Saturday, March 30, 2013
Easter 2013 He is Alive!!
HE IS ALIVE, OUR JESUS IS ALIVE!
Dear Father in Heaven: Praise You and thank You for going to the cross for us, and we are so happy this day that You are alive and You are well and that we serve a God who is alive. Thanks for dying for us, thanks for all the healings You have shown us, thanks for the way You taught by the way You lived when on earth and thanks for not changing ever. Lord, even on this great day when we give praise for all things we ask that Your hand is on North Korea and that you block them from war. We understand that there will be wars and rumors of wars, and it must come, still, Lord, we ask for peace. Again, thanks for all You do and have done for us, and thanks for this wonderful prayer You left us with that we want to pray together today.
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil for Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Amen. In Your wonderful Name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters, and it is Saturday and not Easter Sunday, but I am sending this today so you are sure to have it for Easter. This morning here at the Southern Location of the North Pole it is beautiful, the sun is up and bright, as is The Son. Please enjoy your Easter, and know that I love you, and yes, please pass that on. Please remember this also, Jesus loves everyone, even the sinners, for if He did not love sinners, He would not love us, me and you. (Yes, I put me ahead of you on this one.) We must remember to do the same, we must love everyone, EVERYONE, but we must hate their sins, and our sins also. HAVE A HAPPY EASTER.
This message sent to the Museum of Bus Transportation also, as I am still their Chaplain.
Easter 2013
Picture this: One morning you and a friend go out early to the cemetery to put some fresh flowers on the grave of a dear friend or relation. You get to the cemetery at first light and something feels different, something looks different,however, you have never been to the cemetery at first light.
You park your car and get the flowers out and you walk to the grave site of your friend or family member and you notice that thee are grave sites that looked open. So your first thinking is that some folks might have been buried late the afternoon of the day before and you are thinking that the workers will arrive soon and fill in the open graves. Then you get to the grave site you came to put the flowers on. This grave is open also and the heavy vault lid is up on the ground and the casket lid is open and your loved one's body is gone. How would you feel? Would you be scared? You should be, for if you saw this today, you missed the call, you have been left behind!
Our Lord Jesus was placed in the tomb and the tomb sealed and guards placed at the tomb for security reasons on that day we call Good Friday.
Matthew 28:1 - After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. (NIV)
They were going there to put spices on the body of Jesus. When they arrived they found the STONE WAS ROLLED AWAY and the guards who were standing there were as stone statues. When they went looking into the tomb an Angel of the Lord came upon them and asked them ...
Luke 24:5B/8 - "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!" "Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee. 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again'". Then they remembered His words. (NIV)
Folks, there is not one question in my mind that this happened. It is recorded in our Bibles and I believe my Bible, God's Holy Word, that this happened, and I also HAVE FAITH that it did. Folks, for the non-believer, this event is recorded in history and there is no way that anyone can say it did not happen. People saw Jesus killed, they saw Him buried, and as we find out in our coming lessons that Jesus walked and talked again with folks here on earth before He went up into heaven to sit at the right hand of our Father in Heaven to judge us as we come to get into heaven.
Yes, folks, we serve a Risen Savior, we do not serve a piece of iron, or a stone statue, or anything else, or at least we should not, some non-Christians might worship false Gods, for us. We serve Jesus, our Lord, and folks, HE IS ALIVE. I SAID HE IS ALIVE! Praise God, Praise God, Praise God!!! AMEN, AND AMEN.
So folks, how would you feel if you were in the sandals of one of the women? Would you have questions, would you be frightened at first? Think about it. You saw this man, your wonderful Friend Jesus put to death on the cross, you saw Him taken down and taken to the tomb. You saw all of this with your very own eyes and then three days later you go to the tomb and see He is gone. Your first thought is that someone stole His body, and then You are told He is alive. You are shocked, then the angel of the Lord reminded you of the words of Jesus, these words:
Luke 24:7 - "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again." (NIV)
You are sort of at peace, but not really sure at this point. So you are walking along a road talking to each other about this when Jesus comes up to you and walked along with you. But you did not really know who this man was. Jesus then asks you ...
Luke 24:17 - "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" (NIV)
You tell this man Jesus who you did not know at first because Jesus wanted it that way. After talking about this for a period of time and as evening came on, you arrive at your home and you still did not know this man who started walking with you as Jesus blocked you from knowing. You invite Jesus to stop and stay over as it was getting late. When you were at the table to eat, Jesus picked up bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and then he opened your eyes so you might see Him. He is alive, He is alive, HE IS ALIVE! You are so excited you now want to tell everyone which is what we are to do.
So, now let us go back to our visit to the local cemetery, and you are standing around that grave of the loved one. You see the other graves open. What happened the night before, you are thinking, who wanted to rob all these graves, you ask yourself. Than you started to remember about Jesus and the stories about Jesus, but you did not take it seriously, you put off this personal relationship, and now you are finding out that Jesus returned the night before and as He promised He would. He came back to get His family, the family of believers, those who were BORN AGAIN. Oh, how you hated those words, BORN AGAIN. You went to church once in awhile, in fact most of the time you went two, even three times a year. You were a good person, you said you believe in God, but you never asked Jesus into your heart and confessed to Him your love for Him. It is too late, you missed the call. Jesus has returned.
My dear brothers and sisters, in these days of fighting, of downturn in the economy, when you see killings on the street, when you have loved ones serving in our military in some hotspot in the world, when all else seems to be falling apart, there is hope today. I tell you, my dear brothers and sisters, there is hope in our Jesus, OUR RISEN SAVIOR. THERE IS HOPE, AND A BETTER PLACE AHEAD OF US. Someday our Lord Jesus will return, and I don't know when, it could be today, it could be a thousand years away, not even Jesus knows, only our Father in Heaven. Only God The Father! But why wait, don't miss the boat, so to speak. Put in your reservation for sure entrance to Heaven. Block the space now by just coming to Jesus. All this is real, will you join me now and either book your spot or if you have done this already, then renew this Easter Sunday? Remember, Jesus is alive, you are not serving the dead, our Savior, Jesus Christ, is alive, alive! Will you join me right now? Do you have the faith this day to start walking with Jesus? I cannot pray this one for you, only lead you.
Dear Father in Heaven. Forgive me this day of my sins. I do believe in Jesus as my Savior and I want to book my place in Heaven right now, I do not want to let it go another minute. Help me to repent of my sins and walk the best I can in the footprints of Jesus. I want to live to please Him, I want to serve Him. I want to be given life after death, I have the faith now, Father, help me. In the name of Jesus, I believe and pray and ask to be forgiven. Amen.
Go forth now, have a great Easter, and remember to share your blessings. Love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
HAPPY EASTER - HE'S ALIVE
Friday, March 29, 2013
Good Friday 2013 Easter Week 5
Dear Father in Heaven. Thank You, dear Lord, for yesterday and for being faithful to us, thanks for watching over this line, thanks for the great services yesterday and a ministry team that is faithful to You and to ministry that You have trusted to us. Thank You, Lord, for nineteen years of Carry The Light Ministry singing. Thank You in advance for this day and all the blessings I know we will receive. Please be with Bob and Peggy Everhard and thanks for taking such god care of them. Thanks for watching over Patsy and Burt Emig, and we ask Your hand be on both of these wonderful couples. Please be with Mike, Sterling, Doris, Ray, Margaret, and a host of others at The Bridges, and thanks for keeping the door open for us at The Bridges. Please keep watch over all of Your children, and a tight hand on Curtis. Help us today with our concert, and Lord, be with all pastors this weekend for thee are so many folks who only come to church on Christmas and Easter. Lord, may all pastors preach the truth. Please be with Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson and help her after she put out very strong offensive words about people from Perry County, PA. Be with those who have been offended and help them to forgive. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Today this message is also going out to some of the members of the Museum of Bus Transportation.
Good Friday Morning on this the Best of Good Fridays. Remember, God gives us 52 Good Fridays each year, but today we celebrate the Best of those Good Fridays. Twenty years ago on Good Friday, my singing partner, Pamela Sue Bower, and I, after many, many long hours of practice, sang our first engagement at the Leader Nursing Home (now Manor Care) in Camp Hill, PA. Led by God and inspired by The Brotherhood and The Couriers, we set out to sing one or two concerts at retirement homes. Later we were joined by Joanne Fortney and sometimes her husband David, and even their two sons Artie and Sean. Those little boys sang their hearts out on a song called "Can He, Would He, Did He?" Dolores joined us at the piano a few years after we started and we worked in some live music. God was and is faithful, even trusting us way back then to do His work. We sang almost every Saturday each year until about two years ago when health had me cut our schedule. We never had trouble getting bookings, not because we were good (we made a joyful noise) but because God opened doors and we never once asked for money. Sometime I need to write how it started, but I wanted to touch on it today as we give thanks to God as we start our 20th year today with the singing which today is just one part of Carry The Light Ministries. About that same time, Jesus also started me writing daily messages. For now I need to get going on the message of today. Good Friday, The Day Jesus Died to take away our sins. The Day Jesus Died so we might live.
Good Friday 2013, Easter Week Day 5
Brothers and sisters, thee is no way I can type in all the scriptures that you need to read for my message today. Please start with Luke 22:47 through the end of Luke 23. Then on Sunday read Luke 24:1 through Luke 24:49. Thank you.
I talked to you about the upper room, and we had communion (the Last Supper). I talked to you about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and about "Thy Will be Done". Today we move on.
After Jesus was finished praying and was still talking with His disciples He was arrested, here is where Judas came up and kissed Jesus, his way of showing those that were arresting Jesus who He was. Jesus made this statement, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (Luke 22:48)
At this point, one of the followers of Jesus and more than likely one of the disciples, said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" One did strike a servant of a high priest, cutting off His right ear. Jesus said, "No more of this!" and He touched the man's ear and healed him. (Luke 22:50/51)
Now you will recall that Peter said that he would never disown Jesus, but Jesus said before the rooster crows you will have disowned me three times. After Peter said he would not and he did. On the third time The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him. "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." Peter went outside and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:61/62)
After His arrest the guards would mock Jesus and beat Him. Then he appeared before Pilate and Herod. Jesus was asked if He was the Christ, and He answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I ask you, you would not answer. But from now on, The Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." The all asked, "Are you the Son of God?" Jesus answered them, "You are right in saying I am." (Luke 22:67/70) So here is another place we find in the words of our Loving Lord Jesus that He is indeed both "The Son of Man" and "The Son of God".
After His fake trial and that is all it was, a fake trial, Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Jesus and then sent Him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod, who were enemies, on that day became friends. Pilate told the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, that He found nothing wrong with this man, but still gave Jesus over to the crowd after three times telling Him He did nothing to deserve being crucified. (Luke 23:1/25)
As our loving Lord was led away to be crucified FOR OUR SINS for crimes that we did, Simon from Cyrene was picked on the way to carry the cross of Jesus. Today, folks, today I want to tell you in my words we should be carrying that cross of Jesus and we should do it daily. By carrying the cross, I mean we need to not just tell others the Good News about Jesus as He commanded us to do, but to be ready to die for Him. Today all over the world we have missionaries and a lot of them over the years have lost their lives taking the Good News to all the corners of the world. Let me now ask you this very simple question, this very, very simple question. WOULD YOU DIE FOR JESUS? Brothers and sisters, this has happened here in America. If someone would say to you, deny Jesus as your Savior or I am going to take your life, what would you do? I pray that I would have the courage to say at that time as I am saying right now ... "I love Jesus!"
Along the way to Mount Calvary where Jesus was put to death, women mourned and wailed for Him. Jesus said to them: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep for yourselves and for your children." (Luke 23:28) As Jesus was put on the cross, two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. At the place called the "Skull" is where they were crucified. One of the criminals was placed on the right of Jesus and one on the left. As Jesus was put on the cross, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Even at the lowest time for Jesus, the very lowest, Jesus, our Lord Jesus was asking God to forgive those who were killing Him. This, brothers and sisters, tells me that as long as we come to Jesus, ask Him into our hearts, and be willing to work for Him as in our scriptures, He will forgive us.
Now Jesus also forgave one of the criminals. One who sided with Jesus asked Him, "Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42/43) Now brothers and sisters, this tells me that the very first place Jesus went after His death, and even on that same day, was Heaven, or paradise, as Jesus called it. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth," and Jesus never lied and He said TODAY meaning the day He was put to death. I can picture in my mind, I really can, Jesus appearing before His Father in Heaven saying something that might go like this ... Hi, Father, I love You, would You please permit this man to come into heaven, he supported me on earth. Then Jesus would say, I'll be back in a few short weeks, Father. I love You, and God the Father might say, Jesus, You are my Son, whom I love.
Please, as You look over the scriptures, pictures these things.
It was about the sixth hour when Jesus was on the cross that the whole land went dark, and it remained dark for three hours. The sun stopped shining and the curtain at the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." And He died. (Luke 23:41/46)
A man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, asked for the body of Jesus. His body was taken down and wrapped in a linen cloth and placed in a tomb.
Dear Father in Heaven, forgive me of my sins, and I pray today all on this line will pray for forgiveness, thanks for dying for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now go forth and share your blessings, and if you wish, share this message. God died for all of us, red and yellow, black and white, and all the mixes that now have blended. The only one who was without sin died for all of us who have sinned, and folks, all of us have sinned. Jesus loved and still loves you. How much love does He have for us? Just stretch out your hands to form a cross, that is how much ... "Jesus, born to die, so we might live." Someone shout PRAISE THE LORD.
I love you all (pass it on.) Pastor Dan.
Today this message is also going out to some of the members of the Museum of Bus Transportation.
Good Friday Morning on this the Best of Good Fridays. Remember, God gives us 52 Good Fridays each year, but today we celebrate the Best of those Good Fridays. Twenty years ago on Good Friday, my singing partner, Pamela Sue Bower, and I, after many, many long hours of practice, sang our first engagement at the Leader Nursing Home (now Manor Care) in Camp Hill, PA. Led by God and inspired by The Brotherhood and The Couriers, we set out to sing one or two concerts at retirement homes. Later we were joined by Joanne Fortney and sometimes her husband David, and even their two sons Artie and Sean. Those little boys sang their hearts out on a song called "Can He, Would He, Did He?" Dolores joined us at the piano a few years after we started and we worked in some live music. God was and is faithful, even trusting us way back then to do His work. We sang almost every Saturday each year until about two years ago when health had me cut our schedule. We never had trouble getting bookings, not because we were good (we made a joyful noise) but because God opened doors and we never once asked for money. Sometime I need to write how it started, but I wanted to touch on it today as we give thanks to God as we start our 20th year today with the singing which today is just one part of Carry The Light Ministries. About that same time, Jesus also started me writing daily messages. For now I need to get going on the message of today. Good Friday, The Day Jesus Died to take away our sins. The Day Jesus Died so we might live.
