Daily

I'm one of those morning people. As you already know I'm sure! You have to admit that there are some advantages to those early hours of the day, getting started on things before there are interruptions, beating the world to the punch. Zephaniah 3:5
The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.

Co-workers will fail you some days, your boss will, your family will, your mate will, your church, fellow believers, even spiritual leaders. But "every morning, He will not fail."

I'm so glad God has based some of His central promises on daily delivery, because we don't experience our life as weeks, or months, or years. What we do we do a day at a time, and so does God! He meets our needs in the form of "daily bread" Matthew 6:11-Give us this day our daily bread. "His mercies are new every morning Lamentations 3:22-23-It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:23-They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. In Psalm 68:19-Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us
with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. We're told that God is our "Savior, who daily bears our burdens." That's a good thing, because that's how we experience our burdens isn't it - the weight of this particular day.

Deuteronomy 33:25-
Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. Our strength will equal our days. You will never have a day for which you do not have matching strength, even if some days give you more to carry than the day before. The Apostle Paul tells us one big reason why we never need to "lose heart." 2 Corinthians 4:16-
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. So, no matter how battered you got yesterday, God has promised that He will give you a renewing, rejuvenating, re-energizing touch each new day. Some days you're going to wake up anxious. Some days you're going to wake up dreading the day. Some days you're going to be excited about what's ahead. Other days you're going to be overwhelmed by what's ahead, or some days you may be discouraged, or eager, or exhausted. But however you are, no matter what that day holds, the sun is going to come up again. It always does. And God is going to light this day, no matter what. So why don't you claim God's guarantee for yourself. "every morning He faileth not" You can count on HIM! Now put some excitement into your day and a smile on your face, for the Lord will give you the strength for this day and this day only. Concentrate on today! Proverbs 27:1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Today is all we can handle!

We Need this Bridge

Sometime today you will more than likely have to go across a bridge to get to where you are going. Bridges are very important getting us from one place to another and without some bridges it would be impossible to get there. There are bridges that go over lakes, rivers, creeks and other highways. I think of some of the important bridges of our day. There is the Golden Gate part of Route 101 and California State Route 1; it connects the city of San Francisco on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County. The Golden Gate was the longest suspension bridge span in the world when it was completed in 1937. There is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway it is the longest in the world over water measuring 23.87 miles. It's amazing what a difference a bridge can make it literally brings people and places together. And for all people, there needs to be a bridge for them to get to the most important destination of all - heaven. Actually, Jesus has bridged the "Grand Canyon" between a holy God and us sinners by His death for our sins.

2Co 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled (Brought into friendship from a state of disagreement) us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (restoring relationships)

2Co 5:19 To wit, (to know) that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them (He didn't hold people's faults against them); and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (This message of restored relationships to tell others)

2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors (representatives) for Christ, as though God did beseech (beg) you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him (Christ)
to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Let's look at it another way:

2Co 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled
(Wayne Sosebee) to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to
(Wayne Sosebee)
the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co 5:19 To wit,
that God was in Christ, reconciling
(Wayne Sosebee) unto himself, not imputing his trespasses unto him; and hath committed unto
(Wayne Sosebee) the word of reconciliation.

2Co 5:20 Now
(Wayne Sosebee) is ambassadors
for Christ, as though God did beseech
you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

2Co 5:21
For he hath made him
(Christ)
to be sin for
(Wayne Sosebee), who knew no sin; that
(Wayne Sosebee) might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(Christ)

You can put your name in there or anybody else, because it's all about Christ and I thank Him for giving the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ sled blood on Calvary's cross. Don't you? For He is the bridge!

 

 

What Happened Friday

Well, I missed writing my email/blog on Friday not by choice. This was the first one I had missed in over six months of writing them. Let me share with you what the Lord taught me last Friday. My day started off rough; my computer crashed and I was unable to write and no way to tell anyone what had happened. Then $50.00 was missed placed; so my Friday started. I was very discouraged to say the least. I was going to have to take my computer to Best Buys and let them fix it. I was really having an awful day when the Lord spoke to my heart and reminded me of what I had just written the day before "Why I don't care how bad a day I am having it is nothing compared to Job's! He lost everything in one day. " The Lord reminded me of that. Know what I did? I started praising the Lord and singing and making melody in my heart and I soon forgot about all my troubles, for there was nothing I could do about them anyways. I changed my attitude and it changed my action. I had to run by another company and meet with a man that I do business with. As I was leaving I told him I had to run by Best Buys and take my computer and told him about it crashing. He said let me look at it, I went and got it out of the truck. He turned it on and to my wondering eyes the computer came on and this is what it said; "windows has solved your problem." I was already in the praise mode and I just shouted out and said "well just praise the Lord for He is good, all the time He is good! My Pastor taught me that; just thought I would share that with you it might just help you some day. Man was I excited that computer screen might as well have said "The Lord has solved your problem." He's the one that did. But my day was not over yet there was more to follow. Later that day I went in one of my customers home and as I entered her kitchen I sensed something was wrong then she told me that her husband had just passed away May 6. I went about my work and when I was finished I sat down with her for a minute just to talk. As I talked with her the Lord impressed on me to have a word of prayer with her, I did and she was more than thankful. Then I told her "Mrs. Poole you have become more of a friend than a customer and if there is anything I can do to help you please call me." What started off to be an awful day turned out to be the best day of the week and I don't have the space to tell you about the Reformers meeting that night but the Lord blessed again. He showed Himself to be real and I credit it to when I changed my attitude from poor me to how great the Lord is and began to praise Him. I have also found out two of our RU students were baptized last night. I knew one was being baptized but a second one got saved Sunday morning and both were baptized at Cross Roads Baptist Church. Don't know if that helps you but it is still helping me.

