Phillipians 4:19

The past few days I've been showing in scripture how God takes care of His people. Here's another comforting scripture verse I came across in Dr Stanley's morning devotional. This verse assures us that Christ will meet all of our needs. But Dr Stanley explains that it goes deeper than physical needs like food, clothing, and shelter. Some of our chief emotional needs include love, companionship, and security. Supporting scripture shows that those needs are provided for as well..

He fulfills our need for Love in John 3:16. He fulfills our need for companionship in Hebrews 13:5 Christ Himself promised that no one can ever snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28). Therefore, we can rest in the knowledge that we are God’s children forever. That is true security.

God really does meet ALL our needs.

Matthew 10:29-31 -When a Sparrow Falls

Today the weather was so nice I opened the doors at the tennis center to let some fresh air in the shop while I was stringing some racquets. My Kitty, Peepers was laying on top of a little kitty-condo perch in front of the big window. All of a sudden a little sparrow flew into the shop and got disoriented. Thinking the window was open it flew right into the window with a thud and plopped down on the window sill right in front of my cat who wasted no time pouncing on the poor bird.

There was nothing I could do to save the bird and I felt very sad. But I remembered Matthew 10:29-31... That not even a sparrow falls to the ground without Our Dear Heavenly Father knowing about it.

I had just finished my morning post when that happened, and I couldn't help but think how God must really be trying to tell me something. You see, I had been feeling a little apprehensive about the financial situation in America when God put the Solid Rock hymn lyrics in my mind. Then, the sparrow incident further reminded me that God knows what's going on. He's in control.

God clearly wants us to know that We should NOT be apprehensive or afraid. God cares about a single sparrow and we are worth much more than many sparrows. So we should rest assured that He will take care of and deliver his children.

Honestly, I don't know what the future will bring. Life in America is liable change for the worse and get a whole lot harder, possibly in the very near future. But all I can do is remain faithful. All I can do is remain strong. I can pray. And I can stand up for Truth and what is Right even if the world is falling apart around me.

I believe a time is coming when men and women of true faith are going to be severely tested and there will be a tremendous opportunity to win souls for Christ. People get Ready...! The signs are everywhere. It's definitely time to humble ourselves as a nation and pray for forgiveness and repentance.

I'm standing in the gap for America today. Won't you join me...?

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less...

Remember that verse...? It's from the beautiful old hymn Solid Rock. The lyrics were written by Edward Mote around 1834...

Last night President Bush painted a 'bleak' outlook for America's financial situation. All I could think about was that come what may, My 'Hope' is not in my finances or wealth but in Christ Jesus. And I need to express the reason for my Hope to all the world.

Here they are the lyrics of this beautiful statement of praise and worship:

My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain: On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood. When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh may I then in Him be found. Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

Wow... Isn't that a breath of fresh air...? Let's just dwell on those lyrics today...!

God Bless You, dear Reader!

-Coach Sam

Matthew 7:25-26

Nehemiah 9:30

During our recent Hurricane evacuation my family stayed in Dallas, Texas. While we were there we had the good fortune to attend Dr Anthony Evans' church in Oakcliff. it was a very moving experience. Dr Evans spoke about how God tries to get our attention with natural disasters like Hurricanes. He said that events like Hurricane Ike are great opportunities for Christians to show and share their faith by being the hands and feet of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He also noted that 'something's going on' when God just keep sending storm after storm after storm into our lives.

Dr Charles Stanley's morning devotional today sort of echoed that sentiment. He wondered how much time America had before God really began to exact judgment upon us. He said that although our God is a patient God his patience does have it's limitations. Neh 9:30 explains just that. I agree with both Dr Evans and Dr Stanley. Our world, and the United States in particular has fallen into deep moral decay.

The sad thing is that I feel I have contributed to the state of moral decay that America is currently in simply by sitting back and doing nothing. Dr Stanley says that as Christians we have a responsibility to influence government decisions in the directions of righteousness.

I am currently spending some concentrated time in prayer for God's guidance as I determine how to best stand up for HIM and influence those around me before we run out of time.

Judges 7:20 The Story of Gideon....

Today's morning devotional from CH Spurgeon discussed the story of Gideon. That story is one of my favorite stories in the bible. It has even featured in a fun little Veggie Tales video called: Gideon, Tuba Warrior. It's one of Elijah's favorites, too.

Spurgeon sums up the story of Gideon in these words:

We can do nothing of ourselves, but we can do everything by the help of our God; let us, therefore, in His name determine to go out personally and serve with our flaming torch of holy example, and with our trumpet tones of earnest declaration and testimony, and God shall be with us, and Midian shall be put to confusion, and the Lord of hosts shall reign for ever and ever.

