DID YOU EVER HAVE ONE OF THOSE WEEKS?

Hi All!
Is that you as well? 

Man I could have just screamed this week. I felt so closed in, so far away from God and just downright sick in my heart. I even felt abandoned by God even though I know better...(Psalm 138:8;). I guess in the real world you call that a pity party. Where are my so called friends? Where is my pastor? Where are those who keep telling you they will be right there for you no matter what? You know how it goes. For eight months now I have watched as my sweet heart has gone through trial after trial and seemingly one just to get to another one. It takes it's toll on you and you wonder, is there an end to all of this? 'Oh woe is me'! Then you get news that a friend has died and your cat is sick, maybe even unto death, and you hear about another friend who has lost her beloved pet and the dollar is falling and the world did not end on Friday, again!, OK, so now you know. I am a human. I am susceptible to feelings of pain and sorrow despair and loneliness.  I too need to lean on something or someone at times that will give me strength.You look at all this stuff and you say, Thank you Jesus. "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day"! Then my strength returns and I look to Him...The Author and Finisher of my faith and I say, I love you Lord. Forgive me for my unbelief and my complaining. I need You more than anyone else. I will trust You before man. You are the Faithful One. You are my Lord. Then God hears my cry and gives back in return. Sometimes it is just something simple, like this youtube clip that came my way. It's called "Lean On Me"!  Go Figure!  Listen to it and be encouraged and enjoy His touch today.

Blessings to you. Pastor BOB

ENVY BEGONE!

Acts 13:45; says that 'when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with envy.' Wow! Envy is destructive! Envy is a consuming fire of hate. Did you know that envy is that feeling of resentment that builds up in one person because of the qualities, position or possessions another has instead of the envious one? Envy is the desire to have that stuff for yourself. In Genesis 30:1; Rachel envied Leah because Leah had children and she did not. Joseph's father showed him favoritism so his brothers resented (envied) him, Genesis 37:11; And in the verse I gave you above, The Jews opposed Paul's preaching for the same reason, envy! Acts 13:45; When another holds an advantage over one, the feeling of envy is triggered. Intelligence, good looks, popularity, a good job and even when a person has spiritual insights above the other, these all produce envy or the temptation to at least harbor envy. And do not be fooled. Even the most devout Christian is not immune to the way envy can creep in. When the famous preacher FB Meyer was holding evangelistic meetings in Massachusetts there were very large crowds who came to hear the strong messages. But then the renowned preacher from England, G. Campbell Morgan came across the big pond and began preaching as well. Because of his great oratory skills, the crowds were soon flocking to hear him instead. Yes, FB Meyer was envious, but he found the remedy. He said, "The only way I can conquer my feelings of envy is to pray for Morgan daily, which I do!" So, the solution is, first recognize and confess the envy to God and second, if it hangs on begin praying for the other person! Here's the conclusion. If you want to root out envy from your life, then start to rejoice in the good qualities the other person has or is displaying instead of wanting them for yourself. You will in effect be saying, "ENVY, BEGONE!'

Please feel free to post a comment. Blessings to you today

Bible Verse Sites

Here are five good Bible verse sites. Just click on the links below and they will take you to a website. Enjoy! 

http://www.christnotes.org/dbv.php

http://www.bibleverseoftheday.com/

http://www.mybibleverseoftheday.com/

http://www.everydaybible.com/

http://www.klove.com/ministry/encouraging-word/

Daphne's Liver Testimony, One and Two

Hi Folks and thank you for visiting this page. There are two videos here relating to the miracle God performed in Daphne's and my life. We have been one in the spirit and marriage for many years. Because of that, anything God does includes the two of us. In these videos you will hear of the miracle of God providing a liver and our gratitude to Him and the donor family for it. Sorry about the little bit of noise at the beginning, but we were closing a door so you could hear better. Daphne and I hope that if you listen to this, it's only 15 minutes, that you will be blessed by what God has done and that you will share it with your friends as a source of encouragement concerning the faithfulness of God. Feel free to post it on your Facebook or Twitter or Buzz or whatever with our blessings. What a way to lift someones spirit by letting them see firsthand how great God is. The second video is shorter, about 2 1/2 minutes and it is just a followup after the fact. When you are done, take a look around the site, read an article or two, subscribe to the site for updates, and if you feel so inclined, help by supporting the site. You can make a donation towards Daphne's medical expense by using the button on the left. If it does not work, you can mail it to her at Daphne Coutts 2404 Prospect Ave. Apt #202 Allentown PA 18103. Thanks for stopping by and we trust God will touch your heart today and you will be blessed. We are, His For Others, Daphne and Bob Coutts

                                                                              

GETTING BACK TO THE BASICS!

You can believe this statement as a statement of fact. "God has committed Himself to honoring His Word." Here is His promise..."My Word shall not return to the heaven's void." And yet most of us in church leadership roles appear to offer less promising menus to our hearers. Music is fine, just as a needed building is. Church government is described and required in Scripture as well, so you can't knock that. The fellowship of the believers is a wonderful activity as well that is a needed function. God bless all of these things, but what about the actual inspiration of the Word itself.

How much do followers of Christ actually know about the contents of the Bible? How long could the typical believer talk about God without repeating their thoughts? Two minutes? Ten, maybe? How much do we know about the patriarchs? The Kings? The Prophets and the Priests? What do we really know about Paul's Missionary journey's? Can the average believer discuss the Book of Revelation with any credibility? Can a typical Christian give you a true synopsis of the life and teachings of Jesus? If the answers to these questions are "no" or "maybe," then perhaps we need to get back to the basics.
Here is a revolutionary thought: Let's give the pastors and the teachers more time to impart the Word. Let's start highlighting the urgency of Sunday School and Christian Education and Bible Studies. If we do not, we are short-circuiting the very thing God committed Himself to honor, "His Word." And we will certainly be less than effective in "making disciples," as Jesus commanded.
Is it worth a try? Send me your thoughts.
Pastor Coutts

'SUNDAY'S A COMIN'!

It has been a long time since I talked to you about being in God's house during the weekend. To so many, Sunday is just "another day" of the week. That is a tragedy, and certainly an affront to God who has commanded us to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. Someone will surely write and say, "But Sunday isn't the Sabbath; Saturday is." If you are living in the Old Testament, you're right. But since the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, "on the first day of the week," Christians for the most part have observed Sunday as the Sabbath. I sometimes hear from folks who claim they don't need to be in church. That's like saying you don't need to eat, or go to a doctor, or take care of your body. And the souls of these dear people are starving to death. Why go to church? To participate in corporate worship of our Lord. To enjoy the fellowship of other believers. To have our faith lifted by hearing the Word of God faithfully proclaimed from the pulpit. To participate in giving so that others may have access to the Gospel. It is not just an "occasional" visit to God's house either; it is that constant life-long habit of faithful adherence to God's command, "Neglect not the assembling of yourselves together." My friend, no matter how you rationalize your not going to church, you are harming yourself and doubtless grieving God. Not liking a particular church or failure to appreciate its pastor does not eliminate our need to be in faithful service on the Lord's day.  I encourage you with all my heart: Be in church this Lord's Day. And make it a faithful habit. Blessings, Pastor Bob