Good Friday 2013, Easter Week Day 5
Brothers and sisters, thee is no way I can type in all the scriptures that you need to read for my message today. Please start with Luke 22:47 through the end of Luke 23. Then on Sunday read Luke 24:1 through Luke 24:49. Thank you.
I talked to you about the upper room, and we had communion (the Last Supper). I talked to you about Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and about "Thy Will be Done". Today we move on.
After Jesus was finished praying and was still talking with His disciples He was arrested, here is where Judas came up and kissed Jesus, his way of showing those that were arresting Jesus who He was. Jesus made this statement, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" (Luke 22:48)
At this point, one of the followers of Jesus and more than likely one of the disciples, said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" One did strike a servant of a high priest, cutting off His right ear. Jesus said, "No more of this!" and He touched the man's ear and healed him. (Luke 22:50/51)
Now you will recall that Peter said that he would never disown Jesus, but Jesus said before the rooster crows you will have disowned me three times. After Peter said he would not and he did. On the third time The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him. "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." Peter went outside and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:61/62)
After His arrest the guards would mock Jesus and beat Him. Then he appeared before Pilate and Herod. Jesus was asked if He was the Christ, and He answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I ask you, you would not answer. But from now on, The Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." The all asked, "Are you the Son of God?" Jesus answered them, "You are right in saying I am." (Luke 22:67/70) So here is another place we find in the words of our Loving Lord Jesus that He is indeed both "The Son of Man" and "The Son of God".
After His fake trial and that is all it was, a fake trial, Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Jesus and then sent Him back to Pilate. Pilate and Herod, who were enemies, on that day became friends. Pilate told the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, that He found nothing wrong with this man, but still gave Jesus over to the crowd after three times telling Him He did nothing to deserve being crucified. (Luke 23:1/25)
As our loving Lord was led away to be crucified FOR OUR SINS for crimes that we did, Simon from Cyrene was picked on the way to carry the cross of Jesus. Today, folks, today I want to tell you in my words we should be carrying that cross of Jesus and we should do it daily. By carrying the cross, I mean we need to not just tell others the Good News about Jesus as He commanded us to do, but to be ready to die for Him. Today all over the world we have missionaries and a lot of them over the years have lost their lives taking the Good News to all the corners of the world. Let me now ask you this very simple question, this very, very simple question. WOULD YOU DIE FOR JESUS? Brothers and sisters, this has happened here in America. If someone would say to you, deny Jesus as your Savior or I am going to take your life, what would you do? I pray that I would have the courage to say at that time as I am saying right now ... "I love Jesus!"
Along the way to Mount Calvary where Jesus was put to death, women mourned and wailed for Him. Jesus said to them: "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep for yourselves and for your children." (Luke 23:28) As Jesus was put on the cross, two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. At the place called the "Skull" is where they were crucified. One of the criminals was placed on the right of Jesus and one on the left. As Jesus was put on the cross, He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Even at the lowest time for Jesus, the very lowest, Jesus, our Lord Jesus was asking God to forgive those who were killing Him. This, brothers and sisters, tells me that as long as we come to Jesus, ask Him into our hearts, and be willing to work for Him as in our scriptures, He will forgive us.
Now Jesus also forgave one of the criminals. One who sided with Jesus asked Him, "Jesus, remember me when you come into Your Kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:42/43) Now brothers and sisters, this tells me that the very first place Jesus went after His death, and even on that same day, was Heaven, or paradise, as Jesus called it. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth," and Jesus never lied and He said TODAY meaning the day He was put to death. I can picture in my mind, I really can, Jesus appearing before His Father in Heaven saying something that might go like this ... Hi, Father, I love You, would You please permit this man to come into heaven, he supported me on earth. Then Jesus would say, I'll be back in a few short weeks, Father. I love You, and God the Father might say, Jesus, You are my Son, whom I love.
Please, as You look over the scriptures, pictures these things.
It was about the sixth hour when Jesus was on the cross that the whole land went dark, and it remained dark for three hours. The sun stopped shining and the curtain at the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." And He died. (Luke 23:41/46)
A man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, asked for the body of Jesus. His body was taken down and wrapped in a linen cloth and placed in a tomb.
Dear Father in Heaven, forgive me of my sins, and I pray today all on this line will pray for forgiveness, thanks for dying for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now go forth and share your blessings, and if you wish, share this message. God died for all of us, red and yellow, black and white, and all the mixes that now have blended. The only one who was without sin died for all of us who have sinned, and folks, all of us have sinned. Jesus loved and still loves you. How much love does He have for us? Just stretch out your hands to form a cross, that is how much ... "Jesus, born to die, so we might live." Someone shout PRAISE THE LORD.
I love you all (pass it on.) Pastor Dan.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Thursday 3/28/13 Easter Week 4
Dear Father in Heaven, I love You, thanks for another wonderful day. Thanks for Your hand on Thelma Blough. Thanks, dear Lord, again and again, for trusting us to work for You. Thanks again, dear Lord, for Your Word and for those who wrote about You and passed it on down so that we may read about You today, and we are really happy that the truth lives on this day in You. Lord, be with us Thursday as we double up on services, and please be with all pastors as they work this Holy Week, and I pray that they all teach and preach the truth. Lord, thanks for being with all of us all the time, even when our minds are elsewhere and not on You. Help us to fall deeper and deeper in love with You each day. And Lord, it is just in, thanks for taking care of Helen Thomas and now please as the tests go forth, help them be clear of cancer. In Jesus' name, I pray and give thanks. Amen.
My dear brothers and sisters, I do not know if this will reach you on Wednesday evening or Thursday, but it is the Thursday message, and please remember we are having communion. I do pray that you don't just pass on this. If you do not have grape juice, use something else for the blood, just ask Jesus to bless it, and if you do not have bread, use the bread from a donut or sticky bun. Just be sure that you ask God to bless them. And remember this is the "BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS."
PRAISE REPORTS, Yes, two of them! The other day we prayed for Tim Blough's mother who was to be in stage four or five cancer. Okay, first, her name is Thelma, and there is no cancer in her liver as suspected, and her cancer has been downgraded to stage three. Praise the Lord, we know God was at work already and cleared that liver. Now we keep praying expecting a clean report. All glory and honor to God. Helen Thomas had her surgery this AM (female surgery). The surgery went excellent, she is home, tired and resting, Praise God! Keep praying now that there is no cancer in the testing.
Time to get to the message, and remember it is communion. So off we go to the Upper Room!
Easter Week 3/28/13 Day Four. The Upper Room.
Vine and Branches: John 15:1 - "I am the true vine and my Father is the Gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (NIV)
Two weeks ago Dolores and I purchased palms so that we could give palm branches out to those coming to church last Sunday. We ordered a lot of them and Grant and Wanda helped us get them ready for church. We had plenty to share so they took also for their church. These palms are kept at the florist, they were in a big cooler to help keep them fresh until they delivered them to us.
Even before our church service you could see how they were drying up because they were no longer attached to the tree. I also purchase cut flowers for Dolores from time to time. (Ain't I good?) I bring them home, cut them down and put them in water with stuff they give to keep them fresh. Still, they wither and die because they are cut from the plant.
Folks, we are the same way, if we become detached from Jesus we are going to wither up and just die. I am talking about your soul dying and when your soul starts to die, what do you have left? A brain and body that wants to work on its own. I have tried that, I have tried walking without Jesus and it was not easy, although I thought it was then. Since I found Jesus, and truly walk with Him, that walk got better. I did not say it was easy, folks, because we still have trouble. We still have problems, and we also find out that getting old is not for sissies. However, if we stay attached to Jesus, we have a Lord and Savior who will help us each step of the way. Folks, if anyone is going to cut you off from the Lord, guess who it will be. A gardener cut off the palms, a florist cut those flowers, but who cuts us off from the Lord? Who cuts us off from that True Vine? Brothers and sisters, if you said Satan, you are wrong, really and truly wrong!!! Oh, he will come after you, he will try and get you away from Jesus, but the one and only one who will prune you away from Jesus is none other than YOURSELF. Freedom of choice. Picture yourself as Howdy Doody, that puppet from our youth. He had strings attached and the puppet master would pull those strings. If the puppet master would cut the strings, Howdy would fall. But God did not make us to be puppets, no strings attached to us. He gave us free will, but He also gave us a way to stay attached. He gave us Jesus! He gave us His Word. He gave us the Holy Spirit! He gave us all we need. We just need to take it. If Howdy Doody were to get scissors and reach up and cut the lines, he would fall, he would not work. Folks, God did not have strings on us, just His Word, and if we reach up and cut ourselves from Him, we will also fall and fail.
Folks, all of this is in The Book, The Book we call The Bible. Let's get really attached this week as we walk nearer and nearer to God and try to understand just why this man named Jesus died for us. Let's go to Him now in prayer.
Dear Lord, let us walk with Thee. Hold us tight as we struggle each day in our walk here on earth. Thanks for keeping us afloat and helping to hold us up. We know if we become detached we will surely fail. Lord, we have faith in You and ask in Faith that You would look over our prayer list and answer it according to Your will. We thank You this day for all things and pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Luke 22:3 - Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. (NIV)
Have you ever worked at a place where you did this great job and found out that others who were friends to your face were really trying to either get you fired or get you in trouble? Folks, this happens over and over in the workplace and even in our schools. It seems to me that "backstabbing" might be working every place we might go, even in some churches. I know that when I was working at the school and in charge of Transportation for that school district someone would always be at my back. There came a term I would hear often, "it was lonely at the top." If you are in a job where you work with customers and you go far beyond what needs done, you will find that the "slackers", those who do little, as in just enough to get by, will try and take you down. If you are in sales and are selling well, others will soon hate you and say you are taking their customers. And it goes on and on and on. Along the lines, you will even find "bosses" who get involved for they like people to run to them about what is going on in the office or places of employment.
I brought this up today to let all of you who have had these kinds of things happen, to tell you to keep your faith for you are in good company. Please take the lead of Jesus who had this same thing happen to Him and just keep on your mission. Jesus had disciples who traveled with Him, His disciples and out of the twelve, one of them sold Him out, yes, really sold Him out, for money. Now our Bible tells us that Satan entered Judas Iscariot, and of course, when Satan gets on board with you and you with Satan, only bad things can happen. But we people cannot always blame Satan, for you have heard me say we give that king of evil too much credit.
Folks, if people are cutting you in the back, first as always try to work it out, be really, really nice to those others, knowing that is what Jesus would do. If that does not work, then just keep on being in touch with God and work as Jesus would. Do not talk about the ones backstabbing you, do not put them down, just go on with your tasks and remember to never do it to someone else. You know it is easy when working with others to get caught up in the trash talking and gossip, please don't get drawn into it. Do not be a Judas now or ever and if you ever did, do all you can to correct it.
Dear Father in Heaven, please today forgive us of our sins, we do indeed want to walk with You and we want to do it clean. Today please bless the communion elements that people bring forth for communion this day. Bless the Bread to be the Body of Jesus and the Grape Juice to be the Blood. Clean us not just for this communion today but to get us ready for the day You send Jesus back for us. In the name of Jesus, we pray together, knowing that we must each ask for our own selves to be forgiven. Clean us, Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask this. Amen.
Holy Communion and Salvation Through Jesus:
Luke 22:14 - When the our came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. 15 And He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
Today I want to review a few steps about our Salvation through our Lord Jesus, with the steps that must be taken by us as individuals. I want to of course not just tell you about it, I want to back it up with scriptures. First of all, why did God send His One and only Son to do this for us?
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (NIV)
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Romans 10:9/10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth you confess and are saved. (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, our Lord Jesus took our sins with Him to the cross, not one sin or a few sins, but all of them, if we just confess our love over to Him we can get rid of our sins and get ready to face Jesus. We also, folks, must repent, we must repent. Do you remember these passages from our Bible ...
Matthew 3:3 - "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him'" (NIV) That was John The Baptist.
Matthew 4:17 - From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (NIV)
Then, folks, we must go to work for our Lord Jesus. We cannot work our way into heaven, but faith without the works is dead. See Ephesians 2:1/10.
Are we ready now for online communion? We went to Gethsemane with Jesus yesterday and on Friday we are going to the cross. Yes, there will be an Easter Sunday Morning message.
Are you ready now with your bread and juice, or wine if you choose? We will use the service from Luke.
Luke 22:19 - And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." (NIV)
Please take now your bread which is the body of Jesus, and break it apart and join me ... This is the body of our Lord Jesus and my dear brothers and sisters, it is broken for us, you and me ... take and eat now ...
Luke 22:20 - In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (NIV)
Now take your juice/wine which is the blood of Jesus, which was given up by Jesus while He was on the cross ... Brothers and sisters, this blood of our Lord is still flowing today ... Take now and drink, for this is the blood of Jesus, the blood of the New Covenant, it is shed for us, you and me.
Still pouring out today ... for that let's look at one last scripture today ...
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)
And all God's people said ... AMEN.
Now go forth and share your blessings, share Jesus who is your very best blessing. See you Friday as we go to the cross! Also on Friday if you care to join us, Carry The Light will be in concert at The Bridges at 2:00 PM. Call me if you need directions, 717 991 0754. Love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
My dear brothers and sisters, I do not know if this will reach you on Wednesday evening or Thursday, but it is the Thursday message, and please remember we are having communion. I do pray that you don't just pass on this. If you do not have grape juice, use something else for the blood, just ask Jesus to bless it, and if you do not have bread, use the bread from a donut or sticky bun. Just be sure that you ask God to bless them. And remember this is the "BODY AND BLOOD OF JESUS."
