By Your Side

It's easy to search for love and acceptance in all of the wrong places. As a college student, I get discouraged over insignificant things. A low test grade can turn a good day into an awful one, simply because it makes me feel as if I failed at something important. School is an aspect of my life that defines me. An argument with a friend or family member has the same negative effect. The people in my life define me. The idea of being single and "lonely" can also get a 19 year old down in the dumps. Significant others and my relationship status define me. The things that define us give us praise, love, and joy, but they can also let us down. My faith in God is another aspect of my life that defines me. However, God NEVER lets me down. He is ENOUGH for all of our hopes, dreams, and desires. We do not have to "earn grace." It is given to us by the One who created us and saved us. God is beside us in all of those moments we are afraid, lost, confused, and in need of a friend. That should make every day a good day!:)

-Olivia Morgan Shipp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8eUjk0ECZY&feature=related

2 Corinthians 12:9
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Rules vs. Relationship

Galatians 2:16

know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

It is so sad that people long ago turned Christianity into a set of rules; do's and dont's It is even sadder that people today still practice that misguided Religion. Christianity is so much more that a list of Rules, Regulations and Rituals it is a RELATIONSHIP. It is an eye opening, life changing, purpose giving, exciting, loving, Relationship with Jesus Christ. Why reduce something like that to a list of rules. That my friends is the difference between Religion and Christianity. Religion is man's attempt to reach God, Christianity is God's attempt to reach man.

Jeff Nichols

Come Now is the Time to Worship

Move Your Clocks Forward this coming Saturday March 13 or you will miss your time to Worship

Click on the Link below and turn UP the speakers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPWq8eM4lu8

Seeing Eye to Eye

Romans 12:18

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

Sometimes it appears as though Christians must put up with all sorts of ill treatment and simply turn the other cheek. We must forgive 70 times 7 as Jesus told Simon Peter. Does that mean we must let people run over us and abuse us and never say anything, NO. This passage in Romans makes it clear that we must try to get along and are expected to forgive, however some people make that impossible. They are just difficult. As far as it is possible with us we should live at peach with everyone but sometimes it is just not possible. We do not need to be ugly to the person simply avoid them. Maybe with time the situation will get better but maybe not We can not always see eye to eye on everything with everyone.

Where are You Going?

Proverbs 20:24

A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?

Well you know where you have been. The question now is, where are you going? Do you have a plan, a dream, a vision? Are you doing anything about it? For six years I was Dean of Students at a small Bible College in North Carolina. A lady came in to talk to me about returning to school. She always wanted to attend college and pursue a degree to learn more about the Bible. At the end of our talk she said, " But maybe this is silly. I am 52 years old and in four years I will be 56." Then I asked her how old she would be in four years if she did not return to school. I was standing on the platform when she received her degree, she hugged me and cried and then looked me in the eyes and said, Thank You. Where are you going?

Jeff Nichols

Anchor Baptist Church

Wilmington, N.C.

Fruit of the Vine

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Don't these grapes look delicious? But, once they are picked they begin to die because they are separated from their source of life. We are like that. Once we are grafted into Christ we receive what we need to bear much fruit but we can do nothing apart from Him. He is the source of abundant and Eternal life.

Now That is Good Sleeping

Ecclesiastes 5:12

People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.

There is no pillow quite as soft as a clear conscience. I read that somewhere once and it is so true. The passage from Ecclesiastes reminds us that money is not everything. Many who have it worry about keeping it or making more. The writer of Ecclesiastes had more of it than anyone and yet Solomon had no peace. More is never enough for some people. The Apostle Paul said he had learned the secret of being content. What is that secret? I believe the secret is " To want what I have, and take what I'm given with Grace." Sweet Dreams

Thank You

What are you thankful for today? I encourage you to watch this short video and then think of something to Thank God for. If it is a person let them know and be sure to thank God from Whom all blessings flow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG9Pndqq13s

