One Charlie Niner Hotel (1C9H)I watched, helplessly, as a beautiful land was torn by war.
I raised my angry eyes and voice toward Heaven and shouted,
"Why God?"
But no answer came.
I watched, helplessly, as my friends were shattered by war.
I raised my angry eyes and voice toward Heaven and shouted,
"Why God?"
But no answer came.
I watched, helplessly, as she died in my arms.
I raised my angry eyes and voice toward Heaven and shouted,
"Why God?"
But no answer came.
I stood before a silent, black wall.
I raised my angry eyes and voice toward Heaven and shouted,
"Why God?"
But no answer came.
I felt a slight tug on my sleeve and looked down into the shiny eyes of a small child. He asked, "Were you a soldier, Mister?"
With a tiny finger, he pointed and said, "My grandpa was a soldier and a hero. Did you know my grandpa, Mister?"
I took his small hand in mine; and with a sweeping gesture I said, "Yes, Boy. I knew your grandpa; I knew them all. They were all heroes. Would you like me to tell you about them?"
My answer came.

Brother’s Keeper

I can remember it like it was yesterday. We had just come back from our daily actives running, training, tracking and being yelled at. We were told to come to attention and there we stood or most of us or should I say all of us but one soldier. Then I saw out of the corner of my eye the drill sergeant moving in a rapid motion in my direction; I thought to myself what in the world had I done. Well, I guess I am about to find out. But no, the drill sergeant passed by me and went to the soldier next to me. What he said or yelled at him changed the way I would think forever. He said "Thank you soldier for getting us all blown up." What could that soldier have possibly done to endanger the whole squad? The young man had reached up and scratched his nose. Then our drill sergeant explained himself; he said "You do something stupid like that in a rice paddy when you get to Vietnam; the enemy sees you and we are all going to be blown up." Then I realized it does not matter how well you do with your M-16 on the rifle range; the rifle range doesn't shoot back. It also does not matter how fit your body is, how well you are armed or how well you think you are hid if I or anyone else gives our location away we are all in danger. We are our brother's keeper. Genesis 4:9
And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? This Memorial Day you may not have spent any time in the Military at all and that's ok. But take the time to be thankful to those who have and for those who gave their lives that you and I could enjoy the country we live in. For we are truly our brothers keepers! Also be thankful for those who gave it all. I went by the grave of my hero last week Wayne J. Stokes and spent some time for I am grateful for him; he gave his life. On December 2, 1967 after being in Vietnam only 10 days he was killed in action. I left there and saw another grave marker of another young man I didn't know him or anything about him but his marker told his story! Born 1951 died 1969 and then the word "Vietnam"; another which gave it all. There were many who went into combat expecting to return; you know like the John Wayne movies. But many never returned and today we should be thankful for their great sacrifice. There has only been one who came to this earth knowing He would die and that was Jesus Christ as the song says "do you know Him." Let us not forget the ones who served and those who gave it all.

 

U. S. Army PFC Wayne J Stokes KIA 2 December 1967

U.S. Marine Thomas Craig Richard Jr. PFC KIA 8 February 1968

U.S. Army Neil Kroger KIA November 1965

U. S Army Tom Metsker KIA 14 November 1965

U. S Army Jack Geoghegan KIA

U. S Army Phillip Nixon

U.S. Army Stanley DeCastor

U.S. Army Jimmy Johnson

U.S. Army Jerry Pinson

U.S. Marine David Savage

USAF Richard Ford

USAF Thomas Burns

USAF Ronald Lamp

USAF Randy Fawn

USAF Wayne S Sosebee

 

Army Air Force John H Sosebee WII Thanks Dad Passed away December 27, 1986 age 65

U.S. Marine Thomas Henry Roberts I knew him well; we all thought he was strange when we were kids. Then I found out why! He was a Corporal in the Marine Corps, serving as a Rifle Sharpshooter and member of the Mortar Platoon a survivor of Iwo Jima. He passed away July 14, 2007 at the age of 86.

 

Please pray for our Military they need our prayers. God Bless You! Enjoy this Memorial Day for freedom has a price, it's not free.

Recover

One morning I went out the front door of our home and something was missing; it was my bike. Someone had came and taken it; NO, they had stolen my bike right out of our front yard. What right did someone have to come and take something that wasn't theirs? My heart was crushed and at that point it really didn't matter about the rule my Mom and Dad had told us to do; put your bike up at night; it was gone. It may have been a week or so that I saw a bike that looked somewhat like mine, it caught my attention and I walked over and looked at it. Wait a minute; this was my bike, there had been some changes made to it, but without a doubt it was my bike. I can't tell you how glad I was to have recovered my bike! I had received back what the enemy or thief had taken. I realize that does not happen very many times but it did for me and as I read my Bible it happened for David also.

1Samuel 30:3
So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Oh, this is much more serious than a bike; we are talking about families here. Now David did something I didn't do, he prayed.

