With God Nothing is Impossible

Hermann and Pauline lived in the German town of Ulm where they ran a small enterprise that produced featherbeds. Though their success was marginal, they branched in to gas boilers and began toying with electrical products. All the time they were worried about their son, Al, who seemed to have a learning disability. He didn’t start speaking until he was nearly three, and he preferred playing by himself with his puzzles. He spent hours building houses of cards. He could entertain himself endlessly with a simple compass. But in school it took him a long time to solve problems, and teachers who expected a quick answer were disappointed at his plodding work.

One day Hermann was given the bad news. Albert was virtually hopeless. “It doesn’t matter what he does,” said the boy’s teacher bluntly, “he will never amount to anything.”

Hermann and Pauline needn’t have worried. Young Albert Einstine did just fine.

Don’t let the enemy of this world try and tell you, “You’ll never make it.” With God nothing is impossible.

I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Follow The Leader

Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Directionally challenged people everywhere were thrilled when navigation systems became available. No longer would the embarrassing, "I'm lost" phone call have to be made. Now we travel worry free, allowing the system to do the work for us--until it leads us astray. For every appreciative GPS story, there are just as many frustrated users who circle a block three times before realizing there's not a restaurant in sight, or far worse, find themselves teetering on the edge of a cliff that their navigator insists is the safe route.

As Christians, we have an internal guide--the Holy Spirit--and He is like our life navigation system. But unlike our GPS, we can trust Him even when He's taking us down an uncertain road, because ultimately His way is best.

So the question is simple...will you follow? If we trust our GPS to guide us on a cross-country automobile adventure, shouldn't it be easier to follow the Holy Spirit through the journey of life? We may not always know where we are, but we will always be exactly where the Lord intends us to be.

When led of the Spirit, the child of God must be as ready to wait as to go, as prepared to be silent as to speak.

Lewis Sperry Chafer

From: Turning Points Devotional Dr. David Jeremiah

In a Pickle: Joseph (Long-Suffering)

Romans 5:3-4

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation woreth patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:


In our modern society, it is difficult to digest the concept of longsuffering. When we find ourselves in a thorny situation, we often resign to our challenge and wait for the end to come. And if we do suffer, our confrontations are often short lived. How many of us have had to suffer for years . . . or most of our lives?

Joseph did. And he could have easily given in to his inevitably horrible situation. Sold by his brothers, taken to a foreign land, accused wrongly by his master's wife, put in prison--yet Joseph refused to give up. Instead, he interpreted Pharaoh's dreams, became a ruling official, and saved the lives of many during the years of famine . . . including the brothers who betrayed him.

Joseph patiently served God, making the most of his situation while exhibiting the sweetness of long-suffering. He had no way of knowing what God had in store for him in the midst of his pain. The emotions he experienced reuniting with his father and saving his family from famine gave him great joy--erasing the years of sorrow. Like Joseph, we need to rest in God's purpose and plan when faced with trials.


If a bird is flying for pleasure, it flies with the wind; but if it meets danger, it turns and faces the wind in order that it may fly higher.

Corrie ten Boom


From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine Dr. David Jeremiah

Reviving an Old Practice

I Tim. 3:14-15

These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself ...



Newsweek recently carried a story on the passing of the era of the personal letter, saying, "The decline in letter writing constitutes a cultural shift so vast that in the future, historians may divide time not between B.C. and A.D. but between the eras when people wrote letters and when they did not."1

That may be overstated, but maybe not. Historians depend on personal letters to fill in the gaps of the human story. In bygone eras, letter writing was the only way people could communicate over distance, and correspondents were often self-revealing in what they penned. They left a historical record of their life, a legacy. With the invention of Morse's telegraph that began to change; and in our age of email and text messages few people sit down long enough to write a personal note of more than a few hurried words.

Considering this vacuum, what an impact a hand-written letter of encouragement can be. Find some appropriate stationery, a good pen, and give it a try. You never know who you might encourage as you revive an age-old practice that works!

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.
Phyllis Theroux, essayist

1"The Good Word," Newsweek newsweek.com/2009/01/17/the-good-word.html.

