apples
APPLES “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). Proverbs 25:11
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LD
VOLUME 22, NO. 1 JANUARY 2018 Published monthly for all those who request a printed copy by mail or one sent by email attachment, as well as hard copies which are available at our church. It goes to readers in 18 states and five foreign countries. (All Scripture references are from the KJV unless otherwise noted. All articles are critiqued and approved by one of our church deacons.)
IS NEW REALLY BETTER?
PASTOR’S PULPIT
There are new houses, new color schemes, new diets, new clothes, new marriages, new babies, new jobs, and new friends. Those are great, but what is so significant about a new year? We say it’s a time for starting over.
ARE YOU A READER?
Yet only the last digit of the year changes. It’s simply another new day. True - every day is an opportunity to do something new, maybe to begin again, but some things are better when they’re old.
IN A RUSH?
What are some valuable things that are OLD? The OLD hymns
RELATIONSHIPS IN DOLLARS
The OLD, OLD story The OLD Rugged cross
HIDDEN TREASURES “Gimme that OLD time religion” RECIPE
OLD fashioned cooking
QUOTATIONS
OLD promises of love OLD fashioned purity
SENIORS The OLD homestead BIBLE READING PLAN BOOKENDS
Parents’ OLD Bible The OLD paths OLD friends
[email protected]
However, as Christians, nothing can take the place of our new life in Christ as we welcome this New Year with its challenges and opportunities. 1
PASTOR’S PULPIT FROM ROMANS 14
THOUGHTS TAKEN FROM OUR PASTOR’S MESSAGE In one of our pastor’s recent Wednesday night messages, he spoke on the subject of The Lord’s Day and included facts about science. Science can explain days and months and years based on planetary movements, but it cannot come up with defining a week. The Encyclopedia Britannica says there is only one source of information about weeks – the Bible. The Sabbath or 7th day was observed in the O.T. After Christ’s resurrection recorded in the N.T., the early Christians worshiped on the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day. It is our day of rest from all labor and personal priorities. That day is for God alone. In Hebrews 10 we are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Therefore, for the Christian whose priorities are right and who are mature in their relationship to Christ, they are worshiping together on His day. Our pastor said for as long as he can remember he’s been in church every Sunday. Where was I? I decided to multiply 88 years by 52 weeks in a year. Some don’t have parents who bring their children to church every Sunday; mine did. Some get saved later in life, but from then on……, what about Sundays for them? Our pastor said even on vacation he was in church every Sunday. He’s got it right; let us get it right as well. In Scripture there are over 111 verses pertaining to the church, assembling ourselves, and the first day of the week. HOW ABOUT MAKING A NEW COMMITMENT THIS NEW YEAR?
ARE YOU A READER? I’m considering writing a shorter “Apples of Gold” periodically including this month. It will save time and paper, and also takes into account your heavy schedules when you don’t have as much time to read or you don’t choose to take time. However, on that subject, I would imagine many of you don’t like to read. Nowadays with technology (radio and TV) plus social media, some neither read nor write anything lengthy. (See article about “In a Rush?” p. 3) However, we have the Bible to read and not just short little devotionals written by Christian writers. I have several of them myself, but they are not number one. In fact, I have approximately 1,700 books in 10 bookcases with a very small percentage of secular books including recipes and old schoolbooks. No other book in the world comes close to or compares with the Bible. It’s the only supernatural book in existence & it’s inerrant.
My Bible is over 70 years old because I received it as a gift when I graduated from high school. It’s worn and torn, marked up, underlined in places, notes added, and a few of the pages are scotch-taped. It’s one of my most precious possessions. Without God’s Word in hand and heart, we cannot know His direction and leading. We need to memorize parts of it so that we can use it in witnessing. What is important for us from God? It’s His truth in writing. Perhaps you have an app and read your Bible on an electronic device. Can you underline or highlight or add notes? I’m “old school” but the important thing is to READ IT. The Bible answers our questions. It prepares us for marriage, the kind of mate that is best, how to succeed in marriage, how to be a good friend and/or parent, what really matters in life, what should my life goals be, and what is God’s will at any given moment;
it warns us about the sins we should avoid and the matter of confession and repentance, and so important – how to respond to the trials and suffering that come our way. It shows us how to live victoriously. It is spiritual food for our soul. There is much false teaching around and we must know God’s Word to counter it and stay true. Satan is ready to get us off track with the slightest temptations and thoughts. The Bible keeps us in line with God Himself. When Satan becomes aware that you’re staying away from your Bible, he’ll be sure to put something in your path to read that’s not good. It’s so easy to say we don’t like to do this or that, but whatever is important to us we will make time for it. We don’t just read it, but we apply it. Is the Bible important? You bet it is!
