⛑️If The Rescuer Doesn't Come🚁

 

Psalms 119:151 (KJV)  Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. My Sidewalk Verse For The Day 

Colossians 1:13 (KJV) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Colossians 1:14 (KJV) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

If anyone has ever been delivered they will never forget it. Here we read of the deliverance from “the power of darkness” If one has ever been delivered from “the power of darkness” they will not forget.

It was November 14, 1965, Major Bruce Crandall flew a Huey helicopter assigned to lift troops into La Drang, which was to become known, in Vietnam, as the "Valley of Death." His mission to deliver the troops was done. But pretty soon he realized the plight of those troops. There were 450 American soldiers hugely outnumbered by 2,000 enemy troops. Major Crandall began flying into that Valley of Death to bring out the wounded and to bring in ammunition. Before that day was over, he had flown for 14 hours straight - 22 flights barraged with enemy fire. It took three different choppers to do it all; two were too damaged to continue. One officer said, "Without Major Crandall, our battalion would almost surely have been overrun." Crandall simply said, "They knew we would come if they needed it no matter what." That's heroism.

Another officer in the Valley of Death that day bottom-lined their heroic rescuer's work this way: "If he hadn't come, every man there would have died." But then, that's always the way it is with rescue, right? If the rescuer doesn't come, people die.

Jesus Christ came into this world to rescue sinners; that’s you and I. The Apostle Paul understood that.

1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. If the rescuer didn’t come, sinners would die. 

🌄Since The Day We Heard👂

Sidewalk Verse For The Day 

Psalms 119:140 (KJV) Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.  

Colossians 1:9 (KJV) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

The Apostle in his writing to those at Colosse tells them that since the day we heard  about you we continue to pray for you. Wow, wouldn't you like to go to your mailbox, pick up a letter, open it and read words like that? Paul says “since the day we heard” it’s not just Paul that is praying but “we” that’s more than just The Apostle Paul. What were this group of people praying for? In the next verse we read that they were praying for those at Colosse to be filled with the Knowledge of God’s will for them and that they would have wisdom and spiritual understanding. But Paul and his group that were praying didn’t stop there. They  prayed that they would continue in their walk with the Lord and be fruitful in their walk. Paul and his praying group goes on and not just prays for their knowledge and wisdom in God’s will but that their knowledge would increase in God. Why does The Apostle Paul want their knowledge to increase? Because knowledge gives strength and patience and joyfulness. It all boils down to knowing who God is. The year 1973 I had just finished up a 4 year enlistment with the USAF I had been discharged 25 August 1972. From August to April I had gotten my life in a real mess. I could blame it on the military where I was sent, what I experienced, what I saw, what I did; but that wasn’t my real problem. My real problem was I didn’t know God. Therefore I didn’t have God’s strength nor the patience nor the joy that only God can give. Like most I was looking in the wrong places. Nightclubs, alcohol and drugs but all those increased my troubles and problems. I finally went to Church and on that day in April 1973 my life changed forever or as I like to say for eternity. On that day I asked for help from the only one that could give me help, God. Wow, what a day that was never to be forgotten. The day God gave a young man hope and assurance of heaven. From that day until this day I have been prayed for, taught God’s Word from the Bible, I have learned to walk with the Lord on a daily basis. Perfect, I’m not but I have been strengthened by the knowledge from God and therefore I have joy in my life. Problems? Oh yeah I have them! Sorrows? Yes I have them too along with disappointment and heartbreak. My loved ones pass away and I experience grief. I know that’s part of life but it is still not easy and it still hurts. At the end of the day I can still be thankful for all that my Heavenly Father has given me.  It’s like anything else worth having; it's a learning process. Two times in the Bible you will find this phrase “I have learned.”

Genesis 30:27 (KJV) And Laban said unto him,(Jacob)

 I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.

Philippians 4:11 (KJV) Not that I(Paul) speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. This past weekend my nephew gave me a very small doll that has written across its breast Jesus ❤️You. The more I thought about that. I said this to myself “if that little doll reminded me of how much Jesus loves me. Wouldn’t it do the same for someone else? It’s nice to be reminded of how much God loves you and I, don’t you think? Just another leaning moment. 

🪂☄️Trust When It Appears No Way Out❌

Trust is a two-way street with two traveling it together.

