As I think back on 2009 the one thing that comes to mind is how I have been drawn to devotionals. Three gentlemen that I follow daily are A. B. Simpson, Charles Spurgeon, and Max Lucado. What I found is the Lord speaks to me through their writings. I also love to share them with others and sometimes inject my "heart print" with them.
This being the last day of 2009 I wanted to share what each of these gentlemen wrote for their devotional today and also a little description of them if you do not know who there are.
*************************************************
A. B. Simpson stated this speaking about God;
"He wants us here for some higher purpose than mere existence. That purpose is nothing else than to represent Him to the world, to be the messengers of His Gospel and His will to men, and by our lives to exhibit to them the true life, and teach them how to live it themselves."
Albert Benjamin Simpson (December 15, 1843 – October 29, 1919) (A.B. Simpson) was a Canadian preacher, theologian, author, and founder of The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), an evangelical Protestant denomination with an emphasis on global evangelism.
*************************************************
Charles Spurgeon stated this speaking of salvation;
"Consecrate these last hours to lonely thought, and if deep repentance be bred in you, it will be well; and if it lead to a humble faith in Jesus, it will be best of all. O see to it that this year pass not away, and you an unforgiven spirit. Let not the new year’s midnight peals sound upon a joyless spirit! Now, NOW, NOW believe, and live."
Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon (June 19, 1834 – January 31, 1892) was a British Particular Baptist preacher who remains highly influential among Christians of different denominations, among whom he is still known as the "Prince of Preachers." In his lifetime, Spurgeon preached to around 10,000,000 people, often up to 10 times each week at different places. His sermons have been translated into many languages. Spurgeon was the pastor of the congregation of the New Park Street Chapel (later the Metropolitan Tabernacle) in London for 38 years. He was part of several controversies with the Baptist Union of Great Britain and later had to leave that denomination. In 1857, he started a charity organization called Spurgeon's which now works globally. He also founded Spurgeon's College, which was named after him posthumously.
Spurgeon was a prolific author of many types of works including sermons, an autobiography, a commentary, books on prayer, a devotional, a magazine, poetry,,hymnist and more. Many sermons were transcribed as he spoke and were translated into many languages during his lifetime. Arguably, no other author, Christian or otherwise, has more material in print than C.H. Spurgeon.
*************************************************
Max Lucado comparing us to God;
"Our moods may shift, but God’s doesn’t. Our minds may change, but God’s doesn’t. Our devotion may falter, but God’s never does. Even if we are faithless, he is faithful, for he cannot betray himself (2 Tim. 2:13). He is a sure God."
Max Lucado (born 1955) is a best-selling Christian author and minister of writing and preaching at Oak Hills Church (formerly the Oak Hills Church of Christ) in San Antonio, Texas. Lucado has written more than 50 books with 28 million copies in print, including three recipients of the Charles "Kip" Jordon Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year (Just Like Jesus, In the Grip of Grace, and When God Whispers Your Name), and has appeared regularly on several bestseller lists. After serving as the pulpit minister for 20 years, Lucado announced in early 2007 that he was stepping down due to health concerns related to atrial fibrillation. Lucado has since assumed the ministry role of writing and preaching at Oak Hills. He co-pastors the church with one of Willow Creek's former teaching pastors, Randy Frazee.
Lucado was named "America's Pastor" by Christianity Today magazine and in 2005 was named by Reader's Digest as "The Best Preacher in America." He has been featured on The Fox News Channel, NBC Nightly News, Larry King Live, and USA Today. His books are regularly on the New York Times Best Seller List. He has been featured speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast.
*************************************************
As the year 2009 comes to an end I am in awe as Christ works in my life. Besides another fruitful year with the God's Love Outreach Ministry, I have also became active with Twitter, Facebook and of course Blogspot where I have composed 77 "Christ inspired" writings. I now call these writings "Heart Prints"! As Jesus speaks to my heart I want to share with others. Also how awesome it will be to leave behind, when He calls me home, that maybe a family member, friend, or anyone that the Lord directs them to read, a message from Him. So thank you Lord for touching the hearts of A. B. Simpsom, Charles Spurgeon, and Max Lucado with your love and grace. May I continue hear Your voice through them and any other that you bring to me. May You continue to us me because of my love and obedience to You to bring others to You.
What a Friend I Have In Jesus
To all my friends and family,
who think with me, Jesus is just a trend.
Please remember when I tell you
He is the beginning, not the end!
