True Love
Now Playing: Are we demonstrating genuine love for others ?
Topic: Character
LOVE WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS ...

"Little Chad was a shy, quiet boy. One day he came home and told his mother he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, 'I wish he wouldn't do that.' She had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included.

Chad's mother decided she would go along with her son. She purchased the paper, glue and crayons. For three whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines. Valentine's Day came and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mom decided to bake him his favorite cookies to eat when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed -- maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think he wouldn't receive many valentines -- maybe none at all.

That afternoon she had the cookies and a glass of milk on the table. When she heard voices she looked out the window. Sure enough, here they came, laughing and having the best time. And as always, there was Chad in the rear. But he was talking a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he was inside.

His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened, she choked back her own tears. 'Mommy has some warm cookies and milk for you,' she said. But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face shining, and all he could say was: 'Not one -- not a one.' Her heart sank. And then he added, 'I didn't forget a one, Mom, not a single one.'"

(From COMING OUT OF THE DARKNESS by Mary Southerland published by Harvest House)

This story is a wonderful picture of Christ's love for us! In Ephesians 5:25 Paul wrote, "Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her ..."

Think about it -- Christ loved the church and gave His life with NO GUARANTEE that any of us would respond to His love! But he did it for us -- unconditionally -- and He didn't miss a single one! As you think about His love for you, may it be a reminder of the love that we need to show our wives. Are you loving your mate unconditionally? Without expectations?

Knowing the Shepherd
Now Playing: Do you really know Him as you should ?
Topic: Devotion
I Know The Shepherd
Author Unknown

There was once a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a dramatic reading of Psalm 23.

Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation - "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want" ... the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the Psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. "Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23?" The actor was quite taken back by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and centre on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears. Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training - but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?"

The young man quietly replied, "Well sir, you know the Psalm ... I know the Shepherd."

Sunday School
Now Playing: How do we reach out to children with the gospel ?
Topic: Outreach
And now a word as to the mode of working a Sunday School.

You must remember it is an individual service to be carried on in personal responsibility to the Lord. No doubt it is most important to have full fellowship in your work with your fellow labourers, and with all your brethren; but the work of a superintendent or a teacher must be carried on in direct personal responsibility to the Lord, and according to the measure nvolved in this work than in any other individual service, such as the Sunday evening preaching, cottage meetings, lectures or Bible classes; though most assuredly the Assembly, if in a spiritual, healthy condition, will have the fullest fellowship with the Sunday School, as well as with the entire range of personal work for the Lord.

You will find, if we mistake not, that in order to work a Sunday School effectively, you must have a good superintendent -- a person of energy, order, and rule. The old proverb, 'What's everybody's business is nobody's business,' is especially applicable here. We have seen several Sunday Schools come to the ground from not being properly worked.

Persons take up the work for a time, and then let it drop. This will never do. The superintendent, the teachers, and the visitors must enter upon their blessed work, not by fits and starts, but with calm determination and spiritual energy; and having entered upon it, they must carry it on with real purpose of heart.

It will not do for the superintendent to leave his school, or the teacher to leave his class, to chance, under the plea of leaving it to the Lord. We believe the Lord expects him to be at his post, or to find a proper substitute in case of illness or any other unavoidable cause of absence.

It is of the utmost importance that every branch of Sunday School work should be undertaken and carried on with freshness, heart-zeal and energy, and thorough personal devotedness. And, inasmuch as these can only be had at the Divine Treasury, all who are engaged in the service should meet together for prayer and conference. Nothing can be more deplorable than to see a Sunday School falling into decay through lack of diligence and perseverance on the part of those who have taken it up.

No doubt there are many hindrances; and the work itself is very uphill and very discouraging; but, oh! if our words have any weight, we would say, with heartfelt emphasis, to all who are engaged in this most precious service, Let nothing damp your ardour, or hinder the work. Go on! go on! and may the Lord of the harvest crown your labours with the richest and the best blessings.