The Bible has many places and people who didn’t see a way out of their dilemma. Moses at the Red Sea. Then there was Gideon with 300 men who would defeat 135,000. The impossible became possible. David, a young shepherd defeated a mighty warrior with a small smooth stone. In each of these cases there appeared no way of victory. Mighty things happen when trust is placed in God. 

My intention in all that I write is for you to read God's Word. To trust what God has promised in His Word. For the more one reads asking God for understanding the stronger relationship one builds with their Heavenly Father. The better one understands the God that loves them the more they will trust. Get in the Bible and learn how much God cares what goes on in your life.

Proverbs 15:3 (KJV) The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

July

Colossians 1:7 (KJV) As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.

In verse 7 we read and learn of a man named Epaphras. We read that Epaphras was a dear fellow servant of the Apostle Paul. Epaphras is mentioned only 3 times in the New Testament, twice in Colossians and once in Philemon. In Colossians 1:7 Paul refers to him as a Fellow servant. In Colossians 4:12 Epaphras is referred to as a Servant of Christ. In Philemon he is referred to a Fellow prisoner. Philemon 1:23 (KJV) There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 

So what do we know about this man? In verse 7 we learn that Epaphras was a “faithful minister of Christ.”  That Epaphras was teaching and showing the love of the Spirit. When Paul heard this about Epaphras he began to pray for those he was teaching that they might be filled with the knowledge of God’s will with spiritual understanding. Paul also was praying for their walk with the Lord and the knowledge of God. Paul was praying as we read on in chapter one for their strength and joyfulness in suffering. Do what? How can one have joy at the same time they are suffering? Let me give an example. Let’s say you got a letter in the mail from the loan institution that held the mortgage on your home. When you opened it up you read where they were calling for the loan to be paid in full and then gave you a date. There’s no way, you don’t have that kind of money. That would be suffering. What if you didn’t have the money but you knew that before the due date a large check was being placed in your account that would more than cover the loan. How much do you think you would be suffering? That’s what the Apostle was praying for and that’s how one can have joy in suffering.  Psalms 56:3 (KJV) What time I am afraid,(worried, troubled, suffering) I will trust in thee. We were never promised a life without problems or suffering. Do you remember the movie “GroundHog Day?” Phil relives it over and over again. That’s what many of us do: we relive day after day our troubles. When God is saying don’t worry, trust me. Don’t get the wrong impression, no one goes through this life and never has a care. No that’s not so, but in our suffering we must learn to trust in the God who loves us and that He will help us in our suffering. Read the cry’s from those in the scriptures. Psalms 25:17 (KJV) The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.

Psalms 34:6 (KJV) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Learn not to trust yourself in your suffering, learn to trust God in your trouble. 

🍇🍎This Years Fruit 🍒🍓

 🎉Happy New Year 2025🎉

Colossians 1:5 (KJV) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

Colossians 1:6 (KJV) Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

Verse 5 ends with these words “ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel” Then verse 6 starts off with these words “Which is come unto you” The Apostle Paul writes to those who have placed their trust in Christ and the faithful brethren that are at Colosse. Paul writes to those in Colosse because of what he heard; their faith in Christ Jesus, and the love they had for one another. That is great but if that’s all one has it will soon get lost in everyday life. Paul speaks highly of their love one for another, also in what made the difference or how things changed. Paul reminds those at Colosse that it started with what they heard, the Gospel. The Gospel is what changes lives, the Word of God. The more one knows, the more one grows. In Psalms 119  the phrase “Thy Word” is mentioned 35 times. Let me give some examples:  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart ”Psalms 119:11 “I will not forget thy word.” 119:166 “that I might meditate in thy word.” 119:148

“my heart standeth in awe of thy word.” 119:161

“My tongue shall speak of thy word” 119:172 

As the Apostle Paul writes he knows how important The Word of God is to those who have asked Christ into their hearts. Always remember that our enemy will always work at destroying our faith in Christ Jesus. How? One way is by weak training. We learn from the Word of God our Bibles. I want to be around those who know their Bibles; but I want to go a step further and learn for myself what is in my Bible. I love this verse  

Acts 17:11 (KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. They didn’t just hear but after they heard they received it with a ready mind. Then they went a step further and “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” In other words this is too important for us not to know if what we heard was true. So let’s break it down into our day. It’s Sunday, we get up, get ready and take off to Sunday School. After Sunday School we go into a Worship service. The most important piece of equipment we can have with us is our Bible. Remember it’s “thy word” we need to know and then search “thy word” so we will be ready to grow in “thy word” 

1 Peter 2:2 (KJV) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: The Apostle Paul said this: 

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

First Question of your exam:

1- Did you receive the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior?

