God's insight to me:
Well, as I have been busy with everything God has been laying on my heart, I noticed it has been awhile since my last blog posting. What is interesting is how He is using poetry to talk to the many that will take time to read His poems. Sometimes He would give me two or three poems in one day, in response to what someone have written in a devotional or what I have read through social media such as Facebook. I want to share with you how He has spoken to me during this period of time in poems.
10/22/2010
This poem was inspired from someone asking for prayer to fight their battle with Cancer.
Hear My Prayer, Lord
So many people in this world
are fighting it everyday,
a disease called “cancer”,
that tries to take their life away.
It weakens the body,
it plays havoc in their mind,
it doesn’t matter who it strikes,
man, woman or child of any kind.
So please hear my prayer, Lord,
may, You, help us find a way,
to give strength and courage,
to those fighting this enemy today.
Give the doctors the wisdom,
to choose what is best,
and also give our researchers,
the funds and knowledge to put it to rest.
Please touch each one afflicted,
and give them peace within their hearts,
let them know You are with them, Lord,
as You have been from the start.
In Jesus precious name,
Amen
E. P. Shagott
10/22/2010
10/23/2010
This poem was inspired from a woman who was thinking back on her wasted years before coming to know Christ.
I Weep For The Wasted Years
I weep for the wasted years,
the time I didn’t spend with You.
The very many days and nights,
I fought to just get through.
I weep for the wasted years,
I walked this world alone.
I filled them will emptiness,
trying to find my way home.
I weep for the wasted years,
I could have been telling others of You,
of all the blessings that You give,
to prove to all Your love is so true.
All those years are behind me now,
fruitful years for the Kingdom are all to come.
The wasteful years were part of my journey,
not all of my life, just some.
E. P. Shagott
10/23/2010
10/25/2010
This poem was inspired by me thinking of who I am.
A Child Of God
I am a child of Grace,
set free from worldly sin.
I am a child of Righteousness,
because my Savior lives within.
I am a child of Holy Love,
Christ paid the mighty cost.
I am a child of Purity,
my imperfections were nailed to the cross.
I am a child of Eternity,
a life that was created just for Him.
I am His Special child now,
no longer a child to sin.
I am a child of the Master,
in His light is where I trod.
I cry out with a joyful voice,
I am a child of God!!!
E. P. Shagott
10/25/2010
10/27/2010
This was a busy day for the Lord inspired me with (4) poems.
This poem was inspired by what someone wrote, "if we will only".
If We Will Only
If we will only,
take time to understand,
that each and everyone of us,
are truly part of His plan.
If we will only,
give Him our time,
for with Him our lives can be better,
yours and mine.
If we will only,
take time to read,
and from His Word
we all should take heed.
If we will only,
agree to lean on Him,
for that is when we see,
our lives truly begin!
E. P. Shagott
10/27/2010
This poem was inspired by a posting in Facebook from a friend about Jesus talking to His disciples, "Come and follow me".
Follow Me
As I was walking
in this world of sin
Jesus said, “Follow Me,
and be my friend.
What ever you need,
I have for you,
let’s walk together,
in whatever you do.
Follow me,
for there is so much to do,
so many lost in sin,
that need to follow Me too.
I need your feet,
your eyes and ears,
I need your mouth
to calm their fears.
I need your heart,
where I can be,
I need you, please,
won’t you follow Me?”
E. P. Shagott
10/27/2010
This poem was inspired by my response to the "Follow Me" poem.
A Life With Jesus
A life with Jesus
just has to be,
I can not live
without Him you see.
In pain and sorrow,
or in joy and glee,
a life with Jesus
was just meant to be.
I tried to live
the other way,
in sin and darkness
I lost my way.
But then someone spoke,
the Gospel message to me.
Now a life with Jesus,
has set me free!
So if you want
to live like me,
choose a life with Jesus,
for that’s the way it should be.
E. P. Shagott
10/27/2010
This was the last of the four poems on this day. It was inspired by a woman on Facebook who was asking for prayers for her ministry in prison.
It Was Me
Today I saw a homeless person,
looking for something to eat.
His shoes were torn and ragged,
exposing parts of his feet.
Then I saw an addict,
trying to once again get high.
His body was shaking so badly,
how would he ever get by?
Next I saw a family man,
out looking for a job.
His family needed food to eat,
their situation was looking bad.
A young girl was working as a prostitute,
her childhood just passed her by.
The innocent smile that once was there,
removed by this world of sin, why?
The Lord then spoke to my heart
and asked, “From all of these what did you see?”
With tears running down my face I replied,
“Lord, what I did see was once me!”
E. P. Shagott
10/27/2010
10/28/2010
This poem was inspired by a friend on Facebook writing about doing what God asks you to do.
God’s Task
God spoke to my heart,
He said, “I have a task for you.
All you have to be is obedient,
and trust I will get you through.
I have everything you will need,
to accomplish what needs to be done.
Just listen to My Spirit,
and always give praise to My Son.
Never get discouraged
or even stop to question why.
You were picked special for the task,
so don’t quit before giving it a try.
I know you can do it,
for you are my special one.
Someday you will understand why,
when we meet and I say, “Well done”!
E. P. Shagott
10/28/2010
This poem was inspired for a woman who was asking for prayer and wanted to feel close to the Lord again.
God Did Not Leave Us Alone
As we look out our darken windows,
we see the sunshine on our neighbor’s home.
Our house is filled with misery,
but our God did not leave us alone.
As we looked for ways to make ends meet,
and see so many over flowing pockets shown,
Oh where will our next meal come from?
But our God did not leave us alone.
As we see the many healthy people,
yet our bodies ache and groan,
We can not go from here to there,
but our God did not leave us alone.
See it doesn’t matter what we are going through,
but with the Lord how much we have grown.
It is not about what others have and we don’t,
but that our God did not leave us alone.
E. P. Shagott
10/29/2010
10/30/2010
This poem the Lord blessed me with today. I was just thinking how great it is for me "being in Christ"!
What Makes It Great
There is a beginning
and there is an end.
There are enemies
and there are friends.
There is love
and there is hate.
There is average,
then there is great.
There are winners,
and there are losers too.
There are non-believers,
but I believe in You!
For Jesus is the beginning,
and also my best Friend,
because of His love for me
there never will be an end.
See, we are what we choose
I chose love over hate,
I am a winner through Christ Jesus,
Him living in me, is what makes it great!
E. P. Shagott
10/30/2010
So as you can see a busy time in poetry for me during this part of my journey. I am hoping to have my first book of poems, volume 1, printed within a couple weeks. These poems will be in volume 2 or volume 3.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
My Journey 10/17 - 10/21/2010
God's insight to me:
I love reading devotionals in the morning. I can hear God speaking to me through them. One of my favorites is J. C. Philpot. My journey these 5 days I want to share excerpts from his devotionals. In his first devotional he writes about patience. Well, for a lot of people that is a needed item to get them through their day. At times myself included, but I must admit I am a patient person. When I read that God gives us afflictions so that He may give us the patience to bear them, it made sense to me. Without need you would have no wants.
