Thank you friends

Prov 27:17  Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 

To each of my friends I offer you thanks and love from my heart. To everyone who has shared with me, given something to encourage, to understand, to warn to correct, or to bring laughter, thank you. Young people with their energy and smiles and older people filled with the spirit and faithful; thank you. Ministries together past and present, thank you for adding to my life. In case you think you do not matter, you do. Just be yourself and share good things with others. We share our hope that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our best friend.

John 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 
John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 
John 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 
John 15:15  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 

Eaglewings Ministries

Legalistic Error

From the 2001 Eaglewings Daily Bible lessons, The Book of Acts.

Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

These were the Judaizers, insisting that new converts first keep the Jewish old testament covenant, including circumcision. Paul addresses this in the Epistle to the Galatians. We are not to be put back under the law.

Gal 5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Paul probably more then anyone new the law and grace. He knew that the law was not to be imposed on the new believers, but that by grace ye are saved.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
++++++
This morning thinking about legalism I see some churches that claim to be more spiritual as being full of legalistic teachings. The denominations are divided because of differences. All true Christian churches say that Jesus Christ is Lord. Salvation is through his finished work on the cross; grace received by faith in Jesus. We can get along so long as Jesus is the way of salvation. To add any other requirement is legalism. Churches differ, the Pastors have different visions and purposes. Find a church and grow in the word of God. Jesus is Lord, let people have liberty to grow in him and give room for minor differences. 

Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 
Rom 14:2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 
Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 
Rom 14:4  Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 
Rom 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 
Rom 14:6  He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 
Rom 14:7  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 
Rom 14:8  For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 
Rom 14:9  For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 
Rom 14:10  But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 
Rom 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 
Rom 14:12  So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 
Rom 14:13  Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 
Rom 14:14  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 
Rom 14:15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 
Rom 14:16  Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 
Rom 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 
Rom 14:18  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 
Rom 14:19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 

Fire

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 

John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 

Fire is a consumer. The Bible speaks of evil souls cast into the fire where they are not consumed. I see things as I look at the fire, perhaps just my imagination. Do you see things in these fire images?

Mat 25:41  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 


Rev 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. 

Mic 3:10  They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. 

Mic 3:11  The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. 

Mic 3:12  Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. 

The LORD told Micah to speak his words. The people want to hear prophets with easy words and there is no repentance.

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 

Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

Be Kind

I read of acts of violence, I hear words from those who are in high places that incite racism and death to babies. I see illegal laws being passed and our constitution ignored. Why am I bringing up this negative reality? Because we have a better way in Jesus Christ. We are to be kind. Those who have the greatest impact are those who are kind; So let us be loving, gentle and kind in a nation growing more and more frustrated and violent. We know who we belong to. God's son suffered violence and even from the cross he was forgiving and kind. Be kind to one another and be like Jesus.

 

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

 

Col 3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

Bring hope to others with gentle loving kindness. Bring Jesus to the seekers and bring a better way to live. Be like Jesus.

It's all about me?

Last night I was at a rehearsal of the college symphonic band. The conductor is a high spirited man who has led the band with enthusiasm for over thirty years. In recent years he married a younger woman from England who was a music major at the college. She is gifted to play several instruments and sits next to me in the trombone section. She stood up, leaving her horn on the chair and walked over to the conductor's podium and with baton in hand she directed the band with precision as the conductor was out in the theater seating area. She conducted two of our selections for next week's concert and then returned to her seat. I am not sure if this was planned, but when he returned he commented on how wonderful the band sounded and how blessed he was to have such a talented wife. Now, he could have been jealous when the band clapped enthusiastically, but he was gracious and humble. Truth is, he has never been angry or judgmental in all the years I have known him. The point is that we each are gifted in some way. Some have been at it longer than others, built up a ministry, kept the faith. Yet, others may step in to move things along and each brings something different to the fullness of the body of Christ. We are not to be jealous , envious, competitive or spiteful, for the ministry is the Lord's and he moves through his yielded vessels as he wills. Rather than complain about a lack of a gift in a person, perhaps you are meant to fill the missing gift? One person may be gifted in one area, but others are stronger in other areas of need in the body of Christ. We come together in unity and love in one spirit, we are one in Christ.

