Master Plans

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023
Daily Reading – Pro. 20-21 / 2 Cor. 5

GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 20:24 Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Some people think they have their entire life planned out. They know what classes to take in school to secure a certain occupation. They have thought out what they will need to do in order to climb the ladder of success. Do not get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with planning. If we do not plan, financial emergencies could overtake us. If we did not plan with insurances and savings, natural emergencies like storms or illness could devastate not only us, but in some cases, those we leave behind to pick up the tab. Nevertheless, we need always bear in mind; God is the only one who truly knows for sure what tomorrow will bring. In His infinite wisdom He knows what the outcome of our lives will be, and the lives of all those around us. Even so, while knowing all of our tomorrows, He still allows us to make choices that will affect that outcome. How does He do it? Well, if I could answer that, I could explain God. He would not be much of a God if you or I could explain all about Him now would He.

        Life is a delicate balancing act of choices. Occasionally we mess up. If you love something, you take care of it. If it is a pet, you do your best to feed, love, and wash it, etc. However, you still must let it run and play to be healthy. God loves you. He feeds, loves, and washed away your sin. Nevertheless, He still lets you run and play. Next time you are out running around being free, run to Him and thank Him.
 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        One choice that should not be hard for us to make is this. If God is the only one who truly knows all about our life, then why not give our life over to Him. He would use it a lot better than we would, and the blessings are beyond imagination.

Whose plan are you following for your life?

  
 

Lean Into God’s Word

 SEPTEMBER 16 & 17, 2023
 SEPTEMBER 16 – Daily Reading – Pro. 18-19 / 2 Cor. 4
 SEPTEMBER 17 – NO READING

 GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 19:27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Today it is so easy to hear several viewpoints on every idea around. I watched a news report of young girls in a Michigan school who were caught on video beating up another young girl in that school. When asked why they did such a terrible thing, they said this girl flaunted her lesbianism in their face all year long. She had come on to several of them and when they reported her, no one did anything about it. Now this school is spending thousands of taxpayers’ dollars to bring in therapists and psychologists to teach teachers and staff how to teach the students to be tolerant of sexual diversity.

        Now before I go too far you must understand, I am not for today’s youth or anyone beating up anyone. Violence is never the answer. Sin never fixes sin. Nevertheless, I read in scripture that homosexuality is a sin. So why is the government teaching the majority to tolerate the sin of the minority? Why not teach those who claim to be gay, to be more discreet about their lifestyle? Better yet why not teach them what God’s Word says about this sin, and all sin. How Jesus died to pay the price for sin? The reason is simple, the world loves sin. They teach that sin is ok, and we should accept it. The Bible clearly says; “Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.” We must judge all wisdom by the unerring Word of God. If God calls something sin, it is sin. Lean into God’s Word. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Our lot in life is not to beat up everyone who disagrees with us. It is to present the Gospel of Christ and allow God, through the Holy Spirit, to do a work in their heart. It is also to be constantly in the Word of God ourselves so we can know the difference.

How will you help today’s culture?

THE WEEK IN REVIEW:

        We have seen over and again that if we would simply Learn To Follow God, and His Word, life would be so much better We saw that this week in:

  ● Lead By Design
  ● Look Again!
  ● Love Or Neglect?
  ● Lesson In Life
  ● Listen To Be Wise
  ● Lean Into God’s Word

      Learn To Follow God and His Word, and enjoy life as it was meant to be.

       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.

Learning To Follow

     

Listen To Be Wise

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023
Daily Reading – Pro. 16-17 / 2 Cor. 2-3

GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 17:27-28 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        God allowed me the privilege of Pastoring a man named Bob who has now gone home to be with the Lord. Bob had many wise sayings and jokes he loved to share with anyone who would listen. One of his sayings was, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let people think you are stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.” I know that is not a Bob original, but I will always remember him whenever I hear it.

      The Bible supports Bob’s saying. It says someone who is a good listener and does not feel the need to talk all the time is believed to be wise. It goes on to say that even a fool can be thought of as wise if they do not say anything to prove otherwise. It has been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we ought to listen twice as much as we talk. Have you noticed that most intelligent people are excellent listeners? It very well could be the reason why they are so wise in the first place. Being wise though is more than just listening. It is also choosing who, and what you listen too as well.

      Today we have a flood of information around us. However, all of it is not beneficial information, as some of it will lead you astray from the will of God. Therefore, it is not only wise to listen, but also to know you are hearing the right things. One thing is for sure, we need to learn to tune out the world a bit more and tune into God’s Word more. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

      Finding a quiet time and place to get alone with God each day is so rewarding. If you do not already have one, I would encourage you to make that a priority in life. Then get alone with God. You know you will be listening to the right things there..

Can you hear God’s still small voice?

     

Lessons Of Life

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023
Daily Reading – Pro. 14-15 / 2 Cor. 1

GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 15:20-21 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        One of the privileges of a Pastor is being with a family at the birth of their child. The smiles and joy this new birth bring, are almost indescribable. The innocence of a child and dependence on the parents creates an instant bond between them. Nevertheless, part of the struggles of being a Pastor is helping a family cope as children make wrong life choices. All the joy and togetherness seem to vanish. Sorrow and grief are left in its place. This often happens as children become young adults and want to be on their own. The love for them is still there, but the question of “why,” starts popping up.

        Some question why God allows a child to do such things. A child they worked so hard with and tried to raise right. Why is a loving God allowing them to turn out so wrong? Parents will blame themselves for their children’s sins. Some begin to blame God. The truth is each child created by God and placed in your care was created with a free will to choose what he or she would do. It is not always the parent’s fault, and definitely not God’s fault. Sometimes both God and parents have tried to give them the wisdom they need, and they refuse it. They must choose to accept the wisdom of knowing God personally and walking with Him on a daily basis. Without that wisdom, the sins or folly of the world seem like joy to them. This is when a family needs the comforting counsel of the church family and guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Now what? Well, never give up. At any age, they are still your children. Never quit praying and asking your church to join you in prayer for them. Lastly, be a loving example of Christ before them. Remember they must choose to live for God. You cannot choose for them.

Is not God still able?

     

Love Or Neglect?

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023
Daily Reading – Pro. 12-13 / 1 Cor. 16

GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        In my personal library is a book written by H. A. Ironside in 1907 called “Notes On Proverbs.” In my copy, published in Feb. 1946, on page 154 Dr. Ironside makes this statement when writing about Prov. 13:24; Quote; “It is not love, but the lack of it, that leaves a child to himself; to develop unchecked, tendencies and propensities which shall result in future sorrow. Ours is a day of great laxity on this point. The coming generation will reap the bitter fruit of the absence of restraint and the evident aversion to chastening, so manifest in the majority of homes.” End quote. This statement was made over one hundred years ago. I ask you to consider, was he right? 

        When people think they have a better way than God’s way, they are in essence saying God is wrong. Today we have a nation full of “me first” adults who have gotten their way for so long they believe this is how it should be. No one wants to tell anyone they might be wrong. If you do, they pout like a two-year old who never learned to handle reproof.

        God’s ways have always been correct. Any correction handed out by God is done in love for the benefit of the one He is correcting. That is the part missing from most corrections today. It is not done out of love, but rather to punish them for interrupting the adult’s life. Correction must be done with love for the child, trying to help them. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        There is a huge difference between correction and child abuse. We ought never allow or be part of child abuse. However, often by NOT making children mind, we are abusing them even more. True love will manifest itself in many ways.

Is letting a child run wild love or neglect?