tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86855984867268592462024-03-28T01:30:32.295-05:00Friar Tuck's Word of the DayBishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-48681742850367927612024-03-28T01:30:00.001-05:002024-03-28T01:30:00.251-05:00Benefits of Obedience<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 28</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm
34:17-22 NIV) “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears<a name="32"></a> them;
he delivers them from all their troubles. {18} The Lord is close<a name="33"></a>
to the brokenhearted<a name="34"></a> and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
{19} A righteous man may have many troubles,<a name="35"></a> but the Lord
delivers him from them all;<a name="36"></a> {20} he protects all his bones, not
one of them will be broken.<a name="37"></a> {21} Evil will slay the wicked;<a name="38"></a> the foes of the righteous will be condemned. {22} The Lord redeems<a name="39"></a> his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge<a name="40"></a>
in him.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Whenever God issues a call, there are always benefits to
being obedient. Our God is a delivering God. He delivers us from things that
have chained us down and held us captive; our addictions, our fears, our
demons. He is a redeeming God. When we take refuge in the Lord, He takes our
wasted lives and redeems them like a paper store coupon. God changes the
meaning of our past and transforms our present into something of value in His
Kingdom. The Lord is our Healer. The crushed and the brokenhearted receive the
healing balm of Jesus. He hears our cry. He is the Answer to our pain. Seek the
Lord today. He is near and He is waiting with open arms. Come to Him. Blessed
are the brokenhearted and the crushed, for God loves you and is calling you to
Himself. Will you open your heart and respond to His call today? -- Friar
Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-76302265974980825222024-03-27T01:00:00.001-05:002024-03-27T01:00:00.128-05:00 Fear = Respect<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 27</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm
34:6-16 NIV) <a name="9"></a>“This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he
saved him out of all his troubles.<a name="10"></a> {7} The angel of the <a name="11"></a>Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers<a name="12"></a>
them. {8} Taste and see that the Lord is good;<a name="13"></a> blessed is the
man who takes refuge<a name="14"></a> in him. {9} Fear the Lord,<a name="15"></a>
you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.<a name="16"></a> {10} The
lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.<a name="17"></a> {11} Come, my children, listen<a name="18"></a> to me; I will teach
you<a name="19"></a> the fear of the Lord.<a name="20"></a> {12} Whoever of you
loves life<a name="21"></a> and desires to see many good days, {13} keep your
tongue<a name="22"></a> from evil and your lips from speaking lies.<a name="23"></a>
{14} Turn from evil and do good;<a name="24"></a> seek peace<a name="25"></a> and
pursue it. {15} The eyes of the <a name="26"></a>Lord are on the righteous<a name="27"></a> and his ears are attentive<a name="28"></a> to their cry; {16} the
face of the Lord is against<a name="29"></a> those who do evil,<a name="30"></a> to
cut off the memory<a name="31"></a> of them from the earth.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">In
Psalm 34 God makes promises to those who “fear Him”. This fear is about respect
and obedience. We respect one who has the power of life and death. In David’s
time, kings had the power to do whatever they wanted. When you entered the
presence of a king, you did so with respect. Fearing the Lord is not in vogue
today. In our mouthy republic, we are more likely to bad-mouth those in
authority. Besides, people want a user-friendly God. We are looking for a
buddy, not a Lord. But when we are in the presence of a God who has our life in
His hands, a bit of fear and respect is healthy. David feels that it should
keep us from lying and gossiping. It should cause us to turn away from evil
things and to do that which is good. This is the God who delivers us from those
who seek our demise. This is a God who is attentive to our cries for help.
Serve Him. Honor Him. Love Him. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day </span></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-60936259635278885672024-03-26T00:30:00.001-05:002024-03-26T00:30:00.208-05:00Radiant Believers<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 26</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm
34:5 NIV) “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered
with shame.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Exodus 34:29 NIV) “When Moses came down
from Mount Sinai<a name="64"></a> with the two tablets of the Testimony in his
hands,<a name="65"></a> he was not aware that his face was radiant<a name="66"></a>
because he had spoken with the Lord.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(2 Corinthians 3:7-18 NIV) “Now if the
ministry that brought death,<a name="13"></a> which was engraved in letters on
stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the
face of Moses because of its glory,<a name="14"></a> fading though it was, {8}
will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? {9} If the ministry
that condemns men<a name="15"></a> is glorious, how much more glorious is the
ministry that brings righteousness!<a name="16"></a> {10} For what was glorious
has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. {11} And if what was
fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!
