“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people ... Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.”
- Lev_19:16, Lev_19:17
This is a great devotional for all to read and understand. I read this just before going to church this morning. As always Charles Spurgeon was right on. So much damage is done in this life just by the tongue alone. Sometimes we don't even understand the consequence but the damage is done. Even in the house of God so many of His children, and even some of His soon to be children (non-believers).
I will always remember an commercial on TV about kids in a lunchroom. They started talking about what one brought for lunch and by the time it got around the long table it ended up as a boy having his first chest hair!
In the devotional below Charles Spurgeon states even if what we say is true we are forbidden to say it. May we each ask our Father to help us in this manner and also ask for His forgiveness for all the times we have spoken against or about someone else.
[Tale-bearing emits a threefold poison; for it injures the teller, the hearer, and the person concerning whom the tale is told. Whether the report be true or false, we are by this precept of God’s Word forbidden to spread it. The reputations of the Lord’s people should be very precious in our sight, and we should count it shame to help the devil to dishonour the Church and the name of the Lord. Some tongues need a bridle rather than a spur. Many glory in pulling down their brethren, as if thereby they raised themselves. Noah’s wise sons cast a mantle over their father, and he who exposed him earned a fearful curse. We may ourselves one of these dark days need forbearance and silence from our brethren, let us render it cheerfully to those who require it now. Be this our family rule, and our personal bond-SPEAK EVIL OF NO MAN.
The Holy Spirit, however, permits us to censure sin, and prescribes the way in which we are to do it. It must be done by rebuking our brother to his face, not by railing behind his back. This course is manly, brotherly, Christlike, and under God’s blessing will be useful. Does the flesh shrink from it? Then we must lay the greater stress upon our conscience, and keep ourselves to the work, lest by suffering sin upon our friend we become ourselves partakers of it. Hundreds have been saved from gross sins by the timely, wise, affectionate warnings of faithful ministers and brethren. Our Lord Jesus has set us a gracious example of how to deal with erring friends in his warning given to Peter, the prayer with which he preceded it, and the gentle way in which he bore with Peter’s boastful denial that he needed such a caution.]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
He is the reason!
This poem has been getting a lot of circulation via email. So far I have received it 6 times. It was very well stated and I pray all who read it would agree.
**
******
******
**
**
**
*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
*December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
*Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,not Happy Holiday !*
Christ is The Reason, for the Christ-mas Season!
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
*December 25th is just a ' Holiday '.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa*
*In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.*
*As Targets were hanging their trees upside down*
*At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
*Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,not Happy Holiday !*
Christ is The Reason, for the Christ-mas Season!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Forgive as He has forgiven us!
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace,
- Ephesians 1:7
Today, the day after Thanksgiving, I have just finished posting our church newsletter on our church website. In this December newsletter I posted an article by John William Smith titled "The Gift of Forgiveness" that I found on a Christian website. If you would like to read this article you can read it by clicking on this link that will take you to it www.upc4god.org/Board/INDEX2.PHP . Also this evenings devotional by Charles Spurgeon talked about forgiveness. Even a few days ago when I was talking with a church family member the word "forgiveness" came up again. The Lord is really trying to tell me, or maybe someone through me, about forgiveness.
[Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word “forgiveness,” when it sounds in a guilty sinner’s ear, like the silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite? Blessed, for ever blessed be that dear star of pardon which shines into the condemned cell, and gives the perishing a gleam of hope amid the midnight of despair! Can it be possible that sin, such sin as mine, can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and for ever? Hell is my portion as a sinner-there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me-can the load of guilt be uplifted, the crimson stain removed? Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed from their mortices, or the doors be lifted from their hinges? Jesus tells me that I may yet be clear. For ever blessed be the revelation of atoning love which not only tells me that pardon is possible, but that it is secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed propitiation, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and for ever, forgiven by virtue of his substitutionary pains and death.]
That is such an important paragraph that God shared with us through Charles Spurgeon. So many walk each day with the burden of something we did or said that consumes us to an extent that it becomes the driven force in our lives. Read further what Charles Spurgeon states about forgiveness.
[What joy is this! What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers to him who of his own unpurchased love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through his blood. What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive for ever! Here is a constellation of wonders; and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed home to me, I am in a maze of wondering worshipping affection. I bow before the throne which absolves me, I clasp the cross which delivers me, I serve henceforth all my days the Incarnate God, through whom I am this night a pardoned soul.]
In the Bible Jesus tells us this about forgiveness; Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; Matthew 6:15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Forgiveness is a very serious and necessary ingredient in our lives. Though non-believers may not understand but as believers we all should fully listen to the Word of our Lord and Savior and be thankful everyday that as Charles Spurgeon states, "we are pardoned souls!"
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
- Ephesians 1:7
Today, the day after Thanksgiving, I have just finished posting our church newsletter on our church website. In this December newsletter I posted an article by John William Smith titled "The Gift of Forgiveness" that I found on a Christian website. If you would like to read this article you can read it by clicking on this link that will take you to it www.upc4god.org/Board/INDEX2.PHP . Also this evenings devotional by Charles Spurgeon talked about forgiveness. Even a few days ago when I was talking with a church family member the word "forgiveness" came up again. The Lord is really trying to tell me, or maybe someone through me, about forgiveness.
[Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word “forgiveness,” when it sounds in a guilty sinner’s ear, like the silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite? Blessed, for ever blessed be that dear star of pardon which shines into the condemned cell, and gives the perishing a gleam of hope amid the midnight of despair! Can it be possible that sin, such sin as mine, can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and for ever? Hell is my portion as a sinner-there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me-can the load of guilt be uplifted, the crimson stain removed? Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed from their mortices, or the doors be lifted from their hinges? Jesus tells me that I may yet be clear. For ever blessed be the revelation of atoning love which not only tells me that pardon is possible, but that it is secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed propitiation, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and for ever, forgiven by virtue of his substitutionary pains and death.]
That is such an important paragraph that God shared with us through Charles Spurgeon. So many walk each day with the burden of something we did or said that consumes us to an extent that it becomes the driven force in our lives. Read further what Charles Spurgeon states about forgiveness.
[What joy is this! What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers to him who of his own unpurchased love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through his blood. What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive for ever! Here is a constellation of wonders; and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed home to me, I am in a maze of wondering worshipping affection. I bow before the throne which absolves me, I clasp the cross which delivers me, I serve henceforth all my days the Incarnate God, through whom I am this night a pardoned soul.]
In the Bible Jesus tells us this about forgiveness; Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; Matthew 6:15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Forgiveness is a very serious and necessary ingredient in our lives. Though non-believers may not understand but as believers we all should fully listen to the Word of our Lord and Savior and be thankful everyday that as Charles Spurgeon states, "we are pardoned souls!"
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A Simple Lesson from Jesus
Silent Fellowship with the Father
November 25th, 2009 Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank You, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the sophisticated and cunning, and revealed them to babes.(MKJV)
I am always searching for devotionals that will inspire myself and also others that might read the blogs that the Lord has blessed me to write. As I was reading this one, I found myself again thanking God that through Jesus I can walk, talk and have a personal fellowship with Him.
[This is a very particular, and peculiar, way to start a verse: “At that time Jesus answered.” If you will look at the context you will notice that no one asked Him a question. He wasn't in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, “Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father.”
When a man answers, he answers the person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had spoken to Christ? His Father. Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father, and that God spoke into His heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance of enough importance to be recorded.
It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Even as Jesus was -in this world- so are we. So let’s learn the lesson this simple statement teaches us about Him. May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer Him, and though the world will not know whom we’re speaking to, we will be responding to that secret voice unheard of any other ear. Our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes His voice with joy. God has spoken to us, let us speak to God, either to set our seal that God is true and faithful to His promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy which God’s providence has given, or to express humble acceptance of the great truths which God the Holy Spirit has opened to our understanding.
What a privilege it is to have intimate communion with the Father! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even our nearest friends cannot share. If we want to hear the whispers of God’s love, our ear must be purged and fitted to listen to His voice. Today, may our hearts be in such a state that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, are be prepared at once to answer Him.
Question: Are you often in “intimate communion” with God? Would you like to be?]
Please take time to read that last paragraph, slowly. These are the words that came to life as I read it; "privilege", "intimate communion", "joy", "whispers of God’s love", "like Jesus!" Through the God's Love Outreach Ministry I have meet several Christians that tell me the same thing, "I don't know how I could get through the day without God!"
Now reread that question again!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
November 25th, 2009 Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.
Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank You, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the sophisticated and cunning, and revealed them to babes.(MKJV)
I am always searching for devotionals that will inspire myself and also others that might read the blogs that the Lord has blessed me to write. As I was reading this one, I found myself again thanking God that through Jesus I can walk, talk and have a personal fellowship with Him.
[This is a very particular, and peculiar, way to start a verse: “At that time Jesus answered.” If you will look at the context you will notice that no one asked Him a question. He wasn't in conversation with any human being. Yet it is written, “Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father.”
When a man answers, he answers the person who has been speaking to him. Who, then, had spoken to Christ? His Father. Yet there is no record of it; and this should teach us that Jesus had constant fellowship with His Father, and that God spoke into His heart so often, so continually, that it was not a circumstance of enough importance to be recorded.
It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Even as Jesus was -in this world- so are we. So let’s learn the lesson this simple statement teaches us about Him. May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer Him, and though the world will not know whom we’re speaking to, we will be responding to that secret voice unheard of any other ear. Our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes His voice with joy. God has spoken to us, let us speak to God, either to set our seal that God is true and faithful to His promise, or to confess the sin of which the Spirit of God has convinced us, or to acknowledge the mercy which God’s providence has given, or to express humble acceptance of the great truths which God the Holy Spirit has opened to our understanding.
