The Daily Scroll - One Man

Isn’t it incredible that God made a covenant with one man, Abraham? That covenant affected untold millions of people, but it started with one man. Have you ever received a personal word from the Lord? Has God held up His end of the deal? I have found from reading the Bible, and in personal life, that if God makes a promise, He holds up His end of the bargain even if we fail. He’s just that way. 

One man Abraham learned it, as told in Genesis, “God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. (Genesis17:19)

Seek the Lord while He may be found, talk to Him, listen and obey. He has a miracle for you.

The Daily Scroll - The Measuring Rod

 One of the last things that many of us do at the end of the year is take stock of our previous year. We do that by measuring and reviewing our goals, successes, and failures. Like the measuring rod of old, an accurate examination tells us a lot about where we are in life, a picture as it were. 

It’s been said, how do we know where we’re going if we don’t know where we've been, or more importantly where we are. The Bible teaches us to take stock of our lives and to keep short accounts with God.  The apostle John writes about just such an occasion. 

“I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers.“ (Revelation 11:1)

God wanted John to know precisely the size of the heavenly Temple and how many worshipers were there. God revealed Himself and His future plans to mankind clearly in the book of revelation. Even to the minute measurements of His Holy Temple. He wants us to know Him as He is, and by using the measuring rod on ourselves, we see ourselves as we are. 

The Daily Scroll - Regret

As I contemplate the majesty and wonder of God‘s creation, and realize that it pleased Him so much, that on the seventh day He rested, I can see that He probably surveyed and enjoyed His creation. Everything was going great. All the creatures of the earth were multiplying just as planned, and God was developing a relationship with His man Adam. Then the unthinkable happened, His man, for whom all creation was meticulously made, betrayed Him. He committed sin which ruined everything. God strived with man and tried to make it work, but man became wicked and evil. Except for one man, Noah. 

Can you imagine the heartbreak our Father felt. Until it got to the point of no return. He had to start over. He had one man that he deemed righteous. And this man had a family. These people would be used to start God’s dreams over. And today, evil again permeates the Earth. He promised not to flood the earth again, but His justice will prevail. We have been given a preview in the Bible of what is to come. So we should get ready.

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:5-8)

He’s coming for those who have found favor through Jesus Christ.

The Daily Scroll - Fingernail Hold On Faith

 Do you ever feel your faith slipping away? As we face life’s challenges, many times we feel it happening. But that is when we have to hold on. Sometimes opposition can be so severe that our faith seems to fail. But the Bible teaches us to fear not. I find myself sometimes barely holding on by my fingernails. I call that the fingernail hold of faith. Barely holding but still holding on in belief. Our grip gets stronger as we serve the Lord over the years and see how that time and again He comes through for us. 

Most people have faith in their mind and reasoning, but deep faith, which causes us to hold on, comes from the heart. Heart faith will hold an never let go. Again, that comes by knowing the Lord in a deep relationship. It will develop over time.The Bible says…

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1, NIV).

“Romans10:17 “... Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.”

If today you are hanging on by a fingernail, cheer up, you’re still hanging on.

The Daily Scroll - Proof In The Mirror

 If one has read the Bible or sat in Sunday school, the the story of the creation of man is something that we know. But as many times that I have read the Bible or listened to teachings, I didn’t realize until now that when God created Adam from the dust of the earth, that the earth was moist. Because of the mist, the earth was moist. You might even say that dust could have been worked into clay. 

It’s hard to wrap your mind around the action that God took in order to create the inward parts of man. Did  He start with the bones, then the muscles, then the flesh, into which He put the heart, the arteries and veins? Enriched with DNA that flowed through the blood which some say He infused from His own self as He breathed particles of His spirit into man creating Adam’s own spirit joined to the Spirit and life of the Father.?

Modern day scientists and inventors have created the most unbelievable products and mechanical systems, but they pale in comparison to God’s creation of man. Our most brilliant Doctors struggle to just understand the human body, but nobody could create man but God. So if you need physical evidence of the reality of God, just look in your mirror.

 “a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.“(Genesis 2:6-7)

The Daily Scroll - I Love You Lord

 Sometimes there are no words to describe the love and devotion that we have for Lord Jesus. 

Sometimes life boils down to this. Love God. Worship Him because He is worthy. 

