Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 74 & 75

Good Morning World!

There is something satisfying about a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  Especially when times are tough.  As Simon & Garfunkel sang, "Like a Bridge Over Troubled Waters", and another song, "Lean on Me when you're not strong"  These songs have been a source of refuge for many, because the words are so true.  We all need someone to lean on!

Psalm 74
This is another Psalm of passionate prayer and supplication.  The writer isn't David, but Asaph, and he is pleading with God for a desperate rescue.  In pleading with God Asaph begins to remind God of His covenants and promises to Israel.  Sometimes it is necessary to us to remind God what He said He would do.  It isn't so much for God's benefit as our own benefit.  Sometimes, it does us good to remember what God said He would do, and we must then make sure we are living up to our end of the bargain.  God is merciful and kind.   God is full of love and tender compassion.  However, God also loves a good contract.  He made many contracts with Israel and other throughout the Bible, and still continues to do so today.  So, if you are having a "go through"  try reminding you and God what the contract says, and then make sure that you are at least keeping your side.  You can be most assured that God will keep His side!

Psalm 75
Another song of Asaph.  I'm not sure of the time line, but I would like to submit that is was after the previous song of supplication.  Here we have a song of deliverance and rejoicing!  What wondrous things happen when we trust in the Lord, and we both keep our side of the contract!  God is good and greatly to be praised!  He deals righteously with the foolish and wicked, and raises up the righteous.  He takes care of His own and doesn't let the destroyer overcome them!

Praise the Lord and keep your trust in Him.  He will deliver and save you!
Yours for trust,
Pastor Fred

Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 72 "A Prayer for Leadership"

Good Morning World!

This morning our reading is very important to everyone.  We all need and/or have a leader in our life.  We all have someone whether a person, police force, or government that we must answer to.  We all have people in our lives that lead us: teachers, pastors, business owners, mayors, presidents, prime ministers, premiers, kings and/or queens.  These people lead us, and teach us.  We hope that they are directing us in the right direction, however, sometimes they do not.  This morning's reading is a prayer for Solomon by the passing King David.  We ought to pray a similar prayer for the people in our lives who are leaders.

Psalms 72
 ¹Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
 ²He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
 ³The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
 ⁴He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
 ⁵They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
 ⁶He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
 ⁷In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
 ⁸He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
 ⁹They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
 ¹⁰The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
 ¹¹Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
 ¹²For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
 ¹³He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
 ¹⁴He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
 ¹⁵And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
 ¹⁶There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
 ¹⁷His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
 ¹⁸Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
 ¹⁹And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
 ²⁰The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. (Psalm 72, King James Version)

Why Pray?

Have you ever wondered, "Why should I pray?" Have you ever wondered, "What is the point to pray?"

Allow me to let you in on a little secret. Every spiritual and physical blessing comes through prayer.

Wow, that is so simple yet so profound! I pray because I want a relationship with my Saviour. I pray because I want God's best for my family. I pray because Jesus is Good to me! I pray because I have financial needs. I pray because I am blessed. I pray because I want to know the will of God. I pray because I need encouragement and strength. I pray because I want to know what to tell people in need. I pray so I can be a better person. I pray so I can know Jesus!

Pray is everything, and everything comes through pray!

Just a thought,
Pastor Fred

Do You Have Time?

Are you Busy? Do you have time to read this post? Yes. No. Maybe.

If you are too busy then maybe you should read on. It won't take long, but it might help you get you mind back on the right track!

I have been too busy to write, or read very much in the past few weeks.
I have been too busy to do much with my family and friends.
I have been too busy to finish anything that needs to be done.

Have you been the same? What direction is your life taking?

It's time to take a second look at your life. Its time to take a second look at what you are doing.

Trust me when I say there is more to life than work, and always doing something.

There needs to be time for you, for your family, for your friends, for your God!

It's time to get back to prayer. It's time to get back to Jesus. It's time to get back to the Bible. It's time to get back to family. It's time to get back to true friendships. It's time to get back to personal relaxation time.

Don't work yourself to death. Find time for those things that are truly important.

Yours for time for Jesus,
Pastor Fred

Who Do You Call....When They Come For You?

The great opening song for Ghost Busters, "Who do you call when they come for you?" has been an icon in the past generation, but the question today isn't really about ghosts. It is about calling out for help in time of need. So let me ask you again, "Who do you call...when they come for you?"

Let me explain where I'm trying to take you today.

Last night while "stumbling" around the internet I cam across a very cool website: www.24-7prayer.com . (Please go to the website and check out the story) This site is dedicated to prayer 24-7. What? Yes! Groups of people around the world have united in prayer, and are doing so 24 hours a day 7 days a week. What is most interesting about this group is that they are comprised mostly of young people and youth groups!

There is no greater force on or in earth than prayer. Not only is it good for your health, soul and mind it is also good for your spirit. Through Prayer lives are being changed. Through Prayer people are being healed. Through Prayer countries are changing policies to benefit the people. Through Prayer revival is taking place! Through Prayer disasters are being avoided! Prayer Changes Things!

