Sunday's Specialty

John 4:13-15

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Good morning, and a Special Sunday to you all!

I wonder what the Lord has in store for us today? We made a short trip back home to MS, then returned late Friday night to LA in order to conclude this final Sunday with this great church. We have had a wonderful revival. God has moved in a tremendous way, and I'm grateful that 2016 began here in Sulphur, LA, with Pastor & Sister Morgan, along with their children, and this wonderful church family. It is going to be hard to leave here.

When I awoke this morning, a song started flowing through my head and, as is often the case, it became the inspiration for today's blog post. Have you ever thought about the importance of water? I haven't studied extensively on the subject but, in thinking about how often I drink or use water, I've come to realize it is essential for life. One source I checked reported that a human can live 3 to 5 days without water. That's not a long time so, once again, we can see that water is a must.

I love the story from John 4 about the woman at the well. She arrived at the well, alone, not long after Jesus had arrived. John 4:4 declares that, "He must needs go through Samaria." Wow! Jesus knew who was going to be at the well; a woman with a great need. This woman had been bruised and abused by life and, even though she brought a physical vessel for natural water, her the vessel of her soul was thirsty and dry. She was in need of so much more than a bucket full of water that day.

There on the well sat a man, a Jew, and someone she did not know. Perhaps she was startled, even more so when He asked her for a drink. I love what Jesus said to her:

John 4:10

 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

People today are just like the woman at the well - thirsty, dry, barren, and longing for someone to give them a drink. Those of us who know Jesus need to share Him with others. How tragic it is to know the source of water, yet not tell others so they can drink and be filled!

And now for the song:

I Thirst 

by Bev Lowry

Verse One

One day I came to Him, I was so thirsty

I asked for water, my throat was so dry

He gave me water that I never dreamed of

But for this water, my Lord had to die

Chorus

He said, "I thirst," yet He made the rivers

He said, "I thirst," yet He made the sea

"I thirst," said the King of the Ages

In His great thirst, He brought water to me

Verse Two

Now there's a river that flows clear as crystal

It comes from God's throne above

And like a river, it wells up inside me

Bringing mercy, and life-giving love

This song brought another verse of scripture to mind:

John 7:38

 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

I'm so thankful for the life-giving Water, and I'm praying that others drink freely of it today at church.

God bless you all today, and may this Sunday be the most special one you have ever witnessed!

Until tomorrow........

Saturday's Snippet

Good morning, one and all!

Have you ever noticed how many natural things operate with a negative and positive setting? For instance, a battery must have a negative and positive post in order to have power. We all love sunshine, but life cannot be all sunshine and no rain, lest we have no flowers nor green grass.

The Christian life is much like that, too, as we encounter negative and positive issues often on a daily basis. Without the bad, the good would not seem as good. It has often been said that the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory. Once again, the negative/positive concept.

Here are some verses that coincide with my thought for today:

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Notice in verse 7 that we have a treasure in an earthen vessel. We are humans (if I can label us the negative part) - God puts His Spirit, the treasure, in our earthen vessels so the excellency of HIS power can be manifested. God is the positive part here. Carnal humans cannot demonstrate God's power without being born again. But when the mighty power of the Holy Ghost resides in us, God shines forth. He takes our carnality and transforms into spirituality.

Verse 8 - we are troubled on every side (negative), YET not distressed (positive). We are perplexed (negative), BUT not in despair (positive). 

Verse 9 - persecuted (negative), BUT not forsaken (positive). Cast down (negative), BUT not destroyed (positive).

Then, I noticed in verse 10 that we bear about in our bodies the DYING of the Lord Jesus, so His LIFE can be manifest in our body. Once again, the negative/positive approach.

Here's another verse to ponder:

Psalm 34:19

 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous (negative), BUT the Lord delivers him out of them ALL (positive).

My last verse for today:

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

In the story of Joseph, his brothers thought evil against him (negative), BUT God meant it for good (positive). All the bad that Joseph encountered brought about a greater good.

Whatever negative issue you are facing today, remember that God is the positive component. All is not dark, for He is our Light. When we are weak, HE is strong. With every temptation, He will make a way of escape. 

Have a Sweet Saturday with the Savior and, if He's willing, I'll be back again tomorrow with yet another spoonful!

Friday's Footnote

Ephesians 3:19

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Good morning, one and all -

It's Fabulous Friday once again, family and friends!!! The work week is nearly behind us, and up ahead is the weekend. God is good all the time.