What a privilege it is to have intimate communion with the Father! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even our nearest friends cannot share. If we want to hear the whispers of God’s love, our ear must be purged and fitted to listen to His voice. Today, may our hearts be in such a state that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, are be prepared at once to answer Him.
Question: Are you often in “intimate communion” with God? Would you like to be?]
Please take time to read that last paragraph, slowly. These are the words that came to life as I read it; "privilege", "intimate communion", "joy", "whispers of God’s love", "like Jesus!" Through the God's Love Outreach Ministry I have meet several Christians that tell me the same thing, "I don't know how I could get through the day without God!"
Now reread that question again!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, November 23, 2009
God in me!
“Fellowship with him.”
- 1John 1:6 If we say that we share in life with God and keep on living in the dark, we are lying and are not living by the truth.
I have said it many of times that Christ has changed my life. Some of the people I have said this to I know understand what this means for He has changed their lives also. This morning devotional by Charles Spurgeon has a wonderful way of explaining this meaning.
[When we were united by faith to Christ, we were brought into such complete fellowship with him, that we were made one with him, and his interests and ours became mutual and identical.]
I loved that sentence for the worldly, sinful occurrences in our lives, which are many does not have any interest to us. Why would they, do they for Him? 1John 5:3 We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.
[We have fellowship with Christ in his love. What he loves we love. He loves the saints-so do we. He loves sinners-so do we. He loves the poor perishing race of man, and pants to see earth’s deserts transformed into the garden of the Lord-so do we.]
Every time I am ministering through a God's Love Outreach Ministry program I tell everyone that God loves them and I love them. Because of Christ's love for me and Him living in me I can make that statement. Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; Mark 12:30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. Mark 12:31 And the second is like this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
[We have fellowship with him in his desires. He desires the glory of God-we also labour for the same. He desires that the saints may be with him where he is-we desire to be with him there too. He desires to drive out sin-behold we fight under his banner. He desires that his Father’s name may be loved and adored by all his creatures-we pray daily, “Let thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven.”]
In this paragraph the word "desires" repeatedly is used. When you truly give your life to Jesus the understanding becomes more real. The dictionary explains it as 1) to long or hope for ; exhibit or feel desire for 2) to express a wish for. All the month of November in the Seeds of Thanks program I sing The Lord's Prayer. It is one of the slowest versions I have ever heard and you truly can take the time to understand that prayer. "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the Glory, forever! Amen
[We have fellowship with Christ in his sufferings. We are not nailed to the cross, nor do we die a cruel death, but when he is reproached, we are reproached; and a very sweet thing it is to be blamed for his sake, to be despised for following the Master, to have the world against us. The disciple should not be above his Lord. In our measure we commune with him in his labours, ministering to men by the word of truth and by deeds of love. Our meat and our drink, like his, is to do the will of him who hath sent us and to finish his work.]
How personal now it is when I hear someone use the Lords name in vain. I am always saying, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they are saying."
[We have also fellowship with Christ in his joys. We are happy in his happiness, we rejoice in his exaltation. Have you ever tasted that joy, believer? There is no purer or more thrilling delight to be known this side heaven than that of having Christ’s joy fulfilled in us, that our joy may be full. His glory awaits us to complete our fellowship, for his Church shall sit with him upon his throne, as his well-beloved bride and queen.]
My friends I have known this joy that Charles Spurgeon speaks of. The same joy I am feeling "this side of Heaven", can only be magnified when I do see Jesus face to face. As in the song "My One Desire", "my one desire to know You in the fullness of Your grace, to hear well done my precious one, when we meet face to face!" Wow!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
- 1John 1:6 If we say that we share in life with God and keep on living in the dark, we are lying and are not living by the truth.
I have said it many of times that Christ has changed my life. Some of the people I have said this to I know understand what this means for He has changed their lives also. This morning devotional by Charles Spurgeon has a wonderful way of explaining this meaning.
[When we were united by faith to Christ, we were brought into such complete fellowship with him, that we were made one with him, and his interests and ours became mutual and identical.]
I loved that sentence for the worldly, sinful occurrences in our lives, which are many does not have any interest to us. Why would they, do they for Him? 1John 5:3 We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.
[We have fellowship with Christ in his love. What he loves we love. He loves the saints-so do we. He loves sinners-so do we. He loves the poor perishing race of man, and pants to see earth’s deserts transformed into the garden of the Lord-so do we.]
Every time I am ministering through a God's Love Outreach Ministry program I tell everyone that God loves them and I love them. Because of Christ's love for me and Him living in me I can make that statement. Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; Mark 12:30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. Mark 12:31 And the second is like this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
[We have fellowship with him in his desires. He desires the glory of God-we also labour for the same. He desires that the saints may be with him where he is-we desire to be with him there too. He desires to drive out sin-behold we fight under his banner. He desires that his Father’s name may be loved and adored by all his creatures-we pray daily, “Let thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven.”]
In this paragraph the word "desires" repeatedly is used. When you truly give your life to Jesus the understanding becomes more real. The dictionary explains it as 1) to long or hope for ; exhibit or feel desire for 2) to express a wish for. All the month of November in the Seeds of Thanks program I sing The Lord's Prayer. It is one of the slowest versions I have ever heard and you truly can take the time to understand that prayer. "For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the Glory, forever! Amen
[We have fellowship with Christ in his sufferings. We are not nailed to the cross, nor do we die a cruel death, but when he is reproached, we are reproached; and a very sweet thing it is to be blamed for his sake, to be despised for following the Master, to have the world against us. The disciple should not be above his Lord. In our measure we commune with him in his labours, ministering to men by the word of truth and by deeds of love. Our meat and our drink, like his, is to do the will of him who hath sent us and to finish his work.]
How personal now it is when I hear someone use the Lords name in vain. I am always saying, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they are saying."
[We have also fellowship with Christ in his joys. We are happy in his happiness, we rejoice in his exaltation. Have you ever tasted that joy, believer? There is no purer or more thrilling delight to be known this side heaven than that of having Christ’s joy fulfilled in us, that our joy may be full. His glory awaits us to complete our fellowship, for his Church shall sit with him upon his throne, as his well-beloved bride and queen.]
My friends I have known this joy that Charles Spurgeon speaks of. The same joy I am feeling "this side of Heaven", can only be magnified when I do see Jesus face to face. As in the song "My One Desire", "my one desire to know You in the fullness of Your grace, to hear well done my precious one, when we meet face to face!" Wow!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Saturday, November 21, 2009
The Spirit in me!
“Grieve not the Holy Spirit.”
- Ephesians 4:30 Don't make God's Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins.
This morning devotional reminds us of the work of the Spirit that lives in us once the prayer of salvation is said in earnest and truth. The Holy Spirit can only do what we yield for Him to do. How empty our prayers are with out his interpretation to the Father. After reading Charles Spurgeon's devotional below I have put a poem the Lord blessed me with several years ago that speaks of the Trinity. I love these verses in the book of Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 8:27 And He searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
[All that the believer has must come from Christ, but it comes solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as all blessings thus flow to you through the Holy Spirit, so also no good thing can come out of you in holy thought, devout worship, or gracious act, apart from the sanctifying operation of the same Spirit. Even if the good seed be sown in you, yet it lies dormant except he worketh in you to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Do you desire to speak for Jesus-how can you unless the Holy Ghost touch your tongue? Do you desire to pray? Alas! what dull work it is unless the Spirit maketh intercession for you! Do you desire to subdue sin? Would you be holy? Would you imitate your Master? Do you desire to rise to superlative heights of spirituality? Are you wanting to be made like the angels of God, full of zeal and ardour for the Master’s cause? You cannot without the Spirit-”Without me ye can do nothing.” O branch of the vine, thou canst have no fruit without the sap! O child of God, thou hast no life within thee apart from the life which God gives thee through his Spirit! Then let us not grieve him or provoke him to anger by our sin. Let us not quench him in one of his faintest motions in our soul; let us foster every suggestion, and be ready to obey every prompting. If the Holy Spirit be indeed so mighty, let us attempt nothing without him; let us begin no project, and carry on no enterprise, and conclude no transaction, without imploring his blessing. Let us do him the due homage of feeling our entire weakness apart from him, and then depending alone upon him, having this for our prayer, “Open thou my heart and my whole being to thine incoming, and uphold me with thy free Spirit when I shall have received that Spirit in my inward parts.”]
Jesus Came to My House
Jesus came to my house
He knocked and said, "Hi, there's three!
My Father, Me the Son and the Holy Spirit"
Yes, it was, the Trinity you see.
They came because they knew they were welcomed
and here peace and love was found.
But they were unsure of the other homes,
close by in our hometown.
Jesus said, "You see your neighbors everyday.
Did you ever mention Me?
Did you ever tell them about anyone of Us?
Did you ever mention the Trinity?"
Jesus said, "Which house should we go to next?
Can you tell Us where We should go?
There are so many homes We want to visit,
and tell them We love them so!"
I said, "Lord I am so ashamed,
for it is with only other Christians do I speak.
For I am always unsure what to say,
to all the non-believers, the sick and the weak.
They All smiled and touched my hand
and said, "Well, It is time that We should go."
But the Holy Spirit said, "I will stay here with you,
because you love Us so!"
He said to God the Father and Jesus His beloved Son,
"I will stay here in this house to help guide others along.
Yes, I will stay in this house,
for it is here that I belong!
I will choose the words to say,
for non-believers we will seek
We will minister to the sick,
and give strength to the weak.
And one day We will all be together again,
when our work here on earth is done,
singing praises to God the Father
and Jesus, His beloved Son!"
E. P. Shagott
7/20/2007
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
- Ephesians 4:30 Don't make God's Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins.
