Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
6 Resolutions by Willaim Booth (at age 20)
1. That I will rise every morning sufficiently early to wash, dress, and
have a few minutes, not less than 5, in private prayer.
2. That I will, as much as possible, avoid all that babbling and idle talk
in which I have lately so sinfully indulged.
3. That I will endeavor in my conduct and deportment before the
world and my fellow servants especially to conduct myself as a
humble, meek and zealous follower of Christ, and by serious
conversation and warning endeavor to lead them to think of their
immortal souls.
4. That I will read no less than four chapters in God’s Word every
day.
5. That I will strive to live closer to God, and to seek after holiness of
heart and leave providential events with God.
6. That I will read over this every day or at least twice a week.
“God help me, enable me to cultivate a spirit of self-denial and to
yield myself a prisoner of love to the redeemer of the world.”
“I feel my own weakness, and without God’s help I shall not keep
these resolutions. The Lord have mercy upon my guilty soul.”
Soldiers - live resolved to live holy, preach Jesus!
have a few minutes, not less than 5, in private prayer.
2. That I will, as much as possible, avoid all that babbling and idle talk
in which I have lately so sinfully indulged.
3. That I will endeavor in my conduct and deportment before the
world and my fellow servants especially to conduct myself as a
humble, meek and zealous follower of Christ, and by serious
conversation and warning endeavor to lead them to think of their
immortal souls.
4. That I will read no less than four chapters in God’s Word every
day.
5. That I will strive to live closer to God, and to seek after holiness of
heart and leave providential events with God.
6. That I will read over this every day or at least twice a week.
“God help me, enable me to cultivate a spirit of self-denial and to
yield myself a prisoner of love to the redeemer of the world.”
“I feel my own weakness, and without God’s help I shall not keep
these resolutions. The Lord have mercy upon my guilty soul.”
Soldiers - live resolved to live holy, preach Jesus!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Captain's meditation on John 11:38-44
Take a minute to read this passage of scripture...
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
Some thoughts I pondered again as I read this fantastic scripture were these...
1. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but before granting this miracle of a resurrected life, He had others remove the stone.
2. After raising Lazarus from the dead He had others help Lazarus to remove the grave clothes.
3. If Jesus gives you new life (or involves you in the privilege of bringing someone to Christ) remember to take of your old dead grave clothes.
Being resurrected to new life if a blessing indeed, but don't settle for being bound by "dead stuff". Live holy and take off the old garments, sins, and dead habits that will stink up and restrict your new resurrected life!
Dearest salvationists (and follower of Jesus) let's press on to FULL-salvation, not just salvation from hell to heaven the day we die, but from hellish living to an abundant, holy, heavenly living NOW!
Jesus saves from sin and sinning. Let's through off every sin that entangles and start living a life fully devoted to God and completely abandoned to the Holy Spirit's leading.
Why not take of your grave clothes today and then remind someone today that Jesus saves to the uttermost.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
Some thoughts I pondered again as I read this fantastic scripture were these...
1. Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, but before granting this miracle of a resurrected life, He had others remove the stone.
2. After raising Lazarus from the dead He had others help Lazarus to remove the grave clothes.
3. If Jesus gives you new life (or involves you in the privilege of bringing someone to Christ) remember to take of your old dead grave clothes.
Being resurrected to new life if a blessing indeed, but don't settle for being bound by "dead stuff". Live holy and take off the old garments, sins, and dead habits that will stink up and restrict your new resurrected life!
Dearest salvationists (and follower of Jesus) let's press on to FULL-salvation, not just salvation from hell to heaven the day we die, but from hellish living to an abundant, holy, heavenly living NOW!
Jesus saves from sin and sinning. Let's through off every sin that entangles and start living a life fully devoted to God and completely abandoned to the Holy Spirit's leading.
Why not take of your grave clothes today and then remind someone today that Jesus saves to the uttermost.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Non-threatening evangelism? John 14:27
Here is a thought for those of you trying to overcome your fear about witnessing... how about trying to share a tract or a word with your local Wal-mart employee or the waitress at your local restaurant? They are paid to be nice, they can't call you crazy, they might even be wearing a giant happy face that says "how can I help you".
We just did this again as our family got away to Anchorage this past week (where we ate at a real restaurant - which we don't do often). We have done this before with a wide range of results, but never a bad one.
