The storm

Have you ever felt that you are drifting through a storm. Worried about how to pay the bills? knowing that even before the check hits the bank the bill are a waiting? That before the week starts it's gone and there is nothing to do about it?
I have failed myself in the one thing I had promised myself and God I would do, to be in His word daily and I have failed. He shows me that He is with me, that He has blessed me and so often I miss His still small voice as I allow worry and stress to clog my ears and I lose my focus on Him.
As I prepare for sleep I pray that the message tomorrow will be is voice to my heart that will help me seek His strength, His love, His grace and put HIM first in all my Life.
Till next time;

None Of Self And All Of Thee

None Of Self And All Of Thee
(T. Monod / J. McGranahan)

Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow
That a time could every be,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
"All of self, and none of Thee".
All of self, and none of Thee
All of self, and none of Thee
When I proudly said to Jesus,
"All of self, and none of Thee".

Yet He found me; I beheld Him
Bleeding on th' accursed tree,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
"Some of self, and some of Thee".
Some of self, and some of Thee,
Some of self, and some of Thee,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
"Some of self, and some of Thee".

Day by day His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
"Less of self, and more of Thee".
Less of self, and more of Thee,
Less of self, and more of Thee,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
"Less of self, and more of Thee".

Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
"None of self, and all of Thee".
None of self, and all of Thee,
None of self, and all of Thee,
Lord, Thy love at least has conquered:
"None of self, and all of Thee".

A Good day

It has been a wonderful day and all I can say is thank you Lord. Spent the day with my wife and out and about we went. Had to do some shopping and picking up supplies for the student ministry. Went and saw the new movie Joyful Noise what a movie. Following the trials of a group of people and a town that's has fallen on hard times. A struggling church and the hopes of a choir to make it to the big show in gospel music. PG-13 for being a little rough around the edges at times but the main message was that Love and courage, friendship and Faith was wonderful. Just an uplifting powerful movie. then my wife and I sat together and watched

The new release of Courageous and again my heart was lifted up. What a weekend
A men's conference Friday night, two uplifting and God filled movies and now church in the morning. What will God do tomorrow? Can't wait to see.

Till next time;

Oh what a night

Pastors Challenge: Stop standing on the sidelines being a cheerleader  and get in the game and be a Godly man.

Was a great night tonight at the Winter Men's conference and Paul Taylor Smith and the Praise community praise team started us out with some great praise and worship and prepared us to for the message to come. To raise hands, to clap hands, and to sing praises to my Lord is always a great thing anytime of the day.

Pastor Wesley Corbitt started out the night with a message on
"Marriage Basics" Four foundational Truths;
1) Marriage defined: Matthew 19:3-6
     1 man, 1 woman, for Life
2) Primary goal of marriage is to Model God's love for His church.
     Ephesians 5:23-32
3) Secondary goal of marriage is to make you Holy.
    1Peter 1:14-19
    Marriage forces you to face Character issues you would not face
    otherwise
4) You must answer this question: Will you approach your marriage
     from a God - centered view or a Man - centered view?        

What are the basic need's of your wife? 1 Peter 3:7
1) Your wife needs to be relationally intimate with you.
2) Your wife needs to know she can trust you to care for her security.
3) Your wife needs you to Honor her with praise, thanks and significance.

Pastor Kenny Grant brought us a message "God's Great Man"
Matthew 11:1-11, four points that where made.
1) Great men will be Different.
2) Great men must have Daring.
3) Great men will face Difficulties.
4) Greta men can have Doubts.

The biggest battle that we will face is not going to be with Satan, but the biggest will be with God. He wants what he paid for and we     aren't always willing to give it up. When we are weak and in doubt we need to Bring it to Jesus.
What you believe determines what you do. Believe = Live by

Till next time;

God is Trustworthy

"Do no Steal" (Exodus 20:15) Wow that has a large scope doesn't it. We look at stealing as someone that take from people in a robbery, or a bank, convenient store or something of that magnitude. What about when you get back to much money after a purchase, or taking supplies from your work for you own personal use. To take something, anything, no matter the size that doesn't belong to you is stealing. Wow how many pens, note pads, such small unnoticeable items have a absentmindedly walk out of a store, bank, business with, with out asking or being given permission.
But the biggest stealing we do, I do, is what I steal from God, time, talent, finances. God has given these things to us to use to help others know Him. Ephesians 4:28^{     28} Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

What talents do we not use for God but for ourselves? What time to we use for ourselves and not for God? And sad to admit what Finances do I use for personal reasons and not for God? In a way or more to the point I am stealing from God.