In the next devotional it talks about agreement. Agreement with God. Whenever you walk in the worldly light you are not walking with God. The world is sin. That goes back to Genesis and the fall of man. The last sentencence in this devotional says it all, "When once we have the mind of Christ and see with the eyes of God, then God and we become agreed, and being agreed, we can walk together."
The third devotional speaks about the Word of God. It states the importance of it as a sword to fight the devil and his adversaries. A very important fact to remember is it is only effective as the "sword of the Spirit', for it is then applied by Divine power. Praise God!
In the fourth devotional J. C. Philpot writes about God speaking to our hearts. I love this line from the devotional "by the voice of God heard in the heart that a saving faith is raised up in the soul." Also J. C. Philpot states that through our trials and afflictions that we understand the need to hear God's voive in our hearts. For it is through Him speaking to our hearts that it reaches our souls so we can find "rest and peace" that only He can provide.
Now this last devotional speaks about "joint-heirs with Christ". I can not imagine how someone could not want this. Whatever our needs here or in Heaven, He will supply! Wow! So what it boils down to is this; "Everything in time, everything in eternity, in this world and in the world to come, are all on our side, if we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. So how do we become joint-heirs? Just by asking Christ into your heart and to forgive you of your sins. Ask Jesus to become your Lord and Savior. If you can say it and mean it you are then heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.
><((((º>.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
10/17
"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36
Why is patience needed? Because if we are the Lord's people, we are sure to have many trials. The Lord sends us afflictions that he may give us the grace of patience to bear them.
We need patience with each other, with the world, with our relations in life, and with the Church of God. We need patience when anything is said or done to hurt our minds, wound our feelings, irritate our tempers, and stir us up to revenge. And what a mercy it is, under these sharp trials, to have patience, and thus follow the example of the blessed Lord, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously."
10/18
"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3
There was a time, child of God, when the world held in your heart the chief place. It was not so in God's heart. You and he were therefore at variance. But now, through grace, you are brought to make eternity your chief concern. You and God are agreed there; for in the mind of God eternity as much outweighs time as the stars in the midnight sky outweigh a grain of dust.
The Lord saw the world under his curse, and you loved its favour and its blessing--seeking madly and wickedly to enjoy that which God had denounced; therefore you could not agree. Thus you see that in order to be agreed with God, we must have God's thoughts in our heart, God's ways in our soul, and God's love in our affections. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."
When once we have the mind of Christ and see with the eyes of God, then God and we become agreed, and being agreed, we can walk together.
10/19
"The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17
There is only one weapon whereby we can fight Satan to any purpose, and that is the word of God. But observe, that it must not be merely the letter of the word. It must be the "sword of the Spirit," and therefore a spiritual sword, which can only be taken in hand when the word of God is applied with a divine power to your heart, and you have a living faith in it as made "life and spirit" to your soul.
The word of truth, therefore, is full of most gracious promises, and sweet encouragements "to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ," and never in heart or hand submit to be conquered by sin or Satan.
10/20
"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." Hosea 2:14
It is in the margin "to her heart;" and God speaks to the heart; that is the special characteristic of his voice. Men may speak to the ear, and they can do no more; but God speaks to the heart, for it is there that his voice alone is heard. All religion first and last lies in a man's heart. He may have his head well furnished with notions, yet a heart destitute of grace. But not so with the vessels of mercy, for they "believe with the heart unto righteousness;" and it is by the voice of God heard in the heart that a saving faith is raised up in the soul.
If you are passing through trials and afflictions; if you are exercised with a variety of temptations, and are brought into that spot where the creature yields neither help nor hope, then you are made to see and feel that nothing but God's voice speaking with power to your soul can give you any solid grounds of rest or peace. But is not this profitable? It may be painful; it is painful; but it is profitable, because by it we learn to look to the Lord and the Lord alone, and this must ever be a blessed lesson to learn for every child of God.
10/21
"Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." 1 Corinthians 3: 21-23
Whatever there be in heaven, whatever there be in earth, that can be for your spiritual good, all is yours so far as you are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ.
Whatever your temporal wants may be, he can supply them, because he is king on earth as well as in heaven. Whatever enemies you may have, he is able to defeat them; whatever evils may press upon you, he is able to subdue them; whatever sorrows surround you, he is able to console you under them. Everything in time, everything in eternity, in this world and in the world to come, are all on your side, that are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.
I love reading devotionals in the morning. I can hear God speaking to me through them. One of my favorites is J. C. Philpot. My journey these 5 days I want to share excerpts from his devotionals. In his first devotional he writes about patience. Well, for a lot of people that is a needed item to get them through their day. At times myself included, but I must admit I am a patient person. When I read that God gives us afflictions so that He may give us the patience to bear them, it made sense to me. Without need you would have no wants.
In the next devotional it talks about agreement. Agreement with God. Whenever you walk in the worldly light you are not walking with God. The world is sin. That goes back to Genesis and the fall of man. The last sentencence in this devotional says it all, "When once we have the mind of Christ and see with the eyes of God, then God and we become agreed, and being agreed, we can walk together."
The third devotional speaks about the Word of God. It states the importance of it as a sword to fight the devil and his adversaries. A very important fact to remember is it is only effective as the "sword of the Spirit', for it is then applied by Divine power. Praise God!
In the fourth devotional J. C. Philpot writes about God speaking to our hearts. I love this line from the devotional "by the voice of God heard in the heart that a saving faith is raised up in the soul." Also J. C. Philpot states that through our trials and afflictions that we understand the need to hear God's voive in our hearts. For it is through Him speaking to our hearts that it reaches our souls so we can find "rest and peace" that only He can provide.
Now this last devotional speaks about "joint-heirs with Christ". I can not imagine how someone could not want this. Whatever our needs here or in Heaven, He will supply! Wow! So what it boils down to is this; "Everything in time, everything in eternity, in this world and in the world to come, are all on our side, if we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. So how do we become joint-heirs? Just by asking Christ into your heart and to forgive you of your sins. Ask Jesus to become your Lord and Savior. If you can say it and mean it you are then heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.
><((((º>.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
10/17
"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36
Why is patience needed? Because if we are the Lord's people, we are sure to have many trials. The Lord sends us afflictions that he may give us the grace of patience to bear them.
We need patience with each other, with the world, with our relations in life, and with the Church of God. We need patience when anything is said or done to hurt our minds, wound our feelings, irritate our tempers, and stir us up to revenge. And what a mercy it is, under these sharp trials, to have patience, and thus follow the example of the blessed Lord, "who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously."
10/18
"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3
There was a time, child of God, when the world held in your heart the chief place. It was not so in God's heart. You and he were therefore at variance. But now, through grace, you are brought to make eternity your chief concern. You and God are agreed there; for in the mind of God eternity as much outweighs time as the stars in the midnight sky outweigh a grain of dust.
The Lord saw the world under his curse, and you loved its favour and its blessing--seeking madly and wickedly to enjoy that which God had denounced; therefore you could not agree. Thus you see that in order to be agreed with God, we must have God's thoughts in our heart, God's ways in our soul, and God's love in our affections. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord."
When once we have the mind of Christ and see with the eyes of God, then God and we become agreed, and being agreed, we can walk together.