1Samuel 30:8
And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And (the Lord) He answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
The Lord said to David you're not only going to overtake them but you are without fail going recover it all and bring them back home. What has the thief stolen from you that he has no right to? Maybe he's stolen a child of yours or the love that was once in your marriage. Maybe he's stolen the joy you once had in serving the Lord, or the love and the unity your church once knew, or the sense of calling you once had. Satan also steals reputations, even years of your life, by keeping you from Jesus. David came to the conclusion that he was going after what had been taken away but he didn't go without first asking the Lord; which tells me of his relationship with the Lord. I spent about 5 hours on yesterday with a man whom the thief had stolen a lot of his life. At forty-seven he still lives at home with his mother and dad. I said something to him that the Lord put in my mind and it was hours before I realized what had transpired. As we were talking I began to tell him of an experience I had. There was once a man about 38 years old whose boss had called me and asked if I would meet with him and his employee. We had met and as I told the story to this man I told him what he said. He said "Tom you are 38 years old and you still live with your mother and all you have for transportation is your bike." He then said these words, "Tom what is wrong with this picture? Don't you want more out of your life than that? The reason you don't have it is you drink it up." I had forgotten that this man was living almost the same life style. God uses us in strange ways sometimes or it maybe it's like my wife tells me you need to think sometimes before you speak. Excuse me, but I wasn't running this man down and I wasn't drawing a comparison between the two, because this man didn't even have a bike. But God allowed me the time to talk to him about what the thief had stolen and what did he really want and what were his plans to get it back. I am glad one night a man spent some time talking with me; I've had a lot of people talk at me; you do know the difference don't you? Talking at you is telling you all that you are doing wrong and have done wrong and if you would quit doing this or that and start doing this then this is what will happen. Talking with you is spending time getting to know you and dropping the outer wall and let them see you really care and becoming a friend. What has the thief taken from you that was not his to take? What are your plans on getting it back? Let me make a suggestion do what David did, pray and see what the Lord will do. I think you will be amazed at what the Lord will do for you. This Monday is Memorial Day and I will write some about being our brother's keeper but until then why not talk to someone this weekend and be thankful for our freedom and remember it's not free!

Sheep

When I as a boy would do dumb things my mother and Dad would ask me the same old question "son why on earth did you do that?" I would always say because everyone else was doing it; to which they would say "if everyone was jumping off a cliff would you?" I was reminded of that when I read in USA TODAY a story of 1500 sheep that decided to do just that. First one sheep jumped to its death. Then stunned Turkish shepherds, who had left the herd to graze while they had breakfast, watched as nearly 1,500 others followed, each leaping off the same cliff, Turkish media reported. In the end, 450 dead animals lay on top of one another in a billowy white pile, the Aksam newspaper said. Those who jumped later were saved as the pile got higher and the fall more cushioned, Aksam reported. Now what is so amazing about what we just read is that the bible says we are all like sheep.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; When my Mom and Dad asked me "if everyone was jumping off a cliff would you?" I could have said sure we all have even you two! I would have never said anything to my parents like that for if I had you would not be reading this now. Sheep are not the brightest and are we like sheep? Now think about it for a moment, if everyone starts buying one or two brands of shoes, clothing or whatever we think if we are going to be cool we must have it. What's the difference between the sheep that plunged to their death? Here's the coolest thing, that when you and I realize we are like those not so bright sheep there is something great for us. John 10:7
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

John 10:9
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Jesus said He was the door of the sheep and if you and I enter in we shall become the family of God. There is a thief that doesn't want you and I to go through that door and that thief would be the devil and he would rather kill and destroy your life. If you read your bible you know that he is always on the move wrecking lives and destroying relationships. He does his best to keep you away from that door "Jesus Christ" because he knows that once you enter in you are out of his family. So he will tell you all kinds of lies like you are a good person or a nice guy, you are going to be alright; why so and so says they are going to heaven when they die and look what they did. Let me give you the bible scoop about being a good person

Romans 3:12
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Jesus said this about being good

Luke 18:18
And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Luke 18:19
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? None is good, save one, that is, God.

There you go right from the lips of Jesus we aren't good; we may do good things, act good from time to time be not one of us are good enough to make it to heaven! We need Jesus Christ! Who is the shepherd of your life; you, the thief or the Good Shepherd? I hope and pray it's the Good Shepherd and this is why:

John 10:11
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

He did when He gave His life on the cross for you and I so we wouldn't have to try to be good.

Superman

As a young boy one of my favorite TV shows was "Superman." It was not at the movies yet or even in living color but just a black and white TV program. Living a life as a mortal man under the name of Clark Kent he was always ready to lend a helping hand to those in danger. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen were reporters at the Daily Planet newspaper in a city call Metropolis. I can hear that program coming on now "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful that a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound." Here was a man who could fly, stop speeding trains with the palm of his hand and I set and watched bullets bounce of his chest. For thirty minutes he had my attention and sooner or later I would hear Lois and Jimmy say those words "this is a job for Superman!" My brother even got our mother to put a towel around his neck and he would jump from bed to bed and run with that cape flying in the wind. Oh, the memories of our childhood; we laugh at them now but back then it was no laughing matter when you heard the music and the words we ran into the living room and for the next half hour Superman had our attention. But you know what? There was no real Superman he was just a television program dreamed up in the mind of someone. In the book of Daniel chapter two King Nebuchadnezzar is troubled by a dream so troubled that he wakes up. Now the King wants to know what he was dreaming for he didn't know so he called in the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. They said tell us the dream King and we will be more than glad to give you the interpretation of your dream. The King said that's the problem I don't know what I dreamed so if you can't tell me my dream then I will have no other choice but to cut you into pieces but if you do ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore show me the dream. They said there is not a man upon the earth that can do what you are asking; what they needed was Superman. The King got so angry that he commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. I like what Daniel had to say:

Daniel 2:15
He answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, Why is the decree so hasty from the king? Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

Daniel 2:16
Then Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would give him time, and that he would shew the king the interpretation.

Daniel 2:17
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

Can't you just hear Daniel saying "boys we got to pray or we going to be cut into pieces"? You know what? I think that may have gotten their attention; it would have gotten mine. Well, long story short they prayed and God gave Daniel the interpretation of the Kings dream.