This morning devotional reminds us of the work of the Spirit that lives in us once the prayer of salvation is said in earnest and truth. The Holy Spirit can only do what we yield for Him to do. How empty our prayers are with out his interpretation to the Father. After reading Charles Spurgeon's devotional below I have put a poem the Lord blessed me with several years ago that speaks of the Trinity. I love these verses in the book of Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 8:27 And He searching the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
[All that the believer has must come from Christ, but it comes solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as all blessings thus flow to you through the Holy Spirit, so also no good thing can come out of you in holy thought, devout worship, or gracious act, apart from the sanctifying operation of the same Spirit. Even if the good seed be sown in you, yet it lies dormant except he worketh in you to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Do you desire to speak for Jesus-how can you unless the Holy Ghost touch your tongue? Do you desire to pray? Alas! what dull work it is unless the Spirit maketh intercession for you! Do you desire to subdue sin? Would you be holy? Would you imitate your Master? Do you desire to rise to superlative heights of spirituality? Are you wanting to be made like the angels of God, full of zeal and ardour for the Master’s cause? You cannot without the Spirit-”Without me ye can do nothing.” O branch of the vine, thou canst have no fruit without the sap! O child of God, thou hast no life within thee apart from the life which God gives thee through his Spirit! Then let us not grieve him or provoke him to anger by our sin. Let us not quench him in one of his faintest motions in our soul; let us foster every suggestion, and be ready to obey every prompting. If the Holy Spirit be indeed so mighty, let us attempt nothing without him; let us begin no project, and carry on no enterprise, and conclude no transaction, without imploring his blessing. Let us do him the due homage of feeling our entire weakness apart from him, and then depending alone upon him, having this for our prayer, “Open thou my heart and my whole being to thine incoming, and uphold me with thy free Spirit when I shall have received that Spirit in my inward parts.”]
Jesus Came to My House
Jesus came to my house
He knocked and said, "Hi, there's three!
My Father, Me the Son and the Holy Spirit"
Yes, it was, the Trinity you see.
They came because they knew they were welcomed
and here peace and love was found.
But they were unsure of the other homes,
close by in our hometown.
Jesus said, "You see your neighbors everyday.
Did you ever mention Me?
Did you ever tell them about anyone of Us?
Did you ever mention the Trinity?"
Jesus said, "Which house should we go to next?
Can you tell Us where We should go?
There are so many homes We want to visit,
and tell them We love them so!"
I said, "Lord I am so ashamed,
for it is with only other Christians do I speak.
For I am always unsure what to say,
to all the non-believers, the sick and the weak.
They All smiled and touched my hand
and said, "Well, It is time that We should go."
But the Holy Spirit said, "I will stay here with you,
because you love Us so!"
He said to God the Father and Jesus His beloved Son,
"I will stay here in this house to help guide others along.
Yes, I will stay in this house,
for it is here that I belong!
I will choose the words to say,
for non-believers we will seek
We will minister to the sick,
and give strength to the weak.
And one day We will all be together again,
when our work here on earth is done,
singing praises to God the Father
and Jesus, His beloved Son!"
E. P. Shagott
7/20/2007
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, November 20, 2009
Seek Him first!
“O that I knew where I might find him!”
Job 23:3 If I knew where to find God, I would go there
So many people in this world, yes including me at times, cry out for our afflictions to end. It appears that it is one thing upon another. Trial after trial. When we read about Job in the Bible he lost everything. Read how Charles Spurgeon writes about this.
[In Job’s uttermost extremity he cried after the Lord. The longing desire of an afflicted child of God is once more to see his Father’s face. His first prayer is not “O that I might be healed of the disease which now festers in every part of my body!” nor even “O that I might see my children restored from the jaws of the grave, and my property once more brought from the hand of the spoiler!” but the first and uppermost cry is, “O that I knew where I might find HIM, who is my God! that I might come even to his seat!” God’s children run home when the storm comes on. It is the heaven-born instinct of a gracious soul to seek shelter from all ills beneath the wings of Jehovah. “He that hath made his refuge God,” might serve as the title of a true believer.]
What I have found in my daily walk with Christ is I am doing one of these two things daily. Sometimes maybe just one. Either I am crying out to God for something, or I am giving Him praise for everything. Job was crying out, "Where is my God?" I have learned like Job, that God is always right there, right on time.
[A hypocrite, when afflicted by God, resents the infliction, and, like a slave, would run from the Master who has scourged him; but not so the true heir of heaven, he kisses the hand which smote him, and seeks shelter from the rod in the bosom of the God who frowned upon him. Job’s desire to commune with God was intensified by the failure of all other sources of consolation. The patriarch turned away from his sorry friends, and looked up to the celestial throne, just as a traveller turns from his empty skin bottle, and betakes himself with all speed to the well. He bids farewell to earth-born hopes, and cries, “O that I knew where I might find my God!” Nothing teaches us so much the preciousness of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all besides. Turning away with bitter scorn from earth’s hives, where we find no honey, but many sharp stings, we rejoice in him whose faithful word is sweeter than honey or the honeycomb. In every trouble we should first seek to realize God’s presence with us. Only let us enjoy his smile, and we can bear our daily cross with a willing heart for his dear sake.]
I liked Charles Spurgeon's message in this last paragraph. All too often when facing a crisis all we know or want is for it to stop. Charles Spurgeon stated to use Job as our example. "Seek to realize God's presence in us first!" I am amazed when I see Christians, true Christians, that when faced with a problem they are praising God for all His goodness. As we keep our eyes on Him our problems don't seem as large as once we thought they were.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Job 23:3 If I knew where to find God, I would go there
So many people in this world, yes including me at times, cry out for our afflictions to end. It appears that it is one thing upon another. Trial after trial. When we read about Job in the Bible he lost everything. Read how Charles Spurgeon writes about this.
[In Job’s uttermost extremity he cried after the Lord. The longing desire of an afflicted child of God is once more to see his Father’s face. His first prayer is not “O that I might be healed of the disease which now festers in every part of my body!” nor even “O that I might see my children restored from the jaws of the grave, and my property once more brought from the hand of the spoiler!” but the first and uppermost cry is, “O that I knew where I might find HIM, who is my God! that I might come even to his seat!” God’s children run home when the storm comes on. It is the heaven-born instinct of a gracious soul to seek shelter from all ills beneath the wings of Jehovah. “He that hath made his refuge God,” might serve as the title of a true believer.]
What I have found in my daily walk with Christ is I am doing one of these two things daily. Sometimes maybe just one. Either I am crying out to God for something, or I am giving Him praise for everything. Job was crying out, "Where is my God?" I have learned like Job, that God is always right there, right on time.
[A hypocrite, when afflicted by God, resents the infliction, and, like a slave, would run from the Master who has scourged him; but not so the true heir of heaven, he kisses the hand which smote him, and seeks shelter from the rod in the bosom of the God who frowned upon him. Job’s desire to commune with God was intensified by the failure of all other sources of consolation. The patriarch turned away from his sorry friends, and looked up to the celestial throne, just as a traveller turns from his empty skin bottle, and betakes himself with all speed to the well. He bids farewell to earth-born hopes, and cries, “O that I knew where I might find my God!” Nothing teaches us so much the preciousness of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all besides. Turning away with bitter scorn from earth’s hives, where we find no honey, but many sharp stings, we rejoice in him whose faithful word is sweeter than honey or the honeycomb. In every trouble we should first seek to realize God’s presence with us. Only let us enjoy his smile, and we can bear our daily cross with a willing heart for his dear sake.]
I liked Charles Spurgeon's message in this last paragraph. All too often when facing a crisis all we know or want is for it to stop. Charles Spurgeon stated to use Job as our example. "Seek to realize God's presence in us first!" I am amazed when I see Christians, true Christians, that when faced with a problem they are praising God for all His goodness. As we keep our eyes on Him our problems don't seem as large as once we thought they were.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Why did I say that?
“Avoid foolish questions.”
- Titus 3:9 But don't have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.
As I read this mornings devotional from Charles Spurgeon it brought back thoughts in my life either at work, church, and even my family life, how I would always think to myself, "Why did I say that?" As you read the paragraph below it is expressed so well by Mr. Spurgeons.
[Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle’s precept (Tit_3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.]
Now as you read this next paragraph Charles Spurgeon hits "the nail on the head" as the expression goes. The paragraph above explains the wasted time spent in "foolish talk within our lives, whereas below he states the importance of the correct questions we should be asking ourselves and our daily actions. Also note where Charles Spurgeon states how these questions "urgently demand our attention!"
[There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and example, to “avoid foolish questions.”]
May God touch your heart and open your ears to the message that was given to Charles Spurgeon in this morning devotional.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
- Titus 3:9 But don't have anything to do with stupid arguments about ancestors. And stay away from disagreements and quarrels about the Law of Moses. Such arguments are useless and senseless.
As I read this mornings devotional from Charles Spurgeon it brought back thoughts in my life either at work, church, and even my family life, how I would always think to myself, "Why did I say that?" As you read the paragraph below it is expressed so well by Mr. Spurgeons.
[Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any the wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials, are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle’s precept (Tit_3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings.]
Now as you read this next paragraph Charles Spurgeon hits "the nail on the head" as the expression goes. The paragraph above explains the wasted time spent in "foolish talk within our lives, whereas below he states the importance of the correct questions we should be asking ourselves and our daily actions. Also note where Charles Spurgeon states how these questions "urgently demand our attention!"
[There are, however, some questions which are the reverse of foolish, which we must not avoid, but fairly and honestly meet, such as these: Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? Am I walking not after the flesh, but after the Spirit? Am I growing in grace? Does my conversation adorn the doctrine of God my Saviour? Am I looking for the coming of the Lord, and watching as a servant should do who expects his master? What more can I do for Jesus? Such enquiries as these urgently demand our attention; and if we have been at all given to cavilling, let us now turn our critical abilities to a service so much more profitable. Let us be peace-makers, and endeavour to lead others both by our precept and example, to “avoid foolish questions.”]