From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine Dr. Davie Jeremiah

The Write Encouragement

Phil 1:3-4

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;



How many words do you speak throughout a given day compared to the words that you write? One estimation of our spoken words reports that a woman speaks approximately 8000 words a day, and a man speaks about 6000 words. These estimates outnumber our written words by far--even though Internet messaging goes on 24/7. Is it any surprise that sometimes we can't remember what we said or what someone else said? The power of the written word cannot be underestimated.

God valued the written word and gave us the Bible as His letter of encouragement--a permanent record of His love and concern for us. Many of the books in the New Testament are letters, known as epistles, written to churches and individuals. It's interesting to note that when the apostle Paul wrote a letter, he consistently began with a word of encouragement (Romans 1:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Written encouragement conveys a thoughtful investment of your time. Why not take a minute and think of someone you know who needs a word of encouragement today. They won't forget it!

Written encouragement is one of the most effective tools God has given to His children.
David Jeremiah

From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine Dr. David Jeremiah

Selfishness (An Egocentric Lifestyle)

Romans 8:13

For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Having children was not easy for Sean and Carolyn Savage, so in February of 2009, they attempted to have another child through in vitro fertilization (IVF). They soon discovered they were pregnant, but mistakenly with another couple's embryo. The Savages made a selfless decision--to give this baby a life--life with his biological parents.1

Often we're surprised when we read stories like this. We live in a world filled with self-centered people...a world that teaches a person has a right to do whatever they please to further their own desires. In fact, "self-centered" is not the preferred word any longer, most prefer "egocentric" to describe this self-proclaimed way of living. Sadly, egocentric thinking is accepted and even promoted by many today.

So how were the Savages able to act so selflessly? As Carolyn said, "We tried to focus on the gift, not the loss." Serving others in selflessness costs us something, but there is always a reward. .When we make the choice to live by the Spirit, rather than our flesh, our lives speak the simple words, "GLU" (God loves you).

Self-serving needs are not meant to be satisfied; they are meant to be put to death.
Edward T. Welch

1cbn.com/700club/guests/bios/seancarolynsavage030311.aspx

From: Turning Points Devotional Magazine
Dr. David Jeremiah

Think "Encouragement"

Colossians 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;


Jonas Salk, the great scientist and discoverer of the vaccine against polio, understood how to think and work with confidence. He was once asked, "How does this outstanding achievement, which has effectively brought an end to the word ‘polio' in our vocabulary, cause you to view your 200 previous failures?"

"I have never had 200 failures in my whole life," he replied. "My family didn't think in terms of failure. They taught in terms of experiences and what could be learned. I just made my 201st discovery, and I couldn't have made it without learning from the previous 200 experiences."

Salk's example is illustrative to the Christian life. To support and encourage others we have to stay encouraged ourselves; and we have to learn to think, believe, and live with assurance and conviction. Based on the promises of God, we have every reason to be optimistic. It's the uplifting "can-do" attitude of a biblical encourager that stokes the flames of God's work in the lives of others.

Learn to think "encouragement."

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Thomas Edison

From Turning Points Devotional with Dr. David Jeremiah

If You Don't Write It Down...

Philemon 1:19

In a popular Tom Clancy novel, one of the characters continually jotted notes in a small notebook. "You have to get used to me," she said apologetically. "Whenever I have an idea, I write it down right away." It isn't safe, she explained, to entrust important matters to memory alone, adding, "If you don't write it down, then it never happened."1

Perhaps that's not literally true, but the point is valid. The written word is a powerful way of encouraging others. It can be anything from an ordinary note to a friend to an autobiographical account of your life and testimony for your children and descendants. When something is written, it achieves greater permanence in its effect. Some people keep precious messages of encouragement on their refrigerators for years, or inserted in their Bibles, or filed with their keepsakes. Even email and blogs are helpful in this regard, though nothing can quite replace ink on paper when the hand that is writing it is yours.

Who can you encourage with a written word today?

Share your stories with your children over and over. They need to hear them more than once in order to really remember them.
J. Darline Peipman, in her commentary on the Book of Ruth

1Tom Clancy, Debt of Honor (New York: Berkley, 1994), 581.

Prayer Request

I ask all those who will, please pray for my sister. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Saviour about five years ago. She found out that she has stage tree a cancer and is going through chemo and will start radiation soon.

She is up beat about it all and loves the Lord. I just ask that you pray for God's will in her life.

