Trail Mix - 9.30.19

September 30, 2019 – “In due season…” is the promise from God’s Word. Those who labor for the Master will reap afterwards. “It has not entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love and serve Him…” but in due season we shall know. The farmer knows that there must be breaking, planting, plowing and cultivation before the harvest comes. But it will come, in due season! Any investment in the Lord’s work always pays big dividends! S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is that you would look beyond this “veil of tears” to a day when we will shout for joy around His throne!

Exodus 15:2  The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. KJV

“Three Pastors in the south were having lunch in a diner. One said "Ya know, since summer started I've been having trouble with bats in my loft and attic at church. I've tried everything--noise, spray, cats--nothing seems to scare them away. Another said "Yea, me too. I've got hundreds living in my belfry and in the narthex attic. I've even had the place fumigated, and they won't go away." The third said, "I baptized all mine, and made them members of the church... Haven't seen one back since!!!"

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Zechariah 7-10

Trail Mix - 9.29.19

September 29, 20119 – "Christ has for sin atonement made, what a wonderful Savior..." This great hymn and many others point to the blood sacrifice made on Calvary by the Sovereign through our Savior. One writer called Christianity a "bloody religion." Thank God it is. He was offered once for all our sins. "What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus!" S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are “blood bought.”

Hebrews 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. KJV

“There were once two brothers called William and Wayne. Will was 12 years old and his little brother was 3. The neighbors noticed they always went around together. If William went down to the ballpark, his little brother would toddle along behind him. And when Wayne went to playgroup, his older brother would come and sit there with all the toddlers. One neighbor thought this was really strange, so one day he leaned over the fence and asked the boys' mother why they were so inseparable, even though they had nothing in common. “Well,” the mother replied, “Didn’t you know? Where there’s a Will there’s a Wayne.”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Zechariah 1-6

Trail Mix - 9.28.19

September 28, 2019 – “Christian's have both an accuser and we have an Advocate; we have a liar who prosecutes and a lawyer who pleads; Satan and the Savior. I'm thankful for the blood of Christ that cleanses us from all sin when we genuinely repent and thoroughly confess. In Christ alone I place my trust. Nothing the accuser can say can hurt us because our Advocate is at the Father's right hand. Praise the Lord! Our heavenly attorney has never lost a case! S. E. Trail

My prayer for you is that you would take advantage of our Advocate and go to him for grace to help in time of need.

Philippians 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; KJV

 

“A young boy, about eight years old, was at the corner "Mom and Pop" grocery picking out a pretty good size box of laundry detergent. The grocer walked over, and, trying to be friendly, asked the boy if he had a lot of laundry to do. "Oh, no laundry," the boy said, "I'm going to wash my dog."  "But you shouldn't use this to wash your dog. It's very powerful and if you wash your dog in this, he'll get sick. In fact, it might even kill him." But the boy was not to be stopped and carried the detergent to the counter and paid for it, even as the grocer still tried to talk him out of washing his dog. About a week later the boy was back in the store to buy some candy. The grocer asked the boy how his dog was doing. "Oh, he died," the boy said. The grocer, trying not to be an "I-told-you-so", said he was sorry the dog died but added, "I tried to tell you not to use that detergent on your dog."  "Well, the boy replied, "I don't think it was the detergent that killed him." "Oh? What was it then?" "I think it was the spin cycle!"

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Zeph. /Haggai

Trail Mix - 9.27.19

September 27, 2019 – “A lot of churches think they need a new pastor when what they really need is a renewed pastor. If your pastor seems strained, stressed or stale, get down on your knees and pray that God would send him a time of refreshing and renewal in his life and experience. Also, help your pastor and wife to get away for a few days alone for a time of R&R. It will do wonders for him and for the church! Even the Lord and his disciples needed a break from the work of ministry, and it is real work!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for every pastor is for a church family that cares enough to make a way for their pastor to have seasons of rest, relaxation and refreshment! The best way to keep a good pastor and to keep a pastor good is to show him that you appreciate what he does for the Lord and his church.

Hebrews 13:7  Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. KJV

“A male frog goes to a psychic. The psychic tells him, "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you." The frog becomes excited, "This is great! Will I meet her at a party?" "No," says the psychic, "in her biology class."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Nahum/Habakkuk

Trail Mix - 9.26.19

September 26, 2019 – “Someone said that "It's not how you start, it's how you finish that counts." Finishing well is important but it is also equally important to start well. Many folks make decisions like joining a church or being baptized and depend on that to get to heaven. Knowing Jesus is the only way to heaven. We must start and finish with HIM! Someone asked the definition of “eternal security” and a senior saint replied, “Start right, stay right, and die right!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is that you have started with Jesus and will stay with Jesus to the end of life!

2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: KJV

                                        

“There was a case of attempted murder, in which the prisoner was accused of having fired twice at his intended victim. One of the witnesses for the prosecution was being severely cross-examined by the defense counsel. "You say that you heard both shots fired?" he asked sternly. "Yes, sir." "How near were you to the scene of the affair?" "At the time the first shot was fired I was about twenty feet from the prisoner." "Twenty feet? Yes sir, twenty feet. Humph! Now tell the court how far you were off when you heard the second shot." "Well, sir," replied the witness slowly, "I didn't exactly measure the distance; but, speaking approximately, I should say about half a mile."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Micah 3-7

Trail Mix - 9.25.19

September 25, 2019 – “When King David followed the Amalekites some men fainted and stayed behind with the stuff while some men fought and returned with the spoils. David decreed that the spoils would be shared by all. Some wonderful saints of God have feeble bodies while others seem to enjoy splendid health. God can use both to do His work. Some wrestle in prayer so others can fight. Thank God for both. For very Christian worker who is on the “front line” there must be a support group “behind the lines” lifting them up in prayer.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you not to be “AWOL” where prayer is concerned. 

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. KJV

“Flip Wilson was a popular comedian several years ago, and one of his characters was a Preacher at the “What’s Happening Now Church.” Flip did a Skit where he told about this preacher. He’d shout out: "IF THIS CHURCH IS GOING TO SERVE GOD IT’S GOT TO GET DOWN ON ITS KNEES AND CRAWL!!!" And the audience yelled back "Make it crawl preacher, make it crawl! "AND ONCE THIS CHURCH HAS LEARNED TO CRAWL, IT’S GOT TO GET UP ON ITS FEET AND WALK!!!" "Make it walk preacher, make it walk" the audience moaned. AND ONCE THIS CHURCH HAS LEARNED TO WALK ITS GOT BEGIN TO LEARN TO RUN!!!" "Make it run, preacher, make it run!" "AND IN ORDER TO RUN, ITS GOT REACH DEEP DOWN INTO POCKETS AND LEARN TO GIVE!!!" (pause) "Make it crawl preacher, make it crawl." A Church can’t grow if it doesn’t give. And if it doesn’t give… it’ll crawl.”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Jon.1-4/Mic.1-2

Trail Mix - 9.24.19

September 24, 2019– “I am constantly amazed at human beings capacity for evil and yet we are told that the human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked so we should not be surprised at what we see and hear. What is the answer to this? A radical heart and life changing experience with Jesus Christ is the only answer. "If any man be in Christ he is a new creature, behold old things have passed away and all things have become new.” If you have never experienced the “new birth” then by all means receive Jesus Christ by faith as you Lord and Savior today.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to get a large dose of what Jesus is offering!

Ezekiel 11:19  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: KJV

“I heard a story of a missionary in Africa who received a knock on the door of his hut one afternoon. Answering, the missionary found a native boy holding a large fish in his hands. The boy said, "Reverend, you taught us what tithing is, so here. I've brought you my tithe." As the missionary gratefully took the fish, he questioned the boy. "If this is your tithe, where are the other nine fish?" At this, the boy beamed and said, "Oh, they're still back in the river. I'm going back to catch them now."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Amos 6-9/Obad

Trail Mix - 9.23.19

September 23, 2019 – “When you revive something you make it live again for that is the meaning of this compound word. Revival makes the church live again! What is the key to real revival in the church? R. A. Torrey's first rule was."Let a few members of any church get thoroughly right with God themselves." Then they can go after others, but not until then. God wants us to humble ourselves, deny ourselves, and give ourselves completely to HIM. Until we are willing to do this there can be no revival. "Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people might rejoice in thee." S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is that you could experience a time of personal revival in your life.

Acts 3:19  Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; KJV

A minister was asked to dinner by one of his parishioners. The churchgoer was known for being a terrible housekeeper. When the minister sat down at the table, he noticed the dishes were the dirtiest he had ever seen in his life. "Have these dishes ever been washed?" he asked the hostess, running his fingers over the filthy dishes. She replied, "They're as clean as soap and water could get them." He felt a bit apprehensive but said grace and started eating. It was quite delicious, despite the dirty dishes. When dinner was over, the hostess took the dishes outside, whistled and yelled, "Here, Soap! Here, Water!"

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Amos 1-5

Trail Mix - 9.22.19

September 22, 2019 – “God let us be like Barnabas who was a good man and filled with the Holy Spirit and spent his entire ministry encouraging others. He also was not envious or jealous when the leadership of the Antioch missions’ team fell to his co-worker Paul. Very few in the church today would have been so charitable. He also is probably the main reason we have the Gospel of Mark. May his tribe increase! God bless the encouragers!” S. E. Trail

My prayer today for us would be for a life spent in building others up and not blowing them up!

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; 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. KJV

 “Pete and Larry had not seen each other in many years. Now they had a long talk trying to fill in the gap of those years by telling about their lives. Finally Pete invited Larry to visit him in his new apartment. "I have a wife and three kids and I'd love to have you visit us." "Great. Where do you live?" "Here's the address. And there's plenty of parking behind the apartment. Park and come around to the front door, kick it open with your foot, go to the elevator and press the button with your left elbow, then enter! When you reach the sixth floor, go down the hall until you see my name on the door. Then press the doorbell with your right elbow and I'll let you in." "Good. But tell me...what is all this business of kicking the front door open, then pressing elevator buttons with my right, then my left elbow?" Pete Answered, "Surely, you're not coming empty-handed."

 

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Joel 1-3

Trail Mix - 9.21.19

September 21, 2019 – “For the believer in Christ growing older should mean a sweeter, gentler, kinder disposition as we walk daily with our Master and are made like Him. Sadly, this is not the case in many lives. Instead, for some advancing age brings bitterness, hardheartedness and a critical spirit. We have been given the Spirit of God to mold and make us into the image of our Lord who was the "meek and lowly" one. If you have what Jesus had to offer you know what the outcome will be and if not, “…you will know a tree by the fruit it bears…” Don’t get bitter, get better!”  S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for a “…sweet, sweet, spirit…at your “house!”

Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. KJV

“It was a case of attempted murder, in which the prisoner was accused of having fired twice at his intended victim. One of the witnesses for the prosecution was being severely cross-examined by the defending counsel. "You say that you heard both shots fired?" he asked sternly. "Yes, sir." "How near were you to the scene of the affair?" "At the time the first shot was fired I was about twenty feet from the prisoner." "Twenty feet? Yes sir, twenty feet. Humph! Now tell the court how far you were off when you heard the second shot." "Well, sir," replied the witness slowly, "I didn't exactly measure the distance; but, speaking approximately, I should say about half a mile."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Hosea 8-14

Trail Mix - 9.20.19

September 20, 2019 – “The rich young ruler had morals, manners, and money and would be welcomed into most churches today with open arms; Sadly, he would be just another unsaved church member trying to live a changed life without being changed by the Master. Jesus said he lacked one thing but oh what a thing it was for it was everything! If you miss heaven, you’ve missed it all!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for a “meeting with the Master” that results in your submission to his Lordship!

Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. KJV

“Many years ago, a wealthy man went duck hunting with a hired hand named Sam.They took a horse and carriage, and along the way a rim came off one of the wheels. As Sam hammered it back on, he accidentally hit his finger. Instantly he let go with some bad words. He quickly fell to his knees, asking God's forgiveness. "Lord, it's difficult at times to live the Christian life", he prayed. "Sam" said the man, "I know you're a Christian, but tell me why you struggle so, I'm an atheist, and I don't have problems like that." Sam didn't know what to say. Just then two ducks flew overhead. The man raised his gun and two shots rang out. "Leave the dead one and go after that wounded bird!" he shouted. Sam pointed at the duck that was fluttering desperately to escape and said, "I've got an answer for you now, Boss. You said my Christianity isn't any good because I have to struggle so. Well, I'm the wounded duck, and struggle to get away from the devil. But you Boss, you're the dead duck!" That insight fits Paul's description of his Christian experience in Romans 7: 14-25. Struggle is one evidence of God's work in our lives Forgiveness of sin is available, so don't despair. Remember, dead ducks don't flutter.”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Hosea 1-7

Trail Mix - 9.19.19

September 19, 2019 – “Several years ago I was at a cemetery and happened to look over at a young woman who was lying on top of a grave and weeping inconsolably. I went over to see if I could help and she told of the passing of her young husband. It reminded me of what Paul wrote that we should, "...sorrow not as those which have no hope." He did not say that we should not sorrow but for the redeemed he is saying death is not hopeless. The grave is not the end. Death does not have the last word! The one who conquered death tells us that "He is alive forevermore!" Pause by the grave and weep my friend but one day your tears of sorrow will be turned into tears of joy. That will be a glad reunion day.   God never intended for the grave to be our last stop. Because of Jesus, death does not have the last word!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to know the “…peace that passeth understanding…” even when you are in the “…valley of the shadow.” 

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: KJV

Little Johnny's class were on an outing to their local police station where they saw pictures, of the ten most wanted men, tacked to a bulletin board. On the way out of the police station Little Johnny said to the officer, "it was so nice of you to put my daddy's picture up there."

Bible Reading Schedule for today - Daniel 11-12

Trail Mix - 9.5.19

September 5, 2019 – “The church today is living somewhere between a golden past and the glorious prospects in the future. Having left the latter behind and not yet having attained the former it is in a sort of “no man’s land” of this present world and the picture is of a of a church that is powerless to effect the culture because there is so little difference between the two! Almost every survey suggests this truth. The church that is “neither hot nor cold” is no good to this sin soaked, sin cursed world and a blight to the One who birthed it!” Vance Havner

My prayer today is for believers who are godly “…in this present world!”

3 John 1:11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. KJV

“Thoughts that will bring a smile: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets. Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hairstylist you like. You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster. Time may be a great healer, but it's also a lousy beautician. Age doesn't always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone. I don't mind the rat race, but I could do with a little more cheese. The only time a woman wishes she were a year older is when she is expecting a baby. Freedom of the press means no-iron clothes.”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 27-28

Trail Mix - 9.4.19

September 4, 2019 – Vance Havner said, “God’s system of promotion does not follow the pattern of this age.” Often, His choicest servants remain unknown without any public recognition, but it really comes down to this. What type of promotion do we seek? We’ve all seen the self-promoters in and out of the church and it always creates a negative impression. If we allow God to lift us up it will spare us so much unnecessary stress and fretfulness. Remember, in God’s economy of things, “The first shall be last and the last shall be first!” The way up is down and the way to truly live is to die to self. S. E. Trail

My prayer is for a heart that is humble, that helps (spiritual gift) and does not hinder or harm the cause of Christ!

3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. KJV

“There were 3 men who died and before God would let them into heaven, he gave them a chance to come back as anything they wanted. The first guy said " I want to come back as myself, but 100 times smarter. So God made him 100 times smarter. The second guy said "I want to be better than that guy, make me 1000 times smarter. So God made him 1000 times smarter. The last guy decided he would be the best. So he said "God, make me better than both of them, make me 1,000,000 times smarter. So God made him a woman!”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 24-26

Trail Mix - 9.3.19

September 3, 2019 – Vance Havner writes: “Do you know the Savior as a matter of report or reality? Job had heard about God with the “hearing of the ear,” but now “mine eye seeth thee,” is his statement of faith. It is one thing to hear about Jesus and quite another to know Him personally. Andrew was not content to tell his brother about the Lord, he must bring his brother to the Lord. We disseminate information about Jesus but often fall short of bringing men and women to Him.” When was the last time that you “brought” someone to Jesus? When was the last time you introduced someone to the Savior? Those who follow the Fisher of Men’s souls will be interested in doing likewise!” S. E. Trail   

My prayer for today is for a faith that brings men to the Master!

John 12:21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. KJV

“A man dies and goes to Heaven. He gets to meet GOD and asks GOD if he can ask him a few questions. "Sure," GOD says, "Go right ahead". "OK," the man says. "Why did you make women so pretty?" GOD says, "So you would like them." "OK," the guy says. "But how come you made them so beautiful?" "So you would LOVE them", GOD replies. The man ponders a moment and then asks, "But why did you make them such airheads?" GOD says, "So they would love you!"

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 22-23

Trail Mix - 9.2.19

September 2, 2019 – “God’s grace is not only amazing; it is also abundant grace, attractive grace and active grace! “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us…” is John’s declaration of astonishment at this grace that is never ending, unfailing, unconditional, unilateral, and uplifting. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see…” Hallelujah, what a Savior! Grace is the “bridge” between a holy God and sinful man.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today that you would have a great appreciation for God’s amazing grace!

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. KJV

“There is a story about two friends who were walking through the desert. Halfway through the journey they had an argument and one friend slapped the other in the face. The one who was slapped felt hurt, but without saying anything he wrote in the sand: "Today my best friend slapped me in the face." They kept on walking until they found an oasis where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped began to drown and his friend saved him. When he recovered from the ordeal, he wrote on a stone: "Today my best friend saved my life." His friend asked him, "Why, after I hurt you, did you write in the sand and now you write on a stone? The man, smiling, replied: "When a friend hurts us, we should write it down in the sand, where the winds of forgiveness can erase it away. And when something great happens, we should engrave it on the stone of the memory of our heart, where no wind can erase it."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 20-21

Trail Mix - 9.1.19

September 1, 2019 – “Jesus said that to enter the kingdom we had to be like little children. How is that possible when we have so much cluttering up our lives? How do we achieve the “simplicity” of a child? Notice that He did not say childishness but childlikeness! We become childlike with our hearts not our heads. It is not a mountain to climb but a valley to walk. When we are willing to humble ourselves we find the childlike heart Jesus spoke about. “Blessed are the meek…” for they shall be the most childlike and the most Christlike! S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to hold to the Father’s hand and stay close to the Father’s heart.

Matthew 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. KJV

“When we get to heaven, there will be no contest to see who was the most deserving of God’s grace because no one deserves it. There will only be one contest in heaven. When we look back and see what we were before, when we see the pit from which he rescued us, when we recall how confused we were, when we remember how God reached out and hired us into His family, and how he held us in his hand, and when we see Jesus who loved us and gave himself for us, the only contest will be to see which of us will sing the loudest: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” Brian Bill

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 17-19