Month: January 2013

  • T&M 1-11-13 WHEN YOUR ATTITUDE STINKS SO BADLY THAT IT AFFECTS EVERYONE AROUND YOU!

    Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

    Today I wan t to speak to you from James 1:21. I want you to particularly look at the word "filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness." Since James tells us that we must remove and discard from our lives whatever is meant by these two concepts, it is imperative that we understand exactly what he is talking about.

    The Greek word for "filthness" is the word raparian. This Greek word describes filth that is obnoxiously filthy. The man pictured in James 2:2 is described in this same way. In this verse, James described two categories of people who attended the Early Assembly--those who were nice in appearance and those who were filthy dirty. About these categories, James wrote, "For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, and in goodly apparel, and there come also a man in vile raiment."

    That word vile at the end of the verse and the word filthiness in James 1:21 come from the same Greek word. In James 2:2, the Greek word raparian portrays a man whose body and clothes are so encrusted with filthy that he omits a disgusting odor to everyone nearby. Have you ever smelled a person who stank that badly? Take just one whiff of the kind of stench, and you'll never want to smell it again!

    This is the same Greek word James used in 1:21, when he describes believers who have had attitudes! In other words, when a believer is being pessimistic, downbeat, negative, uncooperative, gloomy, cynical, or indifferent, it just flat stinks! Whew! Nothing stinks worse than an attitude of a grumpy and pessimistic person. In fact, a person with a bad attitude emits such a distasteful aroma that it will literally drive people away from him! This person has to make the decision to "lay apart all filthiness"--in this case is not referring to dirty clothes, but the stinking and repulsive attitudes he carries in life.

    Because James used the word raprian in James 1:21, the verse could be translated: "In light of what I've told you, it's time for you to remove those stinking, foul-smelling, putrid, rank garment..."

    A few years ago a man came to our Assembly who never learned proper hygiene when he was growing up. His hair was dirty; his face was unshaved; his skin was encrusted with dirt; and his clothes smelled like something had died in them.

    Because I had a brotherly love for this man, I decided to take him into my home to teach him hygiene. I grabbed my nose, held my breath and took him into my house so he could get cleaned up. I coaxed him into the shower, and afterwards he came out looking nice and clean. But then he reached over, picked up his same old, dirty clothes, and put them back on again!

    As I watched this newly cleaned man put on filthy clothes, I thought, That's just what a lot of Religious people do! Yahvahosha's blood washes and cleanses us, and Yahvah gives us a new robe of righteousness. But many people were reared in negative attitudes for so long that it has become a part of their thinking. Yes, Yahvahosha has washed and cleansed them by His blood and showered them with His unmerited favor and power. But those wrong attitudes have been a part of their lives for so long that they are still tempted to reach down, pick them up again, put them on, snap them back into place, and keep acting the same old way they did before they were saved.

    These people are inwardly changed, but their old thinking patterns have become a bad habit. Therefore, they still wear those old filthy attitudes, even though those negative attitudes are no long consistent with the clean, new condition of their inner man.

    For people who fit this description, it will take a strong act of determination for them to stay free of these old encumbrances. That's why it's so important to understand the words "lay part." In Greek, these words describe someone deliberately laying down wrong attitudes and then pushing them so far out of range that he isn't able to reach down to pick them up again.

    Before you get too busy today, why don't you take a few minutes to ask the Holy Ghost to show you if there are any stinking attitudes from the past that you're still carrying around in your life? I guarantee you that He will reveal them to you--and then He will give you the power to remove these foul-smelling, negative attitudes from your life!