PRAISE REPORTS, Yes, two of them! The other day we prayed for Tim Blough's mother who was to be in stage four or five cancer. Okay, first, her name is Thelma, and there is no cancer in her liver as suspected, and her cancer has been downgraded to stage three. Praise the Lord, we know God was at work already and cleared that liver. Now we keep praying expecting a clean report. All glory and honor to God. Helen Thomas had her surgery this AM (female surgery). The surgery went excellent, she is home, tired and resting, Praise God! Keep praying now that there is no cancer in the testing.
Time to get to the message, and remember it is communion. So off we go to the Upper Room!
Easter Week 3/28/13 Day Four. The Upper Room.
Vine and Branches: John 15:1 - "I am the true vine and my Father is the Gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." (NIV)
Two weeks ago Dolores and I purchased palms so that we could give palm branches out to those coming to church last Sunday. We ordered a lot of them and Grant and Wanda helped us get them ready for church. We had plenty to share so they took also for their church. These palms are kept at the florist, they were in a big cooler to help keep them fresh until they delivered them to us.
Even before our church service you could see how they were drying up because they were no longer attached to the tree. I also purchase cut flowers for Dolores from time to time. (Ain't I good?) I bring them home, cut them down and put them in water with stuff they give to keep them fresh. Still, they wither and die because they are cut from the plant.
Folks, we are the same way, if we become detached from Jesus we are going to wither up and just die. I am talking about your soul dying and when your soul starts to die, what do you have left? A brain and body that wants to work on its own. I have tried that, I have tried walking without Jesus and it was not easy, although I thought it was then. Since I found Jesus, and truly walk with Him, that walk got better. I did not say it was easy, folks, because we still have trouble. We still have problems, and we also find out that getting old is not for sissies. However, if we stay attached to Jesus, we have a Lord and Savior who will help us each step of the way. Folks, if anyone is going to cut you off from the Lord, guess who it will be. A gardener cut off the palms, a florist cut those flowers, but who cuts us off from the Lord? Who cuts us off from that True Vine? Brothers and sisters, if you said Satan, you are wrong, really and truly wrong!!! Oh, he will come after you, he will try and get you away from Jesus, but the one and only one who will prune you away from Jesus is none other than YOURSELF. Freedom of choice. Picture yourself as Howdy Doody, that puppet from our youth. He had strings attached and the puppet master would pull those strings. If the puppet master would cut the strings, Howdy would fall. But God did not make us to be puppets, no strings attached to us. He gave us free will, but He also gave us a way to stay attached. He gave us Jesus! He gave us His Word. He gave us the Holy Spirit! He gave us all we need. We just need to take it. If Howdy Doody were to get scissors and reach up and cut the lines, he would fall, he would not work. Folks, God did not have strings on us, just His Word, and if we reach up and cut ourselves from Him, we will also fall and fail.
Folks, all of this is in The Book, The Book we call The Bible. Let's get really attached this week as we walk nearer and nearer to God and try to understand just why this man named Jesus died for us. Let's go to Him now in prayer.
Dear Lord, let us walk with Thee. Hold us tight as we struggle each day in our walk here on earth. Thanks for keeping us afloat and helping to hold us up. We know if we become detached we will surely fail. Lord, we have faith in You and ask in Faith that You would look over our prayer list and answer it according to Your will. We thank You this day for all things and pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Luke 22:3 - Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. (NIV)
Have you ever worked at a place where you did this great job and found out that others who were friends to your face were really trying to either get you fired or get you in trouble? Folks, this happens over and over in the workplace and even in our schools. It seems to me that "backstabbing" might be working every place we might go, even in some churches. I know that when I was working at the school and in charge of Transportation for that school district someone would always be at my back. There came a term I would hear often, "it was lonely at the top." If you are in a job where you work with customers and you go far beyond what needs done, you will find that the "slackers", those who do little, as in just enough to get by, will try and take you down. If you are in sales and are selling well, others will soon hate you and say you are taking their customers. And it goes on and on and on. Along the lines, you will even find "bosses" who get involved for they like people to run to them about what is going on in the office or places of employment.
I brought this up today to let all of you who have had these kinds of things happen, to tell you to keep your faith for you are in good company. Please take the lead of Jesus who had this same thing happen to Him and just keep on your mission. Jesus had disciples who traveled with Him, His disciples and out of the twelve, one of them sold Him out, yes, really sold Him out, for money. Now our Bible tells us that Satan entered Judas Iscariot, and of course, when Satan gets on board with you and you with Satan, only bad things can happen. But we people cannot always blame Satan, for you have heard me say we give that king of evil too much credit.
Folks, if people are cutting you in the back, first as always try to work it out, be really, really nice to those others, knowing that is what Jesus would do. If that does not work, then just keep on being in touch with God and work as Jesus would. Do not talk about the ones backstabbing you, do not put them down, just go on with your tasks and remember to never do it to someone else. You know it is easy when working with others to get caught up in the trash talking and gossip, please don't get drawn into it. Do not be a Judas now or ever and if you ever did, do all you can to correct it.
Dear Father in Heaven, please today forgive us of our sins, we do indeed want to walk with You and we want to do it clean. Today please bless the communion elements that people bring forth for communion this day. Bless the Bread to be the Body of Jesus and the Grape Juice to be the Blood. Clean us not just for this communion today but to get us ready for the day You send Jesus back for us. In the name of Jesus, we pray together, knowing that we must each ask for our own selves to be forgiven. Clean us, Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask this. Amen.
Holy Communion and Salvation Through Jesus:
Luke 22:14 - When the our came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. 15 And He said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God." (NIV)
Today I want to review a few steps about our Salvation through our Lord Jesus, with the steps that must be taken by us as individuals. I want to of course not just tell you about it, I want to back it up with scriptures. First of all, why did God send His One and only Son to do this for us?
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. 18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (NIV)
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Romans 10:9/10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth you confess and are saved. (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, our Lord Jesus took our sins with Him to the cross, not one sin or a few sins, but all of them, if we just confess our love over to Him we can get rid of our sins and get ready to face Jesus. We also, folks, must repent, we must repent. Do you remember these passages from our Bible ...
Matthew 3:3 - "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him'" (NIV) That was John The Baptist.
Matthew 4:17 - From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (NIV)
Then, folks, we must go to work for our Lord Jesus. We cannot work our way into heaven, but faith without the works is dead. See Ephesians 2:1/10.
Are we ready now for online communion? We went to Gethsemane with Jesus yesterday and on Friday we are going to the cross. Yes, there will be an Easter Sunday Morning message.
Are you ready now with your bread and juice, or wine if you choose? We will use the service from Luke.
Luke 22:19 - And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." (NIV)
Please take now your bread which is the body of Jesus, and break it apart and join me ... This is the body of our Lord Jesus and my dear brothers and sisters, it is broken for us, you and me ... take and eat now ...
Luke 22:20 - In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (NIV)
Now take your juice/wine which is the blood of Jesus, which was given up by Jesus while He was on the cross ... Brothers and sisters, this blood of our Lord is still flowing today ... Take now and drink, for this is the blood of Jesus, the blood of the New Covenant, it is shed for us, you and me.
Still pouring out today ... for that let's look at one last scripture today ...
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (NIV)
And all God's people said ... AMEN.
Now go forth and share your blessings, share Jesus who is your very best blessing. See you Friday as we go to the cross! Also on Friday if you care to join us, Carry The Light will be in concert at The Bridges at 2:00 PM. Call me if you need directions, 717 991 0754. Love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
Wednesday 3/27/13 Easter Week 3
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil, for Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever. Amen.
Dear Father, thanks for a great day, and thanks for carrying me through it. Lord, please be with your children this week, please help a piano player be found by Pastor Kurt for Easter Sunday, please, Lord, be with our Ministry Team as we head into this busy season. Please be with a man named Bob who made a very big mistake. Be with those family members who, Lord, just seem not to get along, and watch over them. Lord, You know them, and help me, dear Lord, to get the message to them that they must get long, they must do their very best. Please bless gain this line and all who use it, thanks for keeping it open. I love You, Jesus, and I pray in Your name. Amen.
Hi, brothers and sisters, the snow is now over for the year as I took the snow plow off my plow truck today!! If it snows again, Dolores will just need to shovel it. We have a person on the line who does not get along with another person who might become part of their family. Pray that the problem gets worked out. Yes, I have withheld the names. The one named Bob, and I withheld the last name, was stealing and lost his job. What a beautiful day we had here at the Southern Location of the North Pole. All the snow has melted away, I spent about six hours outside working and I give all honor and glory that I can still do that. What I did in those six hours I should be able to do in two, but I have slowed down, but again, I am thankful I can keep moving. As I go now to the message, remember I am going out of line, so that I can have our next message be the "last Supper" and I am going to try and have it done and out very early Thursday morning. Now, let us head to Gethsemane.
Wednesday 3/27/13 Easter Week, Day 3: Gethsemane.
Please read Matthew 26:36/46.
Today I want to walk along with Jesus as He goes to Gethsemane where He had a very serious talk with His (our) Father in Heaven. Before Jesus headed out to pray he was talking to His disciples and telling them how they will fall away on His account. Peter told Jesus, "even if all fall away on account of You, I never will." (Matthew 26:34) Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crows in the morning that he would disown Him three times.
When Jesus arrived with His disciples t Gethsemane, He told them to (Matthew 26:36) "sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him. Jesus said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." (Matthew 26:39) Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (NIV)
I want to bring a couple of things out of this one verse. First of all, even though Jesus knew all along that the day would come for Him to be taken under arrest, be beaten and put to death on the cross, you can tell here that He was a tad nervous about it. Was it the fact that He was losing His friends, or was it the pain He knew He was going to have? I don't know,but I do know that I get nervous when I know that I am going to the dentist (and I don't have teeth) or someplace for an appointment and there is going to be pain. But it is the next part of the prayer that I want you to take a real close look at. Here it is again ... "Yet not as I will, but as you will." If you recall when Jesus taught us to pray what we call "The Lord's Prayer" we are taught to pray, "Thy will be done" (go back to the top and pray the Lord's Prayer again) and again as I have said many times in my writings ... Our Lord Jesus teaches by example. Here is a good example of Jesus showing us this part of the Lord's Prayer when He, Himself, prays in Gethsemane, "Yet not as I will, but as You will." Yes, we see and hear Jesus praying that it is His Father in Heaven whose will should be carried out and not that of Jesus. "Yet not as I will, but as You will." Please remember this, I think one very important part of the messages of Jesus, and there are many, is His bringing out that it should always be God's will for us and not our own. After praying He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" Jesus said!
Gosh, how many pastors have had that thought in their mind on a Sunday morning? Can you not stay awake for an hour during church? Guilty, gosh, the choir would sing before the message and relax me into my seat and it was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and then an elbow from Dolores once in awhile to wake me up. And now when I am preaching, well, there are some paybacks. But at least when I am preaching, I stay awake.
After Jesus was finished praying and while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. He had not been with the others and he arrived with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people land Jesus was arrested, taken into custody. You have the right to remain silent, no, that did not happen. But listen to this, as Jesus was taken, seized, one of the followers of Jesus pulled his sword and cut the ear off of a servant of the high priest. Now comes another act of love by Jesus. "Put your sword back in its place." "For all who draw the sword will die by the sword!" As Jesus put the ear back on the servant of the high priest, He said, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father and He will put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" You see, once again, Jesus could have ended all of this, could have put a stop to it, but that would not have fulfilled the taking away of our sins, the sins of the world, which is the reason Jesus was here. Yes, Jesus healed the sick, He opened the blind eyes, He fed the hungry, He preached, He taught, but His main job was to heal us from our sins and pave the way for us to get into heaven. So Jesus went forward ...
Dear Father in Heaven, thanks for the message of today, and please bless it and anoint it as it heads out through wires and space. All honor and glory and thanks for all You do for us. In Jesus' Name, I give thanks. Amen.
Remember, communion tomorrow, and then a message about the cross on Friday. And yes, there will be a message this week on Easter morning. Now go forth, sharing your blessings and sharing your love of Jesus with others. Love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
Dear Father, thanks for a great day, and thanks for carrying me through it. Lord, please be with your children this week, please help a piano player be found by Pastor Kurt for Easter Sunday, please, Lord, be with our Ministry Team as we head into this busy season. Please be with a man named Bob who made a very big mistake. Be with those family members who, Lord, just seem not to get along, and watch over them. Lord, You know them, and help me, dear Lord, to get the message to them that they must get long, they must do their very best. Please bless gain this line and all who use it, thanks for keeping it open. I love You, Jesus, and I pray in Your name. Amen.
Hi, brothers and sisters, the snow is now over for the year as I took the snow plow off my plow truck today!! If it snows again, Dolores will just need to shovel it. We have a person on the line who does not get along with another person who might become part of their family. Pray that the problem gets worked out. Yes, I have withheld the names. The one named Bob, and I withheld the last name, was stealing and lost his job. What a beautiful day we had here at the Southern Location of the North Pole. All the snow has melted away, I spent about six hours outside working and I give all honor and glory that I can still do that. What I did in those six hours I should be able to do in two, but I have slowed down, but again, I am thankful I can keep moving. As I go now to the message, remember I am going out of line, so that I can have our next message be the "last Supper" and I am going to try and have it done and out very early Thursday morning. Now, let us head to Gethsemane.
Wednesday 3/27/13 Easter Week, Day 3: Gethsemane.
Please read Matthew 26:36/46.
Today I want to walk along with Jesus as He goes to Gethsemane where He had a very serious talk with His (our) Father in Heaven. Before Jesus headed out to pray he was talking to His disciples and telling them how they will fall away on His account. Peter told Jesus, "even if all fall away on account of You, I never will." (Matthew 26:34) Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crows in the morning that he would disown Him three times.
When Jesus arrived with His disciples t Gethsemane, He told them to (Matthew 26:36) "sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him. Jesus said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." (Matthew 26:39) Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (NIV)
I want to bring a couple of things out of this one verse. First of all, even though Jesus knew all along that the day would come for Him to be taken under arrest, be beaten and put to death on the cross, you can tell here that He was a tad nervous about it. Was it the fact that He was losing His friends, or was it the pain He knew He was going to have? I don't know,but I do know that I get nervous when I know that I am going to the dentist (and I don't have teeth) or someplace for an appointment and there is going to be pain. But it is the next part of the prayer that I want you to take a real close look at. Here it is again ... "Yet not as I will, but as you will." If you recall when Jesus taught us to pray what we call "The Lord's Prayer" we are taught to pray, "Thy will be done" (go back to the top and pray the Lord's Prayer again) and again as I have said many times in my writings ... Our Lord Jesus teaches by example. Here is a good example of Jesus showing us this part of the Lord's Prayer when He, Himself, prays in Gethsemane, "Yet not as I will, but as You will." Yes, we see and hear Jesus praying that it is His Father in Heaven whose will should be carried out and not that of Jesus. "Yet not as I will, but as You will." Please remember this, I think one very important part of the messages of Jesus, and there are many, is His bringing out that it should always be God's will for us and not our own. After praying He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" Jesus said!
