God's insight to me:
Interesting journey for these three days. I must admit I didn't read very many devotionals for my mind was on other things. But what I want you all to know is I spent many, many hours with the Lord. See, I was about to experience hurt, of which I haven't felt in a long time. This hurt is from a broken heart. Our God knows just what you need, when you need it. He knows that it is due too the hurt that draws you closer too Him. Does He knows how much you hurt? Sure, but He also knows how much you can bear and He cherishes every minute we are with Him.
My dog Buddy had been with me for close to 14 years. I took him to the vet on Friday morning because he wasn't eating and began sleeping all the time. His legs were getting weaker. Now with Buddy being a senior dog (approx. 96 years in human time, so they say), some of these symptoms were a little common, but I knew something was happening. After drawing blood it was determined that he was into kidney failure. The vet told me to give him just boiled chicken and rice to eat, but Buddy wanted nothing. He told me to call him Monday morning if he wasn't doing any better.
Sunday I went to church, as I always do. Of course I did a lot of praying during Bible Study and also during the service. What I was looking for was for God's help and direction to get me through this time. I felt kind of selfish because I was praying more for my needs than Buddy's. Could of God healed him? Sure, He is God. But what I was asking more was for comfort for Buddy and peace for me. I must admit I did think about staying home on Sunday, but God told me, my house is for the hurting too. Oh, He wants our praise, but He wants our needs. Myself being in a fragile state because of a weekend of worry, I was afraid I would lose it sometime in the morning. Well, I was right. I was doing well until we got to the praise song, "All Is Well", which is one of my favorites. I started off good until I got to this part in the song:
All my changes come from Him
he who never changes
I'm held firm in the grasp
of the Rock of all the changes
All is well with my soul
He is God in Control
I know not all His plans
but I know I'm in His hands
Ok, this is where I lost it. I felt His Spirit grab my heart and not let go. With tears streaming down my face, I just praised Him!!! I am so glad I went to church for the answer was there.
I want to share a poem with you that the Lord blessed me with at 3:30 AM Monday morning. The reason for the poem was that I knew what the morning would bring and I didn’t want it to come. I had to put my dog down this afternoon. But what the Lord told me was I was letting my circumstances over run my focus. After writing the poem I understood what He meant. I am blessed He chooses me to speak to each of you.
This might be a message from Him that you will want to read from time to time and share with so many others that “Do not want tomorrow to come!”
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Tomorrow
I did not want tomorrow to come,
for I knew the pain would be so great.
But then I thought of Jesus’ last night,
and the pain He endured for my sake.
I did not want tomorrow to come,
for it would be filled with anxiety and fear.
But then I thought of how my Savior must of felt,
knowing it had to come, so He could draw me near.
I did not want tomorrow to come,
I just wanted to run someplace and hide.
But then I felt the presence of the Father,
almost like He was right here at my side.
His Spirit spoke within my heart and said,
“Tomorrow must come, that’s the way it must be.
You will never face another tomorrow alone,
we will face it together, you, the Holy Spirit, Jesus and Me!”
E. P. Shagott
9/27/2010
So morning had come. Very little had changed with my Buddy, so I called the vet and I decided it was time to say good-bye. The answer you hear from others that have gone through it, never changes. It is a hard thing to do. My journey with Buddy has come to an end, but I am closer to the Lord more than ever before.
Psalms 38:21 Forsake me not, O Jehovah; O my God, be not far from me.
He wasn't. Praise Him!
My Buddy
(12/25/1996 – 9/27/2010)
I lost a special friend today,
my heart was broke in two.
A special friend that was sent from God,
special, because no other would do.
Everything about him,
just fit me to a tee.
Ten pounds of love and obedience,
that was made just for me.
Oh, I know cute friends like him,
will probably come and then have to go.
But this one was oh so special,
that’s why I loved him so.
So now I have just the memories,
praise to God, they will get me through.
How awesome a God He is,
for He knew only “my Buddy” would do!
E. P. Shagott
9/27/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, September 27, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
My Journey 9/23 - 9/24/2010
God's insight to me:
This first devotional which speaks of hardships brought back an early poem that the Lord blessed me with back in the 1990's. I now understand through my walk with Christ that being needy, is what Christianity is all about. God wants us to be needing Him every minute of the day. That is what a relationship is all about. Charles Spurgeon wrote about it many, many years ago. I love this sentence, "When we reach the Kingdom, we are assured that it will more than make amends for the “many hardships” through which we passed through to enter it." I truly believe that when we reach our Kingdom destination, any hardship will not be remembered, why would we want too when we are in the presence of Jesus. Until that time comes we all really need His help, all the time!
I Need Your Help Today, Lord
I need Your help today, Lord,
for it seems I can't go on.
Everything in my life today
appears to be all wrong.
The beauty that You created for me,
my eyes are failing to see.
There is disease throughout my body, Lord,
that is slowly killing me.
My smile seldom appears now,
overtaken by grief and pain.
My spirit is slowly being broken,
Lord, please touch my heart again.
May my focus always be on You,Lord,
so my problems seem far away.
Thank you for this time Lord
Yes, I need Your help today….
E. P. Shagott
This second devotional is also very well written. I found myself as I was reading it moving my head up and down. Yep, very true I kept thinking. I loved as the author put it this way, "He is always working in us and with us. His plan is that we almost become passive in the process." That sounds like "need" to me again. And this, "If God has given you promises, then He is the One who is responsible to fulfill them. God does not need our help or efforts." Also what a great statement this is, "Choose to rest in His promises instead of worrying and doubting God by looking at yourself." Amen to that!
Jesus Is Waiting On You
What a friend I have in Jesus,
He is always there for me.
If I fall He lifts me up,
when so many would just let me be.
What a friend I have in Jesus,
He forgives me when I am wrong.
It is no wonder I sing His praises,
for He fills my heart with songs.
What a friend I have in Jesus,
He will never leave my side.
In His rest is where you’ll find me,
for it is there I loose my foolish pride.
What a friend I have in Jesus,
He wants to be your friend too.
All you have to do is ask Him,
my friend Jesus, is waiting on you.
E. P. Shagott
9/24/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/23
Many Hardships
Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.
“We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God”
Acts 14:22
God’s people will encounter many hardships. It was never God’s intention when He chose His people that they would be untested. They were never chosen just to experience worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of being mortal was never promised them. But when their Lord wrote the charter of privileges, He included discipline among the things which they would inherit.
Hardships are a part of our allotment. They were predestined for us. As surely as the stars are fashioned by His hands and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our hardships allotted to us: He has predestined their season and their place, their intensity, and their effect on us.
So-called “good” people must never expect to escape troubles. If they do, they will be disappointed, because none of their mothers and fathers in faith have been without troubles. Remember the patience of Job! Remember also Abraham, for he had his share of difficulties, but by his faith through them he became the “Father of the faithful.” And you’ll find that as you read the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, not one of those who God made a vessel of mercy didn’t also have to pass through the fire of adversity. God declared that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the King’s distinguishing royal mark.
But although hardship is the path of God’s children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has walked it before them. They have His presence and sympathy to encourage them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure. When we reach the Kingdom, we are assured that it will more than make amends for the “many hardships” through which we passed through to enter it.
*************************************************
9/24
Are You So Foolish?
From a devotional by Daily Disciples
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3
There are times that we all get discouraged when we try so hard in our homes and in our work. We want to do the best we can. We want to be giving and loving in our efforts. We want to know that we are pleasing the Lord. We equate blessings with God's favor, thinking that it is our motives and actions that are being rewarded. So when things don't go well, we wonder what we are doing wrong. It is a common misconception, but God doesn't work like that. His grace is not gained by our good behavior. Because we are under the covenant of grace, we are called into rest. That is why it is so important to hold on to His promises. He is always working in us and with us. His plan is that we almost become passive in the process. We get tired of trying as we get caught in the middle between His promises and our efforts. Our hearts long to spend time with the Lord but there are always too many other factors competing for our attention. These factors take away our energy, and at times, make us feel like we can't do it all or we didn't do a good job anyway.
If God has given you promises, then He is the One who is responsible to fulfill them. God does not need our help or efforts. What He has started in the Spirit will not ever get accomplished in our flesh. It is the enemy who tries to discourage you. Satan will put thoughts in your mind of doubt and self defeat. Out loud, tell those evil forces that God has a plan regardless of your abilities. You choose to rest in His promises instead of worrying and doubting God by looking at yourself. Tell the Lord that you are choosing to focus your eyes on Him. And then, get into His Word and claim those promises. His Word puts you on the Rock, and our only responsibility is to stand firm on that Rock.
This first devotional which speaks of hardships brought back an early poem that the Lord blessed me with back in the 1990's. I now understand through my walk with Christ that being needy, is what Christianity is all about. God wants us to be needing Him every minute of the day. That is what a relationship is all about. Charles Spurgeon wrote about it many, many years ago. I love this sentence, "When we reach the Kingdom, we are assured that it will more than make amends for the “many hardships” through which we passed through to enter it." I truly believe that when we reach our Kingdom destination, any hardship will not be remembered, why would we want too when we are in the presence of Jesus. Until that time comes we all really need His help, all the time!
I Need Your Help Today, Lord
I need Your help today, Lord,
for it seems I can't go on.
Everything in my life today
appears to be all wrong.
The beauty that You created for me,
my eyes are failing to see.
There is disease throughout my body, Lord,
that is slowly killing me.
My smile seldom appears now,
overtaken by grief and pain.
My spirit is slowly being broken,
Lord, please touch my heart again.
May my focus always be on You,Lord,
so my problems seem far away.
Thank you for this time Lord
Yes, I need Your help today….
E. P. Shagott
This second devotional is also very well written. I found myself as I was reading it moving my head up and down. Yep, very true I kept thinking. I loved as the author put it this way, "He is always working in us and with us. His plan is that we almost become passive in the process." That sounds like "need" to me again. And this, "If God has given you promises, then He is the One who is responsible to fulfill them. God does not need our help or efforts." Also what a great statement this is, "Choose to rest in His promises instead of worrying and doubting God by looking at yourself." Amen to that!
Jesus Is Waiting On You
What a friend I have in Jesus,
He is always there for me.
If I fall He lifts me up,
when so many would just let me be.
What a friend I have in Jesus,
He forgives me when I am wrong.
It is no wonder I sing His praises,
for He fills my heart with songs.
What a friend I have in Jesus,
He will never leave my side.
In His rest is where you’ll find me,
for it is there I loose my foolish pride.
What a friend I have in Jesus,
He wants to be your friend too.
All you have to do is ask Him,
my friend Jesus, is waiting on you.
E. P. Shagott
9/24/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/23
Many Hardships
Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.
“We must go through many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God”
Acts 14:22
God’s people will encounter many hardships. It was never God’s intention when He chose His people that they would be untested. They were never chosen just to experience worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of being mortal was never promised them. But when their Lord wrote the charter of privileges, He included discipline among the things which they would inherit.
Hardships are a part of our allotment. They were predestined for us. As surely as the stars are fashioned by His hands and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our hardships allotted to us: He has predestined their season and their place, their intensity, and their effect on us.
So-called “good” people must never expect to escape troubles. If they do, they will be disappointed, because none of their mothers and fathers in faith have been without troubles. Remember the patience of Job! Remember also Abraham, for he had his share of difficulties, but by his faith through them he became the “Father of the faithful.” And you’ll find that as you read the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, not one of those who God made a vessel of mercy didn’t also have to pass through the fire of adversity. God declared that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the King’s distinguishing royal mark.
But although hardship is the path of God’s children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has walked it before them. They have His presence and sympathy to encourage them, His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure. When we reach the Kingdom, we are assured that it will more than make amends for the “many hardships” through which we passed through to enter it.
*************************************************
9/24
Are You So Foolish?
From a devotional by Daily Disciples
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3
There are times that we all get discouraged when we try so hard in our homes and in our work. We want to do the best we can. We want to be giving and loving in our efforts. We want to know that we are pleasing the Lord. We equate blessings with God's favor, thinking that it is our motives and actions that are being rewarded. So when things don't go well, we wonder what we are doing wrong. It is a common misconception, but God doesn't work like that. His grace is not gained by our good behavior. Because we are under the covenant of grace, we are called into rest. That is why it is so important to hold on to His promises. He is always working in us and with us. His plan is that we almost become passive in the process. We get tired of trying as we get caught in the middle between His promises and our efforts. Our hearts long to spend time with the Lord but there are always too many other factors competing for our attention. These factors take away our energy, and at times, make us feel like we can't do it all or we didn't do a good job anyway.
