Quote Of The Day

Since we will be heading out tomorrow morning and are finalizing the remainder of things here in Dayton (shutting down Internet) I am sending the Funny Friday Quote early.  After today, we will no longer have access to it until we get Internet access in Dallas.  We are so excited to announce that our Pastor will be ordaining Jeff this coming August and thus answering another prayer.  As we begin to see and continue to follow the path that God is placing before us, we can’t wait to start the church in San Antonio, Texas.  We will be a sister church to our current church and look forward to all that God is going to be doing throughout this nation.   We will also be launching Sword Ministries via the internet where it and Quote of the day will fall under our church to become a part of a bigger ministry.    Jeff and I will continue to pray for you all and can’t wait to share more adventures with you.

In Christ’s Love,

Christy

Funny Friday Quote:  What’s wrong with my wife?

     “A doctor came into a hospital room and told the patient’s husband to wait outside while he examined his wife.  A few minutes later the doctor came out and asked a nurse’s aide if she could get him a pair of pliers.  She did, and he went back into the patient’s room.  Five minutes later he came out and asked for a hammer, the anxious husband demanded to know what was wrong with his wife.  “I don’t know yet,” the doctor said.  “I can’t get my bag open.” (Executive Speechwriter Newsletter)

Bible verse of the day:  Mark 6:31

“And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest while.”  For there were many coming and going, and they did not eve have time to eat.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today ends another week and begins another weekend.  Father, as we head out today, I pray that You continue to guide us for Your Will and show us the things that we need to know for today.  Give us peace as we head into a new area, a new adventure waiting, and new people that we get to meet.  Father, I pray for individuals that don’t know You as their Lord and Savior.  Continue to speak into their hearts and may they hear that ever so gentle voice calling them.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Story of the day:  Every child of God has equal access.

     We often see preferential treatment in high class eating facilities, hotels, and designated areas that if people are willing to pay top dollar for can get the “priority” treatment. 

     Richard De Haan writes in Equal Access, Pastor Stuart Silvester told me of a conversation he had with an acquaintance who frequently flew his small private plane in and out of Toronto International Airport.  He asked the pilot if he ever encountered problems taking off and landing a small craft at an airport that was dominated by so many large jets.  His friend responded, “My plane may be small, but I have the same rights, the same privileges, and the same access to the airport as anyone else–even the jumbo jets!”

     Pastor Silvester than made this spiritual application:  “It’s the same with prayer, with the believer’s approach to the throne of grace.  No matter who we are or how small we are in comparison with others or how low our situation in life, we take a back seat to on one.  On one is given priority treatment.”

     In a world that offers preferential treatment, it’s encouraging to know that every child of God has equal access to the Father in Heaven.  The psalmist said, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).

     With the assurance, we can “come boldly to the throne of grace” in prayer, knowing that our loving God will never turn us away.”

Quote of the day:  Author Unknown

“Prayer is an open line to Heaven.”

Bible verse of the day:  Hebrews 4:16

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You that I can come boldly to Your throne and You will never turn me away.  Just as the writer today wrote, it is encouraging to know that I have just as equal access as anyone else and when I call upon You in truth, You are always near.  I thank You for this day and as we finalize the things here in Dayton, I pray that the trip tomorrow goes smoothly, and for safe travel.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Story of the day:  Why is this happening to me?

     Whenever we get into a desperate situation and find ourselves at what seems to be “rock bottom”, we always seem to question God and ask Him, “Why is this happening to me?”  I found a great story that illustrates this scenario in a loving way.

     Cindy Kasper writes in Growth Persuasion, “My Uncle Lester, who lives in Florida, was discouraged by the lack of fruit on his grapefruit tree.  Someone told him he needed to whack the trunk of the tree a few times with a board.

     Apparently, there is some truth to this unusual method of encouraging growth.  One gardening expert says:  “At times, the flowering hormone in the tree seems to get stuck and no flowers appear.  Carefully persuade the tree to flower by shocking it.  Hit the trunk…several times, which will cause small bruises in the bark.”  This advice may stimulate growth.