Gosh, how many pastors have had that thought in their mind on a Sunday morning? Can you not stay awake for an hour during church? Guilty, gosh, the choir would sing before the message and relax me into my seat and it was zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and then an elbow from Dolores once in awhile to wake me up. And now when I am preaching, well, there are some paybacks. But at least when I am preaching, I stay awake.
After Jesus was finished praying and while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. He had not been with the others and he arrived with a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people land Jesus was arrested, taken into custody. You have the right to remain silent, no, that did not happen. But listen to this, as Jesus was taken, seized, one of the followers of Jesus pulled his sword and cut the ear off of a servant of the high priest. Now comes another act of love by Jesus. "Put your sword back in its place." "For all who draw the sword will die by the sword!" As Jesus put the ear back on the servant of the high priest, He said, "Do you think I cannot call on my Father and He will put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" You see, once again, Jesus could have ended all of this, could have put a stop to it, but that would not have fulfilled the taking away of our sins, the sins of the world, which is the reason Jesus was here. Yes, Jesus healed the sick, He opened the blind eyes, He fed the hungry, He preached, He taught, but His main job was to heal us from our sins and pave the way for us to get into heaven. So Jesus went forward ...
Dear Father in Heaven, thanks for the message of today, and please bless it and anoint it as it heads out through wires and space. All honor and glory and thanks for all You do for us. In Jesus' Name, I give thanks. Amen.
Remember, communion tomorrow, and then a message about the cross on Friday. And yes, there will be a message this week on Easter morning. Now go forth, sharing your blessings and sharing your love of Jesus with others. Love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Tuesday 3/26/13 Easter Week 2
Dear Father in Heaven, I love You: Thanks for last night and the snow of today, and thanks for walking me through this day. Thanks for keeping all of us safe, and thanks for all You do for all of us. Thanks for watching over all of our families, and thanks for taking care of those on our prayer list. Please now help me with the message of this day, and again, thanks for keeping this line open. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Good Tuesday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters (yes, you might be getting this on Monday evening). What a great day we had today. I was ready with the plow truck and the snow melted away. The truck was low on gas, so I headed out to get some. I stuck the pump handle into the tank neck and put it on auto and was looking over the truck. After a bit I heard it shut off, and after reading the amount on the pump, I got up off the ground and shut it off. It really was not all that bad, but still, in all I just cannot get used to seeing $125.00 on a gas pump. My plow truck has a big tank and it was the first gas I put in it this year. So it will last awhile. The neat part was, I had some gas cards for plowing snow for others and it cost me $0.00. Yes, you read that right ... GOD IS SO GOOD!! Please keep praying for Burt and Patsy Emig, Barbara, another Barbara, Aunt Romaine, Elsie Woodward, Robert and Peggy Everhard, Helen Thomas, Denny Hamlin (NASCAR 11), Ruth and Mary Kessler, and a sweet kid named Curtis. Dolores Lehman. All need God's healing hand in one way or another.
This is a busy week, and as I write, I am not going to be able to keep the events of Thursday in order or I will be writing a book. So tomorrow we will look at Jesus going to the garden to pray, which happened after the "Last Supper" in the upper room. Remember, communion on Thursday.
Tuesday 3/26/13 Easter Week, Day Two.
Luke 20:45 - While all the people were listening, Jesus said to His disciples, 46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at the banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." (NIV)
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, I know I use the scripture from Hebrews 13:8 often, however, I think we (we = you and me) just need to be reminded that Jesus never changes. We change often and I pray it is always as we move nearer and nearer to God. j As I look at Luke 20:45 I see that while others were listening, Jesus talked to His disciples. What does this mean tome? It means that is is okay to let your words about Jesus flow out past the ears of the one you might be talking to. It does not mean tome that we should shout or yell. A good example, you are out to eat, there is more than just you, you join hands with the others and you pray "out loud", you thank God for your food and ask Him to bless it, and remember to close your prayers "in the Name of Jesus." Now I want you to have those near you in the restaurant hear you, like those at the next booth or table, but not in the next room. Also do not pray a sermon, but I will touch on that later.
While people were listening! Sometimes God opens a door that takes us by surprise and we miss out on being able to witness for Him. A couple of months back on a Sunday morning after church Dolores and I went to the West Main Street Diner in Mechanicsburg, PA, for lunch (great Greek food). As we were finishing up our meal, a group of about a dozen people had just finished placing their order. All of them were dressed as if they just came from church, so I walked from my seat to the head seat of their table, which I had to pass on my way to pay. I asked them, are you just coming from church? They said yes! So I said you should be ready for this, and I started to sing the chorus of "How Great Thou Art", and trust me, I can sing that one loud, so I cut my voice down a tad, and startled them. They all joined in and it sounded like a choir. We just sang it once and I said "God Bless you" and left. I am sure it was heard in the entire restaurant. (Yes, they have allowed us to return.) How do you know when it is right to do something like that? God will let you know, and it will be very clear to you.
Let me move on with that scripture.
Luke 20:46 - "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at the banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
This was a warning going to His disciples, and please remember that we are His disciples of today, so when the Bible states "Jesus said to His disciples" it means He is talking to us this day. Luke 20:46 and 47 is a warning to us. "Beware", Jesus is saying, "BEWARE", and then it tells us who we are to be aware of. Now to me this is a double warning! Double warning, what do you mean, Pastor Dan? Well, it is alerting us to be sure of who we are listening to, be sure they know what they are doing. Just because they have on the big robe as for example a pastor who wears them, does not mean they know what all they are talking about or more so they are just plain not speaking how it is in the Bible. Here is a good example, a pastor puts on the big robe and then tells their flock that it is okay for a man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman. Don't let the big robe fool you. Also just because someone is at the head table does not mean they know what is going on or even a big title in front or behind their name does not always cut it. As I have told all of you many a time, please let those who talk to you about God also show you supporting scripture. If you are not sure, LOOK IT UP YOURSELF! When I am not sure about things, and it happens tome a lot, I call on some friends on this line for scriptures.
Now I told you two warnings out of this scripture. yes, two warnings, the second being do not become one of those people in the big robes or doing those things mentioned. Okay, let me wrap it up for today. In verse 47 "They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers." Devour widows' houses means on today's market that you do not take advantage of someone who has fallen on hard times, do not try and get their dollars. Maybe the widow just lost a husband and there was insurance, do not try and get it. That is what the word devour means. And for a show of making lengthy prayers. When doing some studies when inlay speaker classes years and years ago, I was taught that you do not "preach a prayer," or do not "pray a sermon." I have heard people pray for over twenty minutes and it was really a message that he could have preached. Now I am not talking about when you go to a prayer meeting and the prayers fill the room, but even with that, to just be saying the same thing over and over again, Scripture warns us about. Here is just one place that it tells us that. Remember, God already knows what you want, so just talk to Him. Speaking of which, I am going to do that now.
Thanks, Dear Father in Heaven, for helping me with this message, please bless all those on this line and help them in all their troubles. Thank You, I love You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Now go forth and share those blessings. Love ya (pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
Good Tuesday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters (yes, you might be getting this on Monday evening). What a great day we had today. I was ready with the plow truck and the snow melted away. The truck was low on gas, so I headed out to get some. I stuck the pump handle into the tank neck and put it on auto and was looking over the truck. After a bit I heard it shut off, and after reading the amount on the pump, I got up off the ground and shut it off. It really was not all that bad, but still, in all I just cannot get used to seeing $125.00 on a gas pump. My plow truck has a big tank and it was the first gas I put in it this year. So it will last awhile. The neat part was, I had some gas cards for plowing snow for others and it cost me $0.00. Yes, you read that right ... GOD IS SO GOOD!! Please keep praying for Burt and Patsy Emig, Barbara, another Barbara, Aunt Romaine, Elsie Woodward, Robert and Peggy Everhard, Helen Thomas, Denny Hamlin (NASCAR 11), Ruth and Mary Kessler, and a sweet kid named Curtis. Dolores Lehman. All need God's healing hand in one way or another.
This is a busy week, and as I write, I am not going to be able to keep the events of Thursday in order or I will be writing a book. So tomorrow we will look at Jesus going to the garden to pray, which happened after the "Last Supper" in the upper room. Remember, communion on Thursday.
Tuesday 3/26/13 Easter Week, Day Two.
Luke 20:45 - While all the people were listening, Jesus said to His disciples, 46 "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at the banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." (NIV)
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, I know I use the scripture from Hebrews 13:8 often, however, I think we (we = you and me) just need to be reminded that Jesus never changes. We change often and I pray it is always as we move nearer and nearer to God. j As I look at Luke 20:45 I see that while others were listening, Jesus talked to His disciples. What does this mean tome? It means that is is okay to let your words about Jesus flow out past the ears of the one you might be talking to. It does not mean tome that we should shout or yell. A good example, you are out to eat, there is more than just you, you join hands with the others and you pray "out loud", you thank God for your food and ask Him to bless it, and remember to close your prayers "in the Name of Jesus." Now I want you to have those near you in the restaurant hear you, like those at the next booth or table, but not in the next room. Also do not pray a sermon, but I will touch on that later.
While people were listening! Sometimes God opens a door that takes us by surprise and we miss out on being able to witness for Him. A couple of months back on a Sunday morning after church Dolores and I went to the West Main Street Diner in Mechanicsburg, PA, for lunch (great Greek food). As we were finishing up our meal, a group of about a dozen people had just finished placing their order. All of them were dressed as if they just came from church, so I walked from my seat to the head seat of their table, which I had to pass on my way to pay. I asked them, are you just coming from church? They said yes! So I said you should be ready for this, and I started to sing the chorus of "How Great Thou Art", and trust me, I can sing that one loud, so I cut my voice down a tad, and startled them. They all joined in and it sounded like a choir. We just sang it once and I said "God Bless you" and left. I am sure it was heard in the entire restaurant. (Yes, they have allowed us to return.) How do you know when it is right to do something like that? God will let you know, and it will be very clear to you.
Let me move on with that scripture.
Luke 20:46 - "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at the banquets. 47 They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
This was a warning going to His disciples, and please remember that we are His disciples of today, so when the Bible states "Jesus said to His disciples" it means He is talking to us this day. Luke 20:46 and 47 is a warning to us. "Beware", Jesus is saying, "BEWARE", and then it tells us who we are to be aware of. Now to me this is a double warning! Double warning, what do you mean, Pastor Dan? Well, it is alerting us to be sure of who we are listening to, be sure they know what they are doing. Just because they have on the big robe as for example a pastor who wears them, does not mean they know what all they are talking about or more so they are just plain not speaking how it is in the Bible. Here is a good example, a pastor puts on the big robe and then tells their flock that it is okay for a man to marry a man or a woman to marry a woman. Don't let the big robe fool you. Also just because someone is at the head table does not mean they know what is going on or even a big title in front or behind their name does not always cut it. As I have told all of you many a time, please let those who talk to you about God also show you supporting scripture. If you are not sure, LOOK IT UP YOURSELF! When I am not sure about things, and it happens tome a lot, I call on some friends on this line for scriptures.
Now I told you two warnings out of this scripture. yes, two warnings, the second being do not become one of those people in the big robes or doing those things mentioned. Okay, let me wrap it up for today. In verse 47 "They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers." Devour widows' houses means on today's market that you do not take advantage of someone who has fallen on hard times, do not try and get their dollars. Maybe the widow just lost a husband and there was insurance, do not try and get it. That is what the word devour means. And for a show of making lengthy prayers. When doing some studies when inlay speaker classes years and years ago, I was taught that you do not "preach a prayer," or do not "pray a sermon." I have heard people pray for over twenty minutes and it was really a message that he could have preached. Now I am not talking about when you go to a prayer meeting and the prayers fill the room, but even with that, to just be saying the same thing over and over again, Scripture warns us about. Here is just one place that it tells us that. Remember, God already knows what you want, so just talk to Him. Speaking of which, I am going to do that now.
Thanks, Dear Father in Heaven, for helping me with this message, please bless all those on this line and help them in all their troubles. Thank You, I love You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Now go forth and share those blessings. Love ya (pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday 3/25/2013 Easter Week
Dear Father in Heaven: Thanks for the great Sunday. Thanks for trusting Dolores and me to serve You at The Bridges and thanks for keeping that door open for us to carry Your word to our seniors. Lord, thanks for a great meal with our dear, dear friends Grant and Wanda and their family. Lord, thanks for Your healing hand on Ruth Kessler and also Mary Kessler. Lord, I pray today for Helen Thomas as she has surgery this week. Please, Lord, heal her. Dear Lord, thanks for protecting this line, and please, dear Lord, help me with the messages this very busy week. Have Your hand upon us so we can get the work done for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is going to be a very busy week for we in Carry The Light Ministries. One thing I do want to alert you on. On Thursday we are going to have "online Communion." So maybe you can plan to pack some grape juice and some bread in your lunch that day. I will try and get the message out early so maybe you can even have this communion with breakfast or before breakfast.
On Good Friday, Carry The Light Ministries will have a concert at The Bridges. The concert is at 2:00 PM and you are welcome. This will be our 20th annual Good Friday concert, all done for seniors at retirement homes. ALL HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD. Let me get started with the message.
Easter Week 3/25/2013: The Authority of Jesus Questioned (From Luke 20:1/8).
Luke 20:1 - One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to Him. 2 "Tell us by what authority You are doing these things." They said, "Who gave you this authority?" 3 He replied, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4 John's baptism, was it from heaven or from men?" -------------- 7 So they answered, "We don't know where it was from." 8 Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (NIV)
Here we find the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders trying to discredit our Lord Jesus by asking Him these questions. Of course we know by whose authority Jesus was doing this teaching, it was by the authority of His Father, our Father in Heaven. As we take a look back to John The Baptist, who is six m months older than Jesus (Luke 1:26/36) and was sent as the forerunner for our Lord Jesus, He of course was also acting under the authority of Our Father in Heaven. We remember how John baptized Jesus and how God The Father said from Heaven "You are my Son, whom i love; with You I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21/22).
Now brothers and sisters, we need to get out into the Fields of Harvest and be telling the Good News of Jesus, and if someone asks us, asks you or me, under whose authority you are doing this, you need to tell them, "Under the authority of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior." Now of course I am going to give you scripture on this for as I have told you before, all of us who work for our good Lord need to be able to back what we say with scripture. By the way, this scripture that I am going to give you on this authority is also the scripture where we took our ministry name, "Carry The Light Ministries."
Mark 16:15 - He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation." (NIV)
So you ask, how did we get Carry The Light out of this? Remember, Jesus is the Light of the World, and we Carry The "Light". This scripture gives us the authority and there are others of course. You can also find this in Matthew 28:16/end. This scripture is referred to as The Great Commission and if my memory serves me right, "The Couriers" business name was/is The Great Commission. I will find that out for sure this week. Anyway, as I wrap up this Monday message I want to give you these words as quoted to Jesus.
Matthew 28:18 - Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit. j 20 And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." (NIV)
So there, brothers and sisters, you can read for yourself that "ALL" authority in heaven and on earth was given to Jesus. Please note it was not some authority, or just authority in churches, Jesus was given all authority. Then Jesus commanded us to go. Notice here He did not say please go, or if you have time go, Jesus said GO. And my dear brothers and sisters, we are to be teaching people to obey everything Jesus has commanded. SO FIRST ... Before we go into those fields, we need to teach the teacher, so address yourself and I am going to address myself over and over again to be sure when I go out working for Jesus I am ready. Jesus Christ our Lord and the one who died for us has trusted us to work for Him. Let's get it done and get it done right, for folks, each day is nearer to the "End of the Age."
Dear Father in Heaven, thanks for trusting me to work for You, I am unworthy, but very willing and I want to work for You daily until You call me home. I need Your help in doing this, and we need Your blessings on our ministry and the ministry team. So we thank You for each day we serve You. All honor and glory to You, dear Lord, I pray we get it done right, and with Your help and if we listen, we will make a really good go at it. I love You, Jesus, and pray in Your name. Amen.
Now go forth, my dear brothers and sisters, and please think about the events of this Holy Week, and please share your blessings with others. I was asked this question today ... Some people say Easter is the most Holy of the Christian Holidays. Why? They were talking Easter and Christmas. I told them, we could not have Easter without the Birth, and we could not have Easter without the events of Good Friday. I said do not dwell on which is most important, dwell on Jesus who was indeed "Born to Die, so We can Live." Got to run, Love Ya. (Pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is going to be a very busy week for we in Carry The Light Ministries. One thing I do want to alert you on. On Thursday we are going to have "online Communion." So maybe you can plan to pack some grape juice and some bread in your lunch that day. I will try and get the message out early so maybe you can even have this communion with breakfast or before breakfast.
On Good Friday, Carry The Light Ministries will have a concert at The Bridges. The concert is at 2:00 PM and you are welcome. This will be our 20th annual Good Friday concert, all done for seniors at retirement homes. ALL HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD. Let me get started with the message.
Easter Week 3/25/2013: The Authority of Jesus Questioned (From Luke 20:1/8).
Luke 20:1 - One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to Him. 2 "Tell us by what authority You are doing these things." They said, "Who gave you this authority?" 3 He replied, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4 John's baptism, was it from heaven or from men?" -------------- 7 So they answered, "We don't know where it was from." 8 Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." (NIV)
Here we find the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders trying to discredit our Lord Jesus by asking Him these questions. Of course we know by whose authority Jesus was doing this teaching, it was by the authority of His Father, our Father in Heaven. As we take a look back to John The Baptist, who is six m months older than Jesus (Luke 1:26/36) and was sent as the forerunner for our Lord Jesus, He of course was also acting under the authority of Our Father in Heaven. We remember how John baptized Jesus and how God The Father said from Heaven "You are my Son, whom i love; with You I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21/22).
Now brothers and sisters, we need to get out into the Fields of Harvest and be telling the Good News of Jesus, and if someone asks us, asks you or me, under whose authority you are doing this, you need to tell them, "Under the authority of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior." Now of course I am going to give you scripture on this for as I have told you before, all of us who work for our good Lord need to be able to back what we say with scripture. By the way, this scripture that I am going to give you on this authority is also the scripture where we took our ministry name, "Carry The Light Ministries."
Mark 16:15 - He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation." (NIV)
So you ask, how did we get Carry The Light out of this? Remember, Jesus is the Light of the World, and we Carry The "Light". This scripture gives us the authority and there are others of course. You can also find this in Matthew 28:16/end. This scripture is referred to as The Great Commission and if my memory serves me right, "The Couriers" business name was/is The Great Commission. I will find that out for sure this week. Anyway, as I wrap up this Monday message I want to give you these words as quoted to Jesus.
Matthew 28:18 - Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and The Son and The Holy Spirit. j 20 And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." (NIV)
So there, brothers and sisters, you can read for yourself that "ALL" authority in heaven and on earth was given to Jesus. Please note it was not some authority, or just authority in churches, Jesus was given all authority. Then Jesus commanded us to go. Notice here He did not say please go, or if you have time go, Jesus said GO. And my dear brothers and sisters, we are to be teaching people to obey everything Jesus has commanded. SO FIRST ... Before we go into those fields, we need to teach the teacher, so address yourself and I am going to address myself over and over again to be sure when I go out working for Jesus I am ready. Jesus Christ our Lord and the one who died for us has trusted us to work for Him. Let's get it done and get it done right, for folks, each day is nearer to the "End of the Age."
Dear Father in Heaven, thanks for trusting me to work for You, I am unworthy, but very willing and I want to work for You daily until You call me home. I need Your help in doing this, and we need Your blessings on our ministry and the ministry team. So we thank You for each day we serve You. All honor and glory to You, dear Lord, I pray we get it done right, and with Your help and if we listen, we will make a really good go at it. I love You, Jesus, and pray in Your name. Amen.
Now go forth, my dear brothers and sisters, and please think about the events of this Holy Week, and please share your blessings with others. I was asked this question today ... Some people say Easter is the most Holy of the Christian Holidays. Why? They were talking Easter and Christmas. I told them, we could not have Easter without the Birth, and we could not have Easter without the events of Good Friday. I said do not dwell on which is most important, dwell on Jesus who was indeed "Born to Die, so We can Live." Got to run, Love Ya. (Pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday 3/22/13 The Temple
Dear Heavenly Father. First off, I just want to tell You that I love You. Then give You all honor and glory for a great night and thanking You in advance for a good day today. It is a beautiful day, dear Lord, and we give thanks for it. Help me, Lord, with the message, and Lord, today here on this line we call it Salvation Friday, so we ask this day that You would cleanse we who are saved so we are fit to go and serve You and talk to the lost and we pry You will open the doors for us and help us to lead in these lost sheep. Be with all those who are walking out in faith and working for You, dear Lord, and bless them. Lord, watch over the sick and those who need Your touch. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is indeed a beautiful cold winter type day with some lake effect snow drifting over the mountains and landing here at the Southern Location of the North Pole. It is also Salvation Friday on this line, so today we pry that God will use we who are saved to seek out the lost and that when we find them we can bring them forth to Jesus to be saved. Please pray that God will clean You and help you when you go to work for Jesus. To be a good witness for the Lord, we need to be living for Him. And brothers and sisters, we need to have on our Jesus smile and not be a grump. I have heard people say when they are being witnessed to by someone who is a grump and even being a gossip that "if this is how Christians act, grumping and talking about others behind their backs, then I do not want to be a Christian." We must always remember that Christian means to be Christ-like. I know that sometimes it is hard, those are the days we must really lean on Jesus and tell Him we need more help than normal to walk in His sandals. Jesus loves you, talk to Him today and thank Him for loving you. Speaking for myself, I am so unworthy of His love, yet He died loving me, so it is time to act like I really care and work for Him in all I do. I should have a slogan that would go like this ... "Jesus, in all I do, this love's for You." And work hard to stick to it. WILL YOU JOIN ME TRYING THIS? Now let me wrap up the week of Triumphal Entry with Jesus at the Temple.
Jesus at the Temple: 3/22/2013.
Luke 19:45 - Then He entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46 "It is written," He said to them, "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers." (NIV)
Mark 11:15 - On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as He taught them, He said, "Is it not written; 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' But you have made it a den of robbers." (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, I have had people tell me that our Lord Jesus never really got upset. As you know, we are to be Christ-like because we are Christians, and yet there are times when we get upset and from time to time might and for the lack of a different term "go off" on someone or a group of people. In my scripture choice today which ties in with the Triumphal Entry I have been working on this week, we see Jesus going into the Temple whee selling of goods and money changing was going on. Jesus was upset because The Temple was used as a market place, and folks, if you have been to a real market place, as in where they have lots and lots of fresh fish and where chickens are cleaned on the spot, the market place really stinks. This of course would make for a real stinky temple for worship and in my humble opinion would keep people away.
Jesus also referred to the Temple as "His house." And He was not going to permit it to become a house for a den of robbers.
Mark 11:17 - And as He taught them, He said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' But you have made it a den of robbers." (NIV)
Not only were the "money changers" robbing the people who came in to spend money, but they were and this is the most important part, I think, these folks were robbing the Temple of its sanctity.
Now let us fast forward to today, and as we know, our churches of today have "White Elephant Sales", "flea markets", they also have craft sales, dinners, and other things in those church buildings to raise money for their church. Just a couple of things from me on this. First, it would be wonderful if churches did not need to do fund raisers due to the fact that people would tithe and that would cover all their bills. With that said, I do NOT have a problem with fund raising when done on parking lots, in the kitchens and places the churches build for dinners, etc. But when they "move out" the altars, the crosses, and the other things used in Worship, and are using that "Temple" part of the church buildings ... The worship center should be held in deep respect for our Lord Jesus and used for worship, and in fact, when fund raising events are going on in other parts of the buildings, the Worship area SHOULD BE OPEN FOR WORSHIP. The altar should be open for prayer and people from the churches should be there asking if people need prayer. We here at Carry The Light Ministries pray with EVERYONE who comes in for food. Even if they do not request prayer, we pray with them. We also ask them this question ... "Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?" While we do not have fund raisers at our home, which is our ministry base, we do have our once a year picnic in the park, not to be used as a fund raiser but a "thank you" picnic. I know others must raise the funds to keep the doors open. To those I pray they would read and study about Jesus at the Temple and go from there, and I also suggest that you have prayer warriors that float the area praying with and for people. May the Lord bless this message and also those who read it.
Dear Father in Heaven, a late prayer request has come in today for Tim Blouch's mother who has cancer. Please heal her, dear Lord. And Lord, thanks for taking care of the men working on the building today and the past two days. Thanks, Lord, for protecting "David" today as one of the tools tried its best to get him. Lord, thanks again for all You do. Please bless those leading services this Sunday when most messages will be about the Triumphal Entry. In the name of Jesus, please anoint this line, and anoint me, Lord, to keep working for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Today we grow again as we welcome "Fred" to our line. Please also pray and add to your prayer lists Tim Blouch's mother who has cancer. I am trying to get her name. Now, brothers and sisters, go forth sharing your blessings with others, telling them about Jesus and knowing He loves us all.
Love ya (pass it on). Pastor Dan.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is indeed a beautiful cold winter type day with some lake effect snow drifting over the mountains and landing here at the Southern Location of the North Pole. It is also Salvation Friday on this line, so today we pry that God will use we who are saved to seek out the lost and that when we find them we can bring them forth to Jesus to be saved. Please pray that God will clean You and help you when you go to work for Jesus. To be a good witness for the Lord, we need to be living for Him. And brothers and sisters, we need to have on our Jesus smile and not be a grump. I have heard people say when they are being witnessed to by someone who is a grump and even being a gossip that "if this is how Christians act, grumping and talking about others behind their backs, then I do not want to be a Christian." We must always remember that Christian means to be Christ-like. I know that sometimes it is hard, those are the days we must really lean on Jesus and tell Him we need more help than normal to walk in His sandals. Jesus loves you, talk to Him today and thank Him for loving you. Speaking for myself, I am so unworthy of His love, yet He died loving me, so it is time to act like I really care and work for Him in all I do. I should have a slogan that would go like this ... "Jesus, in all I do, this love's for You." And work hard to stick to it. WILL YOU JOIN ME TRYING THIS? Now let me wrap up the week of Triumphal Entry with Jesus at the Temple.
Jesus at the Temple: 3/22/2013.
Luke 19:45 - Then He entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46 "It is written," He said to them, "My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers." (NIV)
Mark 11:15 - On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as He taught them, He said, "Is it not written; 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' But you have made it a den of robbers." (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, I have had people tell me that our Lord Jesus never really got upset. As you know, we are to be Christ-like because we are Christians, and yet there are times when we get upset and from time to time might and for the lack of a different term "go off" on someone or a group of people. In my scripture choice today which ties in with the Triumphal Entry I have been working on this week, we see Jesus going into the Temple whee selling of goods and money changing was going on. Jesus was upset because The Temple was used as a market place, and folks, if you have been to a real market place, as in where they have lots and lots of fresh fish and where chickens are cleaned on the spot, the market place really stinks. This of course would make for a real stinky temple for worship and in my humble opinion would keep people away.
Jesus also referred to the Temple as "His house." And He was not going to permit it to become a house for a den of robbers.
Mark 11:17 - And as He taught them, He said, "Is it not written: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations,' But you have made it a den of robbers." (NIV)
Not only were the "money changers" robbing the people who came in to spend money, but they were and this is the most important part, I think, these folks were robbing the Temple of its sanctity.
