SEPTEMBER ARCHIVES
September 1st
Psalm 57:11
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.
Outlook from the In Book
What comes to mind when someone says heaven? Golden streets? Mansions? Angels? No sickness? No sin? No work? How about rain? How about sunshine or storm clouds? What about birds and blue skies? Do any of those things come to mind? Usually not. Why? Because we forget about the first heaven that we can see. The heaven that is right above us everyday. Cloudy skies filled with birds and planes and the wind that blows. The wide-open heavens above. How about the Moon? Do you think of the moon when you think of heaven? Mars? Venus? The Milky Way? Stars and planets and solar systems and galaxies? Do these things fill your thoughts of heaven? This is the second heaven. The outer limits of space that we cannot really see completely with the naked eye. That vast region beyond our wildest imagination. No, these are not what we usually think of. We think of that third Heaven where we all want to go and be with Jesus someday. But our Psalmist today did not forget any of Gods created heavens. He said let God be exalted above the heavens and above all the earth. We don’t need to wait to get to the third heaven that we have never seen to praise God. Let us praise Him that He might be exalted today above the heavens that we have and can see everyday.
When we need to think of the magnitude of our
God, just look up in the heavens and see all that He created. All that He
controls. All that He is above and beyond. What a magnificent God we serve. What
an Awesome God.
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September 2nd
John 1:10
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Outlook from the In Book
A few years back I bought a
mini-van and a 100,000-mile warranty. During the time that I had this warranty,
if anything would go wrong with my mini-van, I would take it to the
manufacturer’s representative to have it repaired. Now the warranty is up, (and
as I am sure your aware, more things are breaking now), I now take it to another
mechanic that I know. He continually refers to the manual for that minivan. When
I bring it in and tell him of the funny noise it is making, he gets out a book
and looks to see what parts are going to cost and what parts need to be removed
to replace that part. Why have that book? Because the manufacture that made it
knows what he will need it to keep my minivan running right.
Today our world is in a mess. People
no longer count God as the one true God. Everyone thinks they have a better way
of fixing things. Sounds new and unique to our time doesn’t it? Well it is not.
Even when Jesus was living and visible here on this earth, people were rejecting
him. They saw the miracles and still wondered if He was for real. We have the
owner’s manual in the word of the scripture. He tells us how to fix the
situations in life. But people do not want to look in the book. Through the
church and the Holy Spirit, He is still in the world He made. He is still among
the people that He created. And they still are rejecting His advice. It’s like
tossing out the owner’s manual.
Even God’s people seem too be too lazy to read
the book for advice. They want to have the preacher or television tell them what
God has said. You must be careful. There are still wolfs in sheep’s clothing. If
you don’t know the Book, how do you know if they are right? READ THE BOOK!
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September 3rd
Proverbs 3:9-10
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Outlook from the In Book
My wife and I like to go out to eat occasionally. Not fancy places mind you, nor a dumps either; just a clean place to set and be served a good meal. At lunch one day the lady that waited on us was very courteous. The food was delivered promptly and was good. It came time to pay the bill and I added the tip to the bill as I paid it. As we left my wife asked, “how much did you leave her?” I said I left 15% of the bill. She looked at me with one of those “I can not believe you” looks. (Guys you know what look I mean.) Then she said, “That’s not enough, you should be leaving about 20% today with prices the way they are.” Hey, I’m sorry, but no one had told me of the etiquette change and anyway, didn’t the price of the meal go up too? But anyway, to make a long story short, I now try to leave about 20%. I said all that to say this. When was the last time you sat in church and the offering plate come by, and you tossed in your envelope or cash and someone says you know we ought to be putting in more today with the way prices are. I’m sure that never happened. How about at least giving a tithe? Some people have such a hard time giving 10% to God who gave them everything they have, but have no problem giving a waitress 15-20% who just brought them a burger. If that’s the way you feel then do this. Quit tithing and start tipping God.
Really we should not be guided by a tithe.