Daniel 2:19
Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

Daniel 2:24
Therefore Daniel went in unto Arioch, whom the king had ordained to destroy the wise men of Babylon: he went and said thus unto him; Destroy not the wise men of Babylon: bring me in before the king, and I will shew unto the king the interpretation.

Daniel 2:25
Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said thus unto him, I have found a man of the captives of Judah, that will make known unto the king the interpretation.

Daniel 2:27
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;

Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Daniel said to the King you don't know, I don't know and neither does anyone else King but there is a God in Heaven that does know and He has given it to me and I will reveal it to you. Have you ever been in a situation where you didn't have the answers? What did you do? I hope you prayed and asked the God of heaven to help you and give you wisdom.

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

When the task seems impossible who are you going to call on? Now you know the answer. No there is no superman but there is a God in Heaven that revealeth secrets.

65 Days

Yesterday I got a message from Face Book that most FB users never get. It simply said that I had not sent a message in 65 days and that the FB message center was shut off if I wanted it turned back on send a message. I did and they turned it back on and then sent me a message saying I could send messages and I replied by typing ok. I have never gotten so many responses in my life; people were asking me ok, what? One said amen I never would have dreamed that two little letters would get so big of a response. As I was thinking about that message I received from FB letting me know I wasn't using it; (which tells me FB was keeping up with my activity) I got to thinking about our Bible reading. Sometimes we get so busy or are just so lazy that we forget or quit reading our Bibles but we get no message saying "it has been ___ days since you have read any scripture". We get discouraged in our walk with the Lord, someone says something to hurt our feelings or we just misunderstand something someone has said and instead of getting it straightened out we puff up. We are told to love one another John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:12
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
There are nine more verses that tell us to love one another. I know that is hard sometimes but we should love one another because of our family relationships. I have two brothers and one is 2 years younger than I and the other is 7 years younger. Now my brother that was 2 years younger and I would sometimes fight and get mad at each other and say things we really didn't mean. Then in a short time we were back playing and loving one another again. We would soon forget what we were fighting over; you know I can't today even remember one of those fights, harsh words or anything and the reason being we were brothers and we forgave each other. Now shouldn't we as Christians do the same?

1Corinthians 13:4
Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity(love)envieth not; charity(love)vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Are you holding a grudge? Are you losing sleep at night and refusing to forgive? That's not love but you might say "You don't know what they have done". Right I don't but I do read what they did to Jesus Christ and He said "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Let us learn from the Master of forgiveness for we have never been treated like Him. You'll sleep better at night I assure you. Have a great day!

Believe Ye

I was reading in the book of Matthew in chapter nine and I noticed something very interesting to me that I would like to share. In verse eighteen there come a certain ruler who worshipped Jesus saying my daughter is near death would you be so kind as to come and lay your hand upon her so she could live. Jesus began to head toward the rulers home when all of a sudden a woman comes out of nowhere that had a disease and touched Jesus' garment. She told herself that if she would but touch His garment she would be healed and she was. All this was great for this woman but just before this the ruler was told that his daughter had died. All hope that his daughter would be healed is now gone and this ruler's hope and heart just falls. We then read that Jesus came to his home anyways and while He was there He raised the little girl from the dead. What caught my attention is what happens next with the two blind men

Matthew 9:27
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

Matthew 9:28
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Matthew 9:29
Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

First thing that I noticed is that these two blind men were following and crying and asking for Jesus to have mercy on them. If Jesus said anything to them it's not recorded. It was not until they came into a home that Jesus spoke to them and this is what He said
Believe ye that I am able to do this?
That is it! So it is with mine and your life do we really believe that Jesus can do what we are asking Him? Their response was "Yes Lord"; that's the way we should also respond but we don't always respond that way. Therefore we limit our blessing from the Lord because of disbelieve which effects our faith. We read next that Jesus touched their eyes and according to their faith in what Jesus would do for them they were able to see. So do you and I believe that what we ask the Lord to do He will do? Maybe our faith needs a boost we may not be putting the trust we need to in the Lord and therefore we are working all our troubles out ourselves. This week put more faith and trust in the Lord and ask Him to help you. If He took the time for the woman with a blood disease and two men with eye problems don't you think He will take time for you also?

 

25 Words

Love, is that not what we all want? Someone to love us! Young ladies give their bodies because someone says they love them. I talked with a man in his fifties who had just come out of what he called the "life style." I asked him this question how did you ever get into that kind of life style? He told me that my dad loves me I am sure; but he never told me. He provided for me and gave me anything that he thought I might want. He mistook money for love; I just wanted him to spend some time with me and just tell me he loved me and show me some attention, he never did. At age 17 a man did, I thought he really loved me. One day he did something to me that stunned me, but instead of losing his love and attention I let him. After a while I tried to kill the pain with cocaine, then the news came that I had aids. What I gave away for cheap love now is paying off in dividends I didn't what; a $300 a day cocaine habit and aids. For time and space this man overcame the cocaine, left the life style he was involved in and God delivered him from aids. As I thought on this man and what God had done in his life I was reminded of John 3:16 which reads