{12} Therefore, since we have such a hope,<a name="17"></a> we are very bold.<a name="18"></a> {13} We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face<a name="19"></a> to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was
fading away. {14} But their minds were made dull,<a name="20"></a> for to this
day the same veil remains when the old covenant<a name="21"></a> is read.<a name="22"></a> It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. {15}
Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. {16} But
whenever anyone turns to the Lord,<a name="23"></a> the veil is taken away.<a name="24"></a> {17} Now the Lord is the Spirit,<a name="25"></a> and where the
Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.<a name="26"></a> {18} And we, who with
unveiled faces all reflect<a name="a"></a><a name="27"></a> the Lord's glory,<a name="28"></a> are being transformed into his likeness<a name="29"></a> with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When we begin to look upon the Lord more than we look
upon ourselves, our lives begin to shine with the light of God. We become
radiant, just as Moses was radiant when he came down from the mountain after
being in the presence of God. Self-worship makes us dark and brings shame.
Self-worship is turning our whole culture dark, but those who look to the Lord
will become radiant. Those who spend time with God on the mountain of glory
will shine like stars in this dark world. When God’s Spirit lives in us, we begin
to reflect God’s glory. We are transformed as we grow in Christ, and our
radiance increases in direct proportion to our surrender to the Holy Spirit. Be
filled with His Spirit. Remove the veil from your life today and allow the
radiance of God to shine forth in this dark world. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the
Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-43653133873051654212024-03-25T02:30:00.002-05:002024-03-25T05:08:07.510-05:00Sought or Seeking<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 25</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 34:4 NIV) “I sought the Lord,<a name="6"></a> and he answered me; he delivered<a name="7"></a> me from all my
fears.</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm:34:10 NIV) “The lions may grow weak
and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.<a name="17"></a>”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Luke 15:4 NIV) "Suppose one of you has
a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the
open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Two pictures of God’s relationship with man emerge in
Scripture. The first is of a Shepherd searching for His lost sheep. God comes
looking for us. We see this when God came to the Garden seeking Adam and Eve.
We also see it in the shepherd motif found in both the Old and New Testaments.
God seeks us and finds us. But another contrasting picture can also be found in
Scripture. The Prodigal son ran away from the Father and squandered his
inheritance on wild living. The Father did not go after him or hunt him down.
He waited and watched for the son to come home on his own. The lost son had to
become the seeker. So which is the correct picture of God? Does He seek us or
do we seek Him? The answer is, “Yes”. The Lord seeks us out and calls us to
follow Him. But He is found by those who seek Him. Seek the Lord, Christian.
Never stop. He is seeking you. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-42259653503228094262024-03-24T02:00:00.001-05:002024-03-24T02:00:00.132-05:00God Calling<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 24</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm
34:1-3) “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my
lips. {2} My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
{3} Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(2 Timothy
2:6-11 NIV) “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,
which is in you through the laying on of my hands.<a name="14"></a> {7} For God
did not give us a spirit of timidity,<a name="15"></a> but a spirit of power,<a name="16"></a> of love and of self-discipline. {8} So do not be ashamed<a name="17"></a> to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner.<a name="18"></a> But join with me in suffering for the gospel,<a name="19"></a> by
the power of God, {9} who has saved<a name="20"></a> us and called<a name="21"></a>
us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done<a name="22"></a> but
because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus
before the beginning of time, {10} but it has now been revealed<a name="23"></a>
through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus,<a name="24"></a> who has
destroyed death<a name="25"></a> and has brought life and immortality to light
through the gospel. {11} And of this gospel<a name="26"></a> I was appointed<a name="27"></a> a herald and an apostle and a teacher.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Every Christian has a
calling. Some callings are very specific to the individual. Other callings are
general for all Christians. In Psalm 34 we see a general calling. All
Christians are called to these things. We are called to extol the Lord; to
speak well of God. Lift up His name at every opportunity. Be a name dropper for
Jesus. If we are going to boast, we are called to boast in the Lord. This
starts in the soul and works its way out in words of continual praise for God.
We are also called to glorify the Lord and exalt His name. This is the real
purpose of life. Are you still asking the classic questions: Why am I here?
What is the purpose of life? The answer is this: We are here to glorify God
with our lives. That is our purpose. Extol the Lord, boast in the Lord, glorify
the Lord, and exalt His name. This is our calling, Christian. This is your
calling. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-47020599422911299392024-03-23T01:30:00.001-05:002024-03-23T01:30:00.142-05:00We Worship God by Choice<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 23</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 33:21-22 NIV) “In him our hearts
rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. {22} May your unfailing love rest upon
us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Romans 14:9-12 NIV) ““For this very reason,
Christ died and returned to life<a name="10"></a> so that he might be the Lord of
both the dead and the living.<a name="11"></a> {10} You, then, why do you judge
your brother? Or why do you look down on<a name="12"></a> your brother? For we
will all stand before God's judgment seat.<a name="13"></a> {11} It is written:
"'As surely as I live,'<a name="14"></a> says the Lord, 'every knee will bow
before me; every tongue will confess to God.'"<a name="a"></a><a name="15"></a>
{12} So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.””</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Philippians 2:9-11 NIV) “Therefore God
exalted him<a name="16"></a> to the highest place and gave him the name that is
above every name,<a name="17"></a> {10} that at the name of Jesus every knee
should bow,<a name="18"></a> in heaven and on earth and under the earth,<a name="19"></a> {11} and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,<a name="20"></a> to the glory of God the Father.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Coerced worship is not worship at all. It can look and
feel like worship, but God knows the heart. Genuine worship comes out of a free
will that rejoices, trusts, and hopes in God’s holy name. Only then have we
entered the land of heart to heart worship. However, a day is coming when every
soul will kneel before God. The age of grace will have ended. A day of judgment
will have arrived. We will come before God’s throne and account for our life.