10/19
"The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17
There is only one weapon whereby we can fight Satan to any purpose, and that is the word of God. But observe, that it must not be merely the letter of the word. It must be the "sword of the Spirit," and therefore a spiritual sword, which can only be taken in hand when the word of God is applied with a divine power to your heart, and you have a living faith in it as made "life and spirit" to your soul.
The word of truth, therefore, is full of most gracious promises, and sweet encouragements "to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ," and never in heart or hand submit to be conquered by sin or Satan.
10/20
"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." Hosea 2:14
It is in the margin "to her heart;" and God speaks to the heart; that is the special characteristic of his voice. Men may speak to the ear, and they can do no more; but God speaks to the heart, for it is there that his voice alone is heard. All religion first and last lies in a man's heart. He may have his head well furnished with notions, yet a heart destitute of grace. But not so with the vessels of mercy, for they "believe with the heart unto righteousness;" and it is by the voice of God heard in the heart that a saving faith is raised up in the soul.
If you are passing through trials and afflictions; if you are exercised with a variety of temptations, and are brought into that spot where the creature yields neither help nor hope, then you are made to see and feel that nothing but God's voice speaking with power to your soul can give you any solid grounds of rest or peace. But is not this profitable? It may be painful; it is painful; but it is profitable, because by it we learn to look to the Lord and the Lord alone, and this must ever be a blessed lesson to learn for every child of God.
10/21
"Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." 1 Corinthians 3: 21-23
Whatever there be in heaven, whatever there be in earth, that can be for your spiritual good, all is yours so far as you are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ.
Whatever your temporal wants may be, he can supply them, because he is king on earth as well as in heaven. Whatever enemies you may have, he is able to defeat them; whatever evils may press upon you, he is able to subdue them; whatever sorrows surround you, he is able to console you under them. Everything in time, everything in eternity, in this world and in the world to come, are all on your side, that are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
My Journey 10/15 - 10/16/2010
God's insight to me:
It is amazing how my life has changed. Slowly, ever so slowly God has been steering me in the path He has chosen for me. Of course I know the path leads to Him, but the journey there is an awesome experience. Lately He has been touching my heart with two or three poems a day. Within these poems is His voice speaking to each of His chosen. As I read J. C. Philpot's devotionals my heart becomes on fire. Also through many other devotionals and of course His Holy Word. How can I not get excited as I read scripture like the 23rd Psalm that states in the beginning verse, "The Lord is my shepherd", for my friends if you can grasp that then you, "have no wants", for He fullfills them all. I pray that as you read through God's poems and J. C. Philpot's devotionals you have Him in your heart or are being drawn closer to Him. Always remember a life with the Father is only a prayer away;
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!
It is amazing how my life has changed. Slowly, ever so slowly God has been steering me in the path He has chosen for me. Of course I know the path leads to Him, but the journey there is an awesome experience. Lately He has been touching my heart with two or three poems a day. Within these poems is His voice speaking to each of His chosen. As I read J. C. Philpot's devotionals my heart becomes on fire. Also through many other devotionals and of course His Holy Word. How can I not get excited as I read scripture like the 23rd Psalm that states in the beginning verse, "The Lord is my shepherd", for my friends if you can grasp that then you, "have no wants", for He fullfills them all. I pray that as you read through God's poems and J. C. Philpot's devotionals you have Him in your heart or are being drawn closer to Him. Always remember a life with the Father is only a prayer away;
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
Victory Through Jesus
If you battle daily,
in this world of sin,
give the fight to Jesus my friends,
for it’s the only way you can win.
If the devil comes upon you,
and there appears no way out,
look to Jesus my friends,
for that’s truly what it’s all about.
When bitterness stays with you,
and anger grows within,
release it to Jesus my friends,
so peace can once again begin.
He can turn dark to light.
He can turn hate to love.
Victory is not in our hands,
but in Christ’s hands above.
E. P. Shagott
10/16/2010
Little By Little
Little by little,
time by time,
He changes our hearts,
and our lives He refines.
Little by little,
day by day,
because of His grace,
He changes our way.
Little by little,
one by one
He perfects in us,
for His Father’s will to be done.
Little by little,
heart by heart,
He draws us to Him,
where life really starts.
E. P. Shagott
10/16/2010
Choose
As God looked down from Heaven,
an angel asked, “Which one did You choose?”
“All of them”, God replied
“for none of them have to lose.
I love them all so very much,
and have right from the very start,
My Son, Jesus, gave His life for them,
then sent His Spirit to each and every heart.”
Then the angel looked confused,
as he looked down below.
The angel said, “Why do so many still sin?
Is it because they do not know?”
Then the God of all Creation,
smiled and gave a sigh,
“For those who heard the gospel message,
I can not answer why.
My Word was left to guide them,
and answer what they do not know.
Each one must either choose eternity with Me,
or with the devil below!”
E. P. Shagott
10/16/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
><((((º>.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
10/15
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
Daily Portions
"That I may win Christ." Philippians 3:8
What is it to "win Christ?" It is to have him sweetly embraced in the arms of our faith. It is to feel him manifesting his heavenly glory in our souls. It is to have the application of his atoning blood, in all its purging efficacy, to our conscience. It is to feel our heart melted and swooning with the sweet ravishments of his dying love, shed abroad even to overpowering.
This is winning Christ. Now, before we can thus win Christ, we must have a view of Christ, we must behold his glory, "the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." We must see the matchless dignity of his glorious Person, the atoning efficacy of his propitiating blood, the length and breadth, the depth and height of his surpassing love. We must have our heart ready to burst with pantings, longings, and ardent desires that this blessed Immanuel would come down from the heaven of heavens in which he dwells beyond the vail, into our heart, and shed abroad his precious dying love there. Now, is not this your feeling, child of God? It has been mine over and over again. Is it not your feeling as you lie upon your bed, sometimes, with sweet and earnest pantings after the Lord of life and glory? As you walk by the way, as you are engaged in your daily business, as you are secretly musing and meditating, are there not often the goings forth of these longings and breathings into the very bosom of the Lord? But you cannot have this, unless you have seen him by the eye of an enlightened understanding, by the eye of faith, and had a taste of his beauty, a glimpse of his glory, and a discovery of his eternal preciousness. You must have had this gleaming upon your eyes, as the beams of light gleam through the windows. You must have had it dancing into your heart, as the rays of the sun dance upon the waves of the sea. You must have had a sweet incoming of the shinings of eternal light upon your soul, melting it, and breaking it down at his footstool, as the early dawn pierces through the clouds of night. When you have seen and felt this you break forth--'O that I might win Christ!' Like the ardent lover who longs to win his bride, you long to enjoy his love and presence shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost.
