Is there a Storm Outside? Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 46

Good Morning World!
The Good Lord Willing we will not miss any more Bible Reading Posts!  Time is an enemy that we either conquer, learn to live with, or get crushed under!  Too, often time wins!  The Bible says that when a righteous man falls he will get back up, even if he falls seven times!

FYI : The new Sunday Video is available above or on youtube.
I believe I have the new Message set up as a play list, and all the pieces should play together as a whole.  Can't upload more than 10 minutes of video at a time so it's been difficult to get them playing as we want them to.

Daily Bible Reading:  Psalm 46

Is there a Storm Outside?  Maybe you should stay inside?  Is life making you a real basket case?  Times are tough that is for sure!  It sounds to me like its time to batten down the hatches and call on the name of Jesus!  David tells us this morning that God is our refuge and strength!  He is our "present" (not future) help in time of trouble!  Another verse compliments this one and says that "the name of the Lord is a strong tower."

This morning if you are beginning to feel a storm come on, or if the clouds outside your mind are beginning to swirl a little too much it is time to cry out to Jesus and get inside His presence where it is safe all the time!  Though the waters become a boiling tempest or the mountains shake with volcanic eruptions you will find peace in the presence of Jesus!

Say His name with me this morning: JESUS.  Again, JESUS.  One more time: JESUS!

Feel that twinge in you heart?  That's Jesus!  Say His name as many times as you need!  Say it prayerfully.  Say it with passion and meaning.  You'll find strength in any situation!

Finally, verse ten says,

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Yours for Peace in the Midst of you Storm,
Pastor Fred

A Loaded Question: Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 44

Good Morning World!  It is a nice crisp one here in Springdale, with a few flakes falling after a couple days of rain.  The thin white covering reminds me of God's grace and love.  They are a covering for us, and keep us from the dirt of this world!

Psalm 44
Has anyone ever asked you a "loaded question"?  You know the question I'm talking about.  The question that really doesn't have a right answer.  The question that could make you look bad or good all in one word.  The question that digs down into the heart of the matter, and finds the truth.  The question that will allow no lie or no way out.  Yeah, that question!
This chapter starts out sounding like an awesome praise report and then quickly turns into a loaded question aimed straight at the heart of God.  Have you ever had one of those, "You did it for them God, why not for me?" kind of prayers.  This is exactly where David found himself.
God we've heard about your greatness in the past from our fathers.  We haven't forgotten your name or precepts.  We are in a huge pickle and are loosing the battle.  Why aren't you helping us like you helped our fathers?  They weren't as committed as we are.  Where are you!?  Save us Lord for your mercies sake!  This is David's prayer.  He is upset, ashamed and confused.  Are you?
Sometimes in life bad things happen to good people while good things are happening to bad people.  It may seem unfair, but I've found a way to find peace in the storms of life.

1. Continue to trust in Jesus.  He always has my best interest in mind even when it doesn't seem like it.
2. Continue to call on Jesus.  He will answer when we call.  He is a gentleman and will wait for the call.
3. Continue to Love Jesus. He first loved me and died for me.  Nothing in life is equal to that.
4. Continue to Worship Jesus.  Worshiping the Saviour always brings the sunshine in!
5. Continue to Remember the Work.  Jesus is working on me.  Jesus is preparing me for "Heaven".
6. Continue to Fellowship. We all need each other, and leaning on fellow believers is always a blessing.
7. Continue to believe that Jesus is Good All the Time!

These few things have helped me through many "Loaded Question" situations in my life.   We will all have them, but it is your reaction to those times that will determine the final outcome.  Will it become your greatest blessing or your final curse?

Yours during the "loaded questions",

Pastor Fred

PS> Note that we have our "Pastor Fred Online: Video" section up and running again!  Please visit often and watch.  Pass them along to friends and family.  We will have at least one new video up each week following the Sunday Church services.  More good stuff to come!

Daily Bible Reading & Devotion -- Psalm 40 - 41

Good Morning World, and Happy New Year's Eve!  May the Lord richly bless you.  May His light shine upon you and light your path.  May you have a new relationship with Jesus, and see what God and really be to you!