    PRAYER: YAHVAH, I THANK YOU FOR WASHING ME WITH THE BLOOD OF YAHVAHOSHA AND FOR MAKING ME BRAND NEW. FORGIVE ME FOR CLINGING TO MY OLD WAYS OF THINKING AND OF DOING THINGS. TODAY I ASK YOU TO HELP ME DROP THOSE OLD HABITS AND ATTITUDES AND TO NEVER PICK UP AGAIN, BY MYSELF, THIS WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE, BUT I KNOW THAT BY YOUR POWER, I CAN WALK FREE. RIGHT NOW, I RELEASE THESE OLD ATTITUDES AND HABITS THAT I'VE BEEN CARRYING AROUND WITH ME FOR SO LONG. I ASK YOU TO HELP ME THINK AND BEHAVE IN A WAY THAT CONSISTENT WITH THE NEW CREATURE IN YAHVAHOSHA MESSIAH YOU HAVE MADE ME TO BE! I PRAY THIS IN YAHVAHOSHA'S NAME!

    MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

    I declare by faith that I am free from wrong habits and attitudes from my past. I have lad them down, I am free of them forever. Now I have the mind of Messiah, the power of the Spirit, and the fruit of Yahvahosha Messiah working inside my life. I declare this by faith in Yahvahosha's name!

    QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

    1. What attitudes have you been harboring that are repulsive or offensive to Yahvah and that you know need to change? Make a list so you can pray about these wrong attitudes.

    2.What do you need to do to drop those foul-smelling attitudes from your life?

    3.Is there a person you need to forgive or a past situation you need to forget in order to really be free? Be honest with yourself as you search your heart. Bro. Doc

  • Daniel's Gloves

    This was sent too me this morning and I thought I would share it with all here. Bro. Doc

     

    (Author Unknown or is it?)
    Daniel's Gloves

    I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.

    As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.

    I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.


    We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.

    Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.'

    Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.

    I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.

    'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.

    'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'

    'Have you eaten today?'

    'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'

    'Would you like to have lunch with me?'

    'Do you have some work I could do for you?'


    'No work,' I replied 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'

    'Sure,' he replied with a smile.

    As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?'

    ' St. Louis '

    'Where you from?'

    'Oh, all over; mostly Florida ....'

    'How long you been walking?'

    'Fourteen years,' came the reply.

    I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'

    Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences.. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona... He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.


    He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God

    'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'

    'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.

    'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'

    I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'

    'What?'

    'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'

    'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'

    My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'

    I felt as if we were on holy ground. 'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.

    He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite.. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.

    'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.

    'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.

    'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'

    'Are you hoping to hire on there for a while?'

    'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'

    He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.

    'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked... 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'

    I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'

    'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'

    'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'

    'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.

    A long time,' he replied

    And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'

    'I'll be there!' was my reply.


    He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

    'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'

    'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.

    Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.

    Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'

    Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office.. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...

    'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'

    My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed.

    This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day!

    'Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen.'

    GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

     

     

  • JOKES

    CIA Job

    A college graduate applied for a job at the Central Intelligence Agency. Together with several other applicants, he was given a sealed envelope and told to take it to the fourth floor.

    As soon as the young man was alone, he stepped into an empty hallway and opened the packet. Inside, a message read: "You're our kind of person. Report to the fifth floor."

    Threatening Letters

    The fellow stormed into the postmaster's office in a fury. "I've been getting threatening letters in the mail for months and I want them stopped."

    "Of course," said the postmaster. "Sending threatening letters through the mail is a federal offense. Do you know who's sending them?"

    "Yes," shouted the man. "It's those idiots down at the Internal Revenue Service."

    Elderly Women

    Two elderly women were out driving in a large car. Both could barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red but they just went on through. The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself "I must be losing it, I could have sworn we just went through a red light."

    After a few more minutes they came to another intersection and the light was red again and again they went right though. This time the woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red but was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting nervous and decided to pay very close attention to the road and the next intersection to see what was going on.

    At the next intersection, sure enough, the light was definitely red and they went right through and she turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred! Did you know we just ran through three red lights in a row! You could have killed us!"

    Mildred turned to her and said, "Oh, am I driving?"

    Please Come Out and Give Yourself Up

    Police in Oakland, California spent two hours attempting to subdue a gunman who had barricaded himself inside his home. After firing ten tear gas canisters, officers discovered that the man was standing beside them in the police line, shouting, "Please come out and give yourself up."

