Dear Praying Friends and Family,
It's a beautiful moonlit evening where i just returned from walking the "Big Girls" and Troy...i think more like they returned from walking me.
I know that i probably used the title, "A Mighty Fortress," pretty recently, but felt led to use it again today...just seems to fit what I feel led to share this week about GOD being our Mighty Fortress... when the earth gives way. In the days we're living in...and all the days down through the ages, HE has been and continues to be "A Mighty Fortress" to HIS children.
This morning i attended the visitation of the son of one of my long time dearest friends, and faithful prayer warrior, Sherry Wallace Moss. I received a phone call Sunday afternoon that Sherry's son, Scott, had died unexpectedly. He had gallbladder surgery a couple of weeks ago, and the cause of death was undetermined earlier in the week. At the funeral home this morning, the line was long and i had an opportunity to see a lot of people i haven't seen in a long time, including Sherry who lives near Auburn, Al. As i waited in line, there was the sounds of wailing, deep heavy sorrowful sobbing just ahead of me. I didn't know Scott's wife, but as i looked in the direction of the sobs, there was a young lady in a jacket with the name, Scott on it, who was in deep anguish, hugging and crying with loved ones who came to mourn Scott's death. I assumed that was his wife, and my heart goes out to her so very much and their young 11 year old son. As i stood in line, an attractive lady who looked to be in her 60's started talking to me. She introduced herself, and immediately I thought she might be the widow of Dr. Gary Gross, who had was a well loved ob/gyn in our town. Dr. Gross lost his 4 1/2 year battle with pancreatic cancer recently. I asked Mrs. Gross if she was Dr. Gross's wife, and she was, and I expressed my sorrow to her. She was very gracious and said that they had been so blessed to have 4 1/2 years they didn't expect to have together. She was very kind and was looking forward to seeing Sherry whom she had not seen in a long time either. The Gross's and Sherry's families were neighbor's to one another when we started knowing Sherry. At that time, almost 28 years ago, Sherry was going through a very difficult divorce and that is when we got to know her. She has the most wonderful gift of hospitality and on Friday nights she would invite a large group over from our church, and she would make the most delicious pecan pies and homemade bread you could die for. We would have all kinds of great food, and then have Bible study and prayer together. Aaah, it warms my heart just thinking about those days. Sherry was going through one of the most difficult trials a person can go through, and yet GOD was using her to pour out HIS love and life to us through her very warm and loving and cheerful hospitality. I can remember how cozy her house would be on a cool fall night. By the time we left, our tummies would be filled with the wonderful food Sherry had prepared, and our hearts would be filled with the love of JESUS.
"By this will all men know you are my disciples if you love one another." John 13:35
Today when I saw Sherry at the funeral home she looked so good. She has aged so gracefully. In her mid sixties now, the smile that characterized her almost 30 years ago, is still there. She is just a radiant as ever, her countenance softened by the years of walking with JESUS, and trusting HIM to help her when the earth gives way around her, as it did when she found out her beloved son had died earlier this week. Ever since I can remember, Sherry has asked us to pray for her two boys, whom she loved so very much. Scott asked JESUS into his heart a few years ago, and who would know that at the young age of 45, he would be leaving this earth so suddenly and so unexpectedly. Scott leaves behind his wife, and young son, along with his Mom and Dad, and many cousins, aunts, and uncles, and loved ones. Please remember this dear family in your prayers in the coming days.
Sherry and I didn't have long to talk at the funeral home because so many were wanting to see her, but when i told her she looked so good, she smiled and said, "You're seeing the power of GOD," and I knew she meant that and that. GOD is her Fortress and Refuge and has been for a long, long time. That doesn't mean that she is not heavily grieving, and that she is not struggling with the deep grief that any mother would who just lost her beloved son. But Sherry doesn't grieve as one who has no hope:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." I Thess. 4:13
It does mean that Sherry has learned to seek refuge in the LORD WHO has carried her through so many sorrows, and HE will be faithful to carry her through this most difficult time.
"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know YOUR NAME will put their trust in YOU; for YOU, LORD have not forsaken those who seek YOU." Psalm 9:9-10
This is the second loved one in two weeks who has left this earth suddenly, last week i shared about my husband's cousin who went to work at our restaurant on Sunday morning to open, and before Sunday School was over, George was gone...he had an appointment with HIS MAKER. There was no opportunity to say goodbyes, or make things right with others if their were relationships that weren't right between them and others. Most importantly, there may not have been time to make things right with the LORD if they weren't ready. To my knowledge both of these men had trusted in CHRIST as their LORD and SAVIOR and had made things right, but have you? If you died today:
- Are you sure that, if you should die today, that you will definitely go to heaven?