My walk will only strengthen
as each day comes and goes,
for my life is now His,
and this Jesus truly knows.
So please take time to read these emails,
that He is speaking through me to you.
For His mission for me is awesome,
and there is so much He wants me to do.
This year is almost over,
2009 is almost at its end.
If you thought I loved Him this year,
wait until next year, 2010!
E. P. Shagott
12/15/09
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
When Opportunity Knocks
Acts 20:27 For I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God.
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
As I read this devotional this morning that was written many , many years ago, the word "Evangelism" comes to mind. I truly believe once we become "true believers", not the "want-to-be believers" but the believer that has given without question our hearts to Christ, we understand then why God does bring other human beings to us. He knows our "Spirit filled hearts" will be seeking others that do not, but desperately need to know and have a relationship with Him.
[It is probable that God lets every human being, that crosses our path, meet us, in order that we may have the opportunity of leaving some blessing in his path, and dropping into his heart and life some influence that will draw him nearer to God. It would be blessed, indeed, if we could meet every immortal soul, at last, that we have ever touched in the path of life, and truly say, "I am pure from the blood of all men."
Beloved, is it so? The servant that works in your household; the man that sat beside you in the train; the laborer that wrought for you, and, above all, the members of your household and family, your fellow-laborer in the shop or factory, have you done your best to lead them to Christ?
The early Christians regarded every situation as an opportunity to witness for Christ. Even when brought before kings and governors, it never occurred to them that they were to try to get free, but the Master's message to them was, "It shall turn to you for a testimony." It was simply an occasion to preach to kings and rulers, whom otherwise they could not reach.]
My friends may this coming year, 2010, we grasp each "evangelistic moment" to witness for our Lord and Savior and also to demonstrate by our daily walk with Him why the ones that don't know Him, will want to!
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
[A devotional by A. B. Simpson]
As I read this devotional this morning that was written many , many years ago, the word "Evangelism" comes to mind. I truly believe once we become "true believers", not the "want-to-be believers" but the believer that has given without question our hearts to Christ, we understand then why God does bring other human beings to us. He knows our "Spirit filled hearts" will be seeking others that do not, but desperately need to know and have a relationship with Him.
[It is probable that God lets every human being, that crosses our path, meet us, in order that we may have the opportunity of leaving some blessing in his path, and dropping into his heart and life some influence that will draw him nearer to God. It would be blessed, indeed, if we could meet every immortal soul, at last, that we have ever touched in the path of life, and truly say, "I am pure from the blood of all men."
Beloved, is it so? The servant that works in your household; the man that sat beside you in the train; the laborer that wrought for you, and, above all, the members of your household and family, your fellow-laborer in the shop or factory, have you done your best to lead them to Christ?
The early Christians regarded every situation as an opportunity to witness for Christ. Even when brought before kings and governors, it never occurred to them that they were to try to get free, but the Master's message to them was, "It shall turn to you for a testimony." It was simply an occasion to preach to kings and rulers, whom otherwise they could not reach.]
My friends may this coming year, 2010, we grasp each "evangelistic moment" to witness for our Lord and Savior and also to demonstrate by our daily walk with Him why the ones that don't know Him, will want to!
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Monday, December 28, 2009
Earthly friend, Heavens foe!
“I came not to send peace on earth, but a sword.”
- Matthew_10:34
[A devotional by Charles Spurgeon]
Better a brief warfare and eternal rest, than false peace and everlasting torment! I like this last statement from Charles Spurgeon at the end of this devotional. How true it is to use the word "brief"! That is exactly what this life of ours, this earthly life is, brief. Our Christian battle for Christ to us may seem long in suffering but I can't imagine what is awaiting the non-believers. Please read as Charles Spurgeon writes in today's devotional.
[The Christian will be sure to make enemies. It will be one of his objects to make none; but if to do the right, and to believe the true, should cause him to lose every earthly friend, he will count it but a small loss, since his great Friend in heaven will be yet more friendly, and reveal himself to him more graciously than ever. O ye who have taken up his cross, know ye not what your Master said? “I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother; and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Christ is the great Peacemaker; but before peace, he brings war. Where the light cometh, the darkness must retire. Where truth is, the lie must flee; or, if it abideth, there must be a stern conflict, for the truth cannot and will not lower its standard, and the lie must be trodden under foot. If you follow Christ, you shall have all the dogs of the world yelping at your heels. If you would live so as to stand the test of the last tribunal, depend upon it the world will not speak well of you. He who has the friendship of the world is an enemy to God; but if you are true and faithful to the Most High, men will resent your unflinching fidelity, since it is a testimony against their iniquities.]
