Fear or Faith

Deuteronomy 31:6 (New International Version)
6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

I remember the first time I climbed up on the high dive. There was a line, so once you went up there was no going back. You would have to ask all the kids behind you to back down the ladder and it would be too embarrassing. It looked high from the pool but once a was up there on the board looking down it looked like it was about a mile to the water. I was scared, really scared. But, then I saw something that calmed my fears. My father was in the water below waiting for me to jump. I knew I would be OK he would not let anything happen to me. So, I jumped and it was awesome. Today you might be facing something that looks very scary from where you are but remember your heavenly Father is right there and He will not let anything happen to you. He helps us overcome our fears and try things we would never try without His encouragement and support. So go ahead and jump you don't know what your missing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knm492yxMfo&feature=PlayList&p=12A94D02EDD8FBAC&index=28

The Step of Faith

Proverbs 4:12 (Today's New International Version)
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

Most people know the story of God parting the Red Sea so that the children of Israel could walk across and escape the Egyptians. But, there is another story of God doing the same thing in the Book of Joshua when He parted the Jordon River so the Children of Israel could go into the Promised land. In the second story though there is one difference. The water would not part until the priests stepped into it. That required faith. Today may be a day that you need to step out on faith. God has called you to do something and fear has paralyzed you. Read the passage again and be assured if God called you to it He will bring you through it. Take that step of faith today and see where it leads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cl-ge7pEDk

Pray

James 5:16 (New International Version)
........ pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Sorry I did not post yesterday there was a lot going on. Each day you come here for a devotional thought but today I am going to ask you for something. My good friend Hazel King is in the hospital at

Wake-Med . She is in the Cardiac unit. She has heart trouble and Saturday night her heart went into fibrillation. She has written many devotionals on this site and is a wonderful Christian lady. Please take a few moments to pray for her now, I know it will make a great difference. They had to shock her several times Saturday night to get her heart back into rhythm. I will keep you posted on her condition. Thank You.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSwClPsLMVA&feature=related

It's a Choice

John 4:21-25 (New American Standard Bible)
21Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
22"You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.
24"God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

This picture offers the traveler a choice. We choose the road we will travel today. Each morning we get up and we choose our attitude. It can be a good one or a sour one the choice is yours. Which one did you choose today? To Worship God is a choice we make each day. It is not all about going to Church on Sunday but about an attitude of worship wherever we are each day. This video today shows a young man making that choice in the middle of a busy city. As you watch it you will see this attitude of worship displayed. It does not matter where we are, it is a Choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpVsF4W8V2Y

Closer Than You Think

Hebrews 10:22 (New American Standard Bible)
22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

I think sometimes people feel as though God is so far away. The truth is He is closer than we think. I remember hearing the story of a father who had a son that was blind. The son was discouraged and felt sorry for himself. In an attempt to snap him out of it the father told the boy that he wanted him to put the storm shutters on the house that day while the father went to work. The son was angry and bitter but as the day passed he said " I will show him that I can do it."

He made his way to the storage building and got the shutters out along with a ladder. He then went to each window and hung the storm shutters. He had a great deal of pride and self worth after completing the job and could hardly wait to show his dad. What he did not know was that his dad already knew. That day after driving out of the driveway the father walked back up to the house and was never more than a few feet away from his son the entire time. God is that close to us. He is watching us and listening but, he wants us to realize that we have talents and abilities and can accomplish great things if w will only try. Enjoy the song and remember God is closer to you than your next breath.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLNL49TFC_8&feature=related

Blessed is the Nation

Psalm 33:12 (New American Standard Bible)
12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

AS we watch the news and read about the economy we notice everyone has an answer for the problem. Its funny though there does not seem to be much agreement among the experts about our course. How about this.....We turn back to God, His teachings, His Ways, His commandments. If we had been doing that all along we would not be where we are right now. It is because of man's greed and self-centered nature that we are where where we are. I am not talking about turning to religion, or denominations, or Christian literature, or legalism, or charismatic leaders, but simply each person turn their heart to God. WOW, where can I start the task is so large, well each of us can start with the person we saw in the mirror this morning. I know that will not be an immediate fix but it is a start and then if each of us share this thought with one person our numbers will double. I am starting with me today and sharing it with you. Listen to the song...worship and commit yourself again to follow God and God alone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl5zSB3A-Z8&feature=PlayList&p=AB9F03ADFFE014AA&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=2

Don't Look Back

Philippians 3:13-14 (New American Standard Bible)
13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Sunday I preached a message at our church, Anchor Baptist Church, about looking ahead with an attitude of gratitude. The Apostle Paul states in this passage that his focus is on the day ahead and not the one that just ended. My 3 points Sunday were

1. It is not what we have lost but what we still have that is important.

2. It is not where we have been but where we are going that is important.

3. It is not what we have dine but what we are going to do that is important.

We can not have a brand new start but we can start over right now and make a brand new ending.