10/16
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
Daily Portions
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts." Jeremiah 15:16
There is a sweetness in the promises which captivates the heart; a beauty in Christ which wins the soul; a saving unction and power in the word of God, when applied, which draws forth toward it every secret and sacred affection. Can you not sometimes look up and say, "Blessed Jesus, I do love thee?" And when the word of God is opened up, applied, and made sweet and precious, have you not felt sometimes as if you could kiss the sacred page, as conveying such sweetness into your soul? This is embracing a promise in love--throwing our arms round it, drawing it near to our breast, kissing it again and again with kisses of love and affection, and taking that sweet delight in it with which the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, as now all his own--at times almost lost, but now wooed and won, no more to be parted. This is rejoicing in the word of God, delighting in a blessed Jesus and in the promises which testify of, and centre in him. Have you not felt these sweet embracements in your soul of the truth as it is in Jesus as so precious, so suitable, so encouraging, and so adapted to every want and woe? Then you are a believer; then you are a child of God; then there is a work of grace upon your heart; then you know the truth for yourself by divine teaching and divine testimony. You may still not have had that full deliverance, that blessed revelation, that overpowering manifestation whereby all your doubts and fears have been swept away, and your soul settled in a firm enjoyment of the liberty of the gospel. You may have had it or may have had it not. But if you have this character stamped upon you that you have seen the promises afar off and been persuaded of them, and embraced them in faith, hope, and love, you have a mark of being a partaker of the faith of God's elect.
Victory Through Jesus
If you battle daily,
in this world of sin,
give the fight to Jesus my friends,
for it’s the only way you can win.
If the devil comes upon you,
and there appears no way out,
look to Jesus my friends,
for that’s truly what it’s all about.
When bitterness stays with you,
and anger grows within,
release it to Jesus my friends,
so peace can once again begin.
He can turn dark to light.
He can turn hate to love.
Victory is not in our hands,
but in Christ’s hands above.
E. P. Shagott
10/16/2010
Little By Little
Little by little,
time by time,
He changes our hearts,
and our lives He refines.
Little by little,
day by day,
because of His grace,
He changes our way.
Little by little,
one by one
He perfects in us,
for His Father’s will to be done.
Little by little,
heart by heart,
He draws us to Him,
where life really starts.
E. P. Shagott
10/16/2010
Choose
As God looked down from Heaven,
an angel asked, “Which one did You choose?”
“All of them”, God replied
“for none of them have to lose.
I love them all so very much,
and have right from the very start,
My Son, Jesus, gave His life for them,
then sent His Spirit to each and every heart.”
Then the angel looked confused,
as he looked down below.
The angel said, “Why do so many still sin?
Is it because they do not know?”
Then the God of all Creation,
smiled and gave a sigh,
“For those who heard the gospel message,
I can not answer why.
My Word was left to guide them,
and answer what they do not know.
Each one must either choose eternity with Me,
or with the devil below!”
E. P. Shagott
10/16/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
><((((º>.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
10/15
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
Daily Portions
"That I may win Christ." Philippians 3:8
What is it to "win Christ?" It is to have him sweetly embraced in the arms of our faith. It is to feel him manifesting his heavenly glory in our souls. It is to have the application of his atoning blood, in all its purging efficacy, to our conscience. It is to feel our heart melted and swooning with the sweet ravishments of his dying love, shed abroad even to overpowering.
This is winning Christ. Now, before we can thus win Christ, we must have a view of Christ, we must behold his glory, "the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." We must see the matchless dignity of his glorious Person, the atoning efficacy of his propitiating blood, the length and breadth, the depth and height of his surpassing love. We must have our heart ready to burst with pantings, longings, and ardent desires that this blessed Immanuel would come down from the heaven of heavens in which he dwells beyond the vail, into our heart, and shed abroad his precious dying love there. Now, is not this your feeling, child of God? It has been mine over and over again. Is it not your feeling as you lie upon your bed, sometimes, with sweet and earnest pantings after the Lord of life and glory? As you walk by the way, as you are engaged in your daily business, as you are secretly musing and meditating, are there not often the goings forth of these longings and breathings into the very bosom of the Lord? But you cannot have this, unless you have seen him by the eye of an enlightened understanding, by the eye of faith, and had a taste of his beauty, a glimpse of his glory, and a discovery of his eternal preciousness. You must have had this gleaming upon your eyes, as the beams of light gleam through the windows. You must have had it dancing into your heart, as the rays of the sun dance upon the waves of the sea. You must have had a sweet incoming of the shinings of eternal light upon your soul, melting it, and breaking it down at his footstool, as the early dawn pierces through the clouds of night. When you have seen and felt this you break forth--'O that I might win Christ!' Like the ardent lover who longs to win his bride, you long to enjoy his love and presence shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost.
10/16
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
Daily Portions
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts." Jeremiah 15:16
There is a sweetness in the promises which captivates the heart; a beauty in Christ which wins the soul; a saving unction and power in the word of God, when applied, which draws forth toward it every secret and sacred affection. Can you not sometimes look up and say, "Blessed Jesus, I do love thee?" And when the word of God is opened up, applied, and made sweet and precious, have you not felt sometimes as if you could kiss the sacred page, as conveying such sweetness into your soul? This is embracing a promise in love--throwing our arms round it, drawing it near to our breast, kissing it again and again with kisses of love and affection, and taking that sweet delight in it with which the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, as now all his own--at times almost lost, but now wooed and won, no more to be parted. This is rejoicing in the word of God, delighting in a blessed Jesus and in the promises which testify of, and centre in him. Have you not felt these sweet embracements in your soul of the truth as it is in Jesus as so precious, so suitable, so encouraging, and so adapted to every want and woe? Then you are a believer; then you are a child of God; then there is a work of grace upon your heart; then you know the truth for yourself by divine teaching and divine testimony. You may still not have had that full deliverance, that blessed revelation, that overpowering manifestation whereby all your doubts and fears have been swept away, and your soul settled in a firm enjoyment of the liberty of the gospel. You may have had it or may have had it not. But if you have this character stamped upon you that you have seen the promises afar off and been persuaded of them, and embraced them in faith, hope, and love, you have a mark of being a partaker of the faith of God's elect.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
My Journey 10/11 - 10/14/2010
God's insight to me:
As I was reading the devotional for today I thought of the calling on my life. It was approximately 8 years ago when the Holy Spirit was given control to begin a wonderful journey together. Being saved at 15 years of age the Spirit was there, in my heart, but was waiting for my permission to begin the calling on my life. All I can ever speak is for myself but I know there are many, many others that can also give testimony in their lives also. God has given me many talents, many I didn't realize I had but through the power of the Spirit has released them in me. Talents like, speaking, writing, singing, listening, caring, sharing and many more. God waited for 39 years before I was willing to accept His calling that was laid on my heart when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at 15 years old. He knew I had to mature and also agree to be a vessel to be used by the Holy Spirit. Did He say my name two times to get my attention as written in the devotional below? No, but I cried out His Holy Name many, many times.
So what is the calling on my life? An outreach ministry, titled "God's Love", that has grown in numbers since January 1st, 2004. Writing over 200+ of His heartfelt poems since the mid 1990's, which the first book will be printed shortly. Becoming active in my church. Writing over 200+ blogs which this one is, sharing my journey with Him, with others. Becoming active in Facebook and Twitter using the Internet for Evangelist purposes. Reaching out daily to those individuals that God has brought me to, either in person or via the Internet, to show how He changes lives. As I was reading the last paragraph from the devotional I found myself answering yes to the questions about a calling on one's lives. So many people I believe would say, "I don't know what the calling is on my life", but the answer is that they have not come to the point in their lives where they are willing to relinquish control to the God of the Universe, that created them for that reason. I pray that if that is your case, someday soon you will. He is waiting.
