Daily Jewel

by      Pastor J.T. Carnell,  McAlester, OK    

Good Morning Everyone.  A nice rain last night which we needed desperately. 

Had a great Service yesterday!  God's blessings and presence was indeed there and a great fellowship last night!  It was well attended.

Hope everyone is up-to-date in your Journals!  I also want to encourage everyone to be here Wednesday night!  As we are studying the life of Jesus we will be learning about our own lives as well.  How we form our attitudes, practices etc.  Here is a question that you might want to ask yourself:  "Am I who I think I am or am I the product of other people's lives?"

Here is today's message.  I did not find a place to put it in the message but I have a friend that due to a rare medical condition some years ago lost his sense of smell...something we all take for granted.  He says it has its advantages at times but also the foods he used to enjoy have lost their taste and eating is no longer a pleasurable experience.  Then one day while on some antibiotics his sense of smell came back temporarily.  His wife says that he went all throughout the house smelling everything.  Opening up the coffee can, smelling the milk...etc. 

How keen is your sense of smell? 

“A Febreze-Proof Life”  

“I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon...” – Proverbs 7:17 (MSG)

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?  Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

            According to a 1983 article from the Chicago Tribune, a Chicago area woman came home from work at 6 p.m., and when she walked into her apartment, she immediately became suspicious.  Gasoline fumes filled the apartment.  She thought maybe someone had been working there, so she called the landlady and the janitor.  They said they had not let anyone in.  With the fumes still strong she called the police and fire department.  The fire department came and inspected her apartment but found nothing.

            Finally at 10:30 she prepared to go to bed.  In her bedroom she noticed something unusual.  There was a strange electric cord running to her bed and a bulge in the center of the mattress.  She again called the police.  When the fire department took the mattress off of the box spring, they found a crude, home-made firebomb.  Three one-gallon containers filled with gasoline were sitting on top of a hot plate connected to a timer that was set to go off at 3 A.M.  Subtle...very subtle. 

            For that woman to be killed by that crude trap, she would have had to be utterly oblivious to everything in her world, both sight and smell.  Surprisingly enough, Satan himself sometimes sets traps for us that are just as obvious as this firebomb!  Although he can be the most cunning of deceivers, at times he tempts us in ways that are so obvious, so blatant, so brazen, only a fool would lie in that lumpy bed and turn out the lights!  And yet....

            There are a number of ways to freshen up a room.  I love scented candles.  Evergreen candles are my favorite followed closely by cinnamon scented.  The evergreen ones remind me of Christmas and I love walking into a room filled with aroma specific.     

            What is perhaps one of the greatest products produced in the past few years has to be the air freshener, Febreze.  Just a squeeze of Febreze can really change the atmosphere of the room. I keep a small canister in my car and in my office. 

            Unfortunately, there are just some odors that no amount of spices, candles, or even febreze can mask.  They may for a short while but eventually the odor will filter its way through creating the same problem you started with.

            Working for and around funeral homes for over twenty years there is one smell that is impossible to cover up—the smell of death.  Rotting flesh has no equal in this regards and the only remedy is to get as far from it as possible—even then it lingers with you for some time.

            The woman’s attempt to cover her bed with spices and all sorts of good-smelling things only serves to remind us that she is attempting to cover up the real problem that lies underneath:  the smell of death. 

            Temptation is the attempt to mask the evil one’s odor just long enough for the deed to be done which too often it is too late to turn back from.  The hope here—by taking Solomon’s advice, is to keep our senses sharp and know the difference between the aroma of life and the smell of death.  According to Paul, the Word and People of God are the pleasing aroma of Christ and I don’t know about you but I would much rather be surrounded by sweet-smelling things and people (metaphorically speaking) than those who carry the smell of death. 

Good Things

by        Everett Christian,   McAlester, OK   

 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
 23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,
 “People are like grass;
      their beauty is like a flower in the field.
   The grass withers and the flower fades.
    25 But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
- 1 Peter 1:23-25(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
  8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,
      and let everyone stand in awe of him.
 9 For when he spoke, the world began!
      It appeared at his command.
- Psalm 33:8-9(New Living Translation)
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
Marriage is sacred.
- Dr. Steve Stephens -
 
 
 
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
 
Try as often as possible to smile - it is the key that fits the lock of everybody's heart.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
The things that count most in life are the things that can't be counted.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
Today has been a cloudy day with a high temperature of 46 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 39 degrees. Since about 7:00 p.m. tonight we have been having some very light misting rain. I attended Worship Services this morning. Pastor J. T.'s sermon was titled "Meeting Jesus At The Well. The Scripture was John 4:1-26. I had lunch at home. I took a nap this afternoon. I attended church tonight. Tonight was our monthly fellowship night where we share a meal together and just visit with one another.
 
The cats are fine. They are not going out much tonight due to the wet weather. Little Girl is on the couch.
 
At 10:35 p.m. there is still a light mist outside with a temperature of 42 degrees. I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.

God's Tug - The Lord's Blessings

Ok, my friends. I have my correct website/blog online for you. My brain has been a bit fuzzy and I didn't post the correct one - http://mylessonseachday.blogspot.com I think the Lord has been wanting me to write about this verse for sometime now, since the bookmark with the benediction on it kept falling out of my KJV Bible. Well, that's why I call this blog God's Tug.

