Trail Mix - 3.7.19

March 7, 2019 – Vance Havner said, “God marks across some of our days, I’ll explain later,” and the old song says that, “We will understand it better by and by.” God does not always explain everything He does in the here and now but we will know in the hereafter! It may be a sun lit vision on a mountain top or a deep dark dim valley of despair for you friend but whatever it is, trust that He knows the way. Hold to “God’s unchanging hand” and all will be well. He never, ever fails and we can trust our destiny to Him! S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to have peace in the circumstances of your life whether it be in calm or calamity!

Weekly Memory Verse Challenge - Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

 “A preacher, who shall we say was "humor impaired," attended a conference to help encourage and better equip pastors for their ministry. Among the speakers were many well known and dynamic speakers. One such boldly approached the pulpit and, gathering the entire crowd's attention, said, "The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman that wasn't my wife!" The crowd was shocked! He followed up by saying, "And that woman was my mother!" - The crowd burst into laughter and delivered the rest of his talk, which went over quite well. The next week, the pastor decided he'd give this humor thing a try, and use that joke in his sermon. As he surely approached the pulpit that sunny Sunday, he tried to rehearse the joke in his head. It suddenly seemed a bit foggy to him. Getting to the microphone he said loudly, "The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of another woman that was not my wife!" The congregation inhaled half the air in the room. After standing there for almost 10 seconds in the stunned silence, trying to recall the second half of the joke, the pastor finally blurted out, "...and for the life of me I can't remember who she was!" Anonymous

2019 Bible Reading Schedule – Deut. 21-23

Trail Mix - 3.6.19

March 6, 2019 – “Have you ever had one of those days when nothing went right and you were unable at night to put together a sensible prayer no matter how hard you tried? You finally just gave up trying and said, “Lord, bless this mess,” and you went on to sleep. Take heart dear friend because “He knoweth our frame…” At times like these He makes up for our deficiencies in prayer and it is good to know that when we have done the best we can, He makes up the difference! The Holy Spirit “maketh intercession,” when we can’t frame the words and thoughts of our hearts and minds.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to work like everything depends on you and pray like everything depends on God.

Weekly Memory Verse Challenge - Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

 “This minister just had all of his remaining teeth pulled and new dentures were being made. The first Sunday, he only preached 10 minutes. The second Sunday, he preached only 20 minutes. But, on the third Sunday, he preached 1 hour 25 minutes. When asked about this by some of the congregation, he responded this way. The first Sunday, my gums were so sore it hurt to talk. The second Sunday, my dentures were hurting a lot. The third Sunday, I accidentally grabbed my wife's dentures... and I couldn't stop talking!” ChristiansUnite.Com

2019 Bible Reading Schedule – Deut. 18-20

Trail Mix - 3.5.19

March 5, 2019 – Gleanings from Vance Havner  - “The transposition of Christ and sinners is one of the greatest mysteries in the entire universe. How the perfect and pure Son of God could “become sin for us,” in our place and how we could be, “…made the righteousness of God,” in His place is beyond comprehension. Yet it stands as the capstone of the Gospel as God showed us just how gracious He could be. This mighty act leaves us in astonishment! “Where sin did abound, grace did much more abound…” Hallelujah, what a Savior!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for this truth to permeate your heart and mind!

Weekly Memory Verse Challenge - Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

 “One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex was staring up at the large plaque that hung in the foyer of the church. The plaque was covered with names, and small American flags were mounted on either side of it. The seven-year-old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the pastor walked up, stood beside him and said quietly, "Good morning, Alex." "Good morning, Pastor," replied the young man, still focused on the plaque. "Pastor McGhee, what is this?" Alex asked. "Well, son, it's a memorial to all the men and women who have died in the service." Soberly, they stood together, staring at the large plaque. Little Alex's voice was barely audible when he finally managed to ask, "Which one, the 9:00 or 10:30 service?” ChristiansUnite.com

2019 Bible Reading Schedule – Deut. 14-17

Trail Mix - 3.4.19

March 4, 2019 – “When the saints read that “God is our refuge and strength,” they may have thought of the cities of refuge with their suburbs that provided protection for those who had slain a man without malice or forethought. All one had to do to find a safe haven was to make it to the outskirts of the city. Christ is our “refuge and strength” and if we come to Him we will find a safe and secure resting place. If you put your trust in Him He will never fail you.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to find a “shelter in the time of storm” in our Jesus!

