I was born in the Northeastern part of Arkansas in 1947 to a wonderful couple by the names of Clarence and Merle. After I was born and about 3 ½ years old my Mom made me a cotton-picking bag. For those of you that have never picked cotton it is a bag that when you pick the cotton off the plant. The cotton is then placed into a bag. My bag was made from a pillowcase and had a strap on it so I could put the bag around my neck and across my shoulder. But the adult cotton bags were about 6’ to 8’ long if my memory serves me right. My Dad worked on a farm planning cotton, taking care of the cotton until it reached the point that it was time to pick. My Dad would pick cotton with my Mom. My Dad in one row and my Mom in the next row beside my Dad and me picking behind my Mom. My Mom always left me some cotton to pick. When the bags were full we would take them to the trailer, and someone would dump the bag and we would repeat the process until the trailer was full. Dad was moved from picker and started unloading the bags of cotton into the back of the trailer and then haul the cotton to the gin for processing. I was going on 5 and was allowed to go with my Dad to the cotton gin. The cotton gin was where the cotton was processed, cotton seeds removed, and the cotton put into bales. I remember big suction nozzles sucking the cotton from the trailer. To a 5-year-old it was very exciting.

In the summer of 1952, my Dad got a job driving trucks in Little Rock, AR. We moved to the East side of Little Rock and lived on a street named Security. Really great neighborhood with lots of kids my age. At 5 years old I had my own bike as well as most of the other kids and we rode everywhere. Not too far from the house was a piece of land that we called Monkey Jungle. We would build forts and swing from the vines. A little bit of Tarzan in all of us. We were never inside but always outside playing, and we did not come in until the streetlights were on but even then. The only time during that we stopped was to grab a sandwich and back at it again. I remember one time that we got a lot of rain and just behind our neighbor’s house across the street the ditch filled up. So, what do kids do when there is water around? You go swimming! The water was dirty, but we didn’t care, we were going to get a bath at night anyway. Contrary to the beliefs of some we did not always go inside when the streetlights came. There were still games to be played such as kick the can or hide and seek were our two favorites. My Dad had a friend that talked my Dad into storing military ammo boxes in our back yard. The boxes were all the same size, approximately 36” x 24”. Now the reason I bring this up is that we, my friends and I, built tunnels through the boxes. High tunnels and low tunnels. Did I mention to you that we did not give too much thought that we might get killed, our parents did not know what we were doing. Parents Please do not be in a state of mind that your child does not do things that are really stupid, because we do, we all do. Looking back on what we did goes to prove that there is a GOD that loves us but that also protects stupidity. One thing that I did, by myself, picking up sticks, grass, leaves and scrap wood and piling them into a big heap, that is called helping out around the house BUT when you take it upon yourself to burn this big pile, this is the first dumb thing I did, without thinking. I added not just some, second dumbest thing, but a lot of gasoline to the pile. Took the gas can and put it back up only to give the gas enough time for the fumes to spread out in all directions. Now this is how smart I was, and this is the third dumbest thing-I walked up to the pile, lit a match and dropped it. Flames shot out a long, long way from the pile and right past me. I was not hurt, and I may have wet my pants, but just another time GOD is looking out for me.

All during this time my Dad and Mom were taking me and my brothers to church every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. I was raised in the Church of CHRIST. I did learn about GOD and JESUS. I got to know GOD and JESUS and so I asked to be baptized at age 10. I was baptized and my Dad and Mom were so proud of me and to celebrate we went out to eat with some of the other members. One thing I almost forgot was that we were meeting in the home of one of the members and I was taken to a church where I was baptized. This was the beginning of a new road for me to travel. But as you will read I did not stay on that narrow road very long. As I got older the temptations to be someone else got stronger and seemed to be OK to travel the road more traveled. I believed I began to behave in ways that I should not have, skipped school, smoke-my Dad smoked so that was easy to cover up the smell in my cloths-even stole from the grocery store in our neighborhood. Things were heading downhill very fast.

We moved from Security Street when I was in the 8th grade on further East of Little Rock to Fourche Dam Pike in a new sub-division. New home, new life. It was great living there. We were close to the river and some woods. My friends and I would go to the river and in between the river there was a slue that was filled by the river water seeping through the sand making the water crystal clear. A perfect swimming hole that also had vines hanging down from the trees that we would swing on and drop into the water. My Dad and Mom bought us some horses. To pay for the boarding of the horses we would cut and bale hay twice a year, clean the stable, cut the grass along the river and even break in some of the colts. This was one of the best periods of my life. When we bailed the hay, we would have to stack the hay in the barn. Remember the tunnel we made with the ammo boxes this time we had hay. We built tunnels throughout the barn at all levels. Just one more stupid thing but I was being protected by GOD and did not even realize it until much later in my life. As I continued into my teen years I learned all kinds of things. I learned how to cuss, drink and party. I could cuss with the best of them, hated beer so I drank the harder stuff-bourbon and seven-up was my favorite. I was the party king. I was always invited to parties even in my early teens, 13-15.

When I turned 16 things really changed for me not for the better. Got my driver’s license and the party time was on. We would go to the river and find a pool, build a big fire, swim, drink and party. It was also during this time that I was running with some guys that loved drag racing, some legal but mostly illegal. They worked on their cars constantly building engines, adding carburetors, changing out the rear ends, for quicker speed. I got hooked and it wasn’t soon that my skills began to peak. I did not have my own car, so I drove my parent’s car. It was 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne with a 283 engine, three speed on the column. By the time we finished the car it was one of the fastest cars in its class in little Rock and the surrounding area. I was always being challenged by others. One thing you will enjoy is: I had a girlfriend, just a friend, I called my friend Sod Buster, her Dad had several acres of land that he farmed-and that is why I called her Sod Buster. Any way my friend went to church with us one Wednesday night and I took her home and my Mom was in the car with us. The place where we did a lot of our illegal drag racing was just a little way from the house and on the way to her house. I couldn’t help but hear the noise of the cars racing so I asked my Mom if we could go there and just watch for a little bit. She said it would be OK. My friend, Sod Buster, and I got out of the car to talk with some friends and the next thing that happens is I get challenged. Now I have my Mom still in the car and so I ask her if I can put the car through the quarter. I am sure my Mom had no idea what was happening. I told her she would need to get out of the car which she did. Standing there with all these teenagers around her. My, Debby aka Sod Buster, gets into the car with me, and I pull up to the starting line. The other car pulls up beside me. The guy that is signaling us has started and dropped his arms and we are off to the races. I wasn’t much of a race, and I cleaned his clock (beat him). Turned around and went back to where my Mom is standing and the others. Everyone is congratulating me, and I am all smiles. I walk over to my Mom and she says: “Don’t you ever tell your Dad.” about this. I think she enjoyed it but was a little surprised. She was known by friends as Drag Momma after that.

After that my life did not change much, smoking, cussing, drinking, partying and illegal drag racing. The one thing that I have never, never done is illegal drugs of any kind. I did have my share of tickets for speeding as most of us during that time did. I have never ever been arrested but did have to go to training class because of all the tickets. Didn't help. I just kept on doing my thing. Good thing I had a job at one of the Safeway Grocery Stores in Little Rock. Did a little bit of everything. bagging, stocking and checking folks out and helping them get their groceries out to their cars. Had to pay the tickets off.

At age 17, I joined the Navy Air as a Reservist. My Dad signed for me because I was under the age of 18. I had another year of high school before shipping out. I joined during the Viet Nam war along with several of my other male classmates. I will continue with the Viet Nam war in the next segment of my life.

I was just a teenager that knew GOD, knew JESUS but did not truly know GOD or JESUS. I feared nothing not even GOD at this phase of my life.

In this writing I believe that GOD protected me throughout my life because HE had/has something that I need to do for HIM! When HE is through with me, I hope HE will take me Home.

I am writing this in the hope that it will be an encouragement to others. That you may be encouraged to write your own testimony that will help others as they go through this life because we all have a story to tell. May GOD guide you and direct you each day and may you touch lives to the Glory of GOD.

We all have sinned, maybe more than others. Our GOD is a Loving GOD that wants us to have Faith in HIM, Trust in HIM, and never Doubting what HE and what JESUS has done for us. Always Praising GOD through WHOM all Blessings flow. I never feared anything in my life until I really got to know Our GOD and now, I do Fear HIM more than anything else, for I am counted with those who have wisdom. There is no death for me, oh death where is your sting? JESUS took the sting of death away when HE was Raised on the 3rd Day! I will leave this body, but my Spirit will be with HIM!

A few verses about Fearing GOD and being wise:

Psalm 111:10A Proverbs 1:7

Proverbs 9:10 Proverbs 10:27

Proverbs 14:26-27 Proverbs 15:33

There is so much more that could have been written.

My Testimony 17 Years-19 Years

Throughout my life we would go to visit my grandmother, Mama Pyland, at least twice a year. Throughout these visits I got to know a lot of the kids. On one of the visits, I met a girl, young woman, and we would see each other whenever we were at Mama Pylands. This went on for almost 2 years. When I was still in High School and had signed up to join the Navy Air Reserve program, I wanted our relationship to be more. So, I asked her to marry me. To my surprise she said Yes. This was in the spring of 1964. I had to finish school, and she still had to finish. We decided to get married after we had both finished high school and before I went on active duty. We also decided to get married in her hometown, Mama Pylands hometown as well. On May 15, 1964, we were married in the Church of Christ. The church was packed with family and friends. We did not go on a honeymoon but spent the time moving into a small house in Little Rock, Arkansas. We lived there until June 6, 1964, the date I shipped out for active duty. My wife lived with my parents during the time that I was gone on active duty.

Keep in mind at this point in time, in history, that we, United States of America, was involved in a war-Viet Nam, that was not popular with the citizens of our country. Almost every major city in our country had protests and some would become violent. Also, during this time some of those that did not volunteer were drafted. Some, Draft Dodgers, would go to Canada or Mexico to escape from having to serve in the military. Bill Clinton a former President went to Canada to avoid being drafted. Just simply put I considered them all to be cowards. If there was a draft now, can you imagine the complaining that would be going on happening.

Some of our young men and women that were serving during this time was ridiculed, called all sorts of names, spit on and some even beaten. Just because we were in the military and wanted to serve our country. Out of my Class, 1965, almost all the Seniors joined some branch of military to serve. There were several of my classmates that did not return home. They were Brave, Proud to serve and paid the ultimate price.

I hadn’t been on active duty but a week and was already missing my wife and my family and wanted to come home. I think a lot of young men and women experience this. “What Have I Gotten Myself Into?” I talked with my Dad and he had such reassuring words for me. I admit by the time my Dad finished talking with me that I was a changed young man. I held my head high from then on. Proud to be where I was. For the next few weeks, I went through some additional training. After completing the training each of us were asked. “What is your choice of duty stations?” We were given three choices- 1) serve in the States, 2) serve in another country or 3) serve on a ship. In my case it was an aircraft carrier that I really wanted to be on. I did get in a roundabout way my choice. I was sent to a Naval Base in Sanford, FL to serve in an aircraft squadron, RVAH-11. The aircraft that were flown by the pilots were known as Sky Warriors and had twin J49 engines. The primary mission was the refueling of other aircraft and they could also be used as light bombers. I had been trained as a jet engine mechanic and as a backup I learned to service the fuel cells.

I quickly became familiar with the aircraft engines, and it wasn’t long before I was helping others in the rebuilding of the engines, removing them from the aircraft as well as reinstalling the engines. I also learned how to wash an aircraft, beware the wings can become very slippery and there is nothing to grab ahold of and it is a long way to the ground, approximately 20 feet on this aircraft. Always wash from top to bottom.

Remember the three choices that I chose? I was serving in the US but not for long. I had not been in the squadron, RVAH-11, for about 2 months when we received orders that we were shipping out. We packed everything and loaded up a C-130 aircraft for our next phase of our journey. We carried our personal gear onboard the C-130 and left headed to Norfolk, VA. After landing we proceeded to unload our personal gear and the equipment we would need to service the aircraft while on board the USS Forrestal.

Once we had all of our equipment and the other squadrons had their equipment loaded onto the Forrestal, we set sail heading down the Elizabeth River toward the Atlantic Ocean. As we left the port all ship and squadron personnel lined up on either side of the flight deck saluting as we left port. I stayed on the flight deck with others as we traveled down the river. The river seemed so narrow at that time. I do not remember the physical size of the flight deck, but it seemed to reach from one shore to the next. We moved at a snail’s pace going down the river. When we finally reached the Atlantic things changed. The engines seemed to go into a super charger mode as we headed further out into the ocean. Soon we were so far that you could no longer see land. All alone in this big ocean. Just the Forrestal and a crew of a little over 5000 men. Our squadron had an all-hands meeting to get our orders. I was one of the guys with less rank than anyone else in the squadron and so I got to go spend time in the galley. I was not as bad as I thought it would be. Helping to cook and serve 5000 men three meals a day. There were three galleys. Two were for the enlisted men and either end of the ship and then the officer’s galley. I started out on a job I really liked, serving the crew. I was at the first station and passed out biscuits and bacon. I was in hog heaven. I love bacon and then with the biscuits so close by I had all I needed for a delicious bacon sandwich. I didn’t last long at that station very long and was moved to where the bacon was fried. I was still in hog heaven. I still had my bacon only without the biscuit. Unfortunately, I did not last there very long so I was moved to the food prep area. Not too bad, I love fruit, and I had to prepare fruit salads and other salads. The fruit salad was fun to make and with the fruit I got to eat my share of all types of fruit. But again, I did not last long there and was moved to peeling potatoes, fixing green vegetables. It was OK but in addition to taking care of the vegetables I was put in charge of getting rid of the garbage. Most of you are saying “Bottom of the barrel”! It wasn’t too bad at all. I got to go outside and dump the garbage over the side of the ship and spend some time looking out over the ocean, seeing the moon and stars. So many stars and at this time it was still warm even at night. On one of the days, I was outside dumping garbage I noticed several ships following us. I wasn’t to be concerned because they were flying the American flag. When I got to talk with others, I found out that there were several ships around us. A heavy Cruiser, a light Cruiser, four Destroyers and two submarines. I also found out the Forrestal was the Flag Ship for Admiral Fleming and that he was on board. My time spent away from my squadron and working in the galley was for three months. When my three months was up, I went back to my squadron.

Spending time in the squadron was something I could never have imagined. For the first time I was able to see more of the ship. I was put in the hanger deck checking out the engines and making repairs as needed. I was soon moved up in rank and was given more duties. I was trained on working on the flight deck during launches and recoveries. There were six squadrons on board. We had six aircraft, while others had up to ten aircraft each. While all squadrons had aircraft on the flight deck there were still some left in the hanger deck. We had three of our aircraft on the flight deck and we had the largest aircraft on board. All the squadrons had aircraft on the flight desk as well as the hanger deck. As aircraft were launched additional aircraft were brought up to the flight deck to be launched. So loud and so dangerous. Each aircraft had its purpose, refueling, bombing, air to air missiles, some even carried gatling guns that could fire thousands of rounds per minute. We launched day and night working in shifts to get the mission done. The squadrons were always practicing. One of the Destroyers would tow a target sled behind them and the aircraft would make runs on the target sled firing off the gatling guns and dropping bombs. Always practicing!

I was left in charge of our Maintenance shop one day. I did the usual things like cleaning the tools and storing tools but one particular day I had finished up everything I was supposed to do and just sitting there I got cup of coffee and noticed that the pot was really stained from all of the coffee being made, so I thought to myself, I will clean the coffee pot up and then make some fresh coffee for my teammates. I got the pot sparkling clean and was so proud of myself for doing such a great job. I made a fresh pot of coffee and sat back waiting for my teammates to come back to the shop. They arrived and they got coffee as expected but what I did not expect was the look on their faces and the spitting out of the coffee. Our Chief Petty Officer asked me what I had done to make such terrible coffee. I told him all I did was clean the coffee pot making it like brand new. I have never been called so many different names. My Chief Petty Officer told me that the pot had never been cleaned but only rinsed out. It had taken years for the coffee to become seasoned. I if they could have tared and feathered or thrown me overboard, I think they would have. Lesson learned-DO NOT EVER SCRUB A COFFEE POT ONLY RINCE!!!!

The great thing at this time is that we would be out on the ocean and then pull into a port for some R&R. We were more in the Mediterranean Ocean than in the Atlantic. We visited all of the countries that were accessible from the Mediterranean during our time of duty. I saw sites that I had read about in books or seen in movies. Beautiful cities, mountains, and people. But like all sailors I liked to party, and we did party. We would go to every bar and just get wasted and then stumble back to the dock so we could be taken back to the Forrestal. There was one time in Malta that we ran into some Russian sailors. They were very nice and as we talked, they did not, nor did we understand why our countries could not get along. We drank with the Russians and were all plastered. One of the Russians suggested we go visit their ship which of course we said yes, but when we got to their ship we were not allowed to board. Saw the same Russians again in Beirut, Lebanon but this time there was no invite to see their ship.

Our initial deployment was to be for nine months but was extended to eleven months due to the war in Viet Nam.

After eleven months, our tour was completed, and we headed back to the States. Once we got back, we again loaded everything onto the C-130’s and flew back to Sanford.

I think I will end this Part of my life and pick up again the story “after getting back to the States”.

But did you notice that during this entire writing I never once mentioned GOD. I never mention GOD because GOD was not apart of my life during this time. It was all about me. I made everything about me. I never Prayed. I was so wrapped up in the things of the world. Everything was good. Have you ever felt that way? Have you been so wrapped up in this world that you never gave GOD a single thought? Be honest because GOD already knows the answer. Trust in GOD for all things, Believe in HIM, have the Faith of a Mustard Seed, Rejoice in HIM through WHOM all blessings flow, never Doubting GOD, HE Loves you. HIS SON JESUS paid the price on Calvary’s Cross, taking on our sins, who Knew no sin, dying in our place and raised on the 3rd day just as JESUS said he would and because of JESUS’ Resurrection we have a home with GOD/JESUS if we BELIEVE!! DO YOU BELIEVE?? I do!!!!

My Testimony 19 Years – 42 Years

Jim Gray

My Testimony 19 Years – 42 Years

Everyone was so happy to be back at our home base in Sanford, Florida. Upon arriving back, the first choir was to unload the C130’s and get all of our equipment back to the shop and set up for work. At this time, I had been in the squadron for just a little over a year and had 30 days of leave coming.

Two weeks after we got back and settled in, I requested to take two weeks of leave. I was so ready to see my wife and family. I didn’t have the money to buy a ticket for an airplane fare, so I ended up taking the bus. Unlike airplanes that fly to one airport, and you change planes at least once and sometimes more, I was on the same bus that made several, and I do mean several stops along the route. Have you ever spent any time on a bus? It is not a fun thing to do and for almost three days I was on the bus. I was so happy to see the bus station in Little Rock. My wife picked me up and we drove to my parents’ home. Lots of hugs and kisses and that was just between me and my wife. It was so great to be back home even if it was only for a few days. Being home was pretty much what you would expect. Visiting friends and family members, just hanging out. It was a great time but just like all great things it must end. I had my own car, a black 1964 Ford Galaxy 500 convertible, and the plan was to leave three days early and just have a nice drive back to Sanford. I had already planned ahead and had rented a small house just off base that was already furnished. My wife and I loved the house. It was just the perfect size and near the base. There is always one problem that you encounter, and our problem was that the house was in the direct line of the runway from the base. Now when you are attached to a squadron you will have night flights and there was a total of 6 squadrons on our base. Every night planes would fly over and then return to base. It got to the point after a while that you didn’t even pay attention to the planes flying over.

When we, the squadron, had returned to base, we, the rest of the enlisted men, found out that we would not be working on the Sky Warrior but that all the squadrons were transitioning to the RA5C Vigilante. This was a game changer for us because we had a totally different aircraft to learn. Unlike the Sky Warrior with J49 jet engines the RA5C had twin J79 engines, larger and much more powerful. We had eleven months to learn the aircraft from one end to the other. By this time, I had made the rank of a third-class petty officer with additional responsibilities. I had a team of 3 that was assigned to an aircraft. I was considered the plane captain and was responsible for the aircraft to always be ready. One of the cool things that I got to do was when we had made repairs to an engine or to both engines, we would tow the aircraft down to an area that was called “High Power Turnup.” We would chock the plane to the ground and then start the engines. Guess who was in the cockpit? Yep! It was me. I am sitting in a multi-million-dollar aircraft at the age of 19 with all the power you could imagine. We would then hook up the power equipment, both electrical and compressor, and start the engine. I would then put the engines through different phases eventually ending up with full throttle, kicking in the afterburner. You could feel the power. It was so cool! But what was even cooler was when we fired up both engines and went through the same process. Now that was some power and here, I was in total control of the aircraft.

There was an incident at the base when a pilot from another base had dropped by for some unknown reason to me and as he was taking off, he did a roll. In other worlds he was upside down. Not sure what the pilot thought was but rather than pushing the controls in the right direction so he would pull up the aircraft he did a nosedive right into the ground.

As time went by our pilots passed all the tests and were all certified with the Vigilante as were all of the rest of the squadron so that we were a fully functional squadron ready for combat.

In May of 1967 the squadron received orders to get ready to ship out. We would once again be on the USS Forrestal and this time we would be flying the RA5C Vigilante equipped for bombing.

Because of my active-duty enlistment being so close it was decided that I would get an early release from active-duty. So, the first week of May 1967 I was released from active duty.

I had been aware of the early release and had time to look for work. I applied for work at the Boeing aircraft facility in Washington State and I also applied for work at the McDonnell-Douglas aircraft facility just outside St. Louis, MO. I had been accepted by both places but due to St. Louis being closer to home, Arkansas, I went to work there. My wife and I had already set up an arrangement for an apartment in Berkley, MO before we left Sanford, Fl. We stopped off at Little Rock to visit my parents and see some friends before heading on to Berkley.

One little piece of information you may find interesting is that while my wife and I were in Sanford for almost a year we, well she did, had a little baby boy. And that is another reason for us to stop by Little Rock before heading on to Missouri.

I started working at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft in June 1967. I worked in the last bay where we finished putting the panels on and installed some of the electronics. I worked out on the floor for almost 6 months. There was a job opening in the design department and because of my abilities in drafting I was promoted. I would be given the drawings from the engineers and break the drawings down to the individual pieces. I did this work for about a year and then was promoted again to work much closer to with the Design Engineers. If you have ever flown with an airline that flew the DC10 aircraft, then I was one of the guys that helped in the design of the wing structure. I worked on the design of the next generation of military aircraft and even worked on the design of the space shuttle. I stayed with McDonnell-Douglas for just over three years, and we decided to move back home to Little Rock.