-CH Spurgeon

I love the part where he says: 'therefore, in His name determine to go out personally and serve with our flaming torch of holy example...'

There's our marching orders for today!

Prayer for my Friends in Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Friendswood and League City...

I've been receiving very sad communications from friends whose homes were destroyed in the Hurricane. Please join me in prayer lifting up those less fortunate than us...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, this situation is way beyond my control but not for You. Nothing is beyond You, my King. Father God I pray for my friends who have been hit hard by the hurricane. Bless them Lord. Lift them up. Help others realize that this a great opportunity for the Body of Christ to pull togtether and let our lights shine.

Lord, You are an awesome God. I commit this situation to Your care. I love You and give this day to You.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Deuteronomy 33:12

And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. (Deuteronomy 33:12)

Nice verse, isn't it...? When I first read that verse I thought: Oh I want to be 'the beloved of the Lord'. Then I considered my life and realized, that 'I AM' beloved of the Lord. When I stop to consider all my many, many blessings it's really an incredible inventory of God's Favor.

God spared my family and I any real harm or damage from the the recent Hurricane while many near us have suffered tremendously. And that's not to say that those who were effected by the storm are not walking with with God, but for what ever reason God chose to spare us this time.

I do feel safe and secure in God's arms right now. Sure my family has it's share of struggles and trials, but although Life is Hard, GOD IS GOOD.

Father God,

Lord You are my shelter. You are my Rock. Thank You for Your love and the way You care for us. Father I give You all the credit and glory for anything good in my life right now. Thank you so much for my precious wife, family, and our safety.

I lift up those right now who for what ever reason are not nearly as fortunate as we have been.

Father God what ever comes at me in the days to come I face with the strength and security of knowing You've always got my back. I am strong in You, King. I love You Lord and give this day to You for Your Glory.

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

God's Grace Mark 9:19

Wow... This morning's Spurgeon Devotional is one of the best I've ever studied. It's about parents praying for their children. I have cut and pasted some excerpts that were particularly meaningful to me...

"Bring him unto me."—Mark 9:19

DESPAIRINGLY the poor disappointed father turned away from the disciples to their Master. His son was in the worst possible condition, and all means had failed, but the miserable child was soon delivered from the evil one when the parent in faith obeyed the Lord Jesus' word, "Bring him unto me."

Children are a precious gift from God, but much anxiety comes with them. They may be a great joy or a great bitterness to their parents; they may be filled with the Spirit of God, or possessed with the spirit of evil. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one receipt for the curing of all their ills, "Bring him unto me."

O for more agonizing prayer on their behalf while they are yet babes! Sin is there, let our prayers begin to attack it. Our cries for our offspring should precede those cries which betoken their actual advent into a world of sin. In the days of their youth we shall see sad tokens of that dumb and deaf spirit which will neither pray aright, nor hear the voice of God in the soul, but Jesus still commands, "Bring them unto me."

When they are grown up they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God; then when our hearts are breaking we should remember the great Physician's words, "Bring them unto me."

Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.The Lord sometimes suffers His people to be driven into a corner that they may experimentally know how necessary He is to them.

Ungodly children, when they show us our own powerlessness against the depravity of their hearts, drive us to flee to the strong for strength, and this is a great blessing to us. Whatever our morning's need may be, let it like a strong current bear us to the ocean of divine love. Jesus can soon remove our sorrow. He delights to comfort us. Let us hasten to Him while He waits to meet us.

Charles Spurgeon

Wow... What great words of encouragement to parents every where...! We can NEVER pray enough for our children. I praise God this morning for bringing that great lesson to me today.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, Thank You for reminding me (again) that YOU are the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. I can do nothing under my own power. It's all about You. Every good and perfect gift comes from YOU, my King.

Father God, being a parent is such an awesome responsibility. Thank You for the blessing of my children. I lift up Connor and Elijah to You this morning. Help me to be the Godly influence in their lives that You have called me to be. Help me to discipline in love. Help me to be a role model. Lord I present my children to You this morning and every morning.

Father God, You have also blessed my precious wife and I with the lives of many young people in our tennis and art classes. Praise You Lord. We think of these precious young ones as our very own when they are in our care. Lord Jesus I also lift up every child and every parent in our sphere of influence to You this morning. Bless them with Your Grace, Father.

Help us as parents to raise up a generation who knows You as their Lord and Savior. Help us to instill in this generation values and ethics that are Your values and ethics, Lord. Father help us teach the meaning and importance of family, loyalty, honor, and respect.

Lord I believe there is nothing more important than presenting our young people to You and then as parents living our own lives in humble obedience to Your Word. My prayer this morning is for grace and mercy for the mistakes I have made in my parenting, especially not fully giving my problems to You. And Lord I pray also that you continue to help Monica and I to live in obedience to You as Godly role models.