     When trouble comes into our lives, we sometimes feel as if we’ve been hit broadside.  We feel desperation and then we wonder, Why is this happening to me?

     One possibility is that God is using a painful experience to get our attention.  In Psalm 119:71, David wrote, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”  And Hebrews 12:11 says that chastening “yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.”

     Is God using pain in your life to lovingly persuade you to change?  The season of trouble may not be easy, but if we let ourselves be trained by it, new growth will result as we become more like His Son”

Quote of the day:  Author Unknown

“Affliction for God’s people can be the pruning knife to prepare us for greater fruitfulness.”

Bible verse of the day:  Philippians 3:10

“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Just as a parent disciplines a child out of love, I know that You do the same for me.  Father, just as David wrote that it is good to be afflicted so that I may learn Your statutes.  I pray that You continue to prune me with a preparedness of attaining greater fruit.  The pain in my life that I have experienced has taught me a lot, and with these experiences I am now able to share them with others that they too may know that You delievered me from them and that You held true to Your Word.  Father, I pray for those that may be asking the question, Why is this happening to me?  I pray that they too will see You in the situation and seek You for their answer.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Story of the day:  Commitment

     “Do you sometimes wish that others had the same commitment to getting something done that you do?  Do such feelings cause you to grumble and complain?  Remember the disciples of Jesus and how often they had let Him down?  They often didn’t understand what He was doing.  They couldn’t stay awake for prayer, Peter denied the Lord, Thomas doubted–and yet Jesus remained faithful to them.  He was able to do so, because His first priority was the mission God had given Him.

     If God has given you a work to do, you may ask God to supply others who can help, but press on in obedience, even in the absence of helpers.” (Nick Harrison)

Quote of the day:  Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“When you have helpers, see all your helpers in God.  When you have many helpers, see God in all your helpers.  When you have nothing but God, see all in God; when you have everything, see God in everything.  Under all conditions, stay thy heart only on the Lord.” 

Bible verse of the day:  Psalm 54:4

“Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being my helper.  Thank You for sending those to help that are part of the plan that You have set before me.  Father, just as Spurgeon has said, let me see You in everything that I do.  The people that You send to help, may I see You in them.  May I continue to press on in obedience so that I can move forward with the mission that You have set before me.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Funny Friday Quote (Happy 4th!!):  Medical Terms Defined

Benign:  What you be after you be eight.

Artery:  The study of paintings.

Bacteria:  Back door to cafeteria.

Barium:  WHat doctors do when patients die.

Caesarean section:  A neighborhood in Rome.

G . I. Series:  World Series of military baseball.

Hangnail:  What you hang your coat on.

Labor pain:  Getting hurt at work.

Medical staff:  A doctor’s cane.

Nitrates:  Cheaper than day rates.

Recovery Room:  Place to do upholstery.

Tablet:  A small table.

Terminal illness:  Getting sick at the airport.

Tumor:  More than one.

Urine:  Opposite of you’re out.

Bible verse of the day:  Charles Stanley

“Attitude and the spirit in which we communicate are as important as the words we say.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

It is so important that when I speak to choose my words carefully so that I might be a hope and an encouragement to those around me.  Father, let my soul live, according to Your Will, that I shall praise You all the days of my life.  I pray for a safe weekend, and for safe travel for my parents that are flying in from Dallas.  Continue to give us rest through this move and may we continue on this road that You have set before us.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Story of the day:  What’s in you will spill out”

     As Christians, we aren’t exempt from being angry or upset.  God has given us emotions, but the way that we handle the emotions can be a test beyond measure.  I was reading a little story written by Richard De Haan called Inside Out that I thought did a great job in illustrating this example.

     He referred to a missionary by the name of Hudson Taylor who while giving a sermon filled a glass with water and placed it on a table in front of him.  As he was speaking, he pounded his fist hard enough to make the water splash onto the table.  He then explained, “You will come up against much trouble.  But when you do, remember, only what’s in you will spill out.