  • DEVOTIONAL LANCASTER BAPTIST CHURCH

     

     

     


     
     

    Home Building

    By Paul Chappell
     
     
     
      Wednesday, Jan 9, 2013

    Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars:

    Proverbs 9:1

    William Levitt headed his family’s successful construction company, carefully guiding it through the Great Depression. Following World War II, to meet the housing needs of tens of thousands of soldiers returning to America, the company began developing suburbs which came to be known as Levittowns. These early suburbs featured homes built according to the principles of an assembly line model, which were then shipped to the suburb where they would be permanently located. Because of this production method, Levitt’s homes were economical to purchase and therefore attractive to these young men beginning homes of their own.

    The company eventually built more than 180,000 homes in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. The company claimed at the height of production to be producing a finished home every sixteen minutes. Even now, decades later, thousands of people are living in homes built by the Levitt & Sons, which, although built quickly, were built to last.

    Far more important than the building that houses our families are the homes that we create inside those buildings. Strong and lasting families are built on the principles of wisdom found in the Word of God. There is no shortage of dangers and threats facing our homes today. Satan knows that by destroying families he undermines both the church and society. Against these threats we must be constantly on guard.

    Some years ago the saying “The family that prays together stays together” became popular. There is a great deal of truth in those simple words. Those families that put God first—who focus on pleasing and obeying Him and on developing Christ-honoring relationships with one another—find that they are building on a solid foundation. Just as every part of a Levitt home was constructed by following the master plan designed by the architect, God has given us a blueprint to wisely build our homes.

    Today’s Proverbs Precept: 
    If you build your family according to wisdom, you experience and enjoy a lasting and happy home.

    Old Testament Reading
    Genesis 23

    CHAPTER 23

    1 And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

    3 And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, 4 I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a burying place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. 5 And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him, 6 Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. 7 And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth. 8 And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, 9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you. 10 And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying, 11 Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead. 12 And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land. 13 And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there. 14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him, 15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

    16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. 17 And the field of Ephron, which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure 18 Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city. 19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. 20 And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.

     

    CHAPTER 24

    1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: 4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. 5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? 6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. 7 The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. 8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

    10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. 11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master. 15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. 18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. 19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. 20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. 21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; 23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father's house for us to lodge in? 24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor. 25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. 26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. 27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren. 28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things.

    29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. 30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. 31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. 32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. 33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. 34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant. 35 And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. 36 And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath. 37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell: 38 But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son. 39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. 40 And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house: 41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath. 42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go: 43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink; 44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son. 45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee. 46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also. 47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. 48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son. 49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. 50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken. 52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth. 53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.

    54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master. 55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go. 56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master. 57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth. 58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. 59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. 61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.

    62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

    New Testament Reading
    Matthew 7

    CHAPTER 7

    1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

    7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

    12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

    15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

    21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

    Proverb of the Day
    Proverbs 9

    1 Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: 2 She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 3 She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, 4 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 5 Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. 7 He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. 8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. 9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. 11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 12 If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. 13 A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. 14 For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, 15 To call passengers who go right on their ways: 16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, 17 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. 18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

    		  
           
       
     

  • JOKES OF THE DAY

    Jokes of the day - Old age Jokes   

     

     

    What's the worst thing about having to kiss Grandma? When the damn coffin lid falls and hits you in the head.

      

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     What's the best thing about turning 65? No more calls from insurance salesmen.

     
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      When you are young, you want to be the master of your fate and the captain of your soul. When you are older, you will settle for being the master of your weight and the captain of your bowling team.

      

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     You have to stay in shape. My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was 60. She's 97 today and we don't know where the hell she is.

