The Daily Scroll - A Promise Worth Receiving

 After a lifetime of reading, studying, and teaching the Bible, I’m still amazed at the promises of God. There are so many promises that it can become easy to take them for granted. Certain promises such as the ones concerning our salvation are probably the most important, and the ones that we hold most dear. But there are so many other promises that make our lives rich, promises that are fulfilling and give us hope. 

Becoming a senior citizen causes one to think about our future in a different way than it does when we were young because after all, we have less time to fulfill our hopes and dreams. When you are young, you have forever. Or so it seems. But here’s another promise…

"For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11). 

God has already allotted for you all the time which you need. And He’ll be with you all the way!

The Bible says, “You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and did that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.“ (Deuteronomy 5:32-33) 

The Daily Scroll - Will We?

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

God’s promise is true, but look what we must do. Humble ourself, pray, seek the face of God, and turn from our wicked ways. Will we do it?

The Daily Scroll - Buried or Planted?

 The cares of life so easily encompass us. Life can become like a tidal wave of challenges that lifts us up and pushes us away from where we want to be. We can come to the place where our enthusiasm for our  faith wanes and we ask ourselves, “Am I just burried here?”

“I want to do more, but all my dreams of service to the Lord seem unattainable, nay impossible. Are they just dreams, burried here with me?”  

Take the lowly acorn for instance, wedged and burried underground. If it could, it might say the same thing. But what the acorn doesn’t know is that it’s not burried, it’s planted. Therefore there’s an expectation of growth. There’s an expectation that one day the tiny acorn will become a mighty oak, and it’s leaves will provide shade for those who are weary of the sun, and its branches, a home for those who need a place to build their nest. 

No my friend, you’re not burried, you’re planted with an expectation of growth. Cheer up! It will happen. God has a plan and you’re a part of it. The Bible teaches us, 

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God” (ESV) (Psalm 92:12-13)

Give yourself some time and you’ll see yourself burst through from the ground when you least expect it.

The Daily Scroll - I Am The Lord Thy God

 Wake up world! Those who are the called of the Lord wake up! I was watching television and saw a “man on the street” interview of various people. He was asking political questions. Some people walked right on by without responding, while others stood and gave lengthy opinions. Watching it made me wonder, what would it be like if Jesus walked out amongst the crowd with a microphone and asked questions of passersby?

What if he asks, “Who is your God?” I suspect some people would quickly walk by and ignore him without responding, while others might stop and try to answer his question about their God. Various gods may be mentioned, but the Christians would have a more personal story, a testimony of how God helped them in one situation or another. 

Then there’s the young man who would pause, look Jesus in the eyes and fall to his knees with head bowed. I can see Lord Jesus gently put his hand under the young man’s chin and gently lift it until their eyes meet. Their surroundings seemingly disappear as Lord Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?”

With trembling lips the young man says, “You are Jesus, the Son of the living God.” The glow of the Holy Spirit shines from around the countenance of Jesus as He replies. “Man has not revealed this to you my son, but only God our Father.  Hide this truth deep in your heart.” And then He was gone!

I have to ask myself if I would recognize Jesus? Would you? Are we close enough to Him? Or is He just a character in a book? I ask myself and so should we all, because He is coming soon.  Not as a nan on the street interviewer with a microphone, but in the clouds with the last trump sounding and the shout of the Archangel.

Jesus asked this question of Peter as recorded in the Bible. 

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”

The Daily Scroll - Uncertain Certanity

 In a world where evil is called good and good is called evil and standards of truth are seemingly dissolved, truth is optional, so how do we stand? How do we get our bearings? Where is our firm foundation? The only firm foundation that I have found is in the word of God, the Bible. God’s word never changes, he never changes, and it brings about the truth that I may not know about tomorrow, but I know who holds tomorrow. My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

As I said, God‘s word never changes and he never changes. Ira Stamphill penned these words in 1950 in his song that says, 

Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand;

But I know who holds tomorrow, And I know who holds my hand.

The Bible tells us in Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord, I change not.” 

Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus is the same “yesterday, today, and forever.” 

Hebrews 7:24 says, “But He [Jesus], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

Now friends, in this world of uncertainty, we may still stand on the foundation of the certainty, of the Word of God.

Song, I know who holds tomorrow, by Ira Stamphill, American songwriter.

https://youtu.be/dNN1Z342Iao

The Daily Scroll - Passing the Test of Liberty

Reading today’s headlines, we learn of constant challenges to our liberty. Terrorists’ threats against our nation, economic turmoil, and political struggles are on our minds. But hasn’t that been a constant in the history of our country?

