common resolution is to lose weight, that stemming from all the delectable Christmas goodies we just ate. ;-)
I think the goal of healthy eating should be a resolution for everyone. For me personally, I have a goal to go through each room of my house and organize. You know, the really detailed type of organizing. As far as true resolutions go, mine are more of a spiritual nature. My desire is to be closer to Christ this year than I was last year, to become more Godly in my way of thinking, life, etc. I also have a goal to begin memorizing scripture. We have a revival going on at our church right now with Evangelist Gerald Fielder. Yesterday in Sunday School, he challenged us to begin memorizing God's Word for, it is a command! Have you ever thought about it that way? I sure haven't! We are to hide God's Word in our hearts that we might not SIN against our Lord! When you think about it in that light, it becomes a very serious issue. I did a blog post on this that can be viewed here, but wanted to elaborate on it to share some key points on how to practically go about actually doing it.

These tips were compiled for our learning by Evangelist Gerald Fielder.

There is a procedure for memorizing Scripture.

-Can just anyone memorize God's Word? YES!

**Things to NOT do when attempting to memorize Scripture.

1. You should not take on more than you can continue with. (otherwise you'll become overwhelmed and quickly give up)

2. You should not try to memorize whole chapters or books. (that way, each verse will be a stand alone verse in your mind)

3. You should not try to quote before you can quote correctly. (don't reinforce error in your mind)


**There are 3 laws that govern memorization.

1. The law of association.
Categorize the verses you would like to memorize in a notebook. (i.e.- God's love, sin, salvation, God's grace, etc.)

2. The law of impression.
You are more likely to easily memorize a verse that impresses your heart. When something makes an impression on you, it is not easily forgotten.

3 The law of repetition.

A. Read repetitiously, read your Bible until it says something to you. Take it a step further and memorize verses that especially touch your heart, it'll make it a blessing instead of a chore.

B. Write repetitiously. This takes time, but is very helpful in the memorization process!

C. Use the 3x5 card method.

Print at least 5 verses on one side of the card using correct punctuation, and on the other side print only the references.
- 3 times each day for 7 days, read these verses through.
-then continue this for 5 weeks- meaningfully and deliberately, (total of 105 times)

D. Review repetitiously - set up a routine and be organized.
Pleace memorized cards in a card file box, and place that file box in a conspicuous place for everyday use.

The Devil will fight against you learning Scripture, because he knows that Christians who hide God's Word in their hearts are much more prone to doing right and pleasing God.

The more we know our Bible, the more we'll increase in knowledge of God. We'll be more equipped to live this life for Christ, which is something every Christian should strive for!

Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."


These are some great methods for memorizing Scripture and something to definitely share with your spouse and children.

Tomorrow I'll post in detail some of the wonderful purposes in memorizing God's Word!

Happy Monday!

~Lauren

Beloved of the Lord

Here's another wonderful devotion written by Pastor Thomas Smith from St. Clair, MO. We pray it'll be a blessing to you all as you begin your week!!

BELOVED OF THE LORD
Devotion for December 19, 2010

"And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.’"
II Samuel 12:25.

David had confessed and repented of his deplorable sin with Bathsheba. Their first child died, then Bathsheba bore a son that David named Solomon. The name Solomon means ‘peaceable.’ David certainly needed and wanted some peace after the turmoil his sin had caused. The Bible says of Solomon that ‘the LORD loved him,’ (II Samuel 12:24), and He sent Nathan the prophet to give Solomon another name. The name the Lord gave him was Jedidiah, which means BELOVED OF THE LORD.

What a comforting thing this must have been to David and Bathsheba! He had been chastened for his sin, and David’s grief over his transgression is well known. What would God think of this new baby born to David and Bathsheba? Would the child be accepted? Would it be blessed? God loved Solomon, and wanted David to know that He loved the child. We cannot be sure we understand all the reasons God does the things He does. But surely this was a message to David that God had accepted his repentance and forgiven him of his past. David would not have to continue to pay for his disobedience. God loved the child born to David and Bathsheba.

What an important lesson this is for us. God certainly does not approve of our sin, but He does extend forgiveness and mercy when we sincerely turn from our wrong. We can start over again. We do not have to live in a constant feeling of regret over past failures. God wants to restore fellowship with us, and He wants us to know that we are loved. Many of us have been through the experience of correcting a disobedient child, and after he has been disciplined, we have held him in our arms and assured him of our love. God does the same thing for us. He confirms His love to us. God loves us. How could we ever get over that wonderful fact? In spite of our failures and blunders, His love remains strong. Looking at this Scripture from the viewpoint of the child, we see another important fact worth our consideration. Solomon grew up knowing that God called him ‘Jedidiah,’ THE BELOVED OF THE LORD. Throughout his life, he would be reminded that God cared for him. It is important that children be secure in the understanding that God loves them deeply.

Pastor Smith's daily devotions may also be read by visiting www.straightpaths.mzbc.com.

Monday Devotion in 1 John

I love 1 John, it's a convicting book of the Bible, but one that is sure to illuminate hearts. For this "Monday Meditation" I wanted to share a few verses from 1 John that I read in my devotions the other day. I pray they're a blessing and cause us to really meditate on them.


1 John 1:8 ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2:1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

There are so many people who have a hard time truly being honest with themselves and in humility, seeing themselves for the sinner that they are. The Bible says that all have sinned, but if we confess our sin, Jesus Christ is faithful to forgive us!! What a blessed thought!

3 ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

True salvation changes a person, you have a desire to walk after God, to keep His Word/Commandments, to live holy and set apart unto Him. Why then are so many professing Christians not living this way??

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Sobering verses, but crucial to prove our life by. Does our life match up to the Bible? If not, why not? Is there sin in our life? Have we ever truly experienced the forgiveness of sins? I challenge you to meditate on these verses and draw nigh unto God.

Happy Monday, Everyone!

~Lauren

Tis the season... Already!

1 John 4:9-10 "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

Wow. What a week! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Can you believe that there is only 26 days left until Christmas?! Holy moly cannoli!

The Christmas music has been playing, Walmart and every other store on the face of this planet is already decorated, gifts are already being purchased, Little Red's 2 year old eyes are lighting up (He is just crazy about "Kipim Wites" (Christmas Lights) and "Kipimees" (Christmas Trees))... It's all happening so quickly! : )

Doesn't he just look like a little elf? : D

Anyways, this quick Monday Meditation is about getting the season started right. It's so easy to get all mixed up in the craziness of the Holidays. We some how lose the true spirit of the season. But read the above verses again. God so lovingly and mercifully sent His Son so that "we might live through Him" (How. Beautiful.) and "to be the propitiation for our sins."

And just in case you were wondering:

• PROPITIATION

Meaning:

The act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

atonement; expiation; propitiation

Hypernyms ("propitiation" is a kind of...):

redemption; salvation ((Christianity) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "propitiation"):

amends; reparation (something done or paid in expiation of a wrong)

Don't miss it this year. Our God is an incredible God--Who does incredible things.

1 John 5:11 "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."

Make sure that He is the start of your season, and any and every season after that, too! : ) Because He truly is the reason for our EVERY season! : )

Happy Monday!

~Page