The Apostle John wrote that we love Him because He first loved us. (I John 4:19)

So click the link below, skip the ads, and take a moment to worship him, from that deep intimate place in your heart, your soul. That place where it’s hard not to cry at the very thought of Him, His goodness, His grace toward us, and most certainly His self sacrificing love with no end, no judgement, nothing but pure holy love. Take a moment. 

https://youtu.be/1jB-XucaeWE

The Daily Scroll - God Rests

 As I read the first chapter of the book of Genesis, I am struck by the fact that the entire universe, and planet earth, was silent from all human contribution. No speech, no arguments, no battle cries, no sounds of industrialization, no car horns, and no man made music. Nothing. Just the sounds of nature created by God. 

I can imagine Him as he sits back in His celestial chair and surveys all that He had made. He must have enjoyed His creation because He said that it was good. And everything that He made, from stars in distant galaxies, to a frog in a Louisiana bayou, pleased Him. It was all good. And it was all mane for His man.

I wonder if He’s rested much since, as his finest creation, mankind, has never stopped since. And yet God breathed His own breath into man to finish His creation. The Hebrew word for breath used is in Genesis 2:7 is “neshamah” which means spirit. Some experts have said it also means blood. Imagine this, if in fact the blood and the Spirit of God were breathed into Adam, our great grandfather many generations removed, then our blood and our spirit comes from the same place. God! One day we’ll learn everything about all these mysteries. The Bible says…

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.“ (Genesis 2:1-3)

The Daily Scroll - Read It

 So I read my Bible most every day, and when I finish reading a particular version all the way through, I change bibles to a different version. For the last few years I’ve been reading it on my Kindle which is programmed into my iPad.  It’s cool because I can copy and paste scripture out of the Bible in my iPad, and paste it right into my article I’m writing on my blog. I’ve been reading the Life Application Study Bible but I just finished it. My dilemma was what do I read next? 

So I decided on the ESV. That’s the English Standard Version. The intro tells how they made it from different ancient translations etc, which I found very interesting. Today I start with Genesis 1:1. It might take me a year to a year and a half to complete it because I take my time to study and think about what I read. That way there’s no pressure to read a chapter a day or whatever. I take my time and enjoy it. I’ve done different reading programs, like “read in a year some Old Testament and some New Testament,” or other programs. 

One of the most surprising challenges was to read the Bible through in 90 days. The pastor of our very large church at the time, gave the challenge one Sunday morning and most of the church was enthusiastic about doing it. At the end of 90 days there were only 3 or 4 of us who completed it, including the pastor. I used a new King James Bible with no notes to distract me. So I read that through in 90 days. It was wonderful, like a transfusion of the word of God into my brain and my spirit. 

I recommend anyone to try it. Put it on your bucket list. It will Bess and enhance your life. However whatever the version, and however you proceed, read it! A new year…a new challenge.

The Daily Scroll - Thanksgiving Day is Ours

 There is a friendly debate among historians as to when the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in America. Some say it was in Virginia in 1610, and others hold fast to our traditional first Thanksgiving celebrated in Plymouth Plantation, Massachusetts, in 1621.

Whichever side of the debate one chooses to embrace, the fact remains that Thanksgiving Day is ours.

Before America existed as a nation, the hardy souls who persevered to found this great country made the effort to thank God Almighty for His provision and grace.

Giving thanks in Virginia, Massachusetts, and many other settlements across the new world was a spontaneous act by grateful people. They experienced a life so rugged, that without the providence of God they would have surely not survived. They were grateful for God’s favor and blessing.

Our first President, George Washington, a man acclaimed to be the Father of our Country, acknowledged God as the source of our Nation’s strength and very existence. He felt so strongly about this that he made a proclamation for a national day of thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26th, 1789.

President Abraham Lincoln made it an official national holiday on Thursday, November 26th, 1863. He believed in the importance of setting aside a day to honor God and give thanks individually and corporately as a people.

Thanksgiving day has become a tradition, which like other traditions, has developed, grown, and transitioned from being a simple spiritual act of acknowledging God’s blessings, to a national event of unbridled proportions.

Ball games, shopping, days off from work, and travel are just a few of the Thanksgiving activities that can encumber us and help us to forget the true meaning of the holiday.

This day is meant to be a time to stop, take notice of our blessings, and acknowledge God with a grateful heart. Lest we forget, there have been Thanksgivings in the past that were very trying and somber, days of prayer and fasting.