We simply asked the waitress when she brought the food and said "was there anything else", we told her we always prayed before our meals and was there anything we could pray for her about. Some people have been very moved, some surprised, some have shared deep things, but never a negative response.
This waitress (obviously taken back and not a 'prayer') said "how about peace". After the meal we simply left her a gosepl tract and left a note along with the tip that said, "may you know the peace that only Jesus can give" and "here is your verse for today" John 14:27 Jesus said - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
As I said, we've never had a bad response, and most have been great. If you need to get your feet wet telling others about Jesus, why not try talking to someone who has to be nice to you.
Let me know how it goes.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
We just did this again as our family got away to Anchorage this past week (where we ate at a real restaurant - which we don't do often). We have done this before with a wide range of results, but never a bad one.
We simply asked the waitress when she brought the food and said "was there anything else", we told her we always prayed before our meals and was there anything we could pray for her about. Some people have been very moved, some surprised, some have shared deep things, but never a negative response.
This waitress (obviously taken back and not a 'prayer') said "how about peace". After the meal we simply left her a gosepl tract and left a note along with the tip that said, "may you know the peace that only Jesus can give" and "here is your verse for today" John 14:27 Jesus said - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
As I said, we've never had a bad response, and most have been great. If you need to get your feet wet telling others about Jesus, why not try talking to someone who has to be nice to you.
Let me know how it goes.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Founder William Booth speaks on First Principles and Dangers
This article first appeared in The Officer magazine in January 1893; reprinted in The Officer magazine in March/April 2003
The following is a summary of the General’s opening address at the last British Staff Council, which is likely to prove a turning point in the Army history. The notes were roughly jotted down at the time and only give a bird’s-eye view of what he said. The following are exerpts from among his introductory remarks:
‘Progress is tidal. There is a settling down tendency in human nature. If there is not a tide, we must make one.
‘In the Church there is a flowing tide of worldliness. We must stem it. Our business is not to interest or to amuse the world, but to save it.
‘There are other dangers of our own which must be looked into and remedied. By spreading out too rapidly, we have made some hard goes and have suffered losses. Again, we have weakened the Field to strengthen the Staff. There are many officers now on the Staff who should be in the Field.
‘The foundation principles of the Army’s teaching remain the same, and will do so to the end. They are in brief —
1. We can be forgiven.
2. We can be holy.
3. We must live to save others.
‘These truths can only be worked out by means of —
1. Faith in God.
2. Hard work.
3. Sacrifice.
4. Discipline.
‘The new plans I lay before you will not dispense with these essentials. There may be an easier way, but none better. These principles run through the Army like the veins through the body. ...
‘I speak to you as your father, and want to warn you faithfully as to the dangers to which I see you to be exposed — the dangers which threaten to hinder the success and progress of our Army.
‘I. The first great danger is Secularisation. We are in danger of becoming earth-worms, of being swallowed up in figures and business and returns. No hours with God, no flights of prayer, no going to Heaven over sinners saved.
‘II. The second great danger is Stagnation. We are continually exposed to this danger of formality, and of sleeping with our eyes open.
‘III. There is also the danger of Pride and Self-satisfaction. Few can stand promotion without being hurt by it, and losing the spirit of willingness to learn. A story is told of Lord Coleridge when a young man. The Master said to him, “Mr Coleridge, I have a high opinion of you, so has your tutor, so have we all; but none of us have so high an opinion of you as you have of yourself.” I fear it might be said of some of us. It is a tendency against which we must guard ourselves.
‘Dealing with root principles. I am going to deal with root principles. This has been largely the secret of my success in the past. I have laid them down and stuck to them. They are not many in number, and yet it is impossible to exaggerate their importance. There are only seven notes in music, and yet by a combination of them we are able to produce an infinite variety of exquisite harmonies. ...
‘There is not one of you in whose personal sorrows and struggles I do not feel an interest. I would like to go into them myself if I only had the time. I would like to go home to tea with each one of you, and help you mothers nurse the baby and share your troubles. I cannot bear to see you suffer, but I am unable to avoid it. I am determined to use you all to the utmost of God’s work. I am going to get out of you all I can. A general is no good for his post who is not willing to see his soldiers suffer. And however good my plans may be, they will involve not less but more hard work, sacrifice, and discipline than in the past; but they will ensure, I believe, with your hearty cooperation, an abundant harvest of success.’
