Don Giddens
Evangelistic Ministries 1002 Branch Street.
Greenville.Texas.USA 75401 1-903-455-8760 Soulwinners.biz 1/1/2009 Don A Compilation of the “Daily Gems” mailed around the
world to encourage one another from the Holy Bible. God bless you as you search the
Scriptures to find direction in your life for
Christ………………………………..Brother Don , retired Baptist pastor and
missionary.
Contents
Loan your children to the
LORD
Glean where you can find
grace
The fear of men- attach
this to your soul
About wearing out 1 John
1.9 in your Bible.
Luke 1.24 a wonderful
announcement
How to Have The Happiest
Thanksgiving
Christian ACTS test- My
Prayer for you
Christian ACTS test-
Prove all things
Christian ACTS test-
trust, hope and wait
Why we are not going
through the Tribulation
Christian ACTS test-
appreciate the unappreciated
The best way to get rid
of a problem is to…
Whatever causes you to
look upward
A delicate balance
between steel and velvet
All things work together
for good when?
Jesus took care of our
sins, sicknesses, and sorrows.
The Christmas Story
continues after “Christmas Day”
Every
step Mary and Joseph and the Babe took was predicted centuries before
One Honest News Announcer born on earth:
The people were prepared
for a blessing
Help from Heaven is on
the way
Accelerated Christian
Test Stress- Objective two: Holiness
Objective three: Love one
another
Suffering is never
greater than our comfort
People all over the world
are going though the same things
Christian ACTS test- No
child left behind
January 23rd, 2009 Don Giddens Evangelistic Ministries,
1002 Branch Street, Greenville, Texas 75401 USA
January Daily Bible Reading
Free Home in Heaven
Jesus, Messiah and GOD Bookstore * Hurting?
Is your life foggy? Are you asking, What should I do?
Where should I go? What should I say?
Find out by reading your Bible.
1 Samuel 3.21
21. And the Lord
appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by
the word of the Lord.
The only fog lights that work on this route of life are
the Holy Scriptures. Everything else
leaves us in the dark. Whoa!
Where am I? Oh yes, here’s a verse for me today.
Please send this to every one. We all need it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Brother Giddens
Brother Don, I see a mountain. It is
_________________________________________.
I want to claim it in Jesus’
Name.
NEW: Scroll to the bottom for “Good,
clean Humor.
P. S. Tell someone about Christ. E-mail
them this "Daily Gem" if you would like.
Maybe they will click on to one of the
links that might help them where they are.
If you have a web page or site you are
welcome to put this link to tell others about Christ. http://soulwinners.biz
Are you blue? Need guidance? Need financial wisdom? Suicidal? Angry? Bitter?
Free Help from God's Word for you today
Your
thanksgiving place to praise the Lord about something
Way to go George Boring in Georgia. He’s still trying to
serve God after being institutionalized several times. He’s not quit yet.
Intensive Prayer Unit
January 09 Prayer Requests from our Guest Book and Friends
Please help us pray for these, in faith believing.
Keep Eon (16) of South Africa in your prayers. Pray for our
troops.
|
1/19/09 Pray for Paul who is getting “the fears”. 1/16/09 Thanks for your emails. Please pray for me. I am paralyzed since 2001 thus confined into the wheelchair. However I still do my ministerial work by God's grace. I need your prayers to enable me walk again. Thank you very much. God bless you for the good work you are doing for the Lord. Pastor Watchman Bruce in Ghana 1/17/09 Pray for our Navajo friend, Mistena, who has seven children and is about to lose her home. |
|
12/31/08 Pray for
Elisabeth in Wales who lost her mother, and is suffering with false-guilt. Read Good Grief!
11/26/08 Pray for Arthur in Wilshire who "just wants
to give up" because of his separation from family and children.
Keep
praying for these previous prayer requests. Click.
Free Help from the Holy Bible for Your Problems (if links
do not work, please tell Brother Don)
Free Help from Heaven for Your Future and Eternity (link works 2009)
Free Help from Heaven for Sins and Solutions (link works 2009)
Free Help from Heaven for Your Home (link works 2009)
Free
Help from Heaven for Your Emotional, Physical, and Mental Health (link works 2009)
Free Help from Heaven for Your Work and Finances (link works 2009)
Your Praise to God
Read
previous praise from our members
See other recent prayer requests. You may send an e-mail to them there if they have posted
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Thank you, Don and Minnie Giddens, 1002 Branch
St, Greenville, Texas 75401
January
Daily Bible Reading Free
Home in Heaven Jesus,
Messiah and GOD Bookstore * Hurting? About Us Good
Grief!
On Jan 22, 2009 3:29pm, Ken Board <kenboard@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> (Thanks to Good, Clean Funnies for today's humor. KB)
>
>
>
>
>
> One Sunday a priest announced he was passing out miniature
> crosses made of palm leaves. "Put this cross in the room
> where your family argues most," he advised. "When you look
> at it, the cross will remind you that God is watching."
>
> When the parishioners were leaving church, a woman walked up
> to the priest, shook his hand, and said, "I'll take five."
