"I will make your name great and you will be a blessing." Genesis 12: 2-3
Monday, August 31, 2020
Quote from Joe Biden
"You're telling me we have to spend money to keep from going bankrupt? Yes, that's what I'm telling you." Joe Biden
It Pays to Be Patient
It Pays to Be Patient by Rick Warren
“We count as blessed those who have persevered.” James 5:11
God rewards patience. James 5:11 says, “We count as blessed those who have persevered." In other words, it pays to be patient.
When you are patient, it builds your character, you avoid mistakes, and you’re going to reach your goals. When you’re patient, you’re going to be honored by others and have happier relationships. There are all kinds of blessings and benefits to being patient.
Have you noticed—especially during this time of the coronavirus—that it’s hard to be patient when you’re tired? We’re all feeling weary from the drawn-out uncertainty and craziness of the pandemic.
“Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up” (Galatians 6:9).
There are blessings to be had through this season of waiting during the pandemic—in your character, your circumstances, your family, and God’s church. And they’re not just rewards to enjoy right now. The Bible says there are going to be rewards in heaven, too.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:11-12, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven”
When someone hurts you, one of your strongest desires may be to retaliate. People have experienced a lot of hurt feelings lately when it comes to how we choose to respond to the pandemic. And with that comes a lot of temptation to fight back and lash out.
Whenever you’re criticized and tempted to strike back, think first: Is this fight worth giving up the reward promised to you in heaven? It’s not. As a leader, I get criticized a lot. People misjudge and question and doubt and second-guess me all the time. I’ve learned to not defend myself. I remain quiet, because I’ve discovered that you’re most like Jesus when you don’t retaliate. You’re most like Jesus when you refuse to fight back.
Even when he was accused and mistreated, Jesus chose to do what was right and not retaliate in the middle of a crisis. If you choose to let God handle it when someone hurts you, he sees it. And he will bless you.
Parents Forced to Sign Waiver
PARENTS FORCED TO SIGN WAIVER NOT TO MONITOR VIRTUAL TEACHING
A school district in Tennessee is requiring parents to sign a form agreeing not to monitor their children's virtual classrooms over concerns that "non-student observers" could overhear confidential information.
The form, a copy of which was sent to the Tennessee Star, reads: "RCS strives to present these opportunities in a secure format that protects student privacy to the greatest extent possible, however, because these meetings will occur virtually RCS is limited in its ability to fully control certain factors such as non-student observers that may be present in the home of a student participating in the virtual meeting."
The agreement goes on to "strongly discourage" "non-student observation of online meetings due to the potential of confidential information about a student being revealed," and while it does not specifically say that parents may not be present while their child is participating in virtual instruction, it does say that a "violation of this agreement may result in RCS removing my child from the virtual meeting."
PRISON FOR PASTORS IN AMERICA?
PRISON FOR PASTORS IN AMERICA? from Liberty Counsel
Lord, we ask for Your protection for the pastors and parishioners that are standing up for You and proclaiming Your Word. Give them encouragement and may they tangibly feel Your Holy Spirit with them.
The pastors below have put everything on the line for Christ. Each one has been criminally charged or faces criminal charges. In two cases, the parishioners also face criminal charges. They face massive fines and prison, all for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ or, in the case of church members, merely assembling to worship. And this is right here in America.. .
Will the police come to arrest me today?
Will they handcuff me like a common criminal in front of my family?
Will my church be closed?
Will my staff be arrested?
Will my parishioners be arrested?
Who will care for my flock if my church is closed and I am in jail?
Who will care for my family?
When I leave home for church, will I return or be booked with a mug shot? . . .
This is what some of our pastors face every day, right here in the U.S.A.
Every day, Liberty Counsel’s client pastors are being forced to consider these harrowing questions. Yet, serious as the prospect of a year in jail may seem, the pastors listed below have the resolve of people like Daniel, the three Hebrew children thrown into the fiery furnace, and the Apostle Paul.
