Good morning from Sunscape RV Resort, Casa Grande, Az.
Yes we have made it and just let me say, It Is Hot!
LaVon is struggling with allergies, we think, so keep her in your prayers. Thanks for your prayers as we traveled. As always thank you for the financial support, emails and phone calls. Without the encouragement, we could not continue.
As I was reading this morning I read this devotional and felt it was appropriate.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Matthew 10:42 (ESV)
Nothing quenches the thirst like water. Sports drinks, fruit juices, sodas and coffee provide the body with flavorful refreshment, but when the body thirsts, true satisfaction comes only from water. In the poignant reflection, A Severe Mercy, author Sheldon Vanauken candidly shares the story of the deep, bittersweet love he shared with his wife, Davy. In the beginning of their relationship, they defined a symbol of courtesy toward each other—a cup of water in the night—a courtesy that represented the selfless love one had for the other.
Giving a cup of cold water to another is both simple and inconvenient. If you are like me, you love the comfort of a warm bed. You likely have a favorite pillow, blanket or certain type of sheets that once wrapped around you are equal to a warm embrace. When I am this comfortable, I don’t like to get out of bed for a cup of water for myself, let alone for someone else. Yet the simple act of leaving your personal comforts to care for the needs of another demonstrates the love Jesus shared with us when He left the ultimate comfort and joy of heaven to live life here on earth.
In the above passage, Jesus explains that no act of kindness, no matter how small, goes unnoticed or unrewarded when it is done in His name. In the book of Matthew, Jesus shares the story of the sheep and the goats, illustrating the difference between those who care for the simple needs of others and those who choose to look away. In Eugene Peterson’s Bible paraphrase, The Message, he conveys Matthew 25:40 in this way, “Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.”
Serving another person is often inconvenient. It takes time, energy, personal resources, and sometimes, personal discomfort. It is so much easier to look away and to assume someone else will do it. However, Jesus invites us to serve Him by caring for the needs of others. Today and everyday the invitation remains. How will you respond?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sunday's Coming
Good morning from the Hill Country,
We are still in Texas but we are on the road again today after a couple of days with a sweet couple we met our first winter in Arizona. It was great to catch up and laugh with them.
My prayer is that we can cross paths with you at some place across this country. Thanks again for your prayers, emails, phone calls and your financial help without any of these we could not continue.
We read this devotional yesterday and I wanted to share it with you. I think we get the wrong idea at times what being successful means. As we travel and meet more people may they see the love of the Lord in us.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
click here>May You Be Blessed
Don
CHOSEN TO BEAR FRUIT
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit” (John 15:16).
Many sincere Christians think bearing fruit means simply to bring souls to Christ. But to bear fruit means something much larger even than soulwinning.
The fruit Jesus is talking about is Christ-likeness. Simply put, bearing fruit means reflecting the likeness of Jesus. And the phrase “much fruit” means “the ever-increasing likeness of Christ.”
Growing more and more into Jesus’ likeness is our core purpose in life. It has to be central to all our activities, our lifestyle, our relationships. Indeed, all our gifts and callings—our work, ministry and witness—must flow out of this core purpose.
If I am not Christlike at heart—if I’m not becoming noticeably more like him—I have missed God’s purpose in my life.
You see, God’s purpose for me can’t be fulfilled by what I do for Christ. It can’t be measured by anything I achieve even if I heal the sick or cast out demons. No, God’s purpose is fulfilled in me only by what I am becoming in him. Christlikeness isn’t about what I do for the Lord, but about how I’m being transformed into his likeness.
Go into a Christian bookstore and read the titles on the shelves. Most are self-help books on how to overcome loneliness, how to survive depression, how to find fulfillment. Why is this? It’s because we have it all wrong. We aren’t called to be successes, to be free of all trouble, to be special, to “make it.” No, we are missing the one calling, the one focus, that’s meant to be central to our lives, to become fruitful in the likeness of Christ.
Jesus was totally given to the Father and that was everything to him. He stated, “I don’t do or say anything except what my Father tells me.”