I want to share with you the poems that Jesus touched my heart with in this 4 day journey.
The Race
All the Christians lined up,
the race was about to begin.
What was most important,
was what was waiting at the end.
The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings,
was at the finish line,
waiting for each of His children,
as they ran the race of time.
In His glorious hand,
He held a crown for each.
We must stay focus through the race,
for it is definitely within our reach.
Though through the race of time,
many distractions will be along the way,
keep focusing on Jesus my friends,
so we can finish the race someday!
E. P. Shagott
10/11/2010
.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
Are You Ready To Receive?
There was a man, who couldn’t walk,
who waited by the temples door.
Every day he would wait and wait,
hoping for alms, someone would give him more.
Then came Peter and John to him,
Jesus’ love flowed from their eyes.
“Silver and gold I have none, said Peter
“but what I have I give you, in Jesus name, arise”
So this lame man whom never walked since birth,
walked through the temples doors.
He started worshiping and praising God,
which he never did before.
See the moral of the poem,
and the truth from the bible believe,
“There is power in the name of Jesus,
if my friends you are ready to receive!”
E. P. Shagott
10/12/2010
.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
Trust Is A Must
Trust is a must
to live for today.
Without Jesus,
there is no other way.
Trust in Him,
in all that you do.
That is the only way,
that He will get us through.
Trust is a must,
yes, trust in Him.
Once we do,
life really begins.
Trust, trust
with all your might.
Only through Him,
can this life be right!
E. P. Shagott
10/13/2010
.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
The Fire Within
My heart was cold
from this world of sin.
Jesus said, “What you need,
is a fire within!
It starts with a spark
then will grow with love,
the fuel you need,
will come from above.”
With my chilled heart
I cried, “Lord, let it be,
please through Your love,
ignite a spark in me!”
Then within a second,
the chill began to fade.
The spark was lit,
through Jesus’ name!
So in this life
It’s not too late to begin,
All you need
is the fire within!
E. P. Shagott
10/13/2010
.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
The Blessing
It is only a blessing
that when we receive,
we give thanks above
because we believe.
The blessing only comes,
because of His grace,
not of what we’ve done,
or said in it’s place.
His blessings will flow,
to bring glory to Him,
not because we’re so,
deserving my friends.
Blessings are gifts,
from the Father above,
only given out,
because of His love.
So if there’s a blessing
that might come our way,
let’s all remember to give thanks,
that God thought of us today!
E. P. Shagott
10/13/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
10/14
Our Daily Homily
A devotional by F. B. Meyer
And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel! 1 Samuel 3:10
See the urgency of God! Four times He came, and stood, and called. Mark how He stands at the door to knock. At first He was content to call the lad once by name; but after three unsuccessful attempts to attract him to Himself, He uttered the name twice, with strong urgency in the appeal, Samuel! Samuel! This has been called God's double knock. There are seven or eight of these double knocks in Scripture: Simon, Simon; Saul, Saul; Abraham, Abraham.
How may we be sure of a Divine call?
We may know God's call when it grows in intensity. If an impression comes into your soul, and you are not quite sure of its origin, pray over it; above all, act on it so far as possible, follow in the direction in which it leads and as you lift up your soul before God, it will wax or wane. If it wanes at all, abandon it. If it waxes follow it, though all hell attempt to stay you.
We may test God's call by the assistance of godly friends. The aged Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child, and gave him good advice as to the manner in which he should respond to it. Our special gifts and the drift of our circumstances will also assuredly concur in one of God's calls.
We may test God's call by its effect on us. Does it lead to self denial? Does it induce us to leave the comfortable bed and step into the cold? Does it drive us forth to minister to others? Does it make us more unseIfish, loving, tender, modest, humble! Whatever is to the humbling of our pride, and the glory of God, may be truly deemed God's call. Be quick to respond, and fearlessly deliver the message the Lord has given you.
As I was reading the devotional for today I thought of the calling on my life. It was approximately 8 years ago when the Holy Spirit was given control to begin a wonderful journey together. Being saved at 15 years of age the Spirit was there, in my heart, but was waiting for my permission to begin the calling on my life. All I can ever speak is for myself but I know there are many, many others that can also give testimony in their lives also. God has given me many talents, many I didn't realize I had but through the power of the Spirit has released them in me. Talents like, speaking, writing, singing, listening, caring, sharing and many more. God waited for 39 years before I was willing to accept His calling that was laid on my heart when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior at 15 years old. He knew I had to mature and also agree to be a vessel to be used by the Holy Spirit. Did He say my name two times to get my attention as written in the devotional below? No, but I cried out His Holy Name many, many times.
So what is the calling on my life? An outreach ministry, titled "God's Love", that has grown in numbers since January 1st, 2004. Writing over 200+ of His heartfelt poems since the mid 1990's, which the first book will be printed shortly. Becoming active in my church. Writing over 200+ blogs which this one is, sharing my journey with Him, with others. Becoming active in Facebook and Twitter using the Internet for Evangelist purposes. Reaching out daily to those individuals that God has brought me to, either in person or via the Internet, to show how He changes lives. As I was reading the last paragraph from the devotional I found myself answering yes to the questions about a calling on one's lives. So many people I believe would say, "I don't know what the calling is on my life", but the answer is that they have not come to the point in their lives where they are willing to relinquish control to the God of the Universe, that created them for that reason. I pray that if that is your case, someday soon you will. He is waiting.
I want to share with you the poems that Jesus touched my heart with in this 4 day journey.
The Race
All the Christians lined up,
the race was about to begin.
What was most important,
was what was waiting at the end.
The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings,
was at the finish line,
waiting for each of His children,
as they ran the race of time.
In His glorious hand,
He held a crown for each.
We must stay focus through the race,
for it is definitely within our reach.
Though through the race of time,
many distractions will be along the way,
keep focusing on Jesus my friends,
so we can finish the race someday!
E. P. Shagott
10/11/2010
.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
Are You Ready To Receive?
There was a man, who couldn’t walk,
who waited by the temples door.
Every day he would wait and wait,
hoping for alms, someone would give him more.
Then came Peter and John to him,
Jesus’ love flowed from their eyes.
“Silver and gold I have none, said Peter
“but what I have I give you, in Jesus name, arise”
So this lame man whom never walked since birth,
walked through the temples doors.
He started worshiping and praising God,
which he never did before.
See the moral of the poem,
and the truth from the bible believe,
“There is power in the name of Jesus,
if my friends you are ready to receive!”
E. P. Shagott
10/12/2010
.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
Trust Is A Must
Trust is a must
to live for today.
Without Jesus,
there is no other way.
Trust in Him,
in all that you do.
That is the only way,
that He will get us through.
Trust is a must,
yes, trust in Him.
Once we do,
life really begins.
Trust, trust
with all your might.
Only through Him,
can this life be right!
E. P. Shagott
10/13/2010
.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
The Fire Within
My heart was cold
from this world of sin.
Jesus said, “What you need,
is a fire within!
It starts with a spark
then will grow with love,
the fuel you need,
will come from above.”
With my chilled heart
I cried, “Lord, let it be,
please through Your love,
ignite a spark in me!”
Then within a second,
the chill began to fade.
The spark was lit,
through Jesus’ name!