SEE PAGE 5 FOR A BIBLE READING PLAN
2
I N
A
Text messaging is developing an entire sub-culture that revolves around an incomprehensible form of grammar. It’s one thing to share short conversations electronically, but when it becomes the basic and sometimes only means for communication, it needs to be kept in its proper place in the scope of human interaction like, say, face-to-face meetings, audible exchanges over a phone of some kind, or good-old-fashioned e-mail. What I don’t get are people who basically study, learn, and apply an elaborate language of text-message abbreviations. I don’t see the use or the appeal. Maybe I just don’t have that much to say. Or maybe it’s people who abbreviate who have nothing to say and like sending off virtual nothingness. Now we speak to the matter of social interaction. What are our priorities? And what is the rush? Are we actually doing and accomplishing more than our forebears? I doubt it. Are we busier – spinning our wheels? Is Satan getting us distracted from the more important things of life? It’s not the amount of work or words God is looking for, it’s the motive and the quality of our relationships and service in view of their eternal significance. “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for God will last.” You know what the acronym for “busy” is: Being Under Satan’s Yoke.
R…..U…..S…..H? text, but she has a friend who prefers texting. Another says she doesn’t like long emails. Well, I don’t like long ones either. I was told not to write more than will fit within one window on my computer screen. I often fail. Again, where are we going in such a hurry? People are more important than anything. “Dead noses smell no roses.” But you will say it’s people we’re writing to. Yes, but people have hearts. Knowledge appeals to the mind; knowing and caring about someone appeals to the heart. We’re speeding along life’s highway with people while not paying attention to the sunshine, or the satisfying conversations and relationships – sometimes superb, side-splitting, stirring, sweet and soothing. Other times stimulating, severe, strenuous, and struggling. Regardless – we’re with people who need us and we need them. We need to slow down. Does this speedy mentality translate into a quick, duty-bound relationship with our Saviour? As much as I respect “Radio Bible Class ” and their monthly publication, “Our Daily Bread,” it is a quickie devotional. Then there are tiny boxes of Bible verses – one a day, much like taking a daily vitamin. These are great, but do we ever slow down and spend quality time with the One who wrote the Book of all books? It’s the source of all comfort, direction, instruction, and wisdom. Do these quick devotionals reflect our prayer life as well?
What do you think about texting? I have a friend who hates to
CONSIDER THE REALM OF LOVING RELATIONSHIPS. LET’S MEASURE THE CONTRAST IN DOLLAR VALUES:
FAMILY and FRIENDS $1,000,000 - A personal visit, handshake or hug $1,000 - A phone call $100- A letter or a card $10 - An email $1 - A social network message (Facebook, Twitter, Google+) $0.01 - A text message Oh, God, I sit me down to pray. I’ve got a lot to do today.
OUR GOD AND SAVIOUR $1,000,000,000 - Quality time spent in studying God’s Word $1,000,000 - Spending time on our knees in prayers of adoration and petition $1,000 - Memorizing a verse or passage of Scripture $100 - Reading from a devotional book $10 - Reading a quickie “Daily Bread” $1 - A peek at a Bible verse Forgive me for the things I’ll say, And what I’ll do and how I’ll play.
We shouldn’t put a dollar value on our relationship with God. Remember the widow’s mite? It isn’t how much, but why. God sees our heart. God forbid that our relationship with Him consists of the following. Do we want Him to hurry also? You know I need you so I pray, But time is short, so don’t delay.
HIDDEN TREASURES LAST MONTH’S QUESTIONS: 1. What verse in the O.T. specifies that Jesus would be born of a virgin? Isaiah 7:14 2. What prophet predicted the place of Christ’s birth? Micah 5:2 3. To whom did the angel address these words “Thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins?” Joseph in Matthew 1:21 4. Which O.T. prophet had the most to say about the birth of Christ? Isaiah 5. What are the meanings of the names Jesus and Immanuel? Jesus means Saviour; Immanuel means God with us. 6. How old was Jesus when the wise men found Him? From 2 months to 2 years. THIS MONTH’S QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMITMENT which means to promise.