If God has given you promises, then He is the One who is responsible to fulfill them. God does not need our help or efforts. What He has started in the Spirit will not ever get accomplished in our flesh. It is the enemy who tries to discourage you. Satan will put thoughts in your mind of doubt and self defeat. Out loud, tell those evil forces that God has a plan regardless of your abilities. You choose to rest in His promises instead of worrying and doubting God by looking at yourself. Tell the Lord that you are choosing to focus your eyes on Him. And then, get into His Word and claim those promises. His Word puts you on the Rock, and our only responsibility is to stand firm on that Rock.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
My Journey 9/20 - 9/22/2010
God's insight to me:
The first two devotionals by Max Lucado speak of seeing. When we walk by faith we look through the eyes of our heart. There is a song that we sing in church sometimes where the lyrics state, "Open the eyes of my heart Lord, that I may see You!" Even if we look through our fleshly eyes we can only see the worldly things. Once we process that through our heart the Spirit shows us what we should be seeing at all times. A caring Father, a loving Son and a devoted Spirit. So my friends, "What do you see?"
This last devotional by J. C. Philpot reminds me of that part of the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." So how can that be? Heaven awaits each of God's children, how can Heaven be here now? J. C. Philpot explains it well in his last sentence, "the very kingdom of God set up in the heart." So many lost souls as Mr. Philpot writes about, looking for relief. I can understand just what he meant by that for I was one of them. Though I was saved at 15 years of age, my relief did not come until 40+ years later. I discovered I could not find His peace until I "surrendered" my soul to Him. It is His, you know. As I was thinking about this I can't imagine how anyone could not want His peace. If I feel this peace now just think what Heaven must be like. What about the non-believers? What will it be like when they hear those words as written in Matthew 25:41 Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
Your Soul Belongs To Him
As you travel through your day,
though sad or with a grin,
always remember that the soul you carry,
will always belong to Him.
It was created when you were,
for a journey that will never end.
Though your body will age and crumble,
your soul does not, my friend.
God’s purpose for your soul is simple,
to once again return to Him,
but you have to make the choice,
to be an enemy or be a friend.
So please don’t wait another minute,
your soul is what’s at stake,
if you don’t choose in God,
then it’s all for the devil to take!
E. P. Shagott
9/22/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/20
Come and See
By Max Lucado
“Can anything good from Nazareth?” Philip answered, “Come and see.” John 1:46
Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Come and see.
See Wilberforce fighting to free slaves in England . . .
Journey into the jungles and hear the drums beating in praise . . .
Venture into the gulags and dungeons of the world and hear the songs of the saved refusing to be silent.
Come and see.
*************************************************
9/21
Which Do You See?
By Max Lucado
“The Lord will be your confidence.” Proverbs 3:26 NKJV
The temple builders and the Savior seekers. You’ll find them both in the same church, on the same pew – at times, even in the same suit. One sees the structure and says, “What a great church.” The other sees the Savior and says, “What a great Christ!”
Which do you see?
*************************************************
9/22
Daily Portions
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
"The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." 1 Corinthians 4:20
It is through the word of God in the hands of the Spirit, that this kingdom is set up in the soul. All God's people are agreed on this point, that they have no more religion than they have inward power. And all the living family are sighing, each according to his measure and season, after the manifestation of this divine power in their souls. Those that are under the law, and toiling under heavy burdens, are sighing after relief, and for that relief to come in divine power--power that shall cast all their sins into the depth of the sea. Those who having tasted that the Lord is gracious have lost their first love, are at times breathing out their inmost desire after power to revive their souls. Those who are beset with powerful temptations, and struggling, often ineffectually, with base lusts, are crying after power to deliver their feet from the fowler's snares. Those who are hard, need power to soften; those who are doubting and fearing, need power to give them faith; the backsliding need power to return, and the sinking need power to swim. By power I understand something solid, real, substantial, heavenly, supernatural. How do we measure the capabilities of a steam engine? We say that it has so many horse-power. But who in his senses would construct a steam engine of two hundred horse-power to break sticks and pick up straws? We measure power by its effects. We proportion the one to the other. Now the Holy Ghost, the God of all power and might, would not put forth his mighty and efficacious hand to break sticks and pick up straws in the soul. No. His work is worthy of a God; a "work of faith with power," because springing from a God of power. The God of Israel is not a Baal that is sleeping and needs to be awakened, or gone a journey and therefore too far off to come when needed, but "a very present help in time of trouble." By this secret power false hopes are swept away, rotten props removed, creature righteousness brought to an end, and the soul is helped and enabled to lean upon the Lord. This power is not noise and rant; but the still, small voice of Jesus in the soul. The people of God want no outward voice, but they are seeking after that secret voice of atoning blood in their conscience, that speaketh better things than the blood of Abel. The inward whisper of heavenly love sounding in their soul--not the earthquake of terror, not the fire of divine wrath, but the still, small voice of pardon and peace--makes them bow themselves before the Lord, and wrap their faces in their mantle. The Queen of England need not shout aloud in her palace, to give her commands effect. Where the word of a king is, there is power, whether from an earthly monarch or from the King of Zion. We want therefore no noise, bustle, and excitement, no raving and ranting about religion; but we want inward feeling, the very kingdom of God set up in the heart.
The first two devotionals by Max Lucado speak of seeing. When we walk by faith we look through the eyes of our heart. There is a song that we sing in church sometimes where the lyrics state, "Open the eyes of my heart Lord, that I may see You!" Even if we look through our fleshly eyes we can only see the worldly things. Once we process that through our heart the Spirit shows us what we should be seeing at all times. A caring Father, a loving Son and a devoted Spirit. So my friends, "What do you see?"
This last devotional by J. C. Philpot reminds me of that part of the Lord's Prayer, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." So how can that be? Heaven awaits each of God's children, how can Heaven be here now? J. C. Philpot explains it well in his last sentence, "the very kingdom of God set up in the heart." So many lost souls as Mr. Philpot writes about, looking for relief. I can understand just what he meant by that for I was one of them. Though I was saved at 15 years of age, my relief did not come until 40+ years later. I discovered I could not find His peace until I "surrendered" my soul to Him. It is His, you know. As I was thinking about this I can't imagine how anyone could not want His peace. If I feel this peace now just think what Heaven must be like. What about the non-believers? What will it be like when they hear those words as written in Matthew 25:41 Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
Your Soul Belongs To Him
As you travel through your day,
though sad or with a grin,
always remember that the soul you carry,
will always belong to Him.
It was created when you were,
for a journey that will never end.
Though your body will age and crumble,
your soul does not, my friend.
God’s purpose for your soul is simple,
to once again return to Him,
but you have to make the choice,
to be an enemy or be a friend.
So please don’t wait another minute,
your soul is what’s at stake,
if you don’t choose in God,
then it’s all for the devil to take!
E. P. Shagott
9/22/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/20
Come and See
By Max Lucado
“Can anything good from Nazareth?” Philip answered, “Come and see.” John 1:46
Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Come and see.
See Wilberforce fighting to free slaves in England . . .
Journey into the jungles and hear the drums beating in praise . . .
Venture into the gulags and dungeons of the world and hear the songs of the saved refusing to be silent.
Come and see.
*************************************************
9/21
Which Do You See?
By Max Lucado
“The Lord will be your confidence.” Proverbs 3:26 NKJV
The temple builders and the Savior seekers. You’ll find them both in the same church, on the same pew – at times, even in the same suit. One sees the structure and says, “What a great church.” The other sees the Savior and says, “What a great Christ!”
Which do you see?
*************************************************
9/22
Daily Portions
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
"The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." 1 Corinthians 4:20
It is through the word of God in the hands of the Spirit, that this kingdom is set up in the soul. All God's people are agreed on this point, that they have no more religion than they have inward power. And all the living family are sighing, each according to his measure and season, after the manifestation of this divine power in their souls. Those that are under the law, and toiling under heavy burdens, are sighing after relief, and for that relief to come in divine power--power that shall cast all their sins into the depth of the sea. Those who having tasted that the Lord is gracious have lost their first love, are at times breathing out their inmost desire after power to revive their souls. Those who are beset with powerful temptations, and struggling, often ineffectually, with base lusts, are crying after power to deliver their feet from the fowler's snares. Those who are hard, need power to soften; those who are doubting and fearing, need power to give them faith; the backsliding need power to return, and the sinking need power to swim. By power I understand something solid, real, substantial, heavenly, supernatural. How do we measure the capabilities of a steam engine? We say that it has so many horse-power. But who in his senses would construct a steam engine of two hundred horse-power to break sticks and pick up straws? We measure power by its effects. We proportion the one to the other. Now the Holy Ghost, the God of all power and might, would not put forth his mighty and efficacious hand to break sticks and pick up straws in the soul. No. His work is worthy of a God; a "work of faith with power," because springing from a God of power. The God of Israel is not a Baal that is sleeping and needs to be awakened, or gone a journey and therefore too far off to come when needed, but "a very present help in time of trouble." By this secret power false hopes are swept away, rotten props removed, creature righteousness brought to an end, and the soul is helped and enabled to lean upon the Lord. This power is not noise and rant; but the still, small voice of Jesus in the soul. The people of God want no outward voice, but they are seeking after that secret voice of atoning blood in their conscience, that speaketh better things than the blood of Abel. The inward whisper of heavenly love sounding in their soul--not the earthquake of terror, not the fire of divine wrath, but the still, small voice of pardon and peace--makes them bow themselves before the Lord, and wrap their faces in their mantle. The Queen of England need not shout aloud in her palace, to give her commands effect. Where the word of a king is, there is power, whether from an earthly monarch or from the King of Zion. We want therefore no noise, bustle, and excitement, no raving and ranting about religion; but we want inward feeling, the very kingdom of God set up in the heart.
Monday, September 20, 2010
My Journey 9/19/2010
God's insight to me:
As I was reading this devotional it brought back memories of how time really does fly by. When we think back 20, 30, 40 and even in my case some 50 years ago it seems like it was only yesterday. A little while ago, I was talking to my next door neighbor's grandson. He is in his early twenties and we were talking about him being in his own apartment. His first move away from home. So I was wondering what really matters to him now. Probably having a job to pay for his rent and also having fun. Back 50 years ago I was getting ready to enter the service. It seems each period of time has it's own priorities. As I look back now I truly wish I would of had my priorities in better order. See if God will be first in your life then you can truly proceed through life in a blessed, abundant manner. Oh, problems will always be there but it is so much better going through them with Him than alone. The author of this devotional explained it well, "things we chased in life and see the worthlessness of the time wasted...Let us go forward with a new mind, set on the things that matter."
The Hands of the Clock
The hands of the clock
keep going around,
not stopping for life
or time to slow down.
With each tick that passes
brings something so new,
for each one of us
haven’t been there yet, very true.
And we cannot feel bad
for time not well used,
as the hands of the clock click away
it’s up to us what we choose.
So to all my family, friends
and the many more people I may meet,
may the hands of my clock
bring many memories so sweet.
And always remember
one day this life’s clock will end.
But the souls clock never stops
for it clicks forever my friend.
Live each tick to the fullest,
embrace each day with a grin,
and I pray the hands of your clock
bring you closer to Him!
E. P. Shagott
6/23/09
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/19
Things That Matter
a devotional by Daily Disciples
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11
It seems that time is passing so fast; birthdays come faster and even the holiday season comes sooner every year. But in reality, time is set at a fixed and constant rate and does not change. So I am not getting older faster than I used to, and holidays do not come sooner than they used to, but rather, time is passing at a constant speed. Why does time seem to be passing too fast?
The author of the book of Ecclesiastes had come to the point in his life in which he understood just how little time we really have. In the first chapter, the author identifies himself as David's son, the king of Jerusalem. He also calls himself the Preacher and he spends twelve chapters preaching on the meaning of life—the meaningless of life. His main point centers on how much time we spend on things that are "vanity." The word vanity means emptiness, unsatisfactory, and vapor. Too often, the things we chase after in life are done in vain, and end in emptiness. How many of us look back on things we chased in life and see the worthlessness of the time wasted and the end result? How many of us would love the chance to go back and do certain things over again? Let us go forward with a new mind, set on the things that matter.
Today, take time to stop, slow down and find the real meaning in your life. Our Savior was born to give the only gift that matters. A gift that is not bought, earned or labored for; it is totally free. Jesus has given the gift of everlasting life to all who believe in Him. In this gift, however, there is so much more than just what awaits us in eternity. Our gift starts today. Jesus promised that He would not leave us alone. He has given us His Holy Spirit who lives within us; and because of Him, we have love, joy and peace. Take the time to worship and praise Him for all that He has given you.
As I was reading this devotional it brought back memories of how time really does fly by. When we think back 20, 30, 40 and even in my case some 50 years ago it seems like it was only yesterday. A little while ago, I was talking to my next door neighbor's grandson. He is in his early twenties and we were talking about him being in his own apartment. His first move away from home. So I was wondering what really matters to him now. Probably having a job to pay for his rent and also having fun. Back 50 years ago I was getting ready to enter the service. It seems each period of time has it's own priorities. As I look back now I truly wish I would of had my priorities in better order. See if God will be first in your life then you can truly proceed through life in a blessed, abundant manner. Oh, problems will always be there but it is so much better going through them with Him than alone. The author of this devotional explained it well, "things we chased in life and see the worthlessness of the time wasted...Let us go forward with a new mind, set on the things that matter."