CA – Pastor Ché Ahn, of Harvest Rock Church, the staff and every single churchgoer face criminal charges of one year in jail and $1,000 in fines per day. The Pasadena City Prosecutor this week threatened daily criminal charges against everyone who assembles at the church for religious meetings! Meanwhile, the mayor of Los Angeles where one of the affiliate churches is located, has threatened to cut off all power and water to the church.
KY – Dr. Jack Roberts, of Maryville Baptist Church – along with every attendee of the church’s drive-in Easter service – were issued the equivalent of a 14-day house arrest for attending church, along with threats of criminal charges.
ME – Pastor Ken Graves of Calvary Chapel of Bangor faced criminal charges, 6 months in jail and $1,000 in fines per violation of Gov. Janet Mills’ COVID shutdown orders.
VA – Pastor Kevin Wilson of Lighthouse Fellowship Church was criminally charged and threatened with 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine for having just 16 people at a Palm Sunday Service in his 293-seat church. Every church member was also threatened with criminal charges if they met with more than 10 people.
IL – Pastor Cristian Ionescu of Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church of Chicago, IL, has been criminally charged with “Disorderly Conduct” for having more than 10 people assembled for worship, including up to 30-days in jail, fines, AND threats from the city to seize and destroy church buildings.
IL- Pastor Daniel Chiu of Logos Baptist Ministries was criminally charged and faced 30 days in jail and fines for having more than 10 people assembled for worship.
FL – Dr. Rodney Howard-Browne of The River Church at Tampa Bay, was arrested, transported to the police station, booked, and issued two criminal charges with each charge up to 6-months in jail and a $2,500 fine for assembling to worship.
These pastors are willing to risk EVERYTHING for the gospel – their lives, their livelihoods, and their sacred honor – putting all on the line for Jesus and the flock. When this season of unjust trials is done, my most fervent prayer is that we can all say the same. . . .
Please, be in prayer for these brave pastors, the churches’ staff, members, and attendees. Be in prayer too for the soul of our country, that it may return to the service of our Lord. And pray for all of us at Liberty Counsel, that we may always be able to claim 2 Timothy 4:7… “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Excerpt from Liberty Counsel. Article by Matt Staver
Today in History
Today in History 1997 Princess Diana Dies
Shortly after midnight on August 31, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales—affectionately known as "the People’s Princess"—died in a car crash in Paris. She was 36. Her boyfriend, the Egyptian-born socialite Dodi Fayed, and the driver of the car, Henri Paul, died as well.
Princess Diana was one of the most popular public figures in the world. Her death was met with a massive outpouring of grief. Mourners began visiting Kensington Palace immediately, leaving bouquets at the home where the princess, also known as Lady Di, would never return. Piles of flowers reached some 30 feet from the palace's gate.
Diana and Dodi—who had been vacationing in the French Riviera—arrived in Paris earlier the previous day. They left the Ritz Paris just after midnight, intending to go to Dodi’s apartment on the Rue Arsène Houssaye.
As soon as they departed the hotel, a swarm of paparazzi on motorcycles began aggressively tailing their car. About three minutes later, the driver lost control and crashed into a pillar at the entrance of the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.
Dodi and the driver were pronounced dead at the scene. Diana was taken to the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital and declared dead at 6:00 am. (A fourth passenger, Diana’s bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, was seriously injured but survived.)
Diana's former husband Prince Charles, as well as her sisters and other members of the Royal Family, arrived in Paris that morning. Diana’s body was then taken back to London.
Like much of her life, her death was a full-blown media sensation, and the subject of many conspiracy theories. At first, the paparazzi hounding the car were blamed for the crash, but later it was revealed that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs. A formal investigation concluded the paparazzi did not cause the collision.
Diana’s funeral in London, on September 6, was watched by over 2 billion people. She was survived by her two sons, Prince William, who was 15 at the time, and Prince Harry, who was 12.
True Repentance
True Repentance
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman
August 31, 2020
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." 2 Corinthians 7:10
What does it mean to repent? When you or I wrong another person, or we sin against God, do we simply say we are sorry and move on?