So, do you want to bear the “much fruit” that springs forth from becoming more like Christ? We fulfill our life’s purpose only as we begin to love others as Christ has loved us. And we grow more Christ-like as our love for others increases.
“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love” (John 15:9). His command is clear and simple: “Go and love others. Give to others the unconditional love I have shown you.” We grow more Christlike as our love for others increases. Simply put, bearing fruit comes down to how we treat people.
Posted by David Wilkerson
Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
3334 W. Main St., PMB 300
Norman, OK 73072
http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/
We are still in Texas but we are on the road again today after a couple of days with a sweet couple we met our first winter in Arizona. It was great to catch up and laugh with them.
My prayer is that we can cross paths with you at some place across this country. Thanks again for your prayers, emails, phone calls and your financial help without any of these we could not continue.
We read this devotional yesterday and I wanted to share it with you. I think we get the wrong idea at times what being successful means. As we travel and meet more people may they see the love of the Lord in us.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
click here>May You Be Blessed
Don
CHOSEN TO BEAR FRUIT
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit” (John 15:16).
Many sincere Christians think bearing fruit means simply to bring souls to Christ. But to bear fruit means something much larger even than soulwinning.
The fruit Jesus is talking about is Christ-likeness. Simply put, bearing fruit means reflecting the likeness of Jesus. And the phrase “much fruit” means “the ever-increasing likeness of Christ.”
Growing more and more into Jesus’ likeness is our core purpose in life. It has to be central to all our activities, our lifestyle, our relationships. Indeed, all our gifts and callings—our work, ministry and witness—must flow out of this core purpose.
If I am not Christlike at heart—if I’m not becoming noticeably more like him—I have missed God’s purpose in my life.
You see, God’s purpose for me can’t be fulfilled by what I do for Christ. It can’t be measured by anything I achieve even if I heal the sick or cast out demons. No, God’s purpose is fulfilled in me only by what I am becoming in him. Christlikeness isn’t about what I do for the Lord, but about how I’m being transformed into his likeness.
Go into a Christian bookstore and read the titles on the shelves. Most are self-help books on how to overcome loneliness, how to survive depression, how to find fulfillment. Why is this? It’s because we have it all wrong. We aren’t called to be successes, to be free of all trouble, to be special, to “make it.” No, we are missing the one calling, the one focus, that’s meant to be central to our lives, to become fruitful in the likeness of Christ.
Jesus was totally given to the Father and that was everything to him. He stated, “I don’t do or say anything except what my Father tells me.”
So, do you want to bear the “much fruit” that springs forth from becoming more like Christ? We fulfill our life’s purpose only as we begin to love others as Christ has loved us. And we grow more Christ-like as our love for others increases.
“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love” (John 15:9). His command is clear and simple: “Go and love others. Give to others the unconditional love I have shown you.” We grow more Christlike as our love for others increases. Simply put, bearing fruit comes down to how we treat people.
Posted by David Wilkerson
Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
3334 W. Main St., PMB 300
Norman, OK 73072
http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sunday's Coming
Good morning,
"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."
I'm a day late with Sunday's Coming due to the computer not cooperating with me yesterday morning. My apologies.
We will be in charge of two active grandchildren tonight and in the morning, so pray for us. Pray for safety for their parents as they fly to Baltimore today for a wedding.
Our days in Round Rock are swiftly coming to a close as we prepare to leave Monday. Thank you so much for your prayers for us. Many of you have email or called to let us know that you pray for us regularly. This encourages us.
We also thank you for your financial support. Traveling is costly and your response to God's prompting is also an encouragement to us. We could not do this ministry without you. God is using you as partners with us in this ministry and lives are being touched and changed. Rejoice!
LaVon and I often wake up on the "same page" and today, God has placed the same subject on both of our hearts. The following devotional reflects both of our hearts, written by LaVon and inspired by the love of the Lord. May it bless you and encourage you.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on,
Don
IS A 'STORM' A BLESSING?
