Inspiration and Encouragement – August 2021
Scripture Quote
Proverbs 10:12:
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
A Merry Heart
To Park or Not to Park
When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note “I’ve circled this block for 10 years. If I don’t give you a ticket I’ll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.”
The Substitute Organist
The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute. The substitute wanted to know what to play.
“Here’s a copy of the service,” he said impatiently. “But, you’ll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances.”
During the service, the minister paused and said, “Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up.”
At that moment, the substitute organist played “The Star Spangled Banner.”
And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!
Your IQ
“God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which he must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.”
A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God
Fresh Manna
The Importance of Building a Godly Home
Recently I was looking through one of Pam’s devotional diaries and found a comment she made about our son Mark. She said “he is my jewel” as she shared her heart and thoughts about him. This comment was written about a year before she died. Mark already finished bible college, had a good full time job and was serving as music director of our church. A parent never stops loving or caring about their child no matter how old they are. How their children live there life as an adult is a very important to a parent.
Building a godly home is important and it will not happen by accident. I would like to a share a few thoughts on how we can try accomplish this lofty and attainable goal. First of all it starts with the father and mother. There must be a godly in example in the home for the children to follow. They will count your words as pennies and your actions as dollars.
I believe it is vital to pray for your children every day. Not just casual prayer, but fervent intercessory prayer where you pour your heart out to God for them. This prayer should start from their conception until the day God takes you home. There is no substitute for the prayers of a godly parent in the life of a child.
The principles of God’s Word must be clearly taught in the home and woven in the fabric of daily living. Scripture must be expounded and embraced by each person in the home if it is to reach its full potential for the glory of God.
Young people you hold the heart of your mom and dad in your hands. It is delicate and fragile please handle it with care. Every child must realize that how they live greatly affects the heart of their mom and dad. If you trample on their heart you will be held accountable to God and reap a very bad harvest one day.
I praise God for my son Mark as he has brought incredible joy to me as a father. I praise God for his work with the music in our church, but even more that I believe he has embraced in his heart the love that Pam and I have for Jesus. No earthly fame, monetary gain or ministry success can replace that joy. I still pray for him every day and I cherish the relationship that I have with him. I believe the grace of God and the excellent mother that Pam was contributed most to my son’s development.
I realize that children have a free will and sadly they can choose to walk away from God when they are on their own. Keep praying for them and never give up on them. Your prayers and love are probably the best chance they have to get right with God. Your children are worth fighting for so never give up on them. Stay in love with Jesus and keep looking up!
By: Kurt John LaCapruccia
More than Conquerors
A preacher was called to the bedside of a man who was seriously ill. After a few words of greeting, the minister asked, “My friend, are you prepared to meet God if you don’t recover from this sickness?” “I think so,” was the reply, “I’ve always given generously to worthy causes, and I’ve been a good father and a faithful husband.” “But my dear friend, that will never get you to Heaven!” “Oh, but I have many other good works to my credit,” protested the man. The preacher realized he needed to puncture the balloon of this sinner’s self-righteousness, so he changed his line of questioning. “Tell me,” he said. “What do you think people do there?” “Well, they’re occupied with the things of God, and I guess they sing a lot!” “Ah,” said the preacher, “I’m glad you mentioned that.” Opening his Bible to Revelation 5, he pointed out that the song of the redeemed was all about Jesus and His wondrous atonement. “Notice, there’s not one word about the saint’s accomplishments,” explained the minister. “Nothing you’ve told me fits into this picture. You’ve talked about what you have done, but the inhabitants of Glory speak only of what Christ has done!” Suddenly the man saw the folly of trusting in his own goodness. Looking to the Lord for salvation, he found peace in believing. When he died, his greatest comfort was found in these words: “Unto him that loveth us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Rev. 1:5).
The bible makes it clear we cannot get to heaven by our good works, if we could be would spend our time bragging about how much we deserved to be in heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 (8) “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.” It is important that we exercise simple faith in Jesus and trust him alone to forgive our sins and give us an eternal home in heaven. John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Every person is one heartbeat away from eternity do not delay in this important decision about your eternal destiny. Jesus loves you and waits with outstretched arms.