We will worship him regardless of our eternal fate. Every heart will know.
Every knee will bow. Every mouth will confess that Jesus is Lord. Today, we
have a choice to make. Then, our time for choosing will be over. You cannot
worship a God you do not know. Choose to know the Lord. Love Him today. Who we
worship here will determine where we worship for eternity. -- Friar Tuck’s Word
of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-53179076813681896952024-03-22T01:00:00.001-05:002024-03-22T01:00:00.257-05:00We Worship a Saving God<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 22</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 33:16-17,20 NIV) “No king is
saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. {17} A
horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot
save… {20} We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Isaiah 25:9 NIV) ““In that day<a name="1"></a>
they will say, “Surely this is our God;<a name="2"></a> we trusted<a name="3"></a>
in him, and he saved<a name="4"></a> us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let
us rejoice<a name="5"></a> and be glad in his salvation.””</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Only God can save us. We will realize this as our
government crumbles and falls short on its grandiose promises to care for our
every need. As our power diminishes and our Armed Forces wane, we will have to
confess that no nation is saved by the size of its army. As our strength
weakens, we will be forced to trust in God, because in the end, only God can
save us. We will cry out to the God we have been systematically deleting from
our lives. The God we have been crowding out of our schedules is the only God
who will have time for us. After we squander our lives on things that are not
of God, He is the One we turn to. After we have invested our time, energy, and
money into things that will not last, only the Lord offers us eternity. After
we discover that we really can’t save ourselves, we turn to the only One who
can. This is a God who deserves our worship. Why wait? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of
the Day </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-75858804616176085832024-03-21T00:30:00.001-05:002024-03-21T00:30:00.171-05:00We Worship an Omniscient God<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 21</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 33:13-15 NIV) “From heaven the
Lord looks down and sees all mankind; {14} from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-- {15} he who forms the hearts of all, who considers
everything they do…”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 147:5 NIV) “Great is our Lord<a name="1"></a> and mighty in power;<a name="2"></a> his understanding has no limit.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(1 John 3:19-20 NIV) “This then is how we
know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his
presence {20} whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our
hearts, and he knows everything.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">How do we deal with an entity who knows our every
thought? How do we relate to a God who knows everything? The Lord knows what we
do and why we do it. He knows our every thought. Here are a few suggestions
about how to deal with an omniscient God. Deal with Him honestly because you
cannot fool, deceive, or con God. Open your life to God -- He already knows the
truth. Fall on your face before God and beg for mercy. Worship this God. Any
God who knows our every thought and action, but does not turn us into burnt
toast, deserves our worship. How many dishonorable thoughts have you had this
week? How many dishonest things have you done? How many lies have you told? How
many people have you hurt? God knows, but you are still here. Our God is
patient with us. The Lord is full of grace and forgiveness. A God like this
deserves our worship. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-34593286965048635592024-03-20T02:30:00.001-05:002024-03-20T02:30:00.142-05:00We Worship a Blessing God<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 20</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 33:12 NIV) “Blessed is the
nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Matthew 28:19 NIV) “Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations,<a name="1"></a> baptizing them in<a name="a"></a> the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching<a name="6"></a> them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you<a name="7"></a> always, to the very end of the age.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God blesses nations that worship Him. But in recent days,
our nation has turned hostile. God has been written out of our laws and banned
on public property. We no longer have one God, but many gods. The blessing of
God is played down; human achievement is played up. Faith-based national
holidays have been co-opted by consumerism. One by one, institutions founded to
bring honor and glory to God (hospitals, colleges, and churches) are selling
out to godless thinking. We have turned our backs on God, and we are
experiencing the withdrawal of God’s blessing. When a nation spits in the face
of God, there are consequences. If we continue to trivialize God and ban the
name of Jesus in all things public, the nation will continue to decline. There
is only one road back: genuine and heartfelt repentance. It begins right here
at home. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-89924259283567804752024-03-19T02:00:00.001-05:002024-03-19T02:00:00.237-05:00 We Worship a Sovereign God<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 19</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 33:10-11 NIV) “The Lord foils
the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. {11} But the
plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all
generations.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Daniel 7:13-14 NIV) “In my vision at night
I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,<a name="30"></a> coming<a name="31"></a> with the clouds of heaven.<a name="32"></a> He approached the
Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. {14} He was given authority,<a name="33"></a> glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every
language worshiped him.<a name="34"></a> His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away, and his kingdom<a name="35"></a> is one that will never
be destroyed.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">God
is sovereign. Life is not just a chain of random chance events. With God, we
have a sense that we were created with a purpose. With God, we realize that
history is headed somewhere. God knows where that somewhere is. God knows the
beginning and the end. He has a plan -- for the universe and for us. His plan
will be accomplished. His will, will be done. The chaos we live in, the random
events that seem to plague mankind, are indicators of man’s rebellion against
God and His sovereign will. God created man to serve and worship Him, but man
worships himself. Man does his own thing instead of God’s thing, and he is
decimated by the consequences of his bad choices. Fallen humanity struggles
against the bit of God’s sovereignty, but history will culminate just as God
planned. His kingdom has come. God is sovereign and worthy of our worship
today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day </span></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-39210864962178805242024-03-18T01:30:00.001-05:002024-03-18T01:30:00.238-05:00We Worship a Creator God<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 18</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 33:6-9 NIV) “By the word of the
Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. {7}
He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.