Blessings to all of you.

Michelle Rose

The Lord’s Blessings

March 27, 2011

The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 KJV

As a child when I attended a Presbyterian church with my parents in Livingston, NJ, the minister would use this verse as the benediction after the church service. I didn’t know until I was much older and had moved from NJ that it was from the Bible. All these years, it has followed me and entered my mind as a promise from the Lord to watch over me. I have it on a small plastic bookmark that is in my King James Version of the Bible. Just as the words soothed me as a child, they still soothe me now. It’s so amazing that the Lord loves me so much He’s watched over me all these years – from childhood to adulthood. Each part of this verse is written to show just how much the Lord loves His people – blessing, keeping, shining, graciousness, lifting up, and peacefulness. What wonderful promises. I know for me, I will love the Lord until I see Him face to face and then even more. He has watched me all my life and will continue to do so. The Lord has blessed me. Hallelujah!

Good Things

by      Everett Christian,   McAleser, OK   

 
GOOD THINGS
Saturday, March 26, 2011
 
 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”  - Isaiah 6:8(New International Version).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
 10 Feed the hungry,
      and help those in trouble.
   Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
      and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
 11 The Lord will guide you continually,
      giving you water when you are dry
      and restoring your strength.
   You will be like a well-watered garden,
      like an ever-flowing spring.
 - Isaiah 58:10-11(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
One reason for going to church is you will listen to and take part in reading some beautiful passages from the Bible.  - Theodore Roosevelt, Twenty Sixth president of the United States -
 
 
 
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
 
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
It's always helpful to learn from your mistakes, because then your mistakes seem worthwhile.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
Today has been a cloudy day with a high temperature of 70 degrees. Low temperature for today is the current temperature of 45 degrees. We had a thunderstorm with rain around midnight last night. My cleaning lady came at 11:00 a.m. to clean my house. While she cleaned the house I went to the post office and then had lunch with Charley. I took a nap this afternoon with Little Girl and Smokey. Emmy was in the same room but was sleeping on a high shelf. Around 4:00 p.m. I went to Family Dollar Store for a couple of items. I put food outside for the stray animals about 5:00 p.m. but it was too cool and windy to sit out very long.
 
About 40 years ago I wrote what I called a song at the time from the Scripture Verse that I used tonight from Isaiah 6:8. I called it a song but it turned out to be more of a poem. I sent it in to www.wordchimes.com a few years ago and Quentin Clingerman put it on the website so I am sure that you people that visit Wordchimes have already read it. Since I used that verse tonight I will also leave the poem at the end of the Good Things tonight and maybe, perhaps, it could help someone. The title is "Here Am I Lord, Send Me."
 
The cats are fine doing their usual things. Little Girl is now on the desk near me eating a bite of dry food. The vet says my cats are too heavy but I don't think I could put them on a diet.
 
At 9:55 p.m. skies are cloudy with a temperature of 45 degrees. Have a Wonderful Sunday! I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.
 
Here is the poem:
Here Am I, Lord, Send Me.

By Everett Christian

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?  Then said I, Here am I; send me.  Isaiah 6:8(KJV).

In the Bible a story is told,
Of Isaiah who lived long ago.
The Lord said, "Who will go? Whom shall I send?"
"Here am I, Here am I, Lord, send me."
 
When God needed someone to go,
To die on the cross for my soul,
He sent His own Son, Who said, "Thy will be done.
Here am I, Here am I, Lord, send me."
 
Our Lord is still calling today,
For those who are willing to pay,
The price, great or small, and surrender their all.
"Here am I, Here am I, Lord, send me."
 
Souls are still living in sin,
Our Lord is still trying to win,
Won't you join up today, come to Jesus and say,
"Here am I, Here am I, Lord, send me."
 
"Here am I, Here am I, Lord, send me,
I'll be what you want me to be,
At home or away, I'll go or I'll stay,
Here am I, Here am I, Lord, send me."

God's Tug - Trust

Trust 

March 26, 2011

⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.   II Corinthians 12:9 KJV

The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need.  Psalm 23:1 NLT

My condition has been going on for almost (or more than) 6 months now. It’s worse in the mornings and throughout the day, but slightly better at night. I don’t know what this condition is, but I know that I will find out eventually what’s causing it. Throughout the last several months, God has been with me. He has held me up and strengthened me. God has given me hope, that I will eventually feel better. Now I don’t know this for sure, but through the Lord’s grace I know it. Yes, the situation is frustrating, since I have much less energy than I had previously, but if I’m not trusting God to take care of me and Jesus to walk beside me, then who can I trust? I believe that the Lord is my Heavenly Physician. He can go where no doctor on earth can go in my body because He made me. Modern medical science may have progressed since the early days, but it’s still a guessing game much of the time. God never guesses – He knows. I must admit, I knew I had to write about the verse from II Corinthians when I saw it on Everett Christian’s Good Things last night. I also saw this version of the first verse of the 23^rd Psalm on Good Things and it made so much sense to me. It’s written in a positive light. Words are so powerful. As a writer I know this. So I take these 2 verses together and use them to hold me up when I don’t feel so strong. And when they hold me up, it’s not my strength, but God’s strength and glory that are helping me. It is God’s glory – not mine. Or, another way to say it is, “What a friend [I] have in Jesus.

Blessings,

Michelle Rose