Trail Mix - 8.14.19

August 14, 2019 – ‘Some think that their life is their "testimony." Others want to witness but they do not "walk the talk!" People are moved by a living witness and a spoken word. Both must be present to reach souls for Christ. The Gospel must be incarnate in us and if it is, we will have both a witness and a word. Paul wrote, "...Christ in me, the hope of glory." Let's "walk the walk, talk the talk, and practice what we preach! Don’t take the chance of being labeled a hypocrite my friend. Remember that Jesus reserved His strongest words of condemnation for those who did not “practice what they preached.” Our greatest concern should be to make sure that we don’t live the life of a “double minded man,” who is unstable in all his ways! In other words, don’t be two-faced.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for a transparency of soul and spirit that will demonstrate that your faith is the “real deal.”

Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. KJV

"How long have you been driving without a tail light, buddy?" demanded the policeman. The driver jumped out, ran to the rear of his car, and gave a low moan. His distress was so great that the cop was moved to ease up on him a bit. "Aw, come now," he said, "you don't have to take it so hard. It isn't that serious." "It isn't?" cried the motorist. "What happened to my boat and trailer?"

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Jeremiah 23-25

Trail Mix - 8.13.19

August 13, 2019 –“Deuteronomy 31:17 "Are not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us? Most of us would have to agree that the condition of our country and churches today is not good. The sad truth is it is our own fault. Our God is not among us! We could say Icabod "...the glory is departed..." What is the answer? "Draw nigh to God and He will draw night to you." His presence must be an awareness, not an assumption. If you sense that there is some distance between you and God then why not determine to “seek Him” for He is not far from you dear friend; He is a perfect gentleman and only waits for an invitation to come close…” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to experience the reality of the risen Lord’s presence in your life.

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. KJV

“The minister and his wife place an ad for a butler. Early the next morning a nicely dressed young man appears at their front door. The minister asks him, "Can you fix breakfast by 7:00 a.m. every day?" "Well...I guess I can." "And can you make the beds, dust the living room, do the dishes, cut the grass, and polish the silver also?" "Gee, Sir, I just came by to see about getting married. But if it's going to be that much work, you can count me out!"

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Jeremiah 19-22

Trail Mix - 8.12.19

August 12, 2019 – “Each new day, God presents us with both opportunities and obstacles. Our response to each one will determine our fruitfulness and faithfulness. We can use our opportunities for HIS glory and our obstacles for personal growth or we can waste the former and worry about the latter. What will you do today with your opportunities and your obstacles? There is a song that says: “Trusting Jesus every day, trusting in the stormy way, even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus that is all!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today if for a determination to press towards the “mark” of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!  

Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

“A Florida senior citizen drove his brand new Corvette convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he pushed it to 80 mph, enjoying the wind blowing through what little hair he had left. "Amazing," he thought as he flew down I-95, pushing the pedal even more. Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw a Florida State Trooper, blue lights flashing and siren blaring. He floored it to 100 mph, then 110, then 120. Suddenly he thought, "What am I doing? I'm too old for this!" and pulled over to await the trooper's arrival. Pulling in behind him, the trooper got out of his vehicle and walked up to the Corvette. He looked at his watch, then said, "Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a new reason for speeding--a reason I've never before heard -- I'll let you go." The old gentleman paused then said: "Three years ago, my wife ran off with a Florida State Trooper. I thought you were bringing her back. "Have a good day, Sir," replied the trooper.”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Jeremiah 16-18 

Trail Mix - 8.11.19

August 11, 2019 –“The real issue for every human being is Christ or the world. We cannot, like Pilate simply wash our hands of the whole business any more than he could. We must do something with Christ, it is inescapable. Men must settle with Christ, not the church or the preacher. "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not…We have to decide one way or another. Jesus is Lord of all or not Lord at all. Which way is for you my friend, Christ or the world? The Bible declares that, “today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time…” What will you do with Christ?” S. E. Trail   

My prayer for you today is that you would make Christ both “resident in you” and “president in you!”

Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. KJV

"I hope you didn't take it personally, Reverend," an embarrassed woman said after a church service, "when my husband walked out during your sermon." "I did find it rather disconcerting," the preacher replied. "It's not a reflection on you, sir," she insisted. "Ralph has been walking in his sleep ever since he was a child."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Jeremiah 13-15

Trail Mix - 8.10.19

August 10, 2019 – “Life hurts and sometimes it is difficult for us to get past the hurts of life. This was true for Joshua and the children of Israel. Moses had died and GOD had buried him. The promised land lay before them but they were in a state of paralysis. Finally, GOD spoke to Joshua and stated an obvious fact. "Moses my servant is dead," it’s time to get up and get going. There are times when we just have to get over it and move on. No matter how difficult the trial God is just the same before and after the fire! He remains the one constant in all of life and His unchanging, steadfast love for us is our greatest source of peace and assurance. Men come and go like the actors in a play move on and off a stage but God is the same “…yesterday, today, and forever.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to stop when the Lord says stop and to go when the Lord says go and to wait when the Lord says wait and the patience to do all three at the right time.

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: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. KJV

"You just go ahead," the man in the shopping mall said to his wife. "While you're shopping, I'll browse in the hardware store." An hour later, she returned and saw him at the checkout counter. The clerk was ringing up the last of a pile of tools and supplies that would fill two wheelbarrows. "Are you buying all this?" his wife asked incredulously. "Well, yes," he said, embarrassed. Then waving his arm toward the interior of the store, he added, "But look at all the stuff I'm leaving behind!"

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Jeremiah 7-9

Trail Mix - 8.9.19

August 9, 2019 – “How do you deal with discouragement? I know how Paul responded. In a storm God sent an angel with a word of reassurance in Acts 27. Paul believed the Word of God. His faith was grounded in God's promises. When the shadows of discouragement darken your life, look to HIS promises and "be of good cheer!" HE never, ever fails! He has promised, “I will never leave nor forsake thee!” C. H. Spurgeon

My prayer for you today is for you to “Stand On His Promises!”

2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. KJV

“As a trail guide in a national park, Danny ate with the rest of the seasonal staff in a rustic dining hall, where the food left something to be desired. When they were finished with their meals, they scraped the remains into a garbage pail and stacked the plates for the dishwasher. One worker, apparently not too happy after his first week on the job, was ahead of Danny in line. As he slopped an uneaten plate of food into the garbage, Danny heard him mutter, "Now stay there this time."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Jeremiah 4-6

Trail Mix - 8.8.19

August 8, 2019 – “Paul often asked his friends to pray for him and I believe this man of GOD was sincere in his desire to be supported by the prayers of GOD's people. We are exhorted to pray for one another but how often do we take this admonition seriously? Prayer changes things; it taps into GOD's infinite resources and power. Someone has said, “Much prayer, much power; little prayer, little power; no prayer, no power.” Jesus told his disciple’s that the only answer to some things was “…prayer and fasting…” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is a simple one; just pray!

Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. KJV

“Working at the post office, I'm used to dealing with a moody public. So, when one irate customer stormed my desk, I responded in my calmest voice, "What's the trouble?" "I went out this morning," she began, "and when I came home, I found a card saying the mailman tried to deliver a package, but no one was home. I'll have you know, my husband was in all morning! He never heard a thing!" After apologizing, I got her parcel. "Oh good!" she gushed. "We've been waiting for this for ages!" "What is it?" I asked. "My husband's new hearing aid."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Jeremiah 1-3