{8} Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere
him. {9} For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Colossians 1:15-17 NIV) “He is the image<a name="34"></a> of the invisible God,<a name="35"></a> the firstborn<a name="36"></a>
over all creation. {16} For by him all things were created:<a name="37"></a>
things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers
or rulers or authorities;<a name="38"></a> all things were created by him and for
him.<a name="39"></a> {17} He is before all things,<a name="40"></a> and in him all
things hold together.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The marvelously complex and vast universe we live in was
created by God. The physical laws of the universe that bring order to our
existence were created by our Lord. God is the creator of all things, and that
includes you and me. You were God’s idea. He chose to create you. That’s why we
worship Him. The evolution versus creation debate really boils down to who will
be worshipped. If everything in the cosmos just happened, if we did simply
evolve from some single-celled creature into all that we see now, then why
worship God? Maybe we should worship nature. Some religions do exactly that. Or
perhaps we should even worship man himself, as the end result of evolutionary
progress. Some people today also do that. But, if God created and sustains the
universe, this world, and us -- He is worthy of our worship. Praise God from
whom all blessings flow! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-62781995856529764652024-03-17T01:00:00.001-05:002024-03-17T01:00:00.239-05:00We Worship a Loving God<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 17</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 33:4-5,18-19,22 NIV) “For the
word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. {5} The Lord
loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love… {18}
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in
his unfailing love, {19} to deliver them from death and keep them alive in
famine… {22} May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our
hope in you."</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved<a name="1"></a> the world that he gave<a name="2"></a> his one and only Son,<a name="a"></a><a name="3"></a> that whoever believes<a name="4"></a> in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Psalm 33 reads like a checklist of reasons to worship
God. First and foremost, God is faithful and loving. He loved us before we ever
loved Him. He loves us even after we have loved Him and turned away. He is
faithful, when we are not. It is in God’s unfailing love that Christians put
their hope. His love for us endures our folly and was proven beyond a doubt
when He came here to die on a cross for our sins. God did not have to do that.
Our Creator could have wiped the slate clean and started over -- but He didn’t.
Instead He made the greatest sacrifice of love man has ever known. Jesus
provides for us. He cares for us. He loves us. Any God who would do this
deserves our worship. “God so loved the world” - and whoever believes in Him
will worship Him for eternity. But first, we start by worshipping Him here.
Worship the Lord today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-8741448011874474952024-03-16T00:30:00.001-05:002024-03-16T00:30:00.131-05:00Worship in Song<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 16</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 33:1-3
NIV) "Sing joyfully to the Lord,
you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. {2} Praise the Lord
with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. {3} Sing to him a
new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(1 Peter 2:9)
"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of
darkness into his wonderful light".</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The word
"worship" comes from two Old English words: weorth, which means
"worth"; and scipe or ship, which means “shape” or
"quality." You find the Old English word “ship” in modern words like
friendship and sportsmanship – the quality of being a friend, or the quality of
being a good sport. “Worth-ship”, then, is the quality of having worth or being
worthy. When we worship God, we attribute worth to God. We declare that the
Lord is of the highest worth to us. One of the ways we can do that is through
music. Songs help us free our souls to offer God joyful praise. The music
itself is not the worship; it is but a vehicle or a tool to help us get outside
ourselves and give expression to what’s in our heart. And to truly worship, our
songs must be truthful. We cannot worship God when we lie to Him when we sing.
Sing joyfully. Sing truthfully. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><br /><p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-54176660187420351782024-03-15T02:30:00.001-05:002024-03-15T02:30:00.344-05:00Saved AND Discipled<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 15</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 32:8-11 NIV) “I will instruct you
and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. <a name="9"></a>{9} Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no
understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to
you. <a name="10"></a>{10} Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s
unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. <a name="11"></a>{11} Rejoice
in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in
heart!”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Matthew 28:19-20 NIV) “Therefore go and
make disciples of all nations,<a name="1"></a> baptizing them in<a name="a"></a>
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Jesus Christ came to save sinners, but He wants more than
just salvation for us. He also came to make disciples. The plan is that we be
saved and discipled. Faith is an extended journey, not a trip to the corner
Quick Shop. Many today have “given their life to Christ”, but their lives don’t
look like it. They have failed to become disciples. Psalm 32 lists several
steps to discipleship. The first is prayer; prayer that listens as much as it
talks. We must also receive instruction. The twelve called Him Teacher. So
should we. Jesus wants to counsel us. He’s into counsel more than control.