Till next time;

Pure and Faithful

God is Pure and faithful;

"Do not commit Adultery" (Exodus 13:4)
Hebrews 13:4  4 "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." 

I married my wife 25 years ago and things have not always been flower and roses. We have had our ups and downs our great days and our bad days. We have gotten on each others nerves and we have sat together holding hands and just enjoying each other. As we strive and work in our marriage we need to strive and work in our relationship with God. As i have vowed to honor, trust, be there what ever reason, be faithful and true to my wife. To show her respect and love always and to be the one that she knows will always be there for her, that is how God is with us.
Hebrews 13:8  8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. That is His vow to us as a christian I know that my Lord will never leave me, He will guide me, Love me, show me my faults and help me change them.
God is forever and that is how our marriages should be.
Till next time

Its been a few days

It's been a few days but I have been in my devotions so here we go;
God is Gracious: "The Sabbath was made to benefit people" (Mark 2:27)
God didn't have to finish creation in 6 days, He didn't have to rest because he was tired. He rested to establish the Sabbath for us.For us to rest, get refreshed, worship Him and spend time with family. The world will not end if we are not working.

God is respectful; "Children obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do" (Ephesians 6:1) God doesn't have parents, but he respects us enough to give us his word and the choice to do whats right or whats wrong. To honor our parents is the right thing to do and in dong so show them respect.




God is the Author of life;
"Do not murder" (exodus 20:13)
We are created by God and are so very precious to Him and our lives are precious to Him too. He gave His son to die for our (My) sins so That I can have a personal relationship with him. So we are to watch over all life from the unborn to the old to help them in all ways.

Winterjam 2012

Was an awesome time in Atlanta, GA. From King & Country, Kari Jobe, Building 429, Sanctus Real, Newsong, Peter Fuller,Dara McClean, Group 1 Crew, We as Human,
Speaker: Nick Hall,
Illusionist: Brock Gill
And Headliner: SKILLET

In rememberence

Today marks one year sense my Dad past away.

Boyce E Tharpe
1930 - 2011

Friday the 13th, just another day

Well I feel a day behind in my devotion so I doubled up today, So what are my devotions teaching me today?
First, God is Spirit John 4:24 ^24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” God is everywhere at once, invisible, all around us, and in us. So we worship in spirit opening our hearts to him in praise, in song, in seeing Him in everything around us, the Sun light, the wind, the blue skies and clouds. Even the dark clouds and rain, lighting and thunder. In the song of animals and insects, the cry of a baby. Where do I  see God the most, in the night sky on a clear night with heavens a glow. I look and cant even try to comprehend just how BIG my God is and in that moment I am so humbled that He could love me so much that His son would die for me.
Second, God is Holy Leviticus 19:12  ^12 And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord. In the days of Jesus the God's name was considered so holy the Jew's wouldn't even say it would us others name like "the Lord" or Holy One as substitutes. How often do we say God's name outside of worship, listen to people around us say His name out of worship, using His name to express emotion not reverence. I pray daily now that God would show me daily how HOLY His name is and be my strength as I guard my tongue not to use His name inappropriately.

Well it's Friday the 13th, woo hoo. It's just another day. Today a co-worker who has not been feeling well for a few days was taken to our first aid station and then sent to the hospital. We were all concerned about him and how his actions where telling us there was an issue while he said different. The news is a server sinus infection which was affecting his breathing and with the coughing causing chest pains and also vision issues.Also was lacking much needed potassium cause him to be extremely tired and sleepy. He is on rest the next few days so will be on sick leave. He will be back to his normal self any day. To top it all off on his way home yesterday a semi failed to yield and ran into the side of his truck.

