Take Time

Take time to think; it is the source of power.

Take time to read; it is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to play; it is the secret of staying young.

Take time to be quiet; it is the opportunity to seek God.

Take time to be aware; it is the opportunity to help others.

Take time to love and be loved; it is God’s greatest gift.

Take time to laugh; it is the music of the soul.

Take time to be friendly; it is the road to happiness.

Take time to dream; it is what the future is made of.

Take time to pray; it is the greatest power on earth.

[Author Unknown]

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1 ♥

The Call to "Come Up Hither!"

Any view of the fourth chapter of the Book of Revelation that doesn’t allow for the triumphant Rapture of the saints is woefully inadequate. This chapter is a grand picture of the true church and the overcoming saints that have been transferred from the lion’s mouth to the King’s throne. The blood-washed saints that were hated by the world will have faced their persecutors for the last time. Giving up the world, they will have gained the grandest seats around the throne of the Father. This chapter is the beginning of the glory that has been promised to the saints since the opening of the Holy Bible. From seats around the throne to the city of the throne, the saints will never suffer shame again. They are His saints and they will take up positions as His elders until they march as His army, reign as Kings, and possess the city of the Bride, New Jerusalem.



The Call to 'Come Up Hither!" by Joseph Chambers
"After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." (Revelation 4:1)

In Him is Victory

Be triumphant, be triumphant,

Let the spiritual watchers see

That thy God doth strengthen thee, That in him is victory.

[Amy Carmichael]

Ephesians 3:10-11 ... To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

1 John 5:4 ... For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Philippians 4:13 ... I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

1 Corinthians 15:57 ... But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  ♥

God is Love

God loves us because God is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son to restore that relationship. ℛℒ

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 sins1 John 4:9-10

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Ephesians 2:4-5 ♥

Mist on the River

When the mist is on the river,

And the break of day is near;

The birds are just beginning to sing,

And the stars have disappeared.

When dewdrops shimmer like diamonds,

Upon a blade of grass;

And the wind is softly blowing.

And the moon is sinking fast.

When wild geese are flying overhead,

In formation they belong;

And the mourning dove with its lonesome call;

Is cooing a mournful song.

There's time of deep reflection,

Bringing peace into the soul.

As we touch, see and listen,

God will make us whole.

Thanks be to our living God,

Who made this all for me.

I'll enjoy the mist upon the river,

And everything I hear and see.

[Author Unknown]

Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. Job 37:14

Be still, and know that I am God: Psalm 46:10 ♥

A Cloak of Love

God has clothed us. He protects us with a cloak of love.

[Max Lucado]

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. Psalm 60:4

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. Job 29:14

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2:4 ♥

Living and Active Word of God

God is not silent. It is the nature of God to speak. The second person of the Holy Trinity is called "The Word".

[A.W. Tozer]

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Psalm 85:8

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. Proverbs 8:6

Stand in the gate of the LORD's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. Jeremiah 7:2

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. Psalm 56:10

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14 ♥

Stop Complaining

If Christians stopped complaining against one another:

• The devil would not have opportunity to divide the body of Christ.
• Strife and disunity in the church would be non-existent.
• Believers would have clear consciences toward one another.
• Energy given to complaining would be directed to soul-winning.
• The world would be attracted, not repelled, by Christians and the church.
• The Lord would be pleased with how we treat one another.

[Author Unknown]

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:12-13

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. James 5:9 ♥

The Carrots, The Eggs, and The Coffee Beans

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as when one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter then asked, "What does this mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity... boiling water. Each had reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting in the boiling water, its insides became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After being in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

[Author Unknown]

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 ♥

His Way is Perfect

The fact that we cannot see what God is doing does not mean that He is doing nothing. The Lord has His own timetable. It is we who must learn to adjust to it, not vice versa. When God's time comes nothing will stand in His way. We can therefore wait for Him with this happy confidence: "As for God, His way is perfect" (2 Samuel 22:31).