For a long time in my life I found it easier to lie my way out of certain situations. Isn't it strange how it always has a way to come back at you. You may be a convincing liar, but it never wins in the end. I now tell my family and friends, "I won't lie, don't ask me too!" I do not want to be in that life of darkness. Read on as Charles Spurgeon speaks of this.
[Fearless of all consequences, you must do the right. You will need the courage of a lion unhesitatingly to pursue a course which shall turn your best friend into your fiercest foe; but for the love of Jesus you must thus be courageous. For the truth’s sake to hazard reputation and affection, is such a deed that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle which only the Spirit of God can work in you; yet turn not your back like a coward, but play the man. Follow right manfully in your Master’s steps, for he has traversed this rough way before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest, than false peace and everlasting torment.]
In Matthew 10:37 (CEV) Jesus tells His disciples, "If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples." As human beings we must understand that this is the true love that will sustain us until we are united with our Savior above. How important it is to remain faithful to Him. How important it is to reach out to those that do not understand this love that Jesus was asking of Simon Peter, 3 times, in John 21:15-17, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" When Simon said he did Jesus replied, "Feed My sheep!"
Each year the God's Love Outreach Ministry presents programs from the "Seeds for Christ" series. Today the Lord blessed me with this poem titled "Planting Seeds".
Planting Seeds
I am His little gardener,
whom God chose me to be.
He said, “Little gardener of Mine
go plant these love seeds for Me”
I said, “Lord where do I plant,
these seeds of Your love?”
God said, “Just listen to your heart,
as I speak to you from above.
Do not be surprised
if rejected now and then,
these seeds are the beginning
that will spiritually nourish them to the end.
So I reached deep into my heart,
and grabbed one of His special love seeds.
From my mouth they were planted as I said,
“This is from God’s love, and also they are from me!”
E. P. Shagott
12/28/09
Thank you Lord for the opportunity to "Feed Your sheep!"
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
- Matthew_10:34
[A devotional by Charles Spurgeon]
Better a brief warfare and eternal rest, than false peace and everlasting torment! I like this last statement from Charles Spurgeon at the end of this devotional. How true it is to use the word "brief"! That is exactly what this life of ours, this earthly life is, brief. Our Christian battle for Christ to us may seem long in suffering but I can't imagine what is awaiting the non-believers. Please read as Charles Spurgeon writes in today's devotional.
[The Christian will be sure to make enemies. It will be one of his objects to make none; but if to do the right, and to believe the true, should cause him to lose every earthly friend, he will count it but a small loss, since his great Friend in heaven will be yet more friendly, and reveal himself to him more graciously than ever. O ye who have taken up his cross, know ye not what your Master said? “I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother; and a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Christ is the great Peacemaker; but before peace, he brings war. Where the light cometh, the darkness must retire. Where truth is, the lie must flee; or, if it abideth, there must be a stern conflict, for the truth cannot and will not lower its standard, and the lie must be trodden under foot. If you follow Christ, you shall have all the dogs of the world yelping at your heels. If you would live so as to stand the test of the last tribunal, depend upon it the world will not speak well of you. He who has the friendship of the world is an enemy to God; but if you are true and faithful to the Most High, men will resent your unflinching fidelity, since it is a testimony against their iniquities.]
For a long time in my life I found it easier to lie my way out of certain situations. Isn't it strange how it always has a way to come back at you. You may be a convincing liar, but it never wins in the end. I now tell my family and friends, "I won't lie, don't ask me too!" I do not want to be in that life of darkness. Read on as Charles Spurgeon speaks of this.
[Fearless of all consequences, you must do the right. You will need the courage of a lion unhesitatingly to pursue a course which shall turn your best friend into your fiercest foe; but for the love of Jesus you must thus be courageous. For the truth’s sake to hazard reputation and affection, is such a deed that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle which only the Spirit of God can work in you; yet turn not your back like a coward, but play the man. Follow right manfully in your Master’s steps, for he has traversed this rough way before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest, than false peace and everlasting torment.]