The Hands of the Clock
The hands of the clock
keep going around,
not stopping for life
or time to slow down.
With each tick that passes
brings something so new,
for each one of us
haven’t been there yet, very true.
And we cannot feel bad
for time not well used,
as the hands of the clock click away
it’s up to us what we choose.
So to all my family, friends
and the many more people I may meet,
may the hands of my clock
bring many memories so sweet.
And always remember
one day this life’s clock will end.
But the souls clock never stops
for it clicks forever my friend.
Live each tick to the fullest,
embrace each day with a grin,
and I pray the hands of your clock
bring you closer to Him!
E. P. Shagott
6/23/09
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/19
Things That Matter
a devotional by Daily Disciples
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11
It seems that time is passing so fast; birthdays come faster and even the holiday season comes sooner every year. But in reality, time is set at a fixed and constant rate and does not change. So I am not getting older faster than I used to, and holidays do not come sooner than they used to, but rather, time is passing at a constant speed. Why does time seem to be passing too fast?
The author of the book of Ecclesiastes had come to the point in his life in which he understood just how little time we really have. In the first chapter, the author identifies himself as David's son, the king of Jerusalem. He also calls himself the Preacher and he spends twelve chapters preaching on the meaning of life—the meaningless of life. His main point centers on how much time we spend on things that are "vanity." The word vanity means emptiness, unsatisfactory, and vapor. Too often, the things we chase after in life are done in vain, and end in emptiness. How many of us look back on things we chased in life and see the worthlessness of the time wasted and the end result? How many of us would love the chance to go back and do certain things over again? Let us go forward with a new mind, set on the things that matter.
Today, take time to stop, slow down and find the real meaning in your life. Our Savior was born to give the only gift that matters. A gift that is not bought, earned or labored for; it is totally free. Jesus has given the gift of everlasting life to all who believe in Him. In this gift, however, there is so much more than just what awaits us in eternity. Our gift starts today. Jesus promised that He would not leave us alone. He has given us His Holy Spirit who lives within us; and because of Him, we have love, joy and peace. Take the time to worship and praise Him for all that He has given you.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
My Journey 9/18/2010
God's insight to me:
As I read this devotional today the Lord blessed me with this poem, "For God Is Always There". How awesome it is to know that whatever comes against us, and at times we get both barrels, He is there for us and with us. Though we may run from our problems, He will not. He is everything we will ever need. So what is the key? Why do so many still not believe that? The answer to me is, it must be according to His will, not ours. Live a godly life and He lives with and in you. I have found in my own life that just because I have more years behind me than I do in front of me, my life now is more energetic and fulfilling than ever before. Why? Because of Him! It is about Him! The me is not important, but the We is! God and I. I pray that all who read this today can agree to that also about their relationship with Him.
For God Is Always There
As you begin your day today,
there is something you must be aware.
You are not traveling through it by yourself,
for God is always there.
Whatever problems comes your way,
and they become more than you can bear.
Remember not to face them alone,
for God is always there.
When sin is all around you
to choose it you mustn’t dare.
Just focus on Jesus above,
for God is always there.
And when your day is finally done,
give thanks to Him in prayer.
It doesn’t matter where you are,
for God is always there.
E. P. Shagott
9/18/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/18
Our Daily Homily
A devotional by F. B. Meyer
The Lord God, even my God, . . will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 1 Chron, xxviii. 20.
It is very comforting to take these words to our hearts; especially when we connect them with the foregoing ones about the pattern, and apply the whole passage to the temple building of our own lives. For each of us, too, there is a pattern, an ideal, a design, based on the possibilities which God sees to be within our reach; for each, too, there is abundance of stored provision; but we are not always strong to do. In Jesus there is the complete ideal of human life; of the Child at Nazareth; of the Servant in the workshop; of the Lover in his affection for his church; of the Friend, the Sufferer, the Patriot, the Saviour. Go forth and imitate Him!
Sometimes our heart and flesh fail us in the mid passage of life. Once the energy and vigour of youth promised to sustain and carry us to the end of life, without fear or failure; but these die down, and we wonder how the remainder of the life plan can be fulfilled. And the one sufficient answer is God. He who helped our fathers to the very end will help us; He who did not fail or forsake them, will never leave nor forsake us, until all the work of life which He has planned, is finished.
It is probable that you will do better and more enduring work henceforth than you have ever done in the heyday and plenitude of youthful power, if you let God work all through you to his own glory. You have no need for despondency, God is sufficient. Oh to write this down on the tablets of the heart God is; God is here ; God is all sufficient; God has begun and will finish! God has promised that he will never leave nor forsake us; therefore we may boldly say, "God is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
As I read this devotional today the Lord blessed me with this poem, "For God Is Always There". How awesome it is to know that whatever comes against us, and at times we get both barrels, He is there for us and with us. Though we may run from our problems, He will not. He is everything we will ever need. So what is the key? Why do so many still not believe that? The answer to me is, it must be according to His will, not ours. Live a godly life and He lives with and in you. I have found in my own life that just because I have more years behind me than I do in front of me, my life now is more energetic and fulfilling than ever before. Why? Because of Him! It is about Him! The me is not important, but the We is! God and I. I pray that all who read this today can agree to that also about their relationship with Him.
For God Is Always There
As you begin your day today,
there is something you must be aware.
You are not traveling through it by yourself,
for God is always there.
Whatever problems comes your way,
and they become more than you can bear.
Remember not to face them alone,
for God is always there.
When sin is all around you
to choose it you mustn’t dare.
Just focus on Jesus above,
for God is always there.
And when your day is finally done,
give thanks to Him in prayer.
It doesn’t matter where you are,
for God is always there.
E. P. Shagott
9/18/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/18
Our Daily Homily
A devotional by F. B. Meyer
The Lord God, even my God, . . will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 1 Chron, xxviii. 20.
It is very comforting to take these words to our hearts; especially when we connect them with the foregoing ones about the pattern, and apply the whole passage to the temple building of our own lives. For each of us, too, there is a pattern, an ideal, a design, based on the possibilities which God sees to be within our reach; for each, too, there is abundance of stored provision; but we are not always strong to do. In Jesus there is the complete ideal of human life; of the Child at Nazareth; of the Servant in the workshop; of the Lover in his affection for his church; of the Friend, the Sufferer, the Patriot, the Saviour. Go forth and imitate Him!
Sometimes our heart and flesh fail us in the mid passage of life. Once the energy and vigour of youth promised to sustain and carry us to the end of life, without fear or failure; but these die down, and we wonder how the remainder of the life plan can be fulfilled. And the one sufficient answer is God. He who helped our fathers to the very end will help us; He who did not fail or forsake them, will never leave nor forsake us, until all the work of life which He has planned, is finished.
It is probable that you will do better and more enduring work henceforth than you have ever done in the heyday and plenitude of youthful power, if you let God work all through you to his own glory. You have no need for despondency, God is sufficient. Oh to write this down on the tablets of the heart God is; God is here ; God is all sufficient; God has begun and will finish! God has promised that he will never leave nor forsake us; therefore we may boldly say, "God is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
Friday, September 17, 2010
My Journey 9/17/2010
God's insight to me:
A good devotional for any day. As I was reading this one what came to mind was all the battles that family and friends are fighting daily. Oh yes, myself too. For we live is a world that is filled with battles. Sickness, relationships, financial, dependencies of all types. These adversaries are huge to us. But not to God. May we all at the end of our day say as it is written in the Word, 2Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Praise God!
Our Daily Battle’s
Another day, another battle,
another foe to fight.
Another day filled with sin,
Lord, help me make it right.
Please give me the courage,
to fight what comes my way.
Lord, please give me the strength,
to help me make it through this day.
With each battle that will come today,
please let me the victor be.
May Your Word be my sword of faith,
that will make my foes to flee.
So as I start my battles,
whatever they may be.
I know I am truly blessed today,
for You will be there with me.
E. P. Shagott
9/17/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/17
Be Courageous
Gloria Copeland
Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
– Joshua 1:7
Living a life of faith takes courage. Most people don't realize it, but it does! It takes courage to stand up in the face of sickness and declare you're healed by the stripes of Jesus. It takes courage to believe for prosperity and put your last dime in the offering plate when poverty is staring you in the face. There are going to be some days when you'd rather pull the covers over your head and hide than take another faith stand against the devil. But you can't. Because the battle of faith isn't fought once and then forgotten. If you want to keep living in victory, you have to fight it again and again.
There's no way around it. Of course, some of God's people still try to find one. The Israelites, for example. They thought their battles should be over when they crossed the Red Sea. So when they heard reports of giants living in the Promised Land, they decided they couldn't face the fight. Their courage failed them. So they took a 40-year detour through the wilderness.
But you know what? They still couldn't avoid that fight. When the time came for the next generation to enter the Promised Land, the giants were still there!
This time, however, they found the courage to face them. Where did they find it? In the Word of God.
Their leader, Joshua, had obeyed the instruction of the Lord and kept that Word on his mind and in his heart day and night. He'd meditated on it and let it constantly remind him that God was on their side.
If you're going to fight the good fight of faith to the finish, you'll have to do just like Joshua did. You'll have to continually draw courage from the Word of God. So make up your mind to do it. Get into that Word and let it change you from a coward to an over comer. Then march into battle and slay the giants in your land.
A good devotional for any day. As I was reading this one what came to mind was all the battles that family and friends are fighting daily. Oh yes, myself too. For we live is a world that is filled with battles. Sickness, relationships, financial, dependencies of all types. These adversaries are huge to us. But not to God. May we all at the end of our day say as it is written in the Word, 2Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Praise God!
Our Daily Battle’s
Another day, another battle,
another foe to fight.
Another day filled with sin,
Lord, help me make it right.
Please give me the courage,
to fight what comes my way.
Lord, please give me the strength,
to help me make it through this day.
With each battle that will come today,
please let me the victor be.
May Your Word be my sword of faith,
that will make my foes to flee.
So as I start my battles,
whatever they may be.
I know I am truly blessed today,
for You will be there with me.
E. P. Shagott
9/17/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/17
Be Courageous
Gloria Copeland
Be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
– Joshua 1:7
Living a life of faith takes courage. Most people don't realize it, but it does! It takes courage to stand up in the face of sickness and declare you're healed by the stripes of Jesus. It takes courage to believe for prosperity and put your last dime in the offering plate when poverty is staring you in the face. There are going to be some days when you'd rather pull the covers over your head and hide than take another faith stand against the devil. But you can't. Because the battle of faith isn't fought once and then forgotten. If you want to keep living in victory, you have to fight it again and again.
There's no way around it. Of course, some of God's people still try to find one. The Israelites, for example. They thought their battles should be over when they crossed the Red Sea. So when they heard reports of giants living in the Promised Land, they decided they couldn't face the fight. Their courage failed them. So they took a 40-year detour through the wilderness.
But you know what? They still couldn't avoid that fight. When the time came for the next generation to enter the Promised Land, the giants were still there!
This time, however, they found the courage to face them. Where did they find it? In the Word of God.
Their leader, Joshua, had obeyed the instruction of the Lord and kept that Word on his mind and in his heart day and night. He'd meditated on it and let it constantly remind him that God was on their side.
If you're going to fight the good fight of faith to the finish, you'll have to do just like Joshua did. You'll have to continually draw courage from the Word of God. So make up your mind to do it. Get into that Word and let it change you from a coward to an over comer. Then march into battle and slay the giants in your land.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
My Journey 9/16/2010
God's insight to me:
As I was reading this mornings devotional by J. C. Philpot the Lord blessed me with this poem. I will always remember watching the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" several years ago. And as real as that brings the life of Jesus to us, the one underlying fact that stood out to me was what it cost Jesus because of His love for us. Everything He endured for us, what I believe hurt Him the most was the separation from His Father. As we read in the Bible God hates sin. Sin and righteousness can never be. When the Father looked down at His beloved Son, He saw what He despised the most, sin. Our sin. The sin of the world set upon the Son of Man. The only Person that never sinned. My friends sin is all around us, we can't avoid it, but Jesus did. Jesus focused on His Father's Will. He always did what brought glory to His Father. We should follow Jesus' example and focus on Him and do as He would do. If you falter just ask Him to forgive you and refocus! Praise God our sins are forgiven through the precious blood of Jesus!
The Debt Was Paid
He carried that cross
for you and for me,
knowing that soon
He would be nailed to that tree.
He felt that spear
as it pierced His side,
and when nothing was left
water flowed from inside.
He saw all the people,
that looked at Him in disgrace,
as the blood from the thrones
streamed down on His face.
But what hurt Him the most,
even more than the beatings, you see,
was looking to His Father and saying,
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken me”?
So when it’s your time to leave,
please do not be afraid,
sin will no longer separate us from God,
because of Jesus, the debt was paid!