When we left the St. Louis area I had already been accepted to work for a fiberglass plant in Little Rock. I worked out on the shop floor making fiberglass pipe for about nine months and was promoted to running the equipment that made the pipe. While working out in the plant the plant HR department was looking for someone to fill a spot in the drafting department. I interviewed for the job and was selected to work in the drafting department. I had been in the drafting department for about four years and was promoted to be the lead over the other five draftsmen. The Engineering Department was in the front office area away from the shop floor. I was given the task of relocating the Engineering Department out into the plant. I consolidated a line and opened space along the South wall. There was enough height in the area that I was able to design a layout that was two stories high. On the bottom floor I added the A/C and Heating units, added a men’s and women’s restroom and the rest of the area I designed a meeting room that had a stage with lighting and sound as well as projection capabilities. The room holds up to sixty employees. At the very end I designed a storage area for additional tooling that was needed in the immediate area. Upstairs there were six offices for the Engineers and an area setup for six draftsmen. There was an entrance/exit at both ends of the Engineering Department

I had started college to get my degree and was promoted to Engineer. During my Engineering days I designed and built many pieces of equipment for the manufacturing of fiberglass parts. I designed equipment that was used in China, Saudi Arabia, and a couple other countries to aid in the installing of fiberglass pipe and fittings. The one thing that the people in the plant liked about my designs was that I involved them in the design and they would get credit for their input.

After nine and half years my wife and I could no longer function together. She had issues and I don’t want to admit it, but I also had issues. So, after nine and half years we were divorced. My now X-wife now has custody of our son. And that is another story that I am not willing to share at this time. It was rough to say the least!

Divorced and going to school, still young, 26. I was doing great in college. I was making A’s and a few B’s. It wasn’t 4.0 but it was high up there. I always seemed to have it easy in school or college. One day in the early fall session I was sitting in the cafeteria studying and in walked this young woman that looked completely lost. I asked her if she needed help and she told me she had a class and did not know where the classroom was located. I asked her what the class was, and it just happened to be the class that I was studying for. That day we walked to class together and every day after that. We would sit next to each other in class and study together. We became close and started dating. After about five months I asked her to marry me, and she said she would. She met my parents, and I met her mother and family. I guess I got approval from her family, and I know my parents loved her so on March 28, 1975, we were married. Not a traditional marriage and we had not really set a date. We were just wanting to talk to the preacher where my parents went to church. We met with him, and we told him about our plans, which we really did not have one. So, he simply just asked “Well what about now?” We looked at each other and with a big smile from us said OK. All we needed was a couple of witnesses. The only ones we could come up with in a hurry were my parents. We called my parents and asked if they would be our witnesses. They were excited and came to the church building. When they arrived, the preacher went through the words and the “I Do’s” and we were married. My parents wanted to take us out to eat and we ended up going to Western Sizzlin on Baseline Road. We had no plans for a Honeymoon, so we just drove up the road and found a motel. We got to our room, and it was such an eerie feeling, just downright cold. I was carrying a 357-magnum revolver, and we were both a little on the frightened side, so we went down and told the guy at the desk we weren’t staying and left. We just drove and ended up in Conway, Arkansas. We found the Holiday Inn and spent the night there. We both had to be back at work on Monday, so we returned to Little Rock and went to the house that I owned. We got all of her moved in and lived there for about six months and then decided we did not want to live there so we bought a house in West Little Rock.

My wife, Betty, that’s my wife’s name, had a friend that lived on the other side of Greenbrier, Arkansas that had kittens and my Dear Wife wanted a kitten, so we drove up past Greenbrier to pick up a kitten, got there and there are several kittens to choose from. My wife saw this one little kitten that she just had to have BUT there was a problem. This kitten had formed a bond with one of the other kittens, and the two needed to stay together. Now I have a brand-new wife that I dearly love, and I am not about to say NO! We ended up taking both kittens. We get home and put the kittens down and “Bam” they are gone. We did not see them the rest of that day nor did we see them the following day. They were eating and using the litter box, so we were OK. The next morning, on the third day, we woke up and one of the kittens is above her head and the other one above my head. The kittens had made their choice. The kitten above my wife’s head we named her Sam, short for Samantha, and the other female we named Sassy.

My wife worked at Southwestern Bell Telephone during this time as a secretary and she used rubber fingers to help separate the pages. It didn’t take long until the kittens were in her purse and getting the rubber fingers out to play with. It was so funny just to watch them play.

After the kittens had grown up both got pregnant. We set up a place for them in two of our closets. One for Sam and the other for Sassy. When it was time for birth Sassy had her baby’s first. Five little kittens of various colors make and models. I don’t know who the dad or dads were, but they sure were cute. Sam and Sassy and the five baby kittens stayed in the closet we had set up for Sassy. Three days later Sam has her litter of kittens, five in all. We placed them in the closet that we had set up for Sam. The next morning, we woke up and all ten kittens, Sam and Sassy, were all in the same closet. We just left it alone. They seemed perfectly happy. Sams kittens were like Sassy’s, all different shades of colors and sizes. I think they all had the same dad or daddies.

Now all during this time my wife is with child. The week before the baby was due my parents said they would take care of Sam, Sassy and the ten kittens. Now my parents were not cat lovers, so they were going above and beyond the call of duty. During this time my wife gave birth to a bouncing little baby boy. When it was time to take our son home, we had a tough decision to make. When I was younger there was a couple that went to church where my parents went. They had a baby girl and a cat. One night, for some unknown reason the cat scratched the baby’s eye, and the baby lost her sight in that eye. We were frightened that this could also happen to our son, and this was not something we were willing to risk. My parents were able to find homes for the cats and kittens. Shortly after the birth of our son we decided we wanted something better for him and for us. We decided to move to Conway. We found a house that was in the process of being built, made an offer and the over was accepted. The person that was having the house built also had duplexes for rent and he was able to set us up in one until the house was completed. We moved in the fall of 1977 into our new home on Manor Street in Conway, AR.

In the late summer of 1979, my wife was with child. In May of 1980 our second son was born. We lived in the house on Manor Street for almost sixteen years.

Again, as you read this you will find not a mention of GOD or JESUS. Nothing!! I was a man unto himself. I have a family and take care of that family, but I was not the GODLY leader I should have been. I was not the one to take my family to church. I was not the one who would read the Bible to them. I was not there for my family the way GOD wanted me to be. My family deserved to have a Spiritual Leader, and they did not have that in me. I was a sinner, and I didn’t care. I guess really all I cared about was me and my needs being met. Looking back at it now, I was a very, very selfish person and my family deserved better!!

My Testimony – 42 Years Old– 77 Years Old

The years I have been waiting for. This may be my shortest or the longest writing, but it will be filled with many surprises.

As I left off, I mentioned that my wife, Betty, was with child. On May 6, 1980, our second son was born. At this time, we were still living in the home on Manor Street.

As our sons grew my wife would take them to church while I worked a second job as a credit card specialist to make ends meet. I was still working at the fiberglass plant in Little Rock during this time. On Sundays when I wasn’t working my wife would ask me to go to church with them. I refused most of the time but did go a few times. I didn’t really listen to the sermons or sing. I just sat there with arms folded wishing I was somewhere else. I carried a big chip on my shoulders and for the life of me I do not know why! My heart just wasn’t right, and I was filled with so much pity for myself. During this time, I was also filled with so much anger. I didn’t know why, I was just an angry man. I remember that everything had to be about me and my feelings. Don’t get me wrong, I took care of my family and provided everything they needed except I was not there for them.

In the fall of 1989, I woke up on a Saturday morning, I was 42 years old at this time, and everything changed. It was like I got slapped upside the head and I could see so clearly my life and what I had done up to this point in my life. My sinful life filled my heart, and I knew my sins so clearly. I felt so much shame and anger, but I knew in my heart that things had to change. I gathered up my wife and sons and made an announcement that shocked all three. I told them that the next day, which was Sunday, that we were going to church and I wasn’t for sure just where, but we were going as a family.

In 1995 we moved into the house that we, I, presently occupy. During this time, I was also a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for Faulkner County. You never know what is truly going on in your county until you become a law officer. It was bad but still not as bad as some of the other counties. I made several trips out of state to pick up prisoners. On one trip in particular, I was sent to Hamilton, Ohio to pick up a prisoner. The car I was driving had all the markings you would expect on a patrol car. As I was entering the city of Hamilton, there were motorcycles coming towards me and not just a few but well over a hundred. It was a motorcycle gang, and I must say that I was just a little frightened. When I got to the Sheriff’s Office, I told them about want I had encountered with the motorcycle gang. They just stood there and smiled. Then the Lieutenant told me that each year the city is filled with motorcycles from various gangs. They had a place in town where they would all go to and hang out, get drunk, fight, etc., but they would always pay for the damage. They would stay for a week and then leave, but the true reason they were all there was to raise money for the Children’s Hospital. The Lieutenant told me they would raise over a million dollars each year for the hospital. After that I had a totally different opinion of Motorcycle Gangs, still a little bit wary, but I could see the good in those that all we see is bad. Sometimes we judge before knowing the whole story. It is not our place to judge.

Sunday came and we went to a non-denomination church on Dave Ward Drive. The Preacher was a young man with a powerful voice, and he knew the scriptures backwards and forwards. We made this our church home. After about a year I decided that I needed to be baptized. Remember when in my earlier years I was baptized but for all the wrong reasons. This time it was real. I was so happy, so filled with love and desiring to serve our GOD/JESUS. We never missed Sunday morning, Sunday night or Wednesday night. During this time there were more churches that met three times a week, unlike in today’s world. The church had a choir which I joined even though I could not carry a tune in a bucket, but no one seemed to mind. We had been going there to church for several years and there was an opening for a Deacon. I was asked to serve, and I did. I was put in charge of the classrooms and during the summer I was over the VBS program. Now I was doing a great job according to everyone, but there was a problem. According to 2 Timothy 3:12 – Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, and good managers of their children and their households. Remember back in the last testimony I made mention of my first wife and that we had been divorced. We were not divorced because of adultery, but we just had differences that caused a division between us that led to the divorce. I should have stepped down, but I didn’t. I never told anyone, and it has been kept quiet until now. Of course, GOD knew for there is nothing hidden from GOD. I have asked for forgiveness of this sin, and I know that I have been forgiven through our LORD JESUS.

We continued going to church even when the preacher announced that he was leaving and starting a new church. Of course, this caused a division and some of the congregation left. I was excited for the preacher to start a new ministry in Conway, and I made known my joy for him and the others. My family and I stayed on to continue serving, but there came a time when much more trouble was brewing. Some of the congregation was so upset that a fight almost broke out. That was the last night that we went to that church.

We left that church and ended up going to the church that our previous preacher had started. Same great sermons and singing of the old hymns. I really enjoyed going there. We stayed there for several years. A problem took place with a member and in my understanding of the scripture we decided it was time for us to find another church home, because of the way the problem was handled did not line up with scripture as I understood the scripture.

We visited around and found another church home. I got involved in and helped in areas that I could. During the weeks before Thanksgiving churches from all over Conway would gather up shoe boxes to send to children around the world. Between our congregation and the others there would be two huge trailers filled with shoe boxes each year. The shoe boxes would be filled with small toys and other items for the children as well as information about GOD/JESUS for the parents. Another program that was going on was feeding those in need around the world. There would be boxes of food prepared and shipped to other countries but also there were some that were shipped to areas in our country to help the poor and homeless.

The one thing the preacher would do was to present to us during his sermons his own thoughts of what was being said and would make additional remarks. I would sometimes question the preacher if I did not understand what he was saying in the lesson, so I would approach him after the service was over to ask questions to get a clearer understanding of what he had said. Then the preacher started mentioning statements by others that had written about different topics in the Bible, Other men that I did not know and if I did not understand I could not engage them in finding out what they meant. And I had a problem with that. If I do not understand I will ask for clarification so that I might understand fully. I believe that if we do not understand something we are to ask those that are shepherding the flock to get a better understanding. GOD wants us to know all about HIM and JESUS and some of us, me, do not have a complete understanding.

I have not lost my Faith and Trust in our GOD since that morning, fall of 1989, that I was slapped upside the head and awaken to the fact that I was, and still am, a sinner. I am Loved, filled with joy knowing that one day soon I will be going HOME! GOD has been so good to me and has blessed me more than I can understand.

What I am about to write no one knows and my sons only recently found out, but I never graduated high school, however I did get my GED from the State of Missouri while I was on board the USS Forrestal. I passed the SAT score in the top 5% and went to college. I did not graduate college but met the woman of my dreams and dropped out after finishing my sophomore year.

NOW for the big shocker. GOD has done so much for me and everything that I have done in my life was, I Believe, GOD was leading down the path to where I am today. GOD has blessed me with understanding and knowledge and because of GOD I became a Mechanical Design Engineer. I have designed many pieces of equipment that were used here in the States but also in other countries. Not only was I a Mechanical Design Engineer but I was also blessed with the knowledge of architecture design and designed several manufacturing buildings or added onto existing buildings. I have also done electrical programming of equipment using both ladder logic design and computer programming. I was also blessed with knowledge of Civil Engineering, roadways. I have designed aircraft parts used in both Military and Civilian aircraft. I was one of the Engineers that helped design and build the first Space Shuttle at McDonnell-Douglas Aircraft as well as the next generation of military aircraft, F14, at that time. GOD has Blessed me so much in giving me all that I needed to do the things that I have done in my life.

I was raised by a Dad and Mom that taught us to always be respectful to others and to work as unto the LORD in everything that we did in life. I have retired 4 times, and I really do not like retirement. I need to stay busy doing something. At 78 years of age, I wanted to tell the story of my life without GOD and my life with GOD. I have finished my Testimony for all to read. Nothing has been hidden, nothing made up. These are the facts as I remember them. There was so much more but I limited myself to the things that stood out as my life changed.

I have thought about going back to work at the age of 78 and I can work as a contractor, but I think it is time for me to hang up the spurs of my old life and begin another. I Hope and Pray that I can be useful at my final resting place with my new church family if they want me. Please want me!

I am not shy, just don't have a lot to say, especially since I have finally retired-retired. This is the 4th time that I have retired but I think maybe age is finally catching up with me. I have never lead singing or Prayed in front of a congregation. I do sing or mumble to myself and I do have a Prayer Closet that I use at least twice a day. I have a relationship with GOD, JESUS and the HOLY GHOST. Before Jason I always thought that when I received the HOLY GHOST that something would happen on the inside, but it never did. Thankful for GOD's Shepard I do have a better understanding. I will eventually remember my New Families names. I will be forever grateful that GOD lead Andy and me to "By Chance" meet at Walmart.

I was just a plain old Southern boy that grew up wild and not caring but our GOD made me who I am today. I am a Child of GOD ALMIGHTY! Loved more than I deserve, Blessed more than I should be and Saved because of our LORD JESUS CHRIST!

AMEN!

My Testimony – 77 Years Old– 78 Years Old

We as humans make up a lot of excuses for not doing something. The excuse I want to touch on is the excuse that so many have for NOT GOING TO CHURCH! It’s so easy for us to make up so many different excuses. I am guilty. For years I was faithful to attend every service, Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night. Then one day I decided that because I was working and that I would get up early to go to work that I would just cut out going on Wednesday night. That worked out pretty good for me but then I got to thinking about Sunday night and because I had to get up early for work on Monday mornings that I would just skip going to church on Sunday nights. So, for several years I just went on Sunday mornings. I was getting preached too and partook of the LORD’s Supper and was able to give back to GOD a portion of the money that HE Graciously provided me with. Everything was GOOD!! Right??? I want leave you hanging. Just keep reading.

Well then, this past year my wife, Betty, got sick but I kept on working because we needed the insurance plus, I really enjoy working. Yea I know I was thinking about my needs as well. I had always told my wife that I would never put her into a Nursing Home. We were Blessed to have Hospice to help me take care of my wife. They were Great!! My Wife finally got to a point in her illness, Dementia, that I had to go ahead and retire, which I hate retirement, so July 31, 2024, I retired, and I also quit going to church altogether because my wife needed me to be with her. On February 20, 2025, my wife of almost 50 years, March 28 would have been 50 years, passed away in her sleep. My sons were with me. I was OK! I expected my wife to be taken and be at rest. No more suffering!!! My grieving came later, and it was a rough time for me. I did not really say anything to my sons or anyone else, It was just GOD and me and our Baby. Baby is a black and white cat that our Granddaughters gave to my wife because my wife just loved the cat so much. I almost forgot but when my wife was sick Baby would sleep with her and love her. Animals are so loving!

After my wife’s passing, I DID NOT return to church. I made up excuses that at the time made sense to me. It always does when the devil is so close. I was using the excuse that the preachers were not speaking out about what is going on in our country with men wanting to be women and women wanting to be men. Men marrying men and women marrying women. I used the excuse that the preachers were only tickling my EARS and weren’t condemning the things that I think is wrong in today’s world. I was invited to go to church with my family (in-laws) this past Easter Sunday. I went and that was the best thing that could have happened to me. I got to talk with my in-law about what I was going through and with his wisdom, that GOD has given him, I was awakened to the fact that I was only using excuses for not going back to church. I am so ashamed of myself! GOD has and continues to be so good to me. I am in the best health for a 78-year-old. GOD Blesses me more and more and shows me HIS love every day. I am Loved by the CREATOR of ALL Things. I am so amazed by what GOD has and continues to do for me. I am at peace with my life. I have NO NEEDS for anything on this Earth. I want my Life to reflect me being more and more like JESUS and nothing like this World. GOD pulled up out of the darkness of this world into the Light of HIS SON JESUS and I will never go back to my old life. I am born of man and I am a Sinner BUT I am a Saved Sinner because of what my LORD JESUS did, not just for me but you as well, on Calvary. HE took our sins and died for our sins and was buried and Halleluiah HE is Risen. JESUS conquered death. There is no more sting in death but a rejoicing for all that have been Saved and are now the Children of GOD. Praise HIM!!!

One day back in April I had a “By Chance Meeting” with a friend of mine that I had worked with at Snap-On Tooling in Conway. Andy and I exchanged pleasantries and then I remember telling him I was looking for a church home where I could hear GOD’s word preached and worship services in the mornings and then again on Sunday nights and had a bible study on Wednesday nights. He told me about where he and Victoria were going and that I was invited to come check things out. I told him I would think about it. When I went home, I could not get out of my mind what Andy had said, and I was wanting to find out for myself. On Saturday the 3rd of May I printed off a map of how to get to Oppelo, AR, were ever that was. I headed out taking highway 60 because the map showed that to be the shortest distance and time. I have not been that lost in years. After about 45 minutes I was at the crossroads of highway 113 and highway 9. Stopped at the store at the intersection and asked directions to Oppelo. I followed the directions the young woman told me and about ten minutes later I was in Oppelo another five minutes, and I was setting in the driveway of the church building. I just knew there had to be an easier way to get from there to here. So, I followed highway 9 to Morrilton and got onto Interstate 40 heading East. It took me 20 minutes to get from the church parking lot to the first Conway exit (124). Andy had told me that the service starting time was at 9:30 AM so I got up around 8 AM on Sunday morning taking Interstate 40. I arrived at the parking lot at 9:15AM. Was met by some nice folks and went on it and found Andy. I sat with Andy and Victoria during the service and had a wonderful meal after the first service. This particular Sunday the congregation was having singing (Worship Service). I love the old Hymns and that is what we sang even though I can’t carry a tune in a bucket. When my wife and I went to church she would slide down to the other end of the pew to keep from hearing me-now that is bad.

I have been going to every service, and I have enjoyed learning more about our LORD JESUS and the singing. I sit in the pew just in front of Andy and Victoria. I do believe I have found my church home. The preaching is great and to the point while making it fun to learn more about GOD/JESUS and The HOLY SPIRIT. What was really surprising to me is the way the young men, teenagers, participate in leading the worship service and leading the congregation in Prayer. A very special group of young men and young women help in leading not only in service but in teaching the Word to others.

As I said about Andy and I met “By Chance Meeting”. There is no such thing as a By Chance Meeting. GOD has a plan for me, and this was a pre-arranged meeting arranged by GOD!! Thank YOU, FATHER for Leading, me to this House of worship!

Now If I just remember everyone’s name.

This is the end of my story at this time BUT I am still here and I will still be a sinner BUT Our GOD Loves me so much that my life's story does not end today. Not sure how much longer I will be in this world BUT I do believe I will be here until GOD is finished with me.

Messages

May 6, 2025 - Psalm 77:7-10

Psalm 77:7-10

7 Will the Lord cast off forever? and will he be favourable no more?

8 Is his mercy clean gone forever? doth his promise fail for evermore?

9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

10 And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

If we feel forgotten by GOD, it is only us that has forgotten.

May 7, 2025 - Psalm 84:10-12

Psalm 84:10-12

10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

To be in the House of GOD as a servant is better than being elsewhere without GOD!

May 8, 2025 - Psalm 86:8-10

Psalm 86:8-10

8 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.

9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

There are no other gods BUT Only the GOD of All Creation. We sometimes get wrapped up with others here on Earth because they are somehow important to us, and we make them out to be something they are not. If you have a talent, it is a talent that GOD has Blessed you with. Do Not Praise or Worship those that have made a name for themselves here on Earth. Praise GOD and GOD Only!!!

May 9, 2025 - Psalm 90:10-12

Psalm 90:10-12

10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

We do not know how long we will live. Only GOD knows. Live each day as if it was your last day. Extension of life is a mixed Blessing. I, for one, would rather be with GOD!

May 10, 2025 - Psalm 92:1-2

Psalm 92:1-2

1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:

2 To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Praise GOD always! GOD Loves us as undeserving as we are GOD still Loves us!

May 11, 2025 - Psalm 95:1-7a

Psalm 95:1-7a

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also.

5 The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

SING!! Lift our Voices up to GOD who has redeemed us through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST!!

May 12, 2025 - Psalm 100

Psalm 100

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations.

Throughout the Book of Psalms, we are told to always be Praising GOD with our voices or maybe just in our mind. There is no excuse not to Praise GOD! I can not carry a tune in a bucket but I sing or hum the words in my mind and not bother anyone and that in itself is a blessing to those around me.

May 13, 2025 - Psalm 103:12-13

Psalm 103:12-13

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

Just Pray! Ask for forgiveness and our sins will be forgiven, to be remembered no more.

May 14, 2025 - Psalm 104:31-34

Psalm 104:31-34

31 The glory of the Lord shall endure forever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.

32 He looked on the earth, and it trembled: he touched the hills, and they smoke.

33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord.

GOD rejoices in HIS Creation. We live in a fallen world because of sin and the world is cursed YET if we believe. Place our Faith and Trust in our GOD HE will rejoice in us HIS Creation, Children!

May 15, 2025 - Psalm 106:1-3

Psalm 106:1-3

1 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.

2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?

3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.

Again, the theme is to Praise GOD and to live a righteous life. Do we?

May 16, 2025 - Psalm 107:1-3

Psalm 107:1-3

1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

We may sometimes think that we are the only Christians on Earth in our country, but we’re not. There are many more scattered throughout the World that Believe, Trust in GOD and have Faith. Some of them are persecuted even killed because of the name of JESUS. Yet they Worship! If we were being persecuted in our country even unto death would we still Believe, Trust have Faith in our GOD?

May 16, 2025 - Thankful

THANKFULLNESS

1st I am Thankful for GOD and for HIS SON JESUS CHRIST

2nd I am Thankful that GOD Loves me so much that HE pulled me up out of the darkness of this world into the Light of HIS SON JESUS

3rd I am Thankful being a sinner GOD and JESUS provided me with Forgiveness through JESUS.

4th I am thankful for JESUS Resurrection and what it means.

5th I am Thankful that I still live in a Country where I can Worship freely without fear.