We often talk about, "peace that passes understanding," (Philippians 4:7), but the words in today's verse, "the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge," caught my attention. God's peace truly does go beyond all understanding, but His love goes beyond all knowledge, as well. What a love! What a great love!

I heard this old song from one of my favorite singers, the late Rusty Goodman, the other day, and I've been waiting to include it in a blog post. So, here it is for all of us to enjoy:

How Much More

by Rusty Goodman

If He knows when a robin falls from his nest

And He grieves when He sees it die

If He kisses the rose with the morning mist

How much more does He love you and I?

If He cares for the lilies in the open field

And caresses each petal with dew

If He acknowledges a tree 

When the wind makes it kneel

How much more does He love me and you?

If He takes out the tide

And turns the desert from its dry

And He carves out the rivers to the sea

Just to give a little fish

One more place he can swim

How much more does He love you and me?

If He's prepared a place 

For all that has been

I've been told and I believe that it's true

He's preparing a place

That I cannot comprehend

That's how much that He really loves me and you!

How much more than a fragrant rose

That He gives life in the Spring?

Or does He love me less

Than the little bird in the nest

That never sows

Yet he soars on the wing?

If He can speak just one word

And calm an angry wind

And "Peace be still" can calm a rolling sea

Then He can speak "Peace be still"

To the storm that's within

That's how much He really loves me

What a beautiful song with such a comforting message!! The love of God is so much bigger and stretches so much farther than human love. It's vast. It's immeasurable. It supersedes all other loves.

May your Friday be Fabulous as you bask in the Father's faithful love. Appreciate His love and give back that love to the Lord; then share His love with others!

God bless you all.... hope to see you tomorrow!

Friday's Footnote: 

"We should be astonished at the goodness of God, stunned that He should bother to call us by name, our mouths wide open at His love, bewildered that at this very moment we are standing on holy ground."

--Brennan Manning--

Thursday's Thought

Psalm 34:1-7

1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Good morning, family and friends!

Today is Thursday another day the Lord has given us. What will we do throughout the day? Let's follow David's example today and bless the Lord at ALL TIMES, letting praise to the Lord be in our mouth continually. Boasting may be a bad thing when it's all about us, but when our soul makes her boast in the Lord - that's a good thing. 

Then, let's magnify the Lord together. How do you magnify a God who fills the universe? This had often baffled me until an object lesson made it clearer. We had a boat at the back of our pond and from the sunroom it was a good size. But, walking around the pond and getting closer to the boat, it's size became larger to our eyes. The boat's size never changed but getting CLOSER to it made it become larger. So it is with God - He's BIG but by drawing close to Him, He becomes BIGGER!

Exalt the name of the Lord. What's His name? JESUS! Let's lift up His wonderful name all day long.

Then, when we have praised the Lord, boasted of Him, magnified Him and exalted His name.... when we cry, He will listen, and He will deliver. He will save us from our troubles. 

We may not see them, but angels are all around us today, those of us who fear the Lord, and we shall be delivered.

I don't have a song for today; just wanted to share some of God's word with you.

God bless you all with a Tremendous Thursday, and I hope He'll allow us to be together again tomorrow!

Wednesday's Whisper

Psalm 38:21-22

21 Forsake me not, O Lord: O my God, be not far from me.

22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

Good morning, everybody!

'Tis Wednesday.... Wonderful Wednesday! This is another day the Lord has made. It's time to rejoice!

In Acts 13:22, we read these words - "........ I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart....." We often hear these words from ministers as they describe David, the shepherd boy turned king. What a description - to be a man (or woman) after God's own heart. Can a person have a closer relationship than that? If we desire it and pursue after it, we, too, can have a heart like God's; a very close relationship with Him.

Often, when I read in the book of Psalms, certain words grab my attention, and the two verses I used for today's heading fit that category. Notice David's language:

Forsake me not, O Lord - If I was talking, I would likely say, "Don't leave me, God."

Be not far from me - Again, my words would be, "Stay near, God."

Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation - My words - "Please hurry, O Lord."

I find it so sweet and precious that David had such a relationship with God that he could beseech or plead with Him to do things just for him, a mere mortal. Whenever I'm close to someone, I use more endearing words than I do with those with whom I am not as close. David didn't fear to ask God to always be by his side. He wasn't ashamed to say that he needed God to hurry.

