Monday, January 29, 2024

The Daily Scroll - Family

 Family. Some say,  “Can’t live with them, can’t live without them.” Ever feel that way? Family is such an enrichment to our lives, that I couldn’t possibly see a world that I could live in without them. Is it all bliss?  No way. As you grow up in a family, you learn about the world. You actually learn how to survive in the world and deal with others. 

You could be blessed and have a wonderful family, or not. You could have no natural family, mane grow up in an orphanage or even the streets. Two homeless men and a mangy dog could be all you have. But you find that they are there for you. Here on this earth there are many different circumstances, as we all know. 

Consider this, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”” (Roman’s 8:15)

When you accept the Lord Jesus as the Savior of your sins, you become born again into the family of God, through His Son Jesus. The children of God are there for you. Get involved in a church where after one visit you feel the presence of love, peace, and God. Get involved. To have a family, be a family to someone. God has a place for us all.



Friday, January 26, 2024

The Daily Scroll - My Strength

 I’ve had three operations on my right leg in two years. My knee was crushed due to a fall and my femur was broken just above the knee. Three months later I fell again and broke my same leg just below my right hip. Then we found that the knee surgery didn’t work. January of last year I had a total knee replacement on my right leg. So I am in month 12 of an18 week recovery and permanently disabled in my right leg. Now last Tuesday I fell again in my driveway and broke my left hip. Back in the hospital for the fourth surgery. I can say with all authority that

 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.” (Psalm 28:7-8)


Monday, January 22, 2024

The Daily Scroll - A Winding Road

 Do you ever feel like your life seems to be going in circles? You might make progress in one area while having setbacks in another? Life can certainly be like that sometimes. Sara found out that there are times when you just have to stop where you are, and look around and center yourself. Her brother was deployed to the Middle East. She hadn’t heard from him in a while which caused concern. Her brother Jack was a widower with three kids. A boy and two girls all under the age of ten. Aunt Sara was caring for them while he was away.

She had her own eight year old son Bobby to care for as well. Her husband helped when he could but he was at work most of the time tending their farm. Her friends from church were always a comfort to her, especially on this day. She received a notice the Jack has been wounded in battle and was evacuated to a hospital in Germany. She was crushed. “Is he going to be alright? How do I tell the children? What if… 

She couldn’t finish the sentence, even in her mind. “No, she said out loud, he’s going to be fine. He’s coming home to us. And eight months later he did. In a wheelchair. A wounded veteran. She made a special room for him and the children. Cozy, but big enough for the little family. Eventually Jack was able to walk again with a cane, however he was permanently disabled. 

Late at night after everyone was asleep, Sara, with a cup of coffee, rested in her easy chair in the den. Her Bible lay open in her lap as she prayed, “Lord. Where am I? I don’t recognize my life. I thank you so much for your provision, but I don’t recognize my life. I know that you are in charge but I don’t see a roadmap where we’re going.” 

The Lord spoke to Sara’s heart, “Child, isn’t it fair to say that even when you think you know where you’re going, you really don’t. Life is full of twists and turns, roadblocks and detours. But I promise that I, who cannot lie, tell you here and now that I have you in the palm of my hand. My arm is around you and I go where you go. Your steps are ordered by me. Unseen angels under my authority and control, guide you through your circumstances . So relax and enjoy the only security anyone can rely on. Me, your Father.”

With that Sara dozed off to sleep until her husband came down and found her. He gently raised her up and guided her up to bed. She smiled at him in perfect peace.


Friday, January 19, 2024

The Daily Scroll - The Word of the Lord

 Let’s clear up something. When the Prophets of old and the New Testament Apostles referred to “The Word Of The Lord,” what were they referring to? Did they pull out their copy of the red letter edition of the King James Bible? No. It didn’t exist. The Bible didn’t exist as we have it today. The men who wrote the Old Testament and the New Testament through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were referring to the actual Word of God coming directly from God. Here are some examples.

“Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.” (Jeremiah 19:3)

“But the word of God grew and multiplied.” (Acts 12:24)

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation“ (Revelation 3:13)

It’s important to keep this in perspective. Today there are people with the gift of prophesy who gives the word of the Lord to an individual or a Church under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The Word is still growing and multiplying. But remember, the prophetic word must always align with the written word of God…the Bible.



Thursday, January 18, 2024

The Daily Scroll - A Rose in the Snow

 In the deep of winter, when the snow covers the earth, all is not dead. All is not lost. It may be harder to find life under a blanket of white, yet it can be found if you know where to look. Janet was a older woman who had seen many snowfalls in her life, so this current one seemed to be no different, yet she felt that something had changed. Being a widow had made her life more uncertain financially, yet God had always provided. 

