The Arkansas Traveler

Psalm 113:1-4 (NASB)
1  Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
Praise the name of the LORD.
2  Blessed be the name of the LORD
From this time forth and forever.
3  From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the LORD is to be praised.
4  The LORD is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.
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   Just another reminder that we are to Praise the LORD in everything.
   Where we see LORD in all caps, it is the Hebrew "Yahweh", who is the covenant making God.
   He has covenanted to love us because He is love. Our reasonable response is praise.
Praise Him at all times. Watch Him at work in your life and praise Him.
   Enjoy your day with Him!

John 15:9-11 (NASB)
9  "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
10  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
11  "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full"
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"Love, obey, rejoice" seems to be a random title! But like yesterday's post, it begins with God's love and leads to our sharing His joy! Our response of love comes in the middle. Just another reminder that it all begins with God and that He loves us and has a marvelous plan for us!
The rest of the story: This is part of our Bible Study for tomorrow. So if you are in the Westport area, come on by and share with us.
Of course, I know most of you are not in this area, so let me encourage you first to pray for your pastor, then go join him in worship of our God who loved us first. We gather together to learn and fellowship, but more important, we meet to worship Him!
May you experience God's joy and blessings!

Psalm 29:1-2, 11 (NASB)
1  Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
...
11  The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.
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My first inclination was to entitle this "Praise, then Power."
But after further thought, I realize it begins with God.
In love, God reached out to me with His grace,
In response I am led to praise Him,
And then I will experience His power.
It begins and ends with Him.
I must simply receive, praise, receive, praise, etc...
Experience God's blessings and praise Him!
To God be the glory!

I Samuel 16:18; 17:45-47 (NASB)
King Saul asked for a man who can play well:
18  Then one of the young men said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him."
+++ David goes against the giant:
45  Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.
46  "This day the LORD will deliver you up into my hands, ..., that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,
47  and that all this assembly ay know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD's and He will give you into our hands."
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   This is a longer passage, but I wanted to get the key idea in. With all the glamorous descriptions of David, the one that stands out is "The LORD is with him." Repeatedly throughout the Bible we find that making the difference in people's lives.
   I wonder why we cannot get that today!?! We come up against a problem and try everything we know, and when nothing else works, we decide to pray about it! If we will let the LORD walk with us daily, then when any problem comes, we will go to Him! He may not work things out according to our likes, but it will be the best! Hi knows what he is doing.
   So, today, will you let Him walk with you, so that tomorrow you can walk with Him through any problem He permits to come your way? To God be the Glory!

Colossians 1:13-17 (NASB)
13  For He (God) rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,
14  in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15  He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created through Him and for Him.
17  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
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   I like that last statement. Indeed, in Jesus all things hold together. He gives purpose to life. He gives directions for living. As we seek to follow Him, things do work out for our good and God's glory (Romans 8:28). God is at work! When we choose to do thing OUR way, things begin to fall apart.
   That is what is happening to the world around us. Without God's leadership, things are falling apart. We as His children are to listen to Him, and He will warn us when we get off track. Study the Word of God so you will be able to recognize His voice!

Acts 3:1-7 (NKJV)
1  Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.
2  And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple;
3  who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.
4  And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us."
5  So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.
6  Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."
7  And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8  So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them -- walking, leaping, and praising God.
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   The man expected money. That is how a lame man made his way in the world of that day. Peter and John had no money. But they did have something he needed. So they offered him healing.
   The world around us has great needs. We do not always have what they want, but we do have something they need. So will you give what you have?
   Upper most, we have the message of God's love and forgiveness through Jesus Christ! But sometimes before the world will listen to that, we need to give some of our time, and attention, to help someone.
   So the question is: "Will you give what you have?" To the glory of God?

Psalm 1:1-3 (NASB)
1  How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3  He will be like a tree firmly planted by the streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
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   Meditation. That sounds like something mystical! But it is something we do all the time. If you don't think you meditate, just try putting your mind in neutral when you lay awake at night trying to go to sleep! We do meditate (think about stuff). We can choose what we meditate on. So the psalmist here talks about meditating on the Word of God.
   Try this. Just before you go to bed, read a passage of Scripture. Then think about it (meditate) as you go to sleep. Usually it will enable you to sleep quicker!
And as you memorize Scripture, you can meditate on it anytime. The psalmist says "day and night".
   So, the challenge for today: Memorize a verse, then think about it for several days. Then move on to another verse. It will change your life!