     That’s worth thinking about, isn’t it?  When we are mistreated or misunderstood, how do we respond?  With loving words, patience, and kindness?  Or are we inclined to retaliate in anger?

     When we live under the control of the Holy Spirit, we will show it by the way we react to the jolting trials and temptations of life.  How we respond to trying, embarrassing situations, that are suddenly thrust upon us is a good test of how much we have grown in grace.

     It is possible to suppress frustration and anger, and to appear undisturbed to people around us.  But if our heart is full of the Savior’s love, we will respond to the jostling of an unexpected trial with genuine patience and kindness.  Like a full glass of water, what’s inside of us will spill over on the outside.”

Quote of the day:  Our Daily Bread

“When trouble grows, your character shows.”

Bible verse of the day:  Mark 7:20

And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I pray that You continue to direct my steps by Your Word and give me understanding according to Your Word.  You are my keeper and my protector.  Father, I ask that You continue to do a move throughout this nation.  I pray for the church in general that mighty men and women arise and start listening to the call that You have for each of them.  Father, we are living in a different time, and as such, I pray that through these times, You will shine through situations and Your Word is spread like wild fire so souls are saved.  Father use me as Your vessel to reach those that don’t know You and continue to build in me, if it’s Your Will, a zeal that will consume me all the days of my life.  Father, I love You and I thank You for this day!  Continue to guide us with our move and as we prepare for an upcoming busy week, may we stay focused on You and look a

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

                                                                                                  Story of the day:  Our Past

   “Our past, mistakes as well as worthwhile accomplishments, is like a car’s rear-view mirror.  While driving, we use the broad view through the windshield as we move ahead, but we also use the mirror for reference, making quick, periodic glances into it for information to aid in making driving decisions.  Although we cannot effectively or safely move ahead by staring only into the mirror and ignoring the view from the windshield, “proper” use of the mirror doesn’t ensure a safer, smoother trip to our destination.

   In the same way, we are not to dwell in our past, but live by using the lessons of the past as a reference to aid our journey into the future.” (Green)

Quote of the day:  Will Rogers

“Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”

Bible verse of the day:  Proverbs 20:24

“A man’s steps are of the LORD; how can a man understand his own way?”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

There are so many times when I can lose sight of your goodness because I get so focused on my past.  Instead, just like the story illustrated, I should not dwell in the past but live by using the lessons of the past as a reference to aid in the future.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

                                                                                                                  Story of the day:  Are you gonna get the door?

     Before people come over to our home, I typically like to have things in order.  We as a family will vacuum, maybe dust (if time permits), make sure the kitchen is clean, and the bathroom is wiped down (we have boys).  You know what I am talking about, that “quick cleaning” to make things smell nice.  I am lucky to get the upstairs picked up and the laundry folded and put away before our guests arrive.  While our cleaning is underway, there have been times that we haven’t heard the doorbell or the knock of our guests.  The funny thing is that they never left, they stayed the entire time until we finished cleaning and waited patiently to enter our home (probably laughing because they would be doing the same thing

     “Before God sent His Son to earth, people’s ability to know God was limited.  But when God took on human form, in the person of Jesus Christ, people could know Him fully and tangibly.”  Revelation 3:20 paints a powerful picture of Jesus “standing at the door of the church, knocking.  He wants to enter, to be welcomed to fellowship.  He desires to enter our hearts and lives.  Notice, however, the He allows us to open the door for ourselves.  Jesus doesn’t force His will on us, pounding at the door or prying it open; instead, He stands and knocks politely.

     The church at Laodicea had become ”lukewarm”; that is, they had allowed their passion for Christ to cool and had become enamored with themselves and their wealth instead.  Eventually, Jesus was no longer with them.  Thus He was standing on the outside, knocking, hoping to get their attention so that He might enter and change their lives.

    Where is Jesus for you?  Outside or inside?  Is He a stranger, or do you “share meals” together?  Do you seek daily to know Him and His will for you?  What concerns occupy your thoughts?  Relationships?  Career?  Possessions and power?  Perhaps even survival?  Do they threaten to push Jesus to the fringe of your life?