So on this day, as she walked down her long driveway to her mailbox, she surveyed her property to her left and to her right and snow was all she saw. She told the Lord that her worries about her finances had covered her like the snow covered the ground and she was afraid. Could He give her a sign that He was going to provide, and like the snow covered ground, she would not be covered with debt and depression. 

No sooner than the prayer left her lips, she saw something in the distance to her right. What was that? She thought as she ventured off of the driveway and  into the field toward the object that had caught her eye. As she got closer she saw that it was a beautiful red rose! In the middle of this frigid winter, in an open field where no roses had ever been planted, this gorgeous flower had risen through the snow to kiss the sun. 

Janet picked the rose and held it to her nose as she walked back to her driveway and then on to her house. The Spirit of the Lord spoke to her heart “Peace child, be still. For if I can raise a rose out of a snow covered field, I can raise you out of your worry covered mind. Under your situation there’s still life. Have faith in me to bring it out for your good.”

When Janet returned to her house, she put the rose in a vase on her kitchen table, and praised God for His provision. When she opened her mail, she found a check from a former business partner of her deceased husband. A letter explained that he had sold a property that they had owned jointly, and the check was for her half. The check was written on the account of Rose Hill Properties. 



Tuesday, January 16, 2024

The Daily Scroll - Play Your Game

 I sat in amazement as I watched Tiger Woods win yet another major golf tournament. I have to wonder what it must be like for those other golfers he beat? They are great golfers, the worlds top ranked players, who must know in their hearts, that if Tiger is playing, then their best hope is to place at number two. Yet they keep competing week after week, doing their best.

I know exactly how they feel, whenever I play golf with my buddies. I’m only assured number four…that is when I’m in a foursome. Ha! Yet I keep coming back. You may ask why keep playing when you know there’s a better guy in the game that will probably win? Well, there’s the love of the game, the thrill of competition, the occasional great shot, and the satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve done your best.


But, there is a deeper reason. I learned it one day on the golf course as a new golfer. I was paired up with an older, more seasoned golfer who played very well. He was a retired military officer who had played some of the finest golf courses around the world during his military career. He sensed my frustration with being number four in our foursome, and gave me a tip I’ve never forgotten. He said, “Gene, don’t worry about me or anybody else. Play your own game.”


He taught me that I was frustrated because I was trying to play his game and I couldn’t. That frustration was ruining my game. He showed me that it’s OK to play my game along side of his game. Yes his drives were longer, and his shots more accurate than mine, but that had nothing to do with my game. If I play my game, I’ll play better and in time I’ll improve. Since that day my game has improved, but at my own pace. I enjoy my game and challenge myself to succeed.


God has given us our own calling, or game, in life. Sometimes we get caught up trying to compete with others and become frustrated with what we fear is a lack of success. A Pastor with a congregation of 110 members comes home after service and turns on the television to see a young Pastor with a congregation of 10,000! Just like Tiger’s fellow players he thinks, “No matter what I do I’ll never be that good.” Then depression sets in. He hurts, as gloomy thoughts of defeat descend like a shroud that covers his dreams for burial.

Stop it! God has given you your own calling, your own game. So play it. You can never win your game by playing somebody else’s. You can never get your promotion by moaning about somebody else’s. If you have four children in your home daycare business, you can’t focus on the daycare down the street with forty children. Be the best with your four and you’ll grow with satisfaction. 


God has you where you are for a purpose…His. He put you there because you are the best choice for your calling, your game. Does God make mistakes? No. Does He want you to succeed? Yes! You see, God knows the end result of your game and if you were going to fail, He would have put you somewhere else. 


Bigger isn’t always better, for quality is what counts. I’ll refrain from repeating the old saying, “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” I won’t say that. But know that you only have yourself to compete with in your game. You win your game, so play it! When your game is over, you’ll be able to say, with the Apostle Paul,

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)  




 



The Daily Scroll - Rapture

 Is the Word of God True? I submit that it is. The Apostle Paul wrote in 

(I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.




Friday, January 12, 2024

The Daily Scroll - Purified

 As Christians, believers in the Lord Jesus, we seek to be more like Him. That brings us to a place where we find ourselves falling short. Even though we are born again, there are things in our lives that we must change and clean up. This is a process called sanctification. There are different views held by theologians whether sanctification is an instant thing or a process. 

My thought is that to be more like Jesus, we should put aside those things that so easily beset us and focus on Him, and the cross, and what Jesus did for us. Our gratitude and love flows from the appreciation which we have for Him. The Bible teaches us to purify ourselves and then Jesus, through the The Holy Spirit, does just that. When we do our part, He more than does His part to help us. Again, I’m not talking about salvation here, I’m talking about living a new holy life after salvation. 