I asked our congregation to view a video I found about a young man named Patrick Henry Hughes. I want to share that video with you at the beginning of this week to encourage you and remind us all we are truly Blessed. Have a great week and remember.....Don't Look Back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qTiYA1WiY8

Prerequisites for Heaven

Psalm 123:1 To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!

I am hearing more and more about Churches and movements that require many prerequisites to join. You must take so many classes, attend a certain number of Sundays, give a certain amount to the Church, behave in a certain way that does not violate the Churches code of conduct. If that is what Churches want to require for Church membership more power to them. I am glad that the Kingdom of God does not take this legalistic, judgemental, self-righteous approach for acceptance. What does God require?

Romans 10:9 (New American Standard Bible)
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

I know it is not as elaborate as the Churches requirements for membership but after all it is Scripture. By-laws and rules for a Church are a good thing but, when they supersede Scripture that is another thing all together. As for me I will stick with the Bible. Now if I want to join a civic club I will do all that is required to achieve and maintain my membership but if I want to join the Kingdom of God I will simply do as this song says....I will lift my eyes to heaven and the one who gave His Life for mine,confess Him and know in my heart that He Alone is my Lord. I pray for you on your journey...pray for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtAjrNqEsoM&feature=related

Never Give Up the Dream

Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

The devotion today will be a little different but well worth consideration. There are moments in life of inspiration. We see or hear something that moves us. The video today is one of those moments. It was sent to me by a good friend in our Church. Even though the video is not necessarily spiritual, it is inspiring and moves the heart. God gives us talents and abilities to use for His Glory. Many people have dreams but over time they let those dreams die. We must never do that.

If we stay focused and do not give up eventually we may get the desires of our heart. I hope you enjoy the video and that it inspires you as it did me. Thanks Nancy for sending it to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4

Can You See?

Psalm 115:5.......... They have eyes, but they cannot see;

Sometimes our eyes fool us. We see someone we think we know only to realize we were mistaken. We think we understand sometimes only to realize we are wrong. many people are led astray by false teaching and poor Theology. In the end it turns out to be smoke and mirrors. There are many times Christ is right there in front of us and we do not recognize Him. Like the two men traveling on the road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-18.

Sometimes there are ministry opportunities right in front of us and we miss them. We must ask God to see as He sees. To be able to look through His eyes at people and see their needs and then respond to them as He would. I encourage you to watch the video link today all the way to the end. Do not miss the end, it is amazing. Then ask God to help us see people through His eyes today and see spiritually as well as physically.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6l0tjOg-EY

He's Alive!

On a visit to the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, the Keeper of the Tomb spoke to our group briefly but powerfully. “You’ve come a long way to see the tomb where Jesus lay,” he said, “but all I can tell you is what the angel said two thousand years ago: why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, for he is risen.” He is risen! Think about it. We won’t find Jesus among tombs and cemeteries because he is alive! Seeing the place where his body lay was very meaningful and even more so because it is an empty tomb. Jesus arose from the dead and was seen by many witnesses. We have their testimony in the Bible. We need not fear that the gates of hell might prevail against the Church, the body of Christ, because Jesus conquered both death and hell by his crucifixion and resurrection. Hallelujah! He is risen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMHyGh0RgCA
(Arise My Love by Newsong)

-Hazel King
© 2009

Sabbath Sorrow

The thoughts of the disciples must have been heavy on the day after Jesus was crucified. As his closest friends, they feared for their own lives. Would they be arrested and killed as Jesus had been? After three years of following him, they no longer had a leader. He had taught them so much, but now his voice was stilled. He was dead and buried. Jesus had turned out to be mortal after all. Still, they couldn’t forget the earthquake and how the curtain had been torn from the holiest place in the temple at the time Jesus died. They knew he was a man like no other man and—although they could not know it--this was a Sabbath like no other Sabbath. It was the day before Easter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b97rAfLtM7M

-Hazel King
© 2009

Dead by Sundown

Friday morning finally dawned. Jesus had spent a sleepless night being tortured by his enemies and erstwhile friends. The crowds that had cheered him jeered as he carried his cross through the streets of Jerusalem. Broken and bloodied, his physical anguish was unimaginable. His resolve was undeniable. He allowed himself to be nailed to an old rugged cross so that the world might be saved. He permitted the indignities and inhumanity forced upon him. When the sun began to set and the Sabbath was about to begin, he cried with a loud voice: “It is finished.” Then he gave himself into the hands of his Father and died. He was taken from the cross by his friends and buried in a borrowed tomb. Jesus was dead. The angry mob was satisfied. The disciples scattered, afraid for their own lives. It was indeed finished. Or so they thought.

