Inspiration and Encouragement – February 2021

Scripture Quote

John 14:1-6 – (1) “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (5) Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? (6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

A Merry Heart

Looking for a compliment

Wife: “I look fat. Can you give me a compliment?”
Husband: “You have perfect eyesight.”

Fertilizer

A farmer was driving along the road with a load of fertilizer. A little boy, playing in front of his house, saw him and called, “What’ve you got in your truck?”
“Fertilizer,” the farmer replied.

“What are you going to do with it?” asked the little boy.

“Put it on strawberries,” answered the farmer.

“You ought to live here,” the little boy advised him. “We put sugar and cream on ours.”

Your IQ

“From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” – Arthur Ashe

“There are only two options regarding commitment. You’re either in or you’re out. There’s no such thing as life in-between.” – Pat Riley

Fresh Manna

The Importance of Building a Godly Home

Proverbs 10:1-3 (1) “The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. (2) Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. (3) The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.”

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 their life as an adult is a very important to a parent. Building a godly home is important and it should be our top priority. This will not happen by accident and we need to work at it consistently. 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 not only be expounded, but it must also be 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 by 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

The Beauty of Simplicity

Just Ask

During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba. One day Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her, wanted to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. But she refused to sell him any. Roosevelt was perplexed. His men needed the help and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. When he asked someone why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for it!” A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face. Now he understood the provisions were not for sale. All he had to do was simply ask and they would be given freely. “Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”

Just Accept

Back in 1830 George Wilson was convicted of robbing the U.S. Mail and was sentenced to be hanged. President Andrew Jackson issued a pardon for Wilson, but he refused to accept it. The matter went to Chief Justice Marshall, who concluded that Wilson would have to be executed. “A pardon is a slip of paper,” wrote Marshall, “the value of which is determined by the acceptance of the person to be pardoned. If it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged.

Eternal life in heaven (to have all our sins forgiven) is a gift by God that he offers to all mankind. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” If we receive that gift we will be in heaven forever and if we reject it we will pay for our own sin debt in hell. Jesus is offering us a pardon and we will either accept it or be like George Wilson and reject it. Receiving a gift is very simple as it costs us nothing because all the sacrifice was made by the one who gave it. 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:”

Will you accept the pardon offered to you by Jesus?

You say it is that simple? Thankfully the answer is yes. Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” If we are willing to admit our sin before God and ask his forgiveness then he will cleanse us from all sin and give us a home in heaven when we die.

When someone offers you a gift that is beyond your means to repay then it is better to accept with a thank you, than to reject in pride or unworthiness. We will never be worthy of God’s love, but I am just thankful he has made it available to us.