The above remarks occupied the first sitting of the Council. Needless to say that the stirring words of our beloved General moved us to tears, and to a fresh consecration of ourselves to God and the war.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
The following is a summary of the General’s opening address at the last British Staff Council, which is likely to prove a turning point in the Army history. The notes were roughly jotted down at the time and only give a bird’s-eye view of what he said. The following are exerpts from among his introductory remarks:
‘Progress is tidal. There is a settling down tendency in human nature. If there is not a tide, we must make one.
‘In the Church there is a flowing tide of worldliness. We must stem it. Our business is not to interest or to amuse the world, but to save it.
‘There are other dangers of our own which must be looked into and remedied. By spreading out too rapidly, we have made some hard goes and have suffered losses. Again, we have weakened the Field to strengthen the Staff. There are many officers now on the Staff who should be in the Field.
‘The foundation principles of the Army’s teaching remain the same, and will do so to the end. They are in brief —
1. We can be forgiven.
2. We can be holy.
3. We must live to save others.
‘These truths can only be worked out by means of —
1. Faith in God.
2. Hard work.
3. Sacrifice.
4. Discipline.
‘The new plans I lay before you will not dispense with these essentials. There may be an easier way, but none better. These principles run through the Army like the veins through the body. ...
‘I speak to you as your father, and want to warn you faithfully as to the dangers to which I see you to be exposed — the dangers which threaten to hinder the success and progress of our Army.
‘I. The first great danger is Secularisation. We are in danger of becoming earth-worms, of being swallowed up in figures and business and returns. No hours with God, no flights of prayer, no going to Heaven over sinners saved.
‘II. The second great danger is Stagnation. We are continually exposed to this danger of formality, and of sleeping with our eyes open.
‘III. There is also the danger of Pride and Self-satisfaction. Few can stand promotion without being hurt by it, and losing the spirit of willingness to learn. A story is told of Lord Coleridge when a young man. The Master said to him, “Mr Coleridge, I have a high opinion of you, so has your tutor, so have we all; but none of us have so high an opinion of you as you have of yourself.” I fear it might be said of some of us. It is a tendency against which we must guard ourselves.
‘Dealing with root principles. I am going to deal with root principles. This has been largely the secret of my success in the past. I have laid them down and stuck to them. They are not many in number, and yet it is impossible to exaggerate their importance. There are only seven notes in music, and yet by a combination of them we are able to produce an infinite variety of exquisite harmonies. ...
‘There is not one of you in whose personal sorrows and struggles I do not feel an interest. I would like to go into them myself if I only had the time. I would like to go home to tea with each one of you, and help you mothers nurse the baby and share your troubles. I cannot bear to see you suffer, but I am unable to avoid it. I am determined to use you all to the utmost of God’s work. I am going to get out of you all I can. A general is no good for his post who is not willing to see his soldiers suffer. And however good my plans may be, they will involve not less but more hard work, sacrifice, and discipline than in the past; but they will ensure, I believe, with your hearty cooperation, an abundant harvest of success.’
The above remarks occupied the first sitting of the Council. Needless to say that the stirring words of our beloved General moved us to tears, and to a fresh consecration of ourselves to God and the war.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Homer Update on the Redoubt Volcano Erruption
Just a quick FYI for friends, family, and soldiers checking in...
Here is the report from KTUU - it also has a link to the volcano observatory.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10051900
Everything in Homer is fine. We did have power outages this morning (not sure yet if they were related) and it reduced us to cell phones (no phone or internet). Just because you can't reach us doesn't mean anything is wrong. Everything is fine.
All corps programs are still a go, and if "the big one" ever hits, or even if people are concerned about the "what if's" of life, we know that God is in control. Use these opportunities to tell everyone to be prepared to meet Jesus, not just for a natural disaster.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Here is the report from KTUU - it also has a link to the volcano observatory.
http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=10051900
Everything in Homer is fine. We did have power outages this morning (not sure yet if they were related) and it reduced us to cell phones (no phone or internet). Just because you can't reach us doesn't mean anything is wrong. Everything is fine.