[Sinclair B. Ferguson]

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 3:2

Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; Isaiah 49:8

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 ♥

Focus on Eternity

Set your minds and keep them set on what is above. ℛℒ

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:1-2

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:8

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21 ♥

The Almighty Power of Christ

With the Lord Jesus Christ nothing is impossible. No stormy passions are so strong; He can tame them. No temper is so rough and violent; He can change it. No conscience is so disturbed; He can speak peace to it and make it calm. No person ever need despair, if they will only bow down their pride, and come as a humbled sinner to Christ. Christ can do miracles upon their heart.


No person ever need despair of reaching their journey’s end, if they have once committed their soul to Christ’s keeping. Christ will carry them through every danger. Christ will make them conqueror over every foe. What if our relatives oppose us? What if our neighbors laugh us to scorn? What if our place be hard? What if our temptations be great? It is all nothing, if Christ is on our side, and we are in the ship with Him. Greater is He that is for us, than all those who are against us.

[J.C. Ryle] (read: Mark 4:35-41)

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 ♥

Recall Notice

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured, regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central component of the heart.

This is due to a malfunction in the original prototypes unit code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units. This defect has been technically termed ‘Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality,’ or more commonly known as S. I. N., as it is primarily expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction

2. Foul vocal emissions

3. Amnesia of origin

4. Lack of peace and joy

5. Selfish or violent behavior

6. Depression or confusion in the mental component

7. Fearfulness

8. Idolatry

9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.

The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into the heart component. No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:

1. Love

2. Joy

3. Peace

4. Patience

5. Kindness

6. Goodness

7. Faithfulness

8. Gentleness

9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B. I. B. L. E. (Believers’ Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.

Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by ‘Knee mail’.

For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

Thank you for your attention!

- GOD ❤

[Message from the Internet]

The Road Map

If you want to go down the right road in life you must remember that Jesus has the road map, not you.

[Author Unknown]

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Luke 9:23

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. John 12:26 ♥

Jesus Christ - A to Z

He is…

A Awesome and Active

B Beautiful and Bountiful

C Creator

D Divine and Delightful

E Energetic, Elemental and Ever Present

F Faithful, Free and Fabulous

G Great and Gracious

H Holy

I Incredible and Incarnate

J Just

K King of Kings

L Love, Light, Life and the Lord of Lords

M Marvellous and Mighty

N Never wrong, Never late

O Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent

P Powerful, Plentiful and Praiseworthy

Q Quick to act on His Word

R Royal and Real

S Superabundant

T True and Trustworthy

U Undying in His love for mankind

V Vivacious and Very good

W Willing to help, Wise and Winsome

X Xtreme

Y Your friend and Saviour

Z Zion’s King

[Message from the Internet]

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:13 ♥

Hidden in Christ

Noah was sent to save the faithful. Christ was sent to do the same.

A flood of water came then. A flood of fire will come next.

Noah built a safe place out of wood. Jesus made a safe place with the cross.

Those who believed hid in the ark. Those who believe are hidden in Christ.

[Max Lucado]

And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Genesis 7:1

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. Isaiah 26:20

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:37

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ♥

Come To Jesus

When a person turns to Christ empty—that they may be filled; sick—that they may be healed; hungry—that they may be satisfied; thirsty—that they may be refreshed; needy—that they may be enriched; dying—that they may have life; lost—that they may be saved; guilty—that they may be pardoned; sin-defiled—that they may be cleansed; confessing that Christ alone can supply their need—then they come to Christ. This, and nothing more than this, is coming to Christ.

[J.C. Ryle]




Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 ♥

Glory Train

Can you hear the whistle sound

For them souls heaven bound?

Climb onboard the glory ride

Set your earthly bonds aside.

This old train will leave someday

Boarding Christians along the way.

Roaring down those one-way tracks,

Bound for heaven, it won't be back.

Get your ticket while you can

If you want a ride to glory land.

We'll meet at the Lords station,

There's no time left for hesitation.

This long black train has no gears

It's full throttle ahead leaving here.

The archangel will be our engineer,

We'll depart amidst angel cheers.

The price of the ticket is paid for you,

Jesus died on the cross for sins you do.

Surrender to the Good Shepherd your all

Before you miss that last boarding call.

We'll glide on the ride to heavens shore

Where you will endure troubles no more.

So shed your shackles no need to pack,

Board that glory train with one-way tracks.