E. P. Shagott
9/16/2010
My friends, we do not know when it will be our time to leave. If as you are reading this you are not sure where your soul's journey will take you, all it takes is a short prayer, a meaningful prayer to determine your final destination. I believe there is only two stops available. For me I chose Heaven. Please read this prayer then decide if you want to repeat it from the heart;
Heavenly Father,
I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of
my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my
heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the
Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have
Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe
that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now
to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and
Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the
day's of my Life!. Because your word is truth, I confess
with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed
by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/16
Daily Portions
a devotional by J. C. Philpot
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." Ephesians 2:14
"He is our peace." This necessarily springs from being reconciled and brought nigh by the blood of Christ. Sin has not only made us enemies to God, but made God an enemy to us. What peace, then, can there be between us whilst thus mutual enemies? Peace is between friends, not between foes. During this state of hostility and warfare, as there is no real, so there can be no felt or enjoyed peace. But the removal of the cause of the war brings about peace, first really and then experimentally. Christ has made peace through the blood of his cross (Col. 1:20). There is now no enmity on the part of God, for it was a law enmity. God always loved his people in Christ; and as he is unchanging and unchangeable, he never could or did hate them. But as a judge is an enemy to a criminal, even were that criminal his own son, so, as Judge and Lawgiver, God was an enemy to his own elect, viewed as lawbreakers. But when the law was fulfilled, and all the breaches of it atoned for by the obedience and death of his dear Son, then this law enmity was removed, and the anger of God against sin and the sinner pacified. Sin, therefore, being put away, the whole cause of that law enmity is removed; and when we believe in the Son of God, and receive the atonement by his precious blood, then there is no enmity on our side; for the goodness, mercy, and love of God melt the heart into the sweetest humility, affection, and love to and before him.
As I was reading this mornings devotional by J. C. Philpot the Lord blessed me with this poem. I will always remember watching the movie, "The Passion of the Christ" several years ago. And as real as that brings the life of Jesus to us, the one underlying fact that stood out to me was what it cost Jesus because of His love for us. Everything He endured for us, what I believe hurt Him the most was the separation from His Father. As we read in the Bible God hates sin. Sin and righteousness can never be. When the Father looked down at His beloved Son, He saw what He despised the most, sin. Our sin. The sin of the world set upon the Son of Man. The only Person that never sinned. My friends sin is all around us, we can't avoid it, but Jesus did. Jesus focused on His Father's Will. He always did what brought glory to His Father. We should follow Jesus' example and focus on Him and do as He would do. If you falter just ask Him to forgive you and refocus! Praise God our sins are forgiven through the precious blood of Jesus!
The Debt Was Paid
He carried that cross
for you and for me,
knowing that soon
He would be nailed to that tree.
He felt that spear
as it pierced His side,
and when nothing was left
water flowed from inside.
He saw all the people,
that looked at Him in disgrace,
as the blood from the thrones
streamed down on His face.
But what hurt Him the most,
even more than the beatings, you see,
was looking to His Father and saying,
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken me”?
So when it’s your time to leave,
please do not be afraid,
sin will no longer separate us from God,
because of Jesus, the debt was paid!
E. P. Shagott
9/16/2010
My friends, we do not know when it will be our time to leave. If as you are reading this you are not sure where your soul's journey will take you, all it takes is a short prayer, a meaningful prayer to determine your final destination. I believe there is only two stops available. For me I chose Heaven. Please read this prayer then decide if you want to repeat it from the heart;
Heavenly Father,
I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of
my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my
heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the
Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have
Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe
that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now
to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and
Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the
day's of my Life!. Because your word is truth, I confess
with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed
by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/16
Daily Portions
a devotional by J. C. Philpot
"For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." Ephesians 2:14
"He is our peace." This necessarily springs from being reconciled and brought nigh by the blood of Christ. Sin has not only made us enemies to God, but made God an enemy to us. What peace, then, can there be between us whilst thus mutual enemies? Peace is between friends, not between foes. During this state of hostility and warfare, as there is no real, so there can be no felt or enjoyed peace. But the removal of the cause of the war brings about peace, first really and then experimentally. Christ has made peace through the blood of his cross (Col. 1:20). There is now no enmity on the part of God, for it was a law enmity. God always loved his people in Christ; and as he is unchanging and unchangeable, he never could or did hate them. But as a judge is an enemy to a criminal, even were that criminal his own son, so, as Judge and Lawgiver, God was an enemy to his own elect, viewed as lawbreakers. But when the law was fulfilled, and all the breaches of it atoned for by the obedience and death of his dear Son, then this law enmity was removed, and the anger of God against sin and the sinner pacified. Sin, therefore, being put away, the whole cause of that law enmity is removed; and when we believe in the Son of God, and receive the atonement by his precious blood, then there is no enmity on our side; for the goodness, mercy, and love of God melt the heart into the sweetest humility, affection, and love to and before him.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
My Journey 9/15/2010
God's insight to me:
As I was reading this devotional by A. B. Simpson the Lord blessed me with this poem. An excellent message for us all. But the truth is when someone is hurting, or something is going wrong in our lives, "to wait", is something we have a hard time doing. I can remember back when my children were old enough to drive, it was hard waiting for them to come back home. The enemy was filling my head with all bad thoughts. Everytime a car door would close I would think, "Is it them"? But the underlining message is that the more we wait, and focus on Him, the greater our need becomes. The greater our need becomes, the closer we come to the Lord.
Wait, Just Wait
When a problem arises,
what are you to do?
Wait, just wait,
is what the Lord is telling you.
The pain is so strong,
the hurt just doesn’t leave.
Still wait, just wait,
The Lord says, “Wait on Me”.
But how can we wait,
Why is it necessary, what can it be?
God wants us to always need Him,
is what I truly believe.
The longer the wait,
the greater is the need.
Keep your focus on Him,
Wait, just wait, and you will finally see.
E. P. Shagott
9/15/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
E. P. Shagott
*************************************************
9/15
Days of Heaven Upon Earth
a devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Though it tarry, wait for it, for it will surely come, and will not tarry" (Habakkuk. ii. 3).
Some things have their cycle in an hour and some in a century; but His plans shall complete their cycle whether long or short. The tender annual which blossoms for a season and dies, and the Columbian aloe, which develops in a century, each is true to its normal principle.
Many of us desire to pluck our fruit in June rather than wait until October, and so, of course, it is sour and immature; but God's purposes ripen slowly and fully, and faith waits while it tarries, knowing it will surely come and will not tarry too long.
It is perfect rest to fully learn and wholly trust this glorious promise. We may know without a question that His purposes shall be accomplished when we have fully committed our ways to Him, and are walking in watchful obedience to His every prompting. This faith will give a calm and tranquil poise to the spirit and save us from the restless fret and trying to do too much ourselves.
Wait, and every wrong will righten,
Wait, and every cloud will brighten,
If you only wait.
As I was reading this devotional by A. B. Simpson the Lord blessed me with this poem. An excellent message for us all. But the truth is when someone is hurting, or something is going wrong in our lives, "to wait", is something we have a hard time doing. I can remember back when my children were old enough to drive, it was hard waiting for them to come back home. The enemy was filling my head with all bad thoughts. Everytime a car door would close I would think, "Is it them"? But the underlining message is that the more we wait, and focus on Him, the greater our need becomes. The greater our need becomes, the closer we come to the Lord.
Wait, Just Wait
When a problem arises,
what are you to do?
Wait, just wait,
is what the Lord is telling you.
The pain is so strong,
the hurt just doesn’t leave.
Still wait, just wait,
The Lord says, “Wait on Me”.
But how can we wait,
Why is it necessary, what can it be?
God wants us to always need Him,
is what I truly believe.
The longer the wait,
the greater is the need.
Keep your focus on Him,
Wait, just wait, and you will finally see.
E. P. Shagott
9/15/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
E. P. Shagott
*************************************************
9/15
Days of Heaven Upon Earth
a devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Though it tarry, wait for it, for it will surely come, and will not tarry" (Habakkuk. ii. 3).
Some things have their cycle in an hour and some in a century; but His plans shall complete their cycle whether long or short. The tender annual which blossoms for a season and dies, and the Columbian aloe, which develops in a century, each is true to its normal principle.
Many of us desire to pluck our fruit in June rather than wait until October, and so, of course, it is sour and immature; but God's purposes ripen slowly and fully, and faith waits while it tarries, knowing it will surely come and will not tarry too long.
It is perfect rest to fully learn and wholly trust this glorious promise. We may know without a question that His purposes shall be accomplished when we have fully committed our ways to Him, and are walking in watchful obedience to His every prompting. This faith will give a calm and tranquil poise to the spirit and save us from the restless fret and trying to do too much ourselves.
Wait, and every wrong will righten,
Wait, and every cloud will brighten,
If you only wait.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
My Journey 9/14/2010
God's insight to me:
Excellent devotional today. I believe a lot of Christians and also very soon to be ones, can relate to what Dr. Charles Stanley is writing about in this devotional. We think that we have to be the one controlling what we are doing for God. But in reality we must let Him work through us. Now as you read the last paragraph the word that stood out to me is "surrender". What a key word that is. What that tells me is I give up being the vine, by choice, and agree to be the branch, which to me is also the vessel that contains the Holy Spirit, and let Him do the works for the Kingdom through me. Praise God!
Is About
Christianity is about love.
Christianity is about the truth.
Whether you believe that or not
is really all up to you.
The Father is about mercy.
The Father is about grace.
His wonderful love now flows out to us,
because of our sins, Jesus took our place.
Jesus is about salvation,
Jesus is about healing too.
When He went to the cross
it was because of me and you.
The Holy Spirit is about teaching.
The Holy Spirit is about guiding us too.
So pick up and read the Bible my friends,
for there you will find, it is all so very true.
E. P. Shagott
9/13/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/14
The Abiding Life
by Dr. Charles Stanley
John 15:1-5
15:1 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
15:2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. And every one that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bring forth more fruit.
15:3 Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken to you.
15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
15:5 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Yesterday I shared with you about the time when God reminded me, "You are not the vine, Charles. I am the vine." For years I tried to accomplish by myself what Jesus Christ wanted to achieve through me—in other words, I attempted to produce fruit by doing good works. My desire was to impress God and earn His approval. His goal, on the other hand, was for me to act like the branch that I am and just abide.
The Holy Spirit's job is to live the life of Christ through us. This process is known by a variety of names, including the exchanged life, the Spirit-filled life, and the abiding life. All of these monikers describe the joyful existence Paul spoke of in Galatians 2:20: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God." The apostle meant those words literally.
Seen from the outside, a branch does not appear to be doing anything. But don't get the idea that the abiding life is passive. Jesus was the perfect example of a Spirit-filled life, and He certainly didn't sit around! He worked hard out of a reservoir of divine energy (John 8:28). All of Christ's wisdom, knowledge, and courage was drawn from God through the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit does not pop out of believers through effort; Christians bear fruit through surrender. We "take root" in the Lord by meditating on His Word, praying, and serving. We reserve nothing for ourselves to control but fully rely upon Him. That's not passive living; it's an abiding life.
Excellent devotional today. I believe a lot of Christians and also very soon to be ones, can relate to what Dr. Charles Stanley is writing about in this devotional. We think that we have to be the one controlling what we are doing for God. But in reality we must let Him work through us. Now as you read the last paragraph the word that stood out to me is "surrender". What a key word that is. What that tells me is I give up being the vine, by choice, and agree to be the branch, which to me is also the vessel that contains the Holy Spirit, and let Him do the works for the Kingdom through me. Praise God!
Is About
Christianity is about love.
Christianity is about the truth.
Whether you believe that or not
is really all up to you.
The Father is about mercy.
The Father is about grace.
His wonderful love now flows out to us,
because of our sins, Jesus took our place.
Jesus is about salvation,
Jesus is about healing too.
When He went to the cross
it was because of me and you.
The Holy Spirit is about teaching.
The Holy Spirit is about guiding us too.
So pick up and read the Bible my friends,
for there you will find, it is all so very true.
E. P. Shagott
9/13/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/14
The Abiding Life
by Dr. Charles Stanley
John 15:1-5
15:1 I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
15:2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. And every one that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bring forth more fruit.
15:3 Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken to you.
15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
15:5 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
Yesterday I shared with you about the time when God reminded me, "You are not the vine, Charles. I am the vine." For years I tried to accomplish by myself what Jesus Christ wanted to achieve through me—in other words, I attempted to produce fruit by doing good works. My desire was to impress God and earn His approval. His goal, on the other hand, was for me to act like the branch that I am and just abide.
The Holy Spirit's job is to live the life of Christ through us. This process is known by a variety of names, including the exchanged life, the Spirit-filled life, and the abiding life. All of these monikers describe the joyful existence Paul spoke of in Galatians 2:20: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God." The apostle meant those words literally.