From a loving heart for God, we should be willing to give to the Lord through
the local church to help tell others hear what He can do for them. The Bible
says honor God with our first fruits, and He in turn will have no problem
blessing us. It’s not the money He wants; it’s the heart of gladness toward Him.
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There Is Never Reading Scheduled On Sundays |
September 4th
Isaiah 52:14
As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
Outlook from the In Book
The Bible records the days and hours before the crucifixion of Jesus. How that he was beaten with a whip that had large pieces of metal or stone tied into it so that with every strip laid on Jesus it tore large pieces of flesh from His back. During the time He was held he was beaten by hand and with a rod, spit on, and large amounts of hair pulled from His face and scalp leaving bare flesh bleeding in it’s place. A crown of thorns pressed upon His head caused blood to flow down His face. He was blindfolded, slapped and asked who did this. He was led up a stony path carrying the weight of the cross that was to hold Him up to His death. Falling under the weight of this cross He landed on the stony path that dug into His flesh. Nailed through His hands and feet and a spear thrust in His side. Is it any wonder that Isaiah’s prophesy says that people were astonied, or in our words today, horrified, to see Him in such a condition? That to look at Him you would barely recognize Him as a man, much less King of Kings. Yet 500-700 years before Jesus was crucified, in a manner unthinkable to the Jews of the day, God had given a revelation to Isaiah of what would happen to the true Messiah. And it did, just as He said.
Oh what a terrible picture we get in our mind
of our beloved Saviour on that day. But what a great truth is here. God did not
hold back the gruesome truth in His revelation to Isaiah of the horror that
would come to His Son; neither did He mistake the truth when He shares of Jesus’
glorious resurrection. God did not hold back on the truth when it was bad or
good. God did the same with the truth of our home in Heaven and His coming one
day. Praise God for the Hope to come. Keep looking up.
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September 5th
Psalm 61:8
So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Outlook from the In Book
The psalmist understood what it takes to keep our word and promises to God. It takes our praise toward God. And the Bible also makes it clear that God inhabits our praise. The Bible says in Psalm 22:3 “….O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” This verse is probably referring to the tabernacle of praise, a special place where the children of Israel came to worship God. God promised to dwell with them in the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle that was built according to His specification. Today our body is that tabernacle where God through the Holy Spirit dwells. And He still desires sincere praise and worship from His children. The Psalmist said praising God helped him daily perform his vows or promises to God. What promises have you made to God? When you came to Him for salvation did you promise to love Him? Then praise Him for the love He has shown you, the love He has given you and the love He placed within you to be able to love Him and others in return. Did you promise to make Him Lord of your life? Then praise Him for taking someone like you and adopting you into His family. Thank Him for being willing to be your Lord and Provider. Thank Him for allowing you to serve Him in so many ways and not expecting more of you than what He created you to be. Begin to praise the Lord and see if it is true. The Lord does inhabit your praise.
Oh how I love Jesus, Oh how I love Jesus, Oh
how I love Jesus, Because He First Loved Me. What vows have you made to the
Lord? It’s time to praise Him today.
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September 6th
John 5:46
For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
Outlook from the In Book
Have you ever tried to tell someone about Jesus and they ask you a question like, “Do you believe in the God of the Old Testament or the God of the New Testament?” Maybe they didn’t say it that way. Maybe they asked, “Isn’t God and the Old Testament a Jewish God and Jewish book?” I’ve had people say before, “I never hear of Jesus in the Old Testament!” Another said “I’ll only believe the words in red in my Bible, they are what Jesus said.” Well isn’t it great to know that the God of the Old Testament and the New Testament are the exact same God. The God of the Jews is also the God of the Gentiles. And in the red-letter words, Jesus claims that the Old Testament was true. So if we are only going to believe what Jesus says we must believe the Old Testament is true too. And that all the Old Testament pointed to and spoke of the coming Messiah. Jesus was referred to in the promises to the Old Testament leaders and the predictions of the Prophets. Jesus is the focal point of the entire Bible. It has been said that well over 300 prophecies of the Old Testament were fulfilled in one person. JESUS.