After all, we are not horses or mules. Part of the reason so many Christians
crash and burn is their refusal to accept good counsel. That has to change. We
must also learn to worship the Lord. Express your love. Give Him glory. Prayer,
instruction, counsel, and worship: four steps to discipleship. -- Friar Tuck’s
Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-48353350365950062982024-03-14T02:00:00.001-05:002024-03-14T02:00:00.136-05:00Two Step Plan<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 14</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 32:1-7
NIV) <a name="1"></a>“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins
are covered. <a name="2"></a>{2} Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not
count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. <a name="3"></a>{3} When I
kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. <a name="4"></a>{4}
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the
heat of summer. <a name="5"></a>{5} Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not
cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” -
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. <a name="6"></a>{6} Therefore let everyone
who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters
rise, they will not reach him. <a name="7"></a>{7} You are my hiding place; you
will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.<a name="8"></a>”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Romans 10:9
NIV) “… if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Even in the Old Testament,
before Jesus came to Earth; before the Gospels and the Epistles were written;
David knew God’s simple plan of salvation. God does not change, so the plan has
not changed. The steps to salvation were in place before the Garden fall. The
first step is to acknowledge and confess our sin. This is crucial. Our sins
have been paid for, but we must recognize those sins before we can accept God’s
payment. The second step is faith in Christ. Everyone needs a Savior, but not
everyone chooses the right one. Who we place our faith in is important. We need
the right hiding place. These two steps lead to blessing and salvation from
God. The blessing comes when we stop hiding from God and start hiding in God.
When our sins are covered, forgiven, and not counted against us, we are truly
blessed. Are you blessed today? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-22385443058299577382024-03-13T01:30:00.001-05:002024-03-13T01:30:00.133-05:00Love the Lord<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 13</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 31:19-24 NIV) “How great is your
goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in
the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. {20} In the shelter of your
presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep
them safe from accusing tongues. {21} Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his
wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. {22} In my alarm I said,
"I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I
called to you for help. {23} Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves
the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. {24} Be strong and take
heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Life is often difficult. But God stores up goodness for
those who have taken refuge in Him. God is our shelter. When we are besieged,
He shows His love to us. When we can’t see through the fog to another day, He
hears our cry for mercy and provides a light to direct us home. When we truly
hope in the Lord, we will do three things: we will love the Lord; we will
remain strong; and we will take heart. Faith, hope, and love are decisions. We
must choose to trust in God. We must choose to take refuge in the Lord. We must
choose to put our times into God’s hands. We must choose to commit our spirit
unto his care. Have you done that? Have you put your hope in God? Have you
taken refuge in Him? Have you put your times in his hands? Have you offered up
your spirit to Him? If not, today would be a good day to do that in your heart
of hearts. Love the Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-74768114403772497382024-03-12T01:00:00.001-05:002024-03-12T01:00:00.139-05:00Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 12</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 31:5 NIV) “Into your hands I commit
my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Luke 23:46 NIV) “Jesus called out with a
loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had
said this, he breathed his last.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Yesterday, we heard David declare that his times were in
God’s hands. God had been his refuge in the past and his present was in the
hands of the Lord. Today we hear David commit his spirit to God. This is about
the future. He entrusts his ultimate destiny to the ultimate Judge. He commits
his eternal spirit into God’s hands. David probably had no idea that his words
of faith would end up being the last words Jesus breathed on the cross before
He died. King David and Jesus, the King of kings, both entrusted their spirits
to God. We are all called to put our spirit into God’s hands; to trust Him with
our eternity. Have you done that? Have you said to God, “Into your hands I
commit my spirit”? Have you given your past, present, and future to the Creator
of time? Have you trusted Him with your life and with your death? This is what
it means to have complete faith in God. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-15386235699918999412024-03-11T00:30:00.001-05:002024-03-11T00:30:00.137-05:00My Times Are In Your Hands<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 11</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 31:14-15 NIV) “But I trust in you, O
Lord; I say, "You are my God." {15} My times are in your hands.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 139:13-16 “For you created my inmost
being;<a name="17"></a> you knit me together<a name="18"></a> in my mother's womb.<a name="19"></a> {14} I praise you<a name="20"></a> because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,<a name="21"></a> I know that full
well. {15} My frame was not hidden from you when I was made<a name="22"></a> in
the secret place. When I was woven together<a name="23"></a> in the depths of the
earth,<a name="24"></a> {16} your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days
ordained<a name="25"></a> for me were written in your book before one of them
came to be.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">At the beginning of Psalm 31, David made a Statement of
Faith based on past experience with God. Now he makes a Statement of Faith
based in the present. David puts his life, his “times”, into God’s hands. He
gives his today to the Lord. God knows all his days -- the days of his birth,
life, and death. Our times really are in God’s hands. No one controls time
except God. Life cannot be controlled; it can only be lived. We cannot control
tomorrow; we can only live in the now. This is the essence of the great Twelve
Step mantra: “one day at a time”. Can you say to God with integrity, “My times
are in your hands”? Or are you still under the illusion that you are in charge
of time? Have you given your past to Jesus, or does it still run your life?
