Trail Mix - 12.24.19

December 24, 2019 – “Baal had his prophets in Elijah’s day and they did not hesitate to stand up and be counted but the “7,000” were very non-committal. Only God’s man could be heard on that fateful day but God plus one is a majority. The Lord does know those who belong to Him but He wants us to stand up and be counted. We are not spectators or onlookers but participants. Remember our Lord said, “He that is not with me is against me…” Are you really “for” Him? S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to know the One who is a majority of one!

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. KJV

“While working as a mall Santa, I had many children ask for electric trains. "If you get a train," I would tell each one, "you know your dad is going to want to play with it too. Is that okay?" The usual answer was a quick yes, but after I asked one boy this question, he became very quiet. Trying to move the conversation along, I asked what else he would like Santa to bring him. He promptly replied, "Another train."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - 1 John 1-5

Trail Mix - 12.23.19

December 23, 2019 – “God does not always speak to us like He did in Isaiah’s vision or Paul’s Damascus Road experience. More often than not He speaks personally and plainly like He did in the garden when He asked Mary, “Woman, why weepest thou…?” He is concerned with our problems and our cares and so He comes to us, not with thunder but in a still small voice. We have a “friend” who is touched with the “…feelings of our infirmities…” our grief’s and our sorrows. “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief’s to bear…what a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you hear and heed the voice of God, whether thunderous or timorous!

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. KJV

“It was just before Christmas and the magistrate was in a happy mood. He asked the prisoner who was in the dock, "What are you charged with?" The prisoner replied, "Doing my Christmas shopping too early." "That's no crime," said the magistrate. "Just how early were you doing this shopping?" "Before the shop opened!"

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - 2 Peter 1-3

Trail Mix - 12.22.19

December 22, 2019 – “Have you thought about what "...God with us…" means? The angel said that Mary's child would be called the "Son of God," so Jesus is God! The child would also be "...with us..." He came down to be "with" us from heaven, He is "with" us in humility and in our humanity. This child is with us, the last of us, the least of us and the lost of us. He is God the son and Son of God! He is the most unique being in the entire universe. He is the matchless One! He is more than “Wonderful!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to enjoy a time of worship with Emmanuel, “God with us.”

Malachi 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.  KJV

It was the day after Christmas at St Peter and St Paul's church in Borden, Kent, England. Father John, the vicar, was looking at the nativity scene outside when he noticed the baby Jesus was missing from the figures. Immediately, Father John's thoughts turned to calling in the local policeman but as he was about to do so, he saw little Nathan with a red wagon, and in the wagon was the figure of the little infant, Jesus. Father John approached Nathan and asked him, 'Well, Nathan, where did you get the little infant?' Nathan looked up, smiled and replied, 'I took him from the church.' 'And why did you take him?' With a sheepish grin, Nathan said, 'Well, Father John, about a week before Christmas I prayed to Lord Jesus. I told him if he would bring me a red wagon for Christmas, I would give him a ride around the block in it.'

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - 1 Peter 1-5

Trail Mix - 12.21.19

December 21, 2019 – Wisdom from Dr. L. C. Johnson; "It isn't wise to flirt with sin. Every person that I have known who got involved in sin started off by flirting with it. Sin is a process. You do not ordinarily, if ever, commit a gross sin without a process that leads up to it. You have to condition your heart. You have to prepare yourself for it. So, it is wise to hate sin. Remember what happened to “…righteous Lot…” when he “…pitched his tent toward Sodom!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to choose the “Sovereign instead of Sodom!”

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 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. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.”

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - James 1-5

Trail Mix - 12.20.19

December 20, 2019 – "Faith is...the evidence of things not seen..." How often have we had to step out on nothing to find out that there was something, a "solid rock" beneath our feet? The "Rock" is Christ "whom having not seen" we love, and in whom, though now we see Him not, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Vance Havner  

My prayer for you today is for you to step out in faith dear friend and stand on the verse while you step on the void! 

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. KJV

“An older gentleman was on the operating table awaiting surgery and he insisted that his son, a renowned surgeon, perform the operation. As he was about to get the anesthesia, he asked to speak to his son. "Yes, Dad, what is it?" "Don't be nervous, son; do your best, and just remember, if it doesn't go well, if something happens to me, your mother is going to come and live with you and your wife...."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Hebrews 12-13

Trail Mix - 12.19.19

December 19, 2019 – “You cannot see a man’s motives because, “Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.” He sees the motives of the heart as clearly as we see actions. One of these days we will all stand before God and give an account of what we have done and why we have done it. Examine your heart my friend and evaluate why you do what you do, especially what you do for God. Remember, He looks on the heart!” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to “know” your heart and that you might have unselfish motives.

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. KJV

                                              

“On Christmas morning a woman told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me a beautiful diamond necklace. What do you think it means?” “You’ll know tonight,” he said. That evening just before opening presents, the husband came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it only to find a book entitled “The Meaning of Dreams.”

 

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Hebrews 10-11

Trail Mix - 12.18.19

December 18, 2019 – “An empty soul can never be satisfied with the things of this world. You can't stuff it with enough. You can give it all the material things in the world, and it will still be hungry. Your soul will always hunger until you get acquainted with the "Bread of Heaven!" Thankfully there is a wonderful promise given to those who are spiritually hungry “...you shall be filled." Let the "Bread of Heaven" fill you today.” S. E. Trail

My prayer for you today is for you to “feast” on and fill your soul with “the manna that cometh from above.”

John 6:31  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. KJV

“When we were building this sanctuary we were discussing whether to put paper towel dispensers in the new rest rooms or those hot-air hand dryers. I strongly recommended the paper towel dispensers because of a story I heard about at another church. They installed the hot-air hand dryers. The week after they were installed, some smart aleck put a note on the dryer that read, "Punch this button for a brief recorded message from our pastor."

2019 Bible Reading Schedule for today - Hebrews 6-9