So in this life
It’s not too late to begin,
All you need
is the fire within!
E. P. Shagott
10/13/2010
.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º> ¸.•´¯`•.¸¸><((((º>
The Blessing
It is only a blessing
that when we receive,
we give thanks above
because we believe.
The blessing only comes,
because of His grace,
not of what we’ve done,
or said in it’s place.
His blessings will flow,
to bring glory to Him,
not because we’re so,
deserving my friends.
Blessings are gifts,
from the Father above,
only given out,
because of His love.
So if there’s a blessing
that might come our way,
let’s all remember to give thanks,
that God thought of us today!
E. P. Shagott
10/13/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
10/14
Our Daily Homily
A devotional by F. B. Meyer
And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel! 1 Samuel 3:10
See the urgency of God! Four times He came, and stood, and called. Mark how He stands at the door to knock. At first He was content to call the lad once by name; but after three unsuccessful attempts to attract him to Himself, He uttered the name twice, with strong urgency in the appeal, Samuel! Samuel! This has been called God's double knock. There are seven or eight of these double knocks in Scripture: Simon, Simon; Saul, Saul; Abraham, Abraham.
How may we be sure of a Divine call?
We may know God's call when it grows in intensity. If an impression comes into your soul, and you are not quite sure of its origin, pray over it; above all, act on it so far as possible, follow in the direction in which it leads and as you lift up your soul before God, it will wax or wane. If it wanes at all, abandon it. If it waxes follow it, though all hell attempt to stay you.
We may test God's call by the assistance of godly friends. The aged Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child, and gave him good advice as to the manner in which he should respond to it. Our special gifts and the drift of our circumstances will also assuredly concur in one of God's calls.
We may test God's call by its effect on us. Does it lead to self denial? Does it induce us to leave the comfortable bed and step into the cold? Does it drive us forth to minister to others? Does it make us more unseIfish, loving, tender, modest, humble! Whatever is to the humbling of our pride, and the glory of God, may be truly deemed God's call. Be quick to respond, and fearlessly deliver the message the Lord has given you.
Monday, October 11, 2010
My Journey 10/8 - 10/10/2010
God's insight to me:
I love the two devotionals by Max Lucado and also the one by J. C. Philpot. As I read the "Simplify Faith" he can't make it more simpler than that. Why is Christianity so confusing? We make it that way. We just can't believe that "faith" can be that simple. But it is. Now the next devotional about the race for eternity was very well written. Being a cross country runner in my teenage years, I can speak about races. But can you just picture Jesus at the finish line yelling to us encouragement to finish and don't get distracted along the way. He loves us so much that the Holy Spirit is running with us each step of the way to get us there. As I read this devotional the Lord blessed me with this poem;
The Race
All the Christians lined up,
the race was about to begin.
What was most important,
was what was waiting at the end.
The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings,
was at the finish line,
waiting for each of His children,
as they ran the race of time.
In His glorious hand,
He held a crown for each.
We must stay focus through the race,
for it is definitely within our reach.
Though through the race of time,
many distractions will be along the way,
keep focusing on Jesus my friends,
so we can finish the race someday!
E. P. Shagott
10/11/2010
Now the last devotional by Max Lucado is the answer to how we can finish life's race and be victorious. Be like Jesus! The author states, "He endured when others quit!" We can't win our own race if we quit. Ask our Heavenly Father for the courage and strength to endure and stay focused on Jesus!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
10/8
Simplify Faith
By Max Lucado
“He who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” Matthew 10:40, NKJV
How do you simplify faith? ... Simplify your faith by seeking God for yourself. No confusing ceremonies necessary. No mysterious rituals required. No elaborate channels of command or levels of access.
You have a Bible? You can study.
You have a heart? You can pray.
You have a mind? You can think.
*************************************************
10/9
From Daily Portions devotional
by J. C. Philpot
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:2
No one can ever run the race set before him, except by looking unto Jesus. He is at the head of the race; he stands at the goal; holding the crown of victory in his hand, which he puts upon the head of the successful runner. And we can only run on as we view Jesus by the eye of faith at the right hand of the Father opening his blessed arms to receive us into his own bosom at the end of the race. Nor indeed can any one really look to him but by the special gift and grace of God. He must be revealed to the soul by the power of God; we must behold his glorious Godhead and his suffering manhood by the eye of faith; and we must view him as the incarnate God; the only Mediator between God and man. We must see the efficacy of his atoning blood to purge a guilty conscience; the blessedness of his obedience to justify a needy, naked soul; the sweetness of his dying love as an inward balm and cordial against all the thousand ills and sorrows of life. We must see his glory, as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth;
his suitability to every want and woe;
his infinite compassion to the vilest and worst of sinners;
his patient forbearance and wondrous long-suffering of our sins and backslidings;
his unchanging love, stronger than death itself;
his readiness to hear;
his willingness to bless;
and his ability to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him.
Thus the heavenly runner looks not to the course however long, nor to the ground however rough, not to his own exertions however multiplied, nor to his own strength whether much or little; nor to applauding friends nor condemning foes; but wholly and solely to the incarnate Son of God. Jesus draws him onward with his invincible grace. Every glance of his beauteous Person renews the flame of holy love; every sight of his blood and righteousness kindles desires to experience more of their efficacy and blessedness; and every touch of his sacred finger melts the heart into conformity to his suffering image. This is the life of a Christian,--day by day, to be running a race for eternity; and as speeding onward to a heavenly goal, to manifest his sincerity and earnestness by continually breathing forth the yearnings of his soul after divine realities, and to be pressing forward more and more toward the Lord Jesus Christ, as giving him a heavenly crown when he has finished his course with joy.
*************************************************
10/10
Be Like Jesus
By Max Lucado
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5, NKJV
What does it mean to be just like Jesus? The world has never known a heart so pure, a character so flawless. His spiritual hearing was so keen He never missed a heavenly whisper. His mercy so abundant He never missed a chance to forgive. No lie left His lips, no distraction marred His vision. He touched when others recoiled. He endured when others quit. Jesus is the ultimate model for every person.
I love the two devotionals by Max Lucado and also the one by J. C. Philpot. As I read the "Simplify Faith" he can't make it more simpler than that. Why is Christianity so confusing? We make it that way. We just can't believe that "faith" can be that simple. But it is. Now the next devotional about the race for eternity was very well written. Being a cross country runner in my teenage years, I can speak about races. But can you just picture Jesus at the finish line yelling to us encouragement to finish and don't get distracted along the way. He loves us so much that the Holy Spirit is running with us each step of the way to get us there. As I read this devotional the Lord blessed me with this poem;
The Race
All the Christians lined up,
the race was about to begin.
What was most important,
was what was waiting at the end.
The Lord of Lords, the King of Kings,
was at the finish line,
waiting for each of His children,
as they ran the race of time.
In His glorious hand,
He held a crown for each.
We must stay focus through the race,
for it is definitely within our reach.
Though through the race of time,
many distractions will be along the way,
keep focusing on Jesus my friends,
so we can finish the race someday!