     So, turn off the vacuum long enough to hear his knock and “whatever your situation, know that the Lord is standing near and is ready for You to hear His gentle knock.  Push through the clutter and open the door” and then welcome Christ into your home and “give Him His rightful place in your life.” (Livingstone) 

Quote of the day:  C. H. Spurgeon

“Happiness is obedience, and obedience is happiness.”

Bible verse of the day:  Revelation 3:20

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to Him and dine with Him, and He with Me.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I don’t want You on the outside of my home, but on the inside at all times.  I wish to fellowship with You everyday and to lean on You for all things in my life.  As I walk this road in life, may I continue to do Your Will and not my own.  Father, You are there knocking at the door no matter what my home looks like.  You request entrance into it and if I allow the distractions of this world into my life, then I won’t be able to hear You knock, and for that I am sorry.  Thank You for continued patience and for this day that You have blessed me with.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen   

                                                                                                 Story of the day:  Come

   When a child has gotten hurt, he usually heads straight for the person that can comfort him at that moment.  A caretaker is there to place a bandage on the wound in order that the healing may start.  I have never seen a child run away and not want to get a kiss on the “booboo” or a bandage to mark the spot of the infamous “hurt”.  Instead, the child wants healing and love to comfort them and let them know that everything is going to be alright.  The child comes to the caretaker, because he feels safe and close to them.

   “There are none of us so close to Him but that we may be nearer, and the secret of our daily Christian life is all wrapped up in that one word, “come”.  Nearness is what we are to pursue, and that nearness is capable of indefinite increase.  We know not how close to his heart we can lay our aching heads.  We know not how near to his fullness we may bring our emptiness.  We have never reached the point beyond which no closer union is possible.” (Alexander Maclaren)

   ‘There’s a bumper sticker that says, “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?”  God is always in pursuit of us, and yet we so seldom, “come” to Him.  Instead, it seems, we prefer to “go.”  We may go to church, go to Christian concerts, even go to seminars to hear the greatest Bible teachers.  All of this is fine–after we obey the most elemental instruction of Jesus:  “Come.”‘ (Charles Sheldon) 

Quote of the day:  Christy Povolish

“He is the best caretaker in your life and knows exactly where to place that bandage so that the healing can take place and you can start living.”

Bible verse of the day:  Matthew 11:28

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

So many times, I want to be that person that wants to go, go, go, and You remind me how simplistic the instructions in Your Word are to just “come”.  Life is so much easier when I just “come” to You and hear the things that You are telling me as I lay my head on You for comfort.  Father it is great that You have gifted many in the ability to speak Your Word, but it does me no good, when I can’t even listen to greatest speaker of all, You.  Father, something great is about to happen in our nation, and across the world.  You are gearing up to do a move so great, that people won’t even understand and they will just want to worship.  Father, I am so excited about starting Your church in Texas.  It’s like our worship pastor’s CD is called, Now, but not yet.  I am ready now, but our time is not yet.  As you continue to prepare us and as we move forward with Your plans in the church, may we soak up all the things that You will have us to learn and equip us with people that are willing to serve for the Kingdom.  I thank You for this day and a hope of tomorrow!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Funny Friday Quote:  Ron Dentinger

“These are tough times.  But I’m not the only one with problems.  My bank returned a sixty-five dollar check marked “INSUFFICIENT FUNDS.”  I can’t believe they don’t have sixty-five dollars.”

Bible verse of the day:  Psalm 40:3

“He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.”

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I will continue to sing songs of praise to You everyday of my life.  Father as the move draws near and the things around me seem to be out of order, I will trust in You to give me the peace that I need to get through it.  As I look to You as my Ultimate source of strength, I will walk daily in knowing that You will be there to comfort and guide me in this new endeavour.  As I look to today with excitement, gearing up for all the adventures that the day may hold, I pray that You will use me to share Your wonderful News with others, that they may come to know You as their Lord and Savior, and have a personal relationship with You.  I thank You for this day!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen