A Home Is A House Full Of Love

1 John 3:18  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. I ought not to seek to be loved by someone but to look or someone to love.  My love for others is shown in my actions.

We recently did a fall theme for our ladies Fellowship.  Mrs. S.Eiben was so kind to do the devotional and did an excellent job.  She has given me permission to share it here. If you would like to see pictures of the meeting you can see them HERE. HOW TO WEATHER THE SEASONS OF LIFE Devotion by S. Eiben for Maranatha Ladies Meeting , October 22, 2011 It has been said that God can grow a mushroom overnight but He will take time to grow an oak or a giant sequoia…it took 13 years to get Joseph ready for the prime minister’s office in Egypt…Moses took 80 years in preparation for 40 years of service…David was a youth when anointed as King but it was years until he ascended on the throne…preparation takes time and toil…even the Lord was on earth for 33 years and had 3 years of public ministry. God has His times as well as His purposes. Our heavenly Father is not in a hurry as we are…maturity is a slow process – just as He has a purpose for each season He ordained, there is a ...

Luke 24:31  And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. Thoughts: How long does it take for my eyes to be opened to the truths of God’s Word? How well do I know the Lord?  These disciples thought they knew the Lord, but it was a while before they realized who He was.  Does He walk and talk with me and while doing so am I totally blind to who He is and what He wants me to do? As soon as I close my Bible, does He vanish from me?  Has he vanished from my thoughts, my meditations, my obedience to Him?  I’m afraid and so ashamed to say that all too often this is true. Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp and set me free. Open my ears, that I may hear Voices of truth Thou sendest clear; And while the wave notes fall on my ear, Everything false will disappear. Open my mouth, and let me bear, Gladly the warm truth everywhere; Open my heart a...

Psalms 50:14-15  Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Be Thankful “ Offer unto God thanksgiving” Be Trustworthy “ pay thy vows unto the most High” Be Trusting ‘ call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee” Be Triumphing in the Lord “ thou shalt glorify me”

Daniel 5:25-28  And this is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Daniel, chapter 5, brings a few thoughts to mind: The king’s kingdom was numbered and finished.  I need to pray   Psalms 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. The king was weighed in the balances and found wanting.  As a lost individual, one is always found wanting.  He can never measure up to God’s holiness. Romans 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; As a saved individual I am reminded of these promises: Psalms 23:1  <<A Psalm of David.>> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalms 34:9-10  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there...

I was reading this from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening.  This was is on the evening of July 15th. "He appeared first to Mary Magdalene." --Mark 16:9 Jesus "appeared first to Mary Magdalene," probably not only on account of her great love and persevering seeking, but because, as the context intimates, she had been a special trophy of Christ's delivering power … But notice how Christ revealed Himself to this sorrowing one--by a word , "Mary." It needed but one word in His voice , and at once she knew Him, and her heart owned allegiance by another word , her heart was too full to say more. That one word would naturally be the most fitting for the occasion. It implies obedience. She said, " Master ." … As I was reading, the verse below came to mind: John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: As soon as Mary Magdalene heard her name spoken by the Savior, she knew Him.  Do I know Him as I ought?  Do I hear Him ...

There is pleasure of sin for a season: Hebrews 11:24-25  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ; There are pleasures forever more at the right hand of Christ: Psalms 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Which is the better choice?

Below is a devotional also written by my good friend Mrs. B. Upton. This was written a few years ago when she was the guest speaker at one of our ladies meetings. This devotional was such a blessing to me that I asked her if she cared if I reprinted it. Mrs. B. is one of the most godly ladies I know. She is a joy to be near and you can always see Christ in her countenance. She has been through numerous trials, some very heartbreaking, yet she fully trusts the Lord through it all. What a godly example. I know this devotional will be a blessing to you too! If you have a hard time reading any of this you can click on the individual pages and them will come up larger. You can find one of her CD’s here . Listen to some samples and buy one. She sings from the depths of her soul!