God said I am the same yesterday, today and
forever. What a complete sense of security we can have in a never changing God.
He will not treat us one way one day and then because he feels bad treat us
another way tomorrow. He is just and fair and true throughout all of scripture.
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September 7th
Proverbs 7:34
Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
Outlook from the In Book
“Human Sexuality” a term used today to make sexual sin sound more sophisticated. It sounds more scientific than calling it what it is. Adultery is still adultery. Living together outsides the bond of marriage is still sin in God’s eyes. Homosexual acts are called an abomination to God in the Bible. A teenager engaging in sex with adults is pedophilia. Any child engaging in what God reserved for adults in marriage should outrage us. But, it really doesn’t. Instead we are told they’re expressing their “Human Sexuality.” That is another way for society to hide the truth. The truth is they are expressing their “Human Sinfulness.” God so much wanted to warn us about sexual sin that He listed it as part of the Ten Commandments. All of chapter seven in Proverbs warns of the snares of immoral behavior. Sexual sin is addictive, progressive, and destructive. It can destroy a person through destructive relationships, diseases, and addictions that will develop and demolish you. It causes mental anguish and shame. The ways of illicit sexual relations and addictions are as destructive as any other addictive device. “Her house is the way of hell.” Hell here on earth as you struggle to be free from the hold it will have on you and eternal hell if you never give your life over to Christ.
If you’re struggling with sexual addiction or
are involved in sexual sin, turn it over to God immediately. If you’re saved
remember, greater is He that resides in you than all the sin in the world. But
you must give it to God and turn from sin. Find someone you trust and ask for a
partner to help in this matter. If you’re not saved, ask Jesus into your heart
today. He will set you free from all past sin and give you strength for
tomorrow.
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September 8th
Isaiah 61:2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Outlook from the In Book
Want to know about a real long verse in the Bible? Well it might not be long in the amount of words that have been used, but it sure is in the time it refers to. Isaiah 61:2 talks about “The Day Of Our Lord” and “The Vengeance Of Our Lord” Jesus read these very word in the Synagogue in Luke 4:16-21. He read up to the point of where He said “To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD” and then He stopped. Why? Well in the 2nd part of Luke 4:21 He answered that when He said “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” The day of the Lord began for that crowd right then with the Grace of God in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. God’s grace was delivered to us the giving of His Son for the payment and for the penalty of my sin. And that same grace is still in effect today. The vengeance of the Lord has not yet come. That will not come until the time of the tribulation. Seven year in which part of that time God’s wrath will be poured out upon all the earth. At that time the people of the church, the bride of Christ, will have been raptured to be with the groom, Jesus. That is grace for the believer.
Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus. His
grace was sufficient then. His grace is sufficient now. But He will not always
extend that grace. Now is the time. Today is the day of salvation.
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September 9th
Psalm 65:3
Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
Outlook from the In Book
Have you ever heard the phase “there is trouble on every side” or “trouble is everywhere?” Today it seems to be so. We turn on a radio and hear someone using vulgar language. On TV sinful lifestyles are not only portrayed but also applauded. In advertising today, sex is used to sell everything from shampoo to ladies underwear. Wickedness seems to prevail on the street, in our workplace, in our towns, and even now in some churches that have turned a blind eye to the truth of scripture. And with sin so prevalent today, we find ourselves tempted and yes even falling into some of this worldly life from time to time. But for the true Christian this is quickly followed by a time of guilt for our sin and shame in front of God and others. The psalmist had the right feelings when he cried to the Lord “iniquities prevail against me.” His sin became an overwhelming burden to carry. But the last part of that verse makes the first part null and void. There are not a lot of places we can look any longer and not see sin, except up. Look up to Jesus. If you have trusted in Him as Lord and Saviour the Bible says He is the Author and the Finisher of your faith. Ask Him for forgiveness and walk away from that sin in your life. And He shall truly purge them away. Jesus paid it all.
James Nicholson penned the word in a song by the same name that fit so well here. “Whiter that snow, yes whiter that snow; now wash me and I shall be whiter that snow.” Even So Lord Jesus. Amen.