A few years ago I was involved in a business situation that taught me a great lesson. A client severely wronged me and ultimately took our company for $160,000. In a court of law, I probably would have won the dispute. However, after I had already filed suit against the man, I realized that there was one aspect of the matter that I was wrong about, involving a third party that could no longer be held accountable. I could not effectively resolve the matter without taking the first step in owning the responsibility for my part in the matter.
I made a decision to drop the lawsuit. However, after calling my attorney, I discovered the client had already filed a counter suit. This made the situation even scarier. I was completely exposed if I dropped my suit.
I was unable to reach the business owner because he would not return my calls. I got his secretary on the line. "I want you to take this message down and give it to your boss, word for word. Please do not change the words at all. 'I have sinned against you. I know I do not deserve your forgiveness, but I ask your forgiveness for filing the lawsuit against you. You are no longer obligated to pay the balance you owe me if you feel you do not owe it.'"
The secretary knew me and the gravity of what I was saying. She began to weep. She could not believe what she was hearing.
A few hours later I received a call from this client. He said, "I received your message. I accept your request and I forgive you." He dropped his counter suit. A few days later, I went to see the man and had dinner with him. He did not offer to pay any of the balance. It took three years to pay the vendors related to this situation. It was difficult because I knew he was not taking any responsibility for his contribution to the problem. However, I knew I was to let go of it. The Lord was glorified in this situation and He provided for my needs.
Is there anyone you need to seek forgiveness from?
Acknowledging our sin is the first step. Humbling ourselves and taking actions to restore is the next step.
Beneath the Propaganda Mask
Beneath the Propaganda Mask by Bill Wilson
The mouthpiece for the socialist propaganda machine, CNN, continues to denounce all things Trump-Republican-conservative-Christian.
A hit piece on August 28th’s Anderson Cooper show underscores perfectly the propaganda and hypocrisy of these blasphemers of the Frist Amendment. Cooper found a doctor named Rob Davidson to bash President Trump and those attending his nomination acceptance speech for not social distancing or wearing masks.
In the very same breath, however, this emergency room doctor said that it was all right for protestors to march against systemic racism while not wearing masks because racism is a public health crisis.
Dr. Davidson condemned the people gathered at the White House and President Trump because they were not taking proper precautions against COVID 19. And at the same time, encouraged mass protests against systemic racism knowing full well that protesters were not remotely taking precautions against spreading the virus because “those folks are doing something very important today.”
Davidson said that systemic racism is also a public health crisis and that it is more important to protest against systemic racism than to worry about spreading COVID 19. He justified the protests weighing what he called a “risk-benefit” analysis.
This CNN expert emergency room doctor is saying that protesting systemic racism without taking proper precautions far outweighs the dangers of spreading the deadly disease.
Davidson says, however, the White House gathering was irresponsible. He said, “I was very concerned about the White House event last night. 1500 people packed shoulder to shoulder. The head of the White House coronavirus task force [Vice President Mike Pence] in attendance without a mask with his family, his elderly mother. It’s concerning. We know people weren’t tested.
Only people in direct contact with President Trump had testing done. I think we’re going to see cases come out of that, it’s just modeling bad behavior. Now, when we juxtapose that to what’s happening in Washington, DC, right now, people are mostly wearing masks. Now true, there are social distancing issues, however, this is a public health crisis they are marching against.”
Beneath the mask is the rest of the story…Davidson is a leftist Democrat who failed in 2018 to unseat incumbent Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI). He is also the head of the Committee to Protect Medicare, an advocacy organization that opposes Trump’s healthcare reforms. Davidson is hardly unbiased.
Those attending the White House function who would come into contact with key officials were tested. The others were temperature checked. They didn’t wear masks because they don’t have COVID. This is condemned by the media.
However, those protesters who march in DC and follow no health protocols are praised because they are standing against racism.
Proverbs 14:15 says, “The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well to his going.” Be prudent. Look beneath the mask.
Thoughts on Today's Verse
"He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again." Mark 8:31
Thoughts on Today's Verse by Phil Ware
Knowing Jesus is God's Messiah is one thing. Following Jesus as our Lord is quite another. Getting our minds, hearts, and lives to line up is always a challenge. Once Jesus' disciples confessed him as the Christ, he knew he had to teach them the real road to glory.