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 
Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Simple truth

I believe that the simple things of life are most profound. Life is a gift nurtured by love. We are made to love God and one another. In the pursuit of "success" power or wealth, the simple things are often neglected, ignored or even walked on. When it is the final day what will you hang onto? Have you built a business only to see it decline? Have you had crusades like Billy Graham and in the final years see your nation in gross sin? Why look at the sin if you have people around you who love you and care for you? Isn't this the greatest success in life, and the eternal greatest thing is our love for God and his love for us.

2Ti 4:7  I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 

Paul was ready to die in Rome for the faith of Jesus Christ that he had faithfully proclaimed. He knew that he would receive a reward from Jesus for his service.

2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Paul, as a human at the end looked for the love and fellowship of friends.

2Ti 4:9  Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 

2Ti 4:10  For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 

He was saddened by those who had fallen away and friends who were far away. Also people who betrayed him like Alexander the coppersmith in verse 14.

In the end Paul had only a few who gave him the love and fellowship he needed.

2Ti 4:11  Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 

2Ti 4:12  And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 

Mark, who as a young man was rejected by Paul because he was not able to endure the hardness of ministry, now had become one of Paul's closest friends. It was faithful Luke and Mark who gave Paul love and fellowship at the end. Keep going, you may stumble along the way, but you are loved and God's love will carry you across the finish line.

Anniversaries

 

 

My son and daughter in law are about to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. It was only 15 years ago that we celebrated our 25th anniversary. I married Faye who had a handsome three year old son from a previous marriage. He was married at the age of 18 and joined the Marines and was in the Operation Desert Storm war. He is quite a gifted son and a good husband and father who loves the Lord.

 

Thinking back 15 years; this was when we began the Eaglewings ministry online. The Internet was a new thing in 1998 for most people and AOL was the starting place for most people. This gave us a lot of people to chat with and several hundred were led to Jesus.

 

Israel had feasts and Sabbath days to remember. They were to remember their covenant of the law. We are to remember the cross of Jesus and our faithfulness to him. Anniversaries are to remember the good things of the past and covenants that were made. The antichrist spirit is trying to erase the good traditions of our past and to replace them with ungodly laws and sinful ways. We are to remember and keep the things that are good and holy.

 

Jer 6:16  Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

The Apostle Paul gave us reminders too.

2Ti 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 1:14  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

We are to remember the good things, the promises made and hold fast to them. My folks were married 65 years and our covenant with Jesus is forever.

Fall back, but not away

In the Fall we fall back an hour to be off of daylight saving time and back to normal. I like the extra hour that we gain this way. Sometimes we need to take time to fall back and to seek the LORD's presence and his direction for our life. We do not fall away and hide from the LORD and our problems, Jesus loves us and we take our problems to him. As I was reading in Amos 9, the chapter was about God's judgement on his own people Israel. They had left him for other gods and he was telling them that they could not hide from him, they would be judged. The story ends with a promise of restoration for a remnant who would return to the land and it would be rebuilt and the land would produce an abundance of good things. This is happening and it refers to a time when they would be ruled by a righteous king. This king is Jesus at his second coming. These things are coming very soon, so fall back and pray and be refreshed, but do not hide from God. The safest place is in Jesus and he is in you.

 

Amos 9:1  I saw the Lord standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

 

Luke 21:26  Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

 

Jer 23:24  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

It is terrible thing to run from the wrath of God. Where can you go, that he is not there?

 

Jude 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

The greatest thing we have is his love and the Holy Spirit, his truth and power with us. Fear God, but not the things that are coming. Pray for his peace and his salvation in our land.

Someone Cares

Our Pastor has said that people do not care about what you know, they want to know that you care. Some care only about themselves, but when we are touched by God, then we are able to care about others. Sunday we were in our weekly visit to a care center for the elderly; we have a dedicated group who minister through music and the word of God. We love the people who are there. Some cannot speak well, but one lady opened up to us and testified of the love of God for her. She was so glad that Jesus' love for her did not depend on her performance. Still she was a witness for him with her testimony and her gentle nature and friendly smile.