So this week when things are going wrong just change your attitude from poor me to Praising the Lord for your blessings on me. Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; You see, it's all about Him anyways!

 

 

Good News, Bad News

I have you ever stopped to get a little something from a convenience store? Candy bar, coke, chips, water or gas. How did the person behind the counter treat you? With kinds words or a smile or were they a real grouch? Maybe you're the one behind the counter or someone others will meet today, how will they react? The choice is ours we can focus on being a grouch or a good news person, it is all up to you. Ask yourself this question how would I like others to treat me? We can read the newspaper and watch T.V. and get all the news off the internet. I have noticed it is mostly bad new not good. If I were to ask you if you could buy a Good News newspaper and from page to page it had wonderful inspirational stories about people overcoming adversity and doing good things for others would you read it? Now remember, if you did you couldn't complain about the bad news because you wouldn't be read about it. Now what are you thinking? Are you thinking, well I really need to know what is going on in the world I live in. Ok so you enjoy being able to complain! Remember by the choices we make, by the attitudes we exhibit, we are influencing lives every day in positive or negative ways….our family, our peers, our friends, and even strangers we don't even know. So how can we over come all the bad news? We will never be able to overcome it all but we can overcome a lot of it. Here is my attitude on bad news. I hardly ever listen to the news on the T.V. hardly ever do I read a newspaper. I don't even listen to a radio very much. How in the world do you know what is happening you might ask. Good question and here is my answer. If it's that bad someone will let me know. When the Twin Towers were destroyed I didn't hear about it from the radio, T.V. I received a phone call and they told me. That's how I find our most things that are bad. When I get up in the mornings I read my Bible that book always encourages me and enlighten me. Why I don't care how bad of a day I am having it is nothing compared to Job's! He lost everything in one day ; read about it Job Chapter 1. So I can dwell on the negative if I want but that's not what the Lord wants me to do. Psalms 145:1
I will extol (highly praise) thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Psalms 145:2
Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Psalms 145:3
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

Psalms 146:1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Psalms 146:2
While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Psalms 147:1
Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

Psalms 148:1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

Psalms 149:1

Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.

Psalms 150:1

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Psalms 150:2

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Psalms 150:3

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Psalms 150:4

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Psalms 150:5

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Psalms 150:6
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. Know what I think? I think we should have an attitude of PRAISE. What do you think? Because bad things will happen with or without you.

 

Look Past the Garbage

I have noticed over the past few years that I am not as strong as I was at one time. Last Friday night once again I was reminded of that. We were moving things out of my office into storage when I tried to pick something up that in times past would have been no problem. But this night it was a major problem, I needed help and then it was still difficult for me. I have also noticed I have aches and pains in my joints my eyes aren't what they use to be and I think my hearing is starting…..you get the picture I am sure. I can look back and wish I was what I used to be or I can look at it another way. I like this way best "Yep, my body is wearing out, I guess, but I'm just grateful I'm here for it." You just have to see beyond your aches and pains to the blessing of at least being alive to feel them. Here is how you weigh them out: physical problems – small stuff, being alive – big stuff. Look at Proverbs 14:4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. Do you see the picture? The farmer is complaining about the mess his oxen make in the barn. If I didn't have those oxen, I wouldn't have all this manure. But wait if you didn't have the oxen you wouldn't have the harvest you are having. A little mess because you've got a big blessing. Too many times I complain and even get frustrated by things that aren't working, things that are hurting, things that need fixing, problems that need solving, jobs that need doing. Maybe I too forget that the reason I've got a problem is because I have a gift from God. I've been given blessings, opportunities, years, people who love me, people who look up to me, people who need me, and I have also been given a work to do. I can complain about the manure, or I can be glad I have an ox. I can gripe or be thankful for the gifts. I can be negative because of the mess, or I can be positive because the mess is the result of progress.
Psa 16:5
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. {You Lord, are the one who determines my destiny}

Psa 16:6
The lines are fallen {boundary lines mark out} unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. {my inheritance is something beautiful}

Where is your attitude coming from? Is it coming from your load or your Lord? From your burdens or blessings! The mess from the wrapping paper or the gift from God that was wrapped in it! Look past the garbage to the goodness of God. Be thankful that you are here for it.

