Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Serving Something Greater Than Ourselves”
"Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord..."- Proverbs 1:29

As a point of reference—the “they” Solomon speaks of are those who live in constant opposition to God—those who do not respect His knowledge, wisdom or power. They typically choose lust over love, war over peace, destruction above building, hatred over joy and selfishness above giving. Essentially—they will choose to serve their human nature over a spiritual one. And I think I know why! Serving one’s self is so much easier. It is far easier to serve ourselves than it is to serve others. Choosing our own path, following our own beliefs and thoughts just seems like the right thing to do. And, here is the clincher—it requires very little out of us. The very first sin was based upon this very idea. “You don’t need God! You only need yourself.” (Genesis 3) That same premise has caused countless millions to lose the only thing that has any significant meaning—their eternal soul. For example, many men would love to lead the life of Sean Connery. Tall, hand-some, and in demand, Connery played the glamorous part of 007 in six James Bond movies. He travels the world to shoot movies in places as exotic as Africa or the Orient. In addition to acting, He works as the executive producer of films, a position of considerate power. Yet when asked in an interview why, at the age of sixty-five, he continues to act, Connery gave a rather surprising reply: “Because I get the opportunity to be somebody better and more interesting than I really am.” Many people feel just like Sean Connery. Their lives are not all that they could be. They are not as good as they should be. Something is missing that even glamorous acting roles cannot fulfill. Only Christ makes a person’s life what it can be, should be, and must be! I see so much of myself in that illustration as well as being afraid to admit that I have served myself more than I would care to admit. I would dare say that most of us would come to that same conclusion and it is a painful admission. The only saving grace we have is the fact that Jesus can help to “erase” the self in us enough to seek Him more. And He was the perfect example of being a servant. What are you serving today? What initiates your motives? What drives your movements, your friendships, even your relationships? If serving God is your prime motivator, everything else will fall perfectly in line with that.
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

 GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. - Proverbs 17:9(New Living Translation).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
4 For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! - Isaiah 64:4(New Living Translation).
A QUOTE
It is impossible to be miserable and grateful at the same time. - Mark Lowry -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
The greatest of all faults is to imagine that you don't have one. - From Reminisce Magazine -
Don't fear pressure - geologists say that's what turns coal into diamonds. - From Reminisce Magazine -
You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try. - From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with a high temperature of 95 degrees. Low temperatre last night was 76 degrees. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office. I went to the cemetery. While at the cemetery I visited with J. L. Glass and his daughters who used to live in McAlester. They now live near Oklahoma City. J. L.'s wife, Dorothy, is buried at that cemetery. I took a nap this afternoon. I sat out in the back yard with the cats and read for about an hour this evening. The picture tonight is Everett with Jaimie(granddaughter) on his lap and Holly(granddaughter) on the sofa. Something must have been funny as we are all laughing. The cats are fine, going in and out as usual. At 10:05 skies are fair with a temperature of 86 degrees. I will see you next time.
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T. Carnell, McAlester, OK