From the very outset of our nation’s birth, our forefathers passed the test of liberty in places like Bunker Hill and Valley Forge. But there has come a steady stream of trials and tests to our nation that we have had to pass in order to remain free. We mustn’t forget the Alamo, the battle of New Orleans, or Gettysburg, and our current heroes who fight a war against global terror.

There has been a test that each generation has had to pass for liberty. And these tests are always given to the individual. A woman, who we’ll call Maria, had always wanted to become a United States citizen, but could not pass the test. Well, after praying with a CBN prayer representative, Maria passed the test of liberty and became a United States citizen!

There once was a young boy named Tommy who was brilliant at an early age. Born and raised in a rural area, he read all of his father’s books by the age of six and had a hunger for knowledge that was unquenchable. He was tested many times in his life but at the age of 14, his father passed away, leaving him to assume the role of head of the house.

In spite of life’s circumstances, he entered college at the age of 17. Maintaining his home with his mother and siblings, at the age of 24, Tommy passed the bar exam and became a lawyer. When he was 27 and away working in another city, his home burned down and he lost all his prized possessions, including his extensive library. In time, he rebuilt his library, had an illustrious career, and passed the test of liberty.

Harriet Powers, a woman freed from slavery after the civil war, suffered hardships and struggled to pass the test of liberty. She was an expert seamstress who made quilts to help support her family of nine children. Few black women could write in those days, but Harriet told the stories of the Bible with the figures she sewed into the panels of her quilts. To see Harriet’s quilts was to get a visual of the great stories of the Bible. She passed the test of liberty and led her family into the free world.

The greatest test of liberty, however, came in a garden in Jerusalem. The Lord Jesus passed the test of liberty for all mankind when He submitted Himself to His Father and said,

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42 ).

 He sacrificed His liberty for ours, even to His death on a cross. Now we have liberty in Christ, eternal life that no man or devil in hell can take from us. When we accept Christ Jesus as our savior, we are free!

The test of liberty is an individual test, which we must pass daily. Our struggle, whether spiritual, physical, or financial, is not in vain. Just as we reap the rewards of those who have passed the test before us, we pass the rewards of our tests on to those who come after us.

The Apostle Paul wrote,

“As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 ).

So, pass the test of liberty and be an over-comer like Harriet Powers, the freed slave whose Bible quilt hangs in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC today. Or Maria, who passed the test of liberty and became a United States citizen at 96 years of age! And finally, let’s not forget Tommy, who at the age of 33 passed the test of liberty when he penned these words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776).

The Daily Scroll - The Warp and the Woof

 I was reading, in the Bible book of Leviticus, the instructions concerning lepers and the cleansing of the lepers by the Priests. It gave instructions concerning the cleansing of the lepers’ garment. 

It says, “the garment, or the warp or the woof, or any article made of skin from which the disease departs when you have washed it, shall then be washed a second time, and be clean.” (Leviticus 13:58)

I asked myself what is the warp or the woof? I found that in a woven cloth, the warp is the thread that runs lengthwise and the woof is the thread which runs horizontal across and through the warp. Christian writers compare this to the Bible, in which the woof is the word of God, the foundation in the fabric of truth. The woof is like the Spirit of God which weaves in and out of scripture giving it life, and the power of God.

I learned long ago that the Bible, the written word of God, is the only book which is alive. It’s because the woof of the Bible, the Holy Spirit, gives it life. Never underestimate the reality of the Word of God. So like a coat or garment with which we cover ourselves, let us cleanse and cover ourselves with the Warp and the Woof of God.

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The Daily Scroll - Through The Maze

 I am totally amazed at how God will lead those, who trust Him, through what seems like a maze, yet bring you out to the correct destination in the end. My own life has been in that maze many times and I can testify that He has brought me through each and every time. I could tell you of times I’ve been in utter darkness walking by faith. Many are the times when seemingly complete impossibility stood staring me in the face, yet with my simple childlike faith, the Lord protected me and held me up with His strong right hand. 

The Bible says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Rejoice for He Will guide you, even in great darkness. For the Bible says,  

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 105)

I can testify to his truth for even now I must walk and trust our Lord every day, and He has never, And I mean never let me down yet. Keep trusting dear Reader. gene

The Daily Scroll - Father

 I’ve held many positions with various titles. Some have been professional, some spiritual, and some just for fun. But of all the positions I’ve held, none compares with Father. When you are young, you assume you will become a father one day, because most every man does. It's the way of nature. And when you marry, you assume it is just around the corner because now you can become fruitful and multiply as the Lord commanded.

Yet, you still haven't a clue how your life will change, how you will change. For me, it was a long wait. Nineteen years we waited, then one day our prayers were answered and the miracle of life happened for us.