1. 2. 3. 4.
In Psalm 37:5 what are we told to commit? In II Peter 3:9 in what way does the Lord keep His promise to us? In Ephesians 6:2 what is the first commandment with promise? In 1 John 2:25 what has God promised us concerning our future? 3
SUPER SIMPLE GREEN PEA SOUP – made in an electric blender 1 can Campbell’s green pea condensed soup (pea soup with peas, ham, bacon produces a thinner soup) 1 – 1 ½ c. sharp cheddar cheese (more cheese makes thicker texture) Alternate soup from can with cheese in blender Add 1 can hot water and blend until smooth; heat on stove or microwave Two snails went to an auto race. There were twenty six cars, so instead of numbers the cars were identified by A to Z. As the race started, the 'S' car quickly sped away from the trailing pack of cars. Seeing this, the one snail said to the other, "Hey, look at that 'S' car go!"
Jesus makes change possible . . . He is the God of the second chance, the slim chance, the no chance . . . Just give me Jesus! He makes change possible! Anne Graham Lotz Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it. Ronald Reagan
Arbitrator \ar’-bi-tra’-ter\: A cook that leaves Arby’s to work at McDonald’s Archives \ar’-kivs\: What Noah kept the bees in. Avoidable \a-void’-a-ble\: What a bullfighter tries to do. Not everyone enjoys singing ensembles. It's an 'a-choir-ed' taste.
WITHOUT God our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, and Shatterday....Seven days without God makes one Weak. Unknown
Jesus Christ demands more complete allegiance than any dictator who ever lived. The difference is, He has a right to it. Vance Havner
Seniors, do you remember…Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles, home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers, telephone numbers with a word prefix...(Raymond 4-601), party lines, peashooters, Howdy Dowdy, 45 RPM records, Green stamps, Hi-Fi's, metal ice cubes trays with levers, mimeograph paper, roller-skate keys, cork pop guns, washtub wringers, the Fuller Brush Man, reel-to-reel tape recorders, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, and 15 cent McDonald hamburgers?
A young man saw an elderly couple sitting down to lunch at a fast food restaurant. He noticed that they had ordered one meal, and an extra drink cup. As he watched, the gentleman carefully divided the hamburger in half, then counted out the fries, one for him, one for her, until each had half of them. Then he poured half of the soft drink into the extra cup and set that in front of his wife. The old man then began to eat, and his wife sat watching, with her hands folded in her lap. The young man decided to ask if they would allow him to purchase another meal for them so that they didn't have to split theirs. The old gentleman said, "Oh no. We've been married 50 years, and everything has always been and will always be shared, 50/50." The young man then asked the wife if she was going to eat, and she replied, "It's his turn with the teeth."
The prison officer tells the warden, “Sir, I have to report that several prisoners have broken out.” The alarmed warden says, “Blow the whistles, sound the alarms, alert the police!" With a surprised look the officer says, “Shouldn’t we call the doctor first? It looks as if it might be measles." -----------------------------------------------If you refuse to go to sleep... Does that mean you're resisting a rest? 4
A NEW YEAR’S COMMITMENT AND PROMISE BIBLE READING PLAN:
Here are some great passages in the Bible to read morning and evening each day for 31 days each month, and repeat each month. For the four months each year which have only 30 days, double up on the final four chapters, or any others which are shorter.
Elisabeth Elliot writes: “Having a quiet time with the Lord every day is absolutely essential IF YOU EXPECT TO GROW SPIRITUALLY. But you have to plan it. It won’t ‘just happen.’ We’re all much too busy. Early morning is best. Jesus rose ‘a great while before day.’ The psalmist said, ‘In the morning shalt Thou hear my voice.’ If you meet the Lord before you meet anybody else, you’ll be ‘pointed in the right direction’ for whatever comes. We are overfed and undernourished. Rather than indulging in fast junk convenience foods, try doing your own cooking. Instead of reading what other people say about the Bible, read the Bible for yourself.” Keep a notebook or use your computer. Write down your thoughts and what you learned from the Scriptures. You’ll be amazed at what a difference in your quiet time this will make. An additional suggestion is to find a close friend and make yourself accountable by reading the same passages each day, then email your thoughts and blessings to each other daily based on that passage. You can also pray 1 - 3 Psalms a day. Another idea: read a chapter in Proverbs daily; there’s one for each day of the month. A morning and evening time of devotion provides a solid and meaningful beginning and ending to each day. Then begin and end each day with PRAISE.