     

      

  • MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES 1-10-13

    The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government. George Washington, Letter to Randolph, 1789. Bro. Doc

  • T&M 1-10-13 LEARNING TO 'FOLLOW THE LEADER'

    For as many as are led by the Spirit of Yahvah, they are the sons of Yahvah. Ro 8:14

    When I was a small boy, my sister and I used to play a game called "Follow the Leader." I always wanted to be the leader, by my sister always claimed the coveted leadership role. As leader, she had to right to tell me what to do, what games I would or would not play, who would clean the house, who would take out the trash, who would vacuum the carpets, and so on. No wonder my sister always wanted to be the leader!

    I always think of this when I read Ro 8:14. It says "For as many as are lead by the Spirit of Yahvah, they are the sons of Yahvah." In Greek, the sentence structure is reversed so that it reads,"For as many as by the Spirit are being led, they are the sons of Yahvah." This version puts the Holy Ghost at the first of the verse, and we are placed behind Him--just as children stay behind the leader as they play "Follow the Leader!"

    The Greek word for "led" is the word ago, which simply means to lead. It was often used to depict animals that were led by a rope tied around their necks. Once tied to that rope, these animals willfully followed wherever their owner led them.

    How interesting that Paul used this word! It tells us that we should be willing to let the Holy Ghost lead us in every part of our lives. We should be so surrendered to Him that wherever He tells us to go or whatever He tells us to do, we should simply be obedient and follow.

    However, it must also be pointed out that this word ago is also the root for the Greek word agon, which is where we get the word agony. Even in Greek, the word agon describes are an intense conflict, such as a struggle in a wrestling match or a struggle of the human will. this illustrates the fact that although the Holy Ghost wants to lead us, our human will doesn't like the idea of being led. You see, it's the nature of the flesh to want to go its own way, so when we choose to walk in the Spirit and let Him dictate our lives, His leadership over us creates a struggle between our will and our flesh.

    Just for a moment, think of how many times a child is tempted to rebel against his parents. Or consider the many times our flesh has rebelled against exercise or a diet that we've imposed on ourselves. There's no doubt about it--the human will and the flesh are strong. These parts of us have a very difficult time surrendering control to someone else--and that includes being led by the Holy Ghost!

    When I was a child and we played "Follow the Leader," I didn't like being led by my sister and being told what to do. I wanted to be in charge myself so I could call the shots as I saw them! Maybe that's how you've been feeling about your own life. Being a child of Yahvah, you have to learn to stay in your place--behind the Holy Ghost, following His lead.

    Ro 8:14 really means: "Those who follow the leadership of the Holy Ghost, they are the sons of Yahvah."

    However, because the word agonidzo is used, Ro 8:14 also carries this idea: "Following the leadership of the Holy Ghost is one of the privileges of being a son of Yahvah, although it may be agonizing to learn how to defer to Him and to really let Him by your Leader."

    If you want to learn to live a Spirit-led life, there is no way around it--you have to deal with your flesh. the flesh wants control, so you must mortify or defeat the flesh and allow the Holy Ghost to have its way. the struggle may seem great, but it's the only way to live a supernatural Religious life!

    Make it your goal to learn how to discern the Holy Ghost's leading. Become His constant "tagalong," watching to see what It's doing, where It's going, and how It's leading. Stay sensitive to the Holy Ghost so you can put up the "nudge" in your heart. Then once you know what It wants you to do, just fall in step behind the Holy ghost and "follow the Leader!"

    PRAYER: I WANT TO LEARN HOW TO FOLLOW THE LEADING OF THE HOLY GHOST. I KNOW THAT YOU SENT THE HOLY GHOST TO BE A LEADER AND A GUIDE FOR MY LIFE, SO TODAY I OPEN MY HEART TO THE HOLY GHOST. I ASK YOU TO HELP ME LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE HOLY GHOST'S VOICE AND TO KNOW WHAT THE HOLY GHOST IS LEADING ME TO DO. WITH ALL MY HEART, I REQUEST THAT YOU HELP ME BECOME SENSITIVE TO HIM SO THAT IT CAN LEAD ME IN ALL THE PATHS YOU HAVE DESIGNED FOR MY LIFE. I PRAY THIS IN YAHVAHOSHA'S NAME!

    MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY

    I confess that I am spiritually sensitive and that the Holy Ghost is actively leading my life. I am His constant tag-along--watching what He's doing, where He's going, and how He's leading. I am so sensitive to the Holy Ghost's leading that I pick up every "nudge" He put in my heart. He is my Leader, and I faithfully follow wherever He leads me to go. I declare this by faith in Yahvahosha's name!

    QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

    1.Can you recall times in the past when you emphatically knew that the Holy Ghost was supernaturally leading you to do something?

    2.What were you doing at that time in your spiritual life that made it easier for you to recognize and follow the leading of the Holy Ghost?

    3.In order for you to be consistently led by the Holy Ghost, what action do you need to take to keep yourself sensitive enough to hear His voice and to discern His leading? Bro. Doc

  • JOKES

    Feeding the Baby

    A first-time father was taking a turn at feeding the baby some strained peas. Naturally, there were traces of the food everywhere, especially on the infant.

    His wife comes in, looks at the infant, then at her husband staring into space, then says, "What in the world are you doing?"

    He replied, "I'm waiting for the first coat to dry, so I can put on another."

    t

    Little Bobby

    Little Bobby was spending the weekend with his grandmother after a particularly trying week in kindergarten. His grandmother decided to take him to the park on Saturday morning. It had been snowing all night and everything was beautiful.

    His grandmother remarked..."doesn't it look like an artist painted this scenery? Did you know God painted this just for you?"

    Bobby said, "Yes, God did it and he did it left handed."

    This confused his grandmother a bit, and she asked him, "What makes you say God did this with his left hand?"

    Well," said Bobby, "we learned at Sunday School last week that Jesus sits on God's right hand!"

     

    Insufficient Funds

    A young college co-ed came running in tears to her father. "Dad, you gave me some terrible financial advice!"

    "I did? What did I tell you?" said the dad.

    "You told me to put my money in that big bank, and now that big bank is in trouble."

    "What are you talking about? That's one of the largest banks in the state," he said. "there must be some mistake."

    "I don't think so," she sniffed. "They just returned one of my checks with a note saying, 'Insufficient Funds'."

     

    Bumper Stickers

    WANTED: Meaningful overnight relationship.

    BEER: It's not just for breakfast anymore.

    So you're a feminist...Isn't that cute.

    Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

    All men are idiots....I married their king.

    IRS: We've got what it takes to take what you've got.

    Hard work has a future payoff. Laziness pays off now.

    Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs.

    Out of my mind...Back in five minutes.

    I took an IQ test and the results were negative.

  • DAILY INSPIRATION QUOTES

    Daily Inspiration

    		   January 8, 2013
    Your daily dose of Inspiration

     

    Motivational Quote of the Day…

    “Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

    Lao Tzu

     

    		  

     

    Love Quote of the Day…

    “Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. ”

    H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

     

  • JOKES OF THE DAY

    Jokes of the day - Musicians Jokes   

     

    Haven't I seen your face before? a judge demanded, looking down at the defendant. "You have, Your Honor," the man answered hopefully. "I gave your son violin lessons last winter." "Ah, yes," recalled the judge. "Twenty years!"

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     Q: What's the difference between a chainsaw and an accordion?

    A: A chainsaw can be tuned.

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      Two violinists make a pact that whoever dies first, he will contact the other and tell him what life in Heaven is like. Poor Max has a heart attack and dies. He manages to make contact with Abe the next day. Abe says, "I can't believe this worked! So what is it like in Heaven?" Max replies, "Well, it's great, but I've got good news, and I've got bad news. The good news is that there's a fantastic orchestra up here, and in fact, we're playing "Sheherezade," your favorite piece, tomorrow night!" Abe says, "So what's the bad news?" Max replies, "Well, you're booked to play the solo!"