In Matthew 10:37 (CEV) Jesus tells His disciples, "If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples." As human beings we must understand that this is the true love that will sustain us until we are united with our Savior above. How important it is to remain faithful to Him. How important it is to reach out to those that do not understand this love that Jesus was asking of Simon Peter, 3 times, in John 21:15-17, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" When Simon said he did Jesus replied, "Feed My sheep!"
Each year the God's Love Outreach Ministry presents programs from the "Seeds for Christ" series. Today the Lord blessed me with this poem titled "Planting Seeds".
Planting Seeds
I am His little gardener,
whom God chose me to be.
He said, “Little gardener of Mine
go plant these love seeds for Me”
I said, “Lord where do I plant,
these seeds of Your love?”
God said, “Just listen to your heart,
as I speak to you from above.
Do not be surprised
if rejected now and then,
these seeds are the beginning
that will spiritually nourish them to the end.
So I reached deep into my heart,
and grabbed one of His special love seeds.
From my mouth they were planted as I said,
“This is from God’s love, and also they are from me!”
E. P. Shagott
12/28/09
Thank you Lord for the opportunity to "Feed Your sheep!"
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Why Are We Here?
About a month ago as I was walking from my car to church I met a neighbor who asked me this question, "Did you ever wonder why we are here and is there really a plan that God has for our lives?" To be honest our conversation didn't start out that way but in a short period of time it was asked. I told my neighbor that it took me some time to begin to understand the answer to his question. Until each of us understands, that the Creator chose us before we ever thought about Him, we will be wondering why we are here. My neighbor asked me, "Am I missing something? Is there more to life than what I have experienced so far?" Please read what was written in this devotional below.
[Today's daily devotional from www.365.org]
[The mystery of God's existence is deep, stretching from before the beginning to after the end. But our own existence makes us wonder as well. We ask, "Why are we here? What is the meaning of our being?"
Our lives find their deepest meaning when we are intimately connected to the One who made us and is making us still. Watch for God to be revealed to you, close to you, in your moments apart here today.
Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Do you have a list of friends and loved ones for whom you pray? If you are like me, most of the people on your list are experiencing some difficulty in their lives. It is good for us to pray for folks during these times, but today’s scripture reminds us that we also need to pray for people to grow in their faith and actions. The writer prays that the Colossians will be filled with wisdom and understanding, so that they may know God’s will and live accordingly.
So how do we know what God wants us to do? I like how the prophet Micah put it, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?“ This will not be easy, so the author also prays that God will provide us with the strength and endurance we need to live this kind of life with joy. Take a moment and pray for that these things for everyone on your prayer list – and for yourself!
Tracy Hartman]
This next paragraph is titled "A Conversation With God". I love how the author wonderfully states that we should ask God to fill us with wisdom, understanding, to love kindness and most important be humble with our Christian walk with Jesus. He chose us first, then waited for us to make the choice to love Him! As the title of the Christian song states, "When He Was On The Cross, I Was On His Mind!" The "I" is you and me. Note that the author left a place for us to put the names of those we want to pray for in this conversation with the Father.
[God, today you remind me that when I welcome Christ into my life, it should make a difference in how I live. I ask that you would fill me with wisdom and understanding so that I might do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Please strengthen me with your power so that I will have the patience and endurance to remain both joyful and faithful. I pray for these same qualities for (insert your own names here). Thank you for calling all of us and then equipping us to be your people in the world! Amen.]
Sometimes in the world today patience and endurance is in such short supply. I think that is why this devotional states it should be part of our conversation with God to ask for this. My friends I have found that the closer I am walking with Him, each day, I have this purpose to be happy and want to stay faithful to Him and also for everyone that is part of my life now and for those that the Lord will be bringing into my life. I pray that as you read the above prayer you will joyfully be inserting my name as part of your list, for you are all definitely on my list.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
[Today's daily devotional from www.365.org]
[The mystery of God's existence is deep, stretching from before the beginning to after the end. But our own existence makes us wonder as well. We ask, "Why are we here? What is the meaning of our being?"
Our lives find their deepest meaning when we are intimately connected to the One who made us and is making us still. Watch for God to be revealed to you, close to you, in your moments apart here today.
Colossians 1:9-12 For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Do you have a list of friends and loved ones for whom you pray? If you are like me, most of the people on your list are experiencing some difficulty in their lives. It is good for us to pray for folks during these times, but today’s scripture reminds us that we also need to pray for people to grow in their faith and actions. The writer prays that the Colossians will be filled with wisdom and understanding, so that they may know God’s will and live accordingly.