“In the Lord’s Prayer, praise is at the beginning and at the end of the prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13). : ((
P R A I S E
P R A I S E
DAY OF THE MONTH
MORNING
EVENING
1
Genesis 1, Deut. 8
Joshua 1:1-9, Job 38, 39
2
Psalm 1, 2
Psalm 8, 9
3
Psalm 16, 18
Psalm 19, 23
4
Psalm 25, 27
Psalm 34, 37
5
Psalm 40, 42
Psalm 51, 73
6
Psalm 84, 90
Psalm 91, 100, 121
7
Psalm 103, 139
Proverbs 3, 31
8
Ecclesiastes 12
Isaiah 53, 55
9
Matthew 5
Matthew 6
10
Matthew 7
Matthew 18
11
John 14
John 15
12
Romans 5, 6
Romans 8, 12
13
Romans 13, 14
I Corinthians 3
14
I Corinthians 13
Galatians 5:16-26
15
Galatians 6:1-10
Ephesians 2, 4
16
Ephesians 5
Ephesians 6
17
Philippians 1
Philippians 2, 3
18
Philippians 4
Colossians 2, 3
19
I Thessalonians 4, 5
I Timothy 2, 6
20
II Timothy 2
II Timothy 3
21
Titus 2
Hebrews 11
22
Hebrews 12:1-11
Hebrews 13
23
James 1
James 2
24
James 3
James 4
25
James 5
I Peter 1
26
I Peter 2
I Peter 3
27
I Peter 4
I Peter 5
28
II Peter 3
I John 1
29
I John 2
I John 3
30
I John 4
I John 5
31
Revelation 21
Revelation 22
P R A P I R S A E I S E
“Since Jesus gave this prayer as our pattern, praise should also be the bookends of our prayers” (David Jeremiah). 5
Marjorie R. Morrison 703 Oakhurst St. Kernersville, NC 27284
6
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VOLUME 22, NO. 1 JANUARY 2018 Published monthly for all those who request a printed copy by mail or one sent by email attachment, as well as hard copies which are available at our church. It goes to readers in 18 states and five foreign countries. (All Scripture references are from the KJV unless otherwise noted. All articles are critiqued and approved by one of our church deacons.)
IS NEW REALLY BETTER?
PASTOR’S PULPIT
There are new houses, new color schemes, new diets, new clothes, new marriages, new babies, new jobs, and new friends. Those are great, but what is so significant about a new year? We say it’s a time for starting over.
ARE YOU A READER?
Yet only the last digit of the year changes. It’s simply another new day. True - every day is an opportunity to do something new, maybe to begin again, but some things are better when they’re old.
IN A RUSH?
What are some valuable things that are OLD? The OLD hymns
RELATIONSHIPS IN DOLLARS
The OLD, OLD story The OLD Rugged cross
HIDDEN TREASURES “Gimme that OLD time religion” RECIPE
OLD fashioned cooking
QUOTATIONS
OLD promises of love OLD fashioned purity
SENIORS The OLD homestead BIBLE READING PLAN BOOKENDS
Parents’ OLD Bible The OLD paths OLD friends
[email protected]
However, as Christians, nothing can take the place of our new life in Christ as we welcome this New Year with its challenges and opportunities. 1
PASTOR’S PULPIT FROM ROMANS 14
THOUGHTS TAKEN FROM OUR PASTOR’S MESSAGE In one of our pastor’s recent Wednesday night messages, he spoke on the subject of The Lord’s Day and included facts about science. Science can explain days and months and years based on planetary movements, but it cannot come up with defining a week. The Encyclopedia Britannica says there is only one source of information about weeks – the Bible. The Sabbath or 7th day was observed in the O.T. After Christ’s resurrection recorded in the N.T., the early Christians worshiped on the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day. It is our day of rest from all labor and personal priorities. That day is for God alone. In Hebrews 10 we are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Therefore, for the Christian whose priorities are right and who are mature in their relationship to Christ, they are worshiping together on His day. Our pastor said for as long as he can remember he’s been in church every Sunday. Where was I? I decided to multiply 88 years by 52 weeks in a year. Some don’t have parents who bring their children to church every Sunday; mine did. Some get saved later in life, but from then on……, what about Sundays for them? Our pastor said even on vacation he was in church every Sunday. He’s got it right; let us get it right as well. In Scripture there are over 111 verses pertaining to the church, assembling ourselves, and the first day of the week. HOW ABOUT MAKING A NEW COMMITMENT THIS NEW YEAR?