- If you should die today and God should ask you for what reason you should be allowed into heaven, what would you answer Him?
These two questions which come from Rev. James D. Kennedy's Evangelism Explosion witnessing tools were asked to me many years ago, by some deacons who came to see me after I got saved at a youth revival at their church. I remember stammering a little bit answering the second question, but then the LORD gave me the right answer, because i had trusted in the blood of JESUS to save me from my sins, and repented of those sins. And I had...after that revival, the LORD gave me the strength to break up with my boyfriend and start a new life in HIM no longer following the path of sin I was on. HE gave me new desires, and the Bible was fresh and alive, as it still is to me, and I couldn't wait to have my time with HIM in the morning. Reading the Bible, going to church was no longer just something i did because i was brought up to do that, it was something I wanted to do and wanted to grow in my relationship with JESUS CHRIST. You see, when we truly come to know JESUS, not just say we are a CHRISTian, we are a new creature in CHRIST, and our lives are different by the way we act, think, react, how we spend our time money, and most of all, the Bible says, by the love we have for one another.
"He who says he is in the light and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. HE who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes." I John 2:9-11.
That's because JESUS gives us a new heart and HIS SPIRIT to come and invade our lives when HE takes up residency in us:
HE gives us HIS love, and what a sweet love that is as I shared earlier about the wonderful times of fellowship we used to have at Sherry Wallace Moss's house.
"But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same...But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the MOST HIGH. For HE is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your FATHER is merciful." Luke 6:27-36.
I just felt compelled to share this verse, because loving GOD, loving one another, and loving our enemies is a sure rubber stamp of being a true CHRISTian. If you examine your self and see you don't have the love of JESUS living in you, ask HIM to first of all to give you HIMself, repent of your sins, your selfishness, your greed, your wicked ways, and ask HIM to forgive you. HE loves you so much that HE gave HIS one and only SON that you and I might not perish in hell forever and ever, but have everlasting life with HIM.
"For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believeth in HIM shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Then, ask HIM to give you HIS love for others, and HE will..."the SAVIOR is waiting to open the door, why don't you ask HIM to come in?"
This coming Sunday we will be remembering as a nation the tragic events of Sept. 9, 2001. I remember that morning my friend Darlene, calling me and telling me to turn on the TV. Who could imagine the events that were taking place at the World Trade Center? Who could imagine when they got up to go to work that morning and other places what lay ahead...surely they weren't thinking they would have an appointment with their MAKER that day. In memory of those events of the 10 year anniversary of 9-11 we will be having a guest speaker at our church, Brigadier General Burney Enzor. One of the songs we will be singing is "A Mighty Fortress is Our GOD, "http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Below I have shared some websites warning us of the difficult days that lie ahead in which we will need to know that GOD is our Mighty Fortress. All we have to do is turn on the news and hear the incredible events going on all around us with the weather, economy, trying to divide Israel...all warnings that the time of JESUS return is near. I hope that you can take time to listen and read to help you prepare and "Understand the Times," we are living in. I personally don't think it will be long until JESUS returns, but until then we are "to occupy" until HE comes, (Luke 19:13) sharing HIS great love with those around us and with those who don't know HIM.
Where do you and I turn when the earth gives way as my friend Sherry's did this week? HE is our Mighty Fortress and Strong Tower....and HE will carry us through whatever HE allows into our lives. HE's been carrying me through some rough waters with my health this summer and I praise HIM for HIS great faithfulness to help me every minute of every day. I praise HIM that HE has a plan and purpose for all that HE allows into our lives.
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." Psalm 18:2
You are so kind to spend this time with me this week. What a blessing to hear from different ones of you each week. Thank you for your prayers for my brother and his tests for work. I haven't talked to him this week, but the three weeks of his job training have come and gone, and he should be well on his way home from Tampa, Florida...praise the LORD. Please continue to remember my friend Darlene Anderson, Jean Brinkley, who are struggling with cancer and Sherry Wallace Moss who lost her son Scott this week in your prayers. What sweet sisters in the LORD each one of these dear ladies are and they are seeking their refuge in our great GOD, our Mighty Fortress. Thank you for your prayers for my family...Hannah Beth has been spending a lot of time at the hospital this week and learned to do interesting stuff like give an enema on a dummy:). She said her roommate wasn't too crazy about the enema bag hanging in the shower where Hannah Beth was practicing letting the pressure off and on on the bag...ahhh nursing school brings back such good memories! She has also been studying about electrolytes and a bunch of stuff i have long forgotten since I was in school. John Mac has his interview with UAB med school next Thursday, please remember him in your prayers. Johnny and i have actually been feeling some better this week, and we are very thankful for that...please continue to pray for me and Johnny. I will be taking some medicine for parasites at the first of the week, please pray it will help me and won't make me too sick. Thank you so much dear prayer warriors!
