Month: February 2022

True North!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

~ Judges 21:25

THE BOOK OF JUDGES! ~ FAILURE! Have you ever used a COMPASS CORRECTLY? In the northern hemisphere the needle of a working compass will always point north. If you are lost or confused on your journey, then a COMPASS will lead you in the right direction to get you where you need to go. You simply need to know where you are and where you need to go.

It may seem too easy. Of course, it should be. Before the nation of Israel had a king, GOD sent JUDGES or DELIVERERS to Israel to RESCUE the nation from the oppression and suffering they continually found themselves in because they failed to listen to GOD. It was a vicious cycle of disobedience, bondage, misery, liberation, and compromises. It is painful to watch as we read about them.

Do you remember, Deborah, Gideon, and Samson? Each of these BIBLE characters were renown throughout our Sunday school classes in years past. Each tale is filled with GOD’S rescue plan for the nation during the JUDGE’S reign. However, each shows a horrible weakness in the lives of those GOD called to be JUDGE. Barak’s failure leads to Deborah’s Song.  Gideon’s Fear leads to GOD’S great victory. Samson’s pride leads to Israel’s fall. ☹

Despair naturally follows disobedience. It’s so much easier to follow the LORD. It makes us think, “Why didn’t they just do better?” “Why didn’t they just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” Every day, I find myself asking as I watch people struggling to hold it together and look up: “Why don’t they just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” “What’s wrong with them?”

Then, in my quiet time with GOD after days of busyness it hits me: “Why don’t I just honor GOD and follow HIS rules?” “Why don’t I meet with GOD more often and pray and read HIS WORD?” Henry Blackaby tells us that when GOD speaks to us, HE is inviting us to join HIM. Then, we must adjust our lives to follow HIS PLAN. Remember, your BIBLE is your COMPASS! 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

A journey of EXPERIENCING GOD by Henry Blackaby & Claude King

Memorials

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

8 Study this BOOK OF INSTRUCTION continually. MEDITATE on IT day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in IT. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is MY COMMAND—BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For THE LORD YOUR GOD is with you wherever you go.”                                             Joshua 1:8-9

THE BOOK OF JOSHUA! ~ OBEDIENT FAITH!  On February 20, 1988, Cheryl and I began this journey of FAITH together in marriage! It all began on a Saturday in 1984, when Cheryl agreed to having our first date. I could explain that it took three tries to just get her to talk to me much less go on a date, but there isn’t time right now. 😉 Gentlemen, I knew I had a keeper the day she agreed to paint a dog house with me for our very first date. 😊

Since that day, we’ve seen very good days and very bad days. The truth in the passage above has carried us through all of those times. I assure you having a faithful companion in all those times is worth more than diamonds & gold!

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?

She is more precious than rubies.

11 Her husband can trust her,

and she will greatly enrich his life.

12 She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;

but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

31 Reward her for all she has done.

Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Proverbs 31:10-12; 30-31

On our anniversary, we encourage you to walk the walk of faithfulness which can only be proven along the time worn channels of life! Happy painting! 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

4 “Listen, O Israel! THE LORD is our GOD, THE LORD alone. 5 And you must love THE LORD your GOD with all your HEART, all your SOUL, and all your STRENGTH. 6 And you must commit yourselves WHOLEHEARTEDLY to these COMMANDS that I am giving you today.

7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.                                                 Deuteronomy 6:4-7

THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY! ~ LOVE & OBEDIENCE!  I remember a time when people would start a job early in life, and they remained with the company for a lifetime. Our dear friend Caroline greeted people at Red Lobster for over 40 years. WOW! She was enduringly faithful!

It’s easy to be faithful when you remember your LOVE and your passion for someone or something. That’s why the BIBLE repeats the statement to LOVE the LORD your GOD with all your HEART.  When we have your HEART; we have the very best of you! Right?  Broken hearts are often marks of lost LOVE!

Our minds play tricks on us all the time. We wonder if someone is really a friend, or if they are really who they say they are. Your MIND is the battleground of future decisions. What you think is true determines many of your actions and choices. This is why the BIBLE tells us to LOVE THE LORD GOD with all your MIND! GOD knows our enemy is trying to deceive you!

We often lose perspective when we focus only on ourselves today. There is an eternity awaiting each of us. The decisions we make affect that eternity. That’s why GOD wants us to love HIM with all of our SOUL for alleternity.

Finally, we should love with all that we have. We LOVE with our health, our finances, and our possessions every day. GOD wants each of us to love HIM with all of our STRENGTH. No holding back or holding out! EVERYTHING! {Including our computers, cell phones, tablets, and Social Media posts! 🙂 }

GOD gives each of us the perfect prescription to help us in all of these arenas: REPEAT! When we keep practicing the same thing perfectly, we get better with practice! Let’s practice LOVING GOD and LOVING others! 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15