E. P. Shagott
10/11/2010
Now the last devotional by Max Lucado is the answer to how we can finish life's race and be victorious. Be like Jesus! The author states, "He endured when others quit!" We can't win our own race if we quit. Ask our Heavenly Father for the courage and strength to endure and stay focused on Jesus!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
10/8
Simplify Faith
By Max Lucado
“He who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” Matthew 10:40, NKJV
How do you simplify faith? ... Simplify your faith by seeking God for yourself. No confusing ceremonies necessary. No mysterious rituals required. No elaborate channels of command or levels of access.
You have a Bible? You can study.
You have a heart? You can pray.
You have a mind? You can think.
*************************************************
10/9
From Daily Portions devotional
by J. C. Philpot
"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:2
No one can ever run the race set before him, except by looking unto Jesus. He is at the head of the race; he stands at the goal; holding the crown of victory in his hand, which he puts upon the head of the successful runner. And we can only run on as we view Jesus by the eye of faith at the right hand of the Father opening his blessed arms to receive us into his own bosom at the end of the race. Nor indeed can any one really look to him but by the special gift and grace of God. He must be revealed to the soul by the power of God; we must behold his glorious Godhead and his suffering manhood by the eye of faith; and we must view him as the incarnate God; the only Mediator between God and man. We must see the efficacy of his atoning blood to purge a guilty conscience; the blessedness of his obedience to justify a needy, naked soul; the sweetness of his dying love as an inward balm and cordial against all the thousand ills and sorrows of life. We must see his glory, as the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth;
his suitability to every want and woe;
his infinite compassion to the vilest and worst of sinners;
his patient forbearance and wondrous long-suffering of our sins and backslidings;
his unchanging love, stronger than death itself;
his readiness to hear;
his willingness to bless;
and his ability to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him.
Thus the heavenly runner looks not to the course however long, nor to the ground however rough, not to his own exertions however multiplied, nor to his own strength whether much or little; nor to applauding friends nor condemning foes; but wholly and solely to the incarnate Son of God. Jesus draws him onward with his invincible grace. Every glance of his beauteous Person renews the flame of holy love; every sight of his blood and righteousness kindles desires to experience more of their efficacy and blessedness; and every touch of his sacred finger melts the heart into conformity to his suffering image. This is the life of a Christian,--day by day, to be running a race for eternity; and as speeding onward to a heavenly goal, to manifest his sincerity and earnestness by continually breathing forth the yearnings of his soul after divine realities, and to be pressing forward more and more toward the Lord Jesus Christ, as giving him a heavenly crown when he has finished his course with joy.
*************************************************
10/10
Be Like Jesus
By Max Lucado
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5, NKJV
What does it mean to be just like Jesus? The world has never known a heart so pure, a character so flawless. His spiritual hearing was so keen He never missed a heavenly whisper. His mercy so abundant He never missed a chance to forgive. No lie left His lips, no distraction marred His vision. He touched when others recoiled. He endured when others quit. Jesus is the ultimate model for every person.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
My Journey 10/1 - 10/7/2010
God's insight to me:
Well, a week has passed in my journey and I am recovering from a broken heart. What I have found during this period of time is how awesome the Lord is. Of course I knew that but it is reaffirmed, time and time again, through times of hurting and emptiness. This morning as I was reading my devotionals, that I also love to share via the Internet, this one by J. C. Philpot spoke volumes about that. Mr. Philpot stated having everything as "faring well". I must admit for many of days that fit's me to the tee. But as Christians we do not escape some days of hardship and broken hearts. In this devotional as I look back to the previous week of hurting, I found the Lord blessing me with the love of family, friends and also my church family. He also poured out His heart to mine in poetry that I am blessed to write down for Him. Since I have published my last blog He has given me (16) heart felt poems. So I understand how as the author wrote though I was "faring ill", I was actually "faring well", Praise God!
God Is Good
How are you faring today,
does it appear not much good,
is coming your way?
Does it seem the harder you try,
things are just getting worse,
and you ask yourself why?
When in the day the sun is out,
do you only see clouds
and wonder what it is all about?
Well, fret not my friends and be reassured,
through all that is happening
there is a special reward.
God is still God, in the Heavens above,
He always makes good,
because of His love.
It is up to us to what we see,
with God there is always good,
for that’s the way it must be!
E. P. Shagott
10/7/2010
*************************************************
10/7
Daily Portions
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
"Brethren, farewell." 2 Corinthians 13:11
To fare well, spiritually understood, is to have everything that God can make us happy in. All God's people will eventually fare well. They all stand complete in Christ: nothing can touch their eternal safety; for they are all complete in him, "without spot, or blemish, or any such thing." In this point of view, they must all in the end and for ever fare well.
But when we come to the matter of experience, we often find that those very times when God's people think they are faring ill, are the seasons when they are really faring well; and again, at other times, when they think they are faring well, then they are really faring ill. For instance, when their souls are bowed down with trouble, it often seems to them that they are faring ill. God's hand appears to be gone out against them: he has hidden his face from them; they can find no access to a throne of grace; they have no sweet testimonies from the Lord that the path in which he is leading them is one of his choosing, and that all things will end well with them. This they think is indeed faring ill, and yet perhaps they never fare better than when under these circumstances of trouble, sorrow, and affliction. These things wean them from the world. If their heart and affections were going out after idols, they instrumentally bring them back. If they were hewing out broken cisterns, they dash them all to pieces. If they were setting up, and bowing down to idols in the chambers of imagery, affliction and trouble smite them to pieces before their eyes, take away their gods, and leave them no refuge but the Lord God of hosts. If you can only look back, you will see that your greatest sweets have often sprung out of your greatest bitters, and the greatest blessings have flowed from the greatest miseries, and what at the time you thought your greatest sorrows: you will find that the brightest light has sprung up in the blackest darkness, and that the Lord never made himself so precious as at the time when you were sunk lowest, so as to be without human help, wisdom, or strength. So that when a child of God thinks he is faring very ill, because burdened with sorrows, temptations, and afflictions, he is never faring so well. The darkest clouds in due time will break, the most puzzling enigmas will sooner or later be unriddled by the blessed Spirit interpreting them, and the darkest providences cleared up; and we shall see that God is in them all, leading and guiding us "by the right way, that we may go to a city of habitation" (Psalm 107:7).
Well, a week has passed in my journey and I am recovering from a broken heart. What I have found during this period of time is how awesome the Lord is. Of course I knew that but it is reaffirmed, time and time again, through times of hurting and emptiness. This morning as I was reading my devotionals, that I also love to share via the Internet, this one by J. C. Philpot spoke volumes about that. Mr. Philpot stated having everything as "faring well". I must admit for many of days that fit's me to the tee. But as Christians we do not escape some days of hardship and broken hearts. In this devotional as I look back to the previous week of hurting, I found the Lord blessing me with the love of family, friends and also my church family. He also poured out His heart to mine in poetry that I am blessed to write down for Him. Since I have published my last blog He has given me (16) heart felt poems. So I understand how as the author wrote though I was "faring ill", I was actually "faring well", Praise God!
God Is Good
How are you faring today,
does it appear not much good,
is coming your way?
Does it seem the harder you try,
things are just getting worse,
and you ask yourself why?
When in the day the sun is out,
do you only see clouds
and wonder what it is all about?
Well, fret not my friends and be reassured,
through all that is happening
there is a special reward.