With all HIS love,
mitzi
http://www.johnmcternan.name/ "America's Final Warning"
Now, the greatest matter of concern for any one of us is the eternal salvation of our soul. We need to be saved, and, according to the Scriptures of truth, there is but one way of salvation; but that way does not happen to be in favor among the sons of men. The great popular principle, popular all over the world, no matter whether the people happen to be Protestant or Catholic, Parsee or Mahomedan, Brahminist or Buddhist, is self-salvation — they would reach eternal life by merit. There are differences about what is to be done, but the great universal principle of unregenerate man is that he is, somehow or other, to save himself. This is his principle, and the further he goes in it the less likely is he to be saved.
My object this morning is to bring before you the much despised principle which God has revealed as the only true one, namely, salvation by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, by simple faith in him. We preach, at God’s command, the way of salvation by mercy, not by merit; by faith, not by works; by grace, not by the efforts of men. May God help us so to set forth that principle, that many may accept it. I do not care one snap of my finger about preaching so that the style shall please the ear, but I long to reach your hearts. I want you to receive the only sure method of salvation, and I pray the Holy Ghost to baptise my words in his own mighty fire, and make them to burn their way into your hearts, and subdue you to the obedience of faith.
1. If we love a person, we like to think about him.
We do not need to be reminded of him. We do not forget his name or his appearance or his character or his opinions or his tastes or his position or his occupation. He comes up before our mind’s eye many a time in the day. Though perhaps far distant, he is often present in our thoughts. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! Christ "dwells in his heart," and is thought of more or less every day (Eph. 3:17). The true Christian does not need to be reminded that he has a crucified Master. He often thinks of Him. He never forgets that He has a day, a cause and a people, and that of His people he is one. Affection is the real secret of a good memory in religion. No worldly man can think much about Christ, unless Christ is pressed upon his notice, because he has no affection for Him. The true Christian has thoughts about Christ every day that he lives, for this one simple reason that he loves Him.
2. If we love a person, we like to hear about him. We find a pleasure in listening to those who speak of him. We feel an interest in any report which others make of him. We are all attention when others talk about him, and describe his ways, his sayings, his doings and his plans. Some may hear him mentioned with utter indifference, but our own hearts bound within us at the very sound of his name. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ. The true Christian delights to hear something about his Master. He likes those sermons best which are full of Christ. He enjoys that society most in which people talk of the things which are Christ’s. I have read of an old Welsh believer, who used to walk several miles every Sunday to hear an English clergyman preach, though she did not understand a word of English. She was asked why she did so. She replied, that this clergyman named the name of Christ so often in his sermons, that it did her good. She loved even the name of her Savior.
3. If we love a person, we like to read about him. What intense pleasure a letter from an absent husband gives to a wife, or a letter from an absent son to his mother. Others may see little worth notice in the letter. They can scarcely take the trouble to read it through. But those who love the writer see something in the letter which no one else can. They carry it about with them as a treasure. They read it over and over again. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian delights to read the Scriptures, because they tell him about his beloved Savior. It is no wearisome task with him to read them. He rarely needs reminding to take his Bible with him when he goes a journey. He cannot be happy without it. And why is all this? It is because the Scriptures testify of Him whom his soul loves, even Christ.
4. If we love a person, we like to please him. We are glad to consult his tastes and opinions, to act upon his advice and do the things which he approves. We even deny ourselves to meet his wishes, abstain from things which we know he dislikes and learn things to which we are not naturally inclined, because we think it will give him pleasure. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian studies to please Him, by being holy both in body and spirit. Show him anything in his daily practice that Christ hates, and he will give it up. Show him anything that Christ delights in, and he will follow after it. He does not murmur at Christ’s requirements as being too strict and severe, as the children of the world do. To him Christ’s commandments are not grievous, and Christ’s burden is light. And why is all this? Simply because he loves Him.
5. If we love a person, we like his friends. We are favorably inclined to them, even before we know them. We are drawn to them by the common tie of common love to one and the same person. When we meet them we do not feel that we are altogether strangers. There is a bond of union between us. They love the person that we love, and that alone is an introduction. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian regards all Christ’s friends as his friends, members of the same body, children of the same family, soldiers in the same army, travelers to the same home. When he meets them, he feels as if he had long known them. He is more at home with them in a few minutes, than he is with many worldly people after an acquaintance of several years. And what is the secret of all this? It is simply affection to the same Savior and love to the same Lord.