I am thankful that God has put a burden on my heart now when I fail to do my devotion and be in his word. Time for rest myself one more day then off.

Till next time;

Changes

God is Unique. "let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other" (Isaiah 45:22)

God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He never changes, His love never changes, His character never changes, His law's never change. Our lives change daily some in good ways and others in ways we wish they wouldn't. People come and go from our lives, job's come and go, there are always changes happening that we just have to go along with and adapt. Alot of changes happened in my life and my family lives the last couple of years that shook my spiritual walk and this year God is directing me back on the path he needs me to be on. I am ready to be humbled by Him and make the changes in my life I need to make and follow the changes He has in store for me.


 I was saddened to hear today that our student pastor is leaving, thought he has been with us for only a short time he brought a much needed change to our students and ministry that will help us go forward. This will be another storm that our student ministry will go through with again a sudden announcement that our Student pastor is leaving. I do know that God has opened great doors for him and his family and God has another direction for him in a new ministry. I wish and pray him all the best and I know God will use him in a mighty way.

My prayers now are for the student ministry, that God will help me step up and others to step up to keep this ministry going forward.

Luke 8:22-25
22 Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them,  “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”



We need to look at this passage and know that even when we are not sure how things are going to work out and things seem out of control, and as I heard a pastor once say our "midnight hour" has come, all we have to do is trust and give it all to Jesus.
Till next time

Clues to Character

"Teach me your ways so I may know you" (Exodus 33:13, NIV)
It has been a good 4 days (nights) back at work. Sense the start of the year I have done my daily devotion and God has been putting just the right message in front of me. And this message today is what I really need to hear. I (not God) have drifted away from a close relationship with my Lord and has caused me to make big changes in my life and at church and I have no regrets. How am I to know what God has in store for me if I am not in His word? How am I to know who My Lord and savior truly is if I'm not in His word? To know who someone really is, you need to spend time with them, talking and getting to know them, likes and dislikes. Over the past two years I have wondered from the path before me, going at it my way and not getting very far. Now that I have been back in my Bible stress has left, my attitude at work is better and I'm not so critical about things. Life is good.

Saw this in my local paper the Effingham Harold and I'm making plans to attend this event, also I really enjoy hearing Pastor Kenny Grant preach, such a powerful heart for the Lord.

Till next time

Rules

" And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these laws and to fear him for our own prosperity and well-being, as is now the case". Deuteronomy 6:24

Good Sunday to you

1 John 5: 5 " Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God".

Have a blessed day,

Till next time.

The Fear of the Lord

"The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding" Job 28:28

We're not ready to know and serve God until we understand how awesome and powerful He is.

Change for the better

Today started out real good up at 7:30am, coffee, a little breakfast, shower then of to my work to give blood with the
of Savannah Ga. Now I'm home to eat lunch and off to bed to sleep a few hours to prepare for my start back on night shift.

My bible study to comes from Leviticus 19: 11-13. The big question is, "Should we do something wrong just because it's easy?" Thats a tough call sometime, we go to the store and receive more change than we should, do we tell the cashier or say well it's her fault? Like in my study you buy a drink from a machine and get back you money, Do you keep it? In my life I call myself a follower of Christ, but use profanity, look at shows that I shouldn't, listen to music that I should not, and even on the web when hitting a wrong key stroke that lands me on a site that I should not be looking at and don't delete quickly. Not use the God given talents God gives us to share Him with others, to work at your local church, to do missions at home and abroad.

There are so many ways that we give in to that which is wrong because at the time it just so easy and simple to do. It's tine to change for the better to stop and take the extra steps to do the right thing. So I challenge my and you to think every day, "what can I do better?" in every situation, "how can I handle this different and is this the right thing to do?"

Until next time,

Jan 5th "Feedom of Truth"

I made a tough and prayerful decision last night to step away as a leader of our church student ministry. I sat and spoke with our Student pastor who gave me words of encouragement and knows that at times we have to step away. I hope to stay close to the students just not in a leadership roll at this time. Last night during student ministry (Diversity) we had whats called a round table and spoke about the past year and the year to come.