[written by: Kenneth J. Ellison]

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20 ♥

Only By GRACE

Bob was caught up in the spirit where he and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord’s team was playing Satan’s team. The Lord’s team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.

They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass, because Godly Wisdom does not swing at Satan’s pitches. Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly Wisdom never swings at Satan’s throws.

The bases were loaded. The Lord then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said he sure did not look like much!

Satan’s whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking it had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried; his center fielder, the Prince of the air, let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head, and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run! The Lord’s team won.

The Lord then said, “If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My grace can get you home.”

[Author Unknown]

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Acts 15:11

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Romans 3:24 ♥

Praise the Name of The Lord

If others are silent, you must not be; you must be the first to celebrate his praises. You are “servants,” and this is part of your service; His “name” is named upon you, therefore celebrate his name with praises; you know what a blessed Master he is, therefore speak well of him. Those who shun his service are sure to neglect his praise; but as grace has made you his own personal servants, let your hearts make you his court-musicians.

[Charles Haddon Spurgeon]

Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. 2 Samuel 22:50

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 1 Chronicles 16:8

In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah. Psalm 44:8

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Psalm 66:1-2

And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. Psalm 72:19

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Psalm 113:1 ♥

P.U.S.H.

When everything seems to go wrong……. P.U.S.H.!

When life seems to get you down……. P.U.S.H.!

When people are difficult……. P.U.S.H.!

If your money is “gone” and the bills are due……. P.U.S.H.!

If all you have is questions……. P.U.S.H.!

In every situation……. P.U.S.H.!

Pray Until Something Happens.

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Romans 12:12

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ♥

Our Guide in Life

In our trip called life, God is the destination, Jesus is the road to God, and the Holy Spirit is the GPS to guide us.

[Paul Hoffman]

Isaiah 42:16 ... And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

John 16:13 ... Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Psalm 73:24 ... Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ♥

He Watches Over Us

A wonderful joy of being a believer in Jesus is knowing that our Father in Heaven is always watching over us. ℛℒ

2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: ♥

Emergency Phone Numbers

When you are sad………. call John 14

When you have sinned………. call Psalm 51

When you are facing danger………. call Psalm 91

When people have failed you………. call Psalm 27

When you feel as though God is far from you………. call Psalm 139

When your faith needs stimulation………. call Hebrews 11

When you feel alone and scared………. call Psalm 23

When you are worried………. call Matthew 8:19–34

When you are hurt and critical………. call 1 Corinthians 13

When you wonder about Christianity………. call 2 Corinthians 5:15-18

When you feel down and out………. call Romans 8:31-39

When you are seeking peace and rest………. call Matthew 11:25-30

When the world seems bigger than God………. call Psalm 90

When you need Christian assurance………. call Romans 8:1-30

When you leave home for labor or travel………. call Psalm 121

When you are praying for yourself………. call Psalm 87

When you require courage for a task………. call Joshua 1

When you think of investments and returns………. call Mark 10:17-31

If you are depressed………. call Psalm 27

If your pocketbook is empty………. call Psalm 37

If you are losing confidence in people………. call 2 Corinthians 13

If people seem unkind………. call John 15

If you feel discouraged………. call Psalm 126

If you find the world growing small and yourself great………. call Psalm 19

ALTERNATE NUMBERS

For dealing with fear………. call Psalm 3

For security………. call Psalm 121

For assurance………. call Mark 8:35

For reassurance………. call Psalm 145:18

For double reassurance………. call Psalm 100:5

Emergency numbers may be dialed direct. No operator assistance is necessary. All lines to Heaven are open 24 hours a day! Feed your faith, and doubt will starve to death!

[Message from the Internet]

I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. Psalm 116:13

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Isaiah 55:6

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3 ♥

Beautiful Savior

Jesus did not come to make God's love possible, but to make God's love visible.

[Author Unknown]

Acts 3:26 ... Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Matthew 20:28 ... Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

1 John 4:10 ... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

John 3:16 ... For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ♥

Free To Soar

One windy spring day, I observed young people having fun using the wind to fly their kites. Multicolored creations of varying shapes and sizes filled the skies like beautiful birds darting and dancing in the heady atmosphere above the earth. As the strong winds gusted against the kites, a string kept them in check.