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September 10th
John 9:3
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Outlook from the In Book
If you watch enough so called Christian TV today you are bound to hear some Faith Healing Evangelist suggest to you that if you are sick it is because there is some sort of demon in you that needs to be cast out. Or if it’s not a demon then you have some terrible mortal sin that needs to be confessed. They further go on to tell you where their next meeting is going to be so you can come and be healed. (Hope you don’t die in the meantime, because they also believe that is how you lose your salvation.) But this verse in the Bible tells us clearly that sometimes trials and personal afflictions are not a result of our sin or the result of the sins of others. It’s not a demon that posses us or is even tormenting us. We are made to go through these things because God knows our character and that we will give honor and glory to Him even in the midst of these struggles. He knows that many others might come to see Jesus in the life you live in the midst of your trouble where they might have never seen Him in any other way. Don’t fall into the money pit of lies that tell you just because your in a bad situation you have lost your faith or have been possessed by some demon. If you are possessed by the Holy Spirit, a demon can’t get in there and Jesus says you are kept by the power of God in 1 Peter 1:5. And friend no one is stronger than God. NO ONE.
Romans 8:38 & 39 says it all. “For I am
persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any
other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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There Is Never Reading Scheduled On Sundays |
September 11th
Proverbs 11:14
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Outlook from the In Book
“I’ll make it on my own! I don’t need your help! I am fine by myself!” If you’ve ever raised a teenager you have probably heard similar sayings. But it’s not just teenagers that think this way. Occasionally we all get this Lone Ranger attitude. As a Pastor I’ve heard adults say, “I don’t like to ask for help, or I want to do it on my own.” How about, “I don’t need to attend church.” Or, “I just don’t like people.” Truth be known, we all like people and want people to like us. We somehow are afraid that if people really get know us, they won’t like us. But that is not how God designed us. In fact, God designed us to be around people. Not only is it good to have friends, they help keep us from falling. Today’s verse says just that. With no support network, no friends to hold us accountable and left to our self, we may fall and stumble in sin. Why is that? Even though your heart is given to God, you still live with the old nature. The Bible says “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” When left to think things out, we rationalize sin. That is one reason God created His church. To have a support group of like-minded people that struggle in a daily walk in this world just like you. It’s not a sin to need a friend. But it is a sin not to be a friend. One of the greatest pleasures you’ll ever have is to truly help a friend in a time of need. To know that you made a difference. You want your friends to be happy don’t you? Then let them be of help to you in your spiritual walk with the Lord.
Find a church if you do not have one. In that
church find a friend or group of friends and begin to get to know each other
well. It won’t happen over night. But with time and effort on your part, you can
build a safety net of people that love you. And we all want and need to be
loved.
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September 12th
Micah 4:11 & 12
Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor
Outlook from the In Book
Today there are countries that would like to see the US fall. Some for military reasons and some for revengeful hate. But I suspect even more because of her past history of standing for the Bible and for God. Today we have terrorist attacks on our nation and one of the main reasons they give for these attacks is that we are not believers in their form of religion. Even worse, there are people in the United States that are citizens of this great country that do not want us to be governed by the laws so plainly set up in scripture and that have governed our country for decades. The Bible tells us that a house divided against itself can not stand. With attacks from within and without we have to wonder ourselves, how much longer can this go on? Nations gathered against Israel and rejoiced at her fall. But God was not done with her yet. Now the country and people of Israel are a proud nation again. Nations will again at Armageddon gather against Israel. But God promises to defeat them then. This attitude is just what a lost sinful world does. It looks at today as being forever. But history and scripture tell us that’s not so. Will the US be here forever? Who knows? People do not know the perfect will of God for a nation. Only God knows what is coming tomorrow. Maybe that is why He told us not to take thought of tomorrow, but just worry about today. God will take care of the world no matter what. He will also take care of you if you let Him.
If there were not going to be a tomorrow, what
would you do today?
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September
13th
Psalm 68:19
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.