We need hardly remark that we do not contemplate such a thing as unconverted persons taking any part in the work of the Sunday Schools. Indeed, we know of few things more sad than to see a person engaged in teaching others that in which the teacher has neither part nor lot himself. No doubt God is sovereign, and He can and does use His own Word, even in the lips of an unconverted person; but this in no wise alters the melancholy fact in reference to the person so used. We could not think for a single moment of admitting or inviting any one to take part in the work of the Sunday School, if we had not satisfactory evidence of his conversion to God. To do so would be to help him on in fatal delusion. --

C.H.Mackintosh

God's desires for us
Now Playing: What does God require of us ?
Topic: Divine Expectations
First Read Micah 6:8

10 THINGS GOD WON'T ASK..........

1...God won't ask what kind of car you drove;
He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

2...God won't ask the square footage of your house,
He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3...God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet,
He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

4...God won't ask what your highest salary was,
He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5...God won't ask what your job title was,
He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6...God won't ask how many friends you had,
He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

7...God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived,
He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

8...God won't ask about the color of your skin,
He'll ask about the content of your character.

9...God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation,
He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, & not to the gates of Hell.

10....God won't ask how many people you forwarded this to,
He'll ask if you were ashamed to pass it on to your friends.

READ THE LINES BELOW CAREFULLY:

Happy moments, Praise God. Difficult moments, Seek God. Quiet moments, Worship God.
Painful moments, Trust God. Every moment, Thank God!

Gift vs. Godliness
Now Playing: Are we acting in His strength, or our own wisdom ?
Topic: Discernment
A third expression constantly occurs in these chapters: "The Spirit of Jehovah came upon him" (Judges 13: 25; Judges 14: 6, 19; Judges 15: 14). When we see these words we may be sure that the conflict is entirely according to God and without mixture.

We likewise may achieve such victories, not by being dependent upon a temporary action of the Holy Spirit coming upon us from without, but because we have, in virtue of redemption, been sealed by the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of power. Nevertheless, it is important to remark that we cannot estimate the moral worth of a man of God by the greatness of his gift. Nowhere in the Scripture do we find a stronger man than Samson, nor one weaker morally.

The New Testament gives us a similar example in the Assembly at Corinth, which came behind in no gift of power, and yet permitted every sort of moral evil in their midst. Samson was a Nazarite, upon whom the Spirit of God often came, but he was also a man whose heart had never been judged, and so his state was not in keeping with the gift he exercised.

Not once, from the beginning to the end of his career, did he hesitate following the path of his lusts; going, without a struggle, wherever his heart led him. Notwithstanding the power of the Spirit, he was a carnal man. When he visited his wife with a kid, his kindness was carnal; when the world proposed giving him another woman, which he did not care for, in exchange for the one he so earnestly desired, his anger was carnal.

Yet thus it ever is that the world treats us, to our loss and shame, when we have desired anything from it. That which it gives, after so many fine promises, has no value to the child of God, and cannot satisfy him. In the matter of the three hundred foxes, the Spirit of Jehovah did not come upon him, for, as I have already said, his anger was carnal. He wanted to "do a displeasure" to the Philistines, by attacking them in their outward circumstances; and, with a view to this, resorted to a device which does not at all seem to be according to the mind of God. The enraged Philistines went up and burnt his wife, who was their accomplice, and her father.

Meditations on Judges, H L Rossier

God's Leading
Now Playing: Is the Lord changing our lives?
Topic: Progress
"How encouraging to trace the way in which Habakkuk is led from being on his face in anguish of soul before God because of the failure of His people (ch. 1); to take his stand on the watch-tower, to hear the words of the Lord, (ch. 2). Then, having learned the mind of the Lord, to see him on his knees in prayer, with the result that finally he walks on high places with joy in his heart and praise on his lips." (ch.3)
(excerpted from Hamilton Smith)

In His Hands
Now Playing: Are we content to acknowledge Him in everything?
Topic: Dependence
Hebrews 1:2

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:3

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 2:8

Thou hast put all things in subjection under His feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under Him.

Hebrews 2:10

For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Hebrews 2:17

Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto his brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 3:4

For every house is builded by some man; but He that built all things is God.

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

Hebrews 8:5

Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when
he was about to make the tabernacle: for, 'See,' saith He, 'that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.'

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no
remission.

Hebrews 13:18

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Good Things in the Epistles
Now Playing: Are we zealously (strongly) affected in a good thing?
Topic: Good Things
Galatians 4:18

But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present
with you.

Galatians 6:6

Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Ephesians 4:28

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Ephesians 6:8

Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it
until the day of Jesus Christ:

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1 Timothy 4:6

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

1 Timothy 6:13

I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

2 Timothy 1:14

That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

Titus 2:3

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers,
not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

Titus 2:7

In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness,
gravity, sincerity,

Titus 2:10

Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our
Saviour in all things.

Titus 3:8

This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which
have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and
profitable unto men.

Philemon 1:6

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good
thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 9:11

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

Hebrews 10:1

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can
never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers
thereunto perfect.

Hebrews 13:9

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied
therein.

Hebrews 13:18

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

Ways of God & man in scripture
Now Playing: What does the Bible say from which we can learn?
Deuteronomy 5:33

Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.

Deuteronomy 8:6

Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to fear Him.

Deuteronomy 10:12

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,

Deuteronomy 11:22

For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him;

Deuteronomy 19:9

If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD
thy God, and to walk ever in His ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:

Deuteronomy 26:17

Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and to hearken unto His voice:

Deuteronomy 28:9

The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt
keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in His ways.

Deuteronomy 30:16

In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.

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 and right is He.

Joshua 22:5

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

1 Samuel 4:13

And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark
of God. And when the man came into the city, and told it, all the city cried out.

2 Samuel 22:22

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

1 Kings 2:3

And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

1 Kings 11:33

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

2 Chronicles 21:12

And there came a writing to him from Elijah the prophet, saying, 'Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,'

2 Chronicles 27:6

So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.

2 Chronicles 32:13

Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the
nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?

Job 21:14

Therefore they say unto God, 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.'

Job 40:19

He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

Psalms 18:21

For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in
the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God
will bring thee into judgment.

Isaiah 2:3

And many people shall go and say, 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house
of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in His paths:' for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Isaiah 58:2

Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook
not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in
approaching to God.

Jeremiah 3:13

Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast
scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 7:3

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.'

Jeremiah 7:23

But this thing commanded I them, saying, 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my
people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.'

Jeremiah 26:13

Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.

Ezekiel 14:23

'And they shall comfort you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it,' saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 18:23

'Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?' saith the Lord GOD: 'and not that he should
return from his ways, and live?'

Ezekiel 18:30

'Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,' saith the Lord GOD.
'Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.'

Ezekiel 20:44

'And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to
your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel,' saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 24:14

'I the LORD have spoken it: it shall come to pass, and I will do it; I will not go back, neither will I
spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee,' saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 33:11

Say unto them, 'As I live,' saith the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that
the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O
house of Israel?'

Ezekiel 36:32

'Not for your sakes do I this,' saith the Lord GOD, 'be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for
your own ways, O house of Israel.'

Daniel 5:23

But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Hosea 9:8

The watchman of Ephraim was with my God: but the prophet is a snare of a fowler in all his ways, and
hatred in the house of his God.

Micah 4:2

And many nations shall come, and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the
house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths:' for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Romans 11:33

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

Revelations 15:3

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, 'Great and
marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, thou King of saints.'

Depending on Him
Now Playing: Do we feel our need of Him?
Topic: Dependence
We need Him more than we realize. Everything we have that make us comfortable can turn our attention & affection away from our true Source of happiness & blessing in our lives.