2- If so, do you have a desire to know your Bible?

3- Are you following through with your desire? 

How does one know?  Matthew 7:20 (KJV) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Fruit of the spirit 

Galatians 5:22 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Galatians 5:23 (KJV) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Got Fruit?

👏Me gustaría ir a la iglesia 💒

I would like to go to?????

Colossians 1:5 (KJV) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

That word “hope” is not a word that carries the idea of being somewhat negative. Let’s look at this word “hope” for a moment. When “hope” is used as a verb it means “ to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true”  like “we are hoping for the best.” When “hope” is used as a noun it means “desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment” as “we came in hopes of seeing you.”

When we read “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven” we are reading of a place “heaven” for the expectation of the belief or the fulfillment of Heaven. You do know according to the Bible everything that you and I read is true and will happen. Our Bible will always back up what we read  Psalms 119:89 (KJV) For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psalms 119:103 (KJV) How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalms 119:105 (KJV) Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Heaven is a real place. Oh but one might say all your information comes from the Bible. I would say not all but the answer to that question is not what the Bible says but unbelief in what the Bible has to say. Let me give a true real life illustration. My wife, daughter and myself were vacationing at Amelia Island. It was Sunday Morning and I was praying. As I was praying I said to the Lord in my prayer that I would like to go to Church (👏Me gustaría ir a la iglesia 💒)but I don’t know where to go. Maybe an hour went by and this lady whom I had never seen came out to her car and put something in it. It was a nice orange Mustang GT. Well she went back into the motel. She came back out and looked over in my direction and I said “nice car.” We started talking about her car and then she invited me to Church. She began to tell me about her Church, where it was located about her Pastor. Well I decided to go and went. What a great service and very friendly people. Why did I tell that story? Well remember me asking my Heavenly Father that I would like to go to Church but didn’t know where to go? No one knew that except me and my Heavenly Father. That is answered prayer. God heard my desire and sent a woman by the name of Amy to invite me to her Church.  

🛐Who Cares ⁉️

Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care 

Colossians 1:3 (KJV) We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

I have a close friend named Danny who called me one morning a while back and said he was going to pray for me regularly.  I also had another friend named Melba. Melba called me and said she was going to pray for me everyday and she did till she couldn’t; the last time she prayed for me was on Saturday 22 July 2023 at 7:57 pm. She went to Heaven on 10 February 2024. Every day she would text me letting me know she had prayed for me and my family. I miss her prayers. I am glad I still have one friend that thinks enough of me and prays for me everyday. Every morning he sends me a #7 which tells me he has prayed for me. Here the Apostle Paul is telling those in Colosse that he is praying for them and thanking God for them. My good friend Danny is praying for me, he’ll never know how much that means to me. Paul is doing the same thing for those at Colosse that Danny is doing for me. Paul tells them that I am giving thanks to God for you and I’m doing that regularly. Paul, like my friend Danny, isn't asking for anything, just praying regularly. All I can say is Thanks and that’s all they could say too. Wow what a blessing to know that someone who cares is praying for you.

🧍Family🧍‍♀️

The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.

Colossians 1:1 (KJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

Paul calls Timothy his brother. If you were to take the time to run the blood line you would find that Paul is no kin at all to Timothy. If that being so, why would Paul call Timothy his brother? Webster says this about Brother “A human male born of the same father and mother.” Or as my Pastor said “one born of the same womb. I’ll not get deep into this but after I ask the Lord to come into my heart my want too’s changed. Then I noticed other Christians started calling me brother Wayne. That was new to me but all they were saying was that I was born into the same family. Then I had a Pastor named Ray Hill who called everyone Doc. I like that better and somehow that caught on and I started calling others Doc too. If you noticed Paul said “our brother.” God has a big family and I’m glad to be in it. I may not be called brother or Doc but I’m still in the family of God. Paul then clarifies what he means in Colossians 1:2 (KJV) To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. To the saints and faithful brethren from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul calls them brethren and they understood what he meant “brethren in Christ.”