Outlook from the In Book
Before starting most jobs I would have a talk with the personal director. I would hear what my job was going to be, the building I’d be working in, who my supervisor would be, and so on. Then we got to the good stuff. MONEY! I mean really, that is what I was there for. First I was told of my wage, overtime pay, unemployment, etc. Then they told me about my benefits. I received so many paid sick days, a profit sharing program, paid insurance, holidays paid, retirement package, and more. WOW, Benefits! I like that. Something extra that the company is not required by law to give me, but they are. And not only promising it to me, they wrote it in a contract with me that they have to live up to. At this point I have done nothing to deserve these benefits. But they believe I am going to work for them so they are willing to give me benefits. When I got saved I asked God to free me from sin, cleanse me from unrighteousness and come into my heart. I believed Jesus, the Son of God’s death & resurrection paid the price for my sins. His word promised if I believed He would save me, and He did. But then came the benefits! Not only did He save me and give me a home in heaven, He also put joy in my heart that can’t be explained. He gave me peace of mind and a song in my heart. He has given me wisdom to handle daily affairs, a new purpose and direction to live for. He has taken old habits and freed me from their bondage and gave me freedom to live for Him. All extra stuff that I did not deserve. And He wrote them all down in His Bible to show that He would hold up to His word. BENEFITS!
What joy to know that Jesus loves us and wants
us to receive benefits. The saved life is more than hope for tomorrow, its peace
and joy today. It’s more than salvation from hell, its LIFE, not life to come,
but NOW. And God daily loads us with BENEFITS!
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September 14th
Proverbs 14:4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Outlook from the In Book
I heard a man once say, “It’s really not church that I don’t like, it’s all the people!” And, if we all told the truth, there are weeks that we feel that way. Almost to the point of not wanting to go to church at all. We start thinking of the one who always says something that rubs us the wrong way. Or that person who makes too much noise in the service. Then there’s the nursery where all those babies are crying and I can hear them during the preaching. Oh yes, and the preacher, who I know has heard something about me again this week and is going to preach right at me. You start thinking; I’d be better off watching a TV preacher and worshiping by myself. You know what that is? It is Satan’s demons trying to destroy the church. In fact you can’t have church without people. It will always be true that where there are people there are going to be problems. But it’s also true that where there are people there are going to be the blessings of God. The farmer that wants no mess and gets rid of the oxen has no milk and no plowed field for a crop. What seems good for today is destructive for tomorrow. We need people in our lives. And even more important, people need you in their lives.
God needs you in His church. God wants you
with His church. God created you to be part of His church. So come on, let’s go
to church. The crying babies need you to love them and be a testimony to them.
The preacher only preaches what God gives; the Holy Spirit speaks to the heart.
Maybe its time you to make some noise and say amen once in a while. And the
person that bugs you, LOVE THEM. It will drive them crazy!
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September 15th
John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Outlook from the In Book
Don’t we all want to live our entire life with happiness and no sorrow? Don’t we just want every day to be a day at the zoo, a vacation to an amusement park or time at the beach? Really, that would be everyone’s dream. No unhappy days. But if we never had an unhappy day, then how would we know we were having so much fun? The joy that Jesus spoke of here is a joy in one another. It is about relationships. Even in the midst of a terrible day when everything seems to go wrong, I so much look forward to being with my wife. Just to talk with her and enjoy each others company. It truly brings joy to me to just be with her even if we are not talking or doing something together, I just like being around her. Jesus was telling the disciples, I have shared my heart with you because I want you to know that you bring me joy. Also I want this day to bring you joy when you think of me. That when you have a rough day and things are not going right maybe you will remember me and I can bring you joy. Jesus found great joy in doing His Fathers will. The reason He taught about this way of life is that He knew it would bring us joy too if we would just follow His leading. Jesus commands the disciples to be obedient to the words He had spoken to them because He knew it would bring them joy. Real joy. Everlasting joy.
Would you like your day to go a little better?