You know what's going on in my house, Lord. You know what's going on in the homes of every family in the world. I pray for change. I pray for a revival. And Lord I leave it all in Your most capable hands. There is no problem to big for the Author of Life and Creator of the heavens and the earth. Father God I rest in You. And I pray these things in the power of the name of Jesus Christ,my Lord and Savior, Amen.

Thanks and Praise

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord thank You for this past week of safety for my family and property. Father God I pray for a peaceful day for my family today and a safe drive home this afternoon.

Father God, You are Good. I love You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Praise...!

I have to give God one big Praise today because I had a very good day of tennis classes yesterday, and today I have over 60 new home schoolers coming to Columbia Lakes to 'try' tennis for the first time...! That's pretty awesome I think....!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for the success of my tennis classes yesterday. It's all because of you, Lord. Father God I pray for today's presentation as well. Help me organize a very good event for all the guests who will coming to see me this afternoon.

Lord I lift up those in the path of Hurricane Ike and pray for as minimal damage as possible. Of course, I pray that the Hurricane not hit near here but in the most remotely populated area that it can. Father God, only you know the outcome of this storm. I fall on your grace and mercy in that regard.

Lord Jesus I lift up my health and the health of my family. Elijah, Monica, and myself are all still very much under the weather with sore throats. Help us heal, Father.

I appreciate another full and busy day, my King. I know that all good things come from You and I consider the opportunity to impact others a very good thing, indeed.

Lord I love you and I give this day to You. For Your Glory, in Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Really Good Scripture Verse Regarding Discipline

Monica and I attended our first Discipleship class at church this evening. We are taking Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. In our training video Dave explained that we would have to develop discipline in changing our spending and saving habits. He said it would probably be difficult and painful to facilitate the changes we would need to implement. He mentioned Hebrews 12:11 as a good scripture for us to be familiar with regarding discipline.

I really like Hebrews, in fact, I think I'm going to read a bit of it before I go to bed tonight. I was not familiar with the passage about discipline.

I agree that I need to be more disciplined. Not only with the stewardship of money, but in many other areas of my life...

Hmmm.... This seems like is a good spot to close and sleep on...

To be continued....

OK... I'm back. But wow, it was a very restless sleep. I don't know for sure why I had so much difficulty. Honestly, it could be a number of things...

There are so many things weighing on my heart I hardly know where to begin. But I think I'll just take up where I left off last night with discipline...

As the verse says, discipline can be painful early on, but it brings peace to those who have been trained by it. I remember from my younger days how that principle applied to my physical training for sports. Getting up early in the morning to run and lift weights was sometimes almost impossible, but I pushed myself because I wanted to be the best athlete I could be. And that hard work and training paid off many times over in the field of competition.

I often think back to those days when I was so keenly disciplined. What happened to me...? How did I get off...? Why did I get off...?

Why can't I 're-capture' that discipline I once had...?

Well, I think the answer has been slowly coming to me. I realize now why I eventually failed in my physical discipline from my youth. The main reason is that I was doing it for myself, and for my own personal glory. If we put our faith in man and man's ability we are going to be disappointed every time. Ultimately, God is not going to bless something or someone that is not giving HIM the glory. But he will use those people or circumstances to draw us closer to HIM.

I believe that everything that has ever happened to me up to this point has been to bring me closer to HIM.

I'm out of shape because of sin.

Over the years I've eaten too much and not exercised enough. I've been lazy and slothful, enjoying the pleasures of this world, denying myself very few desires. (just like King Soloman) The resulting lack of physical discipline has produced much physical pain and suffering for me the past few years as I have nearly worn my body out forcing on it a workload too difficult for a man of my weight and size. (Translated: Because I'm so heavy, my knees and feet are 'on their last legs...' )

That same sinful living and poor spending and saving habits over time has also produced a negative financial situation for my family. Again, it's lack of discipline.

But can I just suck it up and say 'NO MORE OF THIS'...?

No.

Well, not under my own power, anyway. But through Christ I can do all things. And I WILL accomplish more disciplined physical and financial health because I'm doing it for God's Glory, not my own.

And as Hebrews 12:11 says, I will have peace. Wow... I already have a sense of peace as I complete this narrative this morning. I mean honestly, I've never felt this way before about accomplishing a goal.

Today I'm changing my ways to live the life that God originally intended for me to live. And it's all to HIS Glory...!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord thank You for the pain in my life. Today I'm finally turning the corner. No more running. No more excuses. I'm not holding back. I'm living for You, Jesus.

I love You Lord. You have blessed me with such a wonderful family and so many great opportunities to accomplish kingdom work and I've had my head stuck in the sand. Father God, please forgive me. But Praise God, I'm finally in the Game..!