ARE YOU A READER? I’m considering writing a shorter “Apples of Gold” periodically including this month. It will save time and paper, and also takes into account your heavy schedules when you don’t have as much time to read or you don’t choose to take time. However, on that subject, I would imagine many of you don’t like to read. Nowadays with technology (radio and TV) plus social media, some neither read nor write anything lengthy. (See article about “In a Rush?” p. 3) However, we have the Bible to read and not just short little devotionals written by Christian writers. I have several of them myself, but they are not number one. In fact, I have approximately 1,700 books in 10 bookcases with a very small percentage of secular books including recipes and old schoolbooks. No other book in the world comes close to or compares with the Bible. It’s the only supernatural book in existence & it’s inerrant.
My Bible is over 70 years old because I received it as a gift when I graduated from high school. It’s worn and torn, marked up, underlined in places, notes added, and a few of the pages are scotch-taped. It’s one of my most precious possessions. Without God’s Word in hand and heart, we cannot know His direction and leading. We need to memorize parts of it so that we can use it in witnessing. What is important for us from God? It’s His truth in writing. Perhaps you have an app and read your Bible on an electronic device. Can you underline or highlight or add notes? I’m “old school” but the important thing is to READ IT. The Bible answers our questions. It prepares us for marriage, the kind of mate that is best, how to succeed in marriage, how to be a good friend and/or parent, what really matters in life, what should my life goals be, and what is God’s will at any given moment;
it warns us about the sins we should avoid and the matter of confession and repentance, and so important – how to respond to the trials and suffering that come our way. It shows us how to live victoriously. It is spiritual food for our soul. There is much false teaching around and we must know God’s Word to counter it and stay true. Satan is ready to get us off track with the slightest temptations and thoughts. The Bible keeps us in line with God Himself. When Satan becomes aware that you’re staying away from your Bible, he’ll be sure to put something in your path to read that’s not good. It’s so easy to say we don’t like to do this or that, but whatever is important to us we will make time for it. We don’t just read it, but we apply it. Is the Bible important? You bet it is!
SEE PAGE 5 FOR A BIBLE READING PLAN
2
I N
A
Text messaging is developing an entire sub-culture that revolves around an incomprehensible form of grammar. It’s one thing to share short conversations electronically, but when it becomes the basic and sometimes only means for communication, it needs to be kept in its proper place in the scope of human interaction like, say, face-to-face meetings, audible exchanges over a phone of some kind, or good-old-fashioned e-mail. What I don’t get are people who basically study, learn, and apply an elaborate language of text-message abbreviations. I don’t see the use or the appeal. Maybe I just don’t have that much to say. Or maybe it’s people who abbreviate who have nothing to say and like sending off virtual nothingness. Now we speak to the matter of social interaction. What are our priorities? And what is the rush? Are we actually doing and accomplishing more than our forebears? I doubt it. Are we busier – spinning our wheels? Is Satan getting us distracted from the more important things of life? It’s not the amount of work or words God is looking for, it’s the motive and the quality of our relationships and service in view of their eternal significance. “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for God will last.” You know what the acronym for “busy” is: Being Under Satan’s Yoke.
R…..U…..S…..H? text, but she has a friend who prefers texting. Another says she doesn’t like long emails. Well, I don’t like long ones either. I was told not to write more than will fit within one window on my computer screen. I often fail. Again, where are we going in such a hurry? People are more important than anything. “Dead noses smell no roses.” But you will say it’s people we’re writing to. Yes, but people have hearts. Knowledge appeals to the mind; knowing and caring about someone appeals to the heart. We’re speeding along life’s highway with people while not paying attention to the sunshine, or the satisfying conversations and relationships – sometimes superb, side-splitting, stirring, sweet and soothing. Other times stimulating, severe, strenuous, and struggling. Regardless – we’re with people who need us and we need them. We need to slow down. Does this speedy mentality translate into a quick, duty-bound relationship with our Saviour? As much as I respect “Radio Bible Class ” and their monthly publication, “Our Daily Bread,” it is a quickie devotional. Then there are tiny boxes of Bible verses – one a day, much like taking a daily vitamin. These are great, but do we ever slow down and spend quality time with the One who wrote the Book of all books? It’s the source of all comfort, direction, instruction, and wisdom. Do these quick devotionals reflect our prayer life as well?