Now let us fast forward to today, and as we know, our churches of today have "White Elephant Sales", "flea markets", they also have craft sales, dinners, and other things in those church buildings to raise money for their church. Just a couple of things from me on this. First, it would be wonderful if churches did not need to do fund raisers due to the fact that people would tithe and that would cover all their bills. With that said, I do NOT have a problem with fund raising when done on parking lots, in the kitchens and places the churches build for dinners, etc. But when they "move out" the altars, the crosses, and the other things used in Worship, and are using that "Temple" part of the church buildings ... The worship center should be held in deep respect for our Lord Jesus and used for worship, and in fact, when fund raising events are going on in other parts of the buildings, the Worship area SHOULD BE OPEN FOR WORSHIP. The altar should be open for prayer and people from the churches should be there asking if people need prayer. We here at Carry The Light Ministries pray with EVERYONE who comes in for food. Even if they do not request prayer, we pray with them. We also ask them this question ... "Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?" While we do not have fund raisers at our home, which is our ministry base, we do have our once a year picnic in the park, not to be used as a fund raiser but a "thank you" picnic. I know others must raise the funds to keep the doors open. To those I pray they would read and study about Jesus at the Temple and go from there, and I also suggest that you have prayer warriors that float the area praying with and for people. May the Lord bless this message and also those who read it.
Dear Father in Heaven, a late prayer request has come in today for Tim Blouch's mother who has cancer. Please heal her, dear Lord. And Lord, thanks for taking care of the men working on the building today and the past two days. Thanks, Lord, for protecting "David" today as one of the tools tried its best to get him. Lord, thanks again for all You do. Please bless those leading services this Sunday when most messages will be about the Triumphal Entry. In the name of Jesus, please anoint this line, and anoint me, Lord, to keep working for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Today we grow again as we welcome "Fred" to our line. Please also pray and add to your prayer lists Tim Blouch's mother who has cancer. I am trying to get her name. Now, brothers and sisters, go forth sharing your blessings with others, telling them about Jesus and knowing He loves us all.
Love ya (pass it on). Pastor Dan.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Thursday 3/21/13 Triumphal Entry 4
Dear Father in Heaven, I want to praise You, give You all honor and all glory for a great, wonderful, just perfect day in regards to everything yesterday, including our Easter Food Distribution. It went perfectly, and again, all honor and glory to You. Thanks then for a great night, and another just beautiful morning. Lord, I want You to know that I love You and I do not tell You that often enough. I pray all on this line read and pray this prayer and learn to just tell You that they also love You. You are number one in this home, thus making it a home, You are number one on the Ministry team, and with You leading the team, how can it fail? You have blessed us with riches untold and each day I appreciate it more and more. Lord, be with Patsy and Burt, with Barbara, be with Big Ted and help him and also heal his daughter. Lord, be with my friend David and straighten out his twisted legs and hands. Be with Grant and help him, dear Lord. Be with Dolores and touch her twisted body, and thanks for keeping all these folks going each day, even in their pain. Thanks,Lord, for presenting before us yesterday three children to be anointed with oil. Thanks again for all You do, and now if You would be so kind to be in our public and private schools, bless all who go in them. Bless also my message of today, may it be from You, just using me as a tool of Your trade, getting out the salvation message. Help me now, dear Lord, knowing all glory and honor to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is another beautiful day here at the Southern Location of the North Pole. It was a beautiful day yesterday and the food distribution went off perfectly, all glory to God. We do not just hand out food, but everyone was prayed with or prayed over by either Wanda, Linda, or myself. I also anointed with oil in the name of The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three beautiful children. Listen to this, the first was a dear little black girl, about three years of age. She was with her mother, and mother had her hair fixed so pretty and perfect. She was not nervous as I put the oil on her forehead. The next was a tiny baby girl with great big blue eyes. While Wanda prayed for this darling baby, this girl's eyes never left Wanda. She has this beautiful thing around her head. While I anointed her with oil, and again in The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, her eyes still never left Wanda as she prayed. Now this next one was exciting to me. A young girl, about 19, I think, was here with her boyfriend and the girl's mother. The girl was in the motherly way and by the size of her, and she is a tiny girl, and her expected son, was really showing on her. I talked to the girl and her boyfriend about getting married, and he said as soon as he had enough money saved to hire a preacher or judge. I told them, "hey, I will do it for free, after talking with both of you about Jesus." Now please note, I am not using any names on these. Anyway, after talking with the mother of the young mother-to-be and talking to the mother-to-be, I got to anoint with oil, for my first time doing this, an unborn CHILD OF GOD. IN front of God and other people this young mother-to-be lifted her top just enough to show this "house of the baby" and I put a cross of oil on her belly, in the name of The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A new slogan, if you want to call it that, for Carry The Light Ministry, Inc., is "Feeding the body and the soul."
Brothers and sisters, we had a great day yesterday, and for all of you who support our ministry in any way, shape, or form, meaning just that, including those who pray for us daily, THANK YOU, but the glory goes to God, and I am sure you all understand that. Today, please pray for our schools and all who go in the doors. If you have children who go to school, from preschool to schools of higher education, please pray for them and ask them to please when they arrive at school to stop and pray for their school. Maybe each day get a friend to pray with them, soon they will have enough for a circle, and if they pray, MAY THAT CIRCLE NEVER BE BROKEN. Let's get Jesus back in school by sending our children and grandchildren to school loaded with Jesus and ready to show Him to others. I would be so proud of one of my grandchildren if they were told they could not pray because they were praying in school. That school would have to deal with Pappy!!
One last thing, dear brothers and sisters, before I start this message. When I sign off each day by saying "love ya!", I want you to know, and really know it well, that I do love each of you, each and every one of you, and some of you I have never seen. I also want You to know that You may feel free to use anything I write, forward it, use it as a message base, I would be honored, but please give the glory to God. Also know that I do not want you to feel any pressure to forward my messages, and if you use them, you will not get special blessings, as some folks tell you if you forward their things. Friends, God sends out the blessings, and trust me, His are worth more than mine. Again, I love all of you very, very much. Now on with the message. The Triumphal Entry ...
The Triumphal Entry 3/21/2013 Day Four.
Luke 19:28 - After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. j 29 As He approached Bethpage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'why are you untying it' tell him, The Lord needs it." 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They replied, "The Lord needs it." 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As He went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When He came near the place whee the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. 36 "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." 41 As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it 42 and said, "if you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace -- but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The day is will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (NIV)
Matthew 21:8 - A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." (NIV)
Truly, my brothers and sisters, people were so happy with Jesus, or most of them. They had heard his teachings, they had seen and/or heard about Him walking on the water, turning water to wine, healing the sick, and even bringing the dead back to life. Some grew to love Him very, very much as, well, folks, as I have done and I pray you have done. Then there are those whose hate for Jesus grew, and that goes on these days also. Remember, Jesus is the same today as back then, and there is one thing you can count on for tomorrow, and you just might not be able to count on anything else, but count on this. "Jesus will not change." He will love you, regardless of what you think of Him or how much you do love Him and He will also love those who hate Him. But those who hate Him, unless they change, they will not get into heaven.
Anyway, Jesus was indeed what I would call "riding high" and in the meantime others were ready to kill Him. We have this today. Look back at President Lincoln. People loved him and he loved all people, but at least one did not like what he was doing and he shot President Lincoln. The same thing happened to President Kennedy. President Reagan was also shot because he was loved by so many, but some did not like it. And I know that the Popemobile is bullet-proof, and I think, and one of you who know for sure, did not one of the Popes get shot and that is why the special car?
Brothers and sisters, when Jesus comes back to get us, we will rejoice, we will have our "meeting in the sky" and only those who love Him will be there with Him. Folks, let us rejoice in our Lord Jesus today, let us in our minds put our coats and palm branches laid out for Jesus, and let's show our respect for Jesus this day by asking Him to forgive us and start fresh with Him today. Will you do this with me today? Jesus loves you and so do I. Anyway, I can only lead you on this, it is up to you to come to Jesus.
Dear Jesus, I love You, I love You very, very much and I ask today that You forgive me of my sins and forgive all others who are now asking. I pray today for a fresh start and that You will anoint me today to do Your work, and I will be humble and do this work for You. Please place my name in Your Book of Life. Thanks, Jesus, and again, I love You. And I do ask this in Your wonderful name, Jesus. Amen.
Now go forth, my dear brothers and sisters, sharing your blessings, loving on others and please know this. I love ya. (Pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is another beautiful day here at the Southern Location of the North Pole. It was a beautiful day yesterday and the food distribution went off perfectly, all glory to God. We do not just hand out food, but everyone was prayed with or prayed over by either Wanda, Linda, or myself. I also anointed with oil in the name of The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three beautiful children. Listen to this, the first was a dear little black girl, about three years of age. She was with her mother, and mother had her hair fixed so pretty and perfect. She was not nervous as I put the oil on her forehead. The next was a tiny baby girl with great big blue eyes. While Wanda prayed for this darling baby, this girl's eyes never left Wanda. She has this beautiful thing around her head. While I anointed her with oil, and again in The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, her eyes still never left Wanda as she prayed. Now this next one was exciting to me. A young girl, about 19, I think, was here with her boyfriend and the girl's mother. The girl was in the motherly way and by the size of her, and she is a tiny girl, and her expected son, was really showing on her. I talked to the girl and her boyfriend about getting married, and he said as soon as he had enough money saved to hire a preacher or judge. I told them, "hey, I will do it for free, after talking with both of you about Jesus." Now please note, I am not using any names on these. Anyway, after talking with the mother of the young mother-to-be and talking to the mother-to-be, I got to anoint with oil, for my first time doing this, an unborn CHILD OF GOD. IN front of God and other people this young mother-to-be lifted her top just enough to show this "house of the baby" and I put a cross of oil on her belly, in the name of The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A new slogan, if you want to call it that, for Carry The Light Ministry, Inc., is "Feeding the body and the soul."
Brothers and sisters, we had a great day yesterday, and for all of you who support our ministry in any way, shape, or form, meaning just that, including those who pray for us daily, THANK YOU, but the glory goes to God, and I am sure you all understand that. Today, please pray for our schools and all who go in the doors. If you have children who go to school, from preschool to schools of higher education, please pray for them and ask them to please when they arrive at school to stop and pray for their school. Maybe each day get a friend to pray with them, soon they will have enough for a circle, and if they pray, MAY THAT CIRCLE NEVER BE BROKEN. Let's get Jesus back in school by sending our children and grandchildren to school loaded with Jesus and ready to show Him to others. I would be so proud of one of my grandchildren if they were told they could not pray because they were praying in school. That school would have to deal with Pappy!!
One last thing, dear brothers and sisters, before I start this message. When I sign off each day by saying "love ya!", I want you to know, and really know it well, that I do love each of you, each and every one of you, and some of you I have never seen. I also want You to know that You may feel free to use anything I write, forward it, use it as a message base, I would be honored, but please give the glory to God. Also know that I do not want you to feel any pressure to forward my messages, and if you use them, you will not get special blessings, as some folks tell you if you forward their things. Friends, God sends out the blessings, and trust me, His are worth more than mine. Again, I love all of you very, very much. Now on with the message. The Triumphal Entry ...
The Triumphal Entry 3/21/2013 Day Four.
Luke 19:28 - After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. j 29 As He approached Bethpage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'why are you untying it' tell him, The Lord needs it." 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They replied, "The Lord needs it." 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As He went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When He came near the place whee the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. 36 "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." 41 As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it 42 and said, "if you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace -- but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The day is will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another because you did not recognize the time of God's coming to you." (NIV)
Matthew 21:8 - A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" 10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?" 11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee." (NIV)
Truly, my brothers and sisters, people were so happy with Jesus, or most of them. They had heard his teachings, they had seen and/or heard about Him walking on the water, turning water to wine, healing the sick, and even bringing the dead back to life. Some grew to love Him very, very much as, well, folks, as I have done and I pray you have done. Then there are those whose hate for Jesus grew, and that goes on these days also. Remember, Jesus is the same today as back then, and there is one thing you can count on for tomorrow, and you just might not be able to count on anything else, but count on this. "Jesus will not change." He will love you, regardless of what you think of Him or how much you do love Him and He will also love those who hate Him. But those who hate Him, unless they change, they will not get into heaven.
Anyway, Jesus was indeed what I would call "riding high" and in the meantime others were ready to kill Him. We have this today. Look back at President Lincoln. People loved him and he loved all people, but at least one did not like what he was doing and he shot President Lincoln. The same thing happened to President Kennedy. President Reagan was also shot because he was loved by so many, but some did not like it. And I know that the Popemobile is bullet-proof, and I think, and one of you who know for sure, did not one of the Popes get shot and that is why the special car?
Brothers and sisters, when Jesus comes back to get us, we will rejoice, we will have our "meeting in the sky" and only those who love Him will be there with Him. Folks, let us rejoice in our Lord Jesus today, let us in our minds put our coats and palm branches laid out for Jesus, and let's show our respect for Jesus this day by asking Him to forgive us and start fresh with Him today. Will you do this with me today? Jesus loves you and so do I. Anyway, I can only lead you on this, it is up to you to come to Jesus.
Dear Jesus, I love You, I love You very, very much and I ask today that You forgive me of my sins and forgive all others who are now asking. I pray today for a fresh start and that You will anoint me today to do Your work, and I will be humble and do this work for You. Please place my name in Your Book of Life. Thanks, Jesus, and again, I love You. And I do ask this in Your wonderful name, Jesus. Amen.
Now go forth, my dear brothers and sisters, sharing your blessings, loving on others and please know this. I love ya. (Pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday 3/20/13 Triumphal Entry 3
Good Morning, Dear Father in Heaven. I love You and give You honor and glory and praise for such a beautiful morning and day for our Easter food distribution. Not only have You given unto us a beautiful day, You have supplied all of the food, all of it, for without You, we could not do this, and with You we cannot fail. Thanks for taking care of us overnight, and thanks in advance for watching over all of us today. Help us to serve all of Your people this day with our Jesus smile on our face. Lord, sometimes we feel that some people really do "ride the system", but Lord, we are going to just feed those who ask and let You sort it all out. You have provided us with much and we just need to share it. Lord, thanks for taking care of my dear friend Andy when he got stuck in Texas, and thanks for bringing him back home safely. Please bless him and his wonderful wife and family. Lord, I want to thank You for blessing this line, day after day and year after year, and providing me with messages each day. And Lord, I need one for this very day, please help me. Oh, and Lord, for that great night's sleep last night ... Thank You. In the name of Your wonderful Son Jesus I offer up my prayers. Jesus, thanks for dying for me. Amen.