Seeing the precious face of our baby girl was as close to a divine experience as one could have on this earth. We fell totally and completely in love with this little stranger, whom we felt we had always known. We held our dream in our hands for the first time.

Yes, we were crazy about our blessing. We bought her everything we dreamed of, took her every place we dreamed of, and took great care to plan her future. That was to be expected. But the love I felt for my child, was something I never expected. I had experienced nothing with which to compare.

I remember my godly grandmother, when she visited, upon seeing dozens of pictures of my baby daughter on the walls warned, "Now son, be careful not to worship that child, we are only supposed to worship the Lord."

I explained to her, "Grandmother, my love for her is so great, I can't help it. God understands."

I know she meant well, but as far as I was concerned, my love was God given and I didn't consider it worship, just the highest, most pure love one could have. That love has never wavered or waned. It continues to grow with time. It is unabashed. And as far as I am concerned, it is the closest a man can understand the love that God, our heavenly Father, has for us, His children.

The Bible says, “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, 'Abba, Father.'” (Galatians 4:6 NLT)

Our Heavenly Father has a love for us, His children, that is unmatched. All the heavens and earth were created with us in mind. He wanted a beautiful place for His family of mankind. He provides everything we need and much of what we want. He cares about every aspect of our lives: our health, our family, our life’s work, hobbies, dreams, and even our desires.

Father God not only loves us in church, He loves us wherever we are. He loves what we do and what we become. He watches over us while we sleep and wakes us up every morning to start a new day in His love!

He scrutinizes our every move, and every thought. The Bible says that we are so valuable to God,

“even the hairs on your head are all counted.” (Luke 12:7)

His love is so deep that we can never fully comprehend its depth. When our granddaddy Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, Father set about to place a plan in motion to win us back. It took a miracle. It took love. It took a Savior. Our Father’s love for us compelled Him to sacrifice His most precious possession.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)

With our heavenly Father as our role model, we earthly fathers can glean inspiration from Him, even if our experience as sons was with a bad father or no father at all. Though we may fail in one area or another, the love of a good father never fails, as our heavenly Father helps us to share His love.

The title of Father comes to some men through biology, marriage, or adoption. The love of a Father solidifies and confirms the right to that title. It is the highest title a man may hold. It is a title most solemn, conferred and blessed of God. My child is and will always be my cherished blessing, and I will always be her Father.

The Daily Scroll - Ahhhh

 Peace, peace, wonderful peace. Coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever I pray, in marvelous billows of love.

The Daily Scroll - Happy to Be Here

 The last ten days I’ve been in a great hospital in my hometown, Virginia Beach, Virginia. I fell and broke my right ankle in six places. I’ve had two operations, so far, and am now facing another one in three days. If I still have infection in my ankle, then I’ll be facing yet another one in a few more days. So how, do you say, could I possibly be happy to be here? It’s because of who is here with me…my Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus, and of course, the power and presence of the Holy Spirit! 

I could stop right here and leave it at that, but I can’t. I want to testify that it is so precious to have a time, a time out of my normal life to sit back and enjoy my God. 

Psalm 73:28 tells us, “But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”

“I love you Lord…and I lift my voice…to worship You…oh my soul…rejoice

The Daily Scroll - He Fellowshipped

Probably the most amazing incredible dinner recorded in the Old Testament, was God coming down from heaven to fellowship with a meal. He supped with the leadership of Israel. Even though He may have toned down His glory so that they could experience Him, when His feet touched the sand it became as colored glass. 

In modern times, We see that in the desert after a nuclear blast, the sand turns into glass. One can only imagine the power emanating from His feet! Read the account of Moses as recorded in the Bible, in Exodus.

“Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank.“ (Exodus 24:9-11)

Yes! He fellowshipped in person! And today He fellowships in the Spirit with those whose are His.

The Daily Scroll - Healing Restored

 So many people are hurting. Some are suffering physical infirmities, some mental anguish, some the loss of house and home through disasters. But whatever you're situation, just know that Jesus cares. He, Father God, and the Holy Spirit have not forgotten or ignored you. No, not at all. 

You might not see it right now but blessings are headed your way. Just have faith. As you fight in the physical world, fight in the spirit. Fight the fight of faith. Be encouraged! For God, who cannot lie, gave this promise.

Jeremiah 30:17 “For I will restore health to you, and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord”

The Daily Scroll - More To Come

 Climatologists say that the extreme weather that we’ve seen in the US and around the world is due to climate change. The climate change question has become a political football which no man can control. Yes there are changes in the weather but who controls that? Only God. So what is He, God, trying to tell us?