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.
Twenty-five words that tell us about love; we are told that God so loved you and I that he gave us something that was very valuable, His Son; His only sinless Son , Jesus. When you open your heart to Jesus, you're opening your heart to the greatest love in the world. When your heart remains closed to Him, you're turning your back on the greatest love in the world. We have heard those words all our lives God's only Son but do we understand what they mean? The words love, only Son, perish, everlasting life what do they really mean? Let me explain by way of a story that grabbed my heart.
Some years ago a noted photographer decided to make a photo journal of people that he photographed visiting the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D. C. One morning he got there very early and he noticed this little memorial that hadn't been there the day before. It displayed a picture of a soldier, a picture of Jesus, a service medal, and a simple, three-word inscription. As he knelt to snap a picture of it, he felt a hand on his shoulder and he heard this elderly man saying, "Do you like it?" He explained that's why he was photographing it. The old man said, "I'm glad. I put it there." Suddenly, that three-word inscription took on deep meaning for that photographer. It simply said "Only one Son." Now do you get it God had only one Son and He allowed Him to be beaten almost to the point of death, spit on, made fun of and for what reason? Now as a dad what would I have done; what would you have done? God the Father knew it was the only way you could have every wrong thing you have ever done forgiven by God. Sin has to be paid for with a death penalty. God's love for you is so great that He sacrificed the only One who could die in your place His sinless Son, Jesus.
What do you think of what He did for you? Your eternity hinges on your answer.
I can't think of a greater tragedy, a greater mistake for you to make, than for you to miss what Jesus gave His life for. For you to have to end up paying the eternal price that Jesus already paid for you. It's Friday but Sunday is coming and I hope you will be in your place of worship this Sunday. Between now and then ask yourself, if for some reason death comes and takes me away will I perish or will I have everlasting life? Eternity hinges on your answer.

I'll write some more on Monday unless death catches me and then I hope to see you in Heaven for I am not guessing at that

1John 5:12
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

1John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Life’s Worth

Have you ever stopped to think what our life is really worth? I understand that if our body was broken down and the elements were taken out that it is worth only about seven dollars and a few cents. I know what you are thinking; that yours is worth more! No, not really only a few dollars and some odd cents. The Bible tells us

Mark 8:36
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? We are told what profit would we gain if we owned the whole world but we lost the most important thing, our soul? Now let me ask you a question. What if you were to come upon an automobile accident and saw a young girl about six years old pinned in the car. The mother was sitting stunned on the side of the road crying for help for her daughter. After seeing the accident you noticed that there was gasoline running out of the fuel tank into the car; you also knew that in a few minutes the car would be engulfed in flames. What do you do? Try to get her out or watch her burn up? You quickly decide to get her out; not thinking that you may be burned up too you move swiftly losing no time for time is valuable. You see that the window is up the door is locked you decide to break the window; but wait the glass may cut her so what do you do? Break it? You don't want her to be cut by the broken glass but what's more important. After getting into the car you find another problem one of her legs is pinned under the dash. Now what? The only way to free her is to break her leg; now what do you do? Hopefully you break her leg for if you don't she perishes. After breaking her leg you are now able to free her and you pull her from the vehicle and began to run with her in your arms, you are only a few feet from the car when it is engulfed in flames. Mother is safe, the young girl is safe and you are too. You're a hero, you are on the news but what is really important to you? Is it not the little girl's life; her cuts will heal, her broken leg will mend and all because of you seeing the need and taking the lead. Sometimes we don't value our life so we might save another's. You know our Lord Jesus told almost the same story but it was not a young girl in an automobile accident but instead it was a lamb that had gotten lost; just one out of a hundred, not a great loss for he still has ninety-nine. But what does this shepherd do? Leaves the ninety and nine to go find one sheep that was lost and when he finds it he puts it on his shoulders and rejoices.

Luke 15:4
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Luke 15:5
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. What's more important; the lost lamb, the little girl in the accident or maybe you?

Luke 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Just as you and I would rush into danger to save one that needed our help. Not seeing the danger nor fearing the results, only seeing one of disparity who needed our help. That is what our Lord Jesus did, He came into a world of people of disparity who needed His help and like the young girl that couldn't help herself out of the car neither can you and I free ourselves from the danger ahead. I'm glad He came to me on that Sunday Morning in April of 1973 for I needed help and He was the only one that could help me. What about you? Has He gotten you out of the accident like the young girl in the car and brought you to safety. If not let Him and quit trying to get the whole world for you might lose what is really important; your soul in the process.

Punching Holes

When I was young boy the street I lived on was dark at night; what I mean by that is that there were no street lights. One day there came some men and a truck and they began to climb up the poles on our street and attached lights to them. It was a funny thing to see when you are young, it starts to get dark and those lights start coming on one by one without anyone turning on a switch. Now my mother used those lights to her advantage, she quickly made a rule "be home before the streetlights come on". I hated that rule because they never forgot to come on, every night the same thing happened! It starts to get dark and those lights would come on. Now there was many a night that I would be racing down the street as the lights were punching holes in the darkness; that's cutting it close. I read in Matthew chapter five these words;

Matthew 5:14
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Matthew 5:15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Is that not what we are being told here? We are the light of the world, the street light shining out before men and women punching holes in the darkness of this world so that the darkness will not blind others. I didn't like those streetlights to come on and ruin what I thought was fun but I knew I better be home before they came on for if I wasn't I would have to stand at the judgment bar of my dear old mother. I assure you I didn't want to have to do that. So it is with those we come in contact with as we begin to punch holes in the darkness. They at first may not want the light, thinking it will ruin their fun, but if the light of the glorious Gospel never penetrates or punches through the darkness there will come a time when those in darkness will have to stand before a righteous and holy God.

Revelation 20:15
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
So today punch holes in the darkness so the enemy doesn't keep people in darkness.

2Corinthains 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. As the song goes "hid it under a bushel, no! I'm going to let it shine." Oh, I see you have walked into the room and it did light up; good job, now that's punching holes in the darkness.