Seen from the outside, a branch does not appear to be doing anything. But don't get the idea that the abiding life is passive. Jesus was the perfect example of a Spirit-filled life, and He certainly didn't sit around! He worked hard out of a reservoir of divine energy (John 8:28). All of Christ's wisdom, knowledge, and courage was drawn from God through the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit does not pop out of believers through effort; Christians bear fruit through surrender. We "take root" in the Lord by meditating on His Word, praying, and serving. We reserve nothing for ourselves to control but fully rely upon Him. That's not passive living; it's an abiding life.
Monday, September 13, 2010
My Journey 9/12 - 9/13/2010
God's insight to me:
This past week a friend of mine at his bible study said, "You can't prevent a flock of birds from flying over you head, but you can decide not to let any of them make a nest in your hair!" When I was reading these two devotionals by A. B. Simpson about temptation, that saying of his came to mind. See, even Jesus was tempted many years ago as being human on this earth. What He did was tell Satan to leave. Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." My friends we are to do the same. When you are being bombarded by the constant temptations of this world, tell Satan to flee. Stay firm in the Word! Stay true to our Lord and Savior.
Temptation
Very often throughout our days,
we are being tempted to do something bad.
It is most important when you are,
to just resist with all you have.
Don’t let even a single bad thought,
enter in your mind and then take hold.
Resist, resist with all your might,
for in the Bible that is what we are told.
Always keep Jesus as our example,
as tempted by Satan in the Bible we did read.
Though being human at that time many years ago,
Jesus told him it is written, flee from Me!
So as we go through our daily lives,
let’s stay focused on what is true.
Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying,
and temptation won’t be able to affect you.
E. P. Shagott
9/13/2010
*************************************************
9/12
Days of Heaven Upon Earth
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"The furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the hearts" (Prov. xvii. 3)
Remember that temptation is not sin unless it be accompanied with the consent of your will. There may seem to be even the inclination, and yet the real choice of your spirit is fixed immovably against it, and God regards it simply as a solicitation and credits you with an obedience all the more pleasing to Him, because the temptation was so strong.
We little know how evil can find access to a pure nature and seem to incorporate itself with our thoughts and feelings, while at the same time we resist and overcome it, and remain as pure as the sea-fowl that emerges from the water without a single drop remaining upon its burnished wing, or as the harp string, which may be struck by a rude or clumsy hand and gives forth a discordant sound, not from any defect of the harp, but because of the hand that touches it.
But let the Master hand play upon it, and it is a chord of melody and a note of exquisite delight.
"In nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to you an evident token of salvation and that of God."
*************************************************
9/13
Days of Heaven Upon Earth
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you" (I. Peter xii. 16).
Most persons after a step of faith are looking for sunny skies and unruffled seas, and when they meet a storm and tempest they are filled with astonishment and perplexity.
But this is just what we must expect to meet if we have received anything of the Lord. The best token of His presence is the adversary's defiance, and the more real our blessing, the more certainly it will be challenged.
It is a good thing to go out looking for the worst, and if it comes we are not surprised; while if our path be smooth and our way be unopposed, it is all the more delightful, because it comes as a glad surprise.
But let us quite understand what we mean by temptation. You, especially, who have stepped out with the assurance that you have died to self and sin, may be greatly amazed to find yourself assailed with a tempest of thoughts and feelings that seem to come wholly from within and you will be impelled to say, "Why, I thought I was dead, but I seem to be alive." This, beloved, is the time to remember that temptation, the instigation, is not sin, but only of the evil one.
This past week a friend of mine at his bible study said, "You can't prevent a flock of birds from flying over you head, but you can decide not to let any of them make a nest in your hair!" When I was reading these two devotionals by A. B. Simpson about temptation, that saying of his came to mind. See, even Jesus was tempted many years ago as being human on this earth. What He did was tell Satan to leave. Matthew 4:10 Then Jesus said to him, Go, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve." My friends we are to do the same. When you are being bombarded by the constant temptations of this world, tell Satan to flee. Stay firm in the Word! Stay true to our Lord and Savior.
Temptation
Very often throughout our days,
we are being tempted to do something bad.
It is most important when you are,
to just resist with all you have.
Don’t let even a single bad thought,
enter in your mind and then take hold.
Resist, resist with all your might,
for in the Bible that is what we are told.
Always keep Jesus as our example,
as tempted by Satan in the Bible we did read.
Though being human at that time many years ago,
Jesus told him it is written, flee from Me!
So as we go through our daily lives,
let’s stay focused on what is true.
Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying,
and temptation won’t be able to affect you.
E. P. Shagott
9/13/2010
*************************************************
9/12
Days of Heaven Upon Earth
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"The furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the hearts" (Prov. xvii. 3)
Remember that temptation is not sin unless it be accompanied with the consent of your will. There may seem to be even the inclination, and yet the real choice of your spirit is fixed immovably against it, and God regards it simply as a solicitation and credits you with an obedience all the more pleasing to Him, because the temptation was so strong.
We little know how evil can find access to a pure nature and seem to incorporate itself with our thoughts and feelings, while at the same time we resist and overcome it, and remain as pure as the sea-fowl that emerges from the water without a single drop remaining upon its burnished wing, or as the harp string, which may be struck by a rude or clumsy hand and gives forth a discordant sound, not from any defect of the harp, but because of the hand that touches it.
But let the Master hand play upon it, and it is a chord of melody and a note of exquisite delight.
"In nothing terrified by your adversaries which is to you an evident token of salvation and that of God."
*************************************************
9/13
Days of Heaven Upon Earth
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you" (I. Peter xii. 16).
Most persons after a step of faith are looking for sunny skies and unruffled seas, and when they meet a storm and tempest they are filled with astonishment and perplexity.
But this is just what we must expect to meet if we have received anything of the Lord. The best token of His presence is the adversary's defiance, and the more real our blessing, the more certainly it will be challenged.
It is a good thing to go out looking for the worst, and if it comes we are not surprised; while if our path be smooth and our way be unopposed, it is all the more delightful, because it comes as a glad surprise.
But let us quite understand what we mean by temptation. You, especially, who have stepped out with the assurance that you have died to self and sin, may be greatly amazed to find yourself assailed with a tempest of thoughts and feelings that seem to come wholly from within and you will be impelled to say, "Why, I thought I was dead, but I seem to be alive." This, beloved, is the time to remember that temptation, the instigation, is not sin, but only of the evil one.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
My Journey 9/10 - 9/11/2010
God's insight to me:
Two great devotionals by A. B. Simpson. When I read this first devotional, I was thinking of how my life has changed since I gave to control to Jesus and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The words of A. B. Simpson back then ring true today and why wouldn't they? Christ is the same today as He was back in Mr. Simpson's time. Jesus will never change. Once He is in control of your life you always want to do all in His wonderful name. He is God, in control, if we let Him.
God Is In Control
God is in control,
this you may not know.
God is always there,
many are just not aware.
God will never leave,
this you must believe.
God will see you through
because of His love for you.
God can heal the heart,
once you let Him start.
God can make you new,
see it’s all up to you.
Yes, God is in control,
if you will just let Him grab hold.
God is waiting on you,
to see what you will do.
E. P. Shagott
9/10/2010
Now this second devotional inspired this poem. See, no matter where we are, or what we are doing He is with us. Yep, even if we falter and fall into one of life's traps, He is there to get us back on track. Now if and when this might happen just ask Him to forgive you, and He will, then continue on your journey with Him. What a glorious journey it is. Praise God.
He Is With Us
He is with us day by day,
as we walk along life’s paths.
He will guide our feet so we won’t fall,
and slow us down when we proceed too fast.
He is with us through the storms,
that in our lives are so many.
Reassuring us with His presence,
like a rainbow sent from Heaven.
He is with us when we fail,
because we try things on our own.
He knows our every weakness,
and without Him we are so alone.
He is with us because of His love,
a love that is steadfast and true.
See, He will not leave us or forsake us,
for it is written in His Word to me and you.
E. P. Shagott
9/11/2010
*************************************************
9/10
From Days of Heaven Upon Earth
a devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Wherefore, receive ye one another as Christ also received us, to the glory of God" (Rom. xv. 7).
This is a sublime principle, and it will give sublimity to life. It is stated elsewhere in similar language, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
This is our high calling, to represent Christ, and act in His behalf, and in His character and spirit, under all circumstances and toward all men. "What would Jesus do?" is a simple question which will settle every difficulty, and always settle it on the side of love.
But we cannot answer this question rightly without having Jesus Himself in our hearts. We cannot act Christ. This is too grave a matter for acting. We must have Christ, and simply be natural and true to the life within us, and that life will act itself out.
Oh, how easy it is to love every one, and see nothing but loveliness when our heart is filled with Christ, and how every difficulty melts away and every one we meet seems clothed with the Spirit within us when we are filled with the Holy Ghost!
*************************************************
9/11
From Days of Heaven Upon Earth
a devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Lo, I am with you all the days, even unto the end of the age" (Matt. xxviii. 20).
It is "all the days," not "always." He comes to you each day with a new blessing. Every morning, day by day, He walks with us, with a love that never tires and a blessing that never grows old.
And He is with us "all the days"; it is a ceaseless abiding. There is no day so dark, so commonplace, so uninteresting, but you find Him there. Often, no doubt, He is unrecognized, as He was on the way to Emmaus, until you realize how your heart has been warmed, your love stirred, your Bible so strangely vivified, and every promise seems to speak to you with heavenly reality and power.
It is the Lord! God grant that His living presence may be made more real to us all henceforth, and whether we have the consciousness and evidence, as they had a few glorious times in those forty days, or whether we go forth into the coming days, as they did most of their days, to walk by simple faith and in simple duty, let us know at least that the fact is true forevermore, THAT HE IS WITH US, a Presence all unseen, but real, and ready if we needed Him any moment to manifest Himself for our relief.
Two great devotionals by A. B. Simpson. When I read this first devotional, I was thinking of how my life has changed since I gave to control to Jesus and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The words of A. B. Simpson back then ring true today and why wouldn't they? Christ is the same today as He was back in Mr. Simpson's time. Jesus will never change. Once He is in control of your life you always want to do all in His wonderful name. He is God, in control, if we let Him.
God Is In Control
God is in control,
this you may not know.
God is always there,
many are just not aware.
God will never leave,
this you must believe.
God will see you through
because of His love for you.
God can heal the heart,
once you let Him start.
God can make you new,
see it’s all up to you.
Yes, God is in control,
if you will just let Him grab hold.
God is waiting on you,
to see what you will do.
E. P. Shagott
9/10/2010
Now this second devotional inspired this poem. See, no matter where we are, or what we are doing He is with us. Yep, even if we falter and fall into one of life's traps, He is there to get us back on track. Now if and when this might happen just ask Him to forgive you, and He will, then continue on your journey with Him. What a glorious journey it is. Praise God.
He Is With Us
He is with us day by day,
as we walk along life’s paths.
He will guide our feet so we won’t fall,
and slow us down when we proceed too fast.
He is with us through the storms,
that in our lives are so many.
Reassuring us with His presence,
like a rainbow sent from Heaven.
He is with us when we fail,
because we try things on our own.
He knows our every weakness,
and without Him we are so alone.
He is with us because of His love,
a love that is steadfast and true.
See, He will not leave us or forsake us,
for it is written in His Word to me and you.
E. P. Shagott
9/11/2010
*************************************************
9/10
From Days of Heaven Upon Earth
a devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Wherefore, receive ye one another as Christ also received us, to the glory of God" (Rom. xv. 7).
This is a sublime principle, and it will give sublimity to life. It is stated elsewhere in similar language, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus."
This is our high calling, to represent Christ, and act in His behalf, and in His character and spirit, under all circumstances and toward all men. "What would Jesus do?" is a simple question which will settle every difficulty, and always settle it on the side of love.
But we cannot answer this question rightly without having Jesus Himself in our hearts. We cannot act Christ. This is too grave a matter for acting. We must have Christ, and simply be natural and true to the life within us, and that life will act itself out.
Oh, how easy it is to love every one, and see nothing but loveliness when our heart is filled with Christ, and how every difficulty melts away and every one we meet seems clothed with the Spirit within us when we are filled with the Holy Ghost!
*************************************************
9/11
From Days of Heaven Upon Earth
a devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Lo, I am with you all the days, even unto the end of the age" (Matt. xxviii. 20).
It is "all the days," not "always." He comes to you each day with a new blessing. Every morning, day by day, He walks with us, with a love that never tires and a blessing that never grows old.
And He is with us "all the days"; it is a ceaseless abiding. There is no day so dark, so commonplace, so uninteresting, but you find Him there. Often, no doubt, He is unrecognized, as He was on the way to Emmaus, until you realize how your heart has been warmed, your love stirred, your Bible so strangely vivified, and every promise seems to speak to you with heavenly reality and power.