Father God today is a big day for me. I'm starting many new tennis classes today and will come in contact with many new people. I pray a Holy Spirit blessing on my day. I lift up all my students to have an enjoyable time in tennis and to be encouraged to continue playing. Help me to impact lives today for the better, my King.

My Savior, I can do all things through You. You are my Rock. You are my source of Strength. I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.

Praying For Elijah

Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it..!

Elijah is still sick today. He has a sore throat, coughing, and congestion. I pray this morning for divine healing and recuperation. And I praise God that He is the God of all creation, of heaven and earth, of seen and unseen. God has the whole world in His hands. He IS the beginning and the end. Life is all about God and our relationship with Him.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord it is written that You are the Author of life. You knit us in our mother's womb. You know exactly the number of hairs are upon our head. You know everything, Lord. Nothing escapes Your vision or knowledge. And You have great compassion and care for all living things. The bible says that You even know when a sparrow falls.

I believe that You know the health status of every living thing on this planet. Father God I lift up Elijah to You now. I bathe him in holy prayer. He is such a good, sweet, and loving little boy, Lord. Please don't allow this illness to linger long within him. Restore him, Lord.

Lord You are the Great Physician. Father God I pray for a swift, complete healing of Elijah. And Lord I pray a hedge of health protection around each and every member of this household, including myself..

Help us to get well and stay well. Father God I believe in You, I trust in You. I love You, Lord and I give this day to You. Thank You for another day to make a difference in this world. By Your Grace I will impact someone for Your Kingdom today...

Thank You, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. You are a great and mighty God. You are certainly mighty to save.

Father God I submit these requests and humbly pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Lifting Up Elijah and Monica

Elijah is feeling poorly this morning... He has developed a cough and runny nose over night. I have kept him home from school today. His mommy was feeling kinda run down this morning, too.

Father God, I lift up my family this morning. I pray that Elijah's throat begins to feel better and his cough goes away. Lord I also lift up my sweet wife this morning, too. I pray for a good day of art classes for her and of course that she feels better as well.

Lord You are the Great Physician, You are Mighty to save. Father I leave the health of my child and wife in Your capable hands. I love You Lord. And I give You another day of surrendered obedience to Your will. I love You Father And I pray in the name of my sweet Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Something Spurgeon said....

I am quite familiar with Charles Hadden Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotionals. I am somewhat less familiar with another of his devotional works: Faith's Checkbook. I did a web search for the title and came across a very interesting website which I will take time to explore more thoroughly at a later date.

I was so impressed by the forward of Faith's Checkbook that I have added a potion of it to the title bar of this blog. Here is an excerpt from the Forward of Spurgeon's Daily Devotional: Faith's Check Book...

- My brethren, God is good. He will not forsake you: He will bear you through. There is a promise prepared for your present emergencies; and if you will believe and plead it at the mercy-seat through Jesus Christ, you shall see the hand of the LORD stretched out to help you. Everything else will fail, but His word never will. He has been to me so faithful in countless instances that I must encourage you to trust Him. I should be ungrateful to God and unkind to you if I did not do so...

-CH Spurgeon

Wow... Few preachers I know speak as plainly as that... When I read that forward I really felt like I was in the same room with Spurgeon. (In a way, I was...)

Just that little excerpt is encouraging, isn't it...? You definitely owe it to yourself to read the entire forward, and some of the dailys, too.

I love that Spurgeon equated his devotions as merely 'a snack', or appetiser, and that they should never be substituted for one's entire daily spiritual meal requirement.

What I'm getting a sense of is that my own personal spiritual nutritional intake is about the equivalent of a few breakfast bars in the morning (when I don't skip breakfast all together...) and an occasional 'late night snack' before bedtime.

Oh, what would my daily life look like if I spent more time in the bible studying the scripture...?

Hmmm... That's a dose of heavy consideration....

This topic to be continued...


Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, I need more of You. I'm starving spiritually. Help me, Father. I throw myself on Your Mercy. I pray for more of a hunger and thirst for Your Word. Father God it's obvious that You've been working on my heart. Please, don't stop. No matter how painful, please keep on transforming me in Your image.

Lord I want to live a life that is good, holy, and pleasing to You. I want to be about 'Your' business, not my own. Lord YOU are my only hope. You are the only hope for this World.

Father God, I'm surrendering my will to You. Come what may, I will follow You. Lord, I love You. and I give this day to You, my King.

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Praising HIM...

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord I do thank You and praise You for a good day yesterday. We really enjoyed a nice family day. I'm very appreciative of a nice Sunday.

Father God, I lift up those in the path of Hurricane Gustav. I pray for the safety of those who did not evacuate. Lord God You are truly mighty to save.

I give this day to You, my king. And I pray these things in Jesus' name, Amen.