Thank you for helping this blog reach over 3800 souls and over 150 countries!  I can't what to see over 4000 souls and more!  Stick around and see what God is going to do!

Psalm 40

David is again describing the trials and tribulations of life.  Knowing this gives me hope!  The knowing that the man after God's own heart had good days and bad days.  He had ups and downs.  He felt small, poor and needy even though he became king of Israel.  This gives me hope and comfort!  Why, you ask?  Because, when I have my ups, downs, ins and outs I too can still trust in my maker and know that He is there to show his great grace and mercy through me!  Don't ever feel too low.  Don't ever let your emotions take you to the edge of destruction.  Be like David and let your spirit cry out.  You will soon see the mercy and love of Jesus enveloping you and giving you peace in your storm!  Let your enemies be ashamed and desolate!  Let your spirit rejoice because it trusted in and sought after Jesus!

Psalm 41

Let the first statement of this chapter be our New Year's resolution, "Blessed is he that considers the poor!"
Don't worry about losing weight -- you'll do that when your are ready.
Don't worry about relationships -- that will happen in time.
Don't worry about your bad habits -- you'll stop them when you are fed up with yourself.
NO, this year do one thing; consider the poor!  There is such great blessing when we look beyond ourselves and reach into the life of someone who is needy.  Everyone has a need.  You can find them on your street.  They could be your neighbor.  There is no better why to show the love of God than by helping someone who is poor and destitute.  In this tough economic time when many millions of people are out of work it is time for God's people to rise up and help the poor.

Am I poor?  In today's standards -- YES!  I've never made enough money in a year to bring me over the national poverty level.  Am I blessed?  In God's economy -- YES!  I have less than many, and more than most.  I am blessed!  God is good to me, and I want to show that goodness to someone else!

This year find a soup kitchen, homeless shelter or someone unemployed and help them.  It may not be much, but Jesus will multiply your efforts!  May be that is the point of the miracle of the fishes and loaves.  Little is much when God is in it!

Are you having trouble making ends meet?  So am I!  Yet, when we help the needy God not only supply's our needs but also the needs of others!  It is amazing!  I dare you to try, and see how God blesses you!

Yours for a great New Year in Jesus
Pastor Fred

Overwhelming Frustration

There are times in our lives when circumstances can pile one upon the other, and we become frustrated and overwhelmed. Let me give you an example:

For just over a week now my wife and my four children have been sick with some kind of flu, and our baby, because of it, hasn't been sleeping only but a couple hours each night. Consequently, both my wife and I have not been getting enough sleep. And we all know what happens when we don't get enough sleep. Our attitude isn't right, our character is out of sorts, tempers can flare very easily, and the whole family can suffer.

It can be very easy to let yourself slip into a state of circumstantial depression, and not allow yourself to deal logically with this type of situation. It is also easy to let yourself get caught up in the emotional strain of the moments. This is when some very unpleasant things can happen.

1. you can loose your temper.
2. you can say things that you don't really mean.
3. you can do something that you really didn't want to do.
4. your words can be easily taken the wrong way.

From my own personal experiences I have found a good way to overcome some of these very unpleasant circumstances.

1. Make some time to get away by yourself, and do something that is calming to you. You are not denying the circumstance is happening, nor are you neglecting to take care of the situation. (Some people would try to just forget that overwhelming things happen, and move on without counquering them, overcoming them, or learning from them.

2. While you are by yourself doing what you like to do and what calms you, let your mind and body relax so that you can look at the circumstances objectively and rationally. ( I play my guitar, sing, make up a song, fiddle with our piano, or play a video game. These are my relaxation activities.)

3. Brace your mind and re-enter your overwhelming circumstances. This time you will encounter them with more peace, control and more ability to do what is right even though the situation is very frustrating.

Of course a bit of prayer, and very passionate long kiss are always beneficial in helping you overcome stress!

Hope this helps,
Pastor Fred
(PS. Thanks to Gettyone.com for the Royalty Free Images.)