6th I am Thankful for the Family that I have been Blessed with, my Sons, Kirk & Kris, my Daughter Sara, my Daughter Holly, my Grandchildren and my Great Grandchildren.

7th I am Thankful for my Wife of almost 50 years. Passed away on 2/20/25 would have been 50 years on 3/28/25.

8th I am Thankful for the strength that GOD gives me each day.

9th I am Thankful for the understanding that GOD Blesses me with.

10th I am Thankful for the TEAM GOD has Blessed me with at work.

11th I am Thankful for Billy, Jay, Doug for putting up with this “OLD MAN”.

12th I am Thankful for the Friends that I have the privilege of working with.

13th I am Thankful for my Adopted Grandsons, Grand-daughters, Sons, and Daughters that GOD has Blessed me with at work.

14th I am Rich because of those that I have the Honor to love and to be loved.

15th I am Thankful for the Life that GOD has showered on me.

16th I am Thankful for the Heart that GOD has given me.

17th I am Thankful for the Road that I now travel.

18th I am Thankful for the Family that I have in other parts of the world that are Fellow Brothers and Sisters In CHRIST.

19th I am Thankful that GOD has provided all that I need.

20th I AM THANKFUL

Jim Gray

May 17, 2025 - Psalm 111:10

Psalm 111:10

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do HIS commandments; HIS praise endures forever.

Do we really Fear GOD? We should know by now what GOD can do our souls. Do we have a good knowledge of HIS word? Our choice-Heaven or the lake of fire? Teach your children so that they may know and not doubt in GOD! GOD loves us more than we will ever truly understand because HE sent HIS SON to earth so that we have forgiveness but also we have salvation through our LORD JESUS!

May 18, 2025 - Psalm 112:1-6

Psalm 111:10

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do HIS commandments; HIS praise endures forever.

May 18, 2025 - My Prayer

Thank You JESUS for All that You have done for me!! I am at peace. YOU gave me strength and understanding. YOUR Love surrounds me and I rejoice in YOU! Without YOU I am nothing BUT with YOU I have all of that is required for each day! I Rejoice knowing that one day soon I will be with you! My Prayer is that ALL of my Family and Friends would Truly KNOW YOU and not just know who you are. Even the demons know you but they will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. Those of us that TRULY KNOW YOU will be with YOU for ALL Eternity. I am YOURS and Pray that I am a Good Servant. That YOU will use me to tell others about YOU and GOD our FATHER. Give me words to speak and words to write! I give myself freely to YOU to be used by YOU in anyway that you desire to use me even unto death. Help me with my lack of Faith-Increase my Faith. I Trust in YOU for ALL things!! I am rich because of what YOU have done for me and the World. Open up the Hearts of those that may know YOU but do not TRULY KNOW YOU that they may also be filled with Great Joy, Peace and Understanding that goes beyond our imagination. Bring Peace to those that have lost Loved Ones that they may rejoice in being apart of their lives for the time they had here on Earth! Remove the grief that so many feel and bring fond memories of those that have gone on before us. Please shield us from the evil that surrounds us that we may have peace while here on this Earth. Things will happen to us and we may not understand WHY, but it is ALL in your perfect plan. We are not guaranteed a life without problems. We as Humans bring so many of the problems on ourselves and then want to blame YOU when we face those trials. If we would come to YOU, YOU would guide us and bring us through any trial that we encounter. YOU are my GOD and I rejoice in YOU for YOU have Blessed me beyond measure. I am RICH not by the way the World thinks of riches BUT because of the LOVE YOU have for me and the Love I have for others. Lead me to those that are in need of help that I may be a Blessing to them and that YOU will receive the GLORY!! Forgive me where I have failed YOU and been displeasing thinking of self only! All I Pray in the name of JESUS!! AMEN

May 19, 2025 - Psalm 115:13-15

Psalm 115:13-15

13 He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great.

14 The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

15 Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.

GOD Blesses those of us that Fear HIM. We will have everything that we truly need to survive on this Earth for we are Blessed.

May 20, 2025 - Psalm 116:5-9

Psalm 115:13-15

5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

6 The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Even in our darkest hours GOD is always with us!

May 21, 2025 - Psalm 118:8

Psalm 118:8

8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

This is the verse that is in the center of GOD’s word. This verse says so much, it is short and to the point. Always Trust in GOD. GOD will never mislead you but will keep you on the path that leads to HIM! Can you say that about anyone else? Do not trust man but GOD! How many times have men (women) misled you or guilted you into believing that they have your best interest only to fail you and bring disappointment to you? GOD never will. GOD is always looking out for us and loves us more than we deserve.

May 22, 2025 - Psalm 118:24

24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Rejoice in each day for it is another day that GOD has given to us to tell others about JESUS!!

May 23, 2025 - Psalm 119:43-48

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed.

47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Trust, Obey and Love the word of GOD. It will never mislead us but will lead us to GOD our FATHER and to JESUS our LORD!!

May 24, 2025 - Psalm 119:105

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

We are never in darkness for we have the Word of GOD to guide us!

May 25, 2025 - Psalm 119:171-175

171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

GOD’s Word gives us hope and brings peace to us.

May 25, 2025 - GOD's Knowledge Of Us

GOD’S KNOWLEDGE OF US

Contemplating God’s abiding presence with, and knowledge of man, David wrote, “O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it” (Psalm 139:1-6). God’s knowledge of us is even far greater than our knowledge of ourselves. This fact can be the source of both comfort and fear as we contemplate such knowledge on the part of God.

Such knowledge in the hands of anyone else would be a dangerous thing but knowing that “God is love” (1John 4:8) and that He is “not willing that any should perish” (2Pet. 3:9), can give us comfort in His knowledge of us. First, God knows our physical needs and promises to provide for those needs when we truly seek Him first (Matt. 6:25-33). Secondly, God knows our spiritual needs and is willing to fulfill them for all who seek Him. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matt. 7:7).

Thirdly, we can take comfort that God knows our good intentions. Oftentimes we make decisions that are a matter of judgment and do things with good intentions that turn out all wrong. While others, especially those who are affected by our decision, may see only the harm done, we can take comfort in the fact that God knows our hearts and understands our good intentions.

While at times there is certainly great comfort in God’s knowledge of us, at other times His knowledge can be a source of fear. While God is indeed love, He is also holy (Rev. 4:8) and righteous (Psa. 119:137) and hates wickedness (Psa. 45:7). We often like to think of ourselves far better than we truly are. We think our “secret” sins do not count against our character because no one else knows of them. God knows! We cannot hide from God. David asked, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? (Psa. 139:7). His answer in the next five verses is simple: nowhere! Paul tells us, “God will judge the secrets of men” (Rom. 2:16).

Lastly, just as God knows our good intentions, He also knows our evil intentions. While disingenuous good behavior may fool those around us, if our intentions are evil, God will know. Our behaviors are important, but our motives are equally important (see Matt. 6:1, 5, 16). Doing good things for the praise of men, to gain some advantage for ourselves, or to deceive others is sin in the sight of God. The Hebrew writer warns us, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb. 4:12-13).

Comfort in God’s knowledge of us comes through earnestly and sincerely seeking to do His will. Let us share the attitude of David who said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. 139: 23-24).

by: Tim Butler

May 26, 2025 - Psalm 120:1-3

1 In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.

2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

How small is our tongue but it can bring us so many problems! So watch your tongue and think before speaking!

May 27, 2025 - Psalm 121:1-3

Psalm 121:1-3

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

So where does your help come from? We sometimes forget to ask GOD for guidance before making a decision and end up failing. Then who do we blame for that failure? GOD! GOD did not fail us; we failed ourselves because we did not seek guidance from GOD.

May 28, 2025 - Psalm 130:1-5

1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.

2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.

3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

Through our LORD JESUS CHRIST there is forgiveness for us that believe, trust and have faith in!

May 29, 2025 - Psalm 139:1-6

1 O lord, thou hast searched me and known me.

2 Thou knowest my down sitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compasses’ my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

There is nothing hidden from GOD. HE knows even before we do what it is that we will do.

May 29, 2025 - 99.9%

Competitive excellence requires 100% all of the time. If there is any doubt in your mind, try maintaining excellence by setting your standards at less than 100%, say 92% or even 95%.If an athlete does not give 100% effort in the sport that he or she may be competing in, chances are that they will never be winners. They will always come up short of achieving that goal of winning. The same holds true in our work places, if you don’t give 100% to your work, while at work, you will probably be replaced by someone who puts out that extra little bit of effort to do a better job for the company. If everyone at work only did 95% of what they could be doing, how long do you think it would take the competition to take away your company’s share of the market area and drive your company out of business? You want to stay in business very long if you or your employees do not give 100%.

Now let us consider 99.9%. You cannot get much closer to 100% than that unless you carry the decimal out further. You must admit that it is pretty good. A researcher by the name of Natalie Gabal did a study, this study took place several years ago but while the numbers may have changed the implication of “What if is still there, on “WHAT IF 99.9% WAS GOOD ENOUGH.” In her study, she concluded the following:

Now if you were satisfied with 99.9% over a period of one year there would be 2,000,000 documents lost by the IRS, one of these documents could be your tax refund.

In addition, if you were having a pacemaker operation and the doctors operating on were satisfied with 99.9%. The .1% in a year’s time would calculate out to be 291 pacemaker operations that would have been performed incorrectly. How would you like to be one of those whose doctor was satisfied with 99.9%.

Every year if 99.9% was good enough for your doctor 20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions would be written and if 99.9% were good enough for your pharmacist 20,000 in correct drug prescriptions would be filled. You could be one of those receiving a prescription drug that would not help you and could even cause death if 99.9% was good enough. I suggest you double-check your medicine before you leave the Pharmacy.

Now if that is not enough how would you like to be one of the 114,500 people that could receive a mismatched pair of shoes if 99.9% was good enough.

Parents did you know that if 99.9% was good enough, everyday there would be 12 babies given to the wrong parents. Just imagine everyday 12 babies given to the wrong parents. Scary to think you could have the wrong kid. When the kid gets to be a teenager there are some parents that know they did get the wrong kid!!

We have all seen the commercials on TV that talks about a cleanser that really does a great job cleaning. In the commercial, you see a young boy, who is making a sandwich, a mother who is in the kitchen talking with a salesperson about the germs on her counter top. The salesperson tells her that her cleanser that she is using is not doing the job it should be. That it is not killing the germs on the counter top. The salesperson goes on to tell the woman that his cleanser does kill the germs. You see the mother quickly grab the young boy’s sandwich and places on the other counter top. She is so proud of herself from saving her son from all of those awful germs. Then you hear this voice say that the cleanser kills up to 99.9% of the germs. Now I do not know what the mother is thinking, but I can tell you this, I do not want my sandwich on that side of the counter top either.

Now that we have learned a little bit about percentages let’s talk a little about “JUSTIFICATION”.

Just what is “Justification”? JUSTIFICATION is the Sovereign Act of “GOD” whereby “HE” Declares Righteous the Believing sinner while that person is still in a sinning State.

GOD doesn’t suddenly make us righteous because we still sin.

God Declares Us Righteous!

How Righteous does GOD Declare US? GOD Declares us 100% Righteous, not 99.9% BUT 100%!

When you consider just how sinful humanity is, the fact that “GOD” declares, those of us who are Believer’s, Righteous is Remarkable!

For “GOD”, “JESUS” to Love us that much! Now just sit back and think about that for a moment!

Truly amazing! And all we must do is, Upon Believing in “JESUS CHRIST’S, substitutionary Death and Bodily Resurrection, The Once Lost Sinner, Unconditionally, and Permanently “Declared 100% Righteous”.

Anything less than believing in “JESUS CHRIST” death and resurrection and we are not righteous. We are less than 100%. We might be 99.9% in our eyes, but in “GODS” eyes we have fallen short.

Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, “says the LORD, Though Your Sins are Scarlet, they will be as white as snow;

What if we had been declared 99.9% righteous, Isaiah 1:18 would have to be rewritten to read, “Come now, and let us reason together, “says the LORD, Though Your Sins are Scarlet, they will be light pink;

Listen to what John the Baptist has to say about JESUS and our sins, John 1:29, “Behold the LAMB of GOD who takes away the sins of the world.” Not just some of the sins of the world, but all of the sins of the world.

However, there is something that we must do to have our sins forgiven.

1 John 1:9 tells us “If we confess our sins, HE is Faithful and Righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all Unrighteousness.”

What must we do? Confess our sins!

What will happen if we confess our sins? “HE, Who? GOD is faithful and righteous to FORGIVE us our sins.

All sins that are confessed will be forgiven, not part of our sins but all our sins, 100%.

GOD gave HIS SON as a sacrifice for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21, tells us, HE mad HIM who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the Righteousness of GOD in HIM.”

JESUS was sinless, yet JESUS received the sins of the world. Our sins! WHY?

So that we might become the righteousness of GOD in HIM.

This is the heart of the gospel: the sinless SAVBIOR, our LORD, JESUS CHRIST has taken away our sins so that we might be righteous before GOD our FATHER.

What a great LOVE JESUS has for us!

To suffer, to have GOD the FATHER turned HIS back on HIS OWN SON.

JESUS could have come down from the cross at any time but because of HIS great love for us and because it was the Will of the FATHER, HE stayed and suffered.

HE was severely beaten, He was scourged, HE was cursed, and HE was mocked.

While upon the cross, the people were yelling out “If you are the Son of GOD save Yourself.”

YES JESUS could have saved HIMSELF. HE could have said enough is enough, they are not worth it!

Yet throughout all the pain and suffering that JESUS went through, JESUS showed HIS GREAT LOVE for us!

JESUS knew that HE was the only way that we would ever have forgiveness of our sins. JESUS knew that HE was the only way that we would ever be able to obtain our salvation!

In Luke 23:34 JESUS showed great compassion and love on those that were around HIM. In that verse JESUS prayed a short, but powerful prayer, JESUS said, “FATHER , forgive them for they know not what they do.” Those that were there did not understand that they had just crucified the “SON OF GOD”.

JESUS prayed another prayer while upon the CROSS, a very personal prayer: In John 20:30 it is recorded, “When JESUS therefore had received the vinegar, HE said, “IT IS FINISHED!” and HE bowed HIS head and gave up the ghost.” A simple prayer, BUT it said it all. JESUS told GOD the FATHER that HE had completed all that HE had been sent to accomplish. JESUS finished it ALL. Not just a part, BUT ALL. 100%!! The ransom that was required for OUR SINS was paid in FULL. It wasn’t charged to be paid later, but paid in full that day upon a CROSS, just outside Jerusalem, on a hillside called Golgotha!

Unlike the race that we have for excellence in our workplace or in our business or excellence we try to achieve in our lives, the race for sin had to have a finish line. If there had not been a finish line JESUS would have said “It is Almost Finished”. JESUS would have left us hanging with no hope for Salvation, But JESUS and GOD the FATHER loves us so much. JESUS di complete the work that GOD the FATHER sent HIM to accomplish and because of that we have a choice to make. Either place your Faith and Trust in JESUS and be saved OR you can reject HIM and be lost. It’s our choice, our decision, no one else can do it for us. We will have NO ONE to blame but OURSELVES!!

JESUS did it all for US!! IF JESUS had paid only 99.9% of the debt of sin, not one of us would have a chance of having our sins forgiven or getting into Heaven to receive our, yours and mine, Inheritance.

For years, Ivory soap has stated that it is 99 & 44/100% pure. Ivory soap is not 100% pure! There is something missing from the Ivory soap. We don’t know what is missing, but the creator of Ivory soap does.

There are certain things missing in my own life. I know what some of things that are missing in my life with CHRIST. Just a few of the things that are missing are:

I do not serve CHRIST by serving others, as I should.

I do not visit those that are sick as I should.

I do not pray as I should.

I do not study GOD’s word as I should.

I do not help those that are in need as I should.

I sometimes let the doors that have been opened for me close without telling that person or persons what GOD had done for me in my life.

These are just a few of the things that are missing in my life that I should be doing. I AM NOT 100%.

I do not know what is missing from your life to keep you from being at 100%, but just like the creator of the Ivory soap knows what is missing to keep it from being 100% pure, our CREATOR, GOD, knows what is missing in each of our lives that keeps us from being 100% pure.

The goal in our CHRISTAIN LIFE should be to achieve that goal of being at 100%.

Just like the athletes that we see and hear on TV, they are all going to give 110% of themselves to achieve excellence in their areas of the sports world, so we too should also strive to give 110% of ourselves to serving our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.

Almost Perfect, But Not Quit!

Those are the words of Mary Hume at her 7th Birthday Party.

Looking around the ribboned room, this tablecloth is Pink, not white.

Almost perfect but not quite!

Those are the words of grownup Mary talking about her handsome beau, the one she wasn’t going to marry, he squeezes too tight.

Almost perfect but not quite!

Those are the words of Miss Hume, teaching the 7th grade, grading papers in the gloom late one night up in her room.

They never cross their “T’s” just right.

Almost perfect but not quite!

98 the day she died, complaining about the spotless floors, people shook their heads and sighed.

Guess she’ll like Heaven more, her soul went up on feathered wings, out the door, up out of sight, and a Voice from Heaven came.

ALMOST PERFECT, BUT NOT QUITE!!

Are you/I almost perfect but not quite?

May 30, 2025 - Psalm 139:14-16

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my anxious thoughts:

24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the way everlasting way.

When was the last time I (you) asked GOD to search our thoughts? We all have thoughts that just pop up and really not knowing where the thought(s) came from having nothing to do with what we were thinking.

14 I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are THY works, and my Soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from THEE, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.

16 Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in THY book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

GOD knew us before we were born, and GOD knows what road we will take in our life. Which road are you and I on?

May 31, 2025 - Psalm 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my anxious thoughts:

24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the way everlasting way.

June 1, 2025 - Psalm 141:1-3

1 LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto THEE.

2 Let my prayer be set forth before THEE as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Cry out to GOD that HE may shut your mouth and hold your lips before speaking and saying something you can not take back. Once spoken it will never be forgotten.

June 2, 2025 - Psalm 145:8-10

8 The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

10 All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.

GOD is so good to us. Showing us HIS mercy and being patient with us. Do we Praise GOD for HIS mercy that HE shows to us?

June 3, 2025 - Psalm 146:8-10

8 The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

9 The LORD preserveth the strangers; HE relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked HE turneth upside down.

10 The LORD shall reign forever, even thy GOD, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD!

GOD does so much for us. Can you think of things that GOD has done for you?

June 4, 2025 - Psalm 148:1-6

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.

2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts.

3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created.

6 He hath also established them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.

Praise GOD!!!! Everything praises GOD. Do we/you? Lift your voice up and praise HIM today, NOW!!

June 5, 2025 - Psalm 150:6

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Get the hint? PRAISE GOD!!!! Every day, every night PRAISE GOD!!!! Through whatever you might be going through PRAISE GOD!!! PRAISE FATHER, SON and HOLY GHOST though WHOM ALL Blessings Flow!!

June 6, 2025 - Proverbs 1:2-6

The Purpose of Proverbs

2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding.

3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity.

4 To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

The purpose of Proverbs is that the reader might know wisdom and allow wisdom to govern his/her life. Proverbs benefits not only the simple but also the wise in steering them through life following the right course that GOD has for them.

June 7, 2025 - Proverbs 1:7

The Theme of Proverbs

Proverbs 1:7

7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Question: Do you Fear GOD? If you do then you have knowledge about our CREATOR, GOD our FATHER and you know that GOD Loves you and desires you to be with HIM after this life is over on Earth. It is better to Fear GOD and to be a servant while here for a short period of time. To be with GOD is to be with HIM for Eternity. The foolish do not fear GOD and their demise will be in punishment for Eternity. The foolish think that they are wise and know everything and cannot be taught for they in their own little minds already have all the answers.

June 8, 2025 - Proverbs 1:10-19

10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

13 We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:

14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:

15 My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

16 For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

17 Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

18 And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.

19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

The first major section of Proverbs records discourses of wisdom in which the student is encouraged to consider and compare the ways of the foolish and the ways of the wise. The ways of the foolish is attractive but their ways lead to destruction. You may gain the whole world but lose the most precious thing you have, your soul.

June 9, 2025 - Proverbs 1:33

33 But he who listens to ME shall live securely and shall be at ease from the dread of evil.

Listen to what GOD is saying to you. It may be in a dream or a thought or in seeing something, but GOD does communicate with us. Be patient and wait on the LORD.

June 10, 2025 - Proverbs 2:6-10

6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from HIS mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

7 HE stores up sound wisdom for the upright; HE is a Shield to those who walk in integrity,

8 Guarding the paths of justice, And HE preserves the way of HIS Godly ones.

9 Then you will decern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course.

10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Wisdom is GOD given, not a result of mere human effort or ability (1 Kings 3:9, James 1:5)

Wisdom is beneficial in that it delivers us from the ways of evil men (women

June 11, 2025 - Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make your paths straight.

Trust in our GOD in all things. GOD will lead us through the path HE has for us that is straight.

June 11, 2025 - Thought For The Day

I copied this from a very Sweet Cousin! Thanks Chris!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

When I was a boy, Mama liked to cook breakfast food for supper every now and then. I remember an evening in particular when she had made breakfast, after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, Mama placed a plate of eggs, grits, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of Daddy. I remember waiting to see if he would notice.

But, all daddy did was reach for his biscuit, smile at Mama and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that evening but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing...never made a face or said a word about it!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing Mama apologize to Daddy for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said. "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then."

Later that evening, when I went to kiss Daddy good night, I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned? He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Mama put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides, a little burned biscuit every now and then never hurt anybody!"

As I've grown older, I've thought about that evening many times. Life is not always fair and it is full of imperfect things and imperfect people and I'm not the best, at much of anything. I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everybody else. But what I've learned over the years, is that learning to accept each other's faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating healthy, growing, and lasting relationships.

And that's my prayer for you today...that you will learn to take the good, bad and ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit ain't such a big deal!

This can be extended to any relationship. In fact, understanding, is the real basis of all relationships, be it brother-sister, husband-wife, parent-child, partners or just plain old friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

So, please pass me a biscuit, and yeah, the burned one will be just fine!

And PLEASE pass this along to somebody who has enriched your life. Be kinder than necessary because everybody you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

"Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point."

June 12, 2025 - Proverbs 3:7

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

We are not wiser than our GOD and we will never be even close, but to fear GOD and do what is right in the eyes of GOD is the beginning of wisdom.

June 13, 2025 - Proverbs 3:9-10

9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first of all your produce;

10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

We are to give back to GOD a portion of what HE has given to us. We are to tithe, give back as we have prospered, and GOD will Bless us even more.

June 14, 2025 - Proverbs 3:11-12

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, or loathe HIS reproof,

12 For whom the LORD loves HE reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.

Hebrews 12:5–11

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

f“My son, gdo not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,

nor be weary when reproved by him.

6 For hthe Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.”

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. iGod is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, jin which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to kthe Father of spirits land live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, mthat we may share his holiness. 11 nFor the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields othe peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

I for one ask GOD to discipline, chasten, me now for my sins. We are forgiven of the sins through our LORD JESUS. I fear GOD because I know what HE can do to my spirit, so punish, chasten me now Dear GOD!!

June 15, 2025 - Proverbs 3:30

30 Do not contend with a man (woman) without cause, if he (she) has done you no harm.

To many times we get angry at someone because of what we think they have done when maybe the person did not realize what he or she was doing. How many have gotten upset on the highway when someone has maybe acted in a stupid way? I have! I don’t know what caused that person to act the way they did. I don’t know what is going own in their life but to be angry enough to cause a scene where someone could be hurt or more serious. I hope that we would choose to just stay calm and forgiving.

June 16, 2025 - Proverbs 4:10-13a

10 Hear, my son (daughter), and accept my sayings, as the years of your life will be many.

11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.

12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble.

13a Take hold of instruction; do not let go.

Wisdom’s way is straight and level in contrast to the crooked and cluttered way of folly, life. In other words, stay out of the potholes of life and stay on the level ground. Remember the lessons learned in life and the things that you know you should avoid.

June 17, 2025 - Proverbs 4:23

23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the spring of life.

Your heart yes but your mind or your inner being as well. Your thoughts, the life you live-spiritual vitality. Be ever in mind that we are GOD’s children, and we are to serve with a loving heart.

June 18, 2025 - Proverbs 6:6-11

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise.

7 Which having no chief, Officer or ruler,

8 Prepares her food in the summer and gathers her provision in the harvest.

9 How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?

10 “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest”—

11 And your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man.

The wise teacher rebukes the slothful person, who characteristically does not begin things. Procrastination will bring unexpected disasters, and the lazy will go hungry for lack of being prepared for what life will bring.

June 19, 2025 - Proverbs 6:16-19

16 There are six things that the LORD hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to HIM:

17 Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil,

19 A false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers.

The list of the seven things shown in these verses is not complete and there are more listed throughout the Bible. Which ones are we guilty of?

June 20, 2025 - Proverbs 6:32

32 The one who commits adultery with a woman (man) is lacking sense; he (she) who would destroy himself (herself) does it.

In today’s world adultery is common, too common. Both men and women seek sexual pleasure outside of their marriage with others. It is a sin before GOD and those committing an adulteress act will be punished. In today’s world sexual relationships begin at an early age. How many young girls and young boys do you know that are still in school and having sexual relationships and end up pregnant? It happens way too much. Parents have got to stand up and be the parents but so many do not want to parent but just let the children keep on doing their “THING”. I have Grandkids and this is one of my greatest fear for them.

June 21, 2025 - Proverbs 8:13

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.

Most people in today’s world do hate evil but there are so many that seem to run to evil. Evil is everywhere. Do you have pride in your life? Pride and arrogance is very common in our world. We think to ourselves as we look over what we have, WOW!! Look at what I have done! Reminds me of King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel 4:28-37. King Nebuchadnezzar looked out over Babylon and said in verse 30-The king reflected and said, “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty”. King Nebuchadnezzar was made aware of his sin of pride and GOD removed him and sent him to live in the wild, eating grass and being as an animal for seven years and then Nebuchadnezzar’s eyes were opened, and he praised GOD for all that GOD had done for him. Nebuchadnezzar was restored as king and worshiped GOD the rest of his days.

A "perverted mouth" refers to speech that is deliberately twisted, deceptive, or corrupt. It reflects a person's inner moral state, often indicating a heart that resists truth and godliness. Examples of perverted speech include lying, slandering, profanity, and blasphemy.

So much is packed into this one verse and this one verse touches the hearts and souls of many in today’s world.

June 22, 2025 - Proverbs 9:8

8 Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you, reprove a wise man (woman) and he will love you.

A scoffer is a person who mocks or scorns, particularly regarding religious matters or moral values. They are characterized by a lack of reverence and often display cynicism and contempt. Scoffers are described as those who do not value wisdom, avoid correction, and are resistant to instruction. This is one of the things going on in our world today. Don’t argue with a scoffer. You will not win the argument and only cause that person to hate you and what you stand for. A wise man (woman) will listen and be respectful of your words and will love you for your words. Using wisdom to bring people closer even if there is a disagreement-agree to disagree with respect and love for one another.

June 23, 2025 - Proverbs 9:10

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the HOLY ONE is understanding.

Again, we are taught that to fear the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Having knowledge of GOD is the beginning of understanding. How fearful are we of the LORD and do we seek knowledge of GOD so that we have understanding?

June 24, 2025 - Proverbs10:12,18

12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.

18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool.

There is so much hate in today’s world but the hate within a family causes all sorts of pain within that family. There are families that have family members that are filled with hate for others in the family and lie and spread rumors or slander against those within the family. Why? Is it because they think of themselves as being perfect, know everything and want to be first or noticed for what they perceive they have done for the family with no help from others within the family. Is it jealousy? There will be issues within a family but forgive, move on and love one another. If you are angry, talk about it, let your family and friends know why you are angry. It may be just a simple misunderstanding. No one is perfect. We all have issues. Do not hang onto your anger!

June 24, 2025 - Worry

“WORRY”

We as humans “Worry”. We worry about everything under the sun. We worry about things we cannot change. We worry about things we can change, hoping we have made the right decision. We worry about our children, our spouses. We worry about illnesses, getting old, money, our work. Anything that we can think of we worry about. WHY? Does worry ease the pain and suffering? Does worry bring closure? Does worry make things better? No, No and No!

What about “Concern”? Is “Concern” the same as “Worry”? While “Concern” seems to be the lesser of the two if you read, the definitions below you will see the familiarity between “Worry and Concern”.

Worry | Definition of Worry by Merriam-Webster

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worry

English Language Learners Definition of worry (Entry 2 of 2) : a feeling of concern about something bad that might happen : the state or condition of worrying about something : a problem or concern : something that causes you to be worried

Concern - definition of concern by The Free Dictionary

www.thefreedictionary.com/concern

6. a matter that engages a person's attention, interest, or care, or that affects a person's welfare or happiness. 7. worry, solicitude, or anxiety: to show concern for the homeless. 8. important relation or bearing: This news is of concern to both of us.

People have made themselves sick from “Worry as well as from Concern”. I have and if you are honest, you too will agree that you as well have become sick from Worry/Concern. It is in our Human Nature to “Worry, to be Concerned” about things that we have absolutely no control over.

If you think about “Worry/Concern” it has a negative connotation to it. I am trying not to have that in my life especially at this time. It can have a ripple effect in that it will continue to grow and grow until you have no control of yourself, much less your life. At this time, I have to trust in those that I do not know. To trust in the skills that they have been given, a gift, but that is not the only option that I have before me.

“Worry/Concern” causes us to lose the joy of the day for something that may happen tomorrow! No one knows what tomorrow will hold for us. We can only assume and then we usually assume the worst making the day a total loss. We were never meant to live a life of “worry or concern” but a life filled with joy and excitement for the Day that GOD has given to us.

WORRY. What the Bible says about worry. - Christ in You

christinyou.net/pages/worry.html

Worry is a form of humanistic self-orientation that thinks, "It's up to me to take care of this situation," and is thus a form of practical atheism, acting as if there is no God to deal with the situation, or that God does not know or care about the situation.

Just a little something to think about and to reflect on the time that we all have wasted “Worrying, being Concerned for something that we have absolutely no control over. We think the “WORST”, therefore it is. Years ago there was a song and in the song, there was a verse that simply stated “Be Happy, Don’t Worry!!

So be happy, rejoice in this day and every day because who knows it may be your last day and just look at all of the happiness that you would have missed because of “Worry”! Be Thankful that we have a Loving GOD that takes care of all our Worries and Concerns for this life.

June 24, 2025 - Wakefulness & Dreams

Wakefulness & Dreams

In that place between Wakefulness and Dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemed endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I have Liked”. I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system of my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory could not match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed”.

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read”, Lies I Have Told”, “Comfort I Have Given”, Jokes I have Laughed At”. Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I Have done In My Anger”, Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents”. I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To”, I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that the file represented.

When I came to the file marked “Lustful Thoughts”, I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them.” In an insane frenzy, I yanked the file out. Its size did not matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I turned the file to its slot. Beating my forehead against the wall, I let out a long self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel with”. The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw HIM. No, please not HIM. Not here. Oh, anyone but JESUS. I watched helplessly as HE began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch HIS response. And in the moments, I could bring myself to look at HIS face. I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. HE seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did HE have to read every one?

Finally, HE turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in HIS eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. HE walked over and put HIS arm around me. HE could have said so many things, but HE didn’t say a word. HE just cried with me.

Then HE got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, HE took out a file card, one by one, began to sign HIS name over mine on each card.

“No!” I shouted rushing to HIM. All I could find to say was “No, No”, as I pulled the card away from HIM. HIS name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in Red so Rich, so Dark, so alive. The Name of JESUS covered mine. It was written with HIS Blood.

HE gently took the card back. HE smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how HE did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard HIM close the last file and walk back to my side. HE placed HIS hand on my shoulder and said, “It is Finished”. I stood up, and HE led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were cards still left to written.

June 25, 2025 - Proverbs 10:27

27 The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened.

Fear the LORD!!!! I do not fear death or anything that this world can do to me, but I do fear GOD more than anything else. Because of my fear maybe life will be prolonged giving me more time to serve a Loving GOD. To worship HIM, Praise HIM, to be Faithful, Trusting in HIM for all things. Do you fear GOD?

So many people are dying so young. Their time here on Earth is cut short. Was it because they did not fear GOD? We do not know the answer to that question BUT GOD does.

June 26, 2025 - Proverbs 11:13

13 He (she) who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he (she) who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

Those of us that like to gossip cannot be trusted with things that are told in confidence. I was told something in private and one day without even thinking I let the private matter be made known. It was to only one person, but it should never have happened. I am ashamed of what I did. I have lost the trust of someone that I love dearly. Will I gain that trust back? I hope so! We all fail in this area if you are honest with yourself, I want people to trust me. To be confident in me to keep something told in confidence.

June 27, 2025 - Proverbs 12:22

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are HIS delight.

Now this is a hard saying for we all have lied, and GOD knows our lies. The problem comes in the fact that we continue to lie, and it becomes an almost daily thing. Why is it so easy for us to lie? We lie to our children-we call it “A little white Lie”. In GOD’s eyes a lie is a lie, and GOD is not pleased with us that continue to lie.

June 28, 2025 - Proverbs 13:22a

22a A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,

The verse means that a good person leaves behind a positive legacy of moral character and well-being for their descendants. It emphasizes that genuine success and lasting inheritance are more about character and relationships than just material possessions

June 29, 2025 - Proverbs 13:24

24 He who spares his rod hates his son (daughter), but he who loves him (her) disciplines him (her) diligently.

The discipline referred to in this verse is to be trained either by word or deed. We as parents are to raise, train, up our children in a way that is pleasing to GOD. Our children need us to be there for them in this world. If we truly love our children, we will teach them about GOD/JESUS so that they will have the knowledge and understanding needed to have a relationship with GOD and not desires for things of this world. A little pat on the back side will not hurt them either, when needed. Children need to also learn to be respectful to everyone just as we as parents should be respectful to our children and others. Show your children by your actions and how you live your life, hopefully in service to our CREATOR that they too will serve our GOD.

June 30, 2025 - Proverbs 14:2

2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, but he who is crooked in his ways despises HIM.

Another verse concerning fearing GOD. I pity those that do not fear GOD for their choice of where they will spend eternity is in their hands

July 1, 2025 - Proverbs 14:12

12 There is a way which seems right to a man (woman), but its end is the way of death.

Trying to take shortcuts in this life may seem right at the time but as time goes by you may find that taking shortcuts may be a false trail leading to destruction.

July 2, 2025 - Proverbs 14:17

17 A quick-tempered man (woman) acts foolishly, and a man (woman)of evil devices is hated.

I know of many quick-tempered men and women that act out spuing out such angry words and profanity for all to hear, even children. What have they accomplished but to be seen as a fool and even being hated by those that once loved and respected them. In the end they lose all things that should have been shown respect, loving and caring, even family! Be careful of your temper, it will cost you everything!!

July 3, 2025 - Proverbs 14:23

23 In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

We are to work, to provide for our families and to give back a portion to GOD. In today’s world we can talk a job to death and have many excuses for not working only to end up in poverty, wanting and needing just the simple things in life.

July 4, 2025 - Proverbs 14:26-27

26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death.

If being a Dad or Mom you have a strong confidence in GOD, raising your children up in the ways of the LORD the family will have refuge, protection, from the things around us. GOD is the Fountain of Life and through HIM all things are possible to help you avoid the snares of this sinful world.

July 5, 2025 - Proverbs 14:29

29 He (she) who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he (she) who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

Hold onto your anger. Do not let others see your anger but control it and do not let your anger control you. If you show your anger, it will only prove to others not to trust you and even want to be around you. People like being around people that do not cause commotion but show discipline and respect.

July 6, 2025 - Proverbs 15:1-2

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fool’s spouts folly.

Isn’t it nice that when maybe you or your children have done something wrong or said something you should not have said that rather than all of the screaming that a gentle voice would speak, and calm would settle in and there would be peace rather than anger. Learn to control your tongue and be wise in the sight of others, rather than opening your mouth and showing what a fool you are.

July 7, 2025 - Proverbs 15:15

15 All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Your temperament has a considerable effect on your circumstances. There will be bad days but accept it and get on with your life with a cheerful heart for all that you have been blessed with.

July 8, 2025 - Proverbs 15:18

18 A hot-tempered man (woman) stirs up strife, but the slow to anger pacifies contention.

So many verses in the Bible concerning anger and the problems that anger causes. Nothing is gained from being angry, but anger only causes more problems for all concerned. Think before speaking!!

July 9, 2025 - Proverbs 15:33

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.

Fear GOD and be wise. Humble yourself before GOD and the world. We are only human but we are to live each day Honoring GOD!

July 10, 2025 - Proverbs 16:4-5

4 The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD, assuredly, He (she) will not go unpunished.

We all have a purpose in this life. What is your purpose? So many of us do have a proud heart. We are proud of our children, our jobs, the food we eat, and so much more BUT where we make the mistake is claiming these things for ourselves when we are to be Praising GOD for HE has provided all things that we need in life. GOD has provided, Blessed, us with children, jobs, food on our tables, homes and so much more. Everything that we have is from GOD! GOD provides everything and when we think we have done this on our own we have a proud heart and GOD is not pleased with us and the punishment will be great.

July 11, 2025 - Proverbs 16:6

6 By Lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

The atonement for man’s (woman’s) sin is the result of GOD’s loyal love and faithfulness. The fear of the LORD motivates a man (woman) to turn away from sin when he (she) is tempted. Trust in the LORD! Again, Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

July 12, 2025 - Proverbs 16:16

16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold; and to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

So many are in search of wealth and seek it above all else because we believe money will make us happy, but if you have wisdom, you will understand that there is more to life than having money. Being rich will make you miserable because you will always be concerned about someone taking your money away from you. Have a relationship with GOD and you will be richer than the richest person on earth that does not have a relationship with GOD.

July 13, 2025 - Proverbs 16:24

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

No matter what, always have pleasant words for those that may even be attacking you. The shame will be theirs.

July 14, 2025 - Proverbs 16:27, Proverbs 17:4

16:27 A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are as a scorching fire.

17:4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

A person filled with anger, even hate, will always have words pouring out of their mouths that they use to discredit another. Spreading lies in an attempt to degrade another while all the time thinking they are somewhat right in what they are doing only to be found out and made to realize what a fool they have been and that others see their folly.

July 14, 2025 - John 10:10

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill, and destroy; I came that they have life, and might have it abundantly.

Our lives hold HIS constant attention-Every Season Filled With PURPOSE, every moment covered with Love.

July 15, 2025 - Proverbs 17:5

5 He (she) who mocks the poor reproaches his MAKER; he (she) who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

The poor we will always have with us, and we are to help the poor, but if we make fun of the poor or we find joy in seeing the poor struggle, mocking them or even beating them then our GOD will be greatly upset with those, and they will not go unpunished. Pray for the poor. We do not understand why they are in the situation they are in but always remember it could happen to us.

July 16, 2025 - Proverbs 17:25

25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him.

A child that does not listen to sound advice, wisdom, from someone that has already lived, been there, but seeks their own wisdom which they have not learned does bring grief to those that love them and only seek the best for that child. A parent does not have all the answers but does have the knowledge to lead, to help find the answers. Oh, the foolish children that we have are a grief to us and it does sadden the heart of the mom and the dad. Sadness fills the home, where there should be joy.

July 17, 2025 - Proverbs 18:1-2

1 He who separates himself (herself) seeks his (her) own desire, he (she) quarrels against all wisdom.

2 A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in revealing his (her) on mind.

In our world so many do separate themselves from others because of their own desires and remove wisdom from their message that is spued forth from their mouths. They do not want others to tell them what their understanding is, but only that their understanding is perfect in their own minds. A person that knows it all, Knows nothing!

July 18, 2025 - Proverbs 18:10

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.

Want to be safe? Then run to GOD and be safe!!

July 19, 2025 - Proverbs 18:22

22 He who finds a wife (husband) finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

I can relate to this. I found a Great Wife that deserved better, but she loved me, and I loved her. WE were married almost 50 years. She is now with the LORD. GOD Blesses me even in my grief, brings joy to my heart and I am loved.

July 20, 2025 - Proverbs 19:1

1 Better is a poor man (woman) who walks in his (her) integrity than he (she) who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

May we always be honest, with strong moral principles and moral uprightness rather than being a person that inserts foot into mouth and being a fool. It is better to hold your peace and think before engaging your tongue.

July 21, 2025 - Proverbs 19:22-23

22 What is desirable in a man (woman) is his (her) kindness, and it is better to be a poor man (woman) than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, so that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

How hard is it to be kind to others? A smile, a howdy! The world is filled with liars and if we are honest with ourselves, we lie too. Maybe what we consider a little white lie, but it is still a lie. Even if it is not a spoken lie but on that is thought in your mind GOD still knows. I think that lying is one of the hardest things to overcome. How well am I, you, sleeping? I usually sleep OK but with being old comes pain. I can handle pain but the dreams that I sometimes have are very disturbing to me. I think maybe because I am a child of GOD’s I am being attacked even as I sleep. Do you sometimes have disturbing dreams?

July 22, 2025 - Proverbs 19:27

27 Cease listening, my son (daughter), to discipline, and you will stray away from the words of knowledge.

The know-it-all children in today’s world and I do not say that lightly-remember teenagers. I was one growing up, but later on I came to realize that I needed that discipline from my parents and the knowledge that they had. Even now I wish I could set down with my Dad and Mom and get their advice and wisdom that they processed. We still have access to knowledge needed in today’s world from our GOD! Just take time to ask and to listen to what our GOD has to tell us.

July 23, 2025 - Proverbs 20:7

7 A righteous man (woman) who walks in his integrity-how blessed are his sons after him.

I failed miserably at this. When my sons were younger, I was not there for them. I did not take them to church until they were older, teens, but my wife would take them to church. Not until I was at the age of 42. I was awakened one Saturday morning, like a slap upside your head, and told my wife we were going to church. We went faithfully, but I was not there for our sons when they needed me at an earlier age. Please do not be like me! Take your children so that they can learn about GOD/JESUS and learn to Fear GOD in a way that is pleasing to GOD!

July 24, 2025 - Proverbs 20:20

20 He who curses his (her) father or his (her) mother, his (her) lamp will go out in darkness.

In Exodus 21:17 says, and he (her) who curses his (her) father or mother shall surely be put to death. Folks need to be very thankful that we are not under the laws of the Old Testament. But even in today’s world there will be punishment for those that do curse Dad and Mom. We just do not know the timing of that punishment, only GOD knows.

July 25, 2025 - Proverbs 21:13

13 He (she) who shuts his (her) ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself (herself) a not be answered.

How many times have we passed by someone knowing they need help, a little food, a little drink, maybe even shoes or a coat to wear or maybe just a simple jester is speaking with showing love and compassion or do we simply just turn away and do nothing. The verse says that those that hear, see, the poor and do nothing will themselves cry for help and no help will be there for them.

It is sometimes hard in today’s world to distinguish who the real poor are. I once would give to those standing on the street corners when I was guided to do so, but it has been a long time since I have had that nudge. I want to help, but who do you help? Pray, asking GOD to lay on your heart who you are to help. It may not be an individual, but an organization. It may even be a neighbor that is going through some rough times or maybe someone at work or where you go to church. But always be willing to help those in need!

Matthew 26:11, where Jesus says, "The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me".

July 26, 2025 - Proverbs 22:1-2

1 A good name is to be more desired than great riches, favor is better than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor have a common bond, the LORD is the maker of them all.

There are those that would rather have the riches rather than the good name, but what does it mean to be rich, and no one likes you. What have you gained? We all have the same common thread and that is that we were all created by GOD. Treat each one with respect and honor them with joy no matter if they are rich or poor. We are all the children of the GOD!

July 27, 2025 - Proverbs 22:6

6 Train up a child in the way he (she) should go, even when he (she) is old he (she) will not depart from it.

We as parents sometimes fail in training our children and then we wonder what happened to them as they get older. We did not do what we have been commanded to do and have failed our children. No wonder the world is in the shape that it is in today. Not playing the blame card because I failed as a parent but with the help from our GOD all things will be made new and there is still time as we are still breathing.

July 28, 2025 - Proverbs 22:9

9 He (she) who is generous will be blessed, for he (she) gives some of the food to the poor.

Mark 12:41-44

New International Version

The Widow’s Offering

41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

This woman is a perfect example for us to follow in our giving. Some of us have been blessed and have more than others and we do not always give as we should in support of the ministry. Some of us have little but still give as we are commanded to do. GOD does not want all that you (we) have but to only be a cheerful giver of what HE has blessed us with.

July 29, 2025 - Proverbs 22:15 Proverbs 23:13-14

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline will remove it far from him (her).

13: Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you beat him (her) with the rod, he (she) will not die.

14 You shall beat him (her) with the rod and deliver his (her) soul from Sheol.

Children can do some of the dumbest things in life. Sometimes we need to just spank that little bottom and get their attention. When I was growing up, I was among the most foolish and did so many stupid things. It’s a wonder I am still here. In today’s world it has been deemed by those in higher authority, courts, that we should not spank children, and I can tell you that time-out does not work. I have had to sit down on the floor in the corner just to keep the child in the corner. I ended up being punished as well and I hadn’t done anything to deserve it. How do you discipline your children? Their souls are at risk as well as ours if we do not train up our children.

July 29, 2025 - Tragic Diary

Tragic Diary

October 5: Today my life began. My parents do not know it yet. I am as small as the pollen of a flower, but it is I already. I will be a girl. I will have blond hair and blue eyes. Nearly everything is settled already, even that I love flowers.

October 19: I have grown a little, but I am still too small to do anything by myself. My mother does almost everything for me, though she still does not know that she is carrying me under her heart. She does not know that she is already helping me, and that she is even feeding me with her own blood. She is so good…..

But is it true that I am not yet a real person? That only my mother exists. I am a real person, just as a small crumb of bread is still real bread. My mother is, and so I am.

October 23: My mouth is now just beginning to open. Just Think---in a year or so I’ll be laughing; and later I’ll start to talk. My first word will be “Mama”.