Will you give Him your today and surrender your anxiety about tomorrow? God has
been our refuge in the past. Put your times in God’s hands today. -- Friar
Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-47674578810317970452024-03-10T03:30:00.001-05:002024-03-10T03:30:00.137-05:00God is Our Refuge<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 10</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 31:1-13 NIV) “In you, O Lord, I have
taken refuge;<a name="1"></a> let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your
righteousness.<a name="2"></a> {2} Turn your ear to me,<a name="3"></a> come
quickly to my rescue;<a name="4"></a> be my rock of refuge,<a name="5"></a> a
strong fortress to save me. {3} Since you are my rock and my fortress,<a name="6"></a> for the sake of your name<a name="7"></a> lead and guide me. {4} Free
me from the trap<a name="8"></a> that is set for me, for you are my refuge.<a name="9"></a> {5} Into your hands I commit my spirit;<a name="10"></a> redeem me, O
Lord, the God of truth.<a name="11"></a> {6} I hate those who cling to worthless
idols;<a name="12"></a> I trust in the Lord.<a name="13"></a> {7} I will be glad
and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction<a name="14"></a> and knew the
anguish<a name="15"></a> of my soul. {8} You have not handed me over<a name="16"></a>
to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.<a name="17"></a> {9} Be
merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;<a name="18"></a> my eyes grow weak
with sorrow,<a name="19"></a> my soul and my body<a name="20"></a> with grief. {10}
My life is consumed by anguish<a name="21"></a> and my years by groaning;<a name="22"></a> my strength fails<a name="23"></a> because of my affliction,<a name="a"></a><a name="24"></a> and my bones grow weak.<a name="25"></a> {11} Because
of all my enemies,<a name="26"></a> I am the utter contempt<a name="27"></a> of my
neighbors;<a name="28"></a> I am a dread to my friends-- those who see me on the
street flee from me. {12} I am forgotten by them as though I were dead;<a name="29"></a> I have become like broken pottery. {13} For I hear the slander<a name="30"></a> of many; there is terror on every side;<a name="31"></a> they
conspire against me<a name="32"></a> and plot to take my life.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Psalm 31 opens
with a Statement of Faith. David says, “God is my refuge.” A refuge is a place
of protection; a place of safety. God is our refuge from traps set by our
enemies. He is our refuge in times of affliction, anguish, and distress -- in
times when there is no place else to hide. God is our refuge from enemies who
intend to harm us. If you stand for anything in this life, you will have
enemies; those who want to see you fail and who seek your demise. They may not
attack with guns or knives, but with tongues that slander. God is our refuge
from “fair weather friends”-- those who like you when things go well, but
disappear when things get broken in your life. David’s statements of faith are
based on God’s past behavior. He trusted God with his future because God had
been faithful in the past. Will you? God is our refuge! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of
the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-20145357053103754552024-03-09T02:00:00.001-06:002024-03-09T02:00:00.135-06:00Changes<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 9</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm
30:11-12 NIV) “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and
clothed me with joy, {12} that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O
Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(1 Chronicles 16: 31-34 NIV) “Let the
heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;<a name="33"></a> let them say among the
nations, "The Lord reigns!<a name="34"></a>" {32} Let the sea resound,
and all that is in it;<a name="35"></a> let the fields be jubilant, and
everything in them! {33} Then the trees<a name="36"></a> of the forest will sing,
they will sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge<a name="37"></a>
the earth. {34} Give thanks<a name="38"></a> to the Lord, for he is good;<a name="39"></a> his love endures forever.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When grace finally takes root in our stubborn hearts and
light finally dawns on our blinded eyes, changes begin to come. Jesus changes
our step. We dance more and sulk less. We run more and stumble less. Our steps
are lighter because of God’s joy. God changes our clothes. Instead of the rags
of sin, we are dressed in robes of righteousness and arrayed with joy. Our
tears and wailing are replaced with laughter. Jesus changes our tune. Instead
of constantly singing the blues, we are filled with new songs of praise. All
these changes cannot be hidden. The glow of our new life will shine for all to
see. Our song can be heard by all who come near. Our steps inspire others to
follow and join in the dancing. If your life is slogging along in a rut right
now, let the Father change your step; let the Son change your clothes; and let
the Spirit change your tune. You’ll be glad you did. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of
the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-8129669783446989812024-03-08T01:30:00.001-06:002024-03-08T01:30:00.419-06:00Confident or Cocky<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 8</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 30:6-12
NIV) "When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken." {7}
O Lord, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid
your face, I was dismayed. {8} To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried
for mercy: {9} "What gain is there in my destruction, in my going down
into the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
{10} Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my help."</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Isaiah 31:1
NIV) “Woe<a name="1"></a> to those who go down to Egypt<a name="2"></a> for help,