Weekly Memory Verse Challenge - Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

“The elderly pastor was searching his closet for his collar before church one Sunday morning. In the back of the closet, he found a small box containing 3 eggs and 100 $1 bills. He called his wife into the closet to ask her about the box and its contents. Embarrassed, she admitted having hidden the box there for their entire 30 years of marriage. Disappointed and hurt, the pastor asked her, “WHY?” The wife replied that she hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings. He asked her how the box could have hurt his feelings. She said that every time during their marriage that he had delivered a poor sermon, she had placed an egg in the box. The pastor felt that 3 poor sermons in 30 years was certainly nothing to feel bad about, so he asked her what the $100 was for. She replied, “Each time I got a dozen eggs, I sold them to the neighbors’ for $1.” ChristiansUnite.com

2019 Bible Reading Schedule – Deut. 11-13

Trail Mix - 3.3.19

March 3, 2019 – “What a scene dear friend awaits us in heaven when, all the redeemed are gathered together before the Lamb and we sing redemption’s song and the church militant finally becomes the church triumphant! The salvation of mankind is God’s greatest glory and like the hymn writer said, “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, and I look upon His face, the one who saved me by His grace…” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to “work till Jesus comes.”

Weekly Memory Verse Challenge - Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

“Sitting on the side of the highway waiting to catch speeding drivers, a State Police Officer sees a car puttering along at 22 MPH. He thinks to himself, "This driver is just as dangerous as a speeder!" So he turns on his lights and pulls the driver over. Approaching the car, he notices that there are five old ladies -- two in the front seat and three in the back - eyes wide and white as ghosts. The driver, obviously confused, says to him, "Officer, I don't understand, I was doing exactly the speed limit! What seems to be the problem?" "Ma'am," the officer replies, "You weren't speeding, but you should know that driving slower than the speed limit can also be a danger to other drivers." "Slower than the speed limit?" she asked. No sir, I was doing the speed limit exactly... Twenty-Two miles an hour!" the old woman says a bit proudly. The State Police officer, trying to contain a chuckle explains to her that "22" was the route number, not the speed limit. A bit embarrassed, the woman grinned and thanked the officer for pointing out her error. "But before I let you go, Ma'am, I have to ask... Is everyone in this car ok? These women seem awfully shaken and they haven't muttered a single peep this whole time." the officer asks. "Oh, they'll be alright in a minute officer. We just got off Route 119." ChristiansUnite.com

2019 Bible Reading Schedule – Deut. 8-10  

Trail Mix - 3.2.19

March 2, 2019 – Gleanings from Vance Havner - “When Jesus returns the Bible declares that there will be a “shout!” This will be a shout of victory for the redeemed for sin, death and hell will have been vanquished. The triumphant Lamb of God will drag a beaten and bound Devil and blast him into the Lake of Fire, never to beset God’s children again. It will be a shout for joy as we finally reach home and are reunited with family, friends and all who are in the faith and know Christ as their Savior. Take heart dear Christian friend, the best is yet to come!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to be able to rejoice in the return of Jesus!

Weekly Memory Verse Challenge Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

 

My Favorite Animal

“Our teacher asked what my favorite animal was, and I said, "Fried chicken." She said I wasn't funny, but she couldn't have been right, because everyone else laughed. My parents told me to always tell the truth. I did. Fried chicken is my favorite animal. I told my dad what happened, and he said my teacher was probably a member of PETA. He said they love animals very much. I do, too, especially chicken, pork and beef. Anyway, my teacher sent me to the principal's office. I told him what happened, and he laughed, too. Then he told me not to do it again. The next day in class my teacher asked me what my favorite live animal was. I told her it was chicken. She asked me why, so I told her it was because you could make them into fried chicken. She sent me back to the principal's office. He laughed, and told me not to do it again. I don't understand. My parents taught me to be honest, but my teacher doesn't like it when I am. Today, my teacher asked us to tell her what famous person we admire most. I told her, "Colonel Sanders." Guess where I am now...”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule – Deut. 6-7

Trail Mix - 3.1.19

March 1, 2019 – Our love for Christ is proven by our loyalty to Christ! Orpah made a show of her affection for her mother-in-law but it was Ruth who “…clave to her.” Ruth 1:14. Jesus attached little importance to outward displays of affection but placed obedience to His commands as a priority! He said, “…if ye love me, keep my commandments.” There is no substitute for faithfulness. Loyalty is the true test of love! S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to have a renewed commitment to obeying the truth that God has revealed to us in His Word!

Weekly Memory Verse Challenge Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

“The Sunday School teacher, was telling his class the story of the Prodigal Son. Wishing to emphasize the resentful attitude of the elder brother, he laid stress on this part of the parable. After describing the rejoicing of the household over the return of the wayward son, the teacher spoke of one who, in the midst of the festivities, failed to share in the jubilant spirit of the occasion. "Can anybody in the class," he asked, "tell me who this was?” Nine year old Olivia had been listening sympathetically to the story. She waved her hand in the air. “I know!” she said beamingly. “It was the fatted calf.”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule – Deut. 4-5