Then think on this, Jesus came and died for your sins so that you could have
Eternal joy. No matter how hard today might seem, it is just a speck in time
compared to eternity with Him. Think on Jesus, He can bring you joy.
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September 16th
Jeremiah 2:26, 27
As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets, Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us.
Outlook from the In Book
Children are naughty by nature? You tell them “Do not get into the cookies.” A minute later you turn around and the child gone. Where are they? Probably in the cookie jar enjoying what you told them not to. And when you walk up behind them and say “what are you doing?” it simply scares the socks off them. Why? Not because they have realized the cookie was bad for them at the time! And not because they are sorry for what they have done and will probably never do it again. Yeah right! Why are they upset? “THEY GOT CAUGHT!” Before you get too upset with that little one think about this. When times are going good and everything is ok, do you spend as much time talking and communicating with God as you do when things are bad? If things are going good we find lots of other things to do besides spending time praying. An occasional “thanks God” seems sufficient. But let things get bad and we are on our knees crying out “Oh God help us.” And the worse things are the more time we spend talking with Him. But it is often not until WE GOT CAUGHT! Caught neglecting God. Caught making other things more important to us than God. Caught maybe falling in love with something else and it becomes an idol that has taken the place of God. I wonder if sometimes God does not allow trying times in our life, just so we will stop and talk with Him a bit?
Could it be that our days would be better and
less trying if we spent more of our good time with God and not just our sad
times? I love to talk with happy people more than I do mad people. I believe God
does too!
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September 17th
Psalm 71:7
I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
Outlook from the In Book
Are you considered a WONDER unto many? You should be! People should wonder what in the world happened to you. Friends and co-workers should wonder what happened to the language you used and the jokes that you use to tell and listen to. They should wonder why you won’t go out to the bars or parties with them anymore after work. Your neighbors should wonder why it is that every Sunday morning and Sunday night they see you and your family dressed up and leaving for church instead of having that Bar-B-Q or going to the beach. Your family should wonder why things that would find their way on to your TV set just don’t seem to be there anymore. If you’re living a life for Christ, these wonders have taken place and maybe you don’t notice them. I guess the person that should be most amazed is you? Do you wonder why an almighty God would send His only Son to die for you? Do you wonder why out of the thousands and millions of people around you that God seems to have opened your eyes to the truth and now you are a child of God? Have you ever wondered how it is that God, who knows everything, says that He will remember your sins NO MORE? Oh the WONDER of it all.
God made a choice to send His Son to save your
sins. God made a choice to reveal to you the truths of the gospel so you could
live with Him eternally. God makes a choice to forgive and also to forget your
sins that are washed in the blood. That’s what God has chosen to do for you.
What have you chosen to do for God? BE A WONDER IN THIS WORLD!
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September 18th
John 19:36
For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
Outlook from the In Book
Jesus spent His entire life on earth doing one thing, the will of His Father in Heaven. In doing so He was also automatically fulfilling scripture. The will of God in Heaven would be to bear witness to that fact that His word is always true. Jesus lived, died and rose again to fulfill the Old Testament scriptures, the very words of God. And if we are to be true Christians we need to be Christ like. That means we should be doing as Christ did. Have you ever stopped to think, you should be living to fulfill the words of God. Everyday being all you can be for the Lord so as to draw people unto Him. In fact, you are fulfilling scripture. No matter who you are or whether you are saved or not! God’s word talks about a wide road that leads to destruction. The Bible says that many will follow that road. Look around today, they are. But it also speaks of another road. A narrow road. You might almost think of it as a path. This road leads to everlasting life. But the Bible warns us that few will find it. Scripture is being fulfilled as you live and breathe. The question would have to be, which road of scripture are you helping to fulfill?
What a comfort to know that every word of God
will be fulfilled as it is written. Comforting that is to those of us that know
the Lord. There is a place in Heaven waiting for us. There is going to be a day
that we shall be caught up with Him in the clouds. There will be a time of no
more sin. What comfort that is, unless you don’t know Jesus.
