It an awesome day everyone. Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good yes He is good and He is worthy of our praise. The question of the day is; how are you living? Only you and God know for sure. Think about that a little while.
Today’s Prayer
Father, if we call ourselves Christians, just what kind of Christian are we? Are we nominal Christians — Christians in name only? Are we lukewarm Christians — not really committed? Are we Sunday Christians only, and on week days giving no one any reason to suspect that we consider ourselves Christians? Do we only turn to You in times of crisis, and get upset if You don’t answer immediately? Would I be surprised if You said, “Where have you been?” In short, have we ever really felt close to You? Could it be because we’ve been too busy with our worldly life to study Your Word, or to spend time with other Christians? Have we ever understood Your will and Your promises, all that You want for us? Oh Lord, how can we get to know You better? The same way one gets to know a friend or family member, by spending time together, one on one. For you say; If you will read My Book, in the Old Testament, you will learn of Me as Creator, and Sovereign God, ‘I AM.’ I brought into existence ALL that I have for you to enjoy and use creatively. I set forth rules and discipline for man’s greatest good. I inspired the writers of the Bible to present both My shepherding love and My severe mercy. In the New Testament, I sent My only beloved Son to be the last ‘sacrificial Lamb’ for the lost sinners of all future generations to find their way back into My fold. It is open to all who choose to accept My Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior. I have promised forgiveness and eternal life to those who accept Him as the Way, the Life, and the Truth.” Thank You, Lord, for Your answer to our question. Help us not forget to seek fellowship with You each day, that we may know Your will for our lives and be obedient to Your leading. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen and Amen.
Let’s eat.
Three Appointments
Death
Hebrews 9:18-28
That is why even the first covenant was put into effect with the blood of an animal. For after Moses had read each of God’s commandments to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, along with water, and sprinkled both the book of God’s law and all the people, using hyssop branches and scarlet wool. Then he said, “This blood confirms the covenant God has made with you.” And in the same way, he sprinkled blood on the Tabernacle and on everything used for worship. In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness. That is why the Tabernacle and everything in it, which were copies of things in heaven, had to be purified by the blood of animals. But the real things in heaven had to be purified with far better sacrifices than the blood of animals. For Christ did not enter into a holy place made with human hands, which was only a copy of the true one in heaven. He entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf. And he did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, like the high priest here on earth who enters the Most Holy Place year after year with the blood of an animal. If that had been necessary, Christ would have had to die again and again, ever since the world began. But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice. And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
The Result of Sin; Judgment
Acts 17:30-31
“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
The Punishment of Sin; Salvation
1 Thessalonians 5:1-9
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Quote of the Day
The Church cannot save, it cannot heal, it cannot baptize with the Holy Spirit, it cannot lead us into all truth. Only the Lord can do these things. When our emphasis becomes the Church more than the Lord, we have been reduced to worshipping the creation instead of the blessed Creator, and our faith has been reduced to a form of godliness which denies the very power of the gospel. We are not changed by beholding the Church; we are changed as we behold the Lord (II Corinthians 3:18).
Rick Joyner
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REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
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James H. Taylor Sr. – Kankakee City News has published my Daily meal message for a decade.