Blind

Years ago I knew a lady that was blind; she couldn't see a thing. But what was amazing to me is she could do so many things with her hands. Her hands told her mind what she was reading or touching, her ears alerted her quickly to her surroundings for danger as well as peacefulness. I enjoyed talking with her, one day my curiosity got the best of me and I asked her if she could tell a five dollar bill from a one dollar bill. She told me that she couldn't but had to put trust in the people she was dealing with. I then asked her if anyone had ever been dishonest with her and cheated her out of any money. I was surprised that there had been people that would cheat a blind lady as nice as she was. Here was a lady who the entire world around her was hidden because she had no eye sight. As I was thinking about this nice lady who was blind, I got to thinking about the gospel and what if it was hidden? This is what the bible has to say

2Corinthians 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
What I find interesting
about that is we see blinded minds and because the mind is blinded it causes unbelief. As I said earlier that people would rob from that nice blind lady; they could see and knew the difference from a five dollar bill and a twenty or ten…but knowingly took advantage of her because she was blind. Is that not what we do sometimes ourselves when we don't share what we know about Jesus Christ? We hid the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Now we don't have to have a four foot bible under our arm everywhere we go or be singing some hymn. We do have opportunities to expose our Lord to those around us in our conversations, our walk before those we are around. We can be honest in our business transactions we can also treat those we are around with respect we can smile and not be judgmental. There are many things we can do for others to see Christ in us the hope of Glory. If we hid them we help the devil blind the mind and how then can they believe? The false god of this world is blinding people from the truth by feeding those lies and deceptions. He is constantly offering counterfeit philosophical and religious messages to keep men and women from putting trust in the truth and if we keep it hid we are helping the enemy. I don't want to help the enemy at all; do you?

2000 Pigs

Have you ever been unhappy? I am sure you could say yes to that for we have all been unhappy. But I am talking about being unhappy all the time day and night and we would have to say that we aren't. The Bible tells of a man who was unhappy both night and day; you can read about him in Mark chapter 5.

We do not know his name but we do know that others had tried to help him but had failed.

Mark 5:3
Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

Mark 5:4
Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. He

We also know where he was living we and that he was abusing himself.

Mark 5:5
And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. One day something changed and his life was eternally different. What could make that much difference in a person's life?

Mark 5:6
But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, this is what made the difference "when he saw Jesus" you see we, like him have to see Jesus for our self. Others can and should try to show us the Lord Jesus, but when we see Jesus for ourselves it makes all the difference. We find also the reason for his actions; devils! No one likes devils do they? Jesus chased them into 2000 pigs and you know what? Pigs don't like devils either because as soon as they entered into those pigs they committed "souie"cide.

Mark 5:13
And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand); and were choked in the sea. I've talked to a lot of people and they have told me that they knew who Jesus was and that He was living in their heart. Their life didn't match up with their mouth. As we read about that man who lived with dead folks and devils and liked to streak across the graveyard did anything change when he saw Jesus? Was he still living and streaking about the graveyard? Let's see!

Mark 5:14
And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

Mark 5:15
And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. I would say so; no more streaking in the graveyard and the reason being we find him sitting at Jesus feet with his clothes on and in his right mind and that made people afraid of him. What amazes me is that I didn't read of anyone being afraid of him when he was acting like a wild man. As soon as he gets into his right mind people now become afraid of him; how strange. You know as long as we look like and act like everyone else everyone is comfortable. It is when you become different, look different and act different that those around you will become afraid because they didn't see what you saw "JESUS!" Have a great week because it's going to be different!

Mess

About two years ago my wife and I went on a cruise and one of the things I noticed is that the crew on the ship never let a mess get started. When you leave the room it's like someone is watching and waiting for you to leave so they can rush in and clean up any mess you may have made. Walk anywhere you want and it is clean; not a mess anywhere to be found. They must have a plan and that plan must be to not let a mess get started and to clean it up fast when there is one. I started thinking if we would watch our lives like that and clean up the mess as we go along then our lives wouldn't become messy. We all would do well if we took this advice! It is easier to keep the heart clean than to clean it after it has been defiled. There are things in our lives that make us feel dirty, ashamed, guilty, and unworthy. It is what God calls sin! Too many times when we mess up we just give up and we just keep giving in and when we should be cleaning up we are making a bigger mess. The garbage just keeps piling up and up until it starts to over flow into others lives. So we say things like "well it's not that bad and anyway everybody else is doing it." My pastor says "keep short accounts with God." What does he mean by that? Simply clean the messes up in your life right away and don't let them grow into bigger messes. Ask God to forgive you and help you not to make that mess again.

1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Is that not what was happening on that cruise as everyone made a mess; dirty dishes on the table, towels in the floor, soap scum in the shower and here comes that person rushing in to straighten everything up and they never left a note saying "try to be neater and not so messy." No! They forgave us for the mess we made: did I say us? I meant my wife's mess…just kidding! They not only forgave us but they cleaned it all up. That is what our wonderful Savior does; we confess and tell Him about our mess, He forgives us or our mess and then cleanses us. That's why you and I need to keep short accounts with God. Adam and Eve made a mess, but did they run to God? No they ran away from Him and tried to hide. We do the same by telling ourselves no one will ever know; and that may be right but there is one you have forgotten and that is God. You see He is the keeper of creation and the creator of all! He always was, He always is, and He always will be. The world can't understand Him. The armies can't defeat Him. The schools can't explain Him, and the Leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and the people couldn't hold Him, and you my friend can't hide from Him. So run to Him and be blessed or run and try to hide which is impossible.

Where will you be this Sunday Morning? In Church or hiding out somewhere else? Or so you think!

Important

Paul is being transported to Rome for trial on a large cargo ship that's carrying 276 passengers. They suddenly get hit by a massive storm system that batters and threatens to destroy them for two weeks.