God is still God, in the Heavens above,
He always makes good,
because of His love.
It is up to us to what we see,
with God there is always good,
for that’s the way it must be!
E. P. Shagott
10/7/2010
*************************************************
10/7
Daily Portions
A devotional by J. C. Philpot
"Brethren, farewell." 2 Corinthians 13:11
To fare well, spiritually understood, is to have everything that God can make us happy in. All God's people will eventually fare well. They all stand complete in Christ: nothing can touch their eternal safety; for they are all complete in him, "without spot, or blemish, or any such thing." In this point of view, they must all in the end and for ever fare well.
But when we come to the matter of experience, we often find that those very times when God's people think they are faring ill, are the seasons when they are really faring well; and again, at other times, when they think they are faring well, then they are really faring ill. For instance, when their souls are bowed down with trouble, it often seems to them that they are faring ill. God's hand appears to be gone out against them: he has hidden his face from them; they can find no access to a throne of grace; they have no sweet testimonies from the Lord that the path in which he is leading them is one of his choosing, and that all things will end well with them. This they think is indeed faring ill, and yet perhaps they never fare better than when under these circumstances of trouble, sorrow, and affliction. These things wean them from the world. If their heart and affections were going out after idols, they instrumentally bring them back. If they were hewing out broken cisterns, they dash them all to pieces. If they were setting up, and bowing down to idols in the chambers of imagery, affliction and trouble smite them to pieces before their eyes, take away their gods, and leave them no refuge but the Lord God of hosts. If you can only look back, you will see that your greatest sweets have often sprung out of your greatest bitters, and the greatest blessings have flowed from the greatest miseries, and what at the time you thought your greatest sorrows: you will find that the brightest light has sprung up in the blackest darkness, and that the Lord never made himself so precious as at the time when you were sunk lowest, so as to be without human help, wisdom, or strength. So that when a child of God thinks he is faring very ill, because burdened with sorrows, temptations, and afflictions, he is never faring so well. The darkest clouds in due time will break, the most puzzling enigmas will sooner or later be unriddled by the blessed Spirit interpreting them, and the darkest providences cleared up; and we shall see that God is in them all, leading and guiding us "by the right way, that we may go to a city of habitation" (Psalm 107:7).
Saturday, October 2, 2010
My Journey 9/28 - 9/30/2010
God's insight to me:
Well, if you read my previous journey you will understand what I am writing about in this journey. With a broken heart, sometimes it appears the pain is so great and will not cease but as Max Lucado writes so wonderfully, "Rely on Him!" For a while I was at my worst for I was feeling a loss. I had to look back at all the times God was faithful to me. Why wouldn't He be now? Though my family, friends, and Pastor were there with me, it took the love of God to assure me, the pain will pass. The reason I felt His love was as Max Lucado wrote in his second devotional, I have nothing in between myself and my God. He is all my hope for without Him, "I have and I am nothing!" In this last devotional the last paragraph says it all. Jesus has done it all. Everything there is or will be done for me and you Jesus did it. How can I not get down on my knees and give Him praise. Through my grief and pain He said to me;
In your weakness,
I am your strength.
In your hurt
I’ll help you mend
In your loss
I am your gain
I am always here
just call My Name!
Grieve and Believe
When your heart is broken,
and you don’t know what to do,
grieve and believe,
that God will see you through.
When tears keep flowing,
and you cry to the Father above,
grieve and believe,
they will cease all because of His love.
When your pain increases
and words fail to ease the doubt,
grieve and believe,
that God is the way out.
Give Him your heart,
that is broken in two,
and always believe,
He is grieving with you!
E. P. Shagott
9/28/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/28
Rely on Him
By Max Lucado
“Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst.” Luke 6:35, The Message
God has proven himself as a faithful father. Now it falls to us to be trusting children. Let God give you what your family doesn’t. Let him fill the void others have left. Rely upon him for your affirmation and encouragement.
*************************************************
9/29
Nothing in Between
By Max Lucado
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6, NKJV
Jesus leaves us with two options. Accept him as God or reject him as a megalomaniac. There is no third alternative . . .
Call him crazy or crown him as king. Dismiss him as a fraud or declare him to be God. Walk away from him or bow before him, but don’t play games with him. Don’t call him a great man. Don’t list him among decent folk . . . He is either God or godless. Heaven sent or hell born. All hope or all hype. But nothing in between.
*************************************************
9/30
All Things
By Max Lucado
“How long must I stay with you?” Mark 9:19
How long? “Until the rooster sings and the sweat stings and the mallet rings . . .”
How long? “Long enough for every sin to so soak my sinless soul that heaven will turn in horror until my swollen lips pronounce the final transaction: ‘It is finished.’”
Jesus bore all things, believed all things, hoped all things, and endured all things. Every single one.
Well, if you read my previous journey you will understand what I am writing about in this journey. With a broken heart, sometimes it appears the pain is so great and will not cease but as Max Lucado writes so wonderfully, "Rely on Him!" For a while I was at my worst for I was feeling a loss. I had to look back at all the times God was faithful to me. Why wouldn't He be now? Though my family, friends, and Pastor were there with me, it took the love of God to assure me, the pain will pass. The reason I felt His love was as Max Lucado wrote in his second devotional, I have nothing in between myself and my God. He is all my hope for without Him, "I have and I am nothing!" In this last devotional the last paragraph says it all. Jesus has done it all. Everything there is or will be done for me and you Jesus did it. How can I not get down on my knees and give Him praise. Through my grief and pain He said to me;
In your weakness,
I am your strength.
In your hurt
I’ll help you mend
In your loss
I am your gain
I am always here
just call My Name!
Grieve and Believe
When your heart is broken,
and you don’t know what to do,
grieve and believe,
that God will see you through.
When tears keep flowing,
and you cry to the Father above,
grieve and believe,
they will cease all because of His love.
When your pain increases
and words fail to ease the doubt,
grieve and believe,
that God is the way out.
Give Him your heart,
that is broken in two,
and always believe,
He is grieving with you!
E. P. Shagott
9/28/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
9/28
Rely on Him
By Max Lucado
“Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst.” Luke 6:35, The Message
God has proven himself as a faithful father. Now it falls to us to be trusting children. Let God give you what your family doesn’t. Let him fill the void others have left. Rely upon him for your affirmation and encouragement.
*************************************************
9/29
Nothing in Between
By Max Lucado
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6, NKJV
Jesus leaves us with two options. Accept him as God or reject him as a megalomaniac. There is no third alternative . . .
Call him crazy or crown him as king. Dismiss him as a fraud or declare him to be God. Walk away from him or bow before him, but don’t play games with him. Don’t call him a great man. Don’t list him among decent folk . . . He is either God or godless. Heaven sent or hell born. All hope or all hype. But nothing in between.
*************************************************
9/30
All Things
By Max Lucado
“How long must I stay with you?” Mark 9:19
How long? “Until the rooster sings and the sweat stings and the mallet rings . . .”
How long? “Long enough for every sin to so soak my sinless soul that heaven will turn in horror until my swollen lips pronounce the final transaction: ‘It is finished.’”
Jesus bore all things, believed all things, hoped all things, and endured all things. Every single one.
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