May God touch your heart and open your ears to the message that was given to Charles Spurgeon in this morning devotional.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Fire Within
A good morning devotional by Charles Spurgeon. As I was reading this I felt the passion in my heart cry out, "Yes Lord!" Amazing for it is a passion that as true believers we want for everyone. Also amazing it is available for all! In Romans 12:3 it states, I realize how kind God has been to me, and so I tell each of you not to think you are better than you really are. Use good sense and measure yourself by the amount of faith that God has given you. (CEV)
May your day be truly blessed today and may you understand it is because of Jesus Christ that it will be!
“To whom be glory for ever. Amen”
- Romans 11:36
[“To whom be glory for ever.” This should be the single desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this-”To him be glory for ever.” He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that “To him may be glory for ever.” You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord’s glory. As a Christian, you are “of God, and through God,” then live “to God.” Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. Depend upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object,
“To me ‘tis equal whether love ordain
My life or death-appoint me ease or pain.”
Let your desire for God’s glory be a growing desire. You blessed him in your youth, do not be content with such praises as you gave him then. Has God prospered you in business? Give him more as he has given you more. Has God given you experience? Praise him by stronger faith than you exercised at first. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give him more music; put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise. Practically in your life give him honour, putting the “Amen” to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness. ]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
May your day be truly blessed today and may you understand it is because of Jesus Christ that it will be!
“To whom be glory for ever. Amen”
- Romans 11:36
[“To whom be glory for ever.” This should be the single desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this-”To him be glory for ever.” He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that “To him may be glory for ever.” You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord’s glory. As a Christian, you are “of God, and through God,” then live “to God.” Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. Depend upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object,
“To me ‘tis equal whether love ordain
My life or death-appoint me ease or pain.”
Let your desire for God’s glory be a growing desire. You blessed him in your youth, do not be content with such praises as you gave him then. Has God prospered you in business? Give him more as he has given you more. Has God given you experience? Praise him by stronger faith than you exercised at first. Does your knowledge grow? Then sing more sweetly. Do you enjoy happier times than you once had? Have you been restored from sickness, and has your sorrow been turned into peace and joy? Then give him more music; put more coals and more sweet frankincense into the censer of your praise. Practically in your life give him honour, putting the “Amen” to this doxology to your great and gracious Lord, by your own individual service and increasing holiness. ]
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, November 16, 2009
New blog, new poem
On Sunday in church they played the song, "Thank you for giving to the Lord!" It was a song about a person who was in Heaven and met the person that brought them to the Lord. As I was listening I spoke to the Lord and said, "Please open more doors that I may go through and tell people about you.
Today I did a God's Love Outreach Ministry program for a senior's group that I met for the first time. A gentleman asked me if I would be available to do a program next month for his senior group. When I got back home a woman called me and asked if I would do a program for her church.
God is so awesome!
Last night my dog had some problems and had me up 4 or five times. While awake, the Lord blessed me with part of this poem that I finished a little while ago.
See this is what He was asking me to do today. I know through my obedience 60+ people were touched by His love and grace.
Touch Someone For Me
As I awoke this morning from sleep
and my eyes opened to see,
the Lord spoke to my heart and said,
“Touch someone for me!”
He said, “Tell someone that I love them”,
and if you follow my commandments you will too,
please touch someone for Me today
before the day is through!”
So as I started on my way,
I saw someone that was in need.
I said, “Is there something I can do for you,
what is it, please tell me, what can it be?
The person looked me in the eyes
and said, “Why do anything for me?”
I smiled and said, “Because I was in need one day,
and thank God someone took their time you see!
See God spoke to my heart today
and brought me here just for you.
Because of His love for all of us,
He knew just what you needed too.”
So listen ever so carefully my friends,
when God tells you what to do.
For when He says, “Touch someone for Me,”
It’s about Him, and not about you!
E. P. Shagott
11/16/09
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Today I did a God's Love Outreach Ministry program for a senior's group that I met for the first time. A gentleman asked me if I would be available to do a program next month for his senior group. When I got back home a woman called me and asked if I would do a program for her church.
God is so awesome!
Last night my dog had some problems and had me up 4 or five times. While awake, the Lord blessed me with part of this poem that I finished a little while ago.
See this is what He was asking me to do today. I know through my obedience 60+ people were touched by His love and grace.
Touch Someone For Me
As I awoke this morning from sleep
and my eyes opened to see,
the Lord spoke to my heart and said,
“Touch someone for me!”
He said, “Tell someone that I love them”,
and if you follow my commandments you will too,
please touch someone for Me today
before the day is through!”
So as I started on my way,
I saw someone that was in need.
I said, “Is there something I can do for you,
what is it, please tell me, what can it be?
The person looked me in the eyes
and said, “Why do anything for me?”
I smiled and said, “Because I was in need one day,
and thank God someone took their time you see!
See God spoke to my heart today
and brought me here just for you.
Because of His love for all of us,
He knew just what you needed too.”
So listen ever so carefully my friends,
when God tells you what to do.
For when He says, “Touch someone for Me,”
It’s about Him, and not about you!
E. P. Shagott
11/16/09
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Walk on the world's side or Christ's, you can't have both!
Zephaniah 1:5 and those bowing to the host of heaven on the housetops, and those bowing, swearing to Jehovah, also swearing by Malcham;
In this mornings devotional Charles Spurgeon was quoting the above Bible verse. This verse was talking about the Ammonite people that professed to be worshipping God but also was worshipping the idol Malcham. Read below of what Charles Spurgeon stated about this;
[Such persons thought themselves safe because they were with both parties: they went with the followers of Jehovah, and bowed at the same time to Malcham. But duplicity is abominable with God, and hypocrisy his soul hateth. The idolater who distinctly gives himself to his false god, has one sin less than he who brings his polluted and detestable sacrifice unto the temple of the Lord, while his heart is with the world and the sins thereof. To hold with the hare and run with the hounds, is a dastard’s policy. In the common matters of daily life, a double- minded man is despised, but in religion he is loathsome to the last degree. The penalty pronounced in the verse before us is terrible, but it is well deserved; for how should divine justice spare the sinner, who knows the right, approves it, and professes to follow it, and all the while loves the evil, and gives it dominion in his heart?]
Very harsh words when he said, "a double-minded man is despised, but in religion he is loathsome to the last degree." Even in today's times so many people fight being this type of person. They walk into the house of the Lord and profess to worship Him but within a short period of time are back fighting the temptations of this sinful world that we are born into.
[My soul, search thyself this morning, and see whether thou art guilty of double-dealing. Thou professest to be a follower of Jesus-dost thou truly love him? Is thy heart right with God? Art thou of the family of old Father Honest, or art thou a relative of Mr. By-ends? A name to live is of little value if I be indeed dead in trespasses and sins. To have one foot on the land of truth, and another on the sea of falsehood, will involve a terrible fall and a total ruin. Christ will be all or nothing. God fills the whole universe, and hence there is no room for another god; if, then, he reigns in my heart, there will be no space for another reigning power. Do I rest alone on Jesus crucified, and live alone for him? Is it my desire to do so? Is my heart set upon so doing? If so, blessed be the mighty grace which has led me to salvation; and if not so, O Lord, pardon my sad offence, and unite my heart to fear thy name.]
What a statement is said above, "Christ will be all or nothing." Amen to that!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
In this mornings devotional Charles Spurgeon was quoting the above Bible verse. This verse was talking about the Ammonite people that professed to be worshipping God but also was worshipping the idol Malcham. Read below of what Charles Spurgeon stated about this;
[Such persons thought themselves safe because they were with both parties: they went with the followers of Jehovah, and bowed at the same time to Malcham. But duplicity is abominable with God, and hypocrisy his soul hateth. The idolater who distinctly gives himself to his false god, has one sin less than he who brings his polluted and detestable sacrifice unto the temple of the Lord, while his heart is with the world and the sins thereof. To hold with the hare and run with the hounds, is a dastard’s policy. In the common matters of daily life, a double- minded man is despised, but in religion he is loathsome to the last degree. The penalty pronounced in the verse before us is terrible, but it is well deserved; for how should divine justice spare the sinner, who knows the right, approves it, and professes to follow it, and all the while loves the evil, and gives it dominion in his heart?]
Very harsh words when he said, "a double-minded man is despised, but in religion he is loathsome to the last degree." Even in today's times so many people fight being this type of person. They walk into the house of the Lord and profess to worship Him but within a short period of time are back fighting the temptations of this sinful world that we are born into.
[My soul, search thyself this morning, and see whether thou art guilty of double-dealing. Thou professest to be a follower of Jesus-dost thou truly love him? Is thy heart right with God? Art thou of the family of old Father Honest, or art thou a relative of Mr. By-ends? A name to live is of little value if I be indeed dead in trespasses and sins. To have one foot on the land of truth, and another on the sea of falsehood, will involve a terrible fall and a total ruin. Christ will be all or nothing. God fills the whole universe, and hence there is no room for another god; if, then, he reigns in my heart, there will be no space for another reigning power. Do I rest alone on Jesus crucified, and live alone for him? Is it my desire to do so? Is my heart set upon so doing? If so, blessed be the mighty grace which has led me to salvation; and if not so, O Lord, pardon my sad offence, and unite my heart to fear thy name.]
What a statement is said above, "Christ will be all or nothing." Amen to that!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, November 13, 2009
Knowing God
This past Sunday we were discussing the various names of God from the "Experiencing God" bible study. I wanted to get a better understanding about God so I did some research on the computer. I found a website named "All About God" which is an excellent research place to go for a better understanding of who God is.
To try to know someone I believe you must understand their characteristics. From the website it stated that A.W. Tozer said this; “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” He also states from his book titled The Knowledge of the Holy, “Man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshipper entertains high or low thoughts of God.”
The website that I was researching said to remember this acronym: WISH TO FLOSS JIM EGGO for it will help in listing the 18 characteristics that was found in the bible to describe God's attributes;
[Wisdom: “Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes. He is the Father who truly knows best, as Paul explains in Romans 11:33: “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!”]
[Infinitude: God knows no boundaries. He is without measure. This attribute by definition impacts all of the others. Since God is infinite, everything else about Him must also be infinite.]
[Sovereignty: This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best. God is in control of everything that happens. Man still has a free will, and is responsible for his choices in life.]
[Holiness: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all other created beings. It refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all. His holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever God has appeared, such as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes holy just for God having been there.]
[Trinity: Though the actual word is not used in the Bible, the truth of God revealing Himself in three persons is included. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all called God, given worship as God, exist eternally, and are involved in doing things only God could do. Although, God reveals Himself in three persons, God is One and cannot be divided. All are involved completely whenever One of the Three is active.]
[Omniscience: “God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn.” Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God.]
[Faithfulness: Everything that God has promised will come to pass. His faithfulness guarantees this fact. He does not lie. What He has said in the Bible about Himself is true. Jesus even said that He is the Truth. This is extremely important for the followers of Jesus because it is on His faithfulness that our hope of eternal life rests. He will honor His promise that our sins will be forgiven and that we will live forever with Him.]
[Love: Love is such an important part of God’s character that the apostle John wrote, “God is love.” This means that God holds the well-being of others as His primary concern. For a full definition of love, read 1 Corinthians 13. To see love in action, study the life of Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of others is the ultimate act of love. God’s love is not a love of emotion but of action. His love gives freely to the object of its affection, those who choose to follow His son Jesus.]
[Omnipotence: Literally this word means all-powerful. Since God is infinite and since He possesses power, He possesses infinite power. He does allow His creatures to have some power, but this in no way diminishes His own. “He expends no energy that must be replenished.” When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it was to set an example for us and our need for rest, not because He was tired.]
[Self-existence: When Moses asked who he was talking to in the burning bush, God said, “I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS.” God has no beginning or end. He just exists. Nothing else in all the universe is self-caused. Only God. In fact, if anything else had created Him, that thing would be God. This is a difficult concept for our minds since everything else we will ever encounter comes from something other than itself. The Bible says, “In the beginning, God.” He was already there.]
[Self-sufficiency: The Bible says that God has life in Himself (see John 5:26). All other life in the universe is a gift from God. He has no needs and there is no way He can improve. To God, nothing else is necessary. He does not need our help with anything, but because of His grace and love, He allows us to be a part of advancing His plan on earth and being a blessing to others. We are the ones who change, but never God. He is self-sufficient.]
[Justice: The Bible says that God is just, but it is His character that defines what being just really is. He does not conform to some outside criteria. Being just brings moral equity to everyone. When there are evil acts, justice demands there be a penalty. Since God is perfect and has never done evil, no penalty would ever be necessary; however, because of His love, God paid the penalty for our evil deeds by going to the cross Himself. His justice needed to be satisfied, but He took care of it for all who will believe in Jesus.]
[Immutability: This simply means that God never changes. It is why the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”]
[Mercy: “Mercy is the attribute of God which disposes Him to be actively compassionate.” Since God’s justice is satisfied in Jesus, He is free to show mercy to all those who have chosen to follow Him. It will never end since it is a part of God’s nature. Mercy is the way He desires to relate to mankind, and He does so unless the person chooses to despise or ignore God at which time His justice becomes the prominent attribute.]
[Eternal: In some ways, this fact about God is similar to His self-existence. God always has been and will forever be, because God dwells in eternity. Time is His creation. It is why God can see the end from the beginning, and why He is never surprised by anything. If He were not eternal, God’s promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus would have little value.]
[Goodness: “The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men.” This attribute of God is why He bestows all the blessing He does on His followers. God’s actions define what goodness is, and we can easily see it in the way Jesus related to the people around Him.]
[Gracious: God enjoys giving great gifts to those who love Him, even when they do not deserve it. Grace is the way we describe that inclination. Jesus Christ is the channel through which His grace moves. The Bible says, “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”]
[Omnipresence: This theological term means “always present.” Since God is infinite, His being knows no boundaries. So, clearly He is everywhere. This truth is taught throughout the Bible as the phrase “I am with you always” is repeated 22 times in both the Old and New Testaments. These were even Jesus’ words of assurance just after giving the challenge to His disciples to take His message to the entire world. This is certainly a comforting truth for all who follow Jesus.]
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns with power and love, our God is an awesome God!!!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
To try to know someone I believe you must understand their characteristics. From the website it stated that A.W. Tozer said this; “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” He also states from his book titled The Knowledge of the Holy, “Man’s spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshipper entertains high or low thoughts of God.”
The website that I was researching said to remember this acronym: WISH TO FLOSS JIM EGGO for it will help in listing the 18 characteristics that was found in the bible to describe God's attributes;
[Wisdom: “Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes. He is the Father who truly knows best, as Paul explains in Romans 11:33: “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!”]
[Infinitude: God knows no boundaries. He is without measure. This attribute by definition impacts all of the others. Since God is infinite, everything else about Him must also be infinite.]
[Sovereignty: This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best. God is in control of everything that happens. Man still has a free will, and is responsible for his choices in life.]
[Holiness: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all other created beings. It refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all. His holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever God has appeared, such as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes holy just for God having been there.]
[Trinity: Though the actual word is not used in the Bible, the truth of God revealing Himself in three persons is included. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all called God, given worship as God, exist eternally, and are involved in doing things only God could do. Although, God reveals Himself in three persons, God is One and cannot be divided. All are involved completely whenever One of the Three is active.]
[Omniscience: “God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn.” Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God.]
[Faithfulness: Everything that God has promised will come to pass. His faithfulness guarantees this fact. He does not lie. What He has said in the Bible about Himself is true. Jesus even said that He is the Truth. This is extremely important for the followers of Jesus because it is on His faithfulness that our hope of eternal life rests. He will honor His promise that our sins will be forgiven and that we will live forever with Him.]
[Love: Love is such an important part of God’s character that the apostle John wrote, “God is love.” This means that God holds the well-being of others as His primary concern. For a full definition of love, read 1 Corinthians 13. To see love in action, study the life of Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross for the sins of others is the ultimate act of love. God’s love is not a love of emotion but of action. His love gives freely to the object of its affection, those who choose to follow His son Jesus.]
[Omnipotence: Literally this word means all-powerful. Since God is infinite and since He possesses power, He possesses infinite power. He does allow His creatures to have some power, but this in no way diminishes His own. “He expends no energy that must be replenished.” When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it was to set an example for us and our need for rest, not because He was tired.]
[Self-existence: When Moses asked who he was talking to in the burning bush, God said, “I AM THE ONE WHO ALWAYS IS.” God has no beginning or end. He just exists. Nothing else in all the universe is self-caused. Only God. In fact, if anything else had created Him, that thing would be God. This is a difficult concept for our minds since everything else we will ever encounter comes from something other than itself. The Bible says, “In the beginning, God.” He was already there.]
[Self-sufficiency: The Bible says that God has life in Himself (see John 5:26). All other life in the universe is a gift from God. He has no needs and there is no way He can improve. To God, nothing else is necessary. He does not need our help with anything, but because of His grace and love, He allows us to be a part of advancing His plan on earth and being a blessing to others. We are the ones who change, but never God. He is self-sufficient.]
[Justice: The Bible says that God is just, but it is His character that defines what being just really is. He does not conform to some outside criteria. Being just brings moral equity to everyone. When there are evil acts, justice demands there be a penalty. Since God is perfect and has never done evil, no penalty would ever be necessary; however, because of His love, God paid the penalty for our evil deeds by going to the cross Himself. His justice needed to be satisfied, but He took care of it for all who will believe in Jesus.]
[Immutability: This simply means that God never changes. It is why the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”]
[Mercy: “Mercy is the attribute of God which disposes Him to be actively compassionate.” Since God’s justice is satisfied in Jesus, He is free to show mercy to all those who have chosen to follow Him. It will never end since it is a part of God’s nature. Mercy is the way He desires to relate to mankind, and He does so unless the person chooses to despise or ignore God at which time His justice becomes the prominent attribute.]
[Eternal: In some ways, this fact about God is similar to His self-existence. God always has been and will forever be, because God dwells in eternity. Time is His creation. It is why God can see the end from the beginning, and why He is never surprised by anything. If He were not eternal, God’s promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus would have little value.]
[Goodness: “The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men.” This attribute of God is why He bestows all the blessing He does on His followers. God’s actions define what goodness is, and we can easily see it in the way Jesus related to the people around Him.]
[Gracious: God enjoys giving great gifts to those who love Him, even when they do not deserve it. Grace is the way we describe that inclination. Jesus Christ is the channel through which His grace moves. The Bible says, “The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”]
[Omnipresence: This theological term means “always present.” Since God is infinite, His being knows no boundaries. So, clearly He is everywhere. This truth is taught throughout the Bible as the phrase “I am with you always” is repeated 22 times in both the Old and New Testaments. These were even Jesus’ words of assurance just after giving the challenge to His disciples to take His message to the entire world. This is certainly a comforting truth for all who follow Jesus.]
Our God is an awesome God, He reigns with power and love, our God is an awesome God!!!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
Are you having a bad day? Does it seem everything you are doing is going wrong? Are you thinking of the saying, "If it was not for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all? Read what Charles Spurgeon wrote in this morning's devotional. I added the lyrics from that great classic hymn which seemed so wonderful as an addition. You might want to revisit this blog now and then for God's reassurance to His children.
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And He shall throw the enemy out from before you, and shall say, Destroy!
1.What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
[God-the eternal God-is himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own sight, so worthless. Well, child of God, remember that when thou art at thy worst and lowest, yet “underneath” thee “are everlasting arms.”]
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
[Sin may drag thee ever so low, but Christ’s great atonement is still under all. You may have descended into the deeps, but you cannot have fallen so low as “the uttermost”; and to the uttermost he saves. Again, the Christian sometimes sinks very deeply in sore trial from without. Every earthly prop is cut away. What then? Still underneath him are “the everlasting arms.”]
2.O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
[He cannot fall so deep in distress and affliction but what the covenant grace of an ever-faithful God will still encircle him. The Christian may be sinking under trouble from within through fierce conflict, but even then he cannot be brought so low as to be beyond the reach of the “everlasting arms”-they are underneath him; and, while thus sustained, all Satan’s efforts to harm him avail nothing.]
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
[This assurance of support is a comfort to any weary but earnest worker in the service of God. It implies a promise of strength for each day, grace for each need, and power for each duty. And, further, when death comes, the promise shall still hold good. When we stand in the midst of Jordan, we shall be able to say with David, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.”]
3.What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
I have peace complete with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
[We shall descend into the grave, but we shall go no lower, for the eternal arms prevent our further fall. All through life, and at its close, we shall be upheld by the “everlasting arms”-arms that neither flag nor lose their strength, for “the everlasting God fainteth not, neither is weary.”]
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And He shall throw the enemy out from before you, and shall say, Destroy!
1.What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
[God-the eternal God-is himself our support at all times, and especially when we are sinking in deep trouble. There are seasons when the Christian sinks very low in humiliation. Under a deep sense of his great sinfulness, he is humbled before God till he scarcely knows how to pray, because he appears, in his own sight, so worthless. Well, child of God, remember that when thou art at thy worst and lowest, yet “underneath” thee “are everlasting arms.”]
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
[Sin may drag thee ever so low, but Christ’s great atonement is still under all. You may have descended into the deeps, but you cannot have fallen so low as “the uttermost”; and to the uttermost he saves. Again, the Christian sometimes sinks very deeply in sore trial from without. Every earthly prop is cut away. What then? Still underneath him are “the everlasting arms.”]
2.O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
[He cannot fall so deep in distress and affliction but what the covenant grace of an ever-faithful God will still encircle him. The Christian may be sinking under trouble from within through fierce conflict, but even then he cannot be brought so low as to be beyond the reach of the “everlasting arms”-they are underneath him; and, while thus sustained, all Satan’s efforts to harm him avail nothing.]
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
[This assurance of support is a comfort to any weary but earnest worker in the service of God. It implies a promise of strength for each day, grace for each need, and power for each duty. And, further, when death comes, the promise shall still hold good. When we stand in the midst of Jordan, we shall be able to say with David, “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.”]
3.What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
I have peace complete with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
[We shall descend into the grave, but we shall go no lower, for the eternal arms prevent our further fall. All through life, and at its close, we shall be upheld by the “everlasting arms”-arms that neither flag nor lose their strength, for “the everlasting God fainteth not, neither is weary.”]
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Please pray
I received this email this morning from a church family member who forwarded it to me. I thought it was very well written and so true that I wanted to share on my blog. Like so many others I also understand that we are "going the wrong way"! Everything that generations before us sacrificed for is being let go. Why? We are now paying more for things that are bad for us. The money we spend is going to other countries and we are losing the ability to make a living for ourselves and our families. The processed food that is being made available to us is poisoning our bodies. If something is better for us it costs 1/3 more. Are they telling us they want us to be sick? Think about it.
With the rapidly aging "baby boomers" that will be needing health care, it is now on the chopping block. Family structure is also rapidly falling apart. No time to pray together let alone eat together. What we once viewed on our TVs through a pair of "rabbit ears" is now costing hundreds of dollars and is poisoning our minds. Advertisement has almost taken over the programs which no longer have any substance to them.
This person who wrote this email was right on the money. I will always remember from the Bible, reading about Sodom and Gomorrah where Abraham was trying to have God spare the people. In Gen 18:32 And he said, Oh do not let Jehovah be angry, and I will speak only once more. Perhaps ten shall be found there. And He said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. Well, it is too bad for Abraham stopped at ten. What about today? Is there ten righteous?
Subject: Fwd: Please pray
To: Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 6:53 PM
We are speeding towards one world government and the second coming at a rapid pace. I remember reading about the children of Israel who turned from God time and time again, only to realize their mistake and pray for forgiveness.Each time, God would forgive them and they would walk with him for a time. So, I am going to ask you to join me in praying for our nation every day. God is in control!!!
Our president did not encourage participation in the National Day of Prayer.. He called it an event. He thinks it should be private prayer instead of Public Prayer. May God Have Mercy On America & Protect Our Troops.
In Texarkana last week, there were signs in people's yards that said, " America , prayer our only hope" with 2 Chron. 7:14 underneath. We certainly need God's help! I have no idea who started this, but I certainly agree with this e-mail. I heard a preacher on TV tonight who said if we pray for our nation that things will turn around. After a day of contemplation and soul searching, I have decided to reach out to my friends and relatives and ask you to do something that has been troubling me for a long time.
Our nation is/has been on the slippery slope for a long time. If you look around you will find corruption, greed, moral decay, and a steady move away from the things that made us great. The principles upon which this nation was founded are no longer our backbone. However, we can reverse this trend.
2 Chron. 7:14 in God's word he states, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
I am convinced that we must pray for our nation and its leaders and ask for forgiveness. So I ask you to join me in this plea to our Lord.
Would you please send this to people in your address book (send it to all of them); ask them to pray EVERYDAY... (25 to only the 5th power is 9,765,625 people.) IMAGINE if each person reaches TEN others...or all TWENTY FIVE!
If you do and they comply, we will lift up millions and millions of prayers a day to our Creator. He will hear us and in faith will answer.
Let me just add a quote from Ronald Reagan. "If we ever forget that we are
one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." I truly believe this is why the United States of America is in the shape we are in today. Most people have forgotten that we are one nation under God! Let us as Christians stand up and remind people of this!!
Today's Quote "God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him." --J. Hudson Taylor
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
With the rapidly aging "baby boomers" that will be needing health care, it is now on the chopping block. Family structure is also rapidly falling apart. No time to pray together let alone eat together. What we once viewed on our TVs through a pair of "rabbit ears" is now costing hundreds of dollars and is poisoning our minds. Advertisement has almost taken over the programs which no longer have any substance to them.
This person who wrote this email was right on the money. I will always remember from the Bible, reading about Sodom and Gomorrah where Abraham was trying to have God spare the people. In Gen 18:32 And he said, Oh do not let Jehovah be angry, and I will speak only once more. Perhaps ten shall be found there. And He said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. Well, it is too bad for Abraham stopped at ten. What about today? Is there ten righteous?
Subject: Fwd: Please pray
To: Date: Sunday, November 8, 2009, 6:53 PM
We are speeding towards one world government and the second coming at a rapid pace. I remember reading about the children of Israel who turned from God time and time again, only to realize their mistake and pray for forgiveness.Each time, God would forgive them and they would walk with him for a time. So, I am going to ask you to join me in praying for our nation every day. God is in control!!!
Our president did not encourage participation in the National Day of Prayer.. He called it an event. He thinks it should be private prayer instead of Public Prayer. May God Have Mercy On America & Protect Our Troops.
In Texarkana last week, there were signs in people's yards that said, " America , prayer our only hope" with 2 Chron. 7:14 underneath. We certainly need God's help! I have no idea who started this, but I certainly agree with this e-mail. I heard a preacher on TV tonight who said if we pray for our nation that things will turn around. After a day of contemplation and soul searching, I have decided to reach out to my friends and relatives and ask you to do something that has been troubling me for a long time.
Our nation is/has been on the slippery slope for a long time. If you look around you will find corruption, greed, moral decay, and a steady move away from the things that made us great. The principles upon which this nation was founded are no longer our backbone. However, we can reverse this trend.
2 Chron. 7:14 in God's word he states, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
I am convinced that we must pray for our nation and its leaders and ask for forgiveness. So I ask you to join me in this plea to our Lord.
Would you please send this to people in your address book (send it to all of them); ask them to pray EVERYDAY... (25 to only the 5th power is 9,765,625 people.) IMAGINE if each person reaches TEN others...or all TWENTY FIVE!
If you do and they comply, we will lift up millions and millions of prayers a day to our Creator. He will hear us and in faith will answer.
Let me just add a quote from Ronald Reagan. "If we ever forget that we are
one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." I truly believe this is why the United States of America is in the shape we are in today. Most people have forgotten that we are one nation under God! Let us as Christians stand up and remind people of this!!
Today's Quote "God isn't looking for people of great faith, but for individuals ready to follow Him." --J. Hudson Taylor
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Monday, November 9, 2009
What More Can I Do?
So walk ye in him.”
- Colossians 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
At the end of October the Lord blessed me with this poem. I was thinking back on 2009 that is quickly drawing to a close. The God's Love Outreach Ministry that He entrusted me with, if all goes well will once again be more fruitful than the year before, six years in a row! Praise God!
Next year this ministry will present it's "1000" program. To God be the glory! The Lord has blessed me with writing blogs, over "40+" since September. He has also brought me to Twitter where He is reaching out to people that I will probably never meet in this life. Writing short sentences He has now sent out "1400+" through my obedience to Him. Thank You, Jesus!
Then my heart cried out to Him;
What More Can I Do?
How can I reach them Lord?
Please tell me what more can I do.
It appears the harder I try,
the farther they get away from you.
