When Coming To The Table.

Exodus 16:4
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. NIV
A friend recently sent me this little bit of humor:

"Little Bonnie became restless as the preacher's sermon dragged on and on.
Finally, she leaned over to her mother and whispered, "Mommy, if we give him the money now, will he let us go?” (Thanks Ron)

We need to keep our "Spirit" healthy. When we eat the manna from heaven, God's Word our soul is nourished. We may not feel it physically but we know it in our soul.

So what have you learned today?

Waiting

Luke 2:25-35

Have you ever noticed how hard waiting is? Waiting seems to be the one thing we Americans cannot do. We will wait if we have no other choice.
Acts 1:4
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
NIV
In the Christmas story take a look at how much waiting there was: Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna were all waiting for the fulfillment of a promise from God.
What are you waiting "actively waiting" for God to do?

Have a blessed day,

Paul

"The Unseen"

2 Cor 4:18
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. NIV

Sometimes knowing what you are getting into is vital. When it comes to spiritual matters you have to take the plunge first.

One cold November morning in 1969 I asked the "Unseen" to come into my life, or rather I dove in head first. I have never been the same.
Now I under what Job was saying in :

Job 19:25-27
25 I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
27 I myself will see him
with my own eyes — I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! NIV

Blessings,

Paul

The Christmas Spirit!

Philippians 2:1-5

I love this time of the year. I am not sure what it is that excites me the most or why I have such good feelings. It might be the bright colors the decorations or the smiling faces or the laughing children. It could be the food or the deserts. Definitely the smells of fresh baked cookies and pine trees. The expectations of a gift or gifts from loved ones.
The Spirit of Christmas is reflected in the words of Paul,

Phil 2:3 "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

That is what Christmas is all about. Considering "the interests of others" and not just your own. The Lord set the example and we enjoy the benefits. Hallelujah!

What do you like most about Christmas?

Love

1 John 3:11-20

What is love?

The Apostle John says that love is selflessness! Listen to his example: vs 16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us."

Now I love a good football game or a good movie but what I truly love I will be willing to give up those things for.
Would you be willing to give up watching a game for just spending time with your spouse? Would you be willing to give a tithe to your church?
Love is unselfishness. John goes on to say: vs 16b "We ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."
So, what is love again?
Have a blessed day,

Paul

Saint Hood

Ephesians 1:1-2 "To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 1:1b)

What is a saint?

Do you think Mother Teresa was a saint
? How long ago was it that she died? I know my mother-in-law was a saint and now that she is gone and with her Lord I can tell everyone that and no one will think it strange. It wasn't to many years ago that in the church we called each other "Brother or Sister". When we use that terminology today it sounds a little funny. I wonder why? The Apostle Paul had a simple definition for a saint, "faithful in Christ Jesus". I like that. Well, my brother - sister, I bid you a wonderful day and the blessings of the Lord. Paul