When a 'storm' strikes, when a situation or circumstance occurs in our life that feels like a storm, it causes us to take a step back and ask ourselves a few questions.
Have I given my life to the Lord, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Assuming the answer is "yes," then we are a new creation in Him. We are His child, His children.
We should be able to trust our earthly fathers and hopefully, we can, even though they have the challenges of being human and subject to failure. But, for sure, we know that we can trust our Heavenly Father. As believers in Jesus Christ, we trust. Period. We trust God. We trust Him with and in everything that happens. We trust Him in the storm.
What does our trust enable God to do? It enables Him.... get this... oooooo, it's good stuff. Our trust in God enables Him to SHOW UP on our behalf. A storm in our life and our trust in Him in that storm enables God to fight our battle for us, just as any good daddy would do. Does being a Christian have it's advantages? Absolutely! We have a Heavenly Father who whispers, "I've got your back."
As Believers and Followers of Christ, we are promised by God in His Word that His plans for us are good and to prosper us and not harm us.
When a 'storm hits,' we have the freedom to react differently. Oh, of course, we may at first have very human reactions, but we are God's children and that should cause us to stop and remember, "I'm a child of the King and this is just another opportunity for me to trust Him." We pray for wisdom and we go confidently forward in His care.
So, is a storm a blessing? I believe so because it's just another opportunity for us to trust God. Trusting God is always a blessing. It's another opportunity for us to learn. It's another opportunity for us to grow. It builds our faith.
Is a storm a blessing? Yes, because it gives God the opportunity to show Himself mighty, which is a testimony of His love for us and His desire to do the same for anyone who trusts Him.
Read Psalm 91 with your storm in mind.
"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."
I'm a day late with Sunday's Coming due to the computer not cooperating with me yesterday morning. My apologies.
We will be in charge of two active grandchildren tonight and in the morning, so pray for us. Pray for safety for their parents as they fly to Baltimore today for a wedding.
Our days in Round Rock are swiftly coming to a close as we prepare to leave Monday. Thank you so much for your prayers for us. Many of you have email or called to let us know that you pray for us regularly. This encourages us.
We also thank you for your financial support. Traveling is costly and your response to God's prompting is also an encouragement to us. We could not do this ministry without you. God is using you as partners with us in this ministry and lives are being touched and changed. Rejoice!
LaVon and I often wake up on the "same page" and today, God has placed the same subject on both of our hearts. The following devotional reflects both of our hearts, written by LaVon and inspired by the love of the Lord. May it bless you and encourage you.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on,
Don
IS A 'STORM' A BLESSING?
When a 'storm' strikes, when a situation or circumstance occurs in our life that feels like a storm, it causes us to take a step back and ask ourselves a few questions.
Have I given my life to the Lord, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ? Assuming the answer is "yes," then we are a new creation in Him. We are His child, His children.
We should be able to trust our earthly fathers and hopefully, we can, even though they have the challenges of being human and subject to failure. But, for sure, we know that we can trust our Heavenly Father. As believers in Jesus Christ, we trust. Period. We trust God. We trust Him with and in everything that happens. We trust Him in the storm.
What does our trust enable God to do? It enables Him.... get this... oooooo, it's good stuff. Our trust in God enables Him to SHOW UP on our behalf. A storm in our life and our trust in Him in that storm enables God to fight our battle for us, just as any good daddy would do. Does being a Christian have it's advantages? Absolutely! We have a Heavenly Father who whispers, "I've got your back."
As Believers and Followers of Christ, we are promised by God in His Word that His plans for us are good and to prosper us and not harm us.
When a 'storm hits,' we have the freedom to react differently. Oh, of course, we may at first have very human reactions, but we are God's children and that should cause us to stop and remember, "I'm a child of the King and this is just another opportunity for me to trust Him." We pray for wisdom and we go confidently forward in His care.
So, is a storm a blessing? I believe so because it's just another opportunity for us to trust God. Trusting God is always a blessing. It's another opportunity for us to learn. It's another opportunity for us to grow. It builds our faith.