What do you think about texting? I have a friend who hates to
CONSIDER THE REALM OF LOVING RELATIONSHIPS. LET’S MEASURE THE CONTRAST IN DOLLAR VALUES:
FAMILY and FRIENDS $1,000,000 - A personal visit, handshake or hug $1,000 - A phone call $100- A letter or a card $10 - An email $1 - A social network message (Facebook, Twitter, Google+) $0.01 - A text message Oh, God, I sit me down to pray. I’ve got a lot to do today.
OUR GOD AND SAVIOUR $1,000,000,000 - Quality time spent in studying God’s Word $1,000,000 - Spending time on our knees in prayers of adoration and petition $1,000 - Memorizing a verse or passage of Scripture $100 - Reading from a devotional book $10 - Reading a quickie “Daily Bread” $1 - A peek at a Bible verse Forgive me for the things I’ll say, And what I’ll do and how I’ll play.
We shouldn’t put a dollar value on our relationship with God. Remember the widow’s mite? It isn’t how much, but why. God sees our heart. God forbid that our relationship with Him consists of the following. Do we want Him to hurry also? You know I need you so I pray, But time is short, so don’t delay.
HIDDEN TREASURES LAST MONTH’S QUESTIONS: 1. What verse in the O.T. specifies that Jesus would be born of a virgin? Isaiah 7:14 2. What prophet predicted the place of Christ’s birth? Micah 5:2 3. To whom did the angel address these words “Thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins?” Joseph in Matthew 1:21 4. Which O.T. prophet had the most to say about the birth of Christ? Isaiah 5. What are the meanings of the names Jesus and Immanuel? Jesus means Saviour; Immanuel means God with us. 6. How old was Jesus when the wise men found Him? From 2 months to 2 years. THIS MONTH’S QUESTIONS ABOUT COMMITMENT which means to promise.
1. 2. 3. 4.
In Psalm 37:5 what are we told to commit? In II Peter 3:9 in what way does the Lord keep His promise to us? In Ephesians 6:2 what is the first commandment with promise? In 1 John 2:25 what has God promised us concerning our future? 3
SUPER SIMPLE GREEN PEA SOUP – made in an electric blender 1 can Campbell’s green pea condensed soup (pea soup with peas, ham, bacon produces a thinner soup) 1 – 1 ½ c. sharp cheddar cheese (more cheese makes thicker texture) Alternate soup from can with cheese in blender Add 1 can hot water and blend until smooth; heat on stove or microwave Two snails went to an auto race. There were twenty six cars, so instead of numbers the cars were identified by A to Z. As the race started, the 'S' car quickly sped away from the trailing pack of cars. Seeing this, the one snail said to the other, "Hey, look at that 'S' car go!"
Jesus makes change possible . . . He is the God of the second chance, the slim chance, the no chance . . . Just give me Jesus! He makes change possible! Anne Graham Lotz Socialism only works in two places: Heaven where they don't need it and hell where they already have it. Ronald Reagan
Arbitrator \ar’-bi-tra’-ter\: A cook that leaves Arby’s to work at McDonald’s Archives \ar’-kivs\: What Noah kept the bees in. Avoidable \a-void’-a-ble\: What a bullfighter tries to do. Not everyone enjoys singing ensembles. It's an 'a-choir-ed' taste.
WITHOUT God our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday, and Shatterday....Seven days without God makes one Weak. Unknown
Jesus Christ demands more complete allegiance than any dictator who ever lived. The difference is, He has a right to it. Vance Havner
Seniors, do you remember…Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles, home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers, telephone numbers with a word prefix...(Raymond 4-601), party lines, peashooters, Howdy Dowdy, 45 RPM records, Green stamps, Hi-Fi's, metal ice cubes trays with levers, mimeograph paper, roller-skate keys, cork pop guns, washtub wringers, the Fuller Brush Man, reel-to-reel tape recorders, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, and 15 cent McDonald hamburgers?