We are now new creatures in Christ. He will take us through the process of becoming more like Him. And, it’s a joy to have such fellowship. We should put away anything which comes between us and the Lord. Change ourselves the best we can and He’ll do the rest. An example from the Bible, “So Jacob said to his  household and to all who were with him, “Put away  the foreign gods that are among you and  purify yourselves and change your garments.“ (Genesis 35:2)

They were becoming a godly people and so shall we when we rid ourselves of the dirty laundry in our lives and live clean.



Thursday, January 11, 2024

The Daily Scroll - Remember Me

 In 1999 my mother passed away. I was heartbroken of course, and my emotions were raw for a long time. However in time, as many of you know, the pain of loss fades and the blessing of memories increase. I now think of the good times often, and her memory brings a smile to my face. I inherited small possessions like pictures and books, and one day, while looking through pictures, I came across a picture of her that she had given to my father, when she was 16 years old. 

On the bottom right hand corner of the picture, this beautiful young girl had written…“Remember Me.” Though many years have passed, I remember her as if it were yesterday. Those memories bring me peace and blessing, and I know that I’ll see her again in heaven.

The psalmist also wrote of the Lord, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. Your ways, God, are holy.” (Psalm 77:11-13)

I believe if there were a picture of God the Father, We would see His inscription “Remember Me.” He does not want His children to forget Him. We have the Bible to read and reflect on the works of His hands, the grace of His mercy, and the constant enduring love which He has for each of us. Memories of Him brings us peace and blessing even to this day.



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Wednesday, January 10, 2024

The Daily Scroll - A Good Report

 Everyone loves a good report. When you mow and trim the yard, and your wife comes out and says how good it looks, it makes you feel good. When your boss gives you a high score on your quarterly evaluation you feel great, especially when you get a raise. On the other hand a bad report can sink your day, maybe even depress you, regardless of where it comes from. 

As Christians we look forward to the day when we meet Jesus in heaven and He says, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” But what if He continues and explains why you’re a good and faithful servant like God said about Abraham when he died. The Bible records… “Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” (Genesis 26:5)

Won’t that be wonderful? Jesus said that even a cup of water given in His name won’t go unrewarded. Continue to serve God in the character of your Lord Jesus and your reward will be great.




Friday, January 5, 2024

The Daily Scroll - He Didn’t Ask For It

 Many things have been said and written about the Father of faith, Abraham in the Bible. After years of study there is one fact that dawned on me today. That is that Abraham is not seen as asking for the things that happened to him, neither good nor bad. It seems like he purposed to know God, and follow God, and then God did everything else. 

Abraham was a very smart man and grew wise as he aged, but God made the covenant with him. God told him to go here and to do such and such. Abraham obeyed God. He didn’t wake up one morning and say to himself, “I think today would be a good day to move my family, my herds, and all my people to an unknown land.”

No, God told him what to do and he obeyed, and figured out how to do it. He used his own skills and abilities to carry out what God desired for him to do. Time and time again he obeyed God, though it made no sense to the onlookers. Imaging gathering all the men in the group together and and telling them they will be circumcised! Say what? He obeyed God and those under his authority obeyed him.

Study the life of Abraham. You’ll see not only was he the Father of faith, you’ll see why. He and God had developed a relationship that made Faith possible. He trusted God. The Bible tells us that at the end of his life… “Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things“ (Genesis24:1)

We all would love a legacy like that, and Abraham didn’t ask for it. God just did it. It’s all about relationship. 



Thursday, January 4, 2024

The Daily Scroll - God Remembered

 In the Bible, we see the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two cities so evil that God Himself came down and looked to see for Himself. On the way He encountered Abraham who begged God not to destroy the righteous people with the wicked, even if there were only ten righteous. God agreed.

However there were not even ten. Only Abraham’s relatives, Lot and family, were righteous. So the cities were to be destroyed. But in His mercy, he remembered the cry of Abraham for the righteous and rescued Lot and his family before the destruction. The Bible records, 

“So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.” (Genesis 19:29)

You may wonder if your prayer is honored by God. Will He hear and answer? If you have a lost loved one and seek God on their behalf, remember this scripture, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…and thy house.” (Acts 16:31) I have stood on that scripture for years and seen lost loved ones come to the Lord. Even if I was not the one who lead them, I believed in the truth of Gods’ word and as I prayed I reminded Him of the scripture. And wouldn’t you know, that God remembered. You may not even see it, but the word is truth, so it will happen. Don’t worry that it seems impossible. God specializes in the impossible. He will remember.



Monday, January 1, 2024

The Daily Scroll - 2024/Make it Count

 Happy New Year to my readers!

We have a fresh start full of opportunity to make a difference for the Lord.

Let’s do it.

Let’s make it count!

I love you all!

Gene