Today's cherished nugget from guest blogger, Pastor Bill. 

 

A lady had a little gold cross, on the upright part of which the words, “God’s will,” were engraved. On the crossbar were the words, “My will.” At the touch of a spring, the cross disappeared and left only a straight beam bearing the words, “God’s will.”

In like manner, when our will is lost in God’s and we are indeed dead unto sin, it is no longer a cross to follow Christ. We shall no longer complain that we do not get our own selfish way because we shall not have any. On the other hand, when our will is contrary to God’s will, then we have a cross to bear.

Let us remember the beauty of Jesus’ prayer in the garden in Matthew 26:42: “Thy will be done.” The real beauty is we are the beneficiaries of Jesus’ obedience.

God, let me find rest by following Thy will.  Amen.

Bro. Bill 

In GOD we Trust!

  Today's cherished nugget from guest blogger, Pastor Bill.

"Here is the test to find whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't” (Richard Bach). 

God gives us each day as a gift, not merely to exist, but to fulfill the purpose we are here for. That purpose is ours and ours alone, whether it brings greatness to each of us and to our families, or a smile to one person in a lifetime.

At a crisis in his life, the apostle Paul told us in Philippians 1:2: “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Such a realization and a decision based on that knowledge is truly a win-win situation.

God, thank You for being the controller of our destiny. Amen.

Bro. Bill

In GOD we Trust!

  Today's cherished nugget from guest blogger, Pastor Bill.

“Remember the wonderful blessings that come to you each day from the hands of a generous and gracious God, and forget the irritations that would detract from your happiness.

Remember the gift of life; forget your aches and pains.
Remember the privilege of prayer; forget the negatives that needle you.
Remember the majesty of the mountains; forget the valley of despair.
Remember the friends who encourage; forget the frustrations that discourage.
Remember to forget your losses, setbacks, and defeats.
Don’t forget to remember your blessings, your triumphs, and your victories.”  (William Arthur Ward 1812–1882)

Let us keep our focus on the Lord and His provisions. Remember these words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

God, Thank You for the gifts of each day and the beauty it brings. Amen.

Bro. Bill

In GOD we Trust!

  Today's cherished nugget from guest blogger, Pastor Bill.

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good” (Ann Landers).

In the story of the good Samaritan, as told in Luke 10:30-37, we see the perfect example of the Samaritan treating well someone who could not repay the favor.  May we rise to the same level by doing random acts of kindness to others without expecting anything in return. Jesus tells us: “our Father that sees in secret will reward us openly” (Matthew 6:4). 

God, help me to walk with a heart like Yours for those around me.  Amen.

Bro. Bill

In GOD we Trust!

  Today's cherished nugget from guest blogger, Pastor Bill.

A great answer was once given by a poor woman to a minister who asked her, “What is faith?” She replied, “I am ignorant, and I cannot answer well, but I think it is taking God at His word.”

If we recognize that we are lacking in wisdom or understanding, we are in the right place for God to go to work. The end of the day begins with our remembering these words of the writer of Hebrews 6:18: “It was impossible for God to lie.” Knowing this as truth, we can definitely take Him at His word.

God, You are trustworthy always. Amen.

Bro. Bill

IN GOD we Trust!

  Today's cherished nugget from guest blogger, Pastor Bill.

One time at the City Temple in London, there was in the congregation a restaurateur named Emil Mettler, who not only was a close friend of Albert Schweitzer but also was a kind of agent for Schweitzer in Britain. Mettler would never allow a Christian worker to pay for a meal in his restaurant, but once he did happen to open his cash register in the presence of a secretary of the London Missionary Society. The secretary was astonished to see among the bills and coins a six-inch nail. What was it doing there?

Mettler explained, “I keep this nail with my money to remind me of the price that Christ paid for my salvation and of what I owe Him in return.”

The price Christ paid for us was greater than we can ever repay. His only requirement is that we trust Him with the faith that He gives us. For this reason, we must never forget these words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9:“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:   Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 

All glory and praise to You, O God. Amen.

Bro. Bill

In GOD we Trust!