A young man saw an elderly couple sitting down to lunch at a fast food restaurant. He noticed that they had ordered one meal, and an extra drink cup. As he watched, the gentleman carefully divided the hamburger in half, then counted out the fries, one for him, one for her, until each had half of them. Then he poured half of the soft drink into the extra cup and set that in front of his wife. The old man then began to eat, and his wife sat watching, with her hands folded in her lap. The young man decided to ask if they would allow him to purchase another meal for them so that they didn't have to split theirs. The old gentleman said, "Oh no. We've been married 50 years, and everything has always been and will always be shared, 50/50." The young man then asked the wife if she was going to eat, and she replied, "It's his turn with the teeth."
The prison officer tells the warden, “Sir, I have to report that several prisoners have broken out.” The alarmed warden says, “Blow the whistles, sound the alarms, alert the police!" With a surprised look the officer says, “Shouldn’t we call the doctor first? It looks as if it might be measles." -----------------------------------------------If you refuse to go to sleep... Does that mean you're resisting a rest? 4
A NEW YEAR’S COMMITMENT AND PROMISE BIBLE READING PLAN:
Here are some great passages in the Bible to read morning and evening each day for 31 days each month, and repeat each month. For the four months each year which have only 30 days, double up on the final four chapters, or any others which are shorter.
Elisabeth Elliot writes: “Having a quiet time with the Lord every day is absolutely essential IF YOU EXPECT TO GROW SPIRITUALLY. But you have to plan it. It won’t ‘just happen.’ We’re all much too busy. Early morning is best. Jesus rose ‘a great while before day.’ The psalmist said, ‘In the morning shalt Thou hear my voice.’ If you meet the Lord before you meet anybody else, you’ll be ‘pointed in the right direction’ for whatever comes. We are overfed and undernourished. Rather than indulging in fast junk convenience foods, try doing your own cooking. Instead of reading what other people say about the Bible, read the Bible for yourself.” Keep a notebook or use your computer. Write down your thoughts and what you learned from the Scriptures. You’ll be amazed at what a difference in your quiet time this will make. An additional suggestion is to find a close friend and make yourself accountable by reading the same passages each day, then email your thoughts and blessings to each other daily based on that passage. You can also pray 1 - 3 Psalms a day. Another idea: read a chapter in Proverbs daily; there’s one for each day of the month. A morning and evening time of devotion provides a solid and meaningful beginning and ending to each day. Then begin and end each day with PRAISE.
“In the Lord’s Prayer, praise is at the beginning and at the end of the prayer” (Matthew 6:9-13). : ((
P R A I S E
P R A I S E
DAY OF THE MONTH
MORNING
EVENING
1
Genesis 1, Deut. 8
Joshua 1:1-9, Job 38, 39
2
Psalm 1, 2
Psalm 8, 9
3
Psalm 16, 18
Psalm 19, 23
4
Psalm 25, 27
Psalm 34, 37
5
Psalm 40, 42
Psalm 51, 73
6
Psalm 84, 90
Psalm 91, 100, 121
7
Psalm 103, 139
Proverbs 3, 31
8
Ecclesiastes 12
Isaiah 53, 55
9
Matthew 5
Matthew 6
10
Matthew 7
Matthew 18
11
John 14
John 15
12
Romans 5, 6
Romans 8, 12
13
Romans 13, 14
I Corinthians 3
14
I Corinthians 13
Galatians 5:16-26
15
Galatians 6:1-10
Ephesians 2, 4
16
Ephesians 5
Ephesians 6
17
Philippians 1
Philippians 2, 3
18
Philippians 4
Colossians 2, 3
19
I Thessalonians 4, 5
I Timothy 2, 6
20
II Timothy 2
II Timothy 3
21
Titus 2
Hebrews 11
22
Hebrews 12:1-11
Hebrews 13
23
James 1
James 2
24
James 3
James 4
25
James 5
I Peter 1
26
I Peter 2
I Peter 3
27
I Peter 4
I Peter 5
28
II Peter 3
I John 1
29
I John 2
I John 3
30
I John 4
I John 5
31
Revelation 21
Revelation 22
P R A P I R S A E I S E
“Since Jesus gave this prayer as our pattern, praise should also be the bookends of our prayers” (David Jeremiah). 5
Marjorie R. Morrison 703 Oakhurst St. Kernersville, NC 27284
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