Heaven Came Down And Spoke Today 4/30/2015

Good Morning,
Just a little sore this morning. I tried working out last night, and well, it hurt. That's what I get for slacking off for a few months. My coffee this morning is Door County Highlander Grog. I hope it clears the fog in my brain. What you will read below, I wrote last night while the thoughts were clear in my head.

Nehemiah 9:13-14New International Version (NIV)

¹³ “You came down on Mount Sinai; you spoke to them from heaven. You gave them regulations and laws that are just and right, and decrees and commands that are good. ¹⁴ You made known to them your holy Sabbath and gave them commands, decrees and laws through your servant Moses

Today heaven came down and spoke to me. I woke up and I was alive and well. Heaven let me know that it wasn't yet my time to go home.

On the way to work two mallards flew in front of me. Heaven showed me two of the things I really like to see. Heaven let me know that I am loved.

I had extra time to pray today. Heaven told me who to pray for. Later it was confirmed through a phone call.

There were some real challenges at work today. Heaven let me know that it was time to grow and use some old skills. Heaven allowed me to be challenged.

A Pastor took time in his busy day to pray for me. Heaven told me I am cared for.

I watched a beautiful sunset tonight and Heaven let me know Who created the sunrise and sunsets.

My supper was grand with many of the things I like. Heaven gave me a job and the ability to purchase groceries. Heaven let me know that I am blessed.

My wife and I moved furniture later and Heaven reminded me of the precious gift my wife is to me.

Some people go through life and wait for God to speak from a burning bush just like He did for Moses. I, for some reason slowed down today just to listen and was I surprised to hear.

God bless,
Marty

Gentleness. 4/29/2015

Good Morning,

Here comes another day. I wonder what challenges this day holds? My mug is filled with Door County Blueberry Cobbler Coffee. My mind is filled with many thoughts today.

Galatians 5:23              
Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

One thing a bird hunter does not want is a dog with a hard mouth. No one wants to eat a bird that has been all chewed up by their dog. What the hunter desires is a dog with a soft mouth. A dog that retrieves the bird in his mouth without biting it. The dog has control of the bird but doesn't harm the meat. They are firm with the bird but yet with a gentle mouth.

I see all too often while out and about, many parents who want their children to behave yet they cannot seem to fathom gentleness. Now I believe that the bottom of a backside can sustain a spanking from time to time, yet one has to show self control and not turn a spanking into a beating. The same with the mouth. A child needs to be corrected sternly from time to time but without permanent emotional injury that can come from the hard mouth of a parent that is out of control. Some words are worse than a beating. This is the same for spouses and friends.

"Hearts are flowers, they remain open to the soft falling dew, but shut up in the violent downpour of rain". Jean Paul Richter 

If you want to gain and keep the heart of a child, spouse or friend, treat their hearts with gentleness. Hearts break and are hard to repair.

Have a great day.

Marty

Eyes Right! And Stay Busy. 4/28/2015

Good Morning,

The day has started with my mug filled with Door County Peanut Butter Crunch Coffee. Spiritually, my cup runs over with anticipation as to what God has planned for our church mission team.

2 Samuel 11 New International Version (NIV)

David and Bathsheba

11 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

² One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, ³ and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” ⁴ Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. ⁵ The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.”

This story starts with King David not staying busy leading the Israelites as he was called to by God. During his time of chosen idleness David fell to temptation by not keeping his eyes at home. When we choose to be inactive or away from what God wants us to do we leave ourselves wide open for trouble to knock on our door. The problem is that when trouble knocks it is already too late. We are pretty much ready to open the door.

Men and ladies we all need to be about the Lord's business, working in our vocation and tending to our families as we are called to do so. Idleness is dangerous to our spiritual health.

Stay busy, doing the right things and you will avoid a whole lot of heartache.

God bless,
Marty

Where Does Time Go? 4/27/2015

Good Morning Friends,

I look forward to a busy week at work and in ministry. The agenda is full and my energy fuel tank along with my spiritual bank were filled up this weekend. I rested and sought time with the Lord.
My coffee this morning is Door County Coconut Crush. At the end of next weekend I wouldn't mind being somewhere tropical resting on a beach.

Where does time go. It seems like just yesterday that it was 1975 and high school graduation was approaching quickly. It seems like just yesterday that I could run for hours and wake up the next day and do it again. This weekend had me looking at my retirement plan and thinking that it won't be too long if the Lord wills that I can pull the plug at work. Now that doesn't make me elderly just yet but it heightens my awareness to the approach of it and that some of my past mentors are now elderly. I am taking this time to remind churches that we have a responsibility to the elderly.

Christian ministry to the aged involves caring for each elderly individual as a person created in the image of God and as a person for whom Christ cares (Matthew 25:31-46).(Genesis 1:27)

Genesis 1:27New King James Version (NKJV)
²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Matthew 25:31-46New International Version (NIV)

The Sheep and the Goats

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴² For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

In the Bible, old age is considered the positive and good fulfillment of a life devoted to God. Both the blessings and responsibilities of aging are to be accepted with gratitude and in a sense of stewardship, “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Families have an obligation to provide for their aged members.
“Now if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).

How are you doing, taking care of the older folks in your church?