Looking More Like Him Every Day

Colossians 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

The More Time you spend with God the more we take on His nature. We begin to develop the mind of Christ so that we reflect Him in our actions and attitudes. We can spend time with Him in Prayer and Bible Study and listening to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If we do these things we look and act a little more like Him every day. The song link below is something to think about for parents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSx98jbt37Y

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

In life it is always good to have a friend you can count on. A friend is someone who is coming in when the rest of the world is going out. You always know that you can count on them no matter what. Why not call your friend this week and take them to lunch and tell them how much you appreciate them. Also we have no closer or more committed friend than Jesus. So ,we should also take the time to express our love and appreciation for Him today.

Olympic Advice

1 Timothy 4:7 (New Living Translation)
7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

Have you been watching the Olympics? The downhill skiers are traveling over 90mph and Ski Jumpers are jumping over 600 feet or two football fields. Now, what would happen if you or I strapped on a pair of skies and tried to run the downhill or go off the big jump? CRASH and BURN. Why, because we have not trained ourselves to do it. That is why so many people make such big mistakes and destroy their lives. They have not taken the time to train themselves, discipline themselves and so they are constantly crashing. We see it on the news all the time. People who are rich, educated, privileged, checking into rehab over and over. Moving from one unsuccessful relationship to another. Making huge amounts of money and finding themselves broke. No discipline, no training spells certain disaster on the slopes and in life.

Let's Be Friends

1 Peter 4:8-9

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

Today try to speak a kind word or words of encouragement to everyone you meet. Make it a point to compliment someone concerning their work or appearance. Your words might be the first kind words they have heard in days. They could have had a terrible weekend or just received bad news of some sort. Words are powerful and have the ability to Heal or Harm. Speak some Healing words into someones life today.

Jeff

"Signs" of the Times

Psalm 14:1

The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God"

These signs, and more like them, are showing up on buses all across America. They are sponsored by Atheists and Secular-Humanist groups. I would like to make a brief comment concerning each one of the signs.

1. "Don't Believe in God? You are not alone." The sign in and of itself is true. You are not alone. There are millions of people who do not believe in God. The, "You are not alone", part is also very true. Truth is you will never will be alone. Not now or for all eternity. For the Bible says that the path that leads to destruction is a wide path are there are many who travel it. So, even though you will be surrounded by millions for all Eternity I really don't think it will be a great consolation or bring much comfort.

2. "Atheism, Celebrate Reason!" Is it really Reasonable to believe there is not a God? The laws of Physics say " Matter can neither be created nor destroyed." Really? Then how did it get here? Scientists have a hard time answering that question. I have a suggestion...Check out the first 5 words in Genesis.

3. "You can be good without God" This sign is also true but does not go far enough. You may be good without God but you can not go to heaven without God. So the sign should say "You can be good, and lost, without God."

These signs may appear to be clever by the people who design and pay for them but, Philippians 3:19 says "their end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.

I am not happy about this fact and I pray that they will find Christ and Eternal Life in Him.

I encourage you to send this piece to everyone you can. Right click on the link below and then choose COPY then right click in your e-mail and click PASTE. I am leaving this up through the weekend and welcome your comments

http://anchorbaptistwilmington.blogspot.com/

This Way Out

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Having trouble? Struggling with a certain temptation or sin? A problem has overtaken your life? With every problem, temptation, failure, there is a WAY OUT. God has provided it. Just like the sign in this picture pointing people in the direction they must go to get out. The problem is not that we don't see the sign but that we don't follow the sign. We think we know a better way or that we can find an alternate route. Today whatever it is that is bothering you look for God's sign post to find the way out. As a matter of fact this devotion may be serving as that sign right now.

Let Us Pray

This morning at 7:30am Vickey Stallings will be wheeled into an operating room at Chapel Hill to remove a brain tumor that was detected last week. I would ask all of you to pray for her and those that operate on her today. Pay that she has a full and complete recovery. Also pray for Stan as he waits through this 5 hour proceedure that he will sense God's pressence and peace

Can You See Him?