Luke 8:22-25 (NASB)
22  Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So thy launched out.
23  But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.
24  They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm.
25  And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"
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   The disciples were with Jesus and they were doing as He said, but the storm came!
   We today may be doing everything right, and seeking Him in all things, yet we face storms: Our company downsizes and we get the pink slip (or whatever color yours are). We get a bad report from the doctor. If we believe that bad things come because of something we did, we may feel that life is not fair.
   But Jesus said, "Where is your faith?" Is it in the circumstances of life? Then you will be disappointed! Is it in Jesus? Then you may have a storm, but you are not alone.
   So the lesson for today is just this: Seek to know and do His will, and trust Him when the storms come. Be sure, they will come! Trust Him!

Deuteronomy 7:7-9 (NASB)
7  "The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples,
8  but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9  "Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;"
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  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever! This is a passage about the Israelites as they traveled from Egyptian bondage to their promised land (Israel). But it is a reminder for us today that God is loving and faithful.
   As you read His word and find His promises, claim them and live out your commitment to Him, remembering His love and faithfulness! Remember too: It is because of HIS LOVE and not your accomplishments!

Acts 1:6-8 (NASB)
6  So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"
7  He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority;
8  but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
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   We today are like the first followers of Jesus. We want to know all the details when we feel led by Him. He tells us we don't need to know all the details.  We do need to know that He will empower us to do whatever He asks us to do. Trust Him. He equips as He leads!
--- The rest of the story: This is part of our lesson tomorrow. So if you are in the Westport, OK, area, come on by to study with us at 9:45. Wherever you are, find a place to study His word and worship Him tomorrow! Do it for His glory!

2 Peter 1:1-2; 3:18 (NASB)
1  Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, bu the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
2  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
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3:18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
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   As Peter wrote to remind his readers of things he had already told them (3:1), his desire was for their spiritual growth.
   This is my desire for any who read this. Grow in your knowledge of Jesus Christ our Savior and experience His grace and and peace (John 14:27)!
   Be continually in His word and experience His grace and peace. All for His glory!!!

Mark 6:45-50 (NASB)
45  Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side to Bethsaida, while He Himself was sending the crowd away.
46  After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.
47  When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land.
48  Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
49  But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid."
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    While Jesus was on the mountain praying, His disciples were struggling against a storm. Jesus saw them and in the 4th watch (3-6 a.m.-- end of night) He came to them. I wonder how the disciples felt while they were struggling against the waves. Jesus had sent them out there!
    Sometimes when we struggle in our storms, we probably wonder where God is! Does He know about our problem? Does He care? Indeed He does care (I Peter 5:7). His timing is always perfect, even when it does not fit what we would expect!
    So as Jesus came to the disciples in the storm, He will come and minister to us! Trust Him!

I Corinthians 15:50-54 (NASB)
50  Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
51  Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,
52  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we (who are still alive) will be changed.
    (Comment added)
53  For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54  But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY."
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    We have just celebrated the empty tomb in the season we call "Easter". What does it mean? For the one who is following Jesus Christ, it means several things, but Paul catches an important one here. For the follower of Christ, there should be no fear of death! Jesus has won the victory over death. We may face physical death and the accompanying illness, but Paul said "To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!"
   We are surrounded by death in this world. I have many friends with cancer. It is a dreaded disease, but for us who are followers of Jesus Christ, it should not hold fear. Respect, but not fear! Jesus has made this possible.
   How about you? Are you following Jesus as Lord and Savior? If not, why not? He is the only way to heaven, and He is the only way to peace in this present world. Believe in Him, follow Him, and trust Him!

Matthew 7: 24-27 (NASB)
Jesus is speaking:
24  "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
26  "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27  "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell --- and great was its fall."
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   Where are you building? Storms of life come against everyone. How you react to them, depends on where you are building. Build on the Rock ( Jesus) and survive the storms!

Romans 5:8-11 (NASB)
8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
11  And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
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   Because of Jesus' death on the cross, we who trust Him have been forgiven from our sins. Because of His resurrection we can live. The cross and the empty tomb form the foundation of the Christian life.
   In His death we are forgiven. In His life we have the power to live. Paul said that the life he lived was really the risen Christ living in Him.
   We too can experience this life because of God's love, mercy, and grace.
   Happy celebration!

Luke24:21-24;31-32 (NASB)
21  But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.
22  "But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning,
23  and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive.
24  "Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see."
....
31 They their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.
32  They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"
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   After the crucifixion the followers of Jesus were puzzled. In this passage we find two of them returning to their home. The resurrected Jesus came to walk with them. They did not recognized Him and explained their hopelessness and sadness. He shared Scripture, shared a meal with them, and was then revealed to them. They now have new hope!
   Today as we reflect on the meaning of the cross AND empty tomb, we have a hope that the world does not have. Indeed, we have a new hope when we trust in Jesus as Savior. We have something to celebrate!!!