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Ken Board
>
>
> Missionary to Japan
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~
>
>
> Editor: "Ken Board" kenboard@sbcglobal.net>
> Go to Bible College
Sometimes I need to write an encouraging letter to myself. I do
so knowing it might be what some one else needs for his day also. We are
reaching out to people who are violently opposed to the truths we stand for-
Jesus is God. Savior, He is coming back. Lord of Lords. We are even on black lists of Anti-Christian groups in
Malaysia.
Why stick our necks out for Christ?
We are in the Harvest and doing what ever we can to reach souls
with the Gospel.
We are doing this for you.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Brother Giddens
P. S. Tell someone about Christ. E-mail them this "Daily
Gem" if you would like.
Maybe they will click on to one of the links that might help
them where they are.
If you have a webpage or site you are welcome to put this
link to tell others about Christ. http://soulwinners.biz
Are you blue? Need guidance? Need financial wisdom? Suicidal? Angry? Bitter?
Free
Help from
God's Word for you today
Your thanksgiving place to praise the Lord about
something
January Daily Bible Reading
Free Home in Heaven
Jesus, Messiah and GOD Bookstore * Hurting?
Ruth said to Naomi, “Let me go ‘glean where I find grace.’”
As she worked in the field of Boaz he dropped “handsful
of purpose” to help her in her gleaning.
Work where you find grace.
Marlene in Durban started her new business this week
By faith. May God bless those who step out by faith.
Glean where you find grace. Ruth 2.2
Send this to every one. They all need it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Brother Giddens
Dear
friends:
If you
are anxious about getting a job, or going to court, or preaching a sermon-
Attach
this to your soul- and do not fear men! Here’s why….
Isaiah
51. 12. I, even I, am he that comforteth
you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and
of the son of man which shall be made as grass;
13. And
forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid
the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of
the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the
fury of the oppressor?
14. The
captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in
the pit, nor that his bread should fail.
15. But
I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of
hosts is his name.
16. And
I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine
hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and
say unto Zion, Thou art my people.
Renew
me everyday, Jesus. Empty me of my sin
and self-righteousness
and
fill me with Thy Holy Spirit everyday.
Amen.
Send this to every one. They all need
it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Brother Giddens
Dear friends:
About wearing out 1
John 1.9 in your Bible. It simply cannot be done. I’ve tried it.
Every morning I get a
brand spanking new KJV unused out of the box free download from Heaven.
God’s mercies are new
every morning.
Lamentations 3.
19. Remembering mine affliction and my
misery, the wormwood and the gall.
20. My
soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
21.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22. It
is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23. They are new every
morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Renew me everyday,
Jesus. Empty me of my sin and
self-righteousness
and fill me with
Thy Holy Spirit everyday.
Amen.
Dear friends:
Since all I ever
get is sweet, encouraging e-mails, and sometimes I might need a bruiser.
I send this one to
myself, and any other sinners out there.
Pray this prayer,
telling Jesus how sorry you are.
Lord Jesus,
I find myself a
horrible sinner in Thy sight, according to Thy Word.
I am a (name your
dominating sin that is destroying your life and relationships).
According to Thy Word,
I should not fool myself into thinking I am good enough to go to Heaven. I am a
sorry, rotten, sinner who only deserves Hell for Eternity.
Jesus , I believe you
died on the cross for sinners and rose again to give them Thy perfect
righteousness. At this point, I turn from my sin of _____________
with all my heart.
Save me from___________ and the dreadful penalty it will cost me if I do not
truly repent.
Thank you for dying on
the cross for ________, my sin.
Thank you for dying in
my place for _________.
Cleanse me from
_________________!
Jesus, make me whole.
Save me from my sin.
Now, I am trusting thy
word, John 3.15
5. That whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have eternal life.
16. For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I do not believe in
myself or any One but Thee.
According to John
3.16, I am going to Heaven by faith believing.
Titus 3. 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost.
Renew me everyday,
Jesus. Empty me of my sin and
self-righteousness
and fill me with
Thy Holy Spirit everyday.
Amen.
The little scrawny kid ran far behind the others.
As he ran across the finish line, he
yelled with pride,
"I finished last!"
We are not in a race against one another. We all
get caught up together to meet the Lord in the air.
Be glad you are in the race, and if I am behind
turn around and help me catch up.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel. Believe on Him.
People in the oilfield work until the job gets done, all night and
in the scorching sun or freezing cold. It was sweltering hot on the drilling
rig when a cool breeze comforted our brow.
"That was my Big
Brother, I said." You understand that, too, because it covers every
situation and location. Your Big
Brother, Jesus, will carry you though the day no matter what it brings.
Christian, Look for your Big Brother
He is the First-born among many brothers.
Romans 8.29 b
29. For whom he did foreknow, he
also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be
the Firstborn among many brethren.
God has a purpose for your life and that is for you to be like Jesus. His goal, His prayer, His determination is for you to be like Jesus. You will never be closer to Jesus than when you take up your cross and follow Him.