It is the Lord! God grant that His living presence may be made more real to us all henceforth, and whether we have the consciousness and evidence, as they had a few glorious times in those forty days, or whether we go forth into the coming days, as they did most of their days, to walk by simple faith and in simple duty, let us know at least that the fact is true forevermore, THAT HE IS WITH US, a Presence all unseen, but real, and ready if we needed Him any moment to manifest Himself for our relief.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
My Journey 9/9/2010
God's insight to me:
As I read J. C. Philpot's devotional the Lord brought to mind the comparison of an empty container. We are as humans vessels ready to receive something. But what do we receive? Mr. Philpot writes it is impossible as we live in sin to be filled by God. We are constantly being filled with worldly sin and therefore I believe we give out to others the same. Though Jesus invites us into a relationship with Him, so He can fill us with His love, we must choose to want that. It is so important that as Christians, true Christians, we speak of Christ to others and use His Holy Word as our foundation. As empty vessels we are longing to be fill with something. Praise God someone took their time to share Him with me.
An Empty Container
I am just an empty container,
thirsty to be filled with His love.
I find what He gives me,
flows like water from the Heavens above.
Before I yearned to be filled,
I had to yield to His call,
for I was too much into this world,
always stumbling and ready for a fall.
But now that He is within me,
He is satisfying my every need.
All the love He gives me,
I freely pour out to others indeed.
Yes, I am just an empty container,
constantly looking up above.
Knowing He will always fill me,
all because of His special love.
E. P. Shagott
9/9/2010
*************************************************
9/9
Daily Portions
a devotional by J. C. Philpot
"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." Isaiah 44:3
Thirst, as a feeling of the soul, in a spiritual sense, is certainly indicative of divine life. It is as impossible, spiritually viewed, for a man dead in sin to thirst after a living God, as for a corpse in the graveyard to thirst after a draught of cold water from the well. I know for myself that such a feeling as thirsting after God had no place in my bosom until the Lord was pleased to quicken my soul into spiritual life. I had heard of God by the hearing of the ear. I had seen him in creation, in the starry sky, in the roaring sea, in the teeming earth; I had read of him in the Bible; I had learnt his existence by education and tradition; and I had some apprehensions of his holiness in my natural conscience; but as to any spiritual thirsting after him, any earnest desire to fear him, know him, believe in him, or love him,--no such experience or feeling, I can say for myself, ever dwelt in my bosom. I loved the world too dearly to look to him who made it, and myself too warmly and affectionately to seek him who would bid me crucify and mortify it. A man, therefore, I am well convinced, must be made alive unto God by spiritual regeneration before he can experience any such sensation as is here conveyed by the figure "thirst," or know anything of the Psalmist's feelings when he cried, "As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God" (Psalm 42:1, 2). Now wherever God has raised up in the soul this spiritual thirst after himself, he certainly will answer that desire, "the desire of the righteous shall be granted" (Prov. 10:24). His own invitation is, "Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters" (Isaiah 55:1); and Jesus himself says with his own blessed lips, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink" (John 7:37). Nay, he opened his ministry by pronouncing a blessing on such, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled."
As I read J. C. Philpot's devotional the Lord brought to mind the comparison of an empty container. We are as humans vessels ready to receive something. But what do we receive? Mr. Philpot writes it is impossible as we live in sin to be filled by God. We are constantly being filled with worldly sin and therefore I believe we give out to others the same. Though Jesus invites us into a relationship with Him, so He can fill us with His love, we must choose to want that. It is so important that as Christians, true Christians, we speak of Christ to others and use His Holy Word as our foundation. As empty vessels we are longing to be fill with something. Praise God someone took their time to share Him with me.
An Empty Container
I am just an empty container,
thirsty to be filled with His love.
I find what He gives me,
flows like water from the Heavens above.
Before I yearned to be filled,
I had to yield to His call,
for I was too much into this world,
always stumbling and ready for a fall.
But now that He is within me,
He is satisfying my every need.
All the love He gives me,
I freely pour out to others indeed.
Yes, I am just an empty container,
constantly looking up above.
Knowing He will always fill me,
all because of His special love.
E. P. Shagott
9/9/2010
*************************************************
9/9
Daily Portions
a devotional by J. C. Philpot
"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty." Isaiah 44:3
Thirst, as a feeling of the soul, in a spiritual sense, is certainly indicative of divine life. It is as impossible, spiritually viewed, for a man dead in sin to thirst after a living God, as for a corpse in the graveyard to thirst after a draught of cold water from the well. I know for myself that such a feeling as thirsting after God had no place in my bosom until the Lord was pleased to quicken my soul into spiritual life. I had heard of God by the hearing of the ear. I had seen him in creation, in the starry sky, in the roaring sea, in the teeming earth; I had read of him in the Bible; I had learnt his existence by education and tradition; and I had some apprehensions of his holiness in my natural conscience; but as to any spiritual thirsting after him, any earnest desire to fear him, know him, believe in him, or love him,--no such experience or feeling, I can say for myself, ever dwelt in my bosom. I loved the world too dearly to look to him who made it, and myself too warmly and affectionately to seek him who would bid me crucify and mortify it. A man, therefore, I am well convinced, must be made alive unto God by spiritual regeneration before he can experience any such sensation as is here conveyed by the figure "thirst," or know anything of the Psalmist's feelings when he cried, "As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God" (Psalm 42:1, 2). Now wherever God has raised up in the soul this spiritual thirst after himself, he certainly will answer that desire, "the desire of the righteous shall be granted" (Prov. 10:24). His own invitation is, "Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters" (Isaiah 55:1); and Jesus himself says with his own blessed lips, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink" (John 7:37). Nay, he opened his ministry by pronouncing a blessing on such, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled."
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
My Journey 9/8/2010
God's insight to me:
Another day, another good devotional by J. C. Philpot. As I read this devotional the Lord blessed me with the poem "Eyes Of Faith". Our eyes of the soul are so needed to understand exactly what He has endured for us. If we look with our worldly eyes we can see only what He has blessed us with here on earth. It is with our worldly eyes that we see our family, friends and what ever possessions He has allowed us to obtain. But it is through these "eyes of faith" that we may get a glimpse of Him. As I was reading Mr. Philpot's description of Christ's sufferings this verse came to mind, Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do... See, when He was on the cross, we were on His mind! Click here to listen to that song.
Eyes Of Faith
Looking through these eyes of faith,
I envisioned my Savior's face.
It was strong, loving and complete,
the perfect picture of His grace.
It was outlined with compassion,
and patience was seen there too.
The same compassion shown on the cross
and the patience He has waiting for me and you.
These eyes of faith must stay strong
as I go throughout my day.
They must constantly be looking at the Lord,
for there truly is no other way.
I know that one day theses eyes of faith,
will finally see and understand,
the unwavering love God has for us,
ever since He created man.
E. P. Shagott
9/8/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/8
Daily Portions
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Hebrews 2:10
When, with believing eyes, we can view God the Son as the eternal salvation of all whom the Father gave unto him; when we can see him, by the eye of faith, coming down into this lower world, taking our nature into union with his own Divine Person; when, by faith, we can accompany the Man of Sorrows into the gloomy garden of Gethsemane, or behold him groaning, bleeding, and dying on the cross, an object of ignominy and shame, and believe that in this way, and this alone, salvation could be wrought out, O, what a view it gives us of the demerit and awful nature of sin, that nothing short of the incarnation of God's only begotten Son, nothing short of such a tremendous sacrifice could put away sin, and bring the elect back unto God! On the one hand, as we take a glance at the suffering and dying Lamb of God, how it shews us the awful and abominable nature of sin; and, on the other hand, when we can see by the eye of faith what that work is, by whom that work was wrought out, and how glorious and efficacious that work must be which the Son of God, equal with the Father in glory and majesty, undertook and went through to the uttermost,--how it exalts salvation in our eyes! Thus a believing sight of the Lord Jesus hanging upon Calvary's tree, not only, on the one hand, shews us the awful nature of sin, but, on the other, how full, how complete, how glorious, and how effectual must that salvation be, of which the expiring Son of God could say, "It is finished!"
Another day, another good devotional by J. C. Philpot. As I read this devotional the Lord blessed me with the poem "Eyes Of Faith". Our eyes of the soul are so needed to understand exactly what He has endured for us. If we look with our worldly eyes we can see only what He has blessed us with here on earth. It is with our worldly eyes that we see our family, friends and what ever possessions He has allowed us to obtain. But it is through these "eyes of faith" that we may get a glimpse of Him. As I was reading Mr. Philpot's description of Christ's sufferings this verse came to mind, Luke 23:34 And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do... See, when He was on the cross, we were on His mind! Click here to listen to that song.
Eyes Of Faith
Looking through these eyes of faith,
I envisioned my Savior's face.
It was strong, loving and complete,
the perfect picture of His grace.
It was outlined with compassion,
and patience was seen there too.
The same compassion shown on the cross
and the patience He has waiting for me and you.
These eyes of faith must stay strong
as I go throughout my day.
They must constantly be looking at the Lord,
for there truly is no other way.
I know that one day theses eyes of faith,
will finally see and understand,
the unwavering love God has for us,
ever since He created man.
E. P. Shagott
9/8/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/8
Daily Portions
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
"For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." Hebrews 2:10
When, with believing eyes, we can view God the Son as the eternal salvation of all whom the Father gave unto him; when we can see him, by the eye of faith, coming down into this lower world, taking our nature into union with his own Divine Person; when, by faith, we can accompany the Man of Sorrows into the gloomy garden of Gethsemane, or behold him groaning, bleeding, and dying on the cross, an object of ignominy and shame, and believe that in this way, and this alone, salvation could be wrought out, O, what a view it gives us of the demerit and awful nature of sin, that nothing short of the incarnation of God's only begotten Son, nothing short of such a tremendous sacrifice could put away sin, and bring the elect back unto God! On the one hand, as we take a glance at the suffering and dying Lamb of God, how it shews us the awful and abominable nature of sin; and, on the other hand, when we can see by the eye of faith what that work is, by whom that work was wrought out, and how glorious and efficacious that work must be which the Son of God, equal with the Father in glory and majesty, undertook and went through to the uttermost,--how it exalts salvation in our eyes! Thus a believing sight of the Lord Jesus hanging upon Calvary's tree, not only, on the one hand, shews us the awful nature of sin, but, on the other, how full, how complete, how glorious, and how effectual must that salvation be, of which the expiring Son of God could say, "It is finished!"
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
My Journey 9/7/2010
God's insight to me:
This devotional by J. C. Philpot was excellently written. I do believe the constant turmoil that is in peoples lives today is because most have not chosen either the flesh or the Spirit but want to live a life of both. It just doesn't work that way. Even Jesus, had to be baptized of the Holy Spirit before He could perform His miracles. The flesh and the Spirit are like night and day. Earthly sin is by the flesh, the darkness, being made righteous by the Holy Spirit is the light through Jesus Christ. Again a choice. If you have not made the choice to live by the Spirit I encourage you to do so. It starts with this simple prayer;
Heavenly Father,
I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of
my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my
heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the
Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have
Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe
that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now
to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and
Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the
day's of my Life!. Because your word is truth, I confess
with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed
by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Through The Flesh Or The Spirit
Through the flesh or the Spirit,
how do you see?
With the eyes of the flesh,
only earthly things can there be.
But with the eyes of the Spirit,
Christ always shines through.
To understand His Holiness,
only the Spirit will do.
Even Jesus Himself,
as He walked on this earth,
had to be baptized of the Spirit,
to begin His new birth.
So the decision is yours,
its all up to you.
Either live by the flesh or the Spirit,
you can’t live by both, this is so true.
E. P. Shagott
9/7/2010
*************************************************
9/7
Daily Portions
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Philemon 25
It is the regenerating breath of the Lord Jesus Christ which makes the soul alive unto himself. This is manifest from his own language: "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63). Then for the first time "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with our spirit." For you will observe that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is not with our carnal mind: that ever remains the same, a body of sin and death, flesh, corrupt flesh, "in which dwelleth no good thing," and therefore not the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. His grace is with our spirit, that "new man" of which we read that "it is after God, [that is, after the image of God] created in righteousness and true holiness." This is called our "spirit," because it is born of the Spirit, as the Lord himself unfolded the solemn mystery to Nicodemus: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This is no subtle, wire-drawn distinction, but a very important truth; for unless we see the difference between the two natures, the spirit and the flesh, the law in the members and the law of the mind, we shall always be in bondage, as looking for holiness in the flesh. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ being thus with our spirit, it breathes from time to time upon that spirit, moves and acts in it and upon it; for there is what I may call a gracious or spiritual union between the two. Thus we can no more live without the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ than the earth can live without the sun. He must shine, or we have no light; he must revive, or we have no warmth; and he must fertilise, or we bring forth no fruit. Thence time after time there is an outgoing of the single desire of the soul to the Lord Jesus Christ that his grace would be with our spirit; that this grace may be ever flowing forth into us, so as to make us new creatures, dispel all doubt and fear, break to pieces all bonds and fetters, fill us with love and humility, conform us to his suffering image, produce in us every fruit that shall redound to his praise, be with us in life and death, and land us safe in eternity.