So how do we know what God wants us to do? I like how the prophet Micah put it, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?“ This will not be easy, so the author also prays that God will provide us with the strength and endurance we need to live this kind of life with joy. Take a moment and pray for that these things for everyone on your prayer list – and for yourself!
Tracy Hartman]
This next paragraph is titled "A Conversation With God". I love how the author wonderfully states that we should ask God to fill us with wisdom, understanding, to love kindness and most important be humble with our Christian walk with Jesus. He chose us first, then waited for us to make the choice to love Him! As the title of the Christian song states, "When He Was On The Cross, I Was On His Mind!" The "I" is you and me. Note that the author left a place for us to put the names of those we want to pray for in this conversation with the Father.
[God, today you remind me that when I welcome Christ into my life, it should make a difference in how I live. I ask that you would fill me with wisdom and understanding so that I might do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Please strengthen me with your power so that I will have the patience and endurance to remain both joyful and faithful. I pray for these same qualities for (insert your own names here). Thank you for calling all of us and then equipping us to be your people in the world! Amen.]
Sometimes in the world today patience and endurance is in such short supply. I think that is why this devotional states it should be part of our conversation with God to ask for this. My friends I have found that the closer I am walking with Him, each day, I have this purpose to be happy and want to stay faithful to Him and also for everyone that is part of my life now and for those that the Lord will be bringing into my life. I pray that as you read the above prayer you will joyfully be inserting my name as part of your list, for you are all definitely on my list.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Saturday, December 26, 2009
The Day After Christmas
Well, another Christmas day has come and passed, number 66 for me. The presents have now been all opened, the Christmas meal has been eaten and friends and some family are back at their homes continuing on with their lives.
For so many it was just another Christmas day. A holiday that gives most people time off from their employment so they can decide how to spend their time, and money on this day. Also for many, so many, Christmas is a sad day. Loneliness due to the loss of love ones, lack of money to buy gifts for family members they love, and even lack of a place to sleep, yes, just like the Mary and Joseph on that day so long ago.
Yesterday for me I spent a lot of time thinking of Jesus and thanking Him for this special day. As I was preparing the Christmas meal, I thanked Him for the food that we were about to consume, food that would give strength to our bodies. As I embraced my family I thanked Him for the ability to show and receive love. As I watched each member of my family open their presents I thanked Him for the resources to provide for those presents and the happiness it brought into their lives, even if it may be short lived.
Also Christmas day now for me is a special day of hope. We celebrate it at the end of the year and it gives us hope going into the following year. For me I take that special day to say thanks for what He has done all year through for me. I also ask Him to use me in the coming year to be a blessing to others and to demonstrate by my life and love for Him, what it truly is to have Christ in your heart.
On Christmas day the Lord blessed me with two poems. This one is titled "What Can It Be".
What Can It Be
What is it that makes me want,
to write poems and sing to Thee?
What is that makes me long for You,
please tell me Lord, what can it be?
Why am I so consumed,
to search for You every morning, noon and night?
Please tell me Lord what more can I do,
to be more pleasing in Your sight?
What can it be that makes me want,
to reach out to You above?
With my eyes I am always looking,
with my ears, listening for Your Words of love.
I know the answer will come one day
when we stand together face to face,
then I will know and understand
when my Savior I finally embrace!
E. P. Shagott
12/25/09
May you truly understand the blessing of yesterday and may this the day after Christmas bring you closer to our Lord and Savior.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
For so many it was just another Christmas day. A holiday that gives most people time off from their employment so they can decide how to spend their time, and money on this day. Also for many, so many, Christmas is a sad day. Loneliness due to the loss of love ones, lack of money to buy gifts for family members they love, and even lack of a place to sleep, yes, just like the Mary and Joseph on that day so long ago.
Yesterday for me I spent a lot of time thinking of Jesus and thanking Him for this special day. As I was preparing the Christmas meal, I thanked Him for the food that we were about to consume, food that would give strength to our bodies. As I embraced my family I thanked Him for the ability to show and receive love. As I watched each member of my family open their presents I thanked Him for the resources to provide for those presents and the happiness it brought into their lives, even if it may be short lived.
Also Christmas day now for me is a special day of hope. We celebrate it at the end of the year and it gives us hope going into the following year. For me I take that special day to say thanks for what He has done all year through for me. I also ask Him to use me in the coming year to be a blessing to others and to demonstrate by my life and love for Him, what it truly is to have Christ in your heart.
