Daily Nugget

    Sunday, June 30th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

It isn’t what you know that counts; it’s what you can think of in time (unknown).

I pray that you remember what you can do to complete the year.  For what you don’t or can’t remember in time, may
God give you another day or another year to finish strong.  Remember what the apostle Paul told us in Philippians
2:16: “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured
in vain.” 

God, bring to my remembrance those things that are important to me and to You.
We are blessed and highly favored. Amen
Bro. Bill
In GOD we Trust!

    Friday, June 28th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“The snake pulled back the curtain to the throne room and invited Eve to take a seat. 'Put on the crown. Pick up the scepter. Put on the cape. See how it feels to have power. See how it feels to have a name. See how it feels to be in control!' Eve swallowed the hook. The temptation to be like God eclipsed her view of God.” Max L. Lucado (1955– ).

The lie the serpent told Eve is recorded in Genesis 3:5, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

Beware! The age-old lie to Eve is still the same lie the old devil uses to lure many today.

God, keep our focus on Your truth so we don’t stumble on the devil’s traps. Amen.
Bro. Bill
God loves you!

Character of the family

From the Desert Rat of Morgan

 I was challenged by this today.

"As the family is the most intimate bond of fellowship among men, it is of the utmost importance that it should be hallowed by religion. All the relations of parents [and] children...are purified and strengthened when the whole household is statedly assembled, morning and evening, for worship of God. There is no substitute for this divinely appointed means of promoting family religion...the head of the family should be able to read the Scriptures as well as lead in prayer...all persons subject to the watch or care of the Church should be required to maintain in their household this stated worship of God. The character of the Church and of the state depends on the character of the family. If religion dies out in the family, it cannot elsewhere be maintained. A man's responsibility to his children, as well as to God, binds him to make his house a Bethel; if not a Bethel, it will be a dwelling place of evil spirits."
- Charles Hodge (1797-1878), Systematic Theology, vol. 3, pg. 706

Daily Nugget

    Thursday, June 27th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Dr. Wilfred Funk, the well-known dictionary publisher, was asked to select the ten most expressive words in the English language. Here is the list:

• the most bitter word—alone
• the most tragic—death
• the most reverent—mother
• the most beautiful—love
• the most cruel—revenge
• the most peaceful—tranquil
• the saddest—forgotten
• the warmest—friendship
• the coldest—no
• the most comforting—faith

Some of the most comforting words to me are the words of Jesus in John 11:8 to the woman caught in the act of adultery: “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

Rejoice in these words and praise God for His forgiveness.                                                    

God, let me thank You for Your love and forgiveness.  Amen.
Bro. Bill                                                             
God loves you!
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

      Wednesday, June 26th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

President Ronald Reagan learned the need for decision-making early in his life. A kindly aunt had taken him to a cobbler to have a pair of shoes custom-made for him. The shoemaker asked, “Do you want a round toe or a square toe?” Young Ronald hemmed and hawed, so the cobbler said, “Come back in a day or two and tell me what you want.” A few days later the cobbler saw young Reagan on the street and asked what he had decided about the shoes. “I haven’t made up my mind,” Reagan answered. “Very well,” said the cobbler. “Your shoes will be ready tomorrow.” When Reagan got the shoes, one had a round toe and the other a square toe. Says Reagan, “Looking at those shoes every day taught me a lesson. If you don’t make your own decisions, somebody else makes them for you” (A. P. Standerman, Let Me Illustrate ).

Ironically, not to make a decision is to make a decision…. In 1 Kings 18: 21, we read these words from the prophet Elijah: “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”

God, help us to choose You today and each day. Amen.
Bro. Bill
God loves you!
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

      Tuesday, June 25th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

There was an Indian, who, whenever he reached a dangerous bog in the swamp, would put up a stake to mark the spot. By this means, he not only guarded his future movements, but furnished a warning to others who might pass that way. This is the benefit one generation derives from another.

The writer of Exodus 3:15 records, “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”

It is up to us in this generation to mark the way for future generations to know The LORD GOD of our fathers.

God, help us to be faithful stewards of the truth You have given us.  Amen.
Bro. Bill          
God loves you!
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

      Monday, June 24th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“…every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part that chooses, into something a little different than it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, you are slowly turning this central thing either into a Heavenly creature or into a hellish creature…” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).

The writer of Joshua 24:15 challenged the children of Israel and us with these words: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

May our choices be the proper choices that Joshua made.

God, help us to always make the correct choices and follow You.  Amen.
Bro. Bill          
God loves you!
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

   Sunday, June 23rd,, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"Behind the cloud the starlight lurks, Through showers the sunbeams fall; For God, who loveth all his works Has left his hope with all!" ( John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807–1892).
We are facing record temperature levels, and the clouds and showers are welcome. The truth is we need it all--temps, clouds, and showers--to make things interesting. The writer of Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us of that need with these words: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

God, let us find Your purpose in all things. Amen.
Bro. Bill
God loves you!
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

   Saturday, June 22nd,, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

"Salt in a saltshaker is worthless. Its value comes when it is poured out of the saltshaker" (Arron Chambers).

This idea puts a whole new view on Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:13, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” Live your life so in such a manner to impact others with the love of Christ.