“An Uncommon Call to an Uncommon Life”
“I arrived on the scene before Ocean, yes, even before Springs and Rivers and Lakes.” – Proverbs 8:24
The past few verses have been a grand reminder that the life we have was not by chance! It was wonderfully and magnificently orchestrated by a Master Planner. And what these verses also let us in on is that Wisdom was before it all—God’s Master Plan which included us all along. I have a deep—overwhelming appreciation for the beauty of this earth. I have said on several occasions how much I love the mountains—especially the Rocky Mountains where I grew up and the streams and rivers that run through the canyons. I could spend an entire day walking along those streams communicating with God. Sometimes I get the impression He created these magnificent works just for my enjoyment and pleasure. And then to think…that before any of this came to be God had instilled His greatest work—His mind—His thoughts and His dreams. If the mountains, oceans, rivers, streams, forests are His “after-thoughts” then how much greater is His wisdom? I came to a startling conclusion some time ago that has allowed me a great amount of freedom—and that is other people can say things much better than I. Much better. The following comes from the mind, pen and heart of one of my favorite Christian writers, Max Lucado. It’s entitled: “An Uncommon Call to an Uncommon Life.”
Each person is given something to do that shows who God is. (1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG) Da Vinci painted one Mona Lisa. Beethoven composed one Fifth Symphony. And God made one version of you. He custom designed you for a one-of-a-kind assignment. Mine like a gold digger the unique-to-you nuggets from your life. When I was six years old, my father built us a house. Architectural Digest didn’t notice, but my mom sure did. Dad constructed it, board by board, every day after work. My youth didn’t deter him from giving me a job. He tied an empty nail apron around my waist, placed a magnet in my hands, and sent me on daily patrols around the building site, carrying my magnet only inches off the ground. One look at my tools and you could guess my job. Stray-nail collector. One look at yours and the same can be said. Brick by brick, life by life, God is creating a kingdom, a “spiritual house” (1 Pet. 2:5 Contemporary English Version). He entrusted you with a key task in the project. Examine your tools and discover it. Your ability unveils your destiny. “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 4:11). When God gives an assignment, he also gives the skill. Study your skills, then, to reveal your assignment. Look at you. Your uncanny ease with numbers. Your quenchless curiosity about chemistry. Others stare at blueprints and yawn; you read them and drool. “I was made to do this,” you say. Heed that inner music. No one else hears it the way you do. What about you? Our Maker gives assignments to people, “to each according to each one’s unique ability” (Matt. 25:15). As he calls, he equips. Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and successes and find your uniqueness. You have one. A divine spark. An uncommon call to an uncommon life. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others” (1st Corinthians 12:7 CEV). So much for the excuse “I don’t have anything to offer.” Did the apostle Paul say, “The Spirit has given some of us…”? Or, “The Spirit has given a few of us …”? No. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others.” Enough of this self-deprecating “I can’t do anything.” And enough of its arrogant opposite: “I have to do everything. ” No, you don’t! You’re not God’s solution to society, but a solution in society. Imitate Paul, who said, “Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us” (2 Cor. 10:13 NLT). Clarify your contribution. Don’t worry about skills you don’t have. Don’t covet strengths others do have. Just extract your uniqueness. “Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you” (2nd Timothy 1:6 NASB).
Thank you Lord for the life you give! And you want us to truly live it!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by Pastor J.T Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Who’s Your Daddy?”
“I (wisdom) was brought into being a long time ago, well before Earth got its start.” – Proverbs 8:23 (MSG, emphasis mine)
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:13-16 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5 Too many people wander around in this life searching for “something,” “anything” that could be the clue to the purpose of their existence. If only they would look in the one place where the answer can be found. It is where it has always been. The Scripture references from Psalms and Jeremiah confirm that—as well as so many other examples from life. The following illustration is further confirmation. A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, "I hope he doesn't come over here." But sure enough, the man did come over to their table. "Where are you folks from?" he asked in a friendly voice. "Oklahoma," they answered. "Great to have you here in Tennessee." the stranger said. "What do you do for a living?" "I teach at a seminary," he replied. "Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you." And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple. The professor groaned and thought to himself, "Great... Just what I need...another preacher story!" The man started, "See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up because every place he went he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store, or drug store people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?' He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He would avoid going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad." When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?' But one day the new preacher said the benediction so fast he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd." "Just about the time he got to the back door the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?' "The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy'. This new preacher though sensed the situation around him, and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy..." "'Wait a minute!' he said. 'I know who you are. I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God.' With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'' With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' He'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God'." The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, "Isn't that a great story?" The professor responded that it really was a great story! As the man turned to leave, he said, "You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!" And he walked away. The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her, "Do you know who that man was who just left that was sitting at our table?" The waitress grinned and said, "Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper. He's the former governor of Tennessee!” Do you know who you are? God does…and with that in mind you should never have any problem discovering who you are as well!

Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? - 1 John 3:17(New Living Translation).
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows. - Proverbs 15:25(New Living Translation).
A QUOTE
God's power is available to all who are willing to share the Good News (Gospel)! - Craig Taylor -
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
To dissolve your problems, solve another's. - From Reminisce Magazine - Letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back. - From Reminisce Magazine - The moment you're waiting for may never arrive; the one you just missed will never return. - From Reminisce Magazine -
NOTES
Today has been partly cloudy with high temperatures in the nineties. I had lunch with Charley. I went to the post office. I took a nap in early afternoon. At 3:30 p.m. I went to Walmart for cat food and other items. I sat out in the back this evening for an hour or so and read. The picture tonight is Little Girl up in the Catalpa tree. We are having lighting and thunder at present but no rain as yet. The cats are fine. Rascal is on the desk beside me. Most are outside at present. At 10:05 p.m. skies are cloudy with a temperature of 85 degrees. I will see you next time.

In Christian Love, Everett.