Mountain Streams

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023
Daily Reading – Pro. 24-25 / 2 Cor. 7

GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Have you ever been near a cool mountain stream? The snow that has fallen on the mountaintop slowly melts in the heat of the noonday sun. The result is a flow of pure, clear water that will stream down to the valleys below. That water is as crystal clear as a pane of clean glass. Not only is it transparent, but it is also refreshingly cold. To someone who may be working hard at the base of the mountain on that day, this cool clear water is like a blessing from God for a hard day’s work. One would almost need to be careful, so as not to drink too much of it and become bloated. Nevertheless, it just tastes so cool, so good, and so refreshing.

        Our verses today tell of the same goodness. Just as the invigorating and thirst-quenching cold water that comes from the snow on a mountaintop to the workers in the valley below, so refreshing is a messenger who brings faithful truth to comfort our very soul.

        The truth of God’s saving grace is, as Proverbs 25:11-13 say, like apples of gold in a silver bowl and fine jewels to the wearer. Like a cool, refreshing, drink of water on a hot day. The good news, or the Gospel as it is called, is also valuable and refreshing to the soul, burdened down under the sin of today. Could you like to be God’s faithful refreshing messenger of this good news to some needy soul today?. 

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        Not only is the message a comfort to the hearer, but also the messenger refresheth the one who sent them. Oh, would you want to be that for the Lord today? To be refreshing to Him as a cool mountain stream, as we deliver His message of good news.

Will you refresh our God today?

     

More Sure Words

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023
Daily Reading – Pro. 22-23 / 2 Cor. 6

GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 22:20 Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

 GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

        Solomon, in writing to his son, says; “Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,” His statement is one we would do well to think over. Can it really be that these words of Solomon written in the book of Proverbs are sound counsel and relevant knowledge to us all, or are they the writings of a father only to his son? Are they words meant for all ages, or simply historic records of a father’s wishes for his family? You will find reference to the Book of Proverbs used throughout the remainder of the Old Testament. However, is that enough to hold them as time-honored truths?

        Well, consider if you will that four of the writers of the New Testament also found them to be of immense value and used them in their writings as well. Paul uses them in Romans 12:19-20. James used these writings in Chapter 4 verse 6 of his book. Peter quoted these time-honored texts in 1 Peter 4:8, 17 & 18 and 2 Peter 2:22. In the book of Jude, verse twelve these great words of wisdom are once again recalled. I guess most important of all, Jesus Himself used a reference to Proverbs 25:6-8 when he addressed the Pharisees in Luke 14:7-11. We have five witnesses, one of them Jesus Himself, who say these are incredibly good words to live by indeed. We can trust them to be just what Solomon said they were, words of wisdom, knowledge, and wise counsel to live by, still today.

 GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

        We should never have to prove God’s Word. Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that we can, and that we have as 2 Peter 1:19 says “…a more sure word of prophecy…” with which to guide our daily lives.

Is there a more certain word than that of the words of God Himself?

     

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?