December 2023

Arise, Depart

 DECEMBER 19, 2023
 Daily Reading – Micah 1-4 / Revelation 9

 GOD’S WORD:

Micah 2:10-11 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        There is an abundance of teachings out there today. You can learn about almost any subject if you simply go onto the Internet and “Google” it, or “YouTube” it. With Artificial Intelligence built into every smart phone, tablet, and computer, you can now just ask Siri, Cortana, or Alexa, to answer most any question. Artificial Intelligence items like the Alexa Devices, Google Home Hubs, or any other number of apparatuses are now able to control most any functions in your home and car. However, they are called “ARTIFICIAL” Intelligence for a reason. They are not intelligent at all. They are machines that simply learn your habits, or, are pre-programmed by you according to your desires, and then they simply respond according to your desires.

        In Micah, God warns people of another form of artificial intelligence. It works almost in the same way. They are “So-Called” Prophets, who learn what it is that you want to hear, and then they spew out that nonsense week after week. They really do not help you grow closer to the Lord, and His will at all. Instead, for a paycheck or praise, they will churn out message after message of how you are ok in your sinfulness. God, through Micah, warned the people of Israel, “Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest:…” Friend, if the Word of God does not challenge you to be better, but instead allows you only to feel good about the sinful world you live in, ARISE, DEPART!

         

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        I am not saying every message, every week should cause you to feel beat up, and defeated. However, we live in a sin filled world. Sadly, that world has made its way into many pulpits. A Holy God, and His Holy Word should always challenge us to be better.

Are you being challenged?

Another Chance

 DECEMBER 18, 2023
 Daily Reading – Jonah / Revelation 7-8

 

 GOD’S WORD:

Jonah 3:1-2 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

 

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        There is an old expression used in business that says, “You never get a second chance, to make a first impression.” The idea behind it is simple. People form an opinion of you or your business by the first impressions made. Therefore, always be sure to put your best foot forward in all that you do. While I whole heartedly agree with this premise, I also know that with God, people often get a second chance to make a first impression. We see it today in Jonah 3:1-2 where it says, “And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” God gave Jonah a second chance.

 

        God not only gave Jonah a second chance, but Jonah got a second chance to make a first impression. Jonah had not made an impression on Nineveh yet. Honestly, if he had gone there with the attitude he had originally, it may have cast a negative impression of his God. A message may have been delivered, but with a lackluster attitude. The revival that ultimately took place there, may not have taken place had Jonah gone there initially with a cold, bitter heart. However, when God got his attention, he delivered God’s message with a new lease on life. He still did not like the people of Nineveh, but he made a great impression of God before them because he received another chance in life.

          

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        The Bible says when we accept Christ, we become new creatures. We are actually given a second chance to make a first impression. Sure, it takes time to outlive old mistakes, but if we stay faithful serving God, we gain another chance in life.

 

Doesn’t God’s do overs sound great?

 

Zany Ideas

 DECEMBER 16 & 17, 2023
 DECEMBER 16 – Daily Reading – Obadiah / Revelation 6
 DECEMBER 17 – NO READING

 GOD’S WORD:

Obadiah 1:3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        People get zany ideas at times. For example, I live in Michigan. In the winter it can get bitterly cold. I read of one family who ran out of heating fuel in their tank. Their zany idea was to build a campfire in the living room. So, they found the largest pot they could find, put broken pieces of wood in the pot, then they put newspapers under the pieces of wood, and started their fire. Within just a few minutes, the house was filled with smoke, and they could not see, or breathe. So, what did they do? They opened the doors to let the smoke out and went outside in the bitter cold. Fortunately, they did not burn the house down.

        Here is another zany idea. That you might somehow hide from the presence of God. The Edomites, the descendants of Esau, thought they could hide in the city on earth we now call Petra in Jordan. With only one way in or out of this rock city, they thought they were safe. Today, there are no known Edomites alive anywhere in the world. Hiding from God is a zany idea. Especially if you are trying to hide in the rocks, made by that same God. Why would they believe such a zany idea? It was the pride in their heart. Pride has destroyed more people over the centuries than anything else. Thinking that fame, finances, or fortitude will save you in the end, well that is just a zany idea. There is however a rock to hide in. Psalm 18:46 says, “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.”          