Acts 27:14
But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. (A cyclonic tempestuous northeast wind which blows in the Mediterranean.) The ship took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to lighten the ship.
On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands.

Acts 27:19
And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. Paul has a visit by an angelic host that tells him that there will be no loss on any one's life.

Acts 27:22
And now I exhort (encourage) you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

Acts 27:23
For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

Acts 27:24
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Acts 27:25
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Storms come in all our lives and that's for sure. Do you know what a storm will do? A storm will let us know what really matters and what really doesn't. The storm hits and what does the crew start doing? Throwing things overboard; first thing they did was lighten the ship

Acts 27:18
And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; But that was not enough so they threw the ship's equipment overboard. Things didn't get any better so they dumped the cargo

Acts 27:38
And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

Before this storm is over even the ship itself will be lost, but no lives will be lost.

Acts 27:41
And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

You and I live in one of the wealthiest nations on the face of the earth. We have many things that we could do without and sometimes God sends a storm to help see what is most important. As my pastor says "one phone call could change your life." One afternoon I received a phone call; my wife had been in an automobile accident and that phone call changed everything that was important. I headed as fast as I could to where she was at; I didn't even make sure the house was locked or anything for at that moment none of that was important. As I got closer to the accident the cars were backed up so I took off down the shoulder of the highway; it didn't matter the only thing going on in my mind was get to where she was. When I got there I jumped out of the car and ran to where she was; she had been hurt but nothing like what was going on in my mind. The storm came up and nothing was more important than my wife. Like those on that ship we began to get rid of those things that aren't all that important. Sometimes God sends storms to cleanse our life and sometimes to set new priorities in our life. He removes that which blocks the view of what's really important. Sometimes storms help us to see what is really important and without them we just might get glued on the stuff that's nice to have but we can do without. We need to ask ourselves what is really important!

Mistaken

My eyes popped open and I took a quick look at the clock. Oh no, it can't be 5:30 I have set an appointment to meet another man to look over this job and we were to be there at 6:30. I can't make it; I run to the phone hoping to stop the other gentleman before he gets there. All I get is his answering machine so disappointed at myself for making such a mistake. I never over sleep I'm up before any alarm clock sounds that's because I don't need one. But this morning I did; what am I going to do now? As I sat there thinking it finally came to me it's not Monday its Sunday, boy was I relieved. Have you ever had an experience when you didn't know what day it was? There is a possibility for God to come your way and you totally miss what day it is; the day that God comes to touch your life. That is a mistake God really doesn't want you to make because He really loves you. There comes a day when Jesus comes by offering Himself to you to be your personal Savior and save you from your sin. He gives you a chance to put your trust in Him to have every sin forgiven; to trade hell which we deserve for heaven which we could never deserve.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Many have the idea that they will come to Jesus when they get ready. There are a lot of things wrong with that idea. What if you are in an accident and you have no time to ask the Lord to forgive you? What if you have a heart attack and just drop dead? Possibly a lot of other health problems that take your life without a warning? That is why it's not good to wait to the last minute. There was a young lady in the hospital that was very sick. Her nurse took the time to talk with her about the Lord but the young lady wanted no part of it. She said I am young and when I get out of the hospital I have a lot of things I want to do and when I am old I will give me life to the Lord then. On that same afternoon a dozen red roses came for that young lady. The nurse picked them up and was going to take them to her when she had this thought, I will wait and give them to her at a later date. After a while the roses started to turn a little brown and became very limp. The nurse then took them to the young lady, as the nurse entered the room she said someone sent you some roses. The young lady took one look at them and said who in their right mind would send roses that looked like that for they are wilted and turning brown. The nurse then said what's wrong with that? To which the young lady said I would like to have roses that are fresh and beautiful not dying. The nurse then turned and said so does our Lord, He wants people young that can give Him their life.

Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

It's not God's will that young or old perish

2Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Don't wait to the last minute for you will be sorry and every day our life is ticking way; do you have Jesus? For when this life is over that will be the only thing that matters. With Jesus heaven, without Jesus; you don't want to go there I assure you

2Corinthains 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

If you don't know Him today it is as good of a day as I know; if you do know Him thank Him for His love toward you.

Love

Ever heard anyone say that they just don't love their wife or husband anymore? Many a man and woman have heard those very words and what do you think should be the outcome? Many would say divorce that will make both parties free again and isn't that really best? Is that what is right or is that just an easy way to escape what has over the years became an unloving relationship? Marriage was more than a commitment it was a vow and a covenant made by two willing parties that was to last a life time. I think both parties said willingly "until death do us part." Let's look at what Merriam Webster says the words mean.

 

Commitment something pledged the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled <a commitment to a cause>

 

Vow a solemn promise or assertion; specifically: one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition

 

Covenant a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement: a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action.

 

Marriage is a commitment that obligates but the vow's are promises given and binds the two parties together with a covenant which is binding as well as written agreement under a seal of the parties.

Back to the question at hand "I don't love you anymore." Do our bibles have an answer for that? Sure it does for we read in

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; the answer comes"I don't feel like I can do that." Did we read the verse wrong did it say Husbands if you feel that you can love your wives like Christ loved the church please do it. There are those who still say I can't do that. Well, do you think you could do love them like a neighbor

Matthew 19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
If the answer to that is I really don't like my mate at all anymore; here is what you must do.

Mathew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?

There are the choices, and every one of them has to do with love. I would rather love my wife as Christ loved the Church for she's not a neighbor and she sure isn't an enemy. We have been married 40 years and she has my heart for I gave it to her long ago. It takes work and our love for each other was strong enough so we worked at it and it paid off. Three children we love dearly and five wonderful grandchildren; I must say we are blessed!