On Christmas day the Lord blessed me with two poems. This one is titled "What Can It Be".
What Can It Be
What is it that makes me want,
to write poems and sing to Thee?
What is that makes me long for You,
please tell me Lord, what can it be?
Why am I so consumed,
to search for You every morning, noon and night?
Please tell me Lord what more can I do,
to be more pleasing in Your sight?
What can it be that makes me want,
to reach out to You above?
With my eyes I am always looking,
with my ears, listening for Your Words of love.
I know the answer will come one day
when we stand together face to face,
then I will know and understand
when my Savior I finally embrace!
E. P. Shagott
12/25/09
May you truly understand the blessing of yesterday and may this the day after Christmas bring you closer to our Lord and Savior.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas day 2009
Merry Christmas to all my family and friends.
I pray that today among all the presents, the wonderful time with family and friends, and the awesome food, that you take time to understand that it would not be possible if so many years ago a "Special" baby didn't cry. Please let us make this Christmas one that we understand, or maybe for some, begin to understand, what it is truly all about.
See, it is not about, the presents, though they bring a short lived joy. It is not about all the good food that we are blessed to have an over abundance of. No to be perfectly honest it is not even about all our beloved family and friends, that we are truly blessed with. It is all about that little baby that cried "I am here for you"!!!
I once heard a quote from a 7 year old that said, "Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen."
That is the love of Jesus Christ who with every breath you take is is saying, "I am here for you!"
Please take time to listen.
The Baby Cried
The baby cried, and God spoke
amid the hay on the ground.
The King of Kings lay in a manger
with animals all around.
The baby cried, the Lord did speak
but not many did heard the sound.
Just Mary, Joseph and three wise men
with the animals gathered around.
The baby cried, it was the Great I Am,
and that sound you can hear today.
The Angels voices rang from Heaven,
Christ was born in Bethlehem so far away.
The baby cried, and the Savior said,
I am the Holy One,
Then God the Father spoke to all,
behold my glorious Son!
Dear friends and family please listen close
to hear this baby’s cry!
The sound of love that He did speak,
was meant for you and I!
E. P. Shagott
12/25/2009
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
I pray that today among all the presents, the wonderful time with family and friends, and the awesome food, that you take time to understand that it would not be possible if so many years ago a "Special" baby didn't cry. Please let us make this Christmas one that we understand, or maybe for some, begin to understand, what it is truly all about.
See, it is not about, the presents, though they bring a short lived joy. It is not about all the good food that we are blessed to have an over abundance of. No to be perfectly honest it is not even about all our beloved family and friends, that we are truly blessed with. It is all about that little baby that cried "I am here for you"!!!
I once heard a quote from a 7 year old that said, "Love is what is in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and just listen."
That is the love of Jesus Christ who with every breath you take is is saying, "I am here for you!"
Please take time to listen.
The Baby Cried
The baby cried, and God spoke
amid the hay on the ground.
The King of Kings lay in a manger
with animals all around.
The baby cried, the Lord did speak
but not many did heard the sound.
Just Mary, Joseph and three wise men
with the animals gathered around.
The baby cried, it was the Great I Am,
and that sound you can hear today.
The Angels voices rang from Heaven,
Christ was born in Bethlehem so far away.
The baby cried, and the Savior said,
I am the Holy One,
Then God the Father spoke to all,
behold my glorious Son!
Dear friends and family please listen close
to hear this baby’s cry!
The sound of love that He did speak,
was meant for you and I!
E. P. Shagott
12/25/2009
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Were you paid today?
[A devotional by Charles Spurgeon]
“Call thy labourers, and give them their hire.”
- Matthew 20:8 So when evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and pay them their wage, beginning from the last to the first.
As each day goes by and I once again reach out to some one for Jesus I find myself saying again, thank You Lord for the blessings you have given me this day. In the Book of Matthew 9:37 Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. I truly thank the Father above that I am honored to be a laborer for Him. As I read Charles Spurgeon's devotional from this evening he explains as only he can of what joy and happiness doing the Lord's work. Do I have a clear conscience? Praise God yes! What a great reward there is for me as I pray for individuals who long to know Jesus.