The past year has been tough on many fronts, I've struggled with my spiritual walk, my prayer life, and my self. The loss of my father last January was tough and after a year (2010) where he went through 3 surgeries for a broke hip, and slowly then increasing physical health issue took a toll on myself and my wife and our family. Jan 16th will be the first anniversary of my fathers passing and also the 1st anniversary of my wife's fathers passing which was two weeks prior Jan 7th.

As we talked in the round table and as I read my daily devotions I know the theme the last two days are true words from God, "Freedom of truth" John 8: 31-32, Proverbs 4:18-19. I like the way the Message bible reads on John 8:32, 32 "Then you will experience for yourself the truth and the truth will free you."  I have not been living in His truth and the past year I have been going through the motions. I know that I am not able to help students with their walks and relationship with Christ if I am not building and nurturing mine. I can not help when God leads one into a relationship with Him when I'm not living my own relationship with Him. I look forward to the day God returns me to student ministry as a leader, one committed to Him 1st in all things, with a passion and fire for Him which will in turn show in my life and actions and in my ability to be a leader God whats me to be.

Well today has been a good day. The last full day before heading back to work on Night shift. I am thankful to my Lord for my job and what it gives to my family. I pray now He will help me grow closer to Him.
Until next time.

Jan 3rd 2012

My daily devotion reading comes from the book by Josh McDowell. The topic "Do the right thing" and from the sermon Sunday and this devotion today God is speaking to me and affirming what I need to do. The Bible reading is from Deuteronomy 32: 4-5. Whatever is like God is right, whatever is not like God is wrong. I have a long way to go to get back into my daily reading of the Bible and learning what God has for my life at this season of my life. I will admit that I have been going through the motions lately and not truly living my Faith openly and inwardly. I have been distracted alot by the world, by changes at church and new people. I have struggled with am I doing this for Gods Glory, Honor and Praise or for myself. So what makes a attitude or action right or wrong? Go back up toward the top, Is it for God? Is it for Me? If not doing for God then its not doing the right thing.
It is truly a cold day hear in Guyton, Ga. It's about time that it is starting to feel like winter after a scorching hot summer. Still there are so many pond's in the area that are just empty, we need a lot of rain in the area. Been a good day, started the day at aerobics class at church, Trip to Wal-mart ( where else to you go on an off day), Bible reading and study and now to start a fire in the fire place and a good cup of coffee and just enjoy my last few days before returning to work.
 Till next time

Jan 1st

The first day of the new year is almost over. It has been a great day Church in the morning at Eastside Baptist in Claxton, Ga Pastor Matt Brady 1st official sermon as new pastor. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5. Really helped me focus on my resolutions and a tough decision I need to make. God is good and I now am at peace and have no regrets. The sermon "I am resolved" Three points that where made 1) A Vow of separation- to not have one foot in church and the other foot in the world. But to have both feet in Christ.
2) A vow of service- evangelism is dirty hard work. Matthew 28: 19-20 is a main focus this year to be a witness for my Lord and savior. 3) A vow of stewardship- not just with my money which is a big struggle with me, also with my talents and time. To be a good steward of God's Word which I have lately not been a good steward of.
Last but not least, 4) A vow of Salvation- though I know where my salvation lies but to do more to lead others to salvation in Jesus Christ. I know now when I cant seem to find the answers I look at Deuteronomy 29: 29   

^29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law".

 I know that God knows all the answers and that He reveals the answers I need at the right time.


Till Next time.

Happy 2012

Its 9:05 am Sunday Jan 1st 2012. Happy New Year. Now time to get busy on the challenges I have set before me for this coming year. To get in shape and prepare for the Savannah Half marathon, Begin my Reading through the bible this year, and refocusing on my relationship with Christ. But first it's off to Church to start the year right at Eastside Baptist Church in Claxton Ga. Will miss my church family at Pineora baptist Church in Guyton Ga.
Till next time.