Today, one could say that we are too busy enjoying our blessings to pause and be thankful. We all share in the responsibility for the national event that Thanksgiving Day has become because it is our day.

I am so thankful to God that He has given us the freedom to worship Him with our thanks. And the blessings that we enjoy over this holiday are truly from Him.

I believe He continues to bless us in part because we do take a day, our day, each year, and as a people tell the whole world that we thank Almighty God for His provident grace.

The Bible says: “Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.” (1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT)

This Thanksgiving as we share our feast with our loved ones, plan our shopping for Friday, and our Christmas decorating for Saturday, give a nod to our forbearers whose grateful hearts made this all possible.

Enjoy taking part in a celebration uniquely our own, individually and corporately. Pass on to the next generation the knowledge of how blessed we are as individuals, families, and as a people.

Speak of the mighty and wondrous things that the Lord has done, and share our thankful hearts one with another.

“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power.” (Psalm 145:4 NLT)

The famous author O. Henry wrote, “There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home to eat biscuits and marvel how much nearer to the porch the old pump looks than it used to. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.”

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Daily Scroll - Come

 In 1978 a twenty five year old young man stood in front of a live TV camera in a small town in North Carolina, and encouraged viewers to turn to Christ. There had been testimonies of people who had accepted Christ as their Savior and now the invitation was given. Would anyone respond? There were telephone counselors ready to take the calls. Would anyone call? That really was up to the Holy Spirit to draw them and draw them He did. 

As he gave the invitation he read the following scripture, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.“ (Revelation 22:17)

Yes, anyone means you. So as I approach my 70th birthday, I’ll repeat the invitation that I made on local TV 45 years ago, to the more than 108 countries where this blog is read today…

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.“ (Revelation 22:17)

The Daily Scroll - Be Thankful

 Gail was going through turmoil in her life. Her aging mother had a chronic disease, her husband had recently left her for another woman, her oldest boy Jeff was called into the principals office for fighting in school, and she got a notice from the bank that she had three bounced checks. When Gail got up this morning and looked in the mirror wondering how she was going to face another day, she saw a gray hair. 

That was it. Today is thanksgiving and she was anything but thankful. However, like so many people she went through the motions, cooked thanksgiving dinner and prepared for the event. When the meal was ready and everyone was gathered around the table, she finally sat down with a sigh of relief. Time for the prayer. 

Everyone bowed their heads and held hands. A moment before she led the prayer, Gail looked around the table and saw her loved ones waiting. Suddenly all the turmoil was lifted as it dawned on her how blessed she was to be gathered with her kids, her parents, her aunt, and a friend from work. She began to cry, and her son asked her what was the matter. She said, “I just realized how very blessed I am to be here with all of you. I am so thankful to God for His many blessings. In spite of everything I am truly blessed and rejoice in these blessings from God.” It was a great Thanksgiving day.

The Bible says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18)

The Daily Scroll - Have Thine Own Way

 So few are the people, yes even the people of God, who in these last days will look to heaven and pray, “Have thine own way.” These days we want God to conform to our ways, to our will. They say, “ I will serve you Lord, now here’s what I want you to do.” Why are so many prayers unanswered? Simply because we pray in our will, not in the will of God. Now He will bless us, but only within reason and not always will we get an affirmative answer. Sometimes the answer is no. 

The words of this song by Jim Reeves pretty well sums it up.

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Thou art the potter I am the clay
Mold me and make me after Thy will
While I am waiting yielded and still

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Search me and try me Master today
Whiter than snow Lord wash me just now
As in Thy presence humbly I bow

Have Thine own way Lord
Have Thine own way
Hold over my being absolute sway
Filled with Thy spirit till all can see
Christ only always living in me

Click below to see and hear. Think about it.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiu8dPm3dKCAxW7L1kFHWUQBTsQsPgBegQILhAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DegkZLsDG1E0&usg=AOvVaw2t0SALY_uVZGEOXJB-UBKG&opi=89978449

The Daily Scroll - Coming Attraction

 Gary woke up in a cold sweat from a nightmare. In his dream he was standing in line at the grocery store with bread and milk in his hands. When it was his turn to pay, the cashier held a portable scanner over Gary’s right hand. It emitted a loud low buzzing sound. He tried the other hand but got the same result. Then he asked Gary to kindly remove his hat and then held the scanner over his forehead. Same result. That loud low buzzing sound. 