Thank you for your support.

Louis

The Ground

The Ground


There are many types of soil and conditions that affect the way a plant will grow and produce. There is sandy soil that has a lot of rocks. Some soil may have clay mixed in it. The soil may have a high ph level in it. Some may have high or low levels of potash. Some soil may have a lot of peat moss in its content. The list can go on and on.

There are many ways to test the soil in which you will be planting your seed or plants. One of the most informative and effective ways is to take a soil sample to your local Agricultural agency, and have them test the soil. The biologist in that area will also know the type of soil in your area, and can help you to determine the best type of action to take in helping you to become a successful Gardner.

As a child of God it is important to know the condition of the ground, and the proper steps to take in having a successful harvest of our life. Many times we go unprepared to the field and the crop fails. The most important information available to us is right at our fingertips. It is the word of God. It will help you in becoming the most successful planter and producing the quality of fruit that will reflect the type of seed that is in a child of God.


A. Unprepared

1. Not tilled

Matt. 13:4, Mark 4:4, Luke 8:5
This seed fell by the wayside. This was untilled ground. It had not been prepared. ( a harden heart)
PP. Matt. 13:19, Mark 4:15, Luke 8:12


2. Walked on

Matt. 13:4, Mark 4:4, Luke 8:5
Were the seed fell here the ground was packed and always trodden down. This can represent a soul that is beat down by the world, and never given a chance.
PP. Matt. 13:19, Mark 4:15, Luke 8:12

3. Venerable to attack

Matt. 13:4, Mark 4:4, Luke 8:5
Notice the fowls of the air came and devoured it. This is a type of Satan and his devices. (friends, loved ones, other peoples actions)
PP. Matt. 13:19, Mark 4:15, Luke 8:12


B. Partly prepared

1. To rocky

Matt. 13:5, Mark 4:5, Luke 8:6
Notice that the ground was to rocky, shows that the ground was along the area that was tilled but it was the area that was along the path and the dirt that is thrown to the outside.
PP. Matt. 13:20, Mark 4:16, Luke 8:13

2. No support

Matt. 13:5, Mark 4:5, Luke 8:6
Notice that this part of the ground has no depth. Therefore it does not support the plant very well in the minerals that it needs.
PP. Matt. 13:21, Mark 4:17, Luke 8:13

3. Burns easily

Matt. 13:6, Mark 4:6, Luke 8:6
This plant is burned easily and withers up because of its lack of depth of roots.
PP. Matt. 13:21, Mark 4:17, Luke 8:13


C. Unkept

1. Not weeded

Matt. 13:7, Mark 4:7, Luke 8:7
The seed that fell here fell among thorns. When it tried to grow it was choked out and did not produce.
PP. Matt. 13:22, Mark 4:18-19, Luke 8:14


D. Well prepared

1. Plowed

Matt. 13:8, Mark 4:8, Luke 8:8
This seed fell among good ground.
Good ground must first be prepared by turning the earth or bring the good moist earth up and turning under the old.
PP. Matt. 13:23, Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15

Heb. 4:12
The word of God is sharp.

John 14:26
The Holy Ghost will teach you all things and help you to remember the word of God when needed.

Deut. 11:18-20
Hide the word of God in your heart, mark them on your hands, and keep them in the forefront of your mind. Mark them in your house.

Rom. 10:17
You can build you faith by hearing the word of God.

Luke 11:28
God blesses those that hear and keep the word of God.


2. Good nurturance

The ground in which a seed is planted cannot produce good plants or fruit unless it has the proper balance in nurturance. As a child of God it is important to keep ones self in good spiritual balance.

Some of the things that are mentioned in the following subtopics may sound redundant, but the go hand in hand and are inter woven in a child of Gods life.

Here are just a few items that a child of God will need to maintain a balanced spiritual life.

• Pray without ceasing. I Thes. 5:17
• Study the word. II Tim. 2:15
• Hide the word that you might not sin against God. Ps. 119:11
• Meditate on His Word. Ps. 1:2, Ps. 63:6, Ps. 77:12


3. Watered as need

A plant needs a lot of water while it is growing. Without enough water it will die. Some need more water than others. As a child of God we need plenty of water in our life to produce the type of fruit that is pleasing to God and his work.