[God is a good paymaster; he pays his servants while at work as well as when they have done it; and one of his payments is this: an easy conscience. If you have spoken faithfully of Jesus to one person, when you go to bed at night you feel happy in thinking, “I have this day discharged my conscience of that man’s blood.” There is a great comfort in doing something for Jesus. Oh, what a happiness to place jewels in his crown, and give him to see of the travail of his soul! There is also very great reward in watching the first buddings of conviction in a soul! To say of that girl in the class, “She is tender of heart, I do hope that there is the Lord’s work within.” To go home and pray over that boy, who said something in the afternoon which made you think he must know more of divine truth than you had feared! Oh, the joy of hope!]
Now as I was reading this last part of the devotional my mind thought back almost five years ago when I was asked by a woman to pray for this other woman on the other side of the room. She told me, "I think she is ready to know Jesus!" We went over to the woman and knelt down by her and after talking with her for a little while she said the sinners prayer and accepted Jesus in her heart. My friends that was truly the happiest day of my life! As soon as I got back home I called a friend to explain how awesome an experience it was. Though I never seen that woman again after that, I know one day Jesus will introduce us again.
[But as for the joy of success! it is unspeakable. This joy, overwhelming as it is, is a hungry thing-you pine for more of it. To be a soul-winner is the happiest thing in the world. With every soul you bring to Christ, you get a new heaven upon earth. But who can conceive the bliss which awaits us above! Oh, how sweet is that sentence, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!” Do you know what the joy of Christ is over a saved sinner? This is the very joy which we are to possess in heaven. Yes, when he mounts the throne, you shall mount with him. When the heavens ring with “Well done, well done,” you shall partake in the reward; you have toiled with him, you have suffered with him, you shall now reign with him; you have sown with him, you shall reap with him; your face was covered with sweat like his, and your soul was grieved for the sins of men as his soul was, now shall your face be bright with heaven’s splendour as is his countenance, and now shall your soul be filled with beatific joys even as his soul is.]
I definitely pine for more of Him!!!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
“Call thy labourers, and give them their hire.”
- Matthew 20:8 So when evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his steward, Call the laborers and pay them their wage, beginning from the last to the first.
As each day goes by and I once again reach out to some one for Jesus I find myself saying again, thank You Lord for the blessings you have given me this day. In the Book of Matthew 9:37 Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. I truly thank the Father above that I am honored to be a laborer for Him. As I read Charles Spurgeon's devotional from this evening he explains as only he can of what joy and happiness doing the Lord's work. Do I have a clear conscience? Praise God yes! What a great reward there is for me as I pray for individuals who long to know Jesus.
[God is a good paymaster; he pays his servants while at work as well as when they have done it; and one of his payments is this: an easy conscience. If you have spoken faithfully of Jesus to one person, when you go to bed at night you feel happy in thinking, “I have this day discharged my conscience of that man’s blood.” There is a great comfort in doing something for Jesus. Oh, what a happiness to place jewels in his crown, and give him to see of the travail of his soul! There is also very great reward in watching the first buddings of conviction in a soul! To say of that girl in the class, “She is tender of heart, I do hope that there is the Lord’s work within.” To go home and pray over that boy, who said something in the afternoon which made you think he must know more of divine truth than you had feared! Oh, the joy of hope!]
Now as I was reading this last part of the devotional my mind thought back almost five years ago when I was asked by a woman to pray for this other woman on the other side of the room. She told me, "I think she is ready to know Jesus!" We went over to the woman and knelt down by her and after talking with her for a little while she said the sinners prayer and accepted Jesus in her heart. My friends that was truly the happiest day of my life! As soon as I got back home I called a friend to explain how awesome an experience it was. Though I never seen that woman again after that, I know one day Jesus will introduce us again.
[But as for the joy of success! it is unspeakable. This joy, overwhelming as it is, is a hungry thing-you pine for more of it. To be a soul-winner is the happiest thing in the world. With every soul you bring to Christ, you get a new heaven upon earth. But who can conceive the bliss which awaits us above! Oh, how sweet is that sentence, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!” Do you know what the joy of Christ is over a saved sinner? This is the very joy which we are to possess in heaven. Yes, when he mounts the throne, you shall mount with him. When the heavens ring with “Well done, well done,” you shall partake in the reward; you have toiled with him, you have suffered with him, you shall now reign with him; you have sown with him, you shall reap with him; your face was covered with sweat like his, and your soul was grieved for the sins of men as his soul was, now shall your face be bright with heaven’s splendour as is his countenance, and now shall your soul be filled with beatific joys even as his soul is.]
I definitely pine for more of Him!!!
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