Dear brothers and sisters, it is indeed a beautiful day with the sun out bright and the Son in my heart bright also. Today as we go forth with our food distribution, I am praying that all of our workers put that Jesus smile on their face. Please pray for our ministry team and all others coming in to help. Pray for those also who receive the food, for that someday they get jobs and can also be at a point in life where they can give back. Happy Spring, folks. Yes, it is the first day of spring and today the days and nights are equal. This morning I saw a robin, and now I guess I am going to need to be a witness in court. (Joke, people, a joke.) I know you are laughing so hard you just might wet yourself from that one. Okay, I will get to the message. The Triumphal Entry.
The Triumphal Entry 3/20/2013 Day Three (The First Day of Spring)
Luke 19:28 - After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As He approached Bethpage and Bethany at the hill called the Mont of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'why are you untying it' tell him, The Lord needs it." 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as He had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?" 34 They replied, "The Lord needs it." 35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As He went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. 37 When He came near the place whee the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen. 36 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 40 "I tell you," He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." (NIV)
Picking up from yesterday we find that the two disciples that went ahead found the colt, the donkey colt tied up just as Jesus said. And they went right to untying it. You notice that one did not untie it while the other was the "look-out", for they were following instructions from Jesus and they were not afraid of what they are doing. When they were asked by the owner or owners of the colt what they were doing they said taking it to the Lord, again just acting in the Lord's behalf. This is what might happen today. The Lord sends two ahead of Him and telling them the same thing, you will find a colt tied up, please untie it and bring it to me. If anyone of them questions you, tell them the Lord needs it. Now the Lord is the same, never changes, but the workers, well, look at what might have happened. They arrive and find the donkey colt and after looking around to see if no one is looking they start to untie it, like they might be stealing it. Someone comes and stops them, saying, what are you doing? Jesus made us do it, Jesus made us do it, said one, while the other one "ran away." Now why would I say that? I am saying that because so many people when confronted with something in public that the Lord wants done are ashamed to say they are working for the Lord. Maybe they are not ashamed but what else would it be if you are denying the Lord before others? That is what it would be. Let me give you an example. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton just a few years back said she supported the marriage of one man to one woman and stood firm on that and it was her Christian belief. Then just the other day she did the turn-around. Just out of the blue she now supports the right of anyone to get married. Yes, a woman to another woman, or a man to another man. Why, more than likely because she wants to run for president and she is getting ready for that. So to use a term of today, "God gets tossed under the bus." Not the first time that has happened. God has, and again to use the term of today, God has seen the undercarriage of many a bus. Another one, and this one local to Harrisburg, PA. When the mayor of the city of Harrisburg, Linda Thompson, who states she is a Christian and prays each day in her office to start the day (a good thing) but right before the election, she stood in support of our President and even had race baiter Al Sharpton in to speak. The president and Al Sharpton both support abortion and gay marriage. And under the bus God did go!! I would pray that all of us, when we are out working for the Lord and in all we do we should work for the Lord would be strong enough in our faith to stand firm for Jesus regardless if we were even going to get shot for what we say. STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.
Moving on, the two get back with the colt and put their coats on it and put Jesus up on the colt. I want you to think about this, if you were to picture Jesus on the colt in your mind, how would you picture Him? Sitting across the animal like a person rides today or sitting sideways on it? I would think Jesus, because of the fact they wore robes, would have sat sideways. Anyway, He is now on the donkey colt, and off they go, with the disciples singing and calling out praises in loud voices and spreading their cloaks (coats) on the road as did those coming out. But like today, someone had to complain. "Tell your disciples to stop", called out the Pharisees in the crowd. Of course Jesus told them no. He told them if they stopped rejoicing the stones would cry. Think about it, folks, how the people were rejoicing. Recently we watched as hundreds of thousands of mostly Catholics gathered and cheered as they found out they had appointed a new Pope. Then we saw how the people lined up to get a look at him as he rode in the back of an open Jeep instead of the bullet-proof Popemobile. I am sure you heard about the former Pope! One night after a late trip out, the pope had flown back in on his plane and was greeted by a chauffeur with his limousine. It was a quiet night and it was just the two men, so the pope asked if he could drive the car, it had been a long time since he drove and never a big long Caddy like this one. So the chauffeur got into the back, put up the window between and the pope started driving. Well, the pope got carried away with speed and soon a local police officer pulled him over. When officer friendly walked up and saw who was driving he said, sit still a minute, I will be right back. So he goes and gets on the radio and calls in, how do I handle a speeding limo when a big dignitary is in it? The dispatcher asked, how big is that dignitary, a rock star, the mayor of our town? No, bigger than that, said the police officer. The governor maybe, asked the dispatcher. No, bigger than that, said the officer, I am thinking maybe God the Father or Jesus! Why are you thinking that? Because the pope is the chauffeur.
I must stop this, I really must. Anyway, all joking aside, Jesus was cheered and held in high honor and glory by most all as He rode on ahead. What happens next? What happens when Jesus hits the town on the donkey? Did the pope get a speeding ticket? (Stop it, Dan.) One last thing about today and those omen who went ahead for the donkey, would it not be nice if we did do things right and had the nerve to always stand up for Jesus and say "God made me do it" instead of doing things wrong and in our sin we say "the devil made me do it." Let's do it right and stand up for Jesus saying "Jesus had me do it!!" (Pass that on.)
Dear Father, as You know, I love You, and I give You thanks for the message and also for supplying me with a few good stories along the way. I pray that today we are not afraid to do good and give the glory all to You. In Jesus' name, I want to do this. AMEN.
Now go forth sharing your blessings and loving each other. I love ya. (Pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
Tuesday 3/19/13 Triumphal Entry 2
Dear Father in Heaven. Thanks for a beautiful, just beautiful day. Dear Father, thanks for watching over all who use this line, and also their families. Thanks, Lord, for trusting us, for trusting me to serve You in Your fields of Harvest. I just love You, Lord. Dear Lord, watch over our President and Vice President as they travel in foreign lands. Please, Lord, bless Pope Francis. Lord, please forgive us of our sins, please, Lord, I am not worthy, but please, please forgive me of my sins. Lord, please bless the Kessler Family. Dear Lord, thanks for Your healing hand on our pets and also on our working K-9s. You are just wonderful, Lord, thanks for watching over this line. Dear Lord, please have Your hand on our Easter food distribution tomorrow. Send us some workers, dear Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Good Evening, my dear brothers and sisters. Well, we had our onion snow yesterday or last evening, and it got a tad deep. I was all ready and in the car heading to my cousin's viewing last evening when another funeral home called for me to plow the snow. Plans got changed and I went out plowing for most of the night. I stopped at a food store during that plowing run and got a great buy on hams. So I bought a bunch for our food distribution. God is so good. I do need to ask you for your prayers. First for Dolores, who is in pain all the time. Also for me, as last night I cried pretty much all night with pain in my legs. My legs felt like I had a thousand charley horses all at once. I have a lot of pinched nerves, these coming from the motorcycle accident of December 24, 1990. I recently had a CAT scan of my neck. When asking my doctor of the results, she said, "Your neck is junk." Anyway, your prayers will be appreciated. j I must tell you here is how I deal with the pain ... I keep thinking when the pain is at its worst about how bad it had to hurt Jesus as He would take another beating for my sins and how my sins caused His hand and feet pain when the spikes were driven through them.
Okay, time to rejoice in the Lord as others show their love for Him.
The Triumphal Entry 3/19/2013 Day Two (The last day of winter)
Luke 19:28 - After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As He approached Bethpage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'why are you untying it" tell him, The Lord needs it." (NIV)
So as Jesus gets ready to enter into Jerusalem, He, according to the Bible in His own words, said He "Needed it." He needed it, HE NEEDED IT? Yes, the Bible said that He needed it, and over the next couple of days we will see just why He might really need the Donkey Colt. I think it is also a real point to bring out here is that Jesus refers to Himself as "The Lord"! Also please note that this Donkey colt was never ridden, it was "unused." Over the next days we will find out about Jesus riding on this unused colt.
I do want to ask you a question about a Donkey. Have you ever looked real close at a donkey and saw the cross on the donkey's back? It is there, folks, a nice cross right down the back of the donkey. A light colored donkey will have a dark stripe from the back of its neck to the upper tip of the tail. Then there is a dark strip that goes across its front shoulders thus forming a cross. A dark colored donkey will have a light stripe. I have even seen a spotted cross, but never have I seen a donkey that was not carrying a cross. I like to think of the donkey as The Lord's special animal. The donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem when she went with Joseph to sign up to pay taxes, and we know that was also the first ride on a donkey for Jesus. (That is recorded in the Bible.) When I look back to when Mary was on the back of a donkey, what comes to your mind about a donkey on that night? Maybe as a car guy, I could put it best like this ... I think the donkey when compared to the other animals, that one could ride might be like a nice four wheel drive Cadillac. The donkey might be not just a nice ride, but we all know that the donkey is sure-footed. The donkey is used for tours down into the Grand Canyon and they are known for their sure-footedness. Tomorrow we find out, did anyone see the disciples take the colt, and if so, what might have been said? Let me say this, if today someone would tell you to go to the city ahead of you and take that Cadillac four wheel drive parked along the street, and if questioned tell them the Lord needs it, one of three things will happen. The owner will inflict pain on you. You will be arrested. And since you are calling upon the name of the Lord, you might just get sent to the "funny farm" for a stay. Anyway, starting tomorrow it is going to get exciting. Today we spent time tearing apart palm branches or "crowns" for Sunday. Be sure you get to church and get a palm branch.
Dear Lord, please help me with this series, I feel I might be letting You down on this one. Help me, Lord, in the name of Jesus. Please rest me tonight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now go forth, sharing your blessings and loving others. I love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
Good Evening, my dear brothers and sisters. Well, we had our onion snow yesterday or last evening, and it got a tad deep. I was all ready and in the car heading to my cousin's viewing last evening when another funeral home called for me to plow the snow. Plans got changed and I went out plowing for most of the night. I stopped at a food store during that plowing run and got a great buy on hams. So I bought a bunch for our food distribution. God is so good. I do need to ask you for your prayers. First for Dolores, who is in pain all the time. Also for me, as last night I cried pretty much all night with pain in my legs. My legs felt like I had a thousand charley horses all at once. I have a lot of pinched nerves, these coming from the motorcycle accident of December 24, 1990. I recently had a CAT scan of my neck. When asking my doctor of the results, she said, "Your neck is junk." Anyway, your prayers will be appreciated. j I must tell you here is how I deal with the pain ... I keep thinking when the pain is at its worst about how bad it had to hurt Jesus as He would take another beating for my sins and how my sins caused His hand and feet pain when the spikes were driven through them.
Okay, time to rejoice in the Lord as others show their love for Him.
The Triumphal Entry 3/19/2013 Day Two (The last day of winter)
Luke 19:28 - After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As He approached Bethpage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'why are you untying it" tell him, The Lord needs it." (NIV)
So as Jesus gets ready to enter into Jerusalem, He, according to the Bible in His own words, said He "Needed it." He needed it, HE NEEDED IT? Yes, the Bible said that He needed it, and over the next couple of days we will see just why He might really need the Donkey Colt. I think it is also a real point to bring out here is that Jesus refers to Himself as "The Lord"! Also please note that this Donkey colt was never ridden, it was "unused." Over the next days we will find out about Jesus riding on this unused colt.
I do want to ask you a question about a Donkey. Have you ever looked real close at a donkey and saw the cross on the donkey's back? It is there, folks, a nice cross right down the back of the donkey. A light colored donkey will have a dark stripe from the back of its neck to the upper tip of the tail. Then there is a dark strip that goes across its front shoulders thus forming a cross. A dark colored donkey will have a light stripe. I have even seen a spotted cross, but never have I seen a donkey that was not carrying a cross. I like to think of the donkey as The Lord's special animal. The donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem when she went with Joseph to sign up to pay taxes, and we know that was also the first ride on a donkey for Jesus. (That is recorded in the Bible.) When I look back to when Mary was on the back of a donkey, what comes to your mind about a donkey on that night? Maybe as a car guy, I could put it best like this ... I think the donkey when compared to the other animals, that one could ride might be like a nice four wheel drive Cadillac. The donkey might be not just a nice ride, but we all know that the donkey is sure-footed. The donkey is used for tours down into the Grand Canyon and they are known for their sure-footedness. Tomorrow we find out, did anyone see the disciples take the colt, and if so, what might have been said? Let me say this, if today someone would tell you to go to the city ahead of you and take that Cadillac four wheel drive parked along the street, and if questioned tell them the Lord needs it, one of three things will happen. The owner will inflict pain on you. You will be arrested. And since you are calling upon the name of the Lord, you might just get sent to the "funny farm" for a stay. Anyway, starting tomorrow it is going to get exciting. Today we spent time tearing apart palm branches or "crowns" for Sunday. Be sure you get to church and get a palm branch.
Dear Lord, please help me with this series, I feel I might be letting You down on this one. Help me, Lord, in the name of Jesus. Please rest me tonight. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Now go forth, sharing your blessings and loving others. I love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Monday 3/18/2013 The Triumphal Entry 1
Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil, for Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory Forever. Amen.
Dear Father in Heaven, thanks for answering our prayers on Police K-9 Zeke and helping this animal of Yours through surgery. Thanks also for answering our other prayers. Be with the family of the 20 year-old that lost his life trying to shoot police. Also be with all those on the charter bus where a driver and coach were killed. Also, Lord, there has been another bus crash, and I don't know where, but I am sure You have Your mighty hand on it. Also, that plane crash, Lord. A bad week in transportation. Speaking of transportation, my dear Jesus, I am ready, and I pray all on this line are ready, to be transported out of here and into heaven with You. In Jesus' name, I ask that You watch over our president and our other leaders, be with our Vice President and watch over him, and Lord, dare I say, watch over his mouth as he goes to Rome to be with the new pope. Lord, bless this new leader of the Catholic church on whom I am sure You have had Your mighty hand. Bless them all and keep them safe. May many people come to You, Lord, through this event on Tuesday. In Jesus' name, I ask that You be with our military, and Lord, our police and firefighters and also our first responders. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (NIV)
Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. I love you, please pass that on to your family and friends this day. Today we are waiting in this area for the snow that will stink, yes, the snow that will really stink. Yes, folks, yesterday was Saint Patrick's Day, and today we are expecting this stinky old "onion snow." (Hey, it is Monday, what can I say?) We are still looking for a few helpers for Wednesday afternoon to help hand out food. We need a few helpers here by 2:00 PM to get set up. The hungry will be arriving starting at 3:00 PM. Please call me if you can help. Here is the bribe. I will have a pot of my favorite dinner on for your eating pleasure. Hope you like hot dogs with "onion snow mustard." No, no, no yellow snow!!!! Just mustard and regular mustard. Please pray for Dolores as she readies for eye surgery. She also has so much pain each day, I don't know how she even gets out of bed, but she never misses a day of working for the Lord. Let me get to the message.