who rely on horses,<a name="3"></a> who trust in the multitude of their chariots<a name="4"></a> and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the
Holy One<a name="5"></a> of Israel, or seek help from the Lord.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Romans 12:3
NIV) "Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather
think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith
God has given you."</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">David went from
rags-to-riches and became the most powerful man in the world. On the surface,
he was the picture of a self-made man; the ultimate success story. When David
felt secure, he sometimes became a bit cocky. But he discovered that cockiness
was a formula for failure. God would have us be confident in Him, but He warns
against cockiness. The wealthy are warned not to trust in riches. Armies are
warned not to trust in their horses and chariots. People are warned not to
trust in their own goodness for salvation. In spite of the warnings, many still
put their faith in themselves, instead of God. Christian, the antidote is to
recall who you were before Christ, recognize who you are now, remember who gets
the credit for the change, and realize what you should be doing. David knew his
help came from the Lord. He gave glory to God for His mercy, love, and
guidance. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the
Day</span></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-51647919347117667732024-03-07T01:00:00.001-06:002024-03-07T01:00:00.143-06:00Everything Here is Temporary<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 7</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalms 30:1-5
NIV) “I will exalt you, O Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not
let my enemies gloat over me. {2} O Lord my God, I called to you for help and
you healed me. {3} O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from
going down into the pit. {4} Sing to the Lord, you saints of his; praise his
holy name. {5} For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a
lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(1 Timothy
1:12-16 NIV) “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,<a name="6"></a> that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.<a name="7"></a> {13} Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor<a name="8"></a>
and a violent man, I was shown mercy<a name="9"></a> because I acted in ignorance
and unbelief.<a name="10"></a> {14} The grace of our Lord was poured out on me
abundantly,<a name="11"></a> along with the faith and love that are in Christ
Jesus.<a name="12"></a> {15} Here is a trustworthy saying<a name="13"></a> that
deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners<a name="14"></a>--of whom I am the worst. {16} But for that very reason I was shown
mercy<a name="15"></a> so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might
display his unlimited patience<a name="16"></a> as an example for those who would
believe<a name="17"></a> on him and receive eternal life.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One of the problems we
have in this world is that everything is temporary. Nothing seems to last. We
just get things fixed up and they fall apart and break down again. But it is
also true that one of our greatest blessings in this world is that everything
is temporary. Nothing lasts forever here and that includes trials and troubles.
David had been to the pit of despair, but it was temporary. God lifted him up.
He had been in great need, but God had spared him. He had been near death, but
God had healed him. He had been on the wrong side of God and knew God’s anger;
but he was forgiven, and once again enjoyed God’s favor. Whatever you are going
through right now, remember you are going THROUGH it. That means it has an end.
Weeping and pain will not last forever. Joy will come again. Everything here is
temporary. Hang on to this great truth. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-29443897389601406672024-03-06T00:30:00.001-06:002024-03-06T00:30:00.133-06:00The Voice of God<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 6</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 29:3-9 NIV) “The voice<a name="5"></a> of the Lord is over the
waters; the God of glory<a name="6"></a> thunders,<a name="7"></a> the Lord
thunders over the mighty waters.<a name="8"></a> {4} The voice of the Lord is
powerful;<a name="9"></a> the voice of the Lord is majestic. {5} The voice of the
Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.<a name="10"></a> {6} He makes Lebanon skip<a name="11"></a> like a calf, Sirion<a name="b"></a><a name="12"></a> like a young wild ox.<a name="13"></a> {7} The voice
of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.<a name="14"></a> {8} The voice of
the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.<a name="15"></a>
{9} The voice of the Lord twists the oaks<a name="c"></a><a name="16"></a> and
strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(1 Kings 19:11-13 NIV) ““The Lord said,
"Go out and stand on the mountain<a name="20"></a> in the presence of the Lord,
for the Lord is about to pass by."<a name="21"></a> Then a great and
powerful wind<a name="22"></a> tore the mountains apart and shattered<a name="23"></a>
the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind
there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. {12} After the
earthquake came a fire,<a name="24"></a> but the Lord was not in the fire. And
after the fire came a gentle whisper.<a name="25"></a> {13} When Elijah heard it,
he pulled his cloak over his face<a name="26"></a> and went out and stood at the
mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here,
Elijah?””</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Sometimes, the voice of God thunders; sometimes, He
whispers. Sometimes, the voice of the Lord breaks cedars; sometimes, it breaks
our heart. Sometimes, God’s voice causes us to skip with the joy of a young
calf; sometimes, we lower our gaze and cover our face. Sometimes, the voice of