 

 

Deliverance

Deliverance what does it mean? Webster says that it means Release from captivity slavery, oppression, or any restraint. Among the blessings which we connect with faith and the most clearly seen is deliverance. The Bible records many deliverances, Abraham was delivered from idolatry. Joseph was delivered from his brethren. David from Goliath, Peter from the prison in Jerusalem and the most notable of all was the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt by the mighty hand of God with the blood on the doorpost. Men and women trusting God and seeing deliverance we can read all about deliverance in Hebrews chapter 11. Just trusting God and walking out of the restraints and the captivity of slavery; man that must have been wonderful. But as I read on in Hebrews chapter 11 I see other deliverances that weren't so glamorous. Look at Hebrews 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: (that was wonderful no doubt but) and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

Hebrews 11:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

I read when a man was charged with being a Christian, deliverance was always at hand. All a Christian would have to do to be delivered was to blaspheme the name of Christ. A word of cursing or when the Roman centurion scratched the name of Christ on the wall; just spit on it and you are delivered from sure death. But you know these people of faith thought it was better to be faithful than free, so they were tortured, not accepting deliverance. Wonderful but how does that help us today? Back in 1974 I met a man who at one point was doing great; he had plenty of money beauty home and fine cars. Then someone told him about the Lord and how he could go to heaven and be forgiven of all his sins. Know what he did? He bowed his head and asked the Lord to forgive him; know what? The Lord did! When I met him he was losing his house; not his home just his house. He had his cars up for sale, not his family and I don't know about his bank account. But I do know about his smiling face and his words as he said this is the greatest thing that has ever happen to me. The business that had given him all his fortune; well he closed it. He decided that he wasn't going to miss the best by choosing the easier so he closed his night club. I am sure we have all been there at one time or another. When I make a sale sometimes it would be easier to get more than the sale is worth. I see fancy cars, big house, swimming pool, fine clothes. I can say they will never know the difference so why not charge them a little more; remember the last job you missed a few things and you didn't make very much. They can afford it and they will never know any different. But I know so I must refuse to do that. In so doing I deliver myself from slavery and oppression, I chose it was better to be faithful than having a few more dollars in my pocket, not to mention a good night sleep. You and I may never have to stand before those who would have us blaspheme for our freedom. But you know if we did and we decided to blaspheme how would we know they would set us free anyways? I trust Him, He have proven Himself….they hadn't!

 

Time

I read a story the other day that touched my heart. The story tells of an elderly man who had not long ago buried his wife and the love of his life. One day while feeling lonely and wanting to be by his wife and just be able to touch her once again. He made his way into the attic where he found picture albums filled with pictures of the past. He began to view the photos of his dear wife and reminisce of days gone by. A small book fell to the floor. As he opened it he quickly saw that it was a journal written by his son when he was young. As he read page after page he tried to remember the times that he son was writing about. Then he remembered that he too kept journals so he went to his office. He opened a glass door and found the year, he opened his journal up to June 4 and this is what he had written "Went fishing with Jimmy and wasted the whole day and caught nothing." Then he opened his sons to the same day he saw a much different perspective. This is what little Jimmy had written "Went fishing with my Dad. Best day of my life." What the Dad saw as a wasted day his son saw it as the best day of his life. Now that I am older and can look back I see things totally different. What I would give to be able to go back and live a few of those days over again. I can remember the night my dad and I had a heated discussion and I will never forget what he said to me that night. He said "I can still see you as a child running after me as I left for work crying and wanting me to stay. Everything in me was saying stay but my duty was I had to go to work." Now I know what he meant. What I wouldn't give for some time with my day now. Time, we all have the same amount it's what we do with it that counts. The wisest man who ever lived wrote about time and this is what he had to say.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:2
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

Ecclesiastes
3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

Ecclesiastes
3:11
He hath made everything beautiful in his time: He has a lot to say and I gave you a few verses to read. He starts off saying there is a time for every purpose and he ends up with everything is beautiful in his time. If you want you can turn to the book of Ecclesiastes and read Chapter three for yourselves. As I read I noticed that there was a time that Solomon didn't mention and it was a time to waste. So let's be careful about wasting time because we just have so much and none of it should be wasted. God bless you and watch your time.