The word intimacy is defined as: close familiarity or friendship; closeness. This word could adequately describe the relationship David had with his God. They were close. But, that type of relationship with God didn't end with David. We can be that close or closer with God. David never received the Holy Ghost as we have, meaning that Christ lives IN us through His Spirit. And, we are never alone because He is not only IN us, He is WITH us always. 

During our prayer time today, it's okay to use the terms that David used. We can sincerely ask God to not leave us, to stay close, and to hurry. He doesn't mind us using those type of words - especially if we are close friends with Him.

I'll close today with only part of an old, dearly loved hymn:

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

by Joseph M. Scriven

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

O what peace we often forfeit

O what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

God bless you all with a Wonderful Wednesday. Listen really close and you'll hear His whisper!

Hope to see you again tomorrow with another spoonful!

Tuesday's Tidbit

Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Good morning, one and all!

Thank God for Tuesday, another day to live and bring Him glory. 

Life is busy. It's filled with all types of work, concerns, tasks, problems, etc. Being painfully honest this morning, sometimes life is overwhelming. Many people have their lists written and are so organized but some, like me, struggle with working through our lists (what list?). 

I'm reminded of something I read from a desk calendar written by John Ortberg (God is Closer Than You Think). On one or more days, Mr. Ortberg conveys to his readers that if you are in business, ask the Lord to work the business with you. I like to think of it as asking the Lord to be the CEO of my concerns. The Manager of my madness. The President of my problems. 

Better yet, it is best to follow the words of Jesus from Matthew 11:28-30.... 

1) First of all, He bids us COME. He gives us an invitation, especially those who are heavy laden (they have a lot on their lists). He promises rest.

2) This is my main focus today - Jesus bids us to take HIS yoke upon US. I feel Him saying, "Share my yoke with me. I am the Veteran here. I will show you how it's done." Learn of Jesus. What better teacher is there than Jesus? He is meek and lowly and, once again, He promises rests for our souls.

3) Last of all - His yoke is easy. The burden of sin is heavy and difficult. But, the Christian's load is much lighter because we have Jesus helping us with that load. 

Yes, the concerns we have today may seem heavy to us. Our list may seen ten miles long but, if we ask Jesus to help us, and we should have prayer at the top of our list, He will.

I thought of a song just a minute ago, but cannot seem to find all the lyrics nor the artist's name, so this is from memory:

Cast your cares on Him 

For He cares for you

The intangible He holds

The impossible He'll do

Let the mighty hand of Jesus carry you

Cast your cares on Him

For He cares for you

I'm thankful that the Lord gave the inspiration for this blog post today. May your Tuesday be Terrific, and your load lighter because you have taken on the yoke of Jesus.

God bless you all, and I hope to see you again tomorrow!

Monday's Moment

Luke 4:18

 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

A Marvelous Monday to all of you!

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24). Thankful for another new day of mercy and the faithfulness of God. 

The above verse from the book of Luke mentions many types of hurting people: poor, brokenhearted, captives, blind, and bruised. Just seeing those descriptive words hurts. Our world is filled with multitudes in need of healing. Almost daily, we either witness the plight of someone or we hear about it. Many issues, and most beyond our capability to correct, but we do have One Remedy... and His name is Jesus Christ.

A trio sang this beautiful song Sunday morning, and I wanted to share it with you:

There is a Remedy

as sung by the McRaes

Verse One

For a world that's lost in darkness

For the saint who's gone astray

For the sinner, blind but searching

For the child in need of faith

For the homeless and forsaken

For the hungry and the cold

For the prisoner and the captive

For the young and for the old

Chorus

There is a remedy

For every sin-sick soul

There is a cure for all

All the pain and hurt and wrong

There is a solution

For all the problems deep inside

There is a remedy

And His name is Jesus Christ

Verse Two

For the bitter, for the lonely

For the weary and afraid

For the burdened and frustrated

The discouraged and dismayed

For the mocked and persecuted

For the battered, for the wronged

For the scarred and for the wounded

For the weak and for the strong

Bridge

For every tribe and every nation

For every color, every race

For every tongue and every language

For every time and every place

There's an answer to the questions

There is love for all the hate

There's a healer for the dying

He's the Light, the Truth, the Way

Whatever YOUR burden or problem today, seek the Lord, for He only is the Healer and Deliverer.

God bless all of you with a Marvelous Monday and, if He's willing, I'll be back tomorrow with another spoonful.