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September 19th
Proverbs 19:17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Outlook from the In Book
Feed the Hungry; Help the Children; Starving in Africa. Every single day it seems there is a new relief program for someone somewhere. People on TV, Radio, in your mail, asking for help for these starving people. And they are telling you the truth, these people do need help. But there are millions of people living within your own country that are starving and are homeless every single day. It is never a bad idea to help others in any part of the world. But I am afraid that for most people, when they put a dollar in an envelope to feed a stranger they miss out on the maximum blessings. If God returns to us what we give to the poor and needy with the right heart toward the Lord, what can you expect from a dollar? I guess a dollar! But what if you were to put your arms around someone and would show them some love? What would God give you back? LOVE! What if you were to take a little time out of your month and donate it to the local shelter for the homeless? If you donate time what would you get back? TIME. How about if you spent a little time praying for someone that was in need? What would you get in return? Someone lifting you up with your needs and God’s ear attentive. For a dollar a dollar. But for time – Precious time. For prayer – sweet communion with God. For Love – The love of God in return. What would you rather have? A dollar?
Spend a little time with God today and ask Him
how you might be able to benefit those who are a little less fortunate than you
right now. We never know, that could very well be us one day.
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September 20th
Jeremiah 9:23, 24
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Outlook from the In Book
It would almost seem as Jeremiah the prophet was writing these words to the people on earth today. In the technological society that we live in, education seems the benchmark for success. But all the wisdom we have seems to cause us to need more wisdom to continually compete. A benefit seems to be that this wisdom has brought us to an age where people are living longer and health and exercise have taken a front row in the minds of many today. If we can get healthier and wiser we can live longer and get more things, more wealth. But at the end of it all our health does seem to fail us. No matter how well we have taken care to do all we can, this body begins to break down. The wisdom we had that was relevant 20 years ago has become obsolete. Microchips have replaced transistors; CD’s have taken over cassettes. Time marches on. And the money we colleted over a lifetime is not as valuable as it once was. In fact it seems to cost everything we have just to live. Man’s wisdom, his might and his money will someday all seem to fail him. But one type of wisdom never fails. If you were wise enough to accept Christ as Saviour, Jesus never fails. Real wisdom finds its strength and wealth in Jesus.
In a hymn we sing it says; Jesus never fails,
Jesus never fails, heaven and earth may pass away, but Jesus never fails. How
long is never? For Jesus never is forever. Jesus will be yours for eternity
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September 21st
Psalm 73:24
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
Outlook from the In Book
Isn’t it great to know that if we will allow Him to, God will direct our daily lives? On a daily basis God desires to direct our paths. He wants to guide us into ways of righteousness for His names sake. He said He would never leave us nor forsake us. He is there ever step of every day. What a comfort to know that the creator of the entire universe cares for us. The very God who made the moon, stars, and planets and keeps it all going 24 hours a day 365 days a year, also at this very moment in time cares about our hopes, dreams and desires. That all through our life He is willing to be our counsel and guide on daily matters. And when it is time for us to leave this place, he has prepared for us a home in glory, and will receive us there someday. WOW! What a Saviour! What a God!
This is the day that the Lord has made, so let’s all rejoice and be glad in it.
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September 22nd
Acts 3:24
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.
Outlook from the In Book
Often in our advertising we will see phrases like, “3 out of 4 Dentist agree.” Or maybe its “85% of 100 people surveyed found those who have followed this advise are satisfied customers today.” Those statistics sound pretty good and cause us to take note. There are a couple of problems with them however. First we do not know who these four dentists are. They could be four dental students just graduating college and the company has hired them for lab research. (I wonder if the fourth one still works there.) Also 85% of 100 people sound good, but how many did they ask before they got that percentage? They may have asked 1000 people and 915 said they didn’t like it. But if you toss out the first 900, then 85 out of 100 did like it. That’s 85%. We don’t know how their data is collected. But what if someone could say 100% of the time our statements are true. Or 4 out of 4 agree? That’s what the Bible says about Jesus and prophets. It says all the prophets were speaking of Jesus. Every one that opened their mouth spoke of Him. Not most, 85% or 3 out of 4. Not one was speaking of another god or idol. It says that all of them recorded in the pages of the Bible that prophesied of a coming messiah were referring to Jesus. Now those are some impressive statistics.