The Triumphal Entry 3/18/2013 Day One.
Luke 19:28 - After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As He approached Bethpage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, (NIV)
Dear brothers and sisters, these next two weeks are exciting in the eyes of Christians, and brothers and sisters, we need to get the word out so that these weeks are exciting to everyone. As I ask God to give me messages for the next two weeks, I know that the subject will be the same, I just need to ask God to give me new and exciting ways to get the message out. I ask all of you to pray for pastors these next two weeks as they also work to get the message out to people they might only see twice a year. I call them the C and E people. Those are the ones who come to church twice a year, drop a buck into the offering plate each time for a total of 2 bucks and then write 10% off of their income tax. Also pray for pastors who do not, who do not preach the complete truth about our Lord. A lot of them pick and choose from the Bible. As for me, I believe it ALL.
As I get started on what we know as the Triumphal Entry today and really start digging into it tomorrow and the rest of this week, this is a really great time for Jesus, and we see how He is honored and glorified by those who love Him. But then as we follow His life, we find out just how fast that love turns to hate. One thing I never really liked was places where they would single out a worker for being the best of the est. Maybe they called it the employee of the month, or worker of the month, and the award was a special parking place. When you do this, that person, the person who is a good employee, might feel good about the reward, and most of his or her fellow workers also support it, thinking yes, this person does go beyond the call. But there will be few, maybe just one or two, that think, why did they get it, why not me? I mean during this past month, I was only late for work five times, called off sick three times and made 85 personal calls on company time. So what happens, one of these who can't stand the one who worked hard and got the award might go to the coffee room and refer to the person as a "brownie" or a "brown nose". So that one who worked hard starts thinking, I wish I never had been rewarded. Then it happens, the award is that good parking place, and the hard worker parks in it, just to find their car paint "keyed" or their tires "flattened".
As we go through the next two weeks we will see how our dear sweet Jesus is loved and how some got upset even to the point of getting things started by groups of people wanting to put this man who has done nothing bad arrested and put to death. Trust me when I say it was their loss and our gain. I love Jesus and pray today that you do also. Tomorrow we find out what was the Lord's "ride of choice." Our president has Air Force One, the VP has Air Force Two, and even the Pope has the Pope Mobile at his call. But what did Jesus use? Do you know, and what markings does His ride have that makes this ride known to all that it is the ride of Jesus?
Now go forth in peace today, sharing your blessings, and may the God of peace and all of your blessings go with You. I love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
Dear Father in Heaven, thanks for answering our prayers on Police K-9 Zeke and helping this animal of Yours through surgery. Thanks also for answering our other prayers. Be with the family of the 20 year-old that lost his life trying to shoot police. Also be with all those on the charter bus where a driver and coach were killed. Also, Lord, there has been another bus crash, and I don't know where, but I am sure You have Your mighty hand on it. Also, that plane crash, Lord. A bad week in transportation. Speaking of transportation, my dear Jesus, I am ready, and I pray all on this line are ready, to be transported out of here and into heaven with You. In Jesus' name, I ask that You watch over our president and our other leaders, be with our Vice President and watch over him, and Lord, dare I say, watch over his mouth as he goes to Rome to be with the new pope. Lord, bless this new leader of the Catholic church on whom I am sure You have had Your mighty hand. Bless them all and keep them safe. May many people come to You, Lord, through this event on Tuesday. In Jesus' name, I ask that You be with our military, and Lord, our police and firefighters and also our first responders. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (NIV)
Good Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. I love you, please pass that on to your family and friends this day. Today we are waiting in this area for the snow that will stink, yes, the snow that will really stink. Yes, folks, yesterday was Saint Patrick's Day, and today we are expecting this stinky old "onion snow." (Hey, it is Monday, what can I say?) We are still looking for a few helpers for Wednesday afternoon to help hand out food. We need a few helpers here by 2:00 PM to get set up. The hungry will be arriving starting at 3:00 PM. Please call me if you can help. Here is the bribe. I will have a pot of my favorite dinner on for your eating pleasure. Hope you like hot dogs with "onion snow mustard." No, no, no yellow snow!!!! Just mustard and regular mustard. Please pray for Dolores as she readies for eye surgery. She also has so much pain each day, I don't know how she even gets out of bed, but she never misses a day of working for the Lord. Let me get to the message.
The Triumphal Entry 3/18/2013 Day One.
Luke 19:28 - After Jesus had said this, He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As He approached Bethpage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, (NIV)
Dear brothers and sisters, these next two weeks are exciting in the eyes of Christians, and brothers and sisters, we need to get the word out so that these weeks are exciting to everyone. As I ask God to give me messages for the next two weeks, I know that the subject will be the same, I just need to ask God to give me new and exciting ways to get the message out. I ask all of you to pray for pastors these next two weeks as they also work to get the message out to people they might only see twice a year. I call them the C and E people. Those are the ones who come to church twice a year, drop a buck into the offering plate each time for a total of 2 bucks and then write 10% off of their income tax. Also pray for pastors who do not, who do not preach the complete truth about our Lord. A lot of them pick and choose from the Bible. As for me, I believe it ALL.
As I get started on what we know as the Triumphal Entry today and really start digging into it tomorrow and the rest of this week, this is a really great time for Jesus, and we see how He is honored and glorified by those who love Him. But then as we follow His life, we find out just how fast that love turns to hate. One thing I never really liked was places where they would single out a worker for being the best of the est. Maybe they called it the employee of the month, or worker of the month, and the award was a special parking place. When you do this, that person, the person who is a good employee, might feel good about the reward, and most of his or her fellow workers also support it, thinking yes, this person does go beyond the call. But there will be few, maybe just one or two, that think, why did they get it, why not me? I mean during this past month, I was only late for work five times, called off sick three times and made 85 personal calls on company time. So what happens, one of these who can't stand the one who worked hard and got the award might go to the coffee room and refer to the person as a "brownie" or a "brown nose". So that one who worked hard starts thinking, I wish I never had been rewarded. Then it happens, the award is that good parking place, and the hard worker parks in it, just to find their car paint "keyed" or their tires "flattened".
As we go through the next two weeks we will see how our dear sweet Jesus is loved and how some got upset even to the point of getting things started by groups of people wanting to put this man who has done nothing bad arrested and put to death. Trust me when I say it was their loss and our gain. I love Jesus and pray today that you do also. Tomorrow we find out what was the Lord's "ride of choice." Our president has Air Force One, the VP has Air Force Two, and even the Pope has the Pope Mobile at his call. But what did Jesus use? Do you know, and what markings does His ride have that makes this ride known to all that it is the ride of Jesus?
Now go forth in peace today, sharing your blessings, and may the God of peace and all of your blessings go with You. I love ya (pass it on).
Pastor Dan.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Friday 3/15/13 Strength 5
Dear Father in Heaven. Thanks for another day and thank You in advance for taking us through the day and days ahead of us. Thank You for carrying our burdens and troubles, and thank You for washing away our sins. You are wonderful and I love You, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray today that You renew us to do Your work in the Fields of Harvest and that You help point out the lost to us so we might try our very best to bring them to You to be saved. In Jesus' name, I pray this day. Amen.
Good Salvation Friday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. We are still looking for some helpers for this coming Wednesday afternoon as we distribute food for Easter. Please pray this day for healing for Bob Everhard and Stanley Rodkey, also for Patsy and Burt Emig, for Barbara. And please give a shout of PRAISE THE LORD, for the beautiful grandchildren of my dear brother in Christ, "Rick," from Lancaster. What beautiful kids, brother Rick. Let me get to the message right away today.
Strength 3/15/13 Day Five.
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (NIV)
Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, we know that we need strength when we need to lift things or carry things. We need strength when we shovel snow or stones, when we put on a roof or dig a ditch. We need strength of body to do these things. We need strength in mind when we deal with things of math, figure out budgets, do school work or help with school work, we need strength in our brains, even to make our strength in our bodies work. And I talked to you about these things this week.
I have talked to you also, brothers and sisters, about needing strength when we are tempted by evil, or tempted to do things that we cannot afford to do, even if the bottom line is not evil. I also talked to you when we needed to have strength in times of danger or fear. In all cases, I put forth scripture telling you that all of our strength comes from our Lord to us. I pointed out other times when God gives us strength. Now I have put down some more scriptures, and these scriptures give us strength when we are lonely. Think about it now, have you ever been really lonely? I mean really lonely. I know when I go away, I get homesick and I get worse as time passes by. I would get so homesick I would get sick. It started when I was a child and would go to see my aunt and uncle on their farm. In three days I was a mess. I was the same way when going on a vacation, and that is the reason we rarely went on one. After my mamma passed away, I was lonely, even in a crowd, even when in school or with friends, I was still lonely. One thing that would help me if I was lonely was working, just keep working. However, brothers and sisters, the best way, the really best way, in fact the only way to really overcome being lonely is grab hold of Jesus, invite Him into your life and walk and talk with Him.
The scriptures of today, starting with:
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
First, we see in this scripture the love of money will not keep you from being lonely. Even a car guy like me, when lonely, two new Caddies would not cut it. When really lonely, a bright new red pickup did not cut it, I tried that one. Nothing money could buy, will not buy that happiness nor stop you from being lonely. What will stop you from the loneliness is what God said. "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." God is good, and if we are TRULY SAVED, then we will find HIS STRENGTH in all things when we need the strength, regardless of when or how we need it. Someone please say AMEN.
One of the most comforting scriptures, one that we can pull on for strength, is the 23rd Psalm. We use it in church, we see it used often in funerals or memorial services. I learned this Psalm when in elementary school. We had to take turns reading the Bible and as I have told you, I was a very, very poor reader. So I learned this by heart with the help of mamma. She also taught me what it meant. I would ask all of you to learn this scripture by heart, and when in trouble, when lonely, or if depression starts to set in or just when you need to call on God, just talk to God and do not be afraid to use this scripture. In fact, as we close today, as I send you forth to do God's work and try and bring in the lost, let us use this scripture when we talk to God, for it is about Him ... Ready ...
Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Thank you, dear Lord, for this great scripture inspired by You for us ... In Jesus' name, Amen.
Now go forth sharing your blessings, working for Jesus bringing in the lost and remembering that the Lord is your Shepherd and you shall not want. Be brave warriors and receive your strength from God daily. Love ya (pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
Good Salvation Friday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. We are still looking for some helpers for this coming Wednesday afternoon as we distribute food for Easter. Please pray this day for healing for Bob Everhard and Stanley Rodkey, also for Patsy and Burt Emig, for Barbara. And please give a shout of PRAISE THE LORD, for the beautiful grandchildren of my dear brother in Christ, "Rick," from Lancaster. What beautiful kids, brother Rick. Let me get to the message right away today.
Strength 3/15/13 Day Five.
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (NIV)
Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (NIV)
Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (NIV)
Brothers and sisters, we know that we need strength when we need to lift things or carry things. We need strength when we shovel snow or stones, when we put on a roof or dig a ditch. We need strength of body to do these things. We need strength in mind when we deal with things of math, figure out budgets, do school work or help with school work, we need strength in our brains, even to make our strength in our bodies work. And I talked to you about these things this week.
I have talked to you also, brothers and sisters, about needing strength when we are tempted by evil, or tempted to do things that we cannot afford to do, even if the bottom line is not evil. I also talked to you when we needed to have strength in times of danger or fear. In all cases, I put forth scripture telling you that all of our strength comes from our Lord to us. I pointed out other times when God gives us strength. Now I have put down some more scriptures, and these scriptures give us strength when we are lonely. Think about it now, have you ever been really lonely? I mean really lonely. I know when I go away, I get homesick and I get worse as time passes by. I would get so homesick I would get sick. It started when I was a child and would go to see my aunt and uncle on their farm. In three days I was a mess. I was the same way when going on a vacation, and that is the reason we rarely went on one. After my mamma passed away, I was lonely, even in a crowd, even when in school or with friends, I was still lonely. One thing that would help me if I was lonely was working, just keep working. However, brothers and sisters, the best way, the really best way, in fact the only way to really overcome being lonely is grab hold of Jesus, invite Him into your life and walk and talk with Him.
The scriptures of today, starting with:
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
First, we see in this scripture the love of money will not keep you from being lonely. Even a car guy like me, when lonely, two new Caddies would not cut it. When really lonely, a bright new red pickup did not cut it, I tried that one. Nothing money could buy, will not buy that happiness nor stop you from being lonely. What will stop you from the loneliness is what God said. "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." God is good, and if we are TRULY SAVED, then we will find HIS STRENGTH in all things when we need the strength, regardless of when or how we need it. Someone please say AMEN.
One of the most comforting scriptures, one that we can pull on for strength, is the 23rd Psalm. We use it in church, we see it used often in funerals or memorial services. I learned this Psalm when in elementary school. We had to take turns reading the Bible and as I have told you, I was a very, very poor reader. So I learned this by heart with the help of mamma. She also taught me what it meant. I would ask all of you to learn this scripture by heart, and when in trouble, when lonely, or if depression starts to set in or just when you need to call on God, just talk to God and do not be afraid to use this scripture. In fact, as we close today, as I send you forth to do God's work and try and bring in the lost, let us use this scripture when we talk to God, for it is about Him ... Ready ...
Psalm 23: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Thank you, dear Lord, for this great scripture inspired by You for us ... In Jesus' name, Amen.
Now go forth sharing your blessings, working for Jesus bringing in the lost and remembering that the Lord is your Shepherd and you shall not want. Be brave warriors and receive your strength from God daily. Love ya (pass it on.)
Pastor Dan.
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