Camoflage Sunday

Pastor Mike Hoggard has 'Bib Overall Sundays' at Bethel Church in Festus Missouri where (just for fun), everyone wears bib overalls to church on a designated day.  My son Elijah decided that we needed to have a 'Texas Version' of bib overall Sunday and he decided we would have 'Camo Sunday' yesterday.

 Elijah was totally camouflaged, but I only own one pair of camo shorts and they are a little too big for me these days but I was happy to get in the proper uniform of the day.  Elijah loaned me one of his camo caps to round out my ensemble.

We enjoyed church at our house this past Sunday, streaming Pastor Mike's Sunday School and Morning service to our television.   I made a delicious breakfast of biscuits and gravy.   Connor was home and we had a complete family in attendance.

In church, Pastor Mike taught on the reign of King Hezekiah.   Here are some of my notes from his sermon:

Hezekiah: He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses. 2 Kings 18:5-6

I wish America had a leader like Hezakiah.   At least I can lead my own family in that manner!  2 Kings 18:5-6 is an inspiring verse!  

The Lord provided an AMAZING day for us yesterday.     PRAISE GOD!

Coach Sam's Tip from the life of Hezekiah:  Cleave to the Lord today.  Depart not from following HIM.  Keep His Commandments!

1 John 4:8

 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.  1 John 4:8

God gives everyone a capacity for love.   In my own life I knew the love of my mother, father and brothers and sisters growing up.  I had some 'crushes', and even some more serious relationships as a young adult.  But when I met my precious Monica, I learned to love at a much higher capacity.  Then along came Connor and Elijah and God enlarged my ability to love even more. 

  And God's love for us: His children, works the same way.  It is a familial relationship, but in a spiritual sense.  I am God's child, His adopted son.  And he loves me.  He loves me infinitely more than the capacity he gave me to love.  But to make sure I know how to love He gave me my earthly mother, father, and family growing up.  Then later in life he gave me a wife and my own family, all to demonstrate to me the family model of love.  That is so AMAZING. 

 God is Sovereign.  He made me.  He gave my family to me and set me as the head over them.  They are my responsibility.  It is my duty and privilege to love them,  serve them and care for them.  They are precious gifts from God.  I do cherish them and I consider my love, care, and attention to them as an obedient act of worship to my Lord and Savior.  Loving my family and serving them is also one of the greatest pleasures of my life that has been gifted to me from God. 

If we do not love, then we do not know God.   1 John 4:8 is a true statement.   

Not everyone 'knows' Love.   Our job as Christians is to sow seeds of love. Our job is to share the Gospel.  Our mission is to be God's witnesses in the sphere of influence He has given us.  Our job is to share Christ's Love.


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Friends, That was the ultimate act of Love.  It  REALLY  happened.  

I understand John 3:16  now better than ever because as a parent and as a husband, I would literally give my life for my family so that they would not perish..

Tell someone you love today how much you love them, then use that conversation to discuss our Heavenly Father's Love for us.  Today is a good day to share the Gospel of Christ!

Brothers and Sisters:  I love You with the love of Jesus.  May the Lord Bless You and keep you safe in his loving protective arms.  In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.

Back to Psalm 1:1-2

1611 King James Bible

Started reading through Psalms again.  Got hung up on Psalm 1, verses 1 and 2....   God said that is enough for today:  Think on these things...

Verse 1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

~You just have to respect this advice: This is Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, and he's passing on Godly counsel to his Son.  This is also our Heavenly Father, speaking directly to you and I.  Treat the bible's wisdom like it is an all healing medicine.  It is a serum and an antidote for the poisons of this world.

•  Don't  take advice or direction from ungodly people.
•  Don't hang out with sinners.
•  Don't spend time with those who scorn others, either.

There are many verses in the bible that tell us to flee wickedness.  Just get out of the presence of evil.  Avoid and remove yourself from situations that could compromise your very soul.  Don't run with a bad crowd.  You will become like the company you keep. You will be judged by the company you keep.   Do you hear that?  Who you hang out with effects your reputation.  Your reputation is your witness.  Oh and be on your guard against wolves who disguise themselves as one of the 'good guys'.  Pay particular attention to that warning.  Verse two tells you how to be on your guard.

Verse 2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

~ We are talking about a man who is blessed.  Here is what he DOES:  He delights in God's WORD (law) day and night. The blessed man purposes to spend time in the WORD all throughout the day, every day.

This actually ties in with verse one:   You WILL be judged by the company you keep.  GOD is the WORD, so if you meditate in the law day and night you are literally spending the entire day with GOD.

Seriously, can you imagine hanging out with Jesus all day.? And at the end of the day (your life), you and Jesus go to heaven.  You just walk right in because of WHO you are hanging out with and spending time with.  So friends: I submit that the following statement is VERY TRUE:  You WILL be judged by the company you keep.

Delight in the Lord.  Ask HIM to give you a hunger and a thirst for His WORD and He WILL.   That is my prayer for myself, for my precious family, and all who read this post today.

May God Bless you and Keep you.  In Jesus' Name I pray:  AMEN.

Tomorrow we will discuss one of my favorite verses...  Psalm 1:3