(Visit here this weekend for the rest of the story.)

Watch this powerful video: Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong United
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMJox5-K5jU

-Hazel King
© 2009

True Surrender

On Thursday before his crucifixion, Jesus observed Passover with his disciples. It was a celebration of God’s sparing the firstborn child of the Israelites while striking the firstborn of the Egyptians. A lamb was sacrificed in each Jewish home and its blood smeared on the doorpost as a sign to the Angel of Death to “pass over” the house. Only Jesus knew that he would be the perfect lamb sacrificed for the salvation of the world. After this last supper, he took a few disciples and went to the Garden of Gethsemane for a final intercessory prayer. As a man, he knew and feared what was coming; yet as the Son of God he surrendered to the will of the Father (Matthew 26). Jesus was arrested while still in the garden. His disciples fled and Jesus faced an angry mob alone. His passion had begun--only one more day to live.

Sing along with today’s song: All to Jesus I Surrender
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXDwVm6eUWw

-Hazel King
© 2009

Countdown to Calvary

On Wednesday Jesus spent time in Bethany at the home of a man known as Simon the Leper. While he was there a woman brought expensive oil in a beautiful alabaster box and poured it on his head. The disciples were indignant, calling it a waste because the perfume could have been sold and money given to the poor. "Aware of this, Jesus said to them, Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.” (Matthew 25:10-12). Jesus knew what the disciples did not know—that he had just two days left to live.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPXAju9z7Cs (Broken and Spilled Out)

-Hazel King

(c) 2009

The Shadow of the Cross

On Palm Sunday—less than a week before his death--Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a lowly donkey and was hailed as a conquering hero. He was the rock star of the day and the crowds adored him. On Monday he cast the moneychangers out of the temple, showing a side of himself no one had seen before. On Tuesday he spent the day teaching, from early morning until late at night. He spoke to the crowds in parables (Matthew 25): the ten virgins, the talents, and separating sheep from goats. He urged his listeners to be ready for his coming, to make good use of their gifts and talents, and to know the certainty of judgment. Did his listeners understand? Do we? When Tuesday ended, Jesus had finished his earthly teaching. He had three more days to live.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA4narr2wyE (The Power of Your Love)

-Hazel King
© 2009

Psalm 1

1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

This is a beautiful and very important passage. It suggests to us several things if we want to prosper in Life. Avoid bad company. If we have friends who are a negative influence we should stay away from them and cultivate good friends. We should develop a love and appreciation for God's Word, the Bible. We should read it and meditate on it day and night. Reading these devotions each day help us to see that God's Word is very relevant to our lives on a daily basis. If we do focus on God's Word, and avoid bad company we will be like a tree planted by streams of water (plural) . Our work will be fruitful, productive, and enduring. If we follow the advice of Psalm 1 we will Prosper.

Worthy is the Lamb

Easter is right around the corner. There we will celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before the Resurrection there was the Crucifixion. We read and say those words but sometimes words are not enough. It has been said one picture is worth a 1000 words. One video though might leave us speechless. Next time we are wondering if it is convenient to go to Church or not that day and Worship the one who gave His life that we could have life maybe we should just watch this video and decide. WARNING.... this video is not for the faint hearted. It is graphic, but maybe it says what words can not....

Worthy is the Lamb

I am going to leave this Video up through the weekend. Take the time to send people to this site that we all might gain a new appreciation for what Christ did for you and for me. I'll see you Sunday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00tKQY6b_GU&feature=related

Remember

Jude 1:5 (New Living Translation)
5 So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful.

Do you remember where you were on 9/11? Do you recall the emotions you had that day? I remember that the Churches were full of people praying and seeking God. We were all aware how quickly something could happen and change our world and our lives. Yet, as time passes we begin to forget. I believe that is what is happening to the memory of what Christ did for each one of us when He died on the Cross for our sins. As time has gone by the memory fades. But, the reminder is just around the corner... Easter. The time we remember not only that Christ died but that He was resurrected and gives each of us the opportunity to live forever with Him in Heaven. If we can only Remember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oOW-1OwtCA&feature=related