Ezekiel 1:28

As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.

In this vision Ezekiel was trying to describe the Glory of God. He used the example of a Rainbow. We see God's Glory in so many ways. Through answered prayers, the birth of a child, the majesty of Natures portraits, or in a quiet moment when we sense the presence of God in our life. Sometimes a song will make us aware of God's amazing grace, patience, love, forgiveness,mercy. He speaks to us in so many ways. Are you Listening are you looking for God today? If so, I am sure He will make Himself known to you. I encourage you to click on the link below and see if you do not feel the presence of God

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

Want to get Baptized?

Romans 6:4

Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.

There was a travelling evangelist going from city to city preaching the Gospel. A young man asked if he could travel with him and learn. The evangelist agreed and at the end of each revival he would baptize all the new converts in the local river or lake. Each time he had one of these baptismal services the young man asked to be baptized and the evangelist would tell him that he was not ready yet. One day he finally agreed to baptize the young man. The young man was so excited as he waded out into the water. The evangelist placed his hands on him and lowered him under the water. The young man started up but the evangelist held him down, Then he started to panic and was struggling to surface but the evangelist held him under. Finally he pulled him up coughing and spitting and gasping for air. "Why did you hold me under", he asked. The evangelist asked the young man, "when you were under the water what did you want more than anything else?" AIR was the young mans response. The old man looked at him and said, "When you want Christ that much it is time to get baptized."

Valentine Day

James 1:27

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

I remember one Valentines Day visiting a shut-in elderly lady. When I went in she had a deflated Valentine balloon proudly displayed on a chair. I mentioned it and asked who had brought the balloon to her for Valentines Day. She said, "Oh no this is from last year." She had taken the balloon folded and stored it and brought it back out to remember that someone loved her. We will be hurrying around to buy flowers and gifts for those we love. But, if you really want to make a difference in someones life this year go and visit someone who is a shut-in, or in a nursing home, or hospital. You will not only make their day but maybe their year. If you don't know someone contact me and I can help you. Happy Valentines Day.

"Valley Moments"

The 23rd Psalm goes on to say that I will fear no evil for You are with me. That You refers to the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ. He walks with us through the valleys. We all face difficult times and difficult situations. It brings me great comfort to know that during those moments that God is right beside me. I memorized the 23rd Psalm so that when I experienced a

"Valley Moment" I could recite the Psalm to myself and each time I have done that it has brought me great comfort. I would encourage you to do the same. Just print a copy of the 23rd Psalm and read it over and over, in waiting rooms, traffic, after lunch, on breaks, before you go to bed, and very soon you will have memorized this great passage. I promise it will make a very big difference in your life if you will do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI9eNCWrUN4&feature=related

Can You Feel It?

Growing up my father loved to fly kites and he always included my brother and I when he went. He also taught us how to make our own kites. So, when I had children I did the same thing with them. One day we were flying kites and the wind was blowing just right. I got another spool of kite string and sent the kite way out. Then I got fishing line and tied it on and the kite was so small in the distance that you could hardly see it at all, then suddenly it disappeared all together. A neighbor came out and asked me what I was doing. I said, "I am flying a kite." The neighbor looked and strained and finally said, "I can not see a kite." I explained that I had attached so much string that the kite was now out of sight completely. After a moment they asked, "How do you know it's still there?" I looked over and smiled and said,"I can still feel the pull." That is how it is with God. Many people want proof of God's existence. I have several good arguments but eventually it takes a step of faith. Personally I know He is there because, I can still feel the pull. God tries to lead me and guide my life. Give me direction and purpose. Like a Good Shepard He tries to pull me away from dangerous areas and back on to the right path. I hope you will always feel that pull in your life and thank God each time you do, and if you get a chance on a nice clear day soon why not try flying a kite with the kids. I will never forget those times with my dad.

Check out this beautiful song by clicking on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJt78dt7Tys&feature=related