October 25: Today my heart began to beat. It will beat softly for the rest of my life, never stopping! After many years it will tire, it will stop, and then I will die.

November 2: I am growing continually. My arms and legs are taking shape, but I must wait along time before those tiny legs will raise me to my mother’s arms; but those little arms will be able to conquer the earth and befriend people.

November 12: Tiny fingers are beginning to form on my hand. How small they are! One day I’ll stroke my mother’s hair with them. I shall take her hair to my mouth, and she’ll say: Oh! Nasty!

November 20: Only today did the doctor tell my mother that I am living under her heart. How happy she must be! Are you happy, mother?

November 25: My mother and father are probably thinking about a name for me! And they don’t even know that I am a little girl, so they are probably calling me “Andy.” But I want to be called Barbara. I am growing so big.

December 10: My hair is growing. It is as bright and shiny as the sun. I wonder what kind of hair my mother has.

December 13: I am almost able to see, though it is night around me. When mother brings me into the world, it will be full of sunshine and overflowing with flowers. I have never seen a flower, you know. But more than anything, I want to see my mother. How do you look, mom?

December 24: I wonder if my mother hears the delicate beat of my heart? Some children are born with sicky hearts, and then the gentle finger of the doctor performs miracles to make them healthy. But my heart is healthy. It beat so evenly: Tup-tup, tup-tup…You shall have a healthy little daughter, mom!

December 28: Today my mother killed me.

This is so sad but so true in today’s world. Many try to justify the act of abortion for different reasons, and some may be understandable: if the mother’s life is at risk, maybe. Today’s world is all about the pleasures of sexual relationships and proper precautions are not taken to avoid becoming pregnant. It is all about self-satisfaction or the pleasing of the partner. The truth is that people do not care about the person growing inside but only about themselves. How many of GOD’s Creations have been killed because we as so-called humans can not control our own selves let alone our own bodies. I do not know of a single baby that asked to be born into this world-NOT ONE!!!

The story you just read was written by H. Schwab and appeared in the December 1961 issue of SODALIS.

July 30, 2025 - Proverbs 24:7

7 Wisdom is too high for a fool, he (she) does not open his (her) mouth in the gate.

Too many open their mouth before engaging their brain and are made fools of by the wisdom of others. Think before speaking and do not be a fool. Too many listen to fools and are led astray into the world of foolishness. Remember the song “Fools Rush In”? it was very popular when I was growing up and it is so true today-Fools do rush in!

July 31, 2025 - Proverbs 24:12

12 If you say, “See we did not know this,” does HE not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does HE not know it who keeps your soul? And will HE not render to man (woman) according to his (her) work?

Very simply put the excuse of ignorance is not acceptable. We cannot say we did not know especially in today’s world with all of the communication devices that we have available to us, but we as Christians are still to serve GOD by spreading the Good News of JESUS and all that HE has done for us.

August 1, 2025 - Proverbs 24:23-25

23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He (she) who says to the wicked “You are righteous,” people will curse him (her), nations will abhor him (her);

25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.

23 Simply put we are not to judge someone but to judge them as for as being friends is a different story. Choose your friends carefully. It might be best not to be friends if there is a chance that their influence could led you astray.

24 Who are we to tell someone they are righteous. Only GOD knows the true heart of a man, woman. We could lose true friends that help us to stay the course in today’s world.

25 We should always be ready to tell others of JESUS and in doing so could help save a soul and we will be blessed by serving our GOD.

August 2, 2025 - Proverbs 24:30-34

23 These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24 He (she) who says to the wicked “You are righteous,” people will curse him (her), nations will abhor him (her);

25 But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.

24 Who are we to tell someone they are righteous. Only GOD knows the true heart of a man, woman. We could lose true friends that help us to stay the course in today’s world.

25 We should always be ready to tell others of JESUS and in doing so could help save a soul and we will be blessed by serving our GOD.

August 3, 2025 - Proverbs 25:21-22

Proverbs 25:21-22

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him (her) food to eat: and if he (she) is thirsty, give them water to drink:

22 For you will heap burning coals on his (her) head, and the LORD will reward you.

This is a hard saying for us. To feed those and give them water or what every they may need that may hate us but in doing so we may gain a friend that was once lost but now maybe understands that to love is better than to hate. We may gain a brother or sister. But the result is that GOD will be pleased with us for showing love to those around us, even our enemies.

August 4, 2025 - Proverbs 26:3-5

Proverbs 26:3-5

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools.

4 Do not answer a fool according to his (her) folly, lest you also be like him (her).

5 Answer a fool as his (her) folly deserves, lest he (she) be wise in his (her) own eyes.

These verses are complementary rather than contradictory. While it is unwise to argue with a fool at his (her) level and to recognize his (her) foolish uncertain belief, there are occasions when it is best to refute, prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false, him (her) soundly, lest his (her) foolish opinions seem to be confirmed. A fool does not have to always be a fool if guided, taught, by one that is wise

August 5, 2025 - Proverbs 26:12

Proverbs 26:12

12 Do you see a man (woman) wise in his (her) on eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him (her).

We sometimes think of ourselves as being wise in matters of the world, but we are only fooling ourselves, then we become even more foolish than the fool. Wisdom is a gift from GOD! Use the gift as GOD would have you use it!

August 6, 2025 - Proverbs 26:20

Proverbs 26:20

20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

Simply put is “don’t be a gossip spreading seeds of anger and hate for others to have to bear”. Also it is better to not associate with those that gossip because you will become the victim of their words or you will become the teller!

August 7, 2025 - Proverbs 27:1

Proverbs 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

It is a good thing to plan ahead but do not boast in a day that you have no control over. We go to bed thinking about what the next day will bring us only not to awake from sleep. We do not know our timing. Only GOD knows. Praise HIM every day when you are awakened to a new day for it is the day the LORD has made. Rejoice in HIS new day that HE has blessed you with.

August 8, 2025 - Proverbs 27:19

Proverbs 27:19

19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man (woman) reflects man (woman).

As we look into the water, we see our reflection, we see what we look like to others and as we live our lives others will see what our heart is like. It is a welcoming heart, a loving heart or a heart that says stay away I have no need for you. We are to love one another as GOD loves us.

August 9, 2025 - Proverbs 28:13

Proverbs 28:13

13 He (she) who conceals his (her) transgressions will not prosper, but he (she) who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Nothing is hidden from GOD and if we think that GOD does not know our sins then we are a fool and will not prosper, but if we will confess our sins asking for forgiveness in the name of JESUS we will be forgiven and we will be blessed. JESUS paid it ALL!!!!

August 10, 2025 - Proverbs 28:20-22

Proverbs 28:20-22

20 A faithful man (woman) will abound with blessings, but he (she) who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good, because for a piece of bread a man (woman) will transgress.

22 A man (woman) with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him (her).

Hastily acquired wealth usually comes through dishonest dealings. Accepting bribes to further your wealth only brings about dishonest transactions and sometimes leads to taking from those less fortunate. A wealthy person is loved but only for what others can gain from them. Being wealthy can lead to being the loneliest person and only being shown love because of what others can gain from that wealth. I am poor but I am rich. I am rich, loved, because of who I am and not of what I have. Our GOD loves us not for what we have but for our hearts that live a life that is pleasing to HIM.

August 11, 2025 - Proverbs 29:11

Proverbs 29:11

11 A fool always loses his (her) temper, but a wise man (woman)holds it back.

It is so easy for us to lose our temper by engaging our mouth before engaging our brain and we act foolishly, spouting out words of hurt to those that meant no harm but were only misunderstood. Bite your tongue and be silent!

August 12, 2025 - Proverbs 29:23

Proverbs 29:23

23 A man’s (woman’s) pride will bring him (her) low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Do we show pride in ourselves? Do we think we are somehow better than others? What are we to be proud of, does not GOD provide all that we have. We can be happy, joyful and pleased with who we have become as children of GOD. We can be happy, joyful, and pleased with our own children and/or spouse or a loved one in what they have accomplished, but we must remember that what we have is a gift from GOD. We have done nothing on our own.

August 13, 2025 - Proverbs 30:5-9

Proverbs 30:5-9

5 Every word of GOD is tested; HE is a shield to those who take refuge in HIM.

6 Do not add to HIS word lest HE reprove you, and you be proved a liar.

Prayer

7 Two things I ask of THEE, do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion,

9 Lest I be full and deny THEE and say, “Who is the LORD”? or lest I be in want and steal, and profane the name of my GOD.

GOD is our protector, and we can take refuge in HIM but we must not add to HIS word. We are also warned in Revelations 22:18 “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, GOD shall add to him (her) the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, GOD shall take away his (her) part from the tree of life and from the holy city which are written in this book.

Verses 7-9 is a prayer that we all should be praying as we go through this life. Life is sometimes hard but with GOD things are much easier even if we do not understand. Call on GOD. HE will answer in his perfect timing.

August 14, 2025 - Proverbs 30:24-28

Proverbs 30:24-28

24 Four things are small upon the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:

25 The ants are not a strong folk, but they prepare their food in the summer;

26 The badgers are not mighty folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks;

27 The locusts have no king, yet all of them go out in ranks;

28 The lizard you may grasp with your hands, yet it is in the kings’ palaces.

Four small creatures which manifest wisdom in their own world to do what is needed for them to survive. Ants have the foresight to make provision for the year; Badgers find protective shelter suited for their needs; Locusts have an orderly lifestyle, in ranks, for the community as a whole; and the lizard is bold and fearless living were it wants, even in the homes of others. We can learn so much from the creatures in our world that GOD has blessed us with.

August 15, 2025 - Proverbs 31:10-31

Proverbs 31:10-31

This is a long read but well worth the time as it describes a wife taking care of her family. The woman has been considered to be the weakest of GOD’s creation but read and see all that a good wife does for her family. She has the strength, physically and mentally that some men can only hope for when taking care of loved ones. I, myself, was amazed because I had never thought about what my wife went through in raising our sons. I will post verse 30 and pray that each of you will read the verses in your Bible. Verse 30 is the key verse

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

The key to her beautiful character is her spiritual life. She is a godly woman who fears the LORD and gets her strength from the LORD! Amen!!

August 16, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 1:3

Ecclesiastes 1:3

3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

The implied answer to this rhetorical question is that there is no profit for man to work. This supports the idea that “vanity” refers to a lack of profit, value or worth.

August 17, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 1:4-11

Ecclesiastes 1:4-11

4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.

6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.

8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

The ceaseless cycles of nature illustrate the futility of life. The amazing thing is that the earth goes on, but man, the height of GOD’s creation, passes into eternity with no remembrance. v11

August 17, 2025 - Hebrews 12:1-2 Clint Price

Clint Price

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Because Jesus endured the cross, we should be so grateful to toss away the sin that entangles us and be the example to all who witness our walk. Push through with perseverance and know you a are washed in the blood!

August 18, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?

26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

This passage is the first of seven that give one of the solutions to life’s problems; enjoy life and work as GOD’s gifts. When a man toils in his own strength, he is bound to suffer pain and grief. The answer then is for him to enjoy his work by receiving it as a gift of GOD.

August 19, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 3:18-22

Ecclesiastes 3:18-22

18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

To us as casual observers, man and animals share a common destiny. Both return to dust and no one can tell by observation where the spirit of either goes. However, in Ecclesiastes 12:7 it is affirmed that the spirit returns to GOD for judgement. GOD does not clearly reveal to man all the events that will occur after him; therefore, man should be happy with what GOD has made available to him.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto GOD who gave it.

August 20, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 4:4-6

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6

4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

6 Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

Neither the enviable workaholic nor the lazy fool receives fulfillment in life; working to have enough to get by with is better than the extreme (v6).

August 20, 2025 - Clint Price

Clint Price

I Peter 2:21 The NKJV Bible

[21] For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

Jesus suffered not so that we could be comfortable living in our own sin but to be an example for us to pick up our cross daily and seek the kingdom of GOD FIRST...as Christians we should follow his footsteps and be the example, so that through Jesus Christ we are able to expand the kingdom of heaven.

August 21, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

The toil of the miser is futile, especially when he toils only for himself. On the other hand two are better than one because they have a good return; they help each other; they can provide mutual warmth, and they double their strength and if they have a friend they can triple their strength.

August 22, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words

.4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

The emphasis of the passage is on the folly of an empty religious profession before a Sovereign GOD. GOD expects sincerity and meaningfulness in worship; HE is not impressed with foolish vows. The angel is better translated as “the messenger of GOD”, referring to the priest who served between GOD and man in the Old Testament.

August 23, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 6:7-9

Ecclesiastes 6:7-9

7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Efforts for satisfaction are often frustrated. The wise man has no advantage over the fool in this area, nor has the poor man an advantage in his humble estate. It is therefore better to enjoy your present possessions than the uncertainty of potential possessions.

August 24, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 6:10-12

Ecclesiastes 6:10-12

10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

These verses emphasize one of the key notes of Ecclesiastes; man is too limited in knowledge to explain the problems of life. Man, just does not know and this emphasizes the deficiency of knowledge. We think we are all knowing but very little is truly known!

August 25, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 7:1-10

Ecclesiastes 7:1-10

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

These words are much like those in the Book of Proverbs and demonstrates that Ecclesiastes also supports the wise approach to life. Mourning and sorrow are better than feasting and laughter (vv1-3) because thewy cause a man to reflect wisely on the brevity of life. The laughter of the fool is compared to the crackling of thorns (v6) since both were characterized by noise and volatility. To talk about the former days (v10) or the “good old days” is not wise. Both good and bad days are the work of GOD and are used, apart from our ability to understand them.

August 26, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 7:15-22

Ecclesiastes 7:15-22

15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Be not righteous over much…be not over much wicked (vv6-7) does not apply the “golden mean” to morality, nor does it constitute a warning against excessive observance of religious ritual. Rather, it warns against self-righteousness or the idea that one has actually achieved righteousness. Verse 17 does not mean that moderation in wickedness is acceptable! It is an accommodation to human frailty. Avoid the extreme of self-righteousness and at the same time, hold in your wicked nature (v20) so it does not run its natural course to spiritual and moral ruin.

August 27, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 8:5-8

Ecclesiastes 8:5-8

5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

6 Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.

7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

A large part of being wise is to know both time and judgment (v5). Only the wise can discern this time since man does not naturally know what will transpire next (v7). Humankind is severely limited (v8): 1) no one can restrain the spirit; 2) no one can control or predict the day of his death; 3) no one can obtain release in time of war; 4) no one can be released from extensive wickedness, since it becomes like a master ruling over him. These four statements of impossibility powerful demonstrate the argument that man is sorely limited in his dominion over life. How much more significate this makes the virtue of wisdom!

August 28, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 8:10-15

Ecclesiastes 8:10-15

10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.

11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

13 But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.

15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

The word forgotten is read “praised” in some bibles. The verse then means that Soloman has observed that the wicked receive an honorable burial and praise after their death. This observation is reinforced by the fact that the fortunes of the righteous and the wicked are often reversed: the righteous sometimes get what the wicked deserve; and the wicked often get what the righteous deserves (v14) The righteous should never forget GOD and cast their lot with the wicked because by Faith it will go well with the righteous who fear GOD (v12) and ultimately it will not go well for the wicked (v13). This is a faith position on Soloman’s part, since what he observes in life often contradicts it. This puzzling reversal should not deter anyone from enjoying life under the Hand of GOD (v15).

August 29, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

In this passage there are key words that put us into an imperative mood; eat, drink and be merry and so on. Also, a new motivation is expressed; GOD now accepted our works, “pleasures” (v7), meaning that GOD approves of the enjoyment of life. HIS Will is that we enjoy life. The idea of enjoyment is further reiterated in verse 8 with two directives. White Garments on the body and ointment on the head made life more comfortable on the torrid Near Eastern climates; they serve to symbolize purity (Rev, 3:4) and the enjoyment of life. Another command concerns the enjoyment of life with your wife (v9). The reasons for these commands are, it is a man’s portion in this life (v9) and there is no working in the grave (v10).

August 30, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

Ecclesiastes 10:12-15

12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.

14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.

The fool is characterized by much useless talk (vv12-14) and by incompetent behavior (v15).

August 30, 2025 - Clint Price

Clint Price

John 13:34 NKJV

[34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Really think about what this means!! I love you all!

August 31, 2025 - Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

This is addressed to the youth to admonish them to enjoy life before the onset of the feeble described in Ecclesiastes 12:1-7. This is a warning against a life misspent in self-indulgence.

September 1, 2025 - Revelations 1:1

NO one knows the day or time that GOD the FATHER will send HIS SON to call HIS children home. But what we do know is that as each tick of the clock, so the Day of the LORD comes closer. Past generations have, just as our generation continues to Pray for the coming of our LORD. Come Quickly LORD JESUS, Come Quickly! When you live in a fallen world and we have placed our Faith, Trust and Believe with all that we are in JESUS then our desire is to be with HIM. We grow tired of all the sins around us and the sins that we ourselves commit. Revelations is a Book of Hope, a Book of Love, a Book of Condemnations, a Book of Future Events for those that are lost but also a Book for those that have chosen JESUS as their LORD and SAVIOR. Revelations is a Book of mysteries not revealed.

Revelation 1:1

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Verse 1. - The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This phrase occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in 1 Peter 1:7, 13 (comp. 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Galatians 1:12

It means the revelation which Jesus Christ makes, not that which reveals him. John is the writer, Jesus Christ the Author, of the book.

September 2, 2025 - Revelations 1:2

Revelation 1:2

Verse 2: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Who bare record. "To bear witness" and "witness," or "testimony" are characteristic of John's writings, and serve to connect together his Gospel, the First Epistle, and the Apocalypse.

September 3, 2025 - Revelations 1:3

Revelation 1:3

Verse 3: Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

He that reads this book publicly in the church, and they that hear the book read, are equally blessed. There is grace promised to both minister and congregation who live up to the spirit of the Scriptures. John here suggests that a usage common in the Jewish Church (Luke 4:16; Acts 15:21; 2 Corinthians 3:15) may be adopted in the Christian Church.

September 4, 2025 - Revelations 1:4-8

Revelation 1:4-8

Verse 4: John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Verse 5: and from JESUS CHRIST, the Faithful Witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the Earth. To HIM who loves us, and released us from our sins by HIS blood,

Verse 6: and HE has made us to be a kingdom, priests to HIS GOD and FATHER, to HIM be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen

Verse 7: Behold HE is coming with the clouds and every eye will see HIM, even those that pierced HIM, and all tribes of the earth will mourn HIM. Even so, Amen.

Verse 8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega”, says the LORD GOD, “who is and who was and who is to come, the ALMIGHTY.”

Seven-The number 7, occurs 54 times in the book of Revelation and appears more frequently than any other number. In the Bible it is associated with completion, fulfillment, and perfection. In the book of Revelation there are 7 churches, 7 spirits, 7 lampstands, 7 stars, 7 seal on the scroll, 7 horns, 7 eyes of the Lamb, 7 angels, 7 trumpets, 7 thunders, 7 heads of the dragon, 7 heads of the beast, 7 golden bowls, 7 kings and 7 Spirits (Angels) before the Trone of GOD.

September 5, 2025 - Revelations 1:9-11

Revelation 1:4-8

Verse 4: John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Verse 5: and from JESUS CHRIST, the Faithful Witness, the first-born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the Earth. To HIM who loves us, and released us from our sins by HIS blood,

Verse 6: and HE has made us to be a kingdom, priests to HIS GOD and FATHER, to HIM be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen

Verse 7: Behold HE is coming with the clouds and every eye will see HIM, even those that pierced HIM, and all tribes of the earth will mourn HIM. Even so, Amen.

Verse 8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega”, says the LORD GOD, “who is and who was and who is to come, the ALMIGHTY.”

September 6, 2025 - Revelations 1:12-16

Revelations 1:12-16

12) And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

13) And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

14) His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;

15) And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

16) And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

A description of JESUS as seen by John. In my small mind I can not imagine seeing JESUS as John stood there. The GLORY!!! One day we will see JESUS! How do you think you will react? Verse 17 explains how John reacted and what JESUS did.

September 7, 2025 - Revelations 1:17-20

Revelations 1:17-20

17) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

19) Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

20) The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

17) I fell at his feet as dead; literally, as one dead - as a dead man. Peter had fallen at Jesus' feet when he became conscious of the ineffable difference between sinlessness and sinfulness (Luke 5:8)

How much more, therefore, would consciousness of the glorified Christ overwhelm John!

18) Christ, as the absolutely Living One, who "has life in himself" and is the Source of life in others, has control, not merely over the passage from this world to the other, but over the other world itself. He can recall departed souls from their resting place. The error of rendering "hell" has often been pointed out; it is not a place of punishment, but the temporary home of the departed, who are awaiting the day of judgment.

19) The threefold division of things probably refers to past, present, and future visions, not to the past, present, and future in history. But it is possible that "the things which thou sawest" refers to the visions, and "the things which are," etc., to the realities symbolized in the visions.

20) 'The seven stars are the angels of the seven Churches, and the seven candlesticks are the seven Churches.' This contrast between the heavenly and the earthly fires - the star shining steadily by its own inherent eternal light, and the flickering candlesticks and uncertain, requiring to be fed with fuel and tended with care - cannot be devoid of meaning. The star is the supersensual counterpart, the heavenly representative, the candlesticks, the earthly realization, the outward embodiment

September 8, 2025 - Psalms 1:1-3

Psalm 1:1-3

1) How blessed is the man (woman) who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked. Nor stand in the path of sinners. Nor sits at the seat of scoffers!

2) But his (her) delight is in the law of the LORD. And in HIS law, he (she) meditates day and night.

3) And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. And in whatever he (she) does he (she) prospers.

Negativity, the righteous man (woman) does not believe like, behave like or belong to the realm of wicked men (women). (V1)

Positively, the Word of GOD is his (her) hallmark of faith and practice. (V2)

Therefore, he (she) is spiritually healthy and faithful. (V3)

Verse 1 starts out with “How Blessed”. The Hebrew word is in the plural and means “Oh how very happy”!

Very thought-provoking passage! So where do I stand and where do you stand?

September 9, 2025 - Psalms 51:15-17

Psalm 51:15-17

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

16 For thou desires not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delights not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Pray daily. Pray throughout the day. Always Pray! GOD hears our prayers and answers them in HIS perfect timing. Have Faith, Trusting in GOD to answer! We are the children of a Loving GOD! HE is Faithful to us! Do we have the Faith and Trust in our GOD to patiently wait on HIM?

September 10, 2025 - Psalms 55:16-18

Psalm 55:16-18

16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.

17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

GOD is always waiting to hear from us in our dark times. HE is Faithful to answer. Just Trust in GOD!

September 11, 2025 - Psalms 55:22

Psalm 55:22

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

GOD will be with you throughout all that is happening around you and will protect you.

September 12, 2025 - Psalms 57:7-11

Psalm 57:7-11

7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

I can’t carry a tune in a bucket, but that is no reason not to sing unto our GOD. Praise HIM all day long even if it is just in your thoughts, GOD still hears.

September 13, 2025 - Psalms 61:1-4

Psalm 61:1-4

1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

When you feel overwhelmed in this life call on GOD and HE will comfort you.

