Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships, Worship

The Endeavoring

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Unity is important.

Am I making a deliberate effort to work towards unity?

I don’t want to cause division in the church body.

Apostle Paul believed that unity is not only important; it’s essential.

Am I endeavoring?

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Ephesians 4:1-6 NKJV).”

With love, His church is endeavoring to keep unity of the Spirit.

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13 NKJV).”

Remember Zacchaeus? Like him, I’m short in stature. Yet, by God’s grace, I’m growing in the fullness of Christ.

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Christian Growth, Relationships, Uncategorized, Women

Together, Friends Face Adversity

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Do you experience the blessing of true friendships? Are there friends who stand beside you through crisis experiences? If so, you’re blessed indeed.

The value of friendship cannot be measured. Faithful friends are there if we falter or fall; with compassion, they offer support and encouragement.

Ruth became friend, family and provider for her mother-in-law, Naomi.

Together, they faced death, relocation, and poverty.

“But Ruth replied:

Do not persuade me to leave you
or go back and not follow you.
For wherever you go, I will go,
and wherever you live, I will live;
your people will be my people,
and your God will be my God.
Where you die, I will die,
and there I will be buried.
May Yahweh punish me,
and do so severely,
if anything but death separates you and me (Ruth 1:16-17 HCSB).”

Together, friends face adversity and challenges.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Missions, Redemption, Salvation

Power of Persuasion

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How much influence do you have? Most of us have much more than we realize. We might not win first place in a door-to-door vacuum cleaner contest but what we say and do matters a great deal.

Those who trust us listen to our opinions and will strongly consider our advice. Will we use the power of persuasion to lead others to a personal relationship with the Lord? Paul considered every meeting to be a divine appointment and witnessed of God’s saving grace.

“And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.‘  But Paul said, ‘I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.  For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.‘ And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’ And Paul said, ‘Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains (Acts 26:24-29 ESV).”

Friendly persuasion isn’t arm twisting. It is the story of forgiveness lovingly shared with others.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Devotionals, Prophecy, Salvation

It’s a Boy!

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‘It’s a boy!’

That was just what I wanted to hear; April had a baby brother.

I gave birth to both April and son Lee before the sex of a child was routinely determined during pregnancy (through ultrasound images-sonograms). We had hoped for a boy but had to wait to find out if hopes would become reality. Mary and Joseph did not have to wait.

‘It’s a boy!’

Gabriel told Mary.

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end (Luke 1:30-33 KJV).”

Joseph knew.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:18-21 KJV).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Christmas, Uncategorized

Celebrating the Christmas Season

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Most of us enjoy the sights of Nativity scenes, Christmas trees, lights, decorations and gift wrapped packages.

Sounds of Christmas add to our celebrations.

We greet one another with Merry Christmas. Christmas music fills our homes, vehicles, malls and churches.

Long ago in Bethlehem…

Shepherds experienced magnificent sights and sounds.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger (Luke 2:8-16 KJV).”

The babe grew to man and heard his own death sentence.

“Crucify him, crucify him (Luke 23:21b KJV).”

Grieving women saw his empty tomb and heard the sound of victory.

He is not here, but is risen (Luke 24:6a KJV).”

Hallelujah!

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Tactics & Traps

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Wile E. Coyote cartoons bring laughter into our lives.

He has lots of schemes but he can’t outwit the Road Runner. Wile E. might have been influenced by the whiles of the devil. Those tactics and traps are real.

Beware; Satan is persistent and he’s a master of disguise.

“For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14 NKJV).”

Dress for success.

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:11-12 NKJV).”

The devil uses deception, half truths and bold face lies. He uses our minds for targets; sadly, many become his victims. Be prepared for counterattack.

…”casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV).”

We don’t have to be victimized; we’re conquerors through Christ!

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37 NKJV).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Harvest Day

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“Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce (Proverbs 3:9 NASB).”

The LORD is honored each autumn in many Louisiana Delta Harvest Day celebrations. Farmers are especially grateful for the gathering of the year’s corn, soybean, sweet potato and cotton harvest . Thankful congregations join together to offer thanks to the Father for His bountiful provision. Prayers of gratefulness are humbly expressed and a Harvest Day offering is cheerfully given. Maybe you can get involved.

“Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness.

Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest (Matthew 9:35-38 NASB).”

Have faith; every day is Harvest Day in God’s kingdom.

“Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary (Galatians 6:9 NASB).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Trouble-Trusting

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“Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You (Psalm 16:1 NASB).”

I need to feel safe and protected; we all do.

The Psalmist had found his hiding place; he trusted God.

“You are my hiding place; You keep me from trouble (Psalm 32:7a NASB).”

We can trust God; He will keep us safe.

“But You, Lord, are a shield around me (Psalm 3:3a NASB).”

He is our protective shield.

“You have also given me the shield of Your salvation,

And Your right hand upholds me (Psalm 118:35a NASB).”

The LORD upholds us because He is our source of strength.

“God is our refuge and strength,

A very ready help in trouble (Psalm 46:1 NASB).”

Is there trouble on every side?

Trust God.

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in people (Psalm 118:8 NASB).”

He is LORD.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Missions

Scatter

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As a child, I purposely scattered certain toys. Playing the game of pickup sticks, I scattered sticks before me on the floor. I especially liked the game of ball and jacks. I cupped jacks in my hand before scattering them below. At times, God’s people scatter.

“As a shepherd cares for his flock on a day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day (Ezekiel 34:12 NASB).”

God’s purpose of church growth involved scattering. Persecution propelled followers of the Way.

“Now Saul approved of putting Stephen to death.

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and mourned loudly for him. But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and he would drag away men and women and put them in prison (Acts 8:1-3 NASB).”

I love my church family; yet; we’re in danger of becoming too comfortable within walls of our building. It’s time to scatter; GO!

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:18-20 NASB).”

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Uncategorized

White Gold

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It’s not the Texas tea that made Jed Clampett a millionaire. It has made many wealthy; white gold is still in demand.

King Cotton was one of the leading exports in early 1800’s America. Rural Northeast Louisiana has produced high amounts of cotton; now, most of our area farmers plant corn and soybeans. Yet, I do still get to see some beautiful cotton fields. Prayers that all who invested, money, time and sweat will have a bumper crop this year…

Hats off to the faithful who plant the seeds!

“Listen then to the parable of the sower. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is the one sown with seed beside the road. The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately he falls away. And the one sown with seed among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word, and the anxiety of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much (Matthew 13:18-23 NASB).”

I know the mathematical equation. Good seed + good soil=fruit.

“Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5 NASB).”

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