I try to show them by your example,
from the Bible I quote Your Word.
It’s like telling them of something,
that most have never heard.
What can I do Lord,
to help them understand?
Everything we are destroying on earth
was created by Your own loving hands!
Please understand Lord,
I’m not giving up on You.
You are the most important person in my life,
I just want everyone to feel that way too!
E. P. Shagott
10/31/09
Now as you read Charles Spurgeon's devotional from this morning I pray you can understand as I do how important the walking part of Christianity is. Oh, I guess we can all talk a good thing but what does your actions show?
[If we have received Christ himself in our inmost hearts, our new life will manifest its intimate acquaintance with him by a walk of faith in him. Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry out into practical effect that which we believe. If a man walks in Christ, then he so acts as Christ would act; for Christ being in him, his hope, his love, his joy, his life, he is the reflex of the image of Jesus; and men say of that man, “He is like his Master; he lives like Jesus Christ.” Walking signifies progress. “So walk ye in him”; proceed from grace to grace, run forward until you reach the uttermost degree of knowledge that a man can attain concerning our Beloved. Walking implies continuance. There must be a perpetual abiding in Christ. How many Christians think that in the morning and evening they ought to come into the company of Jesus, and may then give their hearts to the world all the day: but this is poor living; we should always be with him, treading in his steps and doing his will. Walking also implies habit. When we speak of a man’s walk and conversation, we mean his habits, the constant tenor of his life. Now, if we sometimes enjoy Christ, and then forget him; sometimes call him ours, and anon lose our hold, that is not a habit; we do not walk in him. We must keep to him, cling to him, never let him go, but live and have our being in him. “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him”; persevere in the same way in which ye have begun, and, as at the first Christ Jesus was the trust of your faith, the source of your life, the principle of your action, and the joy of your spirit, so let him be the same till life’s end; the same when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and enter into the joy and the rest which remain for the people of God. O Holy Spirit, enable us to obey this heavenly precept.]
The answer to my poem is found in Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God! I will be praised among the nations, I will be praised in the earth. See God is and always will be in control. As Charles Spurgeon so wonderfully stated, "so let him be the same till life’s end"!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
- Colossians 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
At the end of October the Lord blessed me with this poem. I was thinking back on 2009 that is quickly drawing to a close. The God's Love Outreach Ministry that He entrusted me with, if all goes well will once again be more fruitful than the year before, six years in a row! Praise God!
Next year this ministry will present it's "1000" program. To God be the glory! The Lord has blessed me with writing blogs, over "40+" since September. He has also brought me to Twitter where He is reaching out to people that I will probably never meet in this life. Writing short sentences He has now sent out "1400+" through my obedience to Him. Thank You, Jesus!
Then my heart cried out to Him;
What More Can I Do?
How can I reach them Lord?
Please tell me what more can I do.
It appears the harder I try,
the farther they get away from you.
I try to show them by your example,
from the Bible I quote Your Word.
It’s like telling them of something,
that most have never heard.
What can I do Lord,
to help them understand?
Everything we are destroying on earth
was created by Your own loving hands!
Please understand Lord,
I’m not giving up on You.
You are the most important person in my life,
I just want everyone to feel that way too!
E. P. Shagott
10/31/09
Now as you read Charles Spurgeon's devotional from this morning I pray you can understand as I do how important the walking part of Christianity is. Oh, I guess we can all talk a good thing but what does your actions show?
[If we have received Christ himself in our inmost hearts, our new life will manifest its intimate acquaintance with him by a walk of faith in him. Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry out into practical effect that which we believe. If a man walks in Christ, then he so acts as Christ would act; for Christ being in him, his hope, his love, his joy, his life, he is the reflex of the image of Jesus; and men say of that man, “He is like his Master; he lives like Jesus Christ.” Walking signifies progress. “So walk ye in him”; proceed from grace to grace, run forward until you reach the uttermost degree of knowledge that a man can attain concerning our Beloved. Walking implies continuance. There must be a perpetual abiding in Christ. How many Christians think that in the morning and evening they ought to come into the company of Jesus, and may then give their hearts to the world all the day: but this is poor living; we should always be with him, treading in his steps and doing his will. Walking also implies habit. When we speak of a man’s walk and conversation, we mean his habits, the constant tenor of his life. Now, if we sometimes enjoy Christ, and then forget him; sometimes call him ours, and anon lose our hold, that is not a habit; we do not walk in him. We must keep to him, cling to him, never let him go, but live and have our being in him. “As ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him”; persevere in the same way in which ye have begun, and, as at the first Christ Jesus was the trust of your faith, the source of your life, the principle of your action, and the joy of your spirit, so let him be the same till life’s end; the same when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and enter into the joy and the rest which remain for the people of God. O Holy Spirit, enable us to obey this heavenly precept.]
The answer to my poem is found in Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God! I will be praised among the nations, I will be praised in the earth. See God is and always will be in control. As Charles Spurgeon so wonderfully stated, "so let him be the same till life’s end"!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Did I Tell You, Thank You Lord?
form Charles Spurgeon Gems
Gem #1 - Communion with God
["All my fountains are in you," said David. If you have all your fountains in God, your heart will be completely full. If you went to the foot of Calvary, there your heart will be bathed in love and gratitude. If you go often to your place of seclusion, and there talk with your God, it is there that your heart will be filled with calm determination. If you go out with the Master to the Mount of Olives, and looked down with Him on a wicked Jerusalem, and weep over it with Him, then your heart will be full of love for eternal souls. If you continually draw your stimulus, your life, your entire being from the Holy Spirit, without whom you can do nothing, and if you live in close communion with Christ, then there will be no fear of you having a cold heart.
One who lives without prayer—one who lives with little prayer—one who seldom reads the Word—one who seldom looks up to heaven for a fresh influence from on high—will be the person whose heart will become cold and barren; but the person who calls in secret to their God—who spends much time in holy seclusion—who delights to meditate on the words of the Most High—whose soul is given up to Christ—who delights in his fullness, rejoices in his complete sufficiency, prays for his second coming, and delights in the thought of his glorious return—such a person, I say, must have an overflowing heart; and as their heart is, so will be their life. It will be a full life; it will be a life that will speak from the grave, and reverberate into the future. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life," and plead with the Holy Spirit to keep it full; otherwise, the outcome of your life will be feeble, shallow, and superficial; and you might as well not have lived at all.]
To attempt to write a comment into any part of this gem would definitely diminish the impact of Charles Spurgeon's words. As I read this my heart was asking the Lord for even more. "Give me more, oh precious Lord"! To understand the meaning of a full life we must understand, that starts with Christ. All the days prior without Him do not matter. Just "wasted days and wasted nights" as the song goes. I believe that's also why once we understand this, it creates a fire within us to share with others that do not know Him.
All this month the God's Love Outreach Ministry is presenting the "Seeds of Thanks" program from the Seeds for Christ 2009 series. Toward the end of the program I share this poem that the Lord blessed me with last year.
Did I Tell You Thank You Lord
Did I tell You, “thank you Lord”
when I first awoke from sleep?
Did I tell You, “thank you Lord
for in my heart your presence I keep?
For all the many blessings
because of Your Grace I do receive,
did I tell You, “thank You Lord”
for in me You do believe?
Did I tell You, “thank You Lord”
for never giving up on me?
Even when friends and family
seemed content to just let me be.
For all those minutes, hours, and endless days
that could be empty as can be,
did I tell You, “thank You Lord”
for being that special one to me?
Well if for some reason I didn’t
please forgive me once again!
“Thank You Lord, for the beginning,
the in between, for with You there is no end!
E. P. Shagott
10/15/2008
Did you tell Him thank you today? It's not too late.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Gem #1 - Communion with God
["All my fountains are in you," said David. If you have all your fountains in God, your heart will be completely full. If you went to the foot of Calvary, there your heart will be bathed in love and gratitude. If you go often to your place of seclusion, and there talk with your God, it is there that your heart will be filled with calm determination. If you go out with the Master to the Mount of Olives, and looked down with Him on a wicked Jerusalem, and weep over it with Him, then your heart will be full of love for eternal souls. If you continually draw your stimulus, your life, your entire being from the Holy Spirit, without whom you can do nothing, and if you live in close communion with Christ, then there will be no fear of you having a cold heart.
One who lives without prayer—one who lives with little prayer—one who seldom reads the Word—one who seldom looks up to heaven for a fresh influence from on high—will be the person whose heart will become cold and barren; but the person who calls in secret to their God—who spends much time in holy seclusion—who delights to meditate on the words of the Most High—whose soul is given up to Christ—who delights in his fullness, rejoices in his complete sufficiency, prays for his second coming, and delights in the thought of his glorious return—such a person, I say, must have an overflowing heart; and as their heart is, so will be their life. It will be a full life; it will be a life that will speak from the grave, and reverberate into the future. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life," and plead with the Holy Spirit to keep it full; otherwise, the outcome of your life will be feeble, shallow, and superficial; and you might as well not have lived at all.]
To attempt to write a comment into any part of this gem would definitely diminish the impact of Charles Spurgeon's words. As I read this my heart was asking the Lord for even more. "Give me more, oh precious Lord"! To understand the meaning of a full life we must understand, that starts with Christ. All the days prior without Him do not matter. Just "wasted days and wasted nights" as the song goes. I believe that's also why once we understand this, it creates a fire within us to share with others that do not know Him.
All this month the God's Love Outreach Ministry is presenting the "Seeds of Thanks" program from the Seeds for Christ 2009 series. Toward the end of the program I share this poem that the Lord blessed me with last year.
Did I Tell You Thank You Lord
Did I tell You, “thank you Lord”
when I first awoke from sleep?
Did I tell You, “thank you Lord
for in my heart your presence I keep?