Is a storm a blessing? Yes, because it gives God the opportunity to show Himself mighty, which is a testimony of His love for us and His desire to do the same for anyone who trusts Him.
Read Psalm 91 with your storm in mind.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Sunday's Coming
Good morning,
It is that time once again. We are in Round Rock, Texas, visiting our daughter and family. I pray all is well with you and that God's blessing be upon you. This morning I went to a mens' Bible study at 6 a.m. There were 75 men there, so great to see so many men hungry for the Lord.
I was reading before the bible study and I came upon this; Click here >> We Have an Anchor
Priscilla Jane Owens who was a teacher in Baltimore, Maryland for almost half a century wrote one of the most beautiful and inspiring songs ever heard “We Have an Anchor”. She also taught Sunday school and wrote most of her hymns for her Sunday school students. I believe that this song came from the depths of her heart.
The words in this inspiring song have encouraged countless through the years. “We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” How I praise God for giving Jesus to us to be our anchor in the midst of the storms of life.
I don't know what you are going through today but what I do know is we have an anchor in Jesus. When I get to go fishing in a boat and come to an area where the fish are biting we just let down the anchor and it keeps me right there. When the wind gets up you can put the anchor down and it keeps the boat from floating away. I know when trials come my way I just drop my anchor and trust Jesus will keep me right where He is and won't let me drift away.
May the Lord be your anchor today.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
It is that time once again. We are in Round Rock, Texas, visiting our daughter and family. I pray all is well with you and that God's blessing be upon you. This morning I went to a mens' Bible study at 6 a.m. There were 75 men there, so great to see so many men hungry for the Lord.
I was reading before the bible study and I came upon this; Click here >> We Have an Anchor
Priscilla Jane Owens who was a teacher in Baltimore, Maryland for almost half a century wrote one of the most beautiful and inspiring songs ever heard “We Have an Anchor”. She also taught Sunday school and wrote most of her hymns for her Sunday school students. I believe that this song came from the depths of her heart.
The words in this inspiring song have encouraged countless through the years. “We have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll, Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” How I praise God for giving Jesus to us to be our anchor in the midst of the storms of life.
I don't know what you are going through today but what I do know is we have an anchor in Jesus. When I get to go fishing in a boat and come to an area where the fish are biting we just let down the anchor and it keeps me right there. When the wind gets up you can put the anchor down and it keeps the boat from floating away. I know when trials come my way I just drop my anchor and trust Jesus will keep me right where He is and won't let me drift away.
May the Lord be your anchor today.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Sunday's Coming
Good morning,
This is our last day in Oklahoma. We leave in the morning for Texas and then on to Arizona later in the month. Thank you for your prayers, emails and support financially.
This past week has truly been a hard one. So many of you our hurting. Several have lost love ones. This week, I have felt helpless. What can you do when you know that someone you love is hurting? You listen. You pray. You talk. You enlist others to pray. You spend time with them, if you can. (In our case, we are too far from you to do that.) You feel helpless.
Then, you realize you have done and are doing everything within your power. Then, you leave them with the Lord. You ask Him to do what only He can do. You trust Him. You believe that even though you are helpless, He is not. He can do "Immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine." You let Him.
With God, our words have power. With God, our listening makes a difference. With God, our presence means something. With God, we are not helpless.
Know we are praying with you.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
This is our last day in Oklahoma. We leave in the morning for Texas and then on to Arizona later in the month. Thank you for your prayers, emails and support financially.
This past week has truly been a hard one. So many of you our hurting. Several have lost love ones. This week, I have felt helpless. What can you do when you know that someone you love is hurting? You listen. You pray. You talk. You enlist others to pray. You spend time with them, if you can. (In our case, we are too far from you to do that.) You feel helpless.
Then, you realize you have done and are doing everything within your power. Then, you leave them with the Lord. You ask Him to do what only He can do. You trust Him. You believe that even though you are helpless, He is not. He can do "Immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine." You let Him.
With God, our words have power. With God, our listening makes a difference. With God, our presence means something. With God, we are not helpless.
Know we are praying with you.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
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