Ps. 1:3
We need to be like the tree that is planted by the water.

Ps. 42:1
Our soul should have a great desire for the Lord.

Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide continually, satisfy in time of drought, make us fat, and be like a well-watered garden whose waters never fail.

Eph. 5:26
The water cleanses us from sin.

I Thes. 5:17
The water is an example of prayer. We need to pray without ceasing.


4. Weeded daily

If we let the weeds of this world come into our heart. Then we will become unproductive.

Rom. 6:12
Don’t let sin reign in you body.

I Cor. 15:34
Live righteous and sin not. Be alert.

I John 2:1
The word of God is written to us so that we do not sin. If we sin we can go to Christ Jesus.

I John 1:9
If we sin we need to confess our sins to God. Talk about Round Up.

Ps. 139:23
Ask God to search you and show you yours sins. He knows better than you do if sin is in your heart.


5. Produces

Matt. 13:8, Mark 4:8, Luke 8:8
A well maintained garden produce abundant fruit.
PP. Matt. 13:23, Mark 4:20, Luke 8:15

Prov. 11:30
The fruit we bare is a tree of life and will win others to Christ.

Matt. 7:17
A well maintained tree produces good fruit.

Uniquely You

When we think of uniqueness, we often think of snowflakes--the classic example of "no two being alike." But there are other worthy examples: Forensic science developed around the uniqueness of human fingerprints--no two being alike. And now the retina of the human eye is being used as a means of identification and security clearance because, you guessed it--no two are alike.

Those unique traits of humans speak to the larger uniqueness factor that every human being possesses: There has never been a person in history with the same combination of appearance, personality, natural talents, and spiritual gifts as you! And there never will be. That should be the basis for the positive self-esteem of every person in the world--and especially every Christian, once spiritual gifts are added to the mix. If you are a follower of Christ, no one in the world is qualified to take your place in the kingdom of God. Every Christian's prayer should be, "Lord, guide me into fulfilling the calling for which You created and gifted me."

Uniqueness is not a human boast, but a boast in the creativity and generosity of God. Ask Him today to use you to be a blessing to others that is unique to only you.

Take note of what God gives you, then you will also know the task He sets before you.
Emil Brunner

From: Turning Points Online Devotional 11/19/11

Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor
You're a 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam. It's November 11, 1967 LZ (landing zone) X-ray.

Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense from 100 yards away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac helicopters to stop coming in. You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns and you know you're not getting out. Your family is half way around the world, 12,000 miles away, and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you know this is the day. Then over the machine gun noise you faintly hear that sound of a helicopter. You look up to see a Huey coming in. But.. It doesn't seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.

Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you. He's not MedEvac so it's not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway. Even after the MedEvacs were ordered not to come.He's coming anyway. And he drops it in and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load 3 of you at a time on board. Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety. And, he kept coming back!! 13 more times!! Until all the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm. He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.
Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman,United States Air Force, died last Wednesday at the age of 70, in Boise, Idaho

May God Bless and Rest His Soul.

My Very Special "God Loves Me" Sign

It was March 12, 2010. The Christian schools was having their annual father/son baseball game for a fundraiser ending the basketball season. It had been just six months since I had lost my precious husband, Chad after a short battle with cancer. I glanced over at our 12-year-old son, Nathan, who was watching this game, eagerly awaiting his chance to play baseball next year as a seventh grader. My heart began to ache, knowing that when his turn came, He could not have his father, cheering, encouraging and instructing him. I even began to question God.

Realizing that my thoughts and feelings were quickly headed in a direction that was not good for my spirit. I began praying. "God, while I don't understand why this is happening in our lives. I know that you have a purpose, and I know that you love me." As I sat there in the stands praying, a frog hopped out into the basketball court, causing the game to be interrupted as the referee blew his whistle a little frog was removed from the gym. The spectators chuckled, and the game was resumed.

Tears filled my eyes as I had this overwhelming feeling that God has sent that frog just for me! I have been collecting frogs for some time as a reminder "fully rely on God." This was truly another one of those reminders, I left the game that night feeling very loved by God.

From Christian Womanhood, volume 35, number 08 December 2010. Pg.22 .
Author, Mrs. Tarry Lewis
Landmark Baptist Church
Parkersburg, West Virginia