September 14, 2025 - Psalms 62:1-2

Psalm 62:1-2

1 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

2 He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

GOD is always with us through all situations-Trust HIM!

September 15, 2025 - Psalms 29:2

Psalm 29:2

2 Ascribe to the LORD the Glory due to HIS Name; Worship the LORD in Holy array.

GOD created BEAUTY to draw our Eyes and Hearts to HIM-the GIVER of Life and the Source of every LOVELY thing.

September 16, 2025 - Psalms 63:3-4

Psalm 63:3-4

3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.

Can anyone explain the Lovingkindness of GOD? GOD loves us so much-NO OTHER LOVE IS GREATER THAN OUR GODS LOVE!!

September 17, 2025 - Psalms 66:16-20

Psalm 66:16-20

16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Verse 18 states that if we have iniquity in our heart GOD does not hear our prayers. We have to have the right heart for GOD to hear us. Where is your, my, heart today?

September 18, 2025 - Psalms 71:17-18

Psalm 71:17-18

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come.

An important ministry of the older believers is to declare GOD’s Wondrous deeds as a Testimony to the younger generation. Are we teaching our children to know GOD?

September 19, 2025 - Isaiah 59:1-3

Isaiah 59:1-3

1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither HIS ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your GOD, and your sins have hid HIS face from you, that he will not hear.

3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

Vs1) There is nothing that GOD cannot do. GOD hears us!

Vs2) But our sins have separated us from GOD!

Vs3) WHY? We are all sinners, and the sad thing is that we choose to sin. We can try and blame our sins on others, but at the end of the day we chose to follow the demons. Our GOD is a loving GOD and desires for us to be close to HIM, yet we drive the wedge between us that separates us from HIM. SO, what do we do? 1st we get down on our knees and ask for forgiveness. 2nd ask for GOD’s protection and shield. 3rd Realize that we as GOD’s children will be attacked constantly because of our Faith, our Belief, our Trust in the CREATOR of all things. If you’re having a BAD day Pray. If you’re having a Great Day Pray. Prayer is our opportunity to communicate with our GOD. GOD wants to hear from us. HE already knows what you are going through, but he wants you to recognize that at the end of the day we are still HIS!!

September 20, 2025 - Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 12:22, Romans 3:13-14

Proverbs 18:21

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 12:22

“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”

Romans 3:13-14

13 Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

In other words, be careful of what you say or think!! GOD knows our every thought!! Scary Huh!!!!

September 21, 2025 - Exodus 20:7

Exodus 20:7

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh HIS name in vain.

Straight forward yet in today’s world GOD’s name is used in vain all the time. Those that do not believe in GOD will call upon GOD doing times of trouble only to go back to their old ways.

September 22, 2025 - Colossians 3:8

Colossians 3:8

8 But now ye also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

The mouth is one of our worst enemies. We all have trouble controlling our mouths and our thoughts. GOD knows our every thought.

September 23, 2025 - James

The Book of James

This epistle of James is one of the most instructive writings in the New Testament. Being chiefly directed against particular errors at that time brought in among the Jewish Christians, it does not contain the same full doctrinal statements as the other epistles, but it presents an admirable summary of the practical duties of all believers. The leading truths of Christianity are set forth throughout; and on attentive consideration, it will be found entirely to agree with Paul's statements concerning grace and justification, while it abounds with earnest exhortations to the patience of hope and obedience of faith and love, interspersed with warnings, reproofs, and encouragements, according to the characters addressed. The truths laid down are very serious, and necessary to be maintained; and the rules for practice ought to be observed at all times. In JESUS there are no dead and sapless branches, faith is not an idle grace; wherever it is, it brings forth fruit in works. How to apply to GOD under troubles, and how to behave in prosperous and in adverse circumstances. James is concerned with the practical aspects of Christian conduct; it tells how faith works in everyday life. James’s purpose was to provide a concrete ethical instruction, compared to Paul, James shows much less interest in formal theology, though the letter is not without theological statements (1:12, 2:1, 10-12, 19, 3:9, 5:7-9, 12, 14). Many subjects are discussed in the book of James, making it like a series of brief saying arranged in the form of a letter. While there is little formal structure to the book of James, its many instructions explain how to be doers of the Word.

September 24, 2025 - James 1:6-8

James 1:6-8

6) But let him ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

7) For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the LORD,

8) being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Doubting; going back and forth between belief and unbelief or being double-minded, a person of divided allegiance. What should we expect from the LORD?

September 25, 2025 - James 1:9-11

James 1:9-11

9) But let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high position;

10) and let the rich man glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away.

11) For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.

Money is the root of evil. It is OK to make money and to even become rich but to allow that money to corrupt you to a point in your life that that is what your goal is. 10) in his humiliation-maybe loosing what was so important to him or her, money, and ending up with nothing.

September 26 2025 - James 1:12

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the LORD has promised to those who love HIM.

Having stood the test of life, we who believe, receive a crown of life. Just one of the many rewards we will receive as GOD’s children.

September 27 2025 - James 1:13-16

James 1:13-16

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

To tempt is to test, try, prove, or solicit too evil. In v2 and v12 the same word is used to mean trials which are designed to prove the quality of one’s character. In verse 13 the word means “ a solicitation to evil,” and this, James says, is not from GOD but from mans own inner lust (v14). Any attempt at self-excuse I based on ignorance of GOD and of the nature of. Temptation.

September 28 2025 - James 1:17-18

James 1:17-18

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

18 Of HIS own will begat HE us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of HIS creatures.

Both the gift and the act of giving is from GOD our FATHER. GOD’s will or purpose is the cause of our regeneration by means of the Gospel Message.

September 29 2025 - James 1:19-20

James 1:19-20

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

In other words, listen to what is being said, speak softly to not cause wrath (anger) in a disagreement and do not become filled with wrath (anger) because someone disagrees with what you are saying. If you show wrath, then how can others believe that you’re a Child of GOD’s. We are to show kindness and love to all.

September 30 2025 - James 1:21-22

James 1:21-22

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

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Live the Life that GOD wants us to live and to receive the Word of GOD as it is given. We are not meant to sit on the side lines while the world goes by but to spread the Good News of JESUS to a lost and dying world. It is the Preachers job to help train us up so that we might go into our little part of the world and share the Gospel with others. So what is holding you, me, back?

October 1 2025 - James 1:23-24

James 1:23-24

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

We hear GOD’s Word every week but what do we do with what we hear? Do we remember what the Bible study or the Sermon was about? Do we just fill a seat, or do we get into GOD’s Word? The example of looking into a mirror and then walking away, do we remember the reflection in the mirror? When looking in the mirror what defects do we see in our own lives?

October 2 2025 - James 1:25

James 1:25

25 But one who looks intently at the Perfect Law, the Law of Liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.

The word of GOD is the means of regeneration (1-18), a mirror reflecting man’s defects (v23), the ethical guide for Christian living (25).

October 3 2025 - James 1:26

James 1:26

26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

If you think of yourself as a Christian and you cannot keep your mouth shut and spread strife, then you deceive yourself. The tongue gets so many of us in trouble.

October 4 2025 - James 1:27

James 1:27

27 This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our GOD and FATHER, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Pretty straight forward-Visit the orphans and widows. To comfort them and show them love. Be charitable to them in their need. I wonder how many of us do?

October 5 2025 - James 2

James 2

James continues with the main theme of his letter: genuine faith in God results in genuinely changed lives. This includes the "works" that we do, which involves our actions and our thoughts. Those who have a saving belief in God, who receive the gift of salvation through trusting in Christ, are expected to act out that trust while making choices about all of their actions. In other words, according to James, belief which leads to no change, or no works, is not saving faith at all. The works do not save us, but they do reveal the character of our trust in God.

What does that look like in our daily lives?

James's prior words in chapter one were a command to live out the Words of God. He compared the absurdity of hearing the Word, then ignoring it, to a man looking at his face in a mirror and then immediately forgetting what he looks like. Here, in chapter 2, James urge his readers not to show favoritism or partiality. As a specific example, he refers to rich people, including any wealthy people that might come to Christian gatherings. To show more love and kindness to the rich than to the poor is not consistent with our professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

James asks the reader to consider a scenario in which a wealthy-looking man and poor-looking man come to their Christian gathering. Why should the rich man be given a place of honor and the poor man be made to stand or to sit on the floor? This is exactly what would have happened in the typical non-Christian environment of James's day. Sadly, it happens in various ways even today. James is clear that it must not happen in the church.

Those who trust in Christ should trust God to provide for and protect them instead of hoping they will gain the favor and protection of the rich. After all, as James writes to his mostly poor Christian readers, it's the rich who are currently oppressing them!

In fact, James writes, to favor the rich over the poor is a sin. It is breaking the command to love your neighbor as yourself. And since breaking any command makes one a lawbreaker, showing favoritism to the wealthy is as much a breaking of the moral laws of God as murder or adultery. We all stand in need of God's mercy, therefore we should speak and act as people who honestly believe they will be judged by the law that brings freedom. Christians are obligated to be merciful to everyone.

Next, James lays out his case that it is not enough to simply have "belief" in God. In this notorious passage, he questions the value of a "faith" which is mere mental agreement with the truth. Any religious "faith"—or simple intellectual agreement—which doesn't result in good works is a dead faith. To have biblical, saving faith in God, to really trust Him, is a mindset which invariably leads one to obey God.

As an example, James describes an encounter with someone who doesn't have enough to wear or eat. Is it enough to simply tell them to stay warm and get something to eat and to go in peace? No, James insists, those words accomplish nothing. What we say in our minds is meaningless if it does not matter enough to influence our actions. More to the point, the actions prove the truth—or falsehood—behind the claimed belief.

Some read James's arguments as a contradiction to the teachings of Paul. It's not a necessary disagreement, as this passage actually complements the message of Paul very consistently. The reason for confusion involves a mistaken view of the biblical definition of "faith." Saving faith is not merely agreement; it is trust. James makes it clear that the "faith" which he says cannot save is mere intellectual belief. True faith saves, but it also results in works.

Paul was eager to make clear that salvation cannot be achieved by human effort. Freedom from the eternal penalty of sin is available only to those who trust in Christ. It is not something we can earn by keeping of the law (Ephesians 2:8–9). But those saved through faith and by God's grace will, without fail, step into the good works God has prepared for them to do (Ephesians 2:10).

James agrees. In fact, he is saying, theologically, exactly the same thing as Paul. However, while Paul emphasizes the "cause," which is trusting faith, James emphasizes the "effect," which is good works. James stresses that so-called-"faith", which is merely mental agreement and does not produce good and loving works, is not a genuine, saving faith. He points to the Old Testament examples of Abraham and Rahab to show that their faith saved them—and we know this because their "faith" resulted in obedience and courageous good works for God and His people.

James summarizes this with the explicit comparison to a dead body. A body which exhibits no spirit or breath is not alive. In the same way, a "faith"—in this case, meaning "intellectual belief"—with no resulting works is also dead.

October 6 2025 - James 2:1-9

James 2:1-9

1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:

9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

Doesn’t have to be a rich person but someone that is dressed in fine clothing verses someone that comes in with tattered clothing. Do we show partiality between the two? I have seen this happen before in churches that I have attended, but let’s consider going to a store and you see someone that may be of some importance, and you see someone in the same store that is a stranger to you and are maybe wearing pajamas. Would you greet these differently? Would you shy away from the one in pajamas? We as Christians are to treat everyone equally no matter how they dress, look or status they may hold in life. Read verse 9 again! JESUS says in Matthew 7:12- “Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” We are at love our neighbors as ourselves. So, who is your neighbor?

October 7 2025 - James 2:14

James 2:14

14 What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?

Can a non-working, dead, spurious faith save a person? James is not saying that we are saved by works, but that a faith that does not produce good works is a dead faith. Being Believers in JESUS CHRIST and having Faith in JESUS CHRIST will lead us to share the Gospel with others. We are called to serve and to share the Gospel to a lost and dying world. In doing so we are doing the works by being disciples of JESUS CHRIST and sharing HIS love to others. Both James and Paul define faith as a living, productive trust in JESUS! Genuine faith cannot be “dead” to morality or barren to works.

October 8 2025 - James 2:15-17

James 2:15-17

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

In today’s world there are many that are hungry, in need of clothing yet they go unnoticed. Some families are genuinely in need of survival from day to day. It is a hard thing to deny those standing on the street corners but in today’s world we also have many that refuse to work and provide. I struggle with this. What I do is purchase items that are needed and donate to shelters. It is not the best way but the only way that I believe I can help those that are truly in need. How else can we as Christians help those in need? Maybe you see someone in the grocery store that is struggling with what to purchase. Having to make choices between this item verses that item to stretch the dollar. You may be in line at checkout, and you see someone putting back food because they do not have the money, help them with your loose change or just purchase the food for them expecting nothing in return. GOD Loves a Cheerful giver!!

October 9 2025 - James 2:19-20

James 2:19-20

19 You believe that GOD is One. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder.

20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless.

The unity of GOD is a fundamental belief for Christians, but if that belief does not produce good deeds (works) it is no better than the monotheism (the belief that there is only one God) of the demons. If you have faith then that faith will produce work. Faith and works go hand in hand for those that have placed their faith and trust in our GOD.

October 10 2025 - James 2:21-25

James 2:21-25

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

True believing is not an act of understanding only, but a work of the whole heart. That a justifying faith cannot be without works, is shown from two examples, Abraham and Rahab. Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness. Faith, producing such works, advanced him to peculiar favors. We see then, ver. #24|, how that by works a man is justified, not by a bare opinion or profession, or believing without obeying; but by having such faith as produces good works. And to have to deny his own reason, affections, and interests, is an action fit to try a believer. Rahab's conduct proved her faith to be living or having power; it showed that she believed with her heart, not merely with an assent of understanding. Let us then take heed, for the best works, without faith, are dead; they want root and principle. By faith anything we do is good; as done in obedience to God and aiming at his acceptance: the root is as though it were dead, when there is no fruit. Faith is the root; good work is the fruit; and we must see to it that we have both. This is the grace of God wherein we stand, and we should stand to it. There is no middle state. Living to GOD, as it is the consequence of faith, which justifies and will save, obliges us to do nothing against HIM, but everything for HIM and to HIM.

October 11 2025 - James 3

James 3

A common objection to the stance James takes on faith and works involves the concept of "perfection." With all of James's talk about how those who trust God do good works, it's easy to make the mistake of thinking he is saying that Christians must be perfect. Some attempt to dismiss the connection between saving faith and good works by claiming it leads to perfectionism. That is, some claim tying works to saving faith means if we continue to sin, we are not really saved.

This verse makes it clear that James is not requiring perfection at all. The point of chapter 2 was that genuine Christians will participate in genuine good works in obedience to God. And yet, James is fully aware that fallible human beings will never do so without stumbling. James includes himself in this statement: "we all stumble in many ways" [emphasis added]. That should be encouraging. One struggle of the Christian life is our awareness of the many ways we continue to stumble. Knowing that James, like other New Testament authors, was not perfect should help put us at ease.

However, James also reveals that our goal is to stop stumbling, to be in full control of ourselves at all times. We're not there yet, especially when it comes to our words. The sign of a Christian who has arrived at full-faith perfection is one who never stumbles in what they say or how they say it. Such a perfected believer will never say anything unkind, hurtful, selfish, proud, rude, or manipulative. They will only and ever say words motivated by faith in God and love for each other.

Once we learn to perfectly control our words, we will be in perfect control of every part of ourselves. We will have "bridled"—or learned to keep in check—our entire body. This is a noble goal to aspire to, much like an athlete who aspires to never miss a shot on goal. And yet, as both James and the rest of the New Testament make plain, we will never attain that kind of perfection on this side of heaven (1 John 1:10; Romans 7:21–25).

October 12 2025 - James 3:1-4

James 3:1-4

1) Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgement.

2) For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

3) Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well.

4) Behold the ships also, though they are great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a vert small ruder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

James is not suggesting that nobody should become a teacher. It is a much needed role in the church, and God empowers specific individuals to fill it (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:7; Ephesians 4:11). In the church, teachers are meant to help make the Word of God clear to other Christians. A teacher's job, specifically, is not to prophesy or reveal new truths from God. Instead, they do the work of taking what has been revealed and making it easier to understand and follow. A common objection to the stance James takes on faith and works involves the concept of "perfection." With all of James's talk about how those who trust God do good works, it's easy to make the mistake of thinking he is saying that Christians must be perfect. That is, some claim tying works to saving faith means if we continue to sin, we are not really saved. James is fully aware that fallible human beings will never do so without stumbling. James includes himself in this statement: "we all stumble in many ways"! James's point in referring to a horse's bit is that a large, powerful animal can be overcome and controlled by something very small. The power of the bit is not in its size, but in its effectiveness. James will quickly reveal that we don't have the same control over our own words that we do over horses. James is making the point that just because the tongue is small does not mean it is weak. (Ref. James brings three analogies to show how something small can be so powerful.)

October 13 2025 - James 3:5-12

James 3:5-12

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

This passage continues James's big idea that faith and works go together. Specifically, that what one does (or says) proves what they really believe. Those who trust God, who really believe Him, begin to be changed in their speech, as well. And yet, everyone still stumbles. The tongue is untamable, capable of great destruction. In fact, James calls it a fire and a restless evil that is itself set on fire by hell. We need to be changed. It shouldn't be that we praise God and curse the people made in His image. And yet, as fallen people, we do just that.

October 14 2025 - James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness o wisdom.

14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 3:13–18 questions our concept of who is wise and understanding. James quickly answers: the truly wise, understanding person is one whose faith in God leads to selfless good works. Wise people live in the humility of wisdom, setting themselves aside to serve others. That's not worldly wisdom, which leaves each person responsible to serve him- or herself first. Earthly attitudes are driven by envy for what others have, and an ambition to take it. The result is disorder and evil instead of the peace, gentleness, and mercy that follow from living by heaven's wisdom.

October 15 2025 - James 4

James 4

What is the result of living by the wisdom of the world, rather than the wisdom of God? What should Christians do when they realize that's the path they've been on? James answers those questions in chapter 4. This passage continues to build on the end of chapter 3. Previously, James described the so-called wisdom of the world: figure out what you really want out of life (bitter envy) and plan to get it for yourself at any cost (selfish ambition). He described this earthly, unspiritual, demonic philosophy as the source of disorder and all sorts of evil in the world (James 3:15–16).

James has been writing to Jewish Christians of the first century (James 1:1). Here, in chapter 4, James says to these very readers that a worldly, unspiritual road is the very one they have been following. This is what causes fights and quarrels among them. When people follow this road, they try to get what they want for themselves, frustrated by the people standing in their way. So, they fight, quarrel, even kill. Instead of trusting that they have a loving heavenly Father to provide in His perfect timing, worldly-minded people insist on fighting to get what they want.

James elevates our awareness of how serious this problem is by putting a sharp label on it: adultery. Are you following the wisdom of the world, while claiming to be a Christian believer? If so, you're cheating on God with this world system of serving yourself first and at all costs. You can't do both. If you make yourself a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God (James 4:1–5).

James writes that if in your pride you stay on that path, God will oppose you, but He will not reject you. Repentance is always possible. He gives more grace (James 4:6).

So, James's plea to those caught up in the wisdom of the world is simple: turn around. Submit to God. Resist the devil. Move closer to God. He will move closer to you. What grace! Cleanse yourself of sin, and be truly sad about it. Humble yourself by quitting your life's work of getting what you want, and trust God to exalt you far above anything you could have done for yourself (James 4:7–10).

God is the only judge. He wrote the Law. Don't make it your business to judge other people as if you are either the judge or lawgiver. That's God's job (James 4:11–12).

In true humility, Christians understand that their lives are fragile and short. Unless God allows it, they can accomplish nothing. Don't be so arrogant as to declare what you will do to gather good for yourself. That's just empty, arrogant, evil, foolish boasting. Instead, make your plans with the humble awareness that God may change them at any time (James 4:13–16).

The chapter also presents a unique aspect of Christian ethics. Rather than simply not harming others, the Bible actually obligates us to actively do what is right. As James says, it is sin to know the right thing to do, and choose not to do it (James 4:17).

October 16 2025 - James 4:1-2

James 4:1-2

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. you do not have because you do not ask.

The logical, but not necessarily usual outcome of lust is murder. We desire things that are not ours and we do whatever it takes to have what we want even to the point of murder. This is so true in our world today. We lust for what we don’t have and it will be the death, separation from GOD, of us all that lust after the things of the world.

October 17 2025 - James 4:3-4

James 4:3-4

3 You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward GOD? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of GOD.

How many times have we asked for something just because we think we need the item(s) when it is only because someone else has it (them) and we have lusted, just have to have it mentality, to have the same thing? There are things we need to survive this world but many times we seek only for our own pleasures the things of the world and not things of GOD!!

October 18 2025 - James 4:5-6

James 4:5-6

5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “HE jealously desires the Spirit which HE has made to dwell in us”?

6 But, HE gives a greater grace. Therefore, it says, “GOD is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The thought may also be expressed as; Do you imagine there is no meaning to the Scripture that says. “The Spirit that dwells in us longs jealously over us”. Are we proud or are we humble? Only we can answer that question.

October 19 2025 - James 4:7-10

James 4:7-10

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

There are 10 verbs, all commands, in these verses. The mood is tense, which indicates the need for a decisive and urgent break from the old lifestyle. In verse 8 double-minded is basically divided allegiance. In verse 9 laughter is sometimes desirable but not when it reflects worldly frivolity.

October 20, 2025 - James 4:11-12

James 4:11-12

11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

The person who judges his brother disobeys the law, thus putting himself above the law and treating the law with contempt. How many times have we judged someone without even knowing them or knowing them but needing help in the change of their heart. Can’t judge a book by its cover. You have you to find out what is on the inside and be willing to help those in need of understanding and not judgement

October 21, 2025 - James 4:13-17

James 4:13-17

13 “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend aa year there and engage in business and make a profit.”

14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are but a vapor that appears for aa little while and then vanishes away,

15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the LORD wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him is sin.

The folly of forgetting GOD in business is another manifestation of worldliness. You want your business or your home life to be profitable then put GOD in it first. Without GOD you will fail regardless of what the world tells you.

What was causing fights and quarrels among the Christians to whom James was writing? They were living by the world's wisdom. This false perspective says human beings should do whatever it takes to get what they want in this life, even if it hurts other people. James says that to live that way is adultery, but God gives grace. Christians should repent and move close to God again. We should trust Him to provide, to be the Judge, and to lift us up in His time. In humility, we must acknowledge that all of our plans are dependent on Him, and He can change them at any moment.

October 22, 2025 - James 5

James 5

James pronounces the coming doom of certain rich landowners, who were oppressing the poverty-stricken Christians. He calls on wealthy people to start weeping and wailing now in anticipation of their coming misery. In fact, it will come so quickly James writes as if it has already happened. This is a common technique used in Bible prophecy, such as in the book of Obadiah (Obadiah 1:3–7). Under this perspective, their riches have rotted, their expensive clothes are moth-eaten, and their silver and gold has corroded (James 5:1–3).