God trains those whom He can trust with
all manner of troubles they suffer for Him
so, they can help others
go through the same.
1. You hurt so you can help others who hurt-
2. Your troubles will not be greater than God's comfort.
3. You are not alone- people all over the world have the same problem you have
4. Turn it all over to God.
5. Love God
6. God's purpose in pain and trouble is to enable you to reach others for Christ . Be a "missionary" wherever you are to wherever God leads you.
7. God's goal is for you to be like Jesus
8. YOur Big Brother will carry you through
The Apostle Paul said to the church at Corinth-
2 Corinthians 1. 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Your pain or heartache is_____________
I.E. You are specially certified to help people with the same _________
God has an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by clicking here.
2 Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Dear friends:
Grieving with Mary and
Martha over the loss of his friend, Lazarus,
Jesus wept.
Does God feel your
sorrows? The Holy Spirit prays for us with moanings and groanings that cannot
be uttered.
One of the key verses
in the Bible is Isaiah 57.15 15. For
thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy;
I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and
humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of
the contrite ones.
That High and Holy One
is Jesus and
He weeps with
you.
Send this to every one. They all need
it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Brother
Giddens
Dear friends:
Many of you are in
pain or grieving over loss. And all of us face our own face in the morning.
What a challenge!
Jesus took care of our
sin, sorrows, and sicknesses on the Cross.
Isaiah 53. 3. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him;
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4.
Surely he hath borne
our griefs, and carried
our sorrows: yet we
did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5. But
he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6. All
we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and
the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7. He
was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought
as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he
openeth not his mouth.
Let Jesus carry them
for you. He may not deliver you from
pain, sorrow, sickness or even all your sin at once. But He has delivered you,
is delivering you and will deliver you once for all in Heaven.
Wait on the LORD with
thanksgiving. Deliverance will come.
Amen.
Send this to every one. They all need
it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Brother
Giddens
Highlighting the Christmas Story in Luke's Gospel
V. Elizabeth
Luke 1. 24. And after those days his wife Elisabeth
conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25.
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to
take away my reproach among men.
The angel had a tremendous
announcement- a son, John, in Elijah's office, announcing the Christ. What an
anouncement- elderly Elizabeth would have quite a baby! May this be a highlight
of our life. May God "get a hold of" our children and grandchildren
with a calling to serve God and make a difference in this world.
May you have a Wonderful
Announcement this Christmas.
The prophecies of Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, were absolute truths exactly correct. I am fumbling for words to describe it, but Zech did not “drop the ball”. He knew his Bible, the Torah, knew the Savior and knew his son would be privileged to be His forerunner. But now, for a season John the Baptist disappears into the desert (not dessert) and the Christmas story will “zoom” in on the manger.
Luke 1. 76. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77. To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
78. Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring from on high hath visited us,
79. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
80. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel.
Highlighting the
Christmas Story in Luke's Gospel
John the
Baptist born
Turn back
the pages of time to Malachi 4. 5.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the
great and dreadful day of the Lord:
6. And
he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the
children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
According
to Jesus, this was John the Baptist IF you would believe it. I do, don’t you?
This was the forerunner who came to proclaim the coming of the Messiah. John cried, “Behold the Lamb of God who
taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1.29.
News
announcers today give lawyers a bad name. They try to make the news even if
there is none. I would rather read about a possum falling out of a tree if it
really happened than who’s “important" to the national news.
Today’s
news should still highlight the birth and soon return of the Messiah.
John
the Baptist would only announce the Christ. He was not the news. “He must
increase, but I must decrease” said John.
Luke 1. 57. Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
58. And her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
59. And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60. And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
61. And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
62. And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
63. And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marveled all.
64. And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God.
29. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his
saying,
The angel had a tremendous announcement- a son, John, in
Elijah's office, announcing the Christ. What an announcement- elderly Elizabeth
had a son, the Announcer of the Christ, quite a baby! May this be a highlight
of our life. May God "get a hold of" our children and grandchildren
with a calling to serve God and make a difference in this world.
May you have
a Wonderful Announcement this Christmas.
Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In
all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To
all the people you can, As long as ever you can. -
John Wesley
Highlighting the Christmas Story in Luke's Gospel
III. The intensity of the hour- tremendous promises
Luke 1. 13. But
the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: because thy supplication is heard, and thy wife
Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and
many shall rejoice at his birth.
15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he
shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy
Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
16. And many of the children of Israel shall be
turn unto the Lord their God.
17. And he shall go before his face in the spirit
and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
and the disobedient to walk in the wisdom of the just; to make ready for the Lord a people
prepared for him.
May this be a highlight of
our life. May God "get a hold of" our children and grandchildren with
a calling to serve God and make a difference in this world.
May you fulfil a Calling this Christmas:
It
is an everlasting story about everlasting life from the Everlasting Son of God
Acts 16.31 Believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house.
13. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord
appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his
mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for
Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14.
When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and
departed into Egypt:
15. And
was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken
of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my Son.
16.
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was
exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in
Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under,
according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
17.
Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
18. In
Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are
not.
Matthew
2
Wise men still worship Jesus.
Luke 2. 36. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
37. And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39. And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
When Anna saw Jesus she knew her Lord and
Savior and started telling people about Him. Wherever you are today you can each out to others with the
saving grace of the Lord Jesus.
Luke 2. 25. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28. Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30. For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32. A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35. (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the
ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the
people you can, As long as ever you can. -
John Wesley
Brother Giddens
Eight days later
Jesus’ first trip (in Flesh) to Jerusalem
Luke 2. 21. And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his Name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23. (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24. And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
…..A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons?
Here was the Lamb of God eight days old- yet, from Eternity past ordained to come to earth and die for man’s sin.
How empty our offerings to appease for our sins, a pair of turtledoves, or two, a dollar in the offering plate. How plenteous the mercies of God to send His Son to die for our sin, our Perfect Sacrifice.
Luke
1. 26. And in the sixth month the angel
Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27. To
a virgin espoused
to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28. And
the angel came in
unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee:
blessed art thou among women.
29. And
when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what
manner of salutation this should be.
30. And
the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31. And, behold, thou shalt
conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32. He
shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God
shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33. And
he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall
be no end.
"And He shall reign forever
and ever. And He shall reign ...." Let that chorus resound through the
Christmas season and forever. Oh, what a Child born, born of a virgin,[1].
This child was God in flesh. Our Savior, King, God. The Messiah! Jesus.
May Jesus be your Christmas and your
life.
. A
Hallelujah Chorus this Christmas to you
Luke 1. 26. And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27. To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32. He shall be great, and shall be called the
Son of the Highest: and the
Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33. And
he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
"And He shall reign forever and ever. And He shall reign
...." Let that chorus resound through the Christmas season and forever.
Oh, what a Child born to be born of a virgin.
Never doubt the virgin birth[2].
This child was God in flesh. Our Savior, King, God.
. Rolled
away!
Luke 1.
24. And after those days his wife
Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
25.
Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to
take away my reproach
among men.
"Rolled away, rolled away all the burdens of my heart
rolled away!" Elizabeth heart was clean, her conscience clear; she knew
her Savior was to be born. Me too.
May we have
a Christ, Savior, Salvation-centered Christmas.
Zacharia's
feeble faith
Luke
1. 20. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb,
and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my
words, which shall
be fulfilled in their season.
21. And
the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the
temple.
22. And
when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had
seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
The
fact is later on Zacharias was one of the most ardent believers in the Messiah.
Too bad that he did not believe when he first heard Gabriel's news. Are we
prone to have too little to late when it comes to faith?
We
have every Scriptural evidence that Jesus may come back today. Keep looking up!
God's answer frightened them
Luke 1. 11.
And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right
side of the altar of incense.
12. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell
upon him.
13. But the angel said unto him, Fear not,
Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a
son, and thou shalt call his name John.
14. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall
rejoice at his birth.
Most of the time
when God sends the answer to our prayer, it is not what we expected, how we
expected, when we expected. It is God's answer. It scares us. God is God, and
we are not.
God's ways are
scary?
Consider Jacob
Genesis 28.
16. And Jacob awaked out of his sleep,
and he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place. And I knew it not.
17. And
he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other than
the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
May you have a Mysterious Christmas:
Highlighting the Christmas Story in Luke's Gospel
The people
were prepared for a blessing
Luke 1. 5.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest
named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of
Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
6. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the
commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
7. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth
was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
8. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before
God in the order of his course....
Our hearts must
be prepared for blessings; our minds set on serving Him no matter what. God blesses us most while we are serving Him
acceptably.
May you truly have a Merry Christmas:
Brother Giddens
The Daily Gem
January 1 Happy New Year- get your own mountain
Joshua 12. Now therefore give me
this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that
day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if
so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the
Lord said. 13. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb
the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. 14.
Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh
the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of
Israel.
I hope you have a wonderful year and that you find new challenges and opportunities to step out on faith.
“Go get your own mountain”- it might be a Sunday School class, a backyard Bible study, a church, a cell church.
Maybe you need to go to Bible college and get some training. Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.”
Claim it for Jesus.
Brother Giddens
Dear friends:
So many of you are depressed. Perhaps we all are some time during the day- when we get our electric bill, the in-laws come over to LIVE. etc. But,
whatever causes us to look
upward
will keep us going onward.
"Some through the water,
some through the fire, but all through the Blood."
God will never leave you nor
forsake you.
You will find a good
verse for you today by clicking here.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Halloween? or Thanksgiving!
Forget
Halloween. Today would be a good day to start Thanksgiving. Give thanks always
for all things.
My mother said
they did not celebrate Halloween when
they were children. Those Depression days were days of survival because of the
pecan trees on the river. They found one little girl's shoe, and my mother and
her sisters took turns wearing it. The
rest of the time they were barefoot or hopping on the one shoe.
Now, we
Americans certainly spend more money on Halloween than God intended. Do your
kids a favor- take them to a Harvest Festival at a church. Make it a harvest of
thanksgiving.
Forget
Halloween.
Ephesians 5.
20. Giving thanks always for all
things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
You are in the midst[i] of your
Christian ACTS test-
1 Thessalonians 5. 14. And we exhort you, brethren,
admonish the disorderly, (KJV warn the unruly)
encourage the
fainthearted,
support the weak,
be
longsuffering toward all.
Encourage the
fainthearted and admonish the disorderly should be balanced. We should be neither overbearing nor permissive. There
is a delicate balance between speaking
to one another in love yet encouraging one another to do right.
Paul always
encourages Christians before he starts admonishing them in the words the Holy
Spirit gave him. We should practice that in our daily conversation with those
we love. Jack Hyles called it "steel and velvet".
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Get in line with God-
The "log-jammers" with their log-jamming boots and log-jamming
suspenders were lined up for the log-jamming job. I was in the line, yet, had
never heard of "log-jamming", didn't have the boots, nor the
suspenders.
I got in line with God claiming the job in Jesus' Name and
righteousness.
They gave me a better job more suited to my expertise. I got to run the "billy goat" and
the rail dump. I had never heard of either one of those jobs either.
Today whatever you do, get in line with God. Go in His strength
and righeousness not your own.
Ephesians 5. 20. Giving
thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
We met in
the baseball dugout in a small Navajo village. The children sang with enthusiasm
"Our God is a Mighty God". Then, as always they repeated memory
verses in chorus. All things (all things) work together for good (work together
for good)
to them( to them )
that get drunk----No! they chorused. Nothing works together for
good to those who get drunk whether in
an Indian village or on the yachts of Wall Street icons.
My friends, we have to love God
if we expect all things to work together for good as the verse says. Romans
8.28 All things work together for good
to them that love God.
Love God fervently out of a pure
heart!
We repeat:
God trains those whom He can
trust with
all manner of troubles they
suffer for Him
so, they can help others
go through the same.
1. You hurt so you can help
others who hurt-
2. and your troubles will not be
greater than God's comfort.
3. You are not alone- poeple all
over the world have the same problem you have
4. Turn it all over to God.
5. Love God
The Apostle Paul said to the
church at Corinth-
2 Corinthians 1. 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort
wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Your pain or heartache
is_____________
I.E. You are specially certified
to help people with the same _________
God has an answer for life's
challenges- large or small.
You will find the answers you
need : a good
verse for you today by clicking here.
2 Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Dear friends:
We have not
e-mailed you lately but have not forgotten you. We are concerned about your
prayer needs and want to hear from you. But, we do not want to bother you with
endless e-mails, so we are sending this to you once-a-month, the Lord willing.
You may choose other opportunities at the bottom of this e-mail.
Our emergency
room prayer for today ER : Pray for those effected by Hurricane Ike.
The song keeps
going through my mind, "Ride out your storm, God's right there with
you."
Nahum 1. 3b.The
Lord hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the
dust of his feet.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
1.
Ask
God for directions
2. Follow God’s directions, pilgrim!
God’s
answers to our problems are simple.
Believe,
don’t worry, be happy, do right, tell others about Jesus,
Don’t
judge.
If we do life as it is can be better.
That
is, if we follow His directions. We say,
“Now, what did He say do? Which way did He say go? Turn right here?”
Let’s ask that man over there in the red suit.
Maybe
he knows. The dirty rotten snake answers with, God didn’t really mean you
couldn’t turn here. Take the scenic route with me.
Follow
me down these circling mountainous roads. Only nerds take the straight and
narrow anymore. Forget that old KJV map.
Send this to every one. They all need it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Brother Giddens
Dear friends:
Wrestle
with God. He may let you win and give you the desires of your heart, though you
may come away limping as Jacob in Peniel.
Funny, we live in old Peniel, Texas.
In my backyard covered with grass are the foundations of the Nazarene
college founded by Bud Robinson. They
named the community, Peniel- to remind them to wrestle with God. The Historical
sign is gone having been run over by a
car last year.
That’s
alright, the promises are still in the Bible.
Wrestle
with God.
John
14. 12. Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13.
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son. 14. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will
do it.
Send this to every one. They all need it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Dear friends:
Unworthy? Weak? This life-verse will take you
anywhere for Jesus.
Psalm 71. 16.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy
righteousness, even of thine only.
I will go in His strength, His righteousness. In
His Name.
How about you?
Send this to every one. They all need it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Ask God directions for directions, pilgrim!
The
answer to your problem is simple. You may be fishing on the wrong side of the
boat or turning the bolt the wrong direction.
“Righty
tighty, lefty loosey”.
Peter
and the other disciples were professional fishermen
Yet,
they fished all day and caught nothing.
Was it simply because they had failed to
ask
God where the fish were? Jesus said, “Try fishing on the other side of the
boat.” And they filled their boat with
fish.
How often we fail simply because we fail to ask God for directions.
I
remember one day I spent the entire day crawling under and out from under my 53
Buick putting a muffler on.
It
simply would not fit. I spent the day jacking the car up and down putting the
muffler on and taking it off.
Sunday
morning I drove the car to church and the muffler fell off as I pulled into the
parking lot.
A
deacon crawled under and fixed the car in minutes. I had spent the day
putting
it on backwards, never once thinking to turn it around.
Try
the other side of the boat, try the other end of the muffler, turn the bolt the
other way. “Righty tighty, lefty loosey.”
Try
asking God for directions!
The purpose of pain
God
trains those whom He can trust with
all
manner of troubles
so,
they can help others
go
through the same.
You
hurt so you can help others who hurt-
The
Apostle Paul said to the church at Corinth-
2
Corinthians 1. 4. Who comforteth us in
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Your
pain or heartache is_____________
I.E.
You are specially certified to help people with the same _________
God has
an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You
will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by
clicking here.
2
Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Your suffering for Christ is not greater than the comfort God
gives you.
2
Corinthians 1. 5. For as the sufferings
of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
We
repeat:
God
trains those whom He can trust with
all
manner of troubles they suffer for Him
so,
they can help others
go
through the same.
You
hurt so you can help others who hurt-
and
your troubles will not be greater than God's comfort.
The
Apostle Paul said to the church at Corinth-
2
Corinthians 1. 4. Who comforteth us in
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Your
pain or heartache is_____________
I.E.
You are specially certified to help people with the same _________
God has
an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You
will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by
clicking here.
2
Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
People all over the
world are going through the same thing you are
1 Peter
5. 6. Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8. Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9. Whom
resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
We
repeat:
God
trains those whom He can trust with
all
manner of troubles they suffer for Him
so,
they can help others
go
through the same.
1. You
hurt so you can help others who hurt-
2. and
your troubles will not be greater than God's comfort.
3. You
are not alone- poeple all over the world have the same problem you have
The
Apostle Paul said to the church at Corinth-
2
Corinthians 1. 4. Who comforteth us in
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Your
pain or heartache is_____________
I.E.
You are specially certified to help people with the same _________
God has
an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You
will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by
clicking here.
2
Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Turn it all over to
God
Some of
you have many problems. You cannot carry them, even for a day.
The
best you can do might be pray and open your hands, put all your problems in
them and with open hands turn them over to God.
You cannot carry them, let Him.
"Cast all your cares on
God."
1 Peter
5. 6. Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7. Casting
all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8. Be
sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9. Whom
resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
We
repeat:
God
trains those whom He can trust with
all
manner of troubles they suffer for Him
so,
they can help others
go
through the same.
1. You
hurt so you can help others who hurt-
2. and
your troubles will not be greater than God's comfort.
3. You
are not alone- poeple all over the world have the same problem you have
4. Turn
it all over to God.
The
Apostle Paul said to the church at Corinth-
2
Corinthians 1. 4. Who comforteth us in
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Your
pain or heartache is_____________
I.E.
You are specially certified to help people with the same _________
God has
an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You
will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by
clicking here.
2
Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Life is never perfect down here on earth (where
I live) for a reason-
This is not our home!
John 14
1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in
God, believe also in me.
2. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it
were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be
also
We are pilgrims and strangers. They used to call me
"huero emojado". I told them I was a pereGRINGO instead of a
peregrino[3]. Whatever they call
you, "this world is not your home."
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
What are we hoping for now?
Will our President-elect be able
to"change the world" as he promised?
The hope of New Testament
Christians was the return of Jesus Christ.
That is our Blessed Hope, your's
and mine.
1 Thessalonians 1. 10. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he
raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
All things work together for good when? and how?
God has a purpose for your life and He makes everything work together for good for that purpose. Romans 8.28 All things work together for good to them that love God according to His purpose. As long as your goals and purposes oppose His you will be like Paul "kicking against the pricks."
Nothing will ever seem right as long as you oppose
God's plan for YOUR life.
I bowed my head in desperation. What would I have to testify about in a large church? They invited me but WHO WAS I? The Lord brought the verse to my mind:
You have not chosen me but I have chosen you
(Note: the PURPOSE- why did God choose you?)
that you should go forth and bring forth fruit.
Every verse in the New Testament is a missionary verse. Its whole purpose is to win and disciple new believers.
Every beat of your heart and mine should be for missions. Reaching others for Christ.
We repeat:
God trains those whom He can trust with
all manner of troubles they suffer for Him
so, they can help others
go through the same.
1. You hurt so you can help others who hurt-
2. and your troubles will not be greater than God's comfort.
3. You are not alone- poeple all over the world have the same problem you have
4. Turn it all over to God.
5. Love God
6. God's purpose in pain and trouble is to make you a missionary. Be a missionary wherever you are to wherever God leads you.
The
Apostle Paul said to the church at Corinth-
2
Corinthians 1. 4. Who comforteth us in
all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Your
pain or heartache is_____________
I.E.
You are specially certified to help people with the same _________
God has
an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You
will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by
clicking here.
2
Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
They are going to elect
someone today-
Imperfect people will
choose an imperfect candidate whether its for Justice of Peace of governor, or
president. South Africa is also having their elections.
God has His elections-
He elected or chose you to
be a child of God.
Whoever they elect for
whatever office will be only for a short term, and they will soon be forgotten.
Can you name the presidents
from Kennedy to President Bush? Forgotten, huh?
However, you have been
elected forever. So, turn from idols and
serve Him today.
(1 Thessalonians 1.9)
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Going against the grain
When bad things happen we
should be sad? Right? Wrong!
The prophet, Habakkuk,
3.17. Although the fig tree shall not
blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall
fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the
fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
18. Yet
I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19. The
Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will
make me to walk upon mine high places.
We
should always be glad in the LORD.
God has
an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by clicking here.
2 Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Our prayer is that God would count us worthy
2 Thessalonians 1. 11. Wherefore also we pray always for you, that
our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good
pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
12. That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant,
Brother Giddens
Worthy, who me?
2 Thessalonians
1. 4.
So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your
patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
5.
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may
be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
It finally
dawned on me another reason we have trials and persecutions- so we can be
"counted" worthy.
Oh, we are
unworthy, but rejoice that He will count us WORTHY.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel. Believe on Him.
Brother Giddens
The true Comfort Zone- our God
The
Apostle Paul said to the church at Corinth-
2
Corinthians 1. 3. Blessed be God, even
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all
comfort...
We all
find comfort in the mercy of God daily.
He is
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.
Whatever
mercy you need, or comfort you need- He's our Comfort Zone. Because He is omniscient (All-knowing),
omnipresent (All-present), and Omnipotent (All-powerful) that is wherever and whatever it takes.
We can
be safe in Him no matter what the storm or challenge we face.
God has
an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You
will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by
clicking here.
2 Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
“The things that I love and hold dear to my heart are
just borrowed. They’re not mine at all. Jesus only let me use them to brighten
my days- so, remind me, remind me, dear Lord.”
Hannah reminds me of the words of the song, and of the
thought-
Our children (and grand-children) are not our’s- they
should be loaned to the Lord as long as they live.
1 Samuel 1.26 .
And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman
that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord.
27. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath
given me my petition which I asked of him:
28. Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord;
as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.
So, I lend all my children and grand-children and
great-grandchildren to you once again, Lord. Use them in your service.
Send this to every one. They all need it.
In Jesus’ Name and for His Sake!
Brother Giddens
Roshelle in Washington wrote that she has many problems but she
has "faith in faith in the Lord."
Don't ever lose that, Roshelle, and I pray we will always keep on
believing
no matter what problems we face
we will not give up on faith believing in Jesus' Name
for answers.
God has an answer for life's challenges- large or small.
You will find the answers you need : a good verse for you today by clicking here.
2 Corinthians 12. 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
You are in the midst[ii] of your Christian
ACTS test-
Accelerated Christian Test -
IV. Objective four: Work!
Testing necessitates honest
work!
1 Thessalonians 4. 11. And that ye study to be quiet, and to do
your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded
you;
12. That ye may walk honestly toward them
that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Trust God
1 Thessalonians
413. But I would not have you to be
ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even
as others which have no hope.
14. For
if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in
Jesus will God bring with him.
15. For
this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Testing improves your
lifestyle.
1
Thessalonians 4. 3. For this is the will
of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4. That
every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and
honour;
5. Not
in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6. That
no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord
is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
7. For
God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8. He
therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto
us his Holy Spirit.
Remember, sin shows hatred against God, and grieves the Holy
Spirit. Stop it.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Testing intensifies love
for one another.
1
Thessalonians 4. 9. But as touching brotherly
love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to
love one another.
10. And
indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we
beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
On thanking God always for all things
When Corrie Ten Boom and
her sister were in a Nazi concentration camp they thanked God for the fleas.
Guards did not bother women with fleas. Have we
learned to thank God for "all things"? After all God is causing all things to work
together for good.
Prickly pear cactii have
thorns, but they also have fruit that many people ate during the
Depression. You would not have the fruit
without the thorns. Our life has many
thorny problems but there is always spiritual growth and fruit through it all.
Ephesians 5. 20. Giving thanks always for all things
unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
You are in the midst[iii]
of your Christian ACTS test-
My prayer for you-
1 Thessalonians 5.
22. Abstain
from all appearance of evil.
23. And the very God of peace sanctify you
wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also
will do it.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel. Believe on Him.
Brother Giddens
1
Thessalonians 5.
21. Prove all things; hold fast that which is
good.
22.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
One proves
all things by comparing Scripture to Scripture. We had a lady in our town who
said she did not care what the Bible said, just what God said to her. We are to
base our trust in the Scriptures, not presumption. Hold fast to that which is
good. The Old-time faith and the old-time Gospel will be so important this
generation as people turn from them to trust the hollow promises of men.
Proofs are
found in the Bible, not feelings.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel. Believe on Him.
Brother Giddens
Christ-like attitudes- rejoicing,
prayerful, thankful
A Christian should be happy, prayerful
and thankful today of all days.
We can if we consider the day above all
days- the day Jesus died on the cross for our sins. sorrows, and sicknesses.
1 Thessalonians 5.
16.
Rejoice evermore.
17.
Pray without ceasing.
18. In
everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
19.
Quench not the Spirit.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother
Giddens
"Actual Christian Test"- Objective six: Can you trust,
wait and hope? Christ is returning!
Could the Tribulation be far away? One-world economy, government and
ruler, the Antichrist. If you are saved you will not be afraid but be trusting,
waiting, hoping-
Jesus will return soon.
1 Thessalonians 4. 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of
God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so
shall we ever be with the Lord.
18. Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
"Actual Christian Test"- Objective six b: Can you trust,
wait and hope? Christ is returning!
.......But, ( from the Billy Goat section)
How do we know we are not going through the Great Tribulation?
There are several key verses: one is in 1 Thessalonians 5.
Look at
the context of 1 Thessalonians 4-
"we will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air" and
1 Thessalonians 5
9. For God
hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus
Christ,
Compare this verse to others such as Revelation
3. 10. Because thou hast kept the word
of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall
come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
You are in the midst[iv] of your Christian
ACTS test-
Appreciate
the unappreciated
We were in
a Mormon town laboring among a handful of Christians. Each Sunday I would
preach my heart out, and one fellow would always say as he shook my hand
leaving, "I like Tony Evans."
You may
like Tony Evans or Ann Meyers, but when you are talking to your preacher in
your church, tell him you like him!
You would
not eat at the preacher's house and tell his wife as you left, "I like
Martha Stewart." Or would you?
Show
appreciation for those who work for the LORD in your town and
neighborhood. That's what Paul says in
this verse-.
1
Thessalonians 5. 12. And we beseech you,
brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord,
and admonish you;
13. And
to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Life is never perfect down here on earth (where
I live) for a reason-
We would not be "worth a hoot" if we did not have
problems.
Thats all I have to
say about that except-
The best way to get rid of a problem is to thank God for it;
then, it becomes a blessing.
Ephesians 5. 20. Giving
thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ;
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
Get a mentor- seems to be the focus nowadays.
Paul would be a good mentor for you:
1 Thessalonians 2. 9. For
ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day,
because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the
gospel of God.
10. Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily
and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11. As ye know how we exhorted and comforted
and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12. That ye would walk worthy of God, who
hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
You are in the midst[v]
of your Christian ACTS test-
Christ-like
attitudes- rejoicing, prayerful, thankful
A Christian
should be happy, prayerful and thankful today of all days.
We can if
we consider the day above all days- the day Jesus died on the cross for our
sins. sorrows, and sicknesses.
1 Thessalonians
5.
16.
Rejoice evermore.
17.
Pray without ceasing.
18. In
everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
19.
Quench not the Spirit.
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
You are in the midst[vi]
of your Christian ACTS test-
How to treat others: about "getting even"
One man wrote that he had been fired and he wanted
to know if he should sue his former employer. The answer is no. Even if you
were fired for doing right, the answer is still no. Oh, that's not my answer,
it's the Holy Spirit's.
1 Thessalonians 5. 15. See that none render evil for evil unto any
man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
It is always
time to pray through Jesus
1 Timothy 2.
5. For there is one God, and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
Through the
blood of the Everlasting Covenant,
Brother Giddens
It is always
time to pray for our leaders
1 Timothy 2.
1. I exhort therefore, that, first of
all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for
all men;
2. For
kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3. For
this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Through the
blood of the Everlasting Covenant,
Brother Giddens
Help from Heaven is on the way
Troubled by indifference? Tired of standing alone for Jesus
while your enemies despise and mock you? Whether you are persecuted in the
streets or at home take heart-
Help from Heaven is on the way!
2 Thessalonians
1. 6.
Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to
them that trouble you;
7. And
to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed
from heaven with his mighty angels,
8. In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9. Who
shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power;
Hail King
Jesus, Hail Immanuel. Believe on Him.
2
Thessalonians 1. 3. We are bound to
thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth
exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other
aboundeth;
Here we are
in the game of life, you and I. The cry from the crowd is "Dogpile!"
Pile on the hapless ball carrier. Yet, there is always room for one, the hero,
who will jump on the pile, rescue his friend, and then because it is NOT just a
game- pile on and
smother them
all with his love.
Brother Giddens
You are in the midst of your ACTS test-
I. Accelerated Christian Test: Objective one: increase in faith
Testing proves your
faith.
"No child left
behind". A worthy goal.
With Jesus it is a
certainty.
Testing proves our faith.
1
Thessalonians 3. 3. That no man should
be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are
appointed thereunto.
4. For
verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer
tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
5. For
this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith,
lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
Hail King Jesus, Hail Immanuel.
Brother Giddens
[1] Isaiah 7. 14. 13. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
14. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (God with us)
[2] Isaiah 7. 14. 13. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?
14. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (God with us)
[3] peregrino- pilgrim. Peregringo- my play on words- a red-necked pilgrim. "gringo"