Instead of blowing away with the wind, they arose against it to achieve great heights. They shook and pulled, but the restraining string and the cumbersome tail kept them in tow, facing upward and against the wind. As the kites struggled and trembled against the string, they seemed to say, “Let me go! Let me go! I want to be free!” They soared beautifully even as they fought the imposed restriction of the string. Finally, one of the kites succeeded in breaking loose. “Free at last” it seemed to say. “Free to fly with the wind.”

Yet freedom from restraint simply put it at the mercy of an unsympathetic breeze. It fluttered ungracefully to the ground and landed in a tangled mass of weeds and string against a dead bush. “Free at last” free to lie powerless in the dirt, to be blown helplessly along the ground, and to lodge lifeless against the first obstruction.

How much like kites we sometimes are. The Lord gives us adversity and restrictions, rules to follow from which we can grow and gain strength. Restraint is a necessary counterpart to the winds of opposition. Some of us tug at the rules so hard that we never soar to reach the heights we might have obtained. We keep part of the commandment and (pardon the pun) never rise high enough to get our tails off the ground.

Let us each rise to the great heights our Heavenly Father has in store for us, recognizing that some of the restraints that we may chafe under are actually the steadying force that helps us ascend and achieve.

[Wayne B. Lynn]

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 ♥

Church Bulletins/Bloopers

You may have seen some of these before, but if you need a sanctified chuckle, check out these actual mistakes found in church bulletins....

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.

The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’ The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’

Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.

Don’t let worry kill you off – let the Church help.

Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.

For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.

A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow..

At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What Is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered..

The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.

Potluck supper Sunday at 5:00 PM – prayer and medication to follow.

The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.

This evening at 7 PM there will be a hymn singing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin.

Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 AM. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. Is done.

The pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the Congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday.

Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM… Please use the back door.

The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new campaign slogan last Sunday: ‘I Upped My Pledge – Up Yours.

[Message from the Internet] シ

Forgiven

Christ Jesus bore the wrath of God that we might never bear it. He has made a full atonement to the justice of God for the sins of all believers. Against him that believeth there remaineth no record of guilt; his transgressions are blotted out, for a Christ Jesus hath finished transgression, made an end of sin, and brought in everlasting righteousness.

What a comprehensive word then is this — "salvation"! It is a triumphant deliverance from the guilt of sin, from the dominion of it, from the curse of it, from the punishment of it, and ultimately from the very existence of it. Salvation is the death of sin, its burial, its annihilation, yea, and the very obliteration of its memory; for thus saith the Lord: “their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

[Charles Haddon Spurgeon]

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Colossians 2:13

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Ephesians 1:7 ♥

The Key

To know what beauty God has in store

We must only elect to open the door.

For God is all patient and giving

He leaves it up to us the life we will be living.

With material wants and spiritual needs

The choice is ours on how to proceed.

To pick money, power, or gold

Will leave you with an unfulfilled soul.

The way to find happiness is through unselfish Love

The kind that comes from up above.

To understand what God has given us

We must provide Him with all our trust.

For within His hand He holds the key

From which to find happiness throughout Eternity.

[Robert S. Breaux]

And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. Isaiah 22:22

And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure. Isaiah 33:6

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; Revelation 3:7 ♥

Get Your Own Dirt!

A group of scientists got together and decided that mankind no longer needed God, so they picked one scientist to go tell him. "God" the appointee said " we've decided we no longer need you, we can clone people, cure disease and create life, so we don't need you anymore, please leave us alone."

God listened to the scientist and then said "Very well, but first lets have a man making contest, doing it as I did back when I created Adam."

"Sure no problem," said the scientist, bending down to scoop up at handful of dirt.

"No, No, No" God admonished, "Get your own dirt!”

[Author Unknown]

Romans 1:20 ... For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Psalm 24:1 ... The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.  ♥

We Will Ride!

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, Jude 1:14

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. Revelation 19:14 ♥

God's Truth

To secure one's freedom the Christian must experience God's light which is God's truth.

[Watchman Nee]

All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:10


For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:8-10


But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:21


And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 ♥