Trust

Have you ever used the term I trust you? More than likely you have said that to or about someone that you know or have known. Webster says the word "trust" means to place confidence in to rely on. What does the Bible have to say about trust? Let's look in the book of Proverbs and chapter 3 and see what we are taught about the word trust.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:7
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Proverbs 3:8
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 3:9
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase:

Proverbs 3:10
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Did you notice who we are told to put trust in and with how much of our heart and then what we are not to rely on; our own understanding. We are to acknowledge the Lord and let Him direct our paths and in doing that we will be able to depart from evil. As we think on trust and who we can put our trust in; I want you to look at a young man who made some bad choices and ended up in a place he never thought he would find himself. You will find his story in the book of Luke and chapter 15. The first thing I noticed about him is that he was arrogant and selfish!

Luke 15:12
And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. This young man decides it's time to leave home and that his father should give him what is due him now. His father gives him what he asked for and off he goes. But soon we find this young man in a far country in a mighty famine and friendless and he begins to be in want because of his actions or wrong choices. He goes to work for a farmer who gave him the job of feeding his pigs. One day while feeding the pigs this young man found himself so hungry that he was even thinking about eating the pig food. As he began to think there are some things that came to his mind; who could this young man trust. Could he put trust in his friends! Where are they? Who knows? What about the farmer; could he trust him? If so then why is he having the desire to eat what the pigs were eating? No, none of those were on his mind but there is one he knows he could put trust in and he did come to his mind.

Luke 15:17
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

Luke 15:18
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Luke 15:19
And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

His father, yes, that's who he knows he can trust so he drops the pail, jumps the rail and hits the trail back to the father's house. You see we always reap what we sow.

Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

And haven't we all sown those seeds we wish we could retrieve but like the young man we too find ourselves in the pig pen. Who can you trust in that time; only one, our heavenly Father. But to stay out of the pig pens of life should be our plan and we can accomplish that only one way!

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

This week put your trust in the Lord with all your heart and you will see there will be no pig pens. It's going to be a good week without one pig pen, so enjoy!

$100

Remember on Tuesday of this week I wrote about Bob and how that when he was a child a social worker had him look into her eyes and said "Bobby, I want you to always remember these words "You Are Worthwhile!" Then there was his boss her name was Margaret, who told him that "I have been observing you and I believe YOU ARE FULL OF PROMISE." Those two positive messages of appreciation played over and over again in his mind and gave him the courage to be the very best he could be. As we come to the close of another week I want to revisit the thought of you and I being full of promise and worthwhile. Let me start by asking you a question let's say I have a $100 bill, a nice new one without so much as a wrinkle or stain on it. Now I take that $100 bill and crumple and crush it into a little wad. Then I take it throw on to the floor and stomp it with my big shoes. Man does this $100 bill look bad! It has been abused, mistreated, taken advantage of, mishandled, trampled on and crushed; do you still want it? I can't answer for you but my answer would be yes, I'll take it and the reason being it is still worth $100 bucks! Do you feel like you've been beat up, mishandled, mistreated, crushed, and even trampled on? If you ever begin to feel or think you're worthless and you start making choices based on that you'll throw yourself away, start settling for junk in your life and doing anything for a little love. But wait a minute you are just like that $100 bill no matter how you've been treated, you are still just as valuable because no one on earth gave you your worth, God did and no one on earth can take it away from you. Let me show you

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
The Bible says, "God created man in His own image." So don't even start telling me you're not worth much! Then we read in

Psalms 139:13
For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. Psalms 139:14
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. When you believe you're not worth much, you are insulting the One who designed you; God! If you have any doubts, how do you explain your fingerprints? No one on the face of God's great planet has your prints because you and I were wonderfully made. Which means God took time to make us all different and not any of His creations are alike. Lastly we read from God's word

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Paul said that he was crucified with Christ. That means that he is dead but then he goes on and says that he is alive. How can one be dead and yet alive? I see; it is not Paul living its Christ living in him, how? It is all by Faith. If we were to go to Jerusalem there behind a bus station is a hill that looks just like a skull. When I was there I saw it and on that hill is where the Son of God thought you and I were so precious that He poured out His life for you and I for every wrong thing we have ever done. Because that is the only way we could ever be forgiven for our sins and have a relationship with Jesus Christ. So the Apostle Paul said I'm dead yet I'm alive because of what Jesus Christ did for me and I have put my trust in Him by Faith. Paul says in

2Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Paul had put all his trust and confidence in Jesus Christ because of what He had done for him. God thought enough about you and I that He didn't consider us worthless. He looked beyond our faults and saw our worth no matter how crushed we were. We are like that $100 bill still worth its wealth. Now remember you are worth a lot; enough for one to die for to make you free.

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:36
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Have a good weekend make sure you're in Church this Sunday. It's going to be good you just wait and see. And whatever you do don't forget your Mother this Sunday for without her you just wouldn't be here. See you Monday!

 

No Food

"I guess I got kind of depressed" or "I forgot to put food in my system".
I guess so, no food in our bodies and there is no telling what will happen to any of us. Our bodies need nourishment and if they don't get it there will be consequences that will not be pleasant. We must not forget to feed our bodies. I have been by the bedside of those fixing to depart this life and I have heard others say "their body is shutting down." Before their body begins to shut down their desire for food begins to become less and less until they reach the point to where they are not eating or drinking at all. Wait a minute we are talking about those who are getting ready to leave this world. As you and I go through each day our body cries out for food and we feed it and it gives us enough strength to finish out the day and then on tomorrow it starts all over again. Now what about our spiritual life? Doesn't it too need nourishment? Only if you don't want to die spiritually; you see if you quit feeding yourself spiritually things will start shutting down. That's why it's very important for each of us to read our Bibles, pray and be around other Christian people. Peter tell us in

2Peter 3:18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. We should do two things #1-
" grow in grace" #2- "in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ " If we look at the word grace and think of it this way it will help us see what grace is. Gods Riches At Christ Expense.