6. If we love a person, we are jealous about his name and honor. We do not like to hear him spoken against, without speaking up for him and defending him. We feel bound to maintain his interests and his reputation. We regard the person who treats him ill with almost as much disfavor as if he had ill–treated us. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian regards with a godly jealousy all efforts to disparage his Master’s word, or name, or church, or day. He will confess Him before princes, if need be, and be sensitive of the least dishonor put upon Him. He will not hold his peace, and suffer his Master’s cause to be put to shame, without testifying against it. And why is all this? Simply because he loves Him.
7. If we love a person, we like to talk to him. We tell him all our thoughts, and pour out all our heart to him. We find no difficulty in discovering subjects of conversation. However silent and reserved we may be to others, we find it easy to talk to a much–loved friend. However often we may meet, we are never at a loss for matter to talk about. We have always much to say, much to ask about, much to describe, much to communicate. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian finds no difficulty in speaking to his Savior. Every day he has something to tell Him, and he is not happy unless he tells it. He speaks to Him in prayer every morning and night. He tells Him his wants and desires, his feelings and his fears. He asks counsel of Him in difficulty. He asks comfort of Him in trouble. He cannot help it. He must converse with his Savior continually, or he would faint by the way. And why is this? Simply because he loves Him.
8. If we love a person, we like to be always with him. Thinking and hearing and reading and occasionally talking are all well in their way. But when we really love people we want something more. We long to be always in their company. We wish to be continually in their society, and to hold communion with them without interruption or farewell. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The heart of a true Christian longs for that blessed day when he will see his Master face to face, and go out no more. He longs to have done with sinning and repenting and believing and to begin that endless life when he shall see as he has been seen, and sin no more. He has found it sweet to live by faith, and he feels it will be sweeter still to live by sight. He has found it pleasant to hear of Christ and talk of Christ and read of Christ. How much more pleasant will it be to see Christ with his own eyes, and never to leave him any more! "Better," he feels, "is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire" (Eccl. 6:9). And why is all this? Simply because he loves Him.
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"Why Perilous Times are Now in Overdrive" Dr. Ron Rhodes http://www.
http://www.onenewsnow.com/
http://www.onenewsnow.com/
http://www.annegrahamlotz.com/
Below are other GOOD words i read from the week and just wanted to share them with you.
From Charles Spurgeon, concerning the most important matter of Salvation:
Now, the greatest matter of concern for any one of us is the eternal salvation of our soul. We need to be saved, and, according to the Scriptures of truth, there is but one way of salvation; but that way does not happen to be in favor among the sons of men. The great popular principle, popular all over the world, no matter whether the people happen to be Protestant or Catholic, Parsee or Mahomedan, Brahminist or Buddhist, is self-salvation — they would reach eternal life by merit. There are differences about what is to be done, but the great universal principle of unregenerate man is that he is, somehow or other, to save himself. This is his principle, and the further he goes in it the less likely is he to be saved.
My object this morning is to bring before you the much despised principle which God has revealed as the only true one, namely, salvation by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, by simple faith in him. We preach, at God’s command, the way of salvation by mercy, not by merit; by faith, not by works; by grace, not by the efforts of men. May God help us so to set forth that principle, that many may accept it. I do not care one snap of my finger about preaching so that the style shall please the ear, but I long to reach your hearts. I want you to receive the only sure method of salvation, and I pray the Holy Ghost to baptise my words in his own mighty fire, and make them to burn their way into your hearts, and subdue you to the obedience of faith.
Christ’s Pruning Knife in a Believer: Trials
EP
9
Loving Christ...Practically |
We do not need to be reminded of him. We do not forget his name or his appearance or his character or his opinions or his tastes or his position or his occupation. He comes up before our mind’s eye many a time in the day. Though perhaps far distant, he is often present in our thoughts. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! Christ "dwells in his heart," and is thought of more or less every day (Eph. 3:17). The true Christian does not need to be reminded that he has a crucified Master. He often thinks of Him. He never forgets that He has a day, a cause and a people, and that of His people he is one. Affection is the real secret of a good memory in religion. No worldly man can think much about Christ, unless Christ is pressed upon his notice, because he has no affection for Him. The true Christian has thoughts about Christ every day that he lives, for this one simple reason that he loves Him.