Do I believe what Jesus saith,  And think the gospel true?  Lord, make me bold to own my faith, And practice virtue too.  Suppress my shame,  subdue my fear,  Arm me with heavenly zeal,  That I may make thy power appear, And works of praise fulfill.  ~Isaac Watts

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional "Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods." --Jeremiah 16:20 "The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be; Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee." What is your idol? Whether it be people or things, may we keep our selves from them and worship only the LORD! 1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

The following testimony is an amazing story of our newest grandson, Caleb and the trials that his daddy and mommy experienced at his birth. The testimony is written by Caleb's daddy. James 1:16-17 Says: “Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Before our Son Caleb was born, I had a different understanding of these verses. Now, you might think that Caleb is the "good gift" that I'm thinking of when I quote these verses and indeed he is a very good gift for which I am thankful. When he was born as many of you know, he had problems, his lungs were not quite ready to breath air. As a result, he had to spend two weeks in the Infant ICU at Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte. My immediate thought when I realized what was happening was why me? These things happen to other people, but not to me. I also kept thinking to mysel...

I love to listen and sit under the influence of Dr. Don Scovill, music chairman of Ambassador Baptist College and music director at our church, Maranatha Baptist Church of Shelby, NC. He has been teaching in Sunday School on music.  Last Sunday he gave us 9 characteristics of a Christian’s Music.  Truly, the music of a Christian ought to be different from that of the world. My music must show my changed life or regenerated experience.  If there is no change, then we have a defective salvation or perhaps, no salvation.  2Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. My music should show ownership. We are not our own.  We belong to Christ.  Be careful what you put into your body, mind, and soul.  Does it reflect the ownership of Christ? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which y...

Below is a true story of a man that was changed by the grace of God. I am glad to share this story as I have seen first hand that his life has been changed! (2Cor. 5:17) "...not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" - Rom. 2:4 Today I must declare the goodness of God by sharing a story with you and perhaps challenge even my own heart and maybe the heart of another in how good God is. In October of 2009 there was a 26 year old man named Travis Berryhill living the life of a homeless drunk on the streets of Shelby. He had ruined every friend and family relationship that he had and although there were multiple places he used to live and jobs he used to have, these were all destroyed by drink (a topic for another day but if you play with this sin remember what GOD has said: "At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like and adder") and there was no place for him to sleep but at the homeless shelter, under a railroad bridge, in hi...

“Trials make the promise sweet; Trials give new life to prayer; Trials bring me to His feet Lay me low, and keep me there.” ~Spurgeon "Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw; Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw; Gives exercise to faith and love; Brings every blessing from above." ~Spurgeon

I really enjoy looking at this site and seeing all the different pictures and the Scriptures that have been chosen to go with them. Here is my picture for the week. It was taken in South Carolina, where we did an easy hike to Twin Falls. I am reminded of so many things in this picture: God did so many things for His children. Even when they murmured and complained so much He provided for them in the wilderness. He loved and cared for them over and over. Amazingly, He is still the same today. He loves and cares for us and meets our needs over and over, often in spite of our discontent and complaining. God is my rock – He is my firm foundation. Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. He is the rock that will never crumble; His work is always perfect. Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just an...

In 1Chronicles, there are at least 25 things that ought to be on my to do list: Give Thanks unto the Lord. Call upon His name. Make known His deed among the people. Sing unto Him. Talk about all his wondrous works. Glory in His name. Rejoice as ye seek the Lord. See Him and His strength. Seek His face continually. Remember His marvelous works and His wonders and his judgments. Be mindful always of His covenant. (He never breaks His promises!) Sing unto the Lord. Sing Psalms unto Him. Show His salvation daily.  (My faith should produce good works so that others see it and glorify the Lord) Declare His glory to the unsaved. Declare His marvelous works to all nations. Fear Him above all! Give unto Him.  ( I don’t have much to give, but I can give him my time, talents, treasures) Give the Lord glory and strength. Bring Him an offering. Worship Him in the beauty of holiness. ( Do I really realize the holiness of the Lord?) Fear Him – He is the one who holds t...

Only GOD can turn a MESS into a MESSage, a TEST into a TESTimony, a TRIal into a TRIumph, a VICTim into a VICTory. GOD is GOOD... all the time! ******************************************   "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." --1 Peter 5:7 Nothing is so sweet as to: "Lie passive in God's hands, And know no will but His." If God cares for you, why need you care too? Can you trust Him for your soul, and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, He has never fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! have done with fretful care, and leave all thy concerns in the hand of a gracious God. ~Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional

To whom shall I go today?   Jesus Christ.  He has the words of eternal life.  There is no other way like His.  there are no other words like His.  There is no other One like Him.          ~Vance Havner in Day by Day P. 244 John 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.