Each of the Gospels reminds us that this road led to the cross of agony before it led to the crown of glory. The early church captured it in a song that reminded them that they, too, must walk that same road (see Philippians 2:5-11).
We are a heaven-bound people, but we can be sure that we will encounter potholes and bumps along the road and even steep hills to climb as satan tries to derail and defeat us. Our Savior, however, has already walked this road, and he is our great reminder that the path leads us to share in his glory, too.
My Prayer...
Dear Father, I know many believers are struggling to follow Jesus faithfully. Please, dear LORD, I ask that you give them the strength and the courage to endure, and I ask that you use your people to encourage them and to help them through the dark times in life.
I ask you to touch the hearts of your people people to pray and beseech your help in delivering those who suffer.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Quote from Donald Trump
"Don’t be afraid of being unique. It’s like being afraid of your best self." Donald Trump
Quote from Joe Biden
"Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget and I'll tell you what you value." Joe Biden
Moment of Doubt
Moment of Doubt by A.J. Gretz
Scripture Reading: John 20:24-29
"He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.'” John 20:27
As we go forward in our life of faith, we all experience moments of doubt. We may wonder, Does God really love me? Does God see what I’m going through? Is all of this teaching in the Bible real, or am I just wasting my time? These questions and others are a natural part of believing in an invisible, intangible God.
Sometimes we may fear that our doubts are inappropriate or even sinful. We may wonder if God is angry with us for doubting his faithfulness or wondering if the Bible can be trusted.
But here in John 20, we see God’s patience with doubters like us. Thomas had a hard time believing that Jesus had truly risen from the dead. But rather than scolding Thomas or dismissing him, Jesus invited him to find the proof that he needed: “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.”
In our own times of doubt, God may similarly provide for us. He may show up through the guidance of a friend, a comforting passage of Scripture, or a well-timed sermon or devotional reading. He may even give us a sign to point us in the right direction.
There’s no reason we should be afraid of our doubts or of bringing them before God. If we are honest and open, he is faithful to provide what we need to continue following him.
Lord, be near me in times of doubt. Provide the guidance and assurance I need to continue serving you. Amen.
Today in History
Today in History 1967 Thurgood Marshall Confirmed as Supreme Court Justice
On August 30, 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first African American to be confirmed as a Supreme Court justice. He would remain on the Supreme Court for 24 years before retiring for health reasons, leaving a legacy of upholding the rights of the individual as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
From a young age, Marshall seemed destined for a place in the American justice system. His parents instilled in him an appreciation for the Constitution, a feeling that was reinforced by his schoolteachers, who forced him to read the document as punishment for his misbehavior.
After graduating from Lincoln University in 1930, Marshall sought admission to the University of Maryland School of Law, but was turned away because of the school’s segregation policy, which effectively forbade blacks from studying with whites.
Instead, Marshall attended Howard University Law School, from which he graduated magna cum laude in 1933. (Marshall later successfully sued Maryland School of Law for their unfair admissions policy.)
Setting up a private practice in his home state of Maryland, Marshall quickly established a reputation as a lawyer for the “little man.” In a year’s time, he began working with the Baltimore NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and went on to become the organization’s chief counsel by the time he was 32, in 1940.
Over the next two decades, Marshall distinguished himself as one of the country’s leading advocates for individual rights, winning 29 of the 32 cases he argued in front of the Supreme Court, all of which challenged in some way the ‘separate but equal’ doctrine that had been established by the landmark case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).
The high-water mark of Marshall’s career as a litigator came in 1954 with his victory in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. In that case, Marshall argued that the ‘separate but equal’ principle was unconstitutional, and designed to keep blacks “as near [slavery] as possible.”
In 1961, Marshall was appointed by then-President John F. Kennedy to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, a position he held until 1965, when Kennedy’s successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, named him solicitor general. Following the retirement of Justice Tom Clark in 1967, President Johnson appointed Marshall to the Supreme Court, a decision confirmed by the Senate with a 69-11 vote.