James lays out the charges against these wealthy antagonists. These are crimes they will pay for when God's judgment comes on the day of the Lord. According to this passage, these selfish people have hoarded wealth while others suffered in poverty. They have cheated their workers out of earned wages. They have lived in luxury while others lived in squalor. They have used their influence in a rigged court system to take more from the poor—even to kill the innocent (James 5:4–6).

James's warning is dire: God has noticed, and their judgment is coming.

Then James turns back to his oppressed Christian readers in their suffering. He urges them to stay patient as they wait. The day of the Lord, the very same one that their oppressors should be dreading, is one they can look forward to. It will come. The Lord is standing at the door and ready.

According to James, his readers must be patient, like farmers who wait through the rainy seasons for the harvest to be ready. They must strengthen their hearts, stand firm in their faith, and refuse to give into grumbling against each other in their suffering. Instead, they should follow the example of the Old Testament prophets and Job, who remained faithful to God through great suffering and persecution. Then, as now, God knows what His people are going through. He is still compassionate and merciful. He will reward those who are faithful (James 5:7–12).

James opened his letter by commanding believers to count all struggles as "joy." His intent was not for Christians to pretend to be happy, but simply to realize that God could bring good out of every situation. Now, James closes out his letter by encouraging believers to demonstrate their faith in God by praying in response to every circumstance. Are you in trouble? James says you should pray. Are you cheerful? Sing songs of praise, he says. Are you sick, or spiritually weak? Involve the community by asking the elders to pray for you, anointing you with oil, and the Lord will raise you up; your sins will be forgiven (James 5:13–15).

James makes it clear that the community of Christians should take responsibility for each other. They should confess their sins to each other—so those brothers and sisters can pray for one another's strength to overcome those sins. Healing will follow. Prayer is powerful and effective. God hears and responds. James often repeats the idea that what a person does reflects what he believes. So, those who believe prayer works should pray (James 5:16–18)!

Finally, people who are in the community of Christ should make an attempt to go and rescue those who have wandered away and into sin. They have the opportunity to save souls from death (James 5:19–20).

in the last chapter of his letter, James addresses three things: He pronounces to the rich oppressors of the Christians that their judgment is coming on the day of the Lord. He urges those suffering under that oppression to remain patient, strong in their faith, as they wait for the day of the Lord. And he encourages all Christians to show their faith in God by praying in response to every circumstance.

October 23, 2025 - James 5:1-2

James 5:1-2

1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.

2 Your riches have rotted and your garment have become moth-eaten.

James begins a new section of his letter in which he harshly condemns "you rich" people. He begins by warning them of misery headed their way. They should start weeping and wailing now in anticipation of it, he says. Jesus offered a similar warning to wealthy people in Luke 6:24–25a: "But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.” 25a “Woe to you who are well fed now, for you shall be hungry.” Is every wealthy person unrighteous and evil? Is James condemning the very possession of wealth? The answer is no, because that's not the teaching of this passage, nor the rest of Scripture. In James 1:10, he offers instruction to wealthy Christians about how to evaluate their lives. Paul does the same, even more clearly, in 1 Timothy 6:17.

James's point in this section is not to condemn all wealthy people, or all wealth. Rather, James is targeting a particular group of people. These are those rich people who have allowed their wealth to control them and warp their minds. The most tempting failure for those with wealth is to trust their material riches, rather than God!

October 24, 2025 - James 5:3

James 5:3

3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!

James's attention is on the day of God's judgment against these wealthy oppressors. The misuse of their gold and silver will testify against them, according to this symbolic description of corrosion. Instead of using their stockpiles of precious metals to help the poor, they just hoarded the money until it began to waste away. When God rules against them, their own flesh will be eaten away by fire in the same way the corrosion has eaten away their gold and silver.

October 25, 2025 - James 5:4-6

James 5:4-6

4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.

5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

4 Here, James charges these abusive rich men not just with neglect and selfishness, but with outright fraud. These wealthy businessmen cheated their own employees out of the wages they had earned working in the fields.

5 In this verse he uses sharp, cutting imagery to drive home the reality of the coming judgment. In a time of great need, these wealthy people had lived out lives of luxury and self-indulgence. They had used their wealth to provide for themselves the easiest, softest lives possible. In doing so, they had fattened themselves, or their hearts, for the day of slaughter. And they had done this while not only ignoring the plight of others (James 5:3), but while abusing them in order to become even richer (James 5:4).

6 James offers his final charge against the wealthy oppressors he has been condemning: murder. Not only were they guilty of hoarding wealth while others suffered in poverty, of cheating their workers out of earned wages, and of living in self–indulgent luxury, they had literally caused an innocent—or righteous—man to die.

October 26, 2025 - James 5:7-8

James 5:7-8

7 Be patient, therefore, brethren, until the coming of the LORD. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it until it gets the early and late rains.

8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts for the coming of the LORD is at hand.

James turns to encourage these suffering believers. He urges them to be patient as they wait for the coming of the Lord. Waiting is hard when you're suffering. James uses the analogy of a farmer for encouragement. He asks his readers to think of how hardworking farm hands have to wait for the payoff of their efforts. All of the struggle and strain, through all the stages of the growing season, eventually lead to the glorious harvest. Be patient like that, James says. The harvest will come.

October 27, 2025 - James 5:9-11

James 5:9-11

9 Do not complain, brothers and sisters, against one another, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

10 As an example, brothers and sisters, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

11 Behold, we count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

9 James warns his Christian readers not to grumble against each other, which shows a lack of trust in God. The fact that the day of the Lord will come soon means that the Judge is standing at the door. Don't risk His judgment by giving in to the pressure of your suffering and turning on each other.

10 James offers the example of the Old Testament prophets. These men delivered God's messages, which often included warnings of God's coming judgment.

11 James points to another example of this kind of faithfulness-despite-suffering. Some would say this is, in fact, the ultimate example. This story is told in the book of Job. Job was a man who endured enormous suffering while refusing to renounce his faith in God. In the end, God rewarded him by restoring all he had lost and giving him much, much more. Suffering Christians in every era should follow Job's example of faithfulness to God in their physical and emotional suffering, and every believer in Jesus should also expect, ultimately, to receive from God far more than we have ever lost.

October 28, 2025 - James 5:12

James 5: 12

12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

James begins by saying "above all," indicating that this is a big deal. He then repeats, nearly word for word, Jesus' command about taking oaths as recorded in Matthew 5:34–37. When James writes that we must not "swear," he isn't talking about using coarse language. Nor is he speaking, necessarily, about using God's name as a cuss word. He is talking about a practice that was apparently common in this era: taking an oath to convince someone either that you were telling the truth or that you would keep a promise.

October 29, 2025 - James 5:13-18

James 5:13-18

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises.

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church.t them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the LORD;

15 and the prayers offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the LORD will raise him up, and if he has committed sins they will be forgiven him.

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.

18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

So, any Christian who is suffering or who is in trouble should naturally be inclined to pray. If your happy then lift your voice up in songs of worship to our GOD and to JESUS. First, God doesn't intend for Christians to suffer alone. Nor does He want them to pray for themselves in private without ever revealing their problems. Second, God does intend for the spiritual leaders of local churches to be ready and willing to pray together for the struggling people in their congregations. In verse 16, James writes that it should be common practice for Christians to confess our sins to each other and to pray for each other, so that we may be healed. As in the previous verses, some Bible scholars read the word "healed" here as a reference to healing from physical illness. Others understand it to mean healing from discouragement and spiritual weakness. In either case, this healing requires two things from Christians. We are both to confess our sins to each other, and to pray for each other.

Elijah was a prophet of God, but even so he was nothing more than a fallible, mortal, limited human man. And yet, when he prayed that it would not rain, it didn't rain.

Of course, neither James's readers nor modern Christians easily think of Elijah as just an ordinary man. He was used by God to do amazing, miraculous things. This, though, is part of James's point. Elijah's power came from God, in response to Elijah's prayers.

James has been using the example of Elijah's prayer. Elijah was, ultimately, just a mortal man. And yet, his prayer was powerful and effective. Prayer works, but not because of the power of the one who prays. It works because God hears, and responds with all of His power and effectiveness.

The event James references is found in the book of 1 Kings, chapters 17 and 18. God stopped and started the rain in highly dramatic fashion in response to Elijah's obedient prayers.

October 30, 2025 - James 5:19-20

James 5:19-20

19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back,

20 let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

James comes to the conclusion of his letter with a challenge to his readers: make an attempt to bring back those among you who have wandered from the truth. He refers to men and women who were once part of the Christian community who have lost their way. Perhaps he has in mind believers who became spiritually weak. Perhaps these were never true believers in Christ, at all, but merely part of the community. In either case, they've wandered away after false ideas. Verse 20 completes a thought James began in the prior verse. In verse 19, he stated that if one of his readers would go and bring back a former member of their community who has wandered from God's truth, that rescuing Christian should understand what's at stake. Those wandering ones have walked away from truth and into sin. What they now believe is error. They are trusting a lie that is leading them away from the path of faith in God. If they can be turned back, they—or their soul—will be saved from death and their many sins will be covered over.

October 31, 2025 - James Conclusion

James Conclusion:

This false perspective says human beings should do whatever it takes to get what they want in this life, even if it hurts other people. James says that to live that way is adultery, but GOD gives grace. Christians should repent and move close to GOD again. We should trust HIM to provide, to be the JUDGE, and to lift us up in HIS time. In humility, we must acknowledge that all of our plans are dependent on GOD, and GOD can change them at any moment.

November 1, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians

First Thessalonians consists of five chapters that comprise two major sections. The first section address Paul's personal thoughts concerning the church. He expresses much thanks for the way the Thessalonians live (1 Thessalonians 1:2–10), describing them as positive examples for the churches. Chapter 2 retells some of Paul's ministry to this young church (1 Thessalonians 2:1–16). He concludes the chapter with a longing to see them again to bring him glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:17–20). Though Paul is concerned regarding the status of the church (1 Thessalonians 3:1–5), Timothy had recently returned with good news of their faith and love (1 Thessalonians 3:6). Paul thanks God (1 Thessalonians 3:9) and ends the section with a prayer for the believers receiving his letter (1 Thessalonians 3:11–13).

The second major section covers the remainder of the book and addresses various practical concerns (1 Thessalonians 4—5). First, Paul urges them to live a life that pleases the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:1). He addresses their concerns about the coming of the Lord, noting the dead in Christ will rise first at the rapture, followed by believers still living. All believers will then meet the Lord in the air and be with Him forever, which Paul calls a source of encouragement (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

Chapter 5 then addresses the "day of the Lord," a day that will come suddenly upon those unprepared (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11). Paul concludes with instructions to respect their leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13), correct the idle (1 Thessalonians 5:14), and various other instructions for Christian living (1 Thessalonians 5:15–22), concluding with a final blessing and instructions regarding greeting one another and reading the letter to all (1 Thessalonians 5:23–28).

Key Verses (ESV):

1 Thessalonians 3:5: "For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain."

1 Thessalonians 3:7: "For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith."

1 Thessalonians 4:14–17: "For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:8–9: "But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ."

November 2, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1

Thessalonica was a major city of Greece, a hub of culture and commerce. Paul had visited this city during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1–4), establishing groups of new believers there. That success was not without hardship, as Paul experienced significant backlash from the people of that region, most especially from Jewish critics (Acts 17:5–9). As a result of that controversy, he moved along to Berea, where he found the Jewish population to be much more receptive to his message (Acts 17:11).

Despite suffering persecution and trials, it seems that the church in Thessalonica flourished. In this, his first letter to the Christians of Thessalonica, Paul seems thrilled to hear good news about their growth. These believers are not only thriving, spiritually, they are working hard to spread the gospel to the rest of the world.

This opening chapter is relatively short, only ten verses, but it sets the tone for the rest of Paul's letter. The primary message of this passage is that Paul has heard good things about the churches of this region. For this reason, Paul praises God—saying he "constantly" mentions them in his prayers to God. Part of the reason for this praise is given in later passages, such as chapter 2. Not all cities responded to Paul's message as warmly as Thessalonica. This contrast between apathy—even abuse—and loving support certainly made an impression on Paul.

Paul's introduction here also sets the stage for the rest of the content of his letter. With a general background of praise and support, Paul will address concerns expressed by the Thessalonians themselves. These include unfair attacks from outsiders, rumors about Paul himself, questions about the return of Christ, and other matters. Paul will also address a few spiritual areas in which the Thessalonians need to be corrected.

November 3, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

Paul greets the Thessalonian church with a combination of Greek and Hebrew salutations. "Grace" conveys a sense of God's favor, and "peace" conveys a sense of well-being. Well-being results from God's grace at work in a person's heart.

In verse 2 Paul assures his readers that he, Silvanus, and Timothy were praying for them. They were praying for all the Thessalonian Christians with thanksgiving as they mentioned them constantly in their prayers. They were a source of joy to Paul and his team members. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 he asks, "For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming?" He answers his question by citing the Thessalonian believers: "Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy."

Paul remembered the Thessalonian believers as he prayed to God the Father. Jesus taught us to address God as "Father" (Luke 11:2). The name "Father" reflects God's love and care, and encourages us to trust Him. Paul remembered three supreme qualities his readers exhibited. They were faith, love, and hope, and are cited in 1 Corinthians 13:13 as enduring and highly commendable. The Christians at Thessalonica demonstrated faith that worked. It had resulted in repentance (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9). Their love for Jesus had caused them to toil for Him. Their hope in Christ's return had produced steadfast endurance of persecution.

Paul refers to the believers at Thessalonica as "brothers." He and his readers had believed in Jesus as Savior and thereby had become members of God's family. God was their Father, and they were brothers.

November 4, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 1:5

1 Thessalonians 1:5

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

When the good news of salvation first reached the Thessalonians, they received it as God's message for them and not merely as human philosophy. The Holy Spirit powerfully drove home the gospel to their hearts, and the holy conduct of the messengers strengthened the conviction that the gospel was true.

This pattern of receiving God's grace and reflecting its transforming power is consistent with what the Holy Spirit does in the heart of everyone who believes on Christ. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and He glorifies the Lord in the lives of those who believe (John 16:8–11, 14; 2 Corinthians 3:18). The Spirit uses the inspired Word of God to make believers the illustrated Word (Galatians 5:16, 22–23; Ephesians 5:18–21; Philippians 2:12–13; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–23).

November 5, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

7 So that ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

After receiving the gospel, the Thessalonian believers patterned their lives after the lives of Paul and his fellow missionaries. They also patterned their lives after the life of the Lord. Just as Paul, his companions, and the Lord knew firsthand what suffering was, so the believers at Thessalonica experienced firsthand what it meant to suffer at the hands of unbelievers.

The Christians at Thessalonica lived such exemplary lives that they set the standard for believers in other parts of Macedonia. This was despite their persecution and the challenges they faced. Their transformed lives also set the standard for the believers in Achaia, the neighboring province to the south. This echoes a theme common in Paul's instructions, as shown in his letters.

A transformed life is the norm for all who believe in Jesus as their Savior, as well as the ability to find joy, even in the midst of affliction.

November 6, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

In verse 8, Paul writes further about the example set by the Thessalonian Christians. They had become missionaries by sharing with others the good news they had received. Likely, they shared the good news with sailors at the seaport and with travelers on the major land route that passed alongside their city. As they traveled throughout Macedonia, Achaia, and beyond, they spread the gospel so effectively that their reputation as effective believers was known widely, so much so that Paul did not have to inform anyone about what had transpired at Thessalonica.

As shown in prior verses, this refers to a pattern, to which we're called by Christ. His final instructions before ascending into heaven were to make disciples throughout the world (Matthew 28:18–20). Even on a personal level, believers are expected to live in such a way that others see the influence of God in us (Matthew 5:16). The Thessalonian Christians were taking these ideas seriously, and their efforts were being rewarded with great success.

After their conversion to Christ, these Thessalonians abandoned their pagan ways. They no longer worshiped idols. Now they worshiped and served the true God who lives eternally. The practice of idolatry stands in stark contrast to the worship of the living and true God, but was prevalent in the first century. The apostle John issued a clear warning to Christians: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21).

The Thessalonian Christians not only worked to serve the living and true God, but also "to wait for his Son from heaven." The Thessalonians were aware that He promised to return, and they were eagerly anticipating that day.

November 7, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 1 Summary

Chapter 1 Summary

First Thessalonians 1 records the apostle Paul's greetings to the Christians at Thessalonica. Thessalonica was the second city Paul preached in, after receiving a call to present the gospel in Macedonia. Philippi was the first city in Europe to receive the gospel from Paul. Both churches received a letter from Paul, but 1 Thessalonians, written around AD 51, was among the earliest of Paul's New Testament letters. In the first chapter, he expresses his gratitude for the Thessalonian believers' spiritual progress, and gives a brief background of what had happened during his visit to their city. He commends them for their spread of the gospel, their exemplary faith, and their turning from idols to serve the true God and to wait for Jesus' return.

November 8, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2

In chapter 2 Paul recalls his ministry at Thessalonica. He had been maltreated at Philippi, but his suffering did not deter him from moving on to Thessalonica and declaring the gospel there. His willingness to suffer in order to share the gospel showed he wasn't motivated by money or self-glory. God had entrusted him with the gospel, and he had been true to that trust. His message was truly from God. His motives for preaching the gospel were pure. And his ministry was genuine. He testifies that the Thessalonian Christians had become "very dear to us" (1 Thessalonians 2:1–8).

Just as a mother gently cares for her children, so Paul was gentle among the Thessalonian believers. He would not be a burden to them, but provided for his own needs. Most likely, Paul did this by working part-time as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3), much as many modern evangelists need to work in some kind of secular field in order to support their ministry work. The Thessalonians could see that Paul was a righteous servant of God, and just as a responsible father encourages and instructs his children, so Paul acted as a father on behalf of the believers at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:9–12).

Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians, because they had responded positively to the Word of God, and the Word had produced fruit in their lives. They had become like the Judean believers by withstanding persecution. Paul assures his readers that those who oppose the gospel are objects of God's wrath. He explains that he wanted to return to Thessalonica, but Satan hindered him from doing so. He calls the Christians at Thessalonica his glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:13–20).

Chapter 1 briefly introduced the relationship between Paul and the Christians at Thessalonica. This introduction is expanded in chapter 2, where Paul gives additional details about how he came to preach there, why he left, and what he has heard of their spiritual progress.

November 9, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

Paul reflects on his missionary venture in Thessalonica. It was not unproductive. As 1 Thessalonians 1:9 reports, Paul's readers had become his brothers. They had turned away from idolatry and had become servants of God, and they were anticipating Jesus' return from heaven. When God's Word is sent out, it always accomplishes the purpose God had in sending it. That message may fall on some hearts that are like rocky ground and become scorched by the sun; or it may fall on some hearts that are like a path on which birds devour the seed; or it may fall on some hearts that are like thorny ground that chokes the seed (Mark 4:1–9).

However, God's Word will surely fall—eventually—on good soil and produce an abundant harvest. Isaiah 55:10–11 relates a similar message about God's Word. He promises, "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth,making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Paul had suffered at Philippi for the sake of the gospel. He and Silas had been beaten and imprisoned at Philippi (Acts 16:19–24), but they did not abandon their missionary ventures. Instead, God gave them the courage to preach the gospel at Thessalonica in spite of fierce opposition.

November 10, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4

1 Thessalonians 2:1-2

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

November 11, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2:5-7

1 Thessalonians 2:5-7

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

When Paul preached to the Thessalonians, false prophets gave conflicting messages. Unlike those false prophets, Paul did not try to win the Thessalonians by flattering them. Nor did he try to line his pockets. Paul knew his conduct was pure, and he called upon God as his witness to this truth.

Jesus also warned about those who taught fake spirituality, for selfish reasons. He said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). The apostle John sounded a similar alarm in 1 John 4:1. He wrote, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Paul and his missionary companions did not try to make a name for themselves among the Thessalonians and others. Nor did they demand money from their audience. They did not use their apostolic credentials as a means of getting anything from those to whom they preached the gospel. Their goal was to serve and to give of themselves on behalf of others. They were servants for Jesus' sake (2 Corinthians 4:5).

Paul compares the care he and his missionary companions gave the young believers at Thessalonica to the care a nursing mother gives her own babies. They had fed the newborn Christians wholesome spiritual food so they would develop well. By using the words "own children" in verse 7, Paul was showing how closely he identified with the Thessalonian believers. This demonstrates how much personal responsibility he assumed for their spiritual wellness.

November 12, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9

1 Thessalonians 2:8-9

8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Instead of greedily taking what they could get from the Christians at Thessalonica, Paul and his companions eagerly shared the good news about God with them. Because the Christians had become precious to Paul and his team, the missionaries were willing to give them all they had, including themselves.

In verse 9 Paul calls upon his readers to remember how hard he had worked in order not to impose on them. He worked long hours, to the point of exhaustion, and endured hardship in order to preach and teach the gospel. Perhaps his work involved making tents, which seems to be a trade he adopted. Acts 18:1–3 relates that he stayed with Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth because they were tentmakers, also.

Paul's sacrificial labor to enrich the lives of the Thessalonians reflects the sacrificial ministry of the Lord Jesus on our behalf. Jesus led a voluntary simple life. He owned no property and did not even have a place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). When He died on the cross, He gave His blood on our behalf. Second Corinthians 8:9 affirms: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich [in heaven], yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."

November 13, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

1 Thessalonians 2:10-12

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

The believers at Thessalonica could testify that Paul and his coworkers were beyond reproach in their midst. They were devoted to God, lived up to the standards God had set for behavior, and no one could rightfully accuse them of wrongdoing. They conducted themselves admirably, letting their light shine so that the Thessalonians could see their good works and glorify God (see Matthew 5:16).

Paul compares his relationship with the Thessalonian Christians to that of a father and his children. Because Paul had won the Thessalonians to Christ, he had become their spiritual father and they had become his spiritual children. Paul and Timothy, one of Paul's missionary companions, also had that kind of relationship. Apparently Paul had led Timothy to Christ at Lystra. In 1 Timothy 1:2 he refers to Timothy as "my true child in the faith."

This continues the father-children analogy Paul began in the prior verse,11, describing his ministry to the Thessalonians. Just as a father teaches and encourages his children, so Paul urged and encouraged the Thessalonian Christians to live in a way that would honor God, who had summoned them to partake of His kingdom and glory.

Proverbs 4 describes a wise father's instructions to his son and the son's responsibility to heed the instructions. The chapter begins with an exhortation: "Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight" (Proverbs 4:1). Like a wise father, Paul had instructed his spiritual children at Thessalonica.

November 14, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2:13

1 Thessalonians 2:13

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

In this verse Paul expresses his unceasing gratitude that the Thessalonian Christians had responded with faith when he preached to them. They accepted what he said as God's Word and not the word of men. Paul understood that the Word of God had taken hold of their lives and was bearing spiritual fruit. This comment expands on the remarks made by Paul at the start of this letter, when he also referred to his "constant" mention of the Thessalonians in his prayers.

November 15, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Paul refers to the churches in Judea as suffering persecution from the Jews. He indicates that, like the Judean believers, the Thessalonian Christians were suffering persecution from their countrymen. Jewish Christians who accepted Christ were under immense pressure to return to obedience to the law—this is a major inspiration of the book of Hebrews. The Thessalonians also experienced backlash for turning away from the religion of their neighbors. In their case, however, the former religion was entirely pagan and idolatrous (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Faithful Christians can expect persecution. Paul writes: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus, too, predicted His followers would be persecuted. He said, "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you…", "A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you …" (John 15:18, 20).