Often in these care centers there are birds in cages that sing along with our music. I suppose the people in these homes often feel caged, but they are cared for and that is good. We noticed a lady who had a lovely voice who would awaken from her dozing in her wheelchair and begin to sing along with our old hymns. The lady is a hundred years old. We asked her to sing the Old Rugged Cross with us. She sang along with us, and then she testified that her mother played the organ in church and she learned all the hymns from singing with her. Back in our church the Pastor's two year old grandson sang for us. He was learning early the praise of our Lord.

Jesus cares for you.

 I once had an Internet chat room entitled "Someone Cares." People often do not care and if we fix our hopes on others caring for us, we may be disappointed. Jesus cares for us. We serve by his Spirit and his love in us. He reaches out to others through our obedience to him.

John 10:13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 
1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1Pe 5:11  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

No matter how often we fail him, Jesus is there to lift us up again because he loves us.

Pray for all men

1Ti 2:1  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 
1Ti 2:2  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 
1Ti 2:3  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 
1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 
1Ti 2:5  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 
1Ti 2:6  Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 

One may ask why it is that we are to pray for all people? Jesus didn't pray for all people did he?

John 17:6  I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 
John 17:7  Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 
John 17:8  For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 
John 17:9  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 
John 17:10  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 
John 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 

Jesus prayed for those who had a covenant relationship with him. Why are we to pray for all men? The answer is in verse two:  that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. If we were to sow hate we would receive hate in return. Have you heard of hate crimes? Whatever that may be, we are to be harmless children of God. We are to pray for the souls of all people to be saved from the wrath to come. We give out love, peace and goodness, so that we may live in God's peace and that others will become the adopted children of God. This is the will of God for us.

The Righteous

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Being faithful is important, and being called, we are enabled to do His work by his grace. God called the twelve disciples, and equipped them for ministry.

Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

Paul was the last of the apostles to be called.

1 Cor 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
1 Cor 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

1 Tim 1:13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Thinking he was serving God by being zealous for his law keeping, he destroyed God's children, in ignorance.

1 Tim 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Our righteousness is by faith in Jesus.

1 Tim 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

1 Tim 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

If Saul can be saved, so can we. We should not write people off, but rather pray for them, that they might hear and receive the word of faith and be accounted as righteous in Christ Jesus. Paul was given a ministry to the Gentile nations and with the calling was the promise of suffering with God's grace. The faithful will also suffer and be persecuted and more so in days to come, for Jesus is coming back for his righteous and  faithful Church.

Great is thy faithfulness

Lam 3:19  Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. 

Lam 3:20  My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. 

Lam 3:21  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

Lam 3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

Lam 3:26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

? CeCe Winans - Great Is Thy Faithfulness (with lyrics) - YouTube

It was supposed to be sunny for a week. 

You cannot trust a man's forecast, but God is faithful.

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou for ever will be 

A gentle rain on the pond at the end of the day and the mallards swim over  to see if I have any bread,
 sorry no bread just a picture.

Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

The pond has a special feel to it on this cloudy afternoon.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love 

Cottonwood leaves sing in the breeze that God is faithful.

Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me
Great is thy faithfulness 

Lyrics by Thomas O. Chisholm

above

I was driving to the college for orchestra rehearsal. I had the radio on listening to a news commentary, it was true what he was saying about the peril our nation is in. I saw the sun going down, so I pulled over to take a picture. I drove a little further and stopped again to take pictures of the LORD's beautiful sunset. We must look at what is good around us to offset the bad news.

Col 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  

We are dead with Christ, our flesh man identifies with his crucifixion, but our spiritual self is alive with Christ. Whether alive or dead in  this body, we are in Christ and when he shall appear, we shall appear with him. There is much evil in our nation and we are to restrain the evil because of the Holy Spirit within us. We do not join with the darkness, but we are to be as the appearance of Christ to this world. We are to shine forth his message of love and hope. Are we seeking the higher calling of God?

Circle of Friends

I am grateful for the circle of friends that we have on the Internet, but something concerns me.  Many in our Internet Bible studies have no one near them that they can count on in a time of need. A lot of us have learned to take care of ourselves, leaning on the Lord, but at times we need a helping hand. There are shut ins or the elderly who may not ask for help. Have they adequate food or heat for the coming winter?  What happens when the ever growing government quits sending the Social Security check? or the food stamps? Who will you turn to? There is the church.

Php 2:2  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

We are not to come to church just to empty the pantry, having no desire for the needs of our soul and spirit. What of others around us? Church should not be a place of begging, nor is it a place of isolation. It is the body of Christ in which we all have a part. It is a large family and a place to make friends. These brothers and sisters in Christ are who we can go to to ask questions and to share our needs as well as our giving.  Make a circle of friends locally Do you see this need too? Find a friendly Bible believing church near you.

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

The Power of His Love

 As Christians we are to love one another. I find fellowship with God and sometimes with others who venture out on the park trails in the early morning. Politicians have shut down part of the government, but it is a lovely day, all is well. The park is beautiful and I met friendly people on my morning walk.

An Evening Primrose greeted me as I 

approached one of the ponds. The oil from 

the seeds are used to treat skin problems. 

Beauty is skin deep?

The LORD looks upon our hearts.

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

I talked with this lady and petted her dogs. 

She loves her dogs and feeds them "natural" food.

It takes 300 lbs a month to feed them.  Love the pets, love one another but love God with all your being. In
the name of Jesus is all power and all love.

 There are several birdhouses on the trees. 

This one is in need of repair. It reminds me of the

song made popular in the 50's 

that Bob sings at the rest homes.

(This old house, by Stuart Hamblin)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WhLhF12TBE 

I stopped to take this picture of a horse's head when

 a little old lady wearing a hoody stopped to talk.

She said yes I see the horse and there are two more down the trail. I told her I would listen for them; laughter.

Three women were walking with their dog. It is getting cooler on this October morning and the dog had a pink sweater. I said to them, "being pink the dog must be a she...unless it was in a prison in Arizona?" They laughed. There was good fellowship this morning

Eph 3:20  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 

A little red as the Autumn leaves begin to change. 

Jesus shed a lot of blood to secure our salvation and 
in a little while by faith he will return. 

The Holy Spirit in us is the power of God. He is able to do

more than we ask or think. Think on that. 
What will you ask God  ... through the Holy Spirit?
 Ask, and do not fear. 

His love keeps us in his perfect peace.

Eph 3:21  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

I Speak the name of Jesus and all is well with my soul.

For the beauty of the earth

I had a lovely walk in the rain yesterday and this morning I awoke with a song in my heart: 

For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies,

Layered rain clouds, a most welcome sight.

For the love which from our birth Over 

and around us lies:

A fallen leaf on a lonely bench appears to be dancing.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise This our hymn of grateful praise.

These strange berries are on the pokeweed. Robins and doves eat them and spread them in my home garden. They are toxic to animals, but the pioneers boiled the young leaves to remove the toxins and used them in salads.

Amos 3:7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

An oil slick on a puddle in the road forms a swan illusion. To me the illusion is the nations with the fighting and perversions. It is as the days of Noah in the world.

The LORD reveals his secret things through his word and the Holy Spirit. If we know the word of God in the Bible then we should know that we are in the end times.

Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 

Mat 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

God made and loves his creation. 

A deer enjoyed the rain with me.

Mat 11:25  At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

The path we choose is up to us. There is God's way that leads to Jesus and everlasting life, or there is the way of man seeking to destroy life and ignore the God of creation. We can warn them, but not be of them, 

We are on another path.

What is revealed to us is by the Holy Spirit

and the scriptures. 

The trees are so loving the rain. The moss grows and the dry summer trees have a new fall and winter coat.

Peace on earth and joy in heaven: Lord of all to thee we

raise This our hymn of grateful praise.