God, let us season the world with Your love.  Amen.
Bro. Bill
God is Love! Let us reflect that love.
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

     Friday, June 21st, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“A frowning face repels. A smile reaches out and attracts. Don’t fence it in . . . loosen up . . . smile!” (Charles R. Swindoll )

We all have experienced the excitement of seeing a friend and the exhilaration of their countenance. Possibly you have had a mood ruined by someone who was mad or angry. Our facial expressions do have an effect on those around us. The writer of Proverbs 17:22 tells us, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Be the one that brings joy to others today. Give them a dose of your infectious smile.

God, Help me to be the one who points others to You as the source of true joy. Amen.
Bro. Bill
God is Love! Let us reflect that love.
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

   Thursday, June 20th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“We are creatures of habit. Old cranks have practiced all their lives, just as old saints have likewise practiced all their lives.” (John Powell)

To chance a habit you must choose to follow the disciplines required. As the writer of Joshua 24:15 says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  Make it your habit to daily serve The Lord!

God, I choose to serve You today.  Amen.
Bro. Bill
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

   Wednesday, June 19th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

In his book, Daily Gems, D.L. Moody wrote that after the great Chicago fire of 1871 he went to New York to solicit funds for fire victims. When he arrived, he was introduced to a wealthy man who was reported to be very generous. Impressed by the great need in Chicago, he gave Moody a large check. He then directed the evangelist to several other men in the area who also gave liberal contributions. When Mr. Moody was about to leave, he shook his benefactor’s hand and said, “If you ever come to Chicago, be sure to call on me. I’ll return your favor.” The man responded, “Mr. Moody, don’t wait for me to come. Do it to the first man that comes along.”

Indeed, procrastination is an enemy to being who God wants us to be.  In Galatians 6:9-10, the apostle Paul warns us with these words: “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

God, help us to be Your hands to whoever we meet today.  Amen.
Bro. Bill
In GOD we Trust!

Daily Nugget

     Tuesday, June 18th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“One example is worth a thousand arguments”  (Thomas Carlyle, in Men of Integrity, Vol. 3, no. 4).

How profound and convicting those seven words can be. One bad decision will erase a multitude of good references. The apostle Paul gives us this advice in Titus 2:7-8, “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

God, thank You for Your Son, Jesus’ example. Let us strive to walk worthy of that example.  Amen.
Bro. Bill
In GOD we Trust!

for someone

Someone asked yesterday about favorite memories of father's. My first thought was that for some, their favorite memory of their father was remembering the day that he left for the last time. For them Father's Day can be pretty conflicted. If you are one, I would like to share this verse from Psalm 27:10,
"Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me." (HCSB)

Dear Father, for those that have been abandoned and abused by their fathers ... manifest Your presence and healing in their hearts and souls.  Take up their lives with Your tender care and grace.  Nurture them with Your love and delight Yourself in them.  This I ask for Your Name's sake.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Daily Nugget

    Monday, June 17th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

Have you ever seen a blacksmith work with a piece of iron? He holds it in the fire to soften it and make it pliable. That is exactly why God permits the testing of your faith by temptations and trials. He wants you to acquire patience, to acquire pliability. If you and I are constantly out of the fire of affliction, we become stiff and useless. God wants to reshape us according to His image, for in the fall of Adam we lost our divine shape, our divine image.

I am not so crazy about going through the fires of affliction, but I do find that I many times need the refining to become patient and therefore more useful to Him. The apostle Paul in Hebrews 12:11 says it like this, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

God, help me to remember in trials that You are ever with me for my good. Amen
Bro. Bill
In God We Trust!

A hard weekend

Losing a child to death brings a myriad of emotions ...                   

all complicated ... all different ... all difficult.

Silent Grief speaks today about ... Father's Day weekend ...  

Losing a child brings about so many life-changes! In fact, our lives are never the same and we can't expect them to be. When a child is taken away, our hearts are permanently broken. We look to others for some guidance, for some hope, for some kind of encouragement. Friends often don't understand how much they are needed during our moments of emotional meltdowns and feelings of abandonment. What helps most? A friend who listens to us tell our story over and over again without judgement. A friend who includes our child in conversation. A friend who asks us sincerely how we're feeling and then stays by our side during our hours of falling apart. A friend who won't give up on us. What hurts most? A friend who walks away. This is an especially hard weekend -- Father's Day weekend. Bereaved parents need friends. Now. Today. Everyday. A five minute phone call can help so much by letting us know you care! God bless every family who is feeling the heartbreak of losing a child today!

Father, Yahweh, I pray today for Silent Grief, and all who have lost a child. or a grandchild.  I pray that You will hold them as close to Your heart as You hold the child they love and lost.

Father, bless them today.

xtnyoda, shalomed

Daily Nugget

   Saturday, June 15th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else. For everything you gain, you lose something else. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

We all make trades every day. We trade hours for dollars at work. We give up sleep to get things done whether for health or other reasons. Jesus in Matthew 16:26 asks this question, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

God, Give us the wisdom to seek the best rather than settle for something of lesser value. Amen.

Bro. Bill

In God We Trust

Daily Nugget

    Thursday, June 13th, 2013.  Today's cherished Nugget from guest blogger Pastor Bill.

“He who governed the world before I was born shall take care of it likewise when I am dead. My part is to improve the present moment” (John Wesley 1703–1791).

Today is all we have to impact those around us. The writer of Ecclesiastes 9:10 gives us this challenge: “Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength.”

God, thank You for the day You have given us. Let us be good stewards of this day. Amen.

Bro. Bill
In God we Trust!