2. If we love a person, we like to hear about him. We find a pleasure in listening to those who speak of him. We feel an interest in any report which others make of him. We are all attention when others talk about him, and describe his ways, his sayings, his doings and his plans. Some may hear him mentioned with utter indifference, but our own hearts bound within us at the very sound of his name. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ. The true Christian delights to hear something about his Master. He likes those sermons best which are full of Christ. He enjoys that society most in which people talk of the things which are Christ’s. I have read of an old Welsh believer, who used to walk several miles every Sunday to hear an English clergyman preach, though she did not understand a word of English. She was asked why she did so. She replied, that this clergyman named the name of Christ so often in his sermons, that it did her good. She loved even the name of her Savior.
3. If we love a person, we like to read about him. What intense pleasure a letter from an absent husband gives to a wife, or a letter from an absent son to his mother. Others may see little worth notice in the letter. They can scarcely take the trouble to read it through. But those who love the writer see something in the letter which no one else can. They carry it about with them as a treasure. They read it over and over again. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian delights to read the Scriptures, because they tell him about his beloved Savior. It is no wearisome task with him to read them. He rarely needs reminding to take his Bible with him when he goes a journey. He cannot be happy without it. And why is all this? It is because the Scriptures testify of Him whom his soul loves, even Christ.
4. If we love a person, we like to please him. We are glad to consult his tastes and opinions, to act upon his advice and do the things which he approves. We even deny ourselves to meet his wishes, abstain from things which we know he dislikes and learn things to which we are not naturally inclined, because we think it will give him pleasure. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian studies to please Him, by being holy both in body and spirit. Show him anything in his daily practice that Christ hates, and he will give it up. Show him anything that Christ delights in, and he will follow after it. He does not murmur at Christ’s requirements as being too strict and severe, as the children of the world do. To him Christ’s commandments are not grievous, and Christ’s burden is light. And why is all this? Simply because he loves Him.
5. If we love a person, we like his friends. We are favorably inclined to them, even before we know them. We are drawn to them by the common tie of common love to one and the same person. When we meet them we do not feel that we are altogether strangers. There is a bond of union between us. They love the person that we love, and that alone is an introduction. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian regards all Christ’s friends as his friends, members of the same body, children of the same family, soldiers in the same army, travelers to the same home. When he meets them, he feels as if he had long known them. He is more at home with them in a few minutes, than he is with many worldly people after an acquaintance of several years. And what is the secret of all this? It is simply affection to the same Savior and love to the same Lord.
6. If we love a person, we are jealous about his name and honor. We do not like to hear him spoken against, without speaking up for him and defending him. We feel bound to maintain his interests and his reputation. We regard the person who treats him ill with almost as much disfavor as if he had ill–treated us. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian regards with a godly jealousy all efforts to disparage his Master’s word, or name, or church, or day. He will confess Him before princes, if need be, and be sensitive of the least dishonor put upon Him. He will not hold his peace, and suffer his Master’s cause to be put to shame, without testifying against it. And why is all this? Simply because he loves Him.
7. If we love a person, we like to talk to him. We tell him all our thoughts, and pour out all our heart to him. We find no difficulty in discovering subjects of conversation. However silent and reserved we may be to others, we find it easy to talk to a much–loved friend. However often we may meet, we are never at a loss for matter to talk about. We have always much to say, much to ask about, much to describe, much to communicate. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The true Christian finds no difficulty in speaking to his Savior. Every day he has something to tell Him, and he is not happy unless he tells it. He speaks to Him in prayer every morning and night. He tells Him his wants and desires, his feelings and his fears. He asks counsel of Him in difficulty. He asks comfort of Him in trouble. He cannot help it. He must converse with his Savior continually, or he would faint by the way. And why is this? Simply because he loves Him.
8. If we love a person, we like to be always with him. Thinking and hearing and reading and occasionally talking are all well in their way. But when we really love people we want something more. We long to be always in their company. We wish to be continually in their society, and to hold communion with them without interruption or farewell. Well, it is just so between the true Christian and Christ! The heart of a true Christian longs for that blessed day when he will see his Master face to face, and go out no more. He longs to have done with sinning and repenting and believing and to begin that endless life when he shall see as he has been seen, and sin no more. He has found it sweet to live by faith, and he feels it will be sweeter still to live by sight. He has found it pleasant to hear of Christ and talk of Christ and read of Christ. How much more pleasant will it be to see Christ with his own eyes, and never to leave him any more! "Better," he feels, "is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire" (Eccl. 6:9). And why is all this? Simply because he loves Him.
~ J.C. Ryle
Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots, “Do You Love Me?”, [Moscow, ID: Charles Nolan Publishing, 2001], 293-297.
"Men ought always to pray and not to faint." Luke 18:11
"When I passed by thee,...I said unto thee..., Live."
Ezekiel 16:6