I don't really care if you have never prayed before, or haven't prayed on a regular basis. I still want to challenge you to prayer. What better way to learn how to pray than to to just do it! Just talk to Jesus like you would talk to me or your best friend. You don't have to hold back, but you do need to be honest! Prayer will change your life!

There is an only saying, "An Apple A Day will Keep the Doctor Away." Well, I have another saying for you, "A Prayer A Day will Keep You Singing Alway!"

P ray
U ntil
S omething
H appens

Websites about/on Prayer:
http://www.wnop.org
www.24-7prayer.com
http://www.sacredspace.ie/
http://www.allaboutprayer.org/

Happily Married Ever After.....

I believe I've discovered on of the greatest Marriage tips. I've known about it in the back of my head for awhile, but I actually got to the place where it worked for me! It is so secret that your spouse doesn't even have to know that you are doing it!

What is this powerful weapon of marital success? What is this secret that is so subtle in its approach that the recipient won't even realize it?

PRAY and Living in the Presence of Jesus!

What? I pray and still don't get along with my spouse.... Your are wrong! No I'm not wrong! Just sit back and read. Let this simple truth sink in and take root.

Pray as most people know it is simply a forum for us to bring our complaints to Jesus; our needs, wants and desires. However, true prayer isn't just a forum for us to talk about us, and other people's needs, rather prayer is a meeting, conversation, relationship of time spent between two friends. Time well spent between a Father and child; that is true prayer!

Prayer is a time of relationship between Jesus and you. The more time you spend in the presence of Jesus the more you will become like Him! If you let His Spirit come in, and wash over you the light of His presence will make you see things differently! The Holy Spirit and The Word of God will work together, and grow you into a new spiritual creature in Christ Jesus!

Now I'm not talking about just a few minutes here and a few minutes there. I'm talking about relationship prayer; prayer closet prayer. I am talking about taking time out each day to be with Jesus; 30 minutes to more than an hour. This type of relationship prayer spills over into the rest of your day and life. You will find yourself spontaneously bursting into praise, prayer and worship throughout your day!

Then, when your spirit becomes in tune with His Spirit your life will be changed.

Now, how does this effect your marriage? Well, those little things that we all dislike our spouses doing, no matter how small become insignificant. Instead of seeing those negative qualities, we begin to focus on the wonderful things, which made us fall in love with that person in the first place. We are no longer finding ways to pick a fight, but instead we are finding ways to love.

The Bible tells us that, "perfect love casts out all fear," and "Love covers a multitude of sins." If we truly have the presence of Jesus in our lives we will have this "true" love, and it will spill over into your marriage!

So if you are having marital problems, sure go find a counselor to help, but also try to get close to Jesus who will in turn help you get close to your spouse! Pray like you've never prayed before! Stay in your closet of prayer until you feel His presence, like arms enfold you! Make it your lifestyle!

Then you will be happily married ever after!

Yours for a great marriage,
Pastor Fred

The Tabernacle God's PLan of approach!

First I must apologize for not publishing anything over the past few days. I've been busy studying a very interesting part of the Word of God - The Tabernacle.

I've been reading and studying in Exodus lately about the Israelites, Moses, Mount Sinai and the instructions to build the Tabernacle. I have found some very interesting parallels, types and shadows that are reflected in our approach to God today. (I hope to have my draft published for viewing in a day or so.)

So often people try to get to God on their own terms, and don't care much about God's ways, plans and purposes. In the process they get "kicked" out of God's presence, because they have entered the throne room in the wrong manner.

I you were to bust open the door to the throne room of the queen of England or another Monarch, and run up the hall shouting your demands you'd probably be shot within a few moments and/or ushered out by some rather large, strong soldiers. Yet, we think we can do this very thing when entering into the Throne of Almighty God!

What about the scripture in Hebrews that says we can enter into the throne room of Grace boldly to find help in time of need? The writer of Hebrews is writing to Christians, who should have already taken the appropriate steps to becoming accepted into God's presence.

I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but the books from Romans through the Revelation of Jesus Christ are not written to or about sinners, and people not serving God. Rather these books are written to people who have accept the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as found in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts and have given their lives to Jesus and now serve Him. They are not meant to be instructions for sinners on the way to be saved, or enter God's presence. No that is what the Old Testament and the first five books of the New Testament are for. The other 22 books in the New Testament are instructions and doctrine for the Christian who already understands some things about the Gospel and Truth of Jesus.

If you are not a regular in the throne room of God, next time you enter don't make a show of who you are rather, make a display of who Jesus is!

Yours for God's Plan of Approach,
Pastor Fred

Prayer Requested

First of all I would like to thank everyone for coming and returning to visit this blog. I also, hope and pray that it is a source of inspiration and challenge for your life.

Saturday Morning when I was getting dressed I pulled something in my back. I am in a lot of pain, although prayer and Advil are help a lot! Today (Sunday) I can tolerate my pain, and we had church in spite of this set back. We are pretty sure it isn't slipped disk as there was no bulging on my lower spine. I am requesting that you join with us in prayer. May Jesus come and touch my back!