Acts 17:28
For in him (Jesus) we live, and move, and have our being;

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Isaiah 26:3
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Are you starting to see just how important it is for you and I to meet with our Lord on a daily basis? When we learn to do that we will GROW in KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now ask yourself this question how much do you really know about Jesus Christ? Are you kind of depressed because you haven't been feeding your spiritual life? Do you have a desire or have you begun to shut down spiritually? Are you forgetting to attend your Church? Forgetting to read your Bible? Not been hiding God's word in your heart? Oh no, please tell me you're not shutting down! Hurry grab a Bible and start reading and go to your phone and call like you would for an emergency vehicle, for someone to come and pick you up and get you to Church for you need a jostle that will bring spiritual life back again!

Happy

Have you ever had the thought "What if I would have taken that job back in ………. I know I would be happy. What if I had married …….. My life would now be happy I'm sure". Sounds to me you're not happy and you want others to make you happy. Sure we can all look back and see paths we should have taken and chose not to. I had those opportunities also, but as my Dad always told me "son you can't cry over spilled milk." As for me I'm happy with all that is going on in my life and I enjoy every day. People tell me all the time "Have a good day" and my reply is "If it goes wrong it's not my fault". The Lord has been good to me good life, good wife, good home, good Church, good Pastor, good friends and on and on I could go. Life is what you make it sometimes and opportunities come our way all the time some we miss and some we don't, but never say my life would be better if. It was a dark day the day two thieves finally got caught up with. Put in jail, went before the court of their day and sentenced to death; no lawyer could help them and then the day came, their last day on earth. There was no opportunity for a last meal as they were marched out of their jail cell to the place of their execution. There were no family members pleading for their release and not a friend in sight not one, they were all alone with death starring them both in the face. As they both came out to be on their way another man was joined with them and now all three were on their way to a hill where they would be placed on crosses.

Luke 23:32
And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. On that hill those two thieves would be given one last opportunity.

Luke 23:39
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. Being concerned about self he missed the last opportunity he would have.

Luke 23:40
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

Luke 23:41
And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Luke 23:42
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Luke 23:43
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. On that day one of those thieves made the right choice and because he did when he drew his last breath here he took his next in paradise. I don't think you will ever hear that man say "I wonder if things would be better if I would have…" So my friend if you are wondering what life would have been like if, the answer is you didn't and you will never know, so be happy and learn to do as the Apostle Paul did long ago

cts 26:2
I think myself happy, So what are you thinking? I hope you are thinking HAPPY!

Psalms 144:15
Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

Psalms 146:5
Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Bob

What if today someone took the time and told you that you "ARE WORTHWHILE?"
How would that make you feel? Then you boss calls you into their office and says I have been observing you - and I believe YOU ARE FULL OF PROMISE." How would you feel? I can't speak for you but I can for myself; it would make me feel wonderful and that someone appreciates me and sees my efforts. I read a story of a man by the name of Bob Danzig and the story was amazing. Bob was in five foster homes during his young childhood. He said that he spent most of that child hood trying to find someone to love and appreciate him. He said when he was nine he had a new social worker. He said that after she had done all the paperwork to move him to another foster home, she sat him down and looked him in the eyes, and said. "Bobby, I want you to always remember these words "You Are Worthwhile!" Bob said that no one had ever said anything like that to him, and every time they would meet she would repeat those words. After Bob graduated high school he took a job at the Albany New York Times as a copy boy, and his very first boss was a woman named Margaret. After Bob had worked there about six months, Margaret called him into her office one day and asked him to sit down. He thought for sure he was going to be fired! She looked him right in the eyes and said to him, "I have been the office manager for 15 years I have been observing you and I believe YOU ARE FULL OF PROMISE." Those words, on that day, gave him permission to aspire. Those two positive messages of appreciation played over and over again in his mind and gave him the courage to be the very best he could be. Sixteen years later he became the Publisher of the Albany New York Times, and seven years after that he became CEO of Hearst Newspapers, one of the largest newspaper companies in the world; and he credits it all to those simple words of appreciation and love. Webster tells us that that word
Appreciation means recognition of values, expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude. Zig Ziglar says "You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want." Is he saying show others some appreciation for what they do? If we point out the good and give appreciation to others who knows what will become of that person. Jesus was sitting one day at the house of Simon the leper eating. Here comes a woman and before anyone could stop her she had broken a container of some very precious ointment, and poured it on Jesus' head. The disciples got upset for two reasons #1- because of the waste and #2 because of the cost.

Matthew 26:8
But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

Matthew 26:9
For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
The appreciation Jesus gives this young lady; He tells them she hasn't done anything wrong and everywhere the gospel is preached she will be talked about.

Matthew 26:13
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Kind words spoken in appreciation and today, 2000 years later we are still reminded of this time and how she wrought a good work upon me.
(Jesus) The power we have with our words is incredible and with one kind word we could change a person's attitude about themselves. Why not today find something good to say about someone around you or someone you come in contact with. That social worker had a good idea that those words would have a very positive effect on Bob. Did Margaret know what kind of an effect her words would have on Bob? Maybe not and neither do we but let's just go ahead and say them any ways.