This devotional by J. C. Philpot was excellently written. I do believe the constant turmoil that is in peoples lives today is because most have not chosen either the flesh or the Spirit but want to live a life of both. It just doesn't work that way. Even Jesus, had to be baptized of the Holy Spirit before He could perform His miracles. The flesh and the Spirit are like night and day. Earthly sin is by the flesh, the darkness, being made righteous by the Holy Spirit is the light through Jesus Christ. Again a choice. If you have not made the choice to live by the Spirit I encourage you to do so. It starts with this simple prayer;
Heavenly Father,
I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of
my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my
heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the
Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have
Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe
that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now
to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and
Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the
day's of my Life!. Because your word is truth, I confess
with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed
by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Through The Flesh Or The Spirit
Through the flesh or the Spirit,
how do you see?
With the eyes of the flesh,
only earthly things can there be.
But with the eyes of the Spirit,
Christ always shines through.
To understand His Holiness,
only the Spirit will do.
Even Jesus Himself,
as He walked on this earth,
had to be baptized of the Spirit,
to begin His new birth.
So the decision is yours,
its all up to you.
Either live by the flesh or the Spirit,
you can’t live by both, this is so true.
E. P. Shagott
9/7/2010
*************************************************
9/7
Daily Portions
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit." Philemon 25
It is the regenerating breath of the Lord Jesus Christ which makes the soul alive unto himself. This is manifest from his own language: "It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life" (John 6:63). Then for the first time "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with our spirit." For you will observe that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is not with our carnal mind: that ever remains the same, a body of sin and death, flesh, corrupt flesh, "in which dwelleth no good thing," and therefore not the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. His grace is with our spirit, that "new man" of which we read that "it is after God, [that is, after the image of God] created in righteousness and true holiness." This is called our "spirit," because it is born of the Spirit, as the Lord himself unfolded the solemn mystery to Nicodemus: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This is no subtle, wire-drawn distinction, but a very important truth; for unless we see the difference between the two natures, the spirit and the flesh, the law in the members and the law of the mind, we shall always be in bondage, as looking for holiness in the flesh. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ being thus with our spirit, it breathes from time to time upon that spirit, moves and acts in it and upon it; for there is what I may call a gracious or spiritual union between the two. Thus we can no more live without the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ than the earth can live without the sun. He must shine, or we have no light; he must revive, or we have no warmth; and he must fertilise, or we bring forth no fruit. Thence time after time there is an outgoing of the single desire of the soul to the Lord Jesus Christ that his grace would be with our spirit; that this grace may be ever flowing forth into us, so as to make us new creatures, dispel all doubt and fear, break to pieces all bonds and fetters, fill us with love and humility, conform us to his suffering image, produce in us every fruit that shall redound to his praise, be with us in life and death, and land us safe in eternity.
Monday, September 6, 2010
My Journey 9/5 - 9/6/2010
God's insight for me:
As I read Phil Ware's devotional it brought back the lyrics to a song the Lord blessed me with several years ago. I felt at that point in my life Christ was looking into my heart and was pleased. Indeed His presence was growing stronger because my need for Him was increasing. I think my friends and family can contest to how He has changed my life. What is it that He sees when He looks into your heart?
As He Looks Into My Heart
BY Ed Shagott
As He looked into my heart
Jesus smiled at what He saw
All the dark had turned to light
all the bitterness now gone
As He looks into my heart
He now understands
I believe in His love
and the wonders of His hands
The selfishness that was there
now replaced with His love
All the anger and despair
now erased by Calvary's blood
As He looks into my heart
He now understands
I believe in His love
and the wonders of His hands
For nothing was there for me
like His love from the start
and this my Savior sees
As He looks into my heart
As He looks into my heart
He now understands
I believe in His love
and the wonders of His hands
As He looks into my heart
Now the next devotional by J. C. Philpot to me is awesome! The more I read his devotionals the more the Lord is speaking to me through them, and of course wants me to share with all that would take time and read. After reading this devotional, the Lord blessed me with this poem.
My Life Is Being Tried
My life is always being tried,
by my Savior, who is my God!
As each day passes I find some trials,
wherever my feet may begin to trod.
These trials may come as health problems,
or sometimes breakage of my heart.
But I know as a Child of His,
where I go we are never apart.
What these trials are doing,
is testing my resolve in Him.
They’re bringing my soul closer to Godliness
without them where do I begin?
These trials are meant to exercise my faith,
in my Lord that my eyes cannot see.
My life is always being tried,
all because of His love for me.
E. P. Shagott
9/6/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/5
Hear my Heart
by Phil Ware
“When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19
While we are amazed at the vastness of God’s reach and the awesome breadth of his power and the glorious sweep of his majesty, the incredible truth is his personal nearness to us. He chooses to know us and be actively involved in the trials and triumphs of each day with us. How will today, or tomorrow, be different because you are aware of his presence and companionship?
Prayer: God who is near, please hear my heart. I am overwhelmed at your presence near me and within me. The comfort you bring when I am under siege, the strength you offer when I am weak, the courage you give when I am under attack, and the hope you instill when all seems hopeless — these gifts of your presence are precious to me. Without your presence I would not know where to go or why I am here. Thank you for knowing me. I look forward to knowing you one day as you know me today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
*************************************************
9/6
A devotional from Daily Portions
by J. C. Philpot
"Exercise thyself unto godliness." 1 Timothy 4:7
"The Lord trieth the righteous" (Ps. 11:5). In fact, a righteous life is for the most part a tried life. There is not a child of God, whose graces are lively and active, that is not tried in his soul. I have no more belief that the soul can live without exercise than that the body can. The more the soul is exercised, the healthier it will be. Trial is one main source of exercise. If you are tried as to your standing; tried as to your state; tried as to the reality of the work of grace upon your soul; tried as to your experience; tried as to your manifestations, deliverances, and evidences; tried by your sins; tried by Satan; tried by professors; tried by profane; and above all tried by your own heart, and that continually--it will keep your soul in exercise. And this is "exercise unto godliness." If these exercises are unto godliness, they lead to godliness, they take you on your way to godliness, they bring you near to godliness, they bring you into godliness; and, above all things, they bring godliness into your soul. And thus, there is an exercise of the soul unto godliness. Does not your heart at times seem without a grain of it? You see what godliness is in its nature, in its branches, in its fruits, in its graces, in what a Christian should be, practically, experimentally, and really--outwardly and inwardly--in the church, and in the world. You say, "I a Christian! I a godly man or woman! Let me compare myself with godliness. Am I godly? Is there grace in my heart? Do I live? do I speak? do I think? do I act? do I walk? do I suffer as becomes a Christian? Is my life, my profession, my conduct--in the family, in the world--in the business, in the church--at home, abroad--openly, secretly--privately, publicly--is it such that I can take it and lay it down, step by step, with vital, real, experimental, scriptural godliness? "O," say you, "I shrink back from the test. There are many things in me, inwardly and outwardly, which will not bear to be weighed up with godliness as revealed in the Scriptures of truth." Well, your mind is exercised, I suppose, when you have these workings. Now, what is the result? It is an "exercise unto godliness." You want it; you strive for it; you cry for it; you press after it; you know that none but the Lord can work it in your soul; you feel needy, naked, and destitute; you know that without it you can neither happily live nor die; yet have it you must, or perish body and soul for ever.
As I read Phil Ware's devotional it brought back the lyrics to a song the Lord blessed me with several years ago. I felt at that point in my life Christ was looking into my heart and was pleased. Indeed His presence was growing stronger because my need for Him was increasing. I think my friends and family can contest to how He has changed my life. What is it that He sees when He looks into your heart?
As He Looks Into My Heart
BY Ed Shagott
As He looked into my heart
Jesus smiled at what He saw
All the dark had turned to light
all the bitterness now gone
As He looks into my heart
He now understands
I believe in His love
and the wonders of His hands
The selfishness that was there
now replaced with His love
All the anger and despair
now erased by Calvary's blood
As He looks into my heart
He now understands
I believe in His love
and the wonders of His hands
For nothing was there for me
like His love from the start
and this my Savior sees
As He looks into my heart
As He looks into my heart
He now understands
I believe in His love
and the wonders of His hands
As He looks into my heart
Now the next devotional by J. C. Philpot to me is awesome! The more I read his devotionals the more the Lord is speaking to me through them, and of course wants me to share with all that would take time and read. After reading this devotional, the Lord blessed me with this poem.
My Life Is Being Tried
My life is always being tried,
by my Savior, who is my God!
As each day passes I find some trials,
wherever my feet may begin to trod.
These trials may come as health problems,
or sometimes breakage of my heart.
But I know as a Child of His,
where I go we are never apart.
What these trials are doing,
is testing my resolve in Him.
They’re bringing my soul closer to Godliness
without them where do I begin?
These trials are meant to exercise my faith,
in my Lord that my eyes cannot see.
My life is always being tried,
all because of His love for me.
E. P. Shagott
9/6/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/5
Hear my Heart
by Phil Ware
“When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19
While we are amazed at the vastness of God’s reach and the awesome breadth of his power and the glorious sweep of his majesty, the incredible truth is his personal nearness to us. He chooses to know us and be actively involved in the trials and triumphs of each day with us. How will today, or tomorrow, be different because you are aware of his presence and companionship?
Prayer: God who is near, please hear my heart. I am overwhelmed at your presence near me and within me. The comfort you bring when I am under siege, the strength you offer when I am weak, the courage you give when I am under attack, and the hope you instill when all seems hopeless — these gifts of your presence are precious to me. Without your presence I would not know where to go or why I am here. Thank you for knowing me. I look forward to knowing you one day as you know me today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
*************************************************
9/6
A devotional from Daily Portions
by J. C. Philpot
"Exercise thyself unto godliness." 1 Timothy 4:7
"The Lord trieth the righteous" (Ps. 11:5). In fact, a righteous life is for the most part a tried life. There is not a child of God, whose graces are lively and active, that is not tried in his soul. I have no more belief that the soul can live without exercise than that the body can. The more the soul is exercised, the healthier it will be. Trial is one main source of exercise. If you are tried as to your standing; tried as to your state; tried as to the reality of the work of grace upon your soul; tried as to your experience; tried as to your manifestations, deliverances, and evidences; tried by your sins; tried by Satan; tried by professors; tried by profane; and above all tried by your own heart, and that continually--it will keep your soul in exercise. And this is "exercise unto godliness." If these exercises are unto godliness, they lead to godliness, they take you on your way to godliness, they bring you near to godliness, they bring you into godliness; and, above all things, they bring godliness into your soul. And thus, there is an exercise of the soul unto godliness. Does not your heart at times seem without a grain of it? You see what godliness is in its nature, in its branches, in its fruits, in its graces, in what a Christian should be, practically, experimentally, and really--outwardly and inwardly--in the church, and in the world. You say, "I a Christian! I a godly man or woman! Let me compare myself with godliness. Am I godly? Is there grace in my heart? Do I live? do I speak? do I think? do I act? do I walk? do I suffer as becomes a Christian? Is my life, my profession, my conduct--in the family, in the world--in the business, in the church--at home, abroad--openly, secretly--privately, publicly--is it such that I can take it and lay it down, step by step, with vital, real, experimental, scriptural godliness? "O," say you, "I shrink back from the test. There are many things in me, inwardly and outwardly, which will not bear to be weighed up with godliness as revealed in the Scriptures of truth." Well, your mind is exercised, I suppose, when you have these workings. Now, what is the result? It is an "exercise unto godliness." You want it; you strive for it; you cry for it; you press after it; you know that none but the Lord can work it in your soul; you feel needy, naked, and destitute; you know that without it you can neither happily live nor die; yet have it you must, or perish body and soul for ever.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
My Journey 9/3 - 9/4/2010
God's insight to me:
This first devotional speaks of the essence of Christian life. Peace. To have God's peace inside of you makes this life bearable until we reach our final destination. As the author wrote about the storms on the surface of the seas, also like the storms of our lives. When I think back to how I was always trying to weather the storms in my life or burying them through this sinful world, not much peace back then for sure. But now as the storms come and go I do have God's peace deep inside and know I am not going through it alone.
Now this second devotional by A. B. Simpson speaks of something that is alawys hard to do, wait. In today's world everything is happening quickly and we are not accustomed to wait for anything. If our computer takes 30 seconds to perform a task we want it to be done in half that time. As Christians we also have a hard time waiting on God. If we have a problem we want God to fix it now. We can't wait! The author writes that God is waiting on us. He wants to bless us if we are ready to receive. He wants to teach us as we go through our problems if will wait and learn what His Spirit is showing us. Today God blessed me with this poem about a sinner at Heavens gate. Jesus was waiting for us sinners to say, "Come into my heart Lord Jesus, I can't wait any longer"!
