The Daily Scroll - He Knows

 In our Christian walk, sometimes we fail. It happens. Do you think Jesus doesn’t love you? He knows its going to happen. He loves us, strengthens us, and hopes for us to be strong and not sin, failing Him. But He knows. I have found that as you develop a close relationship with Jesus, you see how plain and matter of fact He can be. When you sin and then repent asking for forgiveness, He does in a matter of fact manner. He deals with us like servants, children, and yes friends. 

This is illustrated in the Bible as Jesus speaks to Simon Peter about his upcoming failure and lies he’ll tell about Jesus when questioned. 

Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31)

Jesus knew Peter would lie and deny Him, knew he would repent, and gave him instructions of what to do afterwards.

So don’t give up on yourself, Jesus hasn’t. 

The Daily Scroll - Honestly?

 Is a white lie ok sometimes? Let’s face it, white lies and lies of omission are a detriment to the Kingdom of God and mankind. Lies of omission are diabolical in their deception. One may say,”Well I never told him that was right.” The problem is one never told the truth, that it was wrong. As Christians we have an obligation to the truth. For the truth will set you free. The lack of truth will keep one bound, and in many cases bound for hell. 

How many times did Jesus say I tell you the truth? He challenged the religious leaders to their faces to tell the truth, but they had rather kill Him than do so. Today if you are faced with a situation where it’s either the truth or lie, or white lie, or omission of the truth, don’t do it. Especially when it pertains to spiritual matters of the soul. Be honest and truthful in your witness for Christ. You may not be believed now, and you may be ridiculed, but you’ll stand before God as a good and faithful servant. You do not want Christ to look at you on judgement day, as someone is judged into hell, and say “Why weren’t you honest with them?

Think about it friends. We live in a world of a watered down gospel. Time is short and lives, eternal lives are hanging in the balance. 

“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.” (Proverbs 12:22)

The Daily Scroll - Frost on the Pumpkin, Dust on the Bible

I remember waking up to the radio alarm one day to the refrain, "Hello country bumpkin, how's the frost out on the pumpkin?" My wife and I laughed and laughed at such words to be awakened with. In this season of the fall harvest when pumpkins seem to spring up everywhere, I think about those days of innocence, those days when our biggest concern was the frost on the pumpkin.

At this time of the year our nation celebrates Halloween's many activities, which includes carving out pumpkins and sitting them on the front porch steps. It has become a family tradition for millions of people. Yet very few use the bounty of the pumpkin for food.

One year at this time we had so many real pumpkins on our porch, fake pumpkins in the flowerbeds, and even giant blow up plastic pumpkins in the front yard that we earned the title, "The Pumpkin house," from the neighborhood kids. But we didn't eat a single one! (Pumpkin, not kids).

Now here we are again in the fall season when these orange spheres show up in front yards like dandelions on a summer day. We surround ourselves with this beautiful bounty as decoration but the food within we discard on newspaper.

The Bible says,

"Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee" (Psalm 116:7 KJV).

Are we enjoying the bounty?

The poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who was born in Massachusetts in 1807, wrote:

"The Pumpkin" (1850)
Oh! Fruit loved of boyhood! The old days recalling.
When wood-grapes were purpling and brown nuts were falling!
When wild, ugly faces we carved in its skin,
Glaring out through the dark with a candle within!

Back in the olden days, a carved pumpkin was placed on the family hearth to keep evil spirits from coming down the chimney and into the home to do their dastardly deeds.

Today, in homes across America many have replaced this use of the carved pumpkin with the Bible. Now bear with me a moment. We set the Bible out on the coffee table, enjoy its beauty, and yet rarely pick it up. We know that it holds a bounty within, yet we don't feast on the rich food of the word when it's sitting right here in front of us. We dust it, and display it with pride when visitors come, yet how many times, like the pumpkin, does it end up just sitting on a newspaper?

The food within the Bible nourishes our spiritual man within, yet we are starving ourselves and allowing the spirits to enter our homes through the modern-day chimney, the television. Now that's scary. Wouldn't our fore-bearers be aghast if they could see us today? We might call them superstitious for trying to ward off evil spirits with a carved pumpkin, but what would they say about us for not even trying?