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Would you like a better idea for eternity? How about Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Doesn’t that sound much better?

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

        The word ZEST is used to refer to something that will spice up our life. For believers, Jesus is our Zest Of Life. We once again saw Him this week in:

  ● Zero Complaints
  ● Zion
  ● Zoned Out
  ● Zealousness Displayed
  ● Zillions Lost
  ● Zany Ideas

        Life! I am talking about a real, eternal, and meaningful life, that really only begins when we come to know Christ. That my friend, is the best, Zest Of Life.

       Enjoy today with your church and hear what God has prepared in the heart of His man for you this week.

   See you tomorrow.  

 SUNDAYS:

       Today we suggest you read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastors heart. Whatever scripture he uses for today’s messages were given to him by God for your specific needs.

December 18, 2023	Jonah	Revelation 7-8
December 19, 2023	Micah 1-4	Revelation 9
December 20, 2023	Micah 5-7	Revelation 10-11
December 21, 2023	Nahum	Revelation 12-13
December 22, 2023	Habakkuk	Revelation 14-15
December 23, 2023	Zephaniah	Revelation 16-17
December 24, 2023	No Passages Assigned

Zest Of Life

Zillions Lost

 DECEMBER 15, 2023
 Daily Reading – Amos 7-9 / Revelation 4-5

 GOD’S WORD:

Amos 8:4 & 6 Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,… That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Gambling has become a global pass time. It, like many other things once condemned as sin, is now looked upon as just another form of entertainment. States have made it popular with state run lotteries, and some have state run and funded casinos. Yet did you know that over sixty percent of those who gamble regularly are at, or below poverty level? For every person who wins, millions of dollars must be lost. I know, some are saying, if they do not have the money, they should not play. However, the Christian thing to do is not to provide a temptation to sin. Gambling is still a sin. God has never looked kindly on those who have money, taking advantage of those that do not. That is exactly what we do every time we buy a lottery ticket. It is sad that part of the money spent on lottery tickets will go to commercials warning about the addictiveness of gambling. Some will fund counseling for those who find themselves caught in this trap. If you buy those tickets, do on-line wagering, go to casinos or bingo halls, you have a part in taking advantage of the poor and needy.

        Amos warned Israel about this practice. He said you, “swallow up the needy,” and “make the poor of the land to fail.” He said they are, “falsifying the balances by deceit” and they “buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.” God hated this poor treatment of the hurting then, and God does not change.

         

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        What could God do with the money Christians spend on gambling? How might He bless you? Remember, He feed thousands with a few loaves and fishes. Put the money in God’s hands instead. That my friend is the only sure bet! 

Do we really think the world will bless us more than God?

Zealousness Displayed

 DECEMBER 14, 2023
 Daily Reading – Amos 4-6 / Revelation 3

 GOD’S WORD:

Amos 4:12 Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        What does Zealousness mean? It is described as a passionate devotion to, or interest in, a cause or subject. It is going the extra mile, doing all one can possibly do. It is what we see in many good parents who are trying their best to raise their children. Rewarding good behavior, while also, not rewarding bad behavior. It may be done by taking away electronic devices, or privilege. It might be that they are sent to their room without a meal or restricted from time with friends. None of this is done in anger but trying to teach these children to listen to your gained years of wisdom. God displayed that Zealousness with the children of Israel here is Amos 4.

        In the verses of Amos 4:6-11 we read over and over the things God had done to try to get Israel to turn back to Him. The last phrase in each instance says, “…yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.” He sent a famine their way but that did not convince them. He withheld rain, but instead of turning to God, they sought water from other cities. God sent a plague, or rottenness to their crops, yet they would not see this as God’s warnings. Pestilence and also an overthrow of some. Still, they would not turn back to God. God the creator of all, has control of all. Finally, God, in His zealousness to call them to Himself in Amos 4:12; warns them of the impending punishment. He says, “prepare to meet thy God.” Zealousness displayed.

         

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        I wonder how many signs and warnings from God, have we shrugged off as what the world calls, “mother nature.” Yet, still today, God sends out his children into a lost world with a warning. “Prepare to meet thy God.” 

Are we prepared to help others to be prepared?