Romans: Chapter 10 verse 9-10-13
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be Saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto Salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be Saved!
If you can't wait any longer, pray this prayer so that the door of your heart will be open. God is waiting.
"The Sinners Prayer"
Heavenly Father,
I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of
my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my
heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the
Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have
Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe
that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now
to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and
Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the
day's of my Life!. Because your word is truth, I confess
with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed
by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen.
A Sinner Knocked On Heavens Door
A sinner knocked on Heavens door,
Jesus met him at the Pearly Gate.
Jesus said to the sinner, “Please come in,
we don’t want anyone to have to wait”.
So as Jesus was showing the sinner around,
the sinner’s eyes was taking everything in.
“How can someone stay in this place”?, he asked Jesus,
“how can you want me with all my sin”?
Jesus took the sinner’s hand in His,
a smile was on Jesus’ face.
He said, “Your sin was all forgiven on the cross,
Heaven has always been your place”.
The sinner started singing,
and praising Jesus with a very loud voice.
Then stopped and said, “What about all the others?”
Jesus smiled and said, “It’s up to them, it’s their choice!”
E. P. Shagott
9/4/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/3
God’s Peace
by Vonette Bright
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
In January of 1960, two men went where no man had ever gone before … or since. They plunged into the deepest spot in the ocean at the Marianas Trench … nearly 7 miles down. That’s a full mile deeper than Mount Everest is tall!
At that depth, the pressure is tremendous… more than 200 million pounds. And yet, they found life… as tranquil as can be. No matter the storms that rage on the surface, the ocean below is calm and peaceful.
This is the way our Christian life should be. No matter what storms rage around us, deep down, we have peace. Under the greatest pressure, God gives us calm assurance to face every day.
*************************************************
9/4
A devotional from Days of Heaven Upon Earth
by A. B. Simpson
"Come ye yourselves apart" (Mark vi. 31).
One of the greatest hindrances to spirituality is the lack of waiting upon God. You cannot go through twenty-four hours with two or three breaths of air, in the morning, as you sip your coffee.
But you must live in the atmosphere, and you must breathe it all day long. Christians do not wait upon God enough. It needs hours and hours daily of spiritual communion with the Holy Spirit to keep your vitality healthful and full. Every moment should find you breathing out yourself into Christ, and breathing afresh His life, and love and power.
God is waiting to send us the Holy Spirit. He is longing to bless us. His one business is to quicken and sustain our spiritual life. He has nothing else to do with His infinite and great resources. Let us receive Him. Let us live in Him. Let us give to Him the joy of knowing that His infinite grace has not been bestowed in vain, but that we appreciate and improve the blessings which He oft has so freely bestowed.
Lord, help me this day to dwell in Thee as the flower in the sunshine, as the fish in the sea, living in Thy love as the atmosphere and element of my being.
*************************************************
This first devotional speaks of the essence of Christian life. Peace. To have God's peace inside of you makes this life bearable until we reach our final destination. As the author wrote about the storms on the surface of the seas, also like the storms of our lives. When I think back to how I was always trying to weather the storms in my life or burying them through this sinful world, not much peace back then for sure. But now as the storms come and go I do have God's peace deep inside and know I am not going through it alone.
Now this second devotional by A. B. Simpson speaks of something that is alawys hard to do, wait. In today's world everything is happening quickly and we are not accustomed to wait for anything. If our computer takes 30 seconds to perform a task we want it to be done in half that time. As Christians we also have a hard time waiting on God. If we have a problem we want God to fix it now. We can't wait! The author writes that God is waiting on us. He wants to bless us if we are ready to receive. He wants to teach us as we go through our problems if will wait and learn what His Spirit is showing us. Today God blessed me with this poem about a sinner at Heavens gate. Jesus was waiting for us sinners to say, "Come into my heart Lord Jesus, I can't wait any longer"!
Romans: Chapter 10 verse 9-10-13
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be Saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto Salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be Saved!
If you can't wait any longer, pray this prayer so that the door of your heart will be open. God is waiting.
"The Sinners Prayer"
Heavenly Father,
I come to you in prayer asking for the forgiveness of
my Sins. I confess with my mouth and believe with my
heart that Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the
Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven and have
Eternal Life in the Kingdom of Heaven. Father, I believe
that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you right now
to come in to my life and be my personal Lord and
Savior. I repent of my Sins and will Worship you all the
day's of my Life!. Because your word is truth, I confess
with my mouth that I am Born Again and Cleansed
by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus Name, Amen.
A Sinner Knocked On Heavens Door
A sinner knocked on Heavens door,
Jesus met him at the Pearly Gate.
Jesus said to the sinner, “Please come in,
we don’t want anyone to have to wait”.
So as Jesus was showing the sinner around,
the sinner’s eyes was taking everything in.
“How can someone stay in this place”?, he asked Jesus,
“how can you want me with all my sin”?
Jesus took the sinner’s hand in His,
a smile was on Jesus’ face.
He said, “Your sin was all forgiven on the cross,
Heaven has always been your place”.
The sinner started singing,
and praising Jesus with a very loud voice.
Then stopped and said, “What about all the others?”
Jesus smiled and said, “It’s up to them, it’s their choice!”
E. P. Shagott
9/4/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/3
God’s Peace
by Vonette Bright
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
In January of 1960, two men went where no man had ever gone before … or since. They plunged into the deepest spot in the ocean at the Marianas Trench … nearly 7 miles down. That’s a full mile deeper than Mount Everest is tall!
At that depth, the pressure is tremendous… more than 200 million pounds. And yet, they found life… as tranquil as can be. No matter the storms that rage on the surface, the ocean below is calm and peaceful.
This is the way our Christian life should be. No matter what storms rage around us, deep down, we have peace. Under the greatest pressure, God gives us calm assurance to face every day.
*************************************************
9/4
A devotional from Days of Heaven Upon Earth
by A. B. Simpson
"Come ye yourselves apart" (Mark vi. 31).
One of the greatest hindrances to spirituality is the lack of waiting upon God. You cannot go through twenty-four hours with two or three breaths of air, in the morning, as you sip your coffee.
But you must live in the atmosphere, and you must breathe it all day long. Christians do not wait upon God enough. It needs hours and hours daily of spiritual communion with the Holy Spirit to keep your vitality healthful and full. Every moment should find you breathing out yourself into Christ, and breathing afresh His life, and love and power.
God is waiting to send us the Holy Spirit. He is longing to bless us. His one business is to quicken and sustain our spiritual life. He has nothing else to do with His infinite and great resources. Let us receive Him. Let us live in Him. Let us give to Him the joy of knowing that His infinite grace has not been bestowed in vain, but that we appreciate and improve the blessings which He oft has so freely bestowed.
Lord, help me this day to dwell in Thee as the flower in the sunshine, as the fish in the sea, living in Thy love as the atmosphere and element of my being.
*************************************************
Thursday, September 2, 2010
My Journey 9/1 - 9/2/2010
God's insight to me:
Two wonderful devotionals to start the month of September. Both of these devotionals speak of the same thing, "surrender". The question for most is how and when do we do this. In the first devotional it speaks of God bringing us into a place of suffering, sickness and pain. I truly do not believe He gives that to us, but allows us into it so He can bring us out to bring Him the glory. Many people when going through a crisis are ready to surrender all. I also believe many, many people miss out of His working in their lives because they can not, our will not, submit to Christ as He submitted His life for us. Now if you read A. B. Simpson's second devotional I pray this sentence touches your heart; "give Him in all His fullness to your heart if you will but open your heart and give Him right of way and full ownership and possession." That is "surrendering all to Him".
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me
Surrender To Him
Oh give to the Lord what He seeks,
surrender to Him what is His.
He cannot work through our lives,
until we willingly and truly do this.
We must admit to ourselves,
that we are weak and He is the Way.
We must surrender to Him all we are,
so that He can truly live in us today.
We can’t hold back a single thing,
we must see the Truth in His Word.
We must surrender to Him our total being,
so through us His Gospel can be shared.
See, He was the first to surrender all for us,
so that the Life with Him will always be.
Surrender to Him our earthly lives,
as on the Cross He did for you and me.
E. P. Shagott
9/2/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/1
From Days of Heaven Upon Earth
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Afterward that which is spiritual" (I. Cor. xv. 46).
God has often to bring us not only into the place of suffering, and the bed of sickness and pain, but also into the place where our righteousness breaks down and our character falls to pieces, in order to humble us in the dust and show us the need of entire crucifixion to all our natural life.
Then, at the feet of Jesus we are ready to receive Him, to abide in Him and depend upon Him alone, and draw all our life and strength each moment from Him, our Living Head.
It was thus that Peter was saved by his very fall, and had to die to Peter that he might live more perfectly to Christ.
Have we thus died, and have we thus renounced the strength of our own self-confidence?
We begin life with the natural, next we come into the spiritual; but then, when we have truly received the kingdom of God and His righteousness, the natural is added to the spiritual, and we are able to receive the gifts of His
*************************************************
9/2
From Days of Heaven Upon Earth
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Who hath despised the day of small things" (Zech. iv. 10).
The oak comes out of the acorn, the eagle out of that little egg in the nest, the harvest comes out of the seed; and so the glory of the coming age is all coming out of the Christ life now, even as the majesty of His kingdom was all wrapped up that night in the babe of Bethlehem.
Oh, let us take Him for all our life. Let us be united to His person and His risen body. Let us know what it is to say, "The Lord is for the body and the body is for the Lord"! We are members of His body and His flesh and His bones.
He that gave that little infant, His own blessed babe and His only begotten Son, on that dark winter night to the arms of a cruel and ungrateful world, will not refuse to give Him in all His fulness to your heart if you will but open your heart and give Him right of way and full ownership and possession.
Then shall you know in your measure His quickening life, even in this earthly life, and by-and-by your hope shall reach its full fruition when you shall sit with Him on His throne with every fiber of your immortal being even as He.
Two wonderful devotionals to start the month of September. Both of these devotionals speak of the same thing, "surrender". The question for most is how and when do we do this. In the first devotional it speaks of God bringing us into a place of suffering, sickness and pain. I truly do not believe He gives that to us, but allows us into it so He can bring us out to bring Him the glory. Many people when going through a crisis are ready to surrender all. I also believe many, many people miss out of His working in their lives because they can not, our will not, submit to Christ as He submitted His life for us. Now if you read A. B. Simpson's second devotional I pray this sentence touches your heart; "give Him in all His fullness to your heart if you will but open your heart and give Him right of way and full ownership and possession." That is "surrendering all to Him".
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me
Surrender To Him
Oh give to the Lord what He seeks,
surrender to Him what is His.
He cannot work through our lives,
until we willingly and truly do this.
We must admit to ourselves,
that we are weak and He is the Way.
We must surrender to Him all we are,
so that He can truly live in us today.
We can’t hold back a single thing,
we must see the Truth in His Word.
We must surrender to Him our total being,
so through us His Gospel can be shared.
See, He was the first to surrender all for us,
so that the Life with Him will always be.
Surrender to Him our earthly lives,
as on the Cross He did for you and me.
E. P. Shagott
9/2/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/1
From Days of Heaven Upon Earth
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Afterward that which is spiritual" (I. Cor. xv. 46).
God has often to bring us not only into the place of suffering, and the bed of sickness and pain, but also into the place where our righteousness breaks down and our character falls to pieces, in order to humble us in the dust and show us the need of entire crucifixion to all our natural life.
Then, at the feet of Jesus we are ready to receive Him, to abide in Him and depend upon Him alone, and draw all our life and strength each moment from Him, our Living Head.
It was thus that Peter was saved by his very fall, and had to die to Peter that he might live more perfectly to Christ.
Have we thus died, and have we thus renounced the strength of our own self-confidence?
We begin life with the natural, next we come into the spiritual; but then, when we have truly received the kingdom of God and His righteousness, the natural is added to the spiritual, and we are able to receive the gifts of His
*************************************************
9/2
From Days of Heaven Upon Earth
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"Who hath despised the day of small things" (Zech. iv. 10).
The oak comes out of the acorn, the eagle out of that little egg in the nest, the harvest comes out of the seed; and so the glory of the coming age is all coming out of the Christ life now, even as the majesty of His kingdom was all wrapped up that night in the babe of Bethlehem.
Oh, let us take Him for all our life. Let us be united to His person and His risen body. Let us know what it is to say, "The Lord is for the body and the body is for the Lord"! We are members of His body and His flesh and His bones.
He that gave that little infant, His own blessed babe and His only begotten Son, on that dark winter night to the arms of a cruel and ungrateful world, will not refuse to give Him in all His fulness to your heart if you will but open your heart and give Him right of way and full ownership and possession.
Then shall you know in your measure His quickening life, even in this earthly life, and by-and-by your hope shall reach its full fruition when you shall sit with Him on His throne with every fiber of your immortal being even as He.
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