the Lord shakes the entire Earth and brings Him glory; sometimes, it shakes our
little world and we cry, “Glory!” Sometimes, the voice of God comes to us as an
impression we cannot shake; sometimes, it jumps off the printed page of
Scripture and shakes our soul. Sometimes, God’s voice can be heard in the
potent words of a prophetic preacher; sometimes, it comes to us through the
words of a little child. However God speaks to us, His voice is powerful,
majestic, authoritative, instructive, comforting, and challenging. Hearing the
voice of the Lord always changes us. Listen for God today. -- Friar Tuck’s Word
of the Day </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-87382648152197538722024-03-05T02:30:00.001-06:002024-03-05T02:30:00.134-06:00Ascribe to the Lord<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 5</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 29:1-11 NIV) “Ascribe to the Lord,<a name="1"></a> O mighty ones,<a name="2"></a> ascribe to the Lord glory<a name="3"></a> and strength. {2} Ascribe
to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his<a name="a"></a> holiness. {3} The voice<a name="5"></a> of the Lord is over the
waters; the God of glory<a name="6"></a> thunders,<a name="7"></a> the Lord
thunders over the mighty waters.<a name="8"></a> {4} The voice of the Lord is
powerful;<a name="9"></a> the voice of the Lord is majestic. {5} The voice of the
Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.<a name="10"></a> {6} He makes Lebanon skip<a name="11"></a> like a calf, Sirion<a name="b"></a><a name="12"></a> like a young wild ox.<a name="13"></a> {7} The voice
of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.<a name="14"></a> {8} The voice of
the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.<a name="15"></a>
{9} The voice of the Lord twists the oaks<a name="c"></a><a name="16"></a> and
strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!" {10} The
Lord sits<a name="d"></a> enthroned over the flood;<a name="18"></a> the Lord is
enthroned as King forever.<a name="19"></a> {11} The Lord gives strength to his
people;<a name="20"></a> the Lord blesses his people with peace.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The word “ascribe” is not used much today. It’s only used
ten times in the entire NIV Bible. It means to attribute or assign. David’s
heart was full of worship for the Lord. In Psalm 29 he ascribes glory,
strength, splendor, and holiness to his God. He sees God as majestic and
powerful. He calls on all those who consider themselves mighty, to bow down
before the One who is “King forever”. One of our tasks as Christians is to
think rightly about God -- to attribute to Him the glory due His name. It will be
difficult to “ascribe” holiness, strength, splendor, majesty, and power to a
God that we think of as our “buddy”. Jesus is indeed a friend of sinners, but
let us remember: He is also the Holy One, enthroned for eternity as King of
kings -- the One whose powerful voice can shake the Earth, bringing lightning,
thunder, fire and flood. This is the Lord David knew. Do you know this God? --
Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8685598486726859246.post-5250678110489117832024-03-04T02:00:00.001-06:002024-03-04T02:00:00.138-06:00 Those Other People<p><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">March 4</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Psalm 28:3-5 NIV) “Do not drag me away with
the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.<a name="7"></a> {4} Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done<a name="8"></a>
and bring back upon them what they deserve.<a name="9"></a> {5} Since they show
no regard for the works of the Lord and what his hands have done,<a name="10"></a>
he will tear them down and never build them up again.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(Ephesians 4:25-32 NIV) “Therefore each of
you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully<a name="55"></a> to his neighbor,
for we are all members of one body.<a name="56"></a> {26} "In your anger do
not sin"<a name="d"></a>:<a name="57"></a> Do not let the sun go down while
you are still angry, {27} and do not give the devil a foothold.<a name="58"></a> {28}
He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,<a name="59"></a>
doing something useful with his own hands,<a name="60"></a> that he may have
something to share with those in need.<a name="61"></a> {29} Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,<a name="62"></a> but only what is
helpful for building others up<a name="63"></a> according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen. {30} And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,<a name="64"></a> with whom you were sealed<a name="65"></a> for the day of
redemption.<a name="66"></a> {31} Get rid of<a name="67"></a> all bitterness, rage
and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.<a name="68"></a>
{32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,<a name="69"></a> forgiving each
other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">One of David’s
strengths was recognizing his constant need for God’s help and God’s covering.
This is seen as weakness by some, but in God’s eyes, it’s a highly desirable
trait. He talked to God when he was glad, sad, fearful, joyful, successful, and
defeated. Do you? David wasn’t perfect, but he consistently put God ahead of
himself. Do you? He knew it was God’s word that kept him from sliding down into
the pit. Do you? He often cried out for mercy as he lifted his hands in
worship. Do you? David saw God as his strength and shield. Do you? David had a
grateful heart and often thanked God in joyful song. Do you? He saw God as his
Shepherd and eternal Carrier. Do you? David knew for sure that he had an
inheritance from the Lord. Do you? David trusted God as his fortress of
salvation. Have you? This is what it means to be a person of faith -- one after
God’s own heart. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day </span></p>Bishop Ronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13592325290000887664noreply@blogger.com0