Suddenly two security guards appeared and ushered Gary from the store. They told him that he needed to go to the administrative office to get marked. Then he could come back. Gary thanked them and went on his way. However he didn’t go to the administrative office. He went home to try and figure out how to feed his family. He knew that with receiving the mark he had to pledge allegiance to the so called World Wide Eco System and renounce Christ with a blasphemous oath. The Bible prophesied this as the Beast system. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Could you?

The Bible teaches of the coming attraction.

“He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.” (Revelation 13:16-18)

The Daily Scroll - End Times

 Many people, Christians and non- Christians alike, believe that we are living in the last days. Troubles and conflicts in various parts of the world point to it. Let me ask, why do men think that they can rule the world? If any rational thinking person reads the Bible prophesies and half-way believes them, then what is the point? Satan himself thinks he will, but he only has a short time in power such that it is. Jesus is coming. 

I was reading the book of Revelation in the Bible, and it shows two hugely different facts. First, that God loves His children very much and has a glorious future planned for all the believers in His Son Christ Jesus. Secondly, the devil has plans to enslave the world with cruelty unknown to modern man. He’ll take no prisoners. His power and evil ways will wash across the globe in madness like an over flowing sewer.

Read the book of Revelation for yourself. The events are more chilling than any horror novel ever written. Sadly, it’s not fiction, it’s coming. Be ready for the return of Christ to rapture His people home before it’s too late. Be ready.

The Daily Scroll - Deliverance

 So many suffer and die from war. Around the world conflict after conflict continues. In some places God’s people suffer the most. Many are martyred for their faith in Christ. But they have  hope that’s real. They will enter heaven in the realm of Jesus Christ and His Father almighty God. The apostle John wrote what he saw in the Spirit…

“These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:14-17)

So if you are a Christian in danger, know that your Heavenly Father knows, and cares. He will give you strength to bare it, and welcome you home afterward. 

The Daily Scroll - Lead It

William was a young worship leader trying to do his best in a church unaccustomed to extravagant praise and worship. They were very conservative, formal, and low key. They produced beautiful music but it all seemed too professional, and without a lot of heart. 

One morning while he was preparing for service, he paused and prayed. He confessed to the Lord that he, as well, was holding back his true feeling and exuberance. Then suddenly the Holy Spirit gave him a vision, a glimpse of heaven, and the worship around the throne. William had read about it in the Bible, but never could he imagine what it was really like until that moment. 

Something changed within him and he had a totally new outlook on the praise and worship service. Later that Sunday morning, the service began slow and methodical as usual, then the Spirit hit William, as he led and sang, and he began to dance. He jumped off the stage, into the altar area, and danced like King David going to the Temple. Soon others in the choir couldn’t contain themselves either and joined William off the stage dancing and singing unabashedly before the Lord. Others joined from the congregation and that church would never be the same! 

What William saw in the Spirit was described by the Apostle John in the Bible.

“Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered— to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Revelation 5:11-13)

The Daily Scroll - Worship

 The Apostle John saw heaven while praying in the Spirit. In the throne room, in heaven, there were those who gather around the throne while continuously offering praise to God. He saw and heard this…

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty— the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.” Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.” (Revelation 4:8,11)

Pure worship to the pure and Holy God. When offering praise and worship to God in our earthly services, we add to, and join, those in heaven offering their praise to God. How wonderful to be part of such a grand gesture. 

The Daily Scroll - Kept

 Freddie was an orphan who was shuttled from one foster home to another his whole life. Every time he had to leave he asked himself, “Why won’t anyone keep me?”

When he became an adult and married, he and his wife searched foster homes and orphanages to find a boy like himself. A boy who had been shuttled around and was all alone. They found little Freddie, seven years old, and knew immediately that he was to be their son. After lots of paperwork it became true. Little Freddie was kept by his new dad big Freddie. And so it was, both Freddie’s kept one another for the rest of their lives. 

“Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.“ (Jude 25-25)

The Daily Scroll - Don’t Go

 Don’t Go

From the time I was a young boy I attended church with my family. I still remember the Sunday school classes, the vacation Bible schools, the music and singing, and the many admonitions from the pulpit. 

I remember the Wednesday night services before Thanksgiving. Often we, as a church, celebrated the Thanksgiving Holiday with a play, (Once I was a Pilgrim), and a time of giving thanks to God for the many gifts and blessings He had given us. 

