Sunday 10/26/14 Running

Dear Father in Heaven:  I love You.  Yes, Father, I love You, and I will tell anyone and everyone I see that I love You.  Thanks for loving me and thanks for sending Jesus to cover my sins.  I pray I do better each day walking with You.  Lord, help me to keep my eyes on You, solidly on You each day.  Lord, thanks for watching over family and friends, all families, and thanks for watching over this line.  Lord, thanks for the encouragement that we have been receiving.  Father, please help me with the new messages that You are giving me.  The subject You have placed in my mind appears like it is going to be hard, but I know that if I work with You, I can get it done.  Please help me to then dispatch the message.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name, I pray.  Amen.

Dear brothers and sisters, what a great day.  It was perfect.  It is different being home on a Sunday morning and having church here in our living room.  We sang some hymns, prayed, and Dr. Stanley preached.  After that we had a full hour of good Southern Gospel music.  All this on "Family Net" on Verizon Cable 246.  Please take time to pray for peace.

Sunday, October 26, 2014:  Running (Day One)

Proverbs 4:1 - Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.  (NIV)

God gave me the subject of running this morning as I was getting ready for church.  I have prayed about it and find it is a very interesting subject, but it might not be the easiest one He has given me.

One of the first things that comes to my  mind is how everyone is running anymore.  I want you to think about that.  Right now there are many, many people running for political office.  How many people run to stay in shape?  Some people run on a treadmill.  Some folks are running toward things and others seem to be running away.  For me, I can't run anymore.  Gosh, you run for the phone, you say things like I need to "run to the store."  How often when we are "running, do we fall?"  Think about it.  I have a very dear friend who runs as he is working, and I keep telling him, "don't run."  Most of us at one time or the other have "run to the bathroom!"

Let's research the scripture of today.  Proverbs 4:1 tells us to listen to a father's instruction.  Let's take that deeper and say we need to listen to our earthly father's instruction, but we also need to listen to our Heavenly Father's instructions.

Proverbs 4:12 - When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  (NIV)

As I research more this week, we do need to keep our focus on our Lord, and if we do, if we keep our eyes on our Lord, our steps will be sure, and when we run, we will  not stumble.  Our Lord will light up our paths and block us from stumbling.  However, if we just look away for a minute we can fall.  Why?  For Satan will be right there to trip us up.  The very second we lose that focus on God we could stumble right into the arms of evil.  Think about that, brothers and sisters, and pray about it.  Again, this one is going to be hard.  I feel it coming, but I do believe this is whee He wants me to go.  More on Running in the days to come.

Now go forth sharing your blessings and keeping your eyes upon the Lord.  Love ya.  Please pass on my love.

Pastor Dan