All corps programs are still a go, and if "the big one" ever hits, or even if people are concerned about the "what if's" of life, we know that God is in control. Use these opportunities to tell everyone to be prepared to meet Jesus, not just for a natural disaster.
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday's Sermon - Tetelestai, "It is finished"
To listen to this past Sunday's sermon now, just click the play arrow here for audio or download options.
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF for notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at Sermon.net
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
For sermon notes see the full size sermon player at the bottom of this page - next to today's title is a PDF for notes.
For past sermons or podcasting see the full size sermon player at the very bottom of this blog page. Choose a message by title OR click the podcasting icon at the bottom of the sermon player.
You can also access my sermon player (and countless other preachers) at Sermon.net
God bless your study!
Live holy, preach Jesus!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A devotional thought for this Sunday
May God bless your Sunday - I pray you take some time today to seek a closer relationship with Jesus. He alone saves from sin and hell, for holy living and heaven!
I was gone for the last several days on a brief vacation out of Homer to the "big city" of Anchorage. Until I'm back on track with a new meditational thought on a scripture I am currently reading, please enjoy this thought from Os Hillman in an email I received.
Receiving Bad News - Written by Os Hillman 03-17-2009
"A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the sea. . . Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD. . ." (2 Chron 20:2-3).
Have you ever had someone bring you really bad news? It was so bad that when you heard it your stomach immediately became upset. You went into a crisis mode. I once received a letter that brought such fear upon me I could hardly stand up.
This was the situation for King Jehoshaphat. He had just been informed that his country was going to be attacked by an army much larger than his. However, instead of panicking, he immediately turned to the Lord by calling for a time of a fasting and prayer. The people from every town in Judah responded.
King Jehoshaphat prayed and reminded God of His promise to Israel. Then he asked God for strategy. "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." At the end of his prayer it says they waited on God's answer. It came through the prophet, Jahaziel son of Zechariah. He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's'" (2 Chron 20:15-16).
God supernaturally wiped out their enemies that day. They didn't even have to fight. God caused the enemy to fight themselves. However, the one thing they did do that began the ambush was when they began to praise God on the battlefield. "As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated" (2 Chron 20:22-23).
Jehoshaphat immediately did four things in response to bad news. He called for prayer, he called for fasting, he asked for God's strategy, and he began his battle by praising God in the midst of the battle.
Maybe you've just gotten some bad news. If so, follow the example of Jehoshaphat. Pray. Fast. Ask. Praise.
This article came from "Prime Time with God" devotional email, to sign up you visit - http://msg1svc.net/servlet/FormListener?Y2dpOjE6TE4=
I was gone for the last several days on a brief vacation out of Homer to the "big city" of Anchorage. Until I'm back on track with a new meditational thought on a scripture I am currently reading, please enjoy this thought from Os Hillman in an email I received.
Receiving Bad News - Written by Os Hillman 03-17-2009
"A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the sea. . . Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD. . ." (2 Chron 20:2-3).
Have you ever had someone bring you really bad news? It was so bad that when you heard it your stomach immediately became upset. You went into a crisis mode. I once received a letter that brought such fear upon me I could hardly stand up.
This was the situation for King Jehoshaphat. He had just been informed that his country was going to be attacked by an army much larger than his. However, instead of panicking, he immediately turned to the Lord by calling for a time of a fasting and prayer. The people from every town in Judah responded.
King Jehoshaphat prayed and reminded God of His promise to Israel. Then he asked God for strategy. "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." At the end of his prayer it says they waited on God's answer. It came through the prophet, Jahaziel son of Zechariah. He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's'" (2 Chron 20:15-16).
God supernaturally wiped out their enemies that day. They didn't even have to fight. God caused the enemy to fight themselves. However, the one thing they did do that began the ambush was when they began to praise God on the battlefield. "As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated" (2 Chron 20:22-23).
Jehoshaphat immediately did four things in response to bad news. He called for prayer, he called for fasting, he asked for God's strategy, and he began his battle by praising God in the midst of the battle.
Maybe you've just gotten some bad news. If so, follow the example of Jehoshaphat. Pray. Fast. Ask. Praise.
This article came from "Prime Time with God" devotional email, to sign up you visit - http://msg1svc.net/servlet/FormListener?Y2dpOjE6TE4=
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