Paul commends the Christians of Thessalonica for faithfully enduring persecution. Their conversion from idolatry to the truth (1 Thessalonians 1:9) would have angered many of their neighbors, family, and friends. The persecutors of the Thessalonians were the same kind of people who had crucified the Lord Jesus and martyred the Old Testament prophets. Jesus accused the unrepentant Jews of Jerusalem of killing the prophets and stoning God's messengers. He spoke of His constant willingness to show them His love and care, but they had rejected His offer. He even said, "How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not" (Luke 13:34).

Following in the succession of those who had rejected Jesus, unrepentant Jews had forced Paul and his team out of Thessalonica. Paul charged them with the sins of displeasing God and keeping others from hearing the gospel. It is bad enough to reject the gospel, but it worse to stand in the way of others who might otherwise hear, believe, and be saved.

The persecutors of the Thessalonian Christians had stood in the way of Paul's outreach to the Gentiles. By doing so, they were curtailing Paul's ability to give others an opportunity to be saved (Matthew 18:6). They were piling up sins upon sins and bringing God's wrath upon them. Paul's reference to God's wrath may point to God's turning from the Jews in order to draw the Gentiles to Himself.

November 16, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Perhaps some of the Thessalonian believers thought Paul had purposely abandoned them, but that was not the case. Persecution had separated Paul and his missionary team from the Thessalonian Christians. He addresses the believers as his brothers whom he hoped to see again soon.

The term "brothers" reveals the strong relationship that existed between Paul and the Thessalonian Christians. He writes that he has them in his heart, but he longed to see them in person, and he had tried to visit them. Being suddenly separated from them felt like the loss children feel when death separates them from their parents. Paul was physically separated from the Thessalonians, but he still held them lovingly in his heart. It was not a case of "out of sight, out of mind."

In verse 18 Paul blames Satan for hindering him from returning to Thessalonica. Every time he tried to visit his Thessalonian brothers, circumstances opposed his doing so. Paul attributes this interference to the work of the Devil. In Ephesians 6:11–12 Paul speaks of Satan as a powerful adversary. Clearly, because God was working in Paul's life and ministry, Satan targeted Paul as someone he wanted to destroy.

Looking forward to the return of Jesus, Paul asks the Thessalonian believers what he most anticipated and what would give him his greatest joy, what crown would he wear, and what would make him most proud? His answer is simple, but profound: it is those with whom he has shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. Verses 19 and 20 make this point in poignant detail.

The New Testament teaches that faithful believers will receive crowns when Jesus comes again. First Corinthians 9:25 mentions an imperishable wreath for those who run the Christian race successfully. Second Timothy 4:8 invokes the crown of righteousness. James 1:12 speaks of the crown of life. First Peter 5:4 references an unfading crown of glory. Revelation 2:10 mentions the crown of life. Paul identified the Thessalonian believers as his crown and also his hope and joy.

In verse 20 Paul answers the question he posed in verse 19, asking what his ultimate reward was for his service to Christ. He replies that the Thessalonian believers—the people, themselves—were his joy and glory. This declaration would encourage the believers immensely and assure them that Paul's absence from them had not dimmed his love for them.

What Paul writes in this verse assures us that eternal value resides in work done in the name of Christ, not in material possessions (1 John 2:15–17). Jesus warned against materialism. He said: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19). He instructed His followers to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:20–21). The Thessalonian believers were Paul's treasure, and they were dear to his heart!

November 17, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3

In this chapter Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that he had sent Timothy from Athens to Thessalonica to encourage them, and to learn how they were getting along in the Christian life. He reminds them that his sufferings were not unexpected but were predicted (1 Thessalonians 3:1–5).

Paul states that Timothy had returned with good news about the Thessalonian believers' faith and love. Timothy had also told Paul that the believers shared fond memories of Paul and longed to see him again, just as he longed to see them. This corresponds to Paul's earlier comment that he had only been prevented from visiting the Thessalonians by the interference of Satan (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Timothy's positive report helped Paul cope with his afflictions. Paul indicates he has great joy in knowing the believers at Thessalonica were doing well spiritually. He says he is praying around the clock to see them face-to-face and to address any deficiencies in their faith (1 Thessalonians 3:6–10). Some of those concerns, at least, Paul will discuss in chapters 4 and 5.

The chapter closes with Paul praying that the Lord would make the Thessalonian believers' love overflow to one another and to others, as Paul's love overflowed to the Thessalonians. He asks God to strengthen them so they would be free of accusations at the coming of the Lord Jesus with His saints. This is a reference to departed righteous souls who will receive their resurrected bodies at that time (1 Thessalonians 3:11–13).

After these words, Paul will begin to address some of the fears and doubts with which the Thessalonians are struggling. These include worries inspired by false teachings about the end times and the return of Christ.

November 18, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

1 Thessalonians 3:1-3

1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith,

3 that no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

Paul was unable to return to Thessalonica when he wanted to, and he lacked the company of Timothy and Silas at Athens. He had traveled to Athens from Berea, where Timothy and Silas stayed. He had reached Athens under unfavorable circumstances, because Jewish agitators from Thessalonica had stirred up crowds against him at Berea. Subsequently, some Christians at Berea had accompanied Paul to Athens before they returned to Berea (Acts 17:13–15).

In verse 2 Paul tells the believers at Thessalonica that he had sent Timothy to them, so Timothy could strengthen and encourage them in their faith. This was an important ministry because the believers were undergoing strong opposition from unbelievers. They needed to be strong in what they believed so they would not fall under pressure. Paul calls Timothy "our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ." Timothy was younger than Paul, so his youth might reduce his perceived credibility. Paul's endorsement of him would help the Thessalonians accept his teaching.

Paul reminds his readers, in this verse, that afflictions are a normal part of the Christian's experience. According to later verses, Timothy's visit was also to see if the Thessalonians had been able to endure their trials (1 Thessalonians 3:5).

November 19, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 3:4-6

1 Thessalonians 3:4-6

4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

In verse 4 Paul reminds the Christians at Thessalonica that, while he was with them, he said repeatedly they would experience persecution. Just as he had predicted, persecution had struck, and they were fully aware of the fact. Some of them were convinced that these hardships and sufferings were signs they had entered the Tribulation. They were wrong of course, as Paul will go one to explain in chapters 4 and 5.

Peter describes believers' trials as a good thing, because they prove the genuineness of our faith and bring praise, glory, and honor at Jesus' coming (1 Peter 1:6–7). Writing on the same theme, James states: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2–4). Such a positive attitude would enable the Thessalonians to see God's purpose in trials and keep them unmoved by their afflictions (1 Thessalonians 3:3).

Paul had sent Timothy to Thessalonica to support the Christians there (1 Thessalonians 3:1–2), but also to find out whether or not the believers' faith was withstanding persecution. He calls the Devil "the tempter," knowing that he had tempted Eve in the garden of Eden, numerous believers through the ages, and even the Lord Jesus Himself (Matthew 4:1–11). Of course, Jesus successfully withstood the Devil's temptations and is available to help believers stand against the Devil (Hebrews 2:18).

Paul was concerned that the faith of the believers at Thessalonica might waver and weaken under the Devil's temptation, which would stunt their spiritual growth. In that case, Paul's labor on their behalf to produce spiritual fruit in their lives would be curtailed. Hebrews 4:14–16 encourages believers to pray confidently when we are feeling weak. We should realize that Jesus experienced trials like ours and successfully overcame them. As our great High Priest, He is able to provide help when we need it.

In 1 Thessalonians 3:6 Paul refers to their trust in the Lord and love for Paul as good news. He also rejoiced in the fact that the Thessalonians thought kindly of him and wanted to see him as much as he wanted to see them. It is evidence of believers' love for the Lord and one another that absence from each other makes the heart grow fonder. They look forward to fellowshipping together at the first opportunity.

November 20, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8

1 Thessalonians 3:7-8

7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:

8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Timothy's report encouraged Paul and his coworkers. Knowing that the Thessalonians were doing well spiritually lifted their spirits in the midst of the persecution they were encountering. They and the Thessalonian believers were brothers, members of God's family by faith in Jesus Christ. At the beginning of his letter, Paul had called his readers "brothers loved of God" (1 Thessalonians 1:4). Now the love of God was flowing from the Thessalonian brothers to Paul and his missionary team.

Seeing the Thessalonian believers standing firm in the Lord filled Paul's life with joy and a sense of fulfillment. The word for "standing" derives from the Greek word, stekete, a military term that describes soldiers firmly holding their ground against an enemy. The believers at Thessalonica were holding their ground against attacks from the Devil and his forces. False teachers were trying to detour them from the truth, and persecution was fierce. Nevertheless, they stood firm. They grasped the anchor of hope firmly so they would not drift away from the faith (see Hebrews 6:19).

Firmly planted in the faith and holding onto the anchor of hope, they were doing what Paul exhorted the Corinthian Christians to do. They were "steadfast, immovable" and "always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). In a similar exhortation, Paul wanted the Philippian believers to stand firm "in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). Collectively, Christians can be stronger than an individual believer in standing against the Devil and his forces.

November 21, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 3:9-11

1 Thessalonians 3:9-11

9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

10 Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

Instead of taking credit for the Thessalonians' spiritual progress, Paul gave thanks to God. The Lord deserved all the credit for what was taking place in the Thessalonians' lives. He strengthened them to overcome their afflictions and persecution. God was at work in their lives to perfect His will in them, just as He worked in the Philippian believers to "will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

No Christian can rightfully take credit for the spiritual progress he sees in another Christian. We may faithfully disciple another believer, but God deserves all the credit for what transpires in an individual's heart and life. In 1 Corinthians 3:5–6 Paul wrote, "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." Further, the spiritual qualities listed in Galatians 5:22–23 are not credited to any Christian worker, but to God. The qualities are called "the fruit of the Spirit."

Paul tells the Thessalonians that he prays with all his strength both during the day and at night that God would enable him to see them again. This is something Paul had wanted to do earlier, but was prevented (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Such a face-to-face visit would give him the opportunity to increase their faith. They were young Christians who still needed to grow spiritually and to increase their knowledge of spiritual truth. They had not reached spiritual maturity, but they had made a good start towards that goal. They were like babies that needed to grow up.

Paul prays to God the Father and the Lord Jesus to provide a clear way for him and his coworkers to travel to Thessalonica to see the Christians there. Praying for our fellow believers is not only a privilege but also a responsibility. Often in his epistles Paul urged believers to pray for one another. He also requested prayer for himself, such as in 1 Thessalonians 5:25.

The fact that Paul directs his prayer to both the Father and Jesus, whom he calls "Lord," shows that Jesus is as much God as the Father is. They are co-equal and co-essential. In his letter to Titus Paul refers to Jesus as "our great God and Savior" (Titus 2:13). Belief in the deity of Jesus is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. The apostle John wrote: "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God" (1 John 4:14–15).

November 22, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Paul's prayer in these verses expresses his strong desire that the Lord would keep on increasing the Thessalonians' love. He uses a term derived from the Greek root word perisseuo, which implies something that "overflows" or "spills over the top." Paul desires to see their love greatly increase for fellow believers and everyone else. Paul's love for the Thessalonians served as a model for the believers at Thessalonica. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 Paul named love as the greatest quality of the Christian life, In 1 John 3:14 the apostle John cites love as a proof of one's salvation, and in 1 John 4:7 he writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."

Christians should love one another and also love the lost. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, demonstrated love for the lost. He illustrated this love by telling a story about a shepherd who left his ninety-nine sheep to rescue one lost sheep. When he brought it safely to the fold, he called his neighbors to rejoice with him (Luke 15:1–7).

Paul strongly desired that God would establish the Thessalonian believers' hearts blameless in holiness at the return of Jesus with all His saints. Paul did not pray that they would be sinless but blameless—free of all valid accusations. No one can attain sinlessness in this life. The apostle John said, "If we say we have not sinned, we make [God] a liar, and his word is not in us" (1 John 1:10). Even the apostle Paul, who led a holy life, recognized that he was a sinner. In 1 Timothy 1:15, after writing that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, Paul added, "of whom I am the foremost." He did not say he had been a sinner. He said, "I am the foremost sinner." All human beings are sinners. They are either lost sinners or saved sinners.

November 23, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 3 Summary

Chapter 3 Summary

In chapter 3, Paul completes his discussion of the current state of the church in Thessalonica. After sending Timothy, Paul has received confirmation that the believers there are standing firm in their faith. Their devotion to the gospel is surviving, despite the persecutions which Paul predicted would arise. Paul once again thanks the Thessalonians for their faithfulness and prays for their continual growth.

November 24, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 4

1 Thessalonians 4

This chapter begins the second division of Paul's letter to the Thessalonian believers. Whereas chapters 1—3 are mainly personal, as Paul commends the Thessalonians and expresses his strong desire to see them again, chapters 4 and 5 contain instructions about personal purity and behavior. The first part of chapter 4 contains exhortations about holy living. Paul urges the Thessalonians to avoid sexual immorality by practicing self-discipline and by recognizing that God calls believers to lead a pure life and will judge those who engage in sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:1–9).

Paul exhorts his readers to practice brotherly love, to live a peaceful life, to mind their own business, and to work in order to provide for their needs instead of depending on others for assistance. By working hard the Thessalonians would maintain a good testimony. This is not only important as an act of obedience towards God. Living an exemplary life also provides evidence, to the non-believer, about the power of Christ in a person's life. This, in turn, opens the doors for those people to hear and accept the gospel themselves (1 Thessalonians 4:10–12).

The end of 1 Thessalonians, as well as much of 2 Thessalonians, is focused on the return of Jesus Christ in what we now call "the rapture." Based on these passages, we surmise the Christians of Thessalonica might have been struggling with false teachings, rumors, or fears. In response to those who wondered what happens to a believer who dies before Jesus returns, Paul exhorts his readers not to grieve as the unsaved grieve. He explains that when Jesus returns, He will resurrect the bodies of departed Christians and then catch up living Christians to be with Him forever. Paul called upon the Thessalonians to use these truths for each other's encouragement (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)

November 25, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 4:1

1 Thessalonians 4:1

1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more.

The term "finally" in this verse introduces the final section of 1 Thessalonians. Here, Paul presents his final instructions and information. This section runs through chapters 4 and 5. Prior passages were mostly a description of the Thessalonian believers' spiritual growth and their excellent reputation.

Here, Paul gives his readers an urgent reminder about what he had once told them in person. He stresses the importance of this teaching by citing Jesus as the authority for his words. Paul taught the Thessalonians how to walk and lead a life that pleases God. They were heeding his instructions, but needed to continue doing so. Paul's message is meant to both encourage and motivate.

The Christian life is not a single step which instantly brings a believer to spiritual maturity. Rather, it is a lifelong walk. The Bible describes how Christians are supposed to follow this path. Romans 13:13 commands us to "walk properly as in the daytime." Galatians 5:16 and 25 exhort us to "walk by the Spirit." Ephesians 5:2 commands us to "walk in love." Ephesians 5:8 tells us to "walk as children of light." We are to walk in Christ (Colossians 2:6). And Colossians 4:5 instructs us to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders." These kinds of walks last until we see Jesus face to face.

November 26, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 4:2

1 Thessalonians 4:2

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

Earlier in this letter, Paul commended the Thessalonians for their faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 1:5–8) and for their excellent reputation in enduring persecution (1 Thessalonians 3:5–8). In this verse Paul emphasizes again that the Thessalonians realized his teachings carried authority. This authority was not actually Paul's, rather it was that of the Lord Jesus. These Christian believers did not see authority in Paul, but they recognized truth coming from Paul. Similarly, in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul also appealed to the divine authority of his message. He wrote: "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit…" (1 Corinthians 2:12–13).

Paul's reminder about what he had taught shows the importance of retaining truths they already knew. Sometimes people neglect established truth in a quest for something new (Acts 17:21; 2 Peter 1:12). Although it is important to learn more truth from God's Word, discernment is required. Often, if a teaching is new, it may not be true, and if it is true, it probably isn't new.

November 27, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

1 Thessalonians 4:3-6

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;

6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

After celebrating the faith of the Thessalonian Christians, Paul has transitioned to encouragement and teaching. He has motivated them to continue doing good and even to increase their efforts (1 Thessalonians 4:1–2).

Paul's readers had turned to the true God and away from false gods (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Now Paul reminds them to keep away from every form of sexual sin, no matter how acceptable it might be to their culture (1 Thessalonians 4:5).

In verse 4, Paul is reminding the Thessalonian Christians about the importance of holiness. The prior verse specifically mentioned maintaining sexual purity. In the Hellenistic (Greek) culture, this was no small task (1 Thessalonians 4:5). Here, Paul continues that theme by summoning his readers to practice self-discipline.

Controlling one's body is an important way to deny inappropriate sexual passions, and to honor God. It is a discipline that properly regards the body as dedicated to God as an honorable part of one's being. In Romans 12:1 Paul underscores the importance of offering one's body to God "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God."

Controlling one's body contrasts sharply with the pagan practice of giving in to sexual lusts. In ancient Greek culture, the environment of these Thessalonian believers, sexuality and prostitution were even part of pagan worship. The prevalence of sexual immorality in ancient religion is one reason Paul so often speaks on this subject. The intense power of sexual urges is another.

The context of verse 6 is Paul's strong endorsement of sexual morality (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5). Here, Paul makes the point that sexual immorality not only violates God's law, it harms the other person involved. This is a point often missed in modern discussions on sex; the common claim is that one's sexual behavior "isn't hurting anyone." According to Scripture, however, it's not only sin against God, it's harmful to the people who engage in it. As such, Paul assures his readers that God judges those who engage in sexual immorality. When he was in Thessalonica, he had taught the believers to avoid sexual immorality and had warned them about the consequences of such behavior.

November 28, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 4:7

1 Thessalonians 4:7

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

God has called Christians to lead a holy life. God saved us not simply to rescue us from eternal judgment. He intended to make us holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16). The process through which He makes us holy is called sanctification, and it involves a partnership. God works in us to make us holy (2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:13); we have a responsibility to cooperate with Him in that work. Philippians 2:12 commands us to work out—not work "for"—our own salvation with fear and trembling. Ephesians 6:10 commands us to be strong in the Lord, and the next verse commands us to put on the whole armor of God. Galatians 5 talks about living by the Spirit. Obviously, the Christian life is not a passive life, but an active one in which God and His people are partners.

November 29, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 4:8-9

1 Thessalonians 4:8-9

8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

God's calling to be holy, rejects not Paul but God. After all, God had given Paul these instructions to pass along to his readers. Ignoring God's will in matters of sex is not a minor offense; it demonstrates a profound rebellion against man's Creator. God can change anyone (1 Corinthians 6:11), but those who refuse to submit to God's instructions about sexual immorality display signs of being lost (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." When a believer cooperates with the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) he will display the fruit of the Spirit. It should be noted that the fruit of the Spirit is a cluster of Christ-like qualities. He does not produce one quality in isolation.

Earlier, Paul complimented the Thessalonian Christians' reputation for brotherly love (1 Thessalonians 1:6–10). As such, Paul sees no reason to discuss brotherly love with his readers, because they had learned from their heavenly Father that they should love another. When they had become Christians, they had received God's love. The Holy Spirit had placed this love in their hearts (Romans 5:5), and that love had spilled over to their fellow believers.

November 30, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

1 Thessalonians 4:10-12

10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

The Christians at Thessalonica had spread their love for their fellow believers throughout the province of Macedonia (1 Thessalonians 1:2–10). Their fellow believers lived in Philippi, Berea, and perhaps in other Macedonian cities as well. According to 2 Corinthians 8:1–5, the churches in Macedonia, which would have included the Thessalonian church, contributed selflessly to the relief of distressed Jewish Christians in Judea. So the Thessalonian believers' love had spread as far as Judea. Nevertheless, Paul exhorted the believers at Thessalonica to keep on increasing their love (1 Thessalonians 4:1), and here he encourages them in much the same way.

The act of giving generously to the Lord is encouraged in 2 Corinthians 8. Paul gives a financial report of how the Macedonian churches, which included the church at Thessalonica, had responded to the grace of God by giving generously to the relief of the needy believers in Judea. They had given out of their extreme poverty and did so beyond their means, but more importantly, they had first given themselves to the Lord.

In verse 11, Paul is describing the kind of godly conduct which leads to both pleasing God and a good reputation among other people.

Paul commands his readers to lead a peaceful life, to mind their own business, and to be industrious.

Christians who love others do not stir up trouble. They do not stick their noses in other people's personal matters. Nor do they sit back with folded hands and expect others to provide for them.

Verse 11described three traits which Paul meant to encourage in the Thessalonian believers. These included being peaceful towards others, not butting into the business of other people, and a productive work ethic. Paul affirms in this verse that the peaceful, diligent lifestyle he described in verse 11 leads to an effective testimony before the lost and avoids a life of dependence on others. This is not primarily meant to impress non-believers, but so that they'll be more receptive to the gospel.

Perhaps some members of the church at Thessalonica needed these exhortations more than others. Later verses indicate they struggled with confusion about the return of Christ, and therefore saw no reason to work.

December 1, 2025 - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

1 Thessalonians 4:13-15

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

Paul begins his explanation of what happens to Christians who die before Jesus returns for His church. He calls death a sleep. This is a common euphemism, but one that comes with particular implications in a biblical worldview. When a person goes to sleep, he expects to awake. So, when a believer's body dies, it "sleeps" in the grave, but it will awake. He provides this explanation about the death of a believer so Thessalonian believers will not grieve the deaths of fellow believers in the same way as unbelievers grieve the loss of their friends and loved ones. Unbelievers have no hope, but believers have a firm hope of life beyond the grave. Christians can mourn a fellow believer's death as a sad, but temporary separation, rather than a permanent loss.

Paul is reassuring the Thessalonian Christians about what happens to believers who die before the return of Jesus Christ. Unlike unbelievers, who have no hope of seeing their loved ones again, those who trust in Christ are only temporarily separated (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The hope of life beyond the grave rests upon the belief that Jesus conquered death by rising from the dead.

This passage is meant to clarify misunderstandings about the nature of the end times, as well as what happens to Christians who die before the return of Jesus Christ. Writing to the believers at Thessalonica by divine revelation, Paul declares living Christians will not be caught up—"raptured"—ahead of departed Christians at the coming of the Lord. He commends the Thessalonian believers for waiting for God's Son from heaven (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Upcoming verses will contain Paul's teaching that Jesus' return involves an imminent, immediate reunion with Christ for all who believe in Him.

Paul believed this sudden, physical reunion—referred to as "the rapture"—could happen at any time. He told the Corinthians, "the appointed time has grown very short" (1 Corinthians 7:29). In Philippians 4:5, he announced that "The Lord is at hand." He wrote to Titus about leading a self-controlled, upright, and godly life while "waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). His words to Titus show us that we must not wait passively for our Lord's return, but we should actively engage in a godly life. The apostle John affirmed the truth that the hope of being raptured compels us to purify ourselves (1 John 3:2–3).

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse