Trail Mix - 9.9.18

9.9.18 – “Vance Havner asked the following question, “How many of us live looking back or ahead, between a holy past and a holier future, but in a hollow present?” So many believers long for the “good old days,” or a better day ahead but friends Jesus is here with us now. The Living Christ offers living water now! He will meet us today, where we are and as we are. May God help us to walk today with the One who promised, “Never to leave or forsake us!” S. E. Trail 

My prayer for you today is for a greater realization of His presence today and to walk with Jesus between the beginning and the end!

Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. KJV

“A father was approached by his small son, who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?" The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay," said his father. "So, Son, what does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy. It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.”

Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 37-38

Trail Mix - 9.8.18

9.8.18 – “In the last 20 years or so we have seen the rise of celebrity preachers and Bible teachers and some of them are shameless self-promoters! They are personality plus and have the advantage of mega ministry resources to “toot” their horns! They live in multi-million dollar homes and fly in their own personal jets. We know that promotion in this world is not always based on merit. God’s system does not follow the pattern of this age. Some great men and women have labored in obscurity while horn blowers rise to the top. Doesn’t seem fair but never fear. Trust God to put you where He wants you to be and you will never have the self-promotion “fever.” Don’t be guilty of “tooting” your own horn and you’ll be able to listen for the only “toot” that really matters, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you would be to take the “prescription” of humility to cure the self-promotion “fever.”

Romans 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? KJV

“A priest and a rabbi from local parishes were standing by the side of the road holding up signs. The rabbi’s read, "The End is Near!" The priest, on the other side of the road, held up a sign which read, "Turn before it’s too late!" They planned to hold up their signs to each passing car. "Get a job." The first driver yelled. The second, immediately behind the first, yelled, "Leave us alone you religious freaks"! Shortly, from around the curve, they heard screeching tires and a splash followed by more screeching tires and another splash. The rabbi looked over at his companion and said, "Do you think we should try a different sign"? The other man responded, "Perhaps, ’Bridge Out’ might be better"?

Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 34-36

Trail Mix - 9.7.18

9.7.18 – “Paul knew something of God’s provision when he declared that, “My God shall supply all your need…” for he had seen God’s hand move in many ways to meet his needs. God had used churches and individuals to supply His servant throughout his entire adult life. Paul had also used his own hands to work as a tentmaker to supply his needs. What we are able to do, we should do and trust God for everything. God is able to do more for all of us than we ask or think! Claim the promise of His abundance today! Trust Him to meet your needs “…by Christ Jesus.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is that you will trust God for “…your daily bread.”

Psalms 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. KJV

 “A burglar got into a house one night. Shining his flashlight on the floor in the dark, he heard a voice saying, "Jesus is watching you." He looked around nervously, shook his head, and kept looking for valuables. He again heard, "Jesus is watching you." This time, he shone his light all over, and it rested on a parrot. He asked, "Did you say that?" The parrot admitted that it had. "I'm just trying to warn you, that's all." The burglar said, "Warn me, huh? Who are you? What's your name?" "Moses." "Well, what kind of stupid people would name a parrot 'Moses'?" The bird answered, "I don't know; I guess the same folks who would name a Pit Bulldog 'Jesus'."

 

Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 32-33

Trail Mix - 9.6.18

9.6.18 – “Is our “belief” based on profession or possession? There is a great deal of difference in knowing about the Lord and knowing Him personally. Job understood that there is a difference between “hearing” and “seeing.” Vance Havner said, “There is a second hand, by-proxy knowledge of the Lord…” that has no real personal encounter with the Lord. Is our “belief” based on profession or possession? Is Jesus present with us or president in us! There is a life and death difference between the two relationships. Our knowledge of Jesus must be experiential; there must be a place in time when we “meet” Jesus personally.” S. E. Trail   

My prayer for you is a “know so” salvation that will “walk the talk.”

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; KJV

“There were 11 people hanging on to a rope that came down from a helicopter. Ten were men and one woman. They all decided that one person should get off because if they didn't, the rope would break and everyone would die. No one could decide who should go. Finally the woman gave a really touching speech on how she would give up her life to save the others, because women were used to giving up things for their husbands and children and giving in to men. All of the men started clapping.”

Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 29-31

Trail Mix - 9.5.18

9.5.18 – “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.”

Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 27-28

Trail Mix - 9.4.18

9.4.18 – 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!”

Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 24-26

Trail Mix - 9.3.18

9.3.18 – 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!"

Bible Reading Schedule for today - Ezekiel 22-23