I believe we are experiencing the forerunner to the end times which the prophets foretold long ago. Even modern day prophets are saying get ready, Jesus is coming! I am struck by the many prophesies of the last days and seeing so many coming to fruition already. But how can a God of love do these things or even allow them to happen, you may say?

I read today where someone wrote, “Never in the history of the world has such a great nation as America fallen so far so quickly.” Just the bloodshed alone give our righteous God the justification to punish America with His wrath. We are His people, a nation founded on His principals, and look at us now. 

The Prophet Isaiah recorded in his writings, (Isaiah 5:20) “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

Has there ever been a time such as this? The Apostle Peter wrote, 

 “Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.“ (2 Peter 3:3)

So you see, is it any wonder that when we see trouble all around us, tornadoes, floods, and such, that God is increasing His merciful judgement little by little on our nation to warn us, to call, us back to Him?

The Daily Scroll - Hurt Again

 “How many times must I go through this Lord?” Have you ever felt that way? Facing a cancer diagnosis, Phillip, a devout Christian, has been in remission from cancer twice an now it’s back. His emotions run the gamut. From positive strength full of faith, then disparity again as he comes out of r3mission. 

Having faith mixed with fear, doubt, anxiety and many negative emotions can drive one crazy. But Phillip always comes back to faith. “I know that I am in the hands of God and I will serve Him no matter what.” This made Phillip an example to other believers. “If he can have faith in the face of death, then surely I can have faith in my life,” they would say.

Jesus said “Have faith in God…”

https://www.bible.com/bible/100/MRK.11.22-26.NASB1995

The Daily Scroll - In Memorial

 In America, we celebrate Memorial Day every year. It’s a time to honor and celebrate brave Americans who gave their lives to protect our nation. It became a national federal holiday in 1971. However it began after the civil War when both sides honored their dead heroes. Since then it has also become a day of remembrance of all our loved ones who have passed. A day of parades and speeches, and a day of laying flowers over our loved ones’ places of rest. 

For those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior, we have the blessed hope of seeing those loved ones again. For us, it is a day of remembrance, yes, but also a time to look forward to the day in which we’ll be gathered together again with those loved ones who have gone before. 

On this Memorial Day, take time to remember, but also gladden your hearts in the thought of seeing them again. 

The Daily Scroll - Worship in This Love

 Powerful worship comes in more than one form. There is of course, singing and shouting praises to God with fellow believers. But there’s a deeper more profound experience of worship. 

I am quiet, reflecting on how much I miss the presence of the Lord. I am longing for the love of my soul. Then sweetly and suddenly He appears, like the song and scripture says, “I see the Lord, I see the Lord. High and lifted up, being worshipped by the peoples of the earth,” when suddenly His presence is before me. Me! The least of the brethren. I feel His embrace, their embrace, as the Love from the Lord is poured out upon my soul through my spirit. No words are spoken in this worship. It’s not singing, shouting, speaking….it’s being. Just being. The exchange of love melds into one. And there we rest. The world, the throne room, the universe fades, and all of existence is only us, and the worship in this love.

 I was disturbed when I heard the statistic that less than 25 % of Christians believe completely in the Bible. I am told that they pick and choose what they believe while accepting the world view and mixing the two to fit their lifestyles. 

Friends this is a danger to the very soul of the believer. Study and believe the Word of God because it is the Word of God.

The following are teachings of my church, the Church of God. Teachings I believe in, as I believe in the complete Bible. 

WE BELIEVE:

The Church of God believes the whole Bible to be completely and equally inspired and that it is the written Word of God. The Church of God has adopted the following Declaration of Faith as its standard and official expression of its doctrine.

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In the verbal inspiration of the Bible

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In one God eternally existing in three persons; namely, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of the Father, conceived of the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. That Jesus was crucified, buried, and raised from the dead. That He ascended to heaven and is today at the right hand of the Father as the Intercessor.

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That all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and that repentance is commanded of God for all and necessary for forgiveness of sins.

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That justification, regeneration, and the new birth are wrought by faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.

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In sanctification subsequent to the new birth, through faith in the blood of Christ; through the Word, and by the Holy Ghost.

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Holiness to be God’s standard of living for His people.

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In the baptism with the Holy Ghost subsequent to a clean heart.

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In speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance and that it is the initial evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost.

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In water baptism by immersion, and all who repent should be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

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Divine healing is provided for all in the atonement.

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In the Lord’s Supper and washing of the saints’ feet.

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In the premillennial second coming of Jesus. First, to resurrect the righteous dead and to catch away the living saints to Him in the air. Second, to reign on the earth a thousand years.

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In the bodily resurrection; eternal life for the righteous, and eternal punishment for the wicked.