Also, I own my own business which takes care of our financial needs. Now that my back is hurt I will not be able to fulfill my contracts. I do have someone helping me out for a couple of days, but that is only temporary. If I can't get to work, I will not get paid, which means we will not eat and the bills will not be paid.

PLEASE PRAY for a quick healing!

Thank you in advance, and may Jesus richly bless you for your kindness, faith and togetherness!

Yours for health in Jesus Christ,
Pastor Fred

The "Rather Than" Principle!

I've been trying to get the time to write this post since Monday evening, however, with the in laws visiting time is very short each day! So I'm up rather early just to write this post...., and get ready for work! LOL.

I started reading a book last week called "Beyond the Closet Door" by Freddi Trammell. She is an amazing writer! She is one of the prayer warriors that you'd read about in a book - no pun intended. She's written many books and is a travelling speaker. Anyway this book like many she writes is on prayer. I wanted to share a portion of the second chapter with you.

Trammell starts the chapter describing the story of a lady named Bernadette who was experiencing an extreme amount of pain. So, much that she missed church at times. On this particular occasion Bernadette hid away in her closet of prayer, and prayed a prayer something like this: "Lord, you know my physical condition. I do not understand why these knots are growing in the upper part of my body. The swelling is enormous, and the pain is almost unbearable. Jesus I am going to your house tonight. I desperately need a healing touch from you. I must seek medical help if I fail to receive help from You tonight."
Mrs. Trammell was speaking at the service Bernadette was going to that night. She spoke on prayer. During prayer time Mrs. Trammell was lead to call out Bernadette, who stepped forward. She and the congregation read and prayed Jeremiah 17:14 over Bernadette. To make the verse more personal they inserted Bernadette's name in place of the pronouns. They prayed --"Heal Bernadette, O Lord, and she shall be healed; save Bernadette, and she shall be saved; for thou art Bernadette's praise."
A jubilant Bernadette testified that while the Word was prayed she felt the sensation of a whirlwind of fire swirling through her chest area. All the knots had disappeared. The swelling had dissipated and the pain was gone!
(now I will quote from the book rather than paraphrase:)

Bernadette chose to BELIEVE the Master was her deliverer rather than to accept a disease into her body! She spent time alone with Him and God honored her honest confession and dependence upon Him.
The "rather than" principle should be applied when the enemy begins to bombard our minds with anything less than what God has planned for us. Examples in scripture prove God will come to our rescue when we meet with Him in sincerity and truth:
Moses, rather than enjoy sin for a season, chose to suffer some afflictions in the flesh and be one of God's leaders.
Ruth, rather than stay with her own people, went with her mother-in-law and chose to be used of God and become instrumental in the birthing of the Messiah.
Esther, rather than continue to live in luxury, and ease, chose to take advantage of God's timing and save her people.
Rahab, rather than refuse to become involved with the spies God sent to spy out the land, chose to hide them in her house; thus saving her entire household from destruction.
....
Jesus, rather than call ten thousand angels to deliver Him from the cross, chose to give His life's blood for the saving of those who will believe in Him.
.....
(there where more, however, I chose the most common for the sake of space.)

What are you willing to do rather than accept what sin and the devil have waiting for you?
Are you willing to give up some time for prayer, study and communion with Jesus rather than spend time doing something with your friends, that will not mean anything tomorrow?

What is your rather than story?

Yours for Jesus rather than the devil,
Pastor Fred

Holding Hands...`

Have you ever went for a walk, or just been with someone you truly care about, and hold their hand? It is something very special and precious! I remember the many times I hold my wife's hand. I feel so close to her even when we aren't really talking much. Even when we are in the van driving we often hold hands, and it almost feels like we are sitting right next to each other! (Even though there is a large space between us!)

Well, today that is how I feel with Jesus! Like we are walking hand in hand! No, I haven't been praying for hours, or singing praises for a long time. No, rather I've been working all day long! As a matter of fact I am still working! I have 3 jobs to work today! 9-5, 6-9 and 9-until I'm done! Not much time to talk to Jesus, but if you begin to live what Galatians says: "We walk by faith and not by sight", and "If we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit!" Then, our relationship with Jesus becomes one of lifestyle, and not of convenience. So, throughout the day I talk with Jesus. I've brought needs, praises, and wants before Him as we walked together through this day together. I has been wonderful!

I've noticed something. We often preach and talk about the need to set time aside for prayer. Yes, this is very important, but what about in between these times? I am beginning to realize that it is very possible, fulfilling and important to walk with Jesus every moment of every day! Let His presence be with you all the time. Don't be afraid to worship, praise or talk to Him anywhere or anytime! "For, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For, It is the power of God unto Salvation!" What person is more important to be "saved" than you!?

Make time to walk with Jesus all the time! I dare you!

Your for Jesus Christ,

Pastor Fred