If all those people in the Old Testament felt
it important to speak of a coming Messiah, should we not feel it is just as
important to tell of that same risen Saviour. And tell them He is coming again.
Tell someone of Christ today. You will both be better off for it.
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September 23rd
Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Outlook from the In Book
Those of us who have had to diet to maintain our weight know all to well the temptations of food. And yet our friends, thinking that somehow they’re doing us a favor by giving us permission to eat say things like, “Go ahead and eat it, you deserve it” or “Lets worry about our diet tomorrow, today lets just eat.” Sometimes we are strong enough to say “No.” But sometimes, probably too often, we give in to our desires and eat whatever is put before us. Knowing how hard it will be to make up for what we have just eaten, we do it anyway. Why do we do that? It’s our nature to live for today and self gratification. It’s not that we can’t ever have those days, we can. But they should be prepared for, planned on and then enjoyed with no remorse. It’s those unexpected days that hurt us most. Have friends thought of our total well being when they say “Go ahead?” Not really. They’re not intentionally trying to hurt us. The fact is it’s easier to just think of seeing us happy now than to figure out what it will do to our heath and self-esteem latter. When it all boils down to it, we are the only ones that control ourselves and our dietary habits. Life is the same way. People in the world that do not know God tell others to live for today. Life is too short to be miserable. But with no plan for tomorrow they miss out on the greatest joy of all, Jesus. Jesus has a plan for today that you can enjoy now and an eternal future that is even better. Which plan of life sounds best to you? In the end, you have to choose.
Life is too short not to enjoy it. But living
life without Christ is not joy. In fact He said I came that you might have life
more abundantly. Christ brings real life, real joy and a real plan for the
future. Choose Christ.
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September 24th
Jeremiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings
Outlook from the In Book
When God originally created man, He did so looking at us as a perfect creature. His perfect creation. To make us perfect He gave us characteristics such as He has. A mind to think with, the will to choose, and a heart full of emotions. But in doing so, He also gave us opportunity to mess up. And so it goes, we did, and still do. A mans heart, thoughts, and will have become corrupted by the sin that Satan introduced to man in this world. The verse just before Jeremiah 17:10 says that our hearts are “desperately wicked: who can know it?” The answer, God. God knows our hearts even better than we do. He knows what we really desire. Our verse today says “I try the reins.” What do reins do when put on a horse? They are used to direct this large animal to stop and go, or to go left or right. What would be the reins of a person? Well that would be the mind or the heart of a person. Your mind tells you to stop doing something, or start doing something, or to go here or there. God knows the mind of a person. So ask yourself, what does your mind and heart really want? You can see the answer as God does. By your ways and doings. Where do you go? What do you do? Who do you hang out with? How often does that include God? If you don’t like the answers to these questions, maybe you better get a firmer grip on the reins! Or better yet, let God have them.
As the day goes by, ask God to keep your mind
on things that would be glorifying to Him. And when you find your mind
wandering…wander back over toward God.
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There Is Never Reading Scheduled On Sundays |
September 25th
Psalms 76:7
Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
Outlook from the In Book
I remember once (only once) as a young boy sitting on the steps of our house with a neighborhood friend and my dad said, “Come in son, your mom said it’s time to eat.” My friend said, “tell him no, you’re not coming.” And with no thought I did. One of the dumbest things I ever did. Before I could turn to see if he was coming, I felt my body lifted from the steps and a piece of leather snapped across my rear end a few times. I was told, “Don’t ever talk back to me or mom like that again!” To which I promptly agreed. And as I remember, I pretty much kept that promise. Latter my dad took me to the local Five and Dime store and bought me a cherry coke. The real kind with real cherries made at the fountain. He never once said he was sorry for spanking me. But as I tried to sit and drink my soda I knew by this gesture he was saying he still loved me. This verse asks a question. Who