Sitting in that same church many decades later, I look around and the memories flood my mind. I especially remember the people who were there but now are gone. So many family and friends have passed and gone on to be with the Lord, whom we worshipped together, and I know they are happy now in heavenly bliss. But I ask myself the question, where are the others.

Where are all the kids and teens who I grew up with. Some have moved away and live their lives elsewhere, but many have simply fallen away. The cares of this life, and family situations have taken them from us. Some would still claim a strong belief and love of the Lord, but yet they leave and don't come back. 

I believe it’s heartbreaking to the Lord to have so many of His children living lives of solitude away from their Christian family. I know a man who is a very devout Christian, but has one excuse after another to not attend church, and if you knew him you'd be shocked. 

Many who leave do not make a firm decision to not come back, they just drift away. We live in such a fast paced and busy world that we just don't take the time. The Bible warns us in Hebrews chapter two not to drift away.

It reads in verse 1, “We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.”  

Verse 3-4 reads, “What makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.”

The same Lord who welcomes us into heaven welcomes us into His Church. There is so much growth that takes place in Church. There's blessing and rejuvenation that takes place in church. And there's family. A church family.

I have a friend who had severe chest pains and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance on a Sunday. Immediately as one person learned of the situation, Social media posts went out for prayer in a spontaneous prayer chain. Later, several members of the church left the Sunday night service and rushed to the emergency room for support and prayer. 

After test results showed that he was fine, the Doctor discharged him into the care of his church family. They returned with him to the church service and the congregation erupted into applause and praise to God for a miracle in their presence. Afterward the Pastor had him pray for others which he did one by one for nearly an hour! God brought him from the ER to the altar!

Please don’t  miss out on your blessings. If you have been disappointed or hurt by something or someone at a church in the past, try and put it behind you. The writer of Hebrews in chapter 2:18 spoke of Jesus this way, “since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.”

He will help you and he does want you. The Bible says, “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17)

The enemy of your soul, the devil, says “DON’T GO…to Church.

The lover of your soul, Lord Jesus, says “DON’T GO…away from Church.

Which voice will you listen to?

The Daily Scroll - Get Jesus

 Two teenage boys were sitting outside on the church steps looking at the moon and the stars when one said to the other, “You think he’s coming tonight?” “Who?” Asked his friend. “ Why, Jesus,” he replied. The preacher in there said He could come any minute and that we he’d better get ready. How do I get ready?”

His friend asked him, “ Do you know Jesus?”

“Not really.” He answered. “So what do I do?”

His friend turned, looked him dead in the eyes and said, “Get Jesus!”

“How do I get Jesus?”

His friend said, “Pray this prayer with me.”

And so his friend led him in the sinners prayer and he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Today there are many false teachings about how to get to heaven. The most egregious is the belief that there are many gods and many ways to heaven. Wrong. There’s only one way to heaven and Father God…GET JESUS!

“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (I John 5:11-12)

The Daily Scroll - Keep Away

 Here’s a tricky one from the Bible…“Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” (I John 5:21)

Now on the surface that statement seems simple and straightforward. But if we sincerely check our hearts, and our life actions, do we really keep away? I’ll confess that there have been times in my own life where the competition for my heart from the world has snuck up on me. Beware because it can be gradual and seemingly innocent. Then suddenly it’s got you. 

Keep short accounts with God. Don’t let sin and the love of this world sneak in. As it has been said, we are in this world but as born again believers we are not of this world. Not any longer. Heaven is our home, God is our Father, and the Lord Jesus is our Savior and friend. And yes, the precious Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide. We are over-comers, so keep away. He’s coming soon.

The Daily Scroll - Purify

Willie liked to walk the mile to his barber shop every Saturday for his haircut. Sometimes he took his grandson with him. On these walks he would tell stories and impart truths from the Bible to Billy. One Saturday, after a rain, they came across a mud puddle. As they walked around it Willie asked Billy, “Son, would you drink that water? “No Grandaddy! came a quick reply.” That’s gross! Willie laughed and went on. But son, what if we used it to wash my car.” Billy thought a second and told him, “I guess it would be alright. But it wouldn’t be as clean as if we used clean water.” Willie said, So if we could strain and purify the water so it wasn’t muddy, but clean, then we could use it for everything, right. “Yes,” Billy responded. 

