Bible

CHOICES! ~ THE BOOK OF I SAMUEL

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to THE LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to HIS voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. 23 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.                                                                             ~ I Samuel 15:22-33

CHOICES! We make decisions everyday because we have so many CHOICES. Think about your daily routines for a moment. Do you shower in the morning before you leave your home, or do you shower the night before to save time in the morning? Next, do you eat cereal at home, or do you drive through somewhere for coffee and your morning feast? Which route do you take: the fastest or the most scenic route? By the way, how did you decide what to wear today? What kind of mattress did you sleep on? Did you wear your favorite PJ’s or just the usual? Which side of the bed did you sleep on? Why?

Clearly, we make so many CHOICES without even considering why we chose what we did not to mention the potential benefits or repercussions of the choices we make. For example, how do you choose to enjoy entertainment? Do you go to a movie? If so, how do you choose which movie? Do you trust Rotten Tomatoes and their scoring system, or do you trust fan favorites?

Admittedly, I make far too many of my decisions by the wonderful process called “winging it.” You might think that pastors spend hours praying about what kind of toothpaste to buy or where we ought to get our fried chicken. However, most of us do not. Truthfully, many of the decisions/CHOICES we make do not appear to have eternal consequences.  However, we will meet two men who make their decisions in entirely opposed ways in the book of I SAMUEL. During the next two weeks we will observe two men who were anointed to become kings of ISRAEL. It reminds me of the old Goofus and Gallant characters in the HIGHLIGHT’S children’s magazines. One chooses to do the right thing all the time and one does not. It won’t take much for us to see a very clear application for each of our lives. Enjoy the journey. 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST,

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

CHOICES! I SAMUEL

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

Celebrating the Sanctity of Life!

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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

13 YOU made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank YOU for making me so wonderfully complex! YOUR WORKMANSHIP is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 YOU watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was WOVEN TOGETHER in the dark of the womb. 16 YOU saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in YOUR BOOK. Every moment was LAID OUT before a single day had passed. ~ Psalm 139:13-16

“CELEBRATING THE SANCTITY OF LIFE!”  People are quick to share their opinion to try to convince us that they’ve done their research proving that they’re right and others are wrong. Here are some critical issues facing Americans today according to The Pew Research Center: health care, the national deficit, illegal immigration, gun violence, COVID, racism, unemployment, and climate change. Start a conversation on any of these topics and a healthy debate might ensue. However, mention PRO-LIFE and get ready for war! The SANCTITY OF LIFE pits darkness against LIGHT!

Unfortunately, the church as the place where the standard of TRUTH is THE BIBLE is becoming less prevalent today. Have we forgotten…?

4 THE LORD gave me this message: 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as MY prophet to the nations.”        ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

As we examine Psalm 139 today, we must either come to the conclusion that GOD declares HIS SANCTITY FOR LIFE or determine that THE BIBLE is not THE TRUTH we hold on to in any season or culture. Are we prepared to leave our opinions and experiences at the door? Can we approach the timeless WORD OF GOD as THE ULTIMATE TRUTH in each of our lives? I belief that’s our biggest CHOICE as we “CELEBRATE THE SANCTITY OF LIFE!” 😊

Living in the Shadow of the Cross

Blessings in CHRIST ~ Pastor Wes~ I Peter 3:15

LIFE IS A GIFT!