Author: Mary Custer

Warning:   Are You Prepared?

When a much anticipated trip is approaching, we eagerly prepare for it.  We make lists, arrange schedules, buy needed

items, and depending on the length of time to be away, we may stop the mail, make sure the bills are paid, the home, yard, pets, etc. are all taken care of and we pack, repack because we don’t want to forget anything and we want to be absolutely sure everything is ready for departure.  Friend, we ARE on a journey(spiritual) and it is imperative that everything be right for there is no room for mistakes.  This is a chance for a one-time trip of a lifetime.

What must we do to prepare?  There is a Plan (Acts 2:38).  Step 1. We must Repent (die to sin). Step 2. We must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ(buried).  It is VERY important for the formula to be right.  (Acts 4:12)  the only name given among men whereby we must be saved.  It is the name of the bridegroom that we take on in baptism.  He is coming for those called by his name!   Step 3. Receiving the “treasure”  the Holy Ghost. (We Arise up from the watery grave into a new way of life in Christ Jesus). The earnest of our inheritance and the power to keep and protect us.  Step 4. This is the Maintenance Phase!  To maintain, we must die daily to fleshly desires, (Prayer, Bible study..),  have a continuous relationship with Him, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14).

What is the real purpose of life?  We are to live for and serve him, Jesus Christ.  It’s about having a relationship that is special and never wanting to jeopardize it in any way.  We are to share with others the hope of eternity because pay day is coming and there are only two choices, Heaven or Hell.  It is by the decisions and actions in our living as to how we will spend our eternity!

The basic difference between a weather watch and a weather warning is the immediacy of weather conditions. A storm watch is issued to alert people in a certain region, in advance, that conditions are favorable for dangerous weather. Watches are issued to prepare people for this possibility so they can take appropriate safety measures. Storm Warnings indicates that severe storms or the conditions that produce severe storms have been observed in nearby areas and will likely reach the location being warned. Warnings mean it is closer to being evident!

Spiritually we have been alerted to Watch as in Mark 13 (Take time to read).   The warning is imminent  (Matt 24 and  Luke 21) as the world stage is being set and our redemption is drawing nigh!  Are you ready?  Or what do you lack to be prepared?  Today is the day of salvation!  Don’t delay – take ACTION!

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2013Sep8

I had always heard that if a farmer keeps his eyes on a distant object while he’s plowing, he’ll make a straight furrow. So I tested the principle when I mowed my lawn. Sure enough, my first cut was a straight swath of new-mown turf.

If you can plow a straight furrow or mow in a straight line by keeping your eyes fixed on a distant object, surely the principle should also be true of life—especially if the object on which you fix your gaze is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

That’s what the writer of the Proverbs says in chapter 4. In fact, the whole book of Proverbs is about following a straight path. It tells how to avoid the sexual trap (ch. 5-7), how to retain your integrity (12:1-16; 29:23), how to control your tongue (12:17-22; 21:23), how to get along with difficult people (14:7; 15:1), and how to stay healthy and live long (3:7-8,13-18). According to Proverbs, the wise person can walk the straight path and not be diverted.

But the Bible doesn’t just advise, “Be wise!” It introduces us to Jesus Christ. The truly important question is our relationship to Him. He didn’t just teach the truth; He is the truth (Jn. 14:6). So the only way to follow a straight path through life is to keep your eyes on Him.

I need His eye to guide me in the pathway,
For I am weak and helpless as a child;
And if without it I would take my journey,
My feet would stumble on the mountains wild. —Anon.

Our wisdom is folly unless we’re following Christ.

Article by Dennis J. De Haan, Our Daily Bread, Copyright 2013 by RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights  reserved. Further distribution is prohibited without written permission from RBC Ministries

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his  room filled with light, and God appeared.  The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front  of his cabin.  The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.  So, this the man did, day after  day. For many years he toiled from sun-up to sundown, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might!  Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s weary mind. (He will do it every time!)  “You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn’t moved.” Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.  These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.  Satan said, “Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough.”
That’s what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.  Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in Your Service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked.  Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

The Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done.  Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it.  Your task was to push.  And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself.  Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown;  your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven’t moved the rock.  But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom.  That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock.”
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him.  By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves the mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong………………..Just P.U.S.H.
When the job gets you down…………………………..Just P.U.S.H.
When people don’t do as you think they should…………….Just P.U.S.H.
When your money is “gone” and the bills are due……..…..Just P.U.S.H.
When people just don’t understand you………………Just P.U.S.H.

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Character At Play

A college football coach in the Bronx (New York) built his team around good character qualities. Instead of displaying their names on the back of their jerseys, the Maritime College players displayed words like family, respect, accountability, and character. Before each game, Coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes reminded his team to play by those principles on the field.

The apostle Peter had his own list of Christian qualities (2 Peter 1:5-7) that he encouraged believers to add to their life of faith:

Virtue. Fulfilling God’s design for a life with moral excellence.

Knowledge. Studying God’s Word to gain wisdom to combat falsehood.

Self-control. Revering God so much that we choose godly behavior.

Perseverance. Having a hopeful attitude even in difficulties because we’re confident in God’s character.

Godliness. Honoring the Lord in every relationship in life.

Brotherly kindness. Displaying a warmhearted affection for fellow believers.

Love. Sacrificing for the good of others.

Let’s develop these qualities in increasing measure and integrate them into every part of our life.

Just as the body grows in strength

With exercise each day,

Our spirit grows in godliness

 By living life God’s way. —D. De Haan

Godly Exercise is the key to Godly Character.

Article by Anne Cetas, Our Daily Bread, Copyright 2013 by RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights  reserved. Further distribution is prohibited without written permission from RBC Ministries

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2013Aug25