The wonderful bounty of the pumpkin awaits the pies, while the life-giving food in the Bible awaits our eyes. This season, when you see the pumpkin carved so ingeniously and sitting on the porch, remind yourself of the Bible written so divinely and sitting on your table. It has a candle within which will never go out and will keep every evil spirit at bay.

Inside the Bible it says,

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105 KJV).

So hello, County Bumpkin! How's the frost out on the pumpkin? Hello, modern rival! How's the dust out on the Bible? Happy Feasting!

 

The Daily Scroll - The Ten Minute Vacation

Gods word, the Bible, teaches us to seek Him while He may be found. Yet we have been beset with so many self induced distractions that our mind is mis-occupied with everything but God. Even faithful church goers, who have our one hour dose of faith on Sunday morning, thinks of Monday almost the entire time. Once, when I was frustrated with my busy life, A friend of mine told me to just sit quietly and reflect on my cup of coffee, how it tastes, what it looks like, how it smells, and nothing else for ten minutes. I tried it and it works. It’s like a ten minute vacation from the concerns of life. My mind was clear. Now take that time, reflect on the Lord Jesus, what He looks like, how His Presence makes you feel, what He has done tor you, and so forth. Your ten minute vacation will bring you the peace and clarity that you need and are looking for. Father will give you the happiness and peace of the Kingdom of God.

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:21,31-32)

The Daily Scroll - Silence

 Silence…is golden? Really? When God sits and listens for the prayers from His children, so many times all He hears is Silence. Why? I’m perplexed. I thought that with as many Christians around the world that Heaven would be bombarded with prayer. God gave me a vision of the situation. He showed me the earth. I saw gaps, big gaps all over the globe with little or no prayer. Some of these places are barren of prayer because the people, who are praying are really praying to false Gods. Other barren places are there because of lack of faith and belief. We must fill our place, our gap, with prayer.

The Daily Scroll - Fit For The Kingdom?

Jesus called a man to follow Him and spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God, but the man wanted to take care of personal business first. Jesus knew if the man went back he would stay and not accept the call. The Bible relates the story…But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

How many of us heed the call to serve yet put it off and then fail to serve. Some may say, “ You know, I’m not sure if it was the Lord calling me. What if it’s just something I wanted but it was just me, not God calling?” 

Or, “What if I’m not able to accomplish what He’s asking me to do?” I firmly believe that if you have a doubt about your calling, do it anyway and God will bless you. Jesus told His Disciples that even someone outside the group, ie. not called, doing miracles in Jesus name was to be accepted. Anyone not against is for us, and acceptable. God will enable you even if you feel inadequate. Many who love the Lord serve Him out of that love. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, the doubts lessen and faith becomes resolute. Serve Him with joy!

The Daily Scroll - Singing Rain Birds

 Many people have awaken on a rainy Monday morning only to be filled with dread feeling yucky. We drag ourselves to the coffee pot, get to work and wish the day was over already. Then there are some people who spring out of bed with a song in their heart and bask in the excitement of another day with new opportunities for success!

It was just such a rainy Monday, when I myself was not basking, when suddenly I heard this sound coming from outside my window of birds singing. It was beautiful. You’d thought it was a sunny day, not a 55 degree fall day with wind and rain outside. 

After some quick research, I learned that the rainy environment brings worms closer to the surface and also bugs come out to dry themselves, so this is a happy buffet for the birds. They chirp and sing to let other birds know that dinner is served. In the Bible we read the words of Jesus as He explains that God provides and takes note of even a sparrow falling to the ground. He cares for the least of these. How much more does He care for you? (Matthew 10:29-31)

So instead of starting that cold, dreary rainy day with dread, realize that your Father in Heaven is aware of you and takes note to care for you. Put a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and seize your opportunities. Claim your day!

Click the link below to hear and experience the birds.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj8wLC3iMT6AhVFGVkFHZX7C2QQ3yx6BAgOEAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBz7C9hVmoQ4&usg=AOvVaw3esiCNXcINigNA7dFZdY12