Over the next 24 years, Justice Marshall came out in favor of abortion rights and against the death penalty, as he continued his tireless commitment to ensuring equitable treatment of individuals—particularly minorities—by state and federal governments.
Defining Moments
Defining Moments
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman
August 30, 2020
"As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him." Acts 9:3
For Moses, it was the burning bush.
For Peter, it was walking on water.
For Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, it was walking through the burning furnace unsinged.
For Paul, it was being blinded and spoken to by Jesus on the Damascus road.
For Daniel, it was deliverance from the lions' den.
For Joshua, it was parting the Jordan River and crossing into the Promised Land.
There have been many defining moments in the lives of human beings that changed their lives forever. These defining moments often set the course for the balance of their lives.
We could go on and on. Each of these servants had years of preparation leading up to their defining moment. These moments forced the servants to be involved in something beyond their human experiences. It took them outside their own paradigms of life. God had to move them outside their own boxes. And when He did, their lives were never the same.
You may be in one of three stages of life: You may not have had your "defining moment" yet - God may be preparing you with many important life experiences.
You may have had your defining moment and you are living out your call.
Or, you may be toward the end of your journey and you have already experienced what I speak of.
We are all called to a relationship with God; and our call is often ushered in by a defining moment. There can be more than one defining moment, each pointing you down a path that God foreordained from the foundation of the world.
The secret of a great life is often a man's ability to discern the defining moments given to him, to understand them, and to learn to walk in the path that leads to his ultimate destination.
Once you have had a defining moment, you are never the same. Pray that you have eyes to see and ears to hear when your Master brings a defining moment into your life.
Thoughts on Today's Verse
"Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him." John 8:30
Thoughts on Today's Verse by Phil Ware
While we often talk about Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can also find it easy to ignore his voice. Let's make a commitment to read through each of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) before the end of the year. And as we read, let's do it as a search for the heart of Jesus and ask God to help us know him better.
My Prayer...
Be with me, dear Father, as I seek to know Jesus better and obey his words more faithfully as I read your holy Scriptures, which find their center in him.
In his name, Jesus, Son of God and Son of Man, I pray. Amen.
Saturday, August 29, 2020
Quote from Joe Biden
"If I were plagiarizing consistently, my grades would have been better." Joe Biden
Tim Scott's Optimistic, Inspiring Message
Tim Scott's Optimistic, Inspiring Message for America's Future at the RNC
"Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime."
Those were the words of Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who spoke during the opening night of the 2020 Republican National Convention.
The senator was referring to his grandfather, who would have turned 99 years old Tuesday.
Growing up, Scott said, his granddad "had to cross the street if a white person was coming," adding, "He suffered the indignity of being forced out of school as a third-grader to pick cotton and he never learned to read or write."
"Yet," Scott continued, "he lived long enough to see his grandson become the first African-American to be elected to both the United States House and the United States Senate in the history of this country.
"Our family went from cotton to Congress in one lifetime, and that's why I believe the next American century can be better than the last."
In a time of such racial unrest in the U.S., Scott's words were a strong reminder of how far the country has progressed.
He also called on listeners to find the good news, rather than dwelling on the negatives so often put on display by the national news media.
"We live in a world that wants you to believe in only the bad news, racially, economically, and culturally," Scott said. "The truth is, our nation's arch always bends back toward fairness. We're not fully where we want to be, but I thank God Almighty we are not where we used to be. We are always striving to be better. When we stumble - and we will - we pick ourselves back up, and try again."
"We don't give in to cancel culture or the radical and factually baseless belief that things are worse today than in the 1860s or the 1960s," he continued. "We have work to do, but I believe in the goodness of America, the promise that all men and all women are created equal, and if you're watching tonight, I'm betting you do, too."
The Republican went on to praise President Donald Trump for presiding over "the most inclusive economy ever," prior to the coronavirus pandemic, noting a majority of new jobs created "went to women, African Americans, and Hispanics."
Scott argued re-electing Trump gives people "the best chance" at a prosperous future.
"God bless you," he said in closing. "And Father God, please continue blessing the United States of America."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)