God bless,
Marty

Never Turn Your Back On A Rattle Snake 4/26/2015

Good Morning,

The sun has just come up in my part of the world and the weather looks to be dry today. However it is pretty cold this morning so I am using an insulated mug to keep my Door County Cherry Crème Coffee warm. I couldn't resist the sunrise and decided to write from the patio all bundled up in warm clothes. The fresh air is so rejuvenating today.

I like to watch old classic Western television shows now and then especially in the winter. I can recite several quotes that were written for some of the heroes to proclaim.  One has stuck with me for many years. It was from an old show called Bat Masterson.  In it, Bat had just disarmed a bad guy and had taken his gun away very quickly with a cane he carried. This was done in a fast move and then Bat walked away as he said "I never turn my back on a rattlesnake unless it's fangs are removed".  The fangs were this man's gun.

I always knew that I would fit this into a devotional and today is the day.

Ephesians 6:12

                        

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places

We who love Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior know that there are spiritual battles going on in the world and personally each day. We are in the middle of those battles all the time. Satan uses every tool he can to persecute Christians or to make them stumble in their walk. God clearly warns us of this within Scripture. Even Jesus was tempted by Satan. Yet Jesus disarmed him and Satan had no power to harm him. God has given us that same power and knowledge. Yet too often we don't use it. Instead we tend to walk right into the snake's path hoping that he won't bite. We travel in the land of the evil one and aren't ready to smash it or disarm it.  Now let's look at the rest of this passage.

Ephesians 6:10-18New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Next step! Remember to fight with might, you are armed also.

James 4:7New International Version (NIV)

⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 

Memorize Scripture, use it when tempted or battling Satan. Pull the trigger on that loaded gun and let him have it right between the eyes. No need to be bitten and defeated.

 

 

Isaiah 55:11King James Version (KJV)

¹¹ So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

 

 

Have a wonderful day. Don't let the snake ruin it.

 

God bless,

 

Marty

Friday Night At Home 4/25/2015

Good Morning,

The sun is going to struggle to be seen today. Cold and damp is the best way to describe the view I see out of the window. My cup of Door County Cinnamon Sugar Biscotti Coffee tastes so good that I brought out my largest cup to help warm me up. Of course the fire place is crackling this morning with a small fire and Gibbs is curled up on top of my feet.

 

Ecclesiastes 9:7             

Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

Rene and I are fairly disciplined into a routine and our lives really don't vary from week to week. Our Friday nights are usually spent doing very little except for relaxing and winding down from a hectic work week at home in our sweat pants and sweat shirts. Last night we knew that one of our nephews would be coming over with his friend to show me a duck gun that she was looking to sell. When they got to the house we talked and looked the gun over chatting about duck hunting and shooting techniques. My nephew mentioned that his younger brother would be showing up shortly to visit also. Rene asked if they were thirsty or hungry as she is always a good hostess. Now asking young folks on a Friday night  if they are hungry is like asking a puppy if they want to play. It wasn't too long before the griddle was out and some burgers were frying and the big frying pan was loaded with potatoes and onions. All three kids ate and drank their share. But what they didn't know was the story behind the meal and how we were blessed.

While grocery shopping a couple weeks ago the ground beef was on sale. I have to say that the price was very low and it caused me to think about having some frozen beef patties in the freezer "just in case". I prayed before going shopping for a deal on my groceries and had no intention of buying ground beef when I left our house. The bag of potatoes were given to me by a friend of mine two days ago while he was passing through. He is a potato farmer. The onion used was one given to us by a neighbor who bought a very large bag of onions and wanted to give onion gifts to the neighborhood. I thought that the gift of onions was a nice thing but somewhat odd.

Here's my point. We had such a nice time fellowshipping with those young folks. It was a break from the norm at our house. What a blessing to hear laughter and to be able to share some food with others. The house was filled with some hospitality and  fun. We were blessed to have those kids stop by. Now here's the question. Who blessed us? Of course it was God Our Father In Heaven. He knew two weeks ago about what we would need and when. He put together our evening for us. While we laughed and ate I could not but help but to smile and think. How great Thou art!

Have a great day.  How about letting God plan one out for you?

Marty





When God Smiles 4/24/2015

Good Morning,

Happy Friday to each of you. I pray that your needs are met and that you are all able to be a blessing to someone else today. The old mug is filled with some Door County Cherry Crème Coffee this morning. I believe the coffee pot started to sing it's wake up call at 4:00 AM, and I should have gotten out of bed then. But that extra half of an hour felt pretty good.

Numbers 6:24-27New International Version (NIV)

²⁴ “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”

The priests were solemnly to bless the people in the name of the Lord. To be under the almighty protection of God our Saviour; to enjoy his favor as the smile of a loving Father, or as the cheering beams of the sun; while he mercifully forgives our sins, supplies our wants, consoles the heart, and prepares us by his grace for eternal glory; these things form the substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings. In so rich a list of mercies worldly joys are not worthy to be mentioned.

Have you ever thought about God smiling on you? Have you ever wondered what makes Him smile? You make Him smile when you approach Him with a relationship of love, fear, respect, and obedience. He smiles when we ask to be forgiven of our sins. He smiles when you tell Him how much you love Him.

I know many of you who read this and there are many, many, more who I do not know. But I know God loves each and every one of you. Call out to Him in love today and know that He is smiling.

Have a great day.

Marty