“You know son, sin is like that mud puddle.” “What?” Billy replied. “Yes. When we commit sins, even though we try to live right, the sin pollutes who we are. Yes, we function, but not as well because we are polluted. But when we have Jesus in our heart and we’re forgiven of our sins, we are better because we’re clean. We feel better. We’re more useful to God and everyone else.” “Wow!” Said Billy. “ I’d rather be pure water than a mud puddle.” “That’s right son. Keep yourself pure and clean before the Lord. Live a good holy life and you’ll be happy.”

The Bible teaches us, “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.” (I John 3:2-3)

The Daily Scroll - Don’t Believe It!

 Jesus warned us that in the last days false teachers, and false Christs, would rise and lead many astray. It’s happening all around us and all around the world, even as you read this. Even pastors can be subject to worldly distractions which bring on compromise. Pastors, don’t believe it. Lord Jesus Christ established His church with this simple fact. He died for us, suffered in Hell for us, then rose to life for us. 

When we accept what He did on the cross, repent of our sins, then we have new life in Him. Period. False teachers want to add on this and that, but His salvation is the only thing that matters. We can’t earn it, make it happen or really explain the mystery of it. Don’t believe all the add on’s that the satan inspired detractors throw at you. Like the Apostle Paul wrote about what this world has to offer. Count it as dung.

Jesus is coming so soon. We’ll meet Him in the air, and forever we’ll be with our Lord. The Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide living within every believer. Draw on Him to confirm your belief. He doesn’t mind if we challenge Him. He always comes back with the truth. With Him you’ll have peace in your heart. Other than Him don’t believe it. 

The Apostle John spoke about this in the Bible, “I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” ( I John 2:26-27)

The Daily Scroll - Me, a Sinner?

 Russell was a good man. At least that was what everyone at his church believed. But Russell had a secret. A secret sin. Lust beset his soul. As hard as he tried, he struggled with lust of the flesh. A proud man, he would barely admit his problems to himself, much less try counseling. Then one Sunday morning his pastor preached a sermon based on 1 John. He explained how we all sin, but God has made it possible for forgiveness and help in our struggles. Russell changed his life that day when he bent his knee and confessed his sins to God in prayer. A weight was lifted off his shoulders as he found forgiveness and grace to overcome his failures. 

The Bible teaches us, “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.“ (I John 1:8-10)

Yes, God is faithful. Always.

The Daily Scroll - Patience, He’s Coming

 “It’s happening! Just like Jesus said in Matthew 24. Wars and rumors of wars. Earthquakes in different places. We had one in Virginia this week. People calling good bad and bad good and so forth.” Said George to his wife. “Don’t you think it’s the end times like the Bible says? Everybody is saying so.”

Erma replied, “Well George, all that is true, those signs are coming together all at the same time, but listen. Jesus also said in Matthew 24, “But the end is not yet.” These signs are showing us that we are in the season of His return so we are to be patient, live our lives, watch and wait. We should examine ourselves, and live holy blameless lives. Be ready, but also try to help as many as we can to be ready.

The Bible tells us, “But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (II Peter 3:8-9)

“And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved.” (II Peter 3:14-15)

The Daily Scroll - Hold On

 Phillip owned a small hardware store in a small midwestern town. His Father had started it more than 30 years before. He was a faithful church member and a financial supporter of the church and foreign missions. Then it happened. A deluge of rain came and brought floods with it. His store was flooded and lost. He had some insurance but not enough to cover a total loss. Fortunately his home and family was fine. Later, as the flood waters receded, Phillip stood looking at his store in unbelief. 

“What do I do now?” He asked himself. Inside, as he trudged through the muck and mud looking for anything, he prayed, “God, show me what to do. I don’t know what to do.” He looked down and saw a hammer coated in mud. He picked it up, wiped it off, and thought, “This is still a new hammer in great shape. This was a sign from God…rebuild. He dug out every salvageable tool, took them outside to the tailgate of his truck. People began to come to buy tools and he had them. If the people didn’t have the money they needed Phillip loaned them the tools they needed. 

Not only did Phillip recover and rebuild, he added a tool rental business to his hardware store. The townspeople remembered his generosity and his business grew better than before, while other businesses languished and died. 

The Bible teaches us, “So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.” (II Peter 2:9)