For all the many blessings
because of Your Grace I do receive,
did I tell You, “thank You Lord”
for in me You do believe?
Did I tell You, “thank You Lord”
for never giving up on me?
Even when friends and family
seemed content to just let me be.
For all those minutes, hours, and endless days
that could be empty as can be,
did I tell You, “thank You Lord”
for being that special one to me?
Well if for some reason I didn’t
please forgive me once again!
“Thank You Lord, for the beginning,
the in between, for with You there is no end!
E. P. Shagott
10/15/2008
Did you tell Him thank you today? It's not too late.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
My Mission, I chose to accept it!
From Charles Spurgeon's Gems
Gem #12 - Full Surrender
[Don't keep back any part of your life. Make a full surrender of every inclination of your heart; work to have but one purpose, and one aim. And for this purpose give God complete control of your heart. Cry out for more of the divine control of the Holy Spirit, so that as your soul is preserved and protected by Him, that it may be directed into one river, and one only, that your life may run deep and pure, and clear and peaceful; its only banks being God's will, its only river the love of Christ and a desire to please Him.]
As soon as I read this Gem this morning I thought, "that's me"! My friends I am not being arrogant, I'm being truthful. As I was thinking of a title for this blog I thought back to the old "Mission Impossible" series and how it started out, "Good morning Mr. Phelps, your mission if you choose to accept it..." See, God did not say to me, "Go start an Outreach Ministry, go write over 100+ poems that I will bless you with, go start writing blogs almost daily, go and become a messenger for Me using Twitter & Facebook, go a be an example of my Son to everyone that comes into your life!"
No, God didn't tell me to do any of these, but He wanted me to, if I chose to. Can you now see how Charles Spurgeon's Gem #12 relates to what my mission is? My friends if you want to be a part-time Christian, expect to get part-time results. A friend of mine asked me via an email yesterday, "How can we as Christians be losing this battle"? My friends we are not losing, we are just not committing! Charles Spurgeon wrote to make a full surrender of your heart. If you pile a lot of worldy items on top of the Holy Spirit, it will make it harder for Him to do His work for the Father. Charles Spurgeon also said, "to have one purpose, one aim". What is your mission today? Do you choose to do God's work? Do you accept what God wants you to do for the Kingdom? I do.
Charles Spurgeon wrote above your life should be one river, "its only banks being God's will, its only river the love of Christ and a desire to please Him".
There Is A River
Words and Music by Max and David Sapp
John 4:14
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
There is a river that flows from deep within.
There is a fountain that frees the soul from sin.
Come to these waters, there is a vast supply.
There is a river that never shall run dry.
There came a sound from Heaven, like a mighty rushing wind.
It filled their hearts with singing and gave them peace within.
The Master gave this promise, the Spirit will descend
And from your inner being a river with no end.
There came a thirsty woman, who was drawing from a well.
Her life was ruined and wasted, her soul was bound for Hell.
But then she met the Master, who told of her great sin
And if you’ll drink this water, you’ll never thirst again.
There is a river that flows from God above.
There is a fountain, that’s filled with His great love.
Come to the water, there is a vast supply.
There is a river, that never shall run dry.
That never shall run dry.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Gem #12 - Full Surrender
[Don't keep back any part of your life. Make a full surrender of every inclination of your heart; work to have but one purpose, and one aim. And for this purpose give God complete control of your heart. Cry out for more of the divine control of the Holy Spirit, so that as your soul is preserved and protected by Him, that it may be directed into one river, and one only, that your life may run deep and pure, and clear and peaceful; its only banks being God's will, its only river the love of Christ and a desire to please Him.]
As soon as I read this Gem this morning I thought, "that's me"! My friends I am not being arrogant, I'm being truthful. As I was thinking of a title for this blog I thought back to the old "Mission Impossible" series and how it started out, "Good morning Mr. Phelps, your mission if you choose to accept it..." See, God did not say to me, "Go start an Outreach Ministry, go write over 100+ poems that I will bless you with, go start writing blogs almost daily, go and become a messenger for Me using Twitter & Facebook, go a be an example of my Son to everyone that comes into your life!"
No, God didn't tell me to do any of these, but He wanted me to, if I chose to. Can you now see how Charles Spurgeon's Gem #12 relates to what my mission is? My friends if you want to be a part-time Christian, expect to get part-time results. A friend of mine asked me via an email yesterday, "How can we as Christians be losing this battle"? My friends we are not losing, we are just not committing! Charles Spurgeon wrote to make a full surrender of your heart. If you pile a lot of worldy items on top of the Holy Spirit, it will make it harder for Him to do His work for the Father. Charles Spurgeon also said, "to have one purpose, one aim". What is your mission today? Do you choose to do God's work? Do you accept what God wants you to do for the Kingdom? I do.
Charles Spurgeon wrote above your life should be one river, "its only banks being God's will, its only river the love of Christ and a desire to please Him".
There Is A River
Words and Music by Max and David Sapp
John 4:14
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
There is a river that flows from deep within.
There is a fountain that frees the soul from sin.
Come to these waters, there is a vast supply.
There is a river that never shall run dry.
There came a sound from Heaven, like a mighty rushing wind.
It filled their hearts with singing and gave them peace within.
The Master gave this promise, the Spirit will descend
And from your inner being a river with no end.
There came a thirsty woman, who was drawing from a well.
Her life was ruined and wasted, her soul was bound for Hell.
But then she met the Master, who told of her great sin
And if you’ll drink this water, you’ll never thirst again.
There is a river that flows from God above.
There is a fountain, that’s filled with His great love.
Come to the water, there is a vast supply.
There is a river, that never shall run dry.
That never shall run dry.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, November 2, 2009
God Changes Not!
“I am the Lord, I change not.”
Malachi 3:6 Descendants of Jacob, I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I never change. That's why you haven't been wiped out,
[It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life, there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things else have changed-all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change. The delight which the mariner feels, when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore, is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth-”I am the Lord, I change not.”]
Oh, how the Lord speaks to my heart through Charles Spurgeon. As I read the above paragraph I kept saying, over and over, "Praise God"! With Autumn upon us and the leaves are once again falling to the ground it tells of another change. Does God of Creation change? No. Please read this words of Charles Spurgeon over and over a couple times, the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth-”I am the Lord, I change not.”
[The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian’s hope affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” What ever his attributes were of old, they are now; his power, his wisdom, his justice, his truth, are alike unchanged.]
I love Spurgeon's reference to the anchor. In a couple programs that the God's Love Outreach Ministry has presented this year, I have sung the song "The Anchor Holds" by Ray Boltz. One verse in the song goes like this:
"I have fallen on my knees
as I faced the ragging seas
the anchor holds
in in spite of the storm"
See God is telling His wounded through this song, "What ever you are up against I am there with you!
[He has ever been the refuge of his people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and he is their sure Helper still. He is unchanged in his love. He has loved his people with “an everlasting love”; he loves them now as much as ever he did, and when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration, his love will still wear the dew of its youth. Precious is the assurance that he changes not! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.
“Death and change are busy ever,
Man decays, and ages move;
But his mercy waneth never;
God is wisdom, God is love.”]
My friends what do you know personally that can compare to the above words by Charles Spurgeon? For me I can truthfully say, nothing! That is why it is so important for all the people that I meet can understand through me the words from this great hymn;
What a friend we have in Jesus
all our sins and griefs to bear
what a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Malachi 3:6 Descendants of Jacob, I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I never change. That's why you haven't been wiped out,
[It is well for us that, amidst all the variableness of life, there is One whom change cannot affect; One whose heart can never alter, and on whose brow mutability can make no furrows. All things else have changed-all things are changing. The sun itself grows dim with age; the world is waxing old; the folding up of the worn-out vesture has commenced; the heavens and earth must soon pass away; they shall perish, they shall wax old as doth a garment; but there is One who only hath immortality, of whose years there is no end, and in whose person there is no change. The delight which the mariner feels, when, after having been tossed about for many a day, he steps again upon the solid shore, is the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth-”I am the Lord, I change not.”]
Oh, how the Lord speaks to my heart through Charles Spurgeon. As I read the above paragraph I kept saying, over and over, "Praise God"! With Autumn upon us and the leaves are once again falling to the ground it tells of another change. Does God of Creation change? No. Please read this words of Charles Spurgeon over and over a couple times, the satisfaction of a Christian when, amidst all the changes of this troublous life, he rests the foot of his faith upon this truth-”I am the Lord, I change not.”
[The stability which the anchor gives the ship when it has at last obtained a hold-fast, is like that which the Christian’s hope affords him when it fixes itself upon this glorious truth. With God “is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” What ever his attributes were of old, they are now; his power, his wisdom, his justice, his truth, are alike unchanged.]
I love Spurgeon's reference to the anchor. In a couple programs that the God's Love Outreach Ministry has presented this year, I have sung the song "The Anchor Holds" by Ray Boltz. One verse in the song goes like this:
"I have fallen on my knees
as I faced the ragging seas
the anchor holds
in in spite of the storm"
See God is telling His wounded through this song, "What ever you are up against I am there with you!
[He has ever been the refuge of his people, their stronghold in the day of trouble, and he is their sure Helper still. He is unchanged in his love. He has loved his people with “an everlasting love”; he loves them now as much as ever he did, and when all earthly things shall have melted in the last conflagration, his love will still wear the dew of its youth. Precious is the assurance that he changes not! The wheel of providence revolves, but its axle is eternal love.
“Death and change are busy ever,
Man decays, and ages move;
But his mercy waneth never;
God is wisdom, God is love.”]
My friends what do you know personally that can compare to the above words by Charles Spurgeon? For me I can truthfully say, nothing! That is why it is so important for all the people that I meet can understand through me the words from this great hymn;
What a friend we have in Jesus
all our sins and griefs to bear
what a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
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