Sunday's Coming

Good Morning

LaVon and I continue to be so thankful for each of you. Thank you for your e-mails, phone calls and encouraging words. As I was reading today, I read this;

ON YOUR KNEES

George’s lifelong dream was to climb the Alps. It took him years to realize his goal but he was finally making his first climb. As he made his way to the top, he was accompanied by two strong guides - one in front of him and one behind him. As they reached the top, the guide in front of him stepped aside so he would be the first one to see the majestic view. Just as the young climber stood up a strong gale threatened to dash him to destruction. The guide on his left pulled him down and shouted, “On your knees, now, sir. You are not safe here unless you are on your knees.” Wherever we are and whatever we are doing we are never safe unless we are on our knees acknowledging our need for God’s protection. Even when we think that we are about to see the beauty and wonders of God’s handiwork in our lives, we can be overwhelmed with the storms of life. When such moments arise we must be quick to get “on our knees now!” God is the only one who can stop the winds of destruction and the forces of life that would sweep us away in a downward spiral. He can take every problem and turn it into a prize of His grace. He can take the worst tragedy that life has to offer us and turn it into the very best blessing we could ever imagine. We must always remember that we are not safe anywhere unless we are on our knees, now and always.

Prayer: Father, we recognize that You are the Lord over all of life and we are only safe when we are on our knees trusting in You to sustain and save us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture for Today: 
Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you."

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

LaVon and I continue to be blown away by your love for us. You continue to encourage us daily by your emails, phone calls, letters, gifts and your financial support. It's eay to go through life when you're on the mountain top, but when you're in the valley, “Oh, how you need others.” God always supplies just the right word, gift, love … to encourage and to return our focus to the One who is truly in charge, our true Hope.

What Does Hope Do For Mankind?

Hope shines brightest when the hour is darkest.

Hope motivates when discouragement comes.

Hope energizes when the body is tired.

Hope sweetens while bitterness bites.

Hope sings when all melodies are gone.

Hope believes when evidence is eliminated.

Hope listens for answers when no one is talking.

Hope climbs over obstacles when no one is helping.

Hope endures hardship when no on is caring.

Hope smiles confidently when no one is laughing.

Hope reaches for answers when no one is asking.

Hope presses toward victory when no one is encouraging.

Hope dares to give when no one is sharing.

Hope brings the victory when no one is winning.

~~John Maxwell from Think on These Things~~

Colossians 1:9-14 is our prayer for you.

 

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.

Don

Sunday's Coming

Good morning,
As I was reading this morning, this made me think no matter what we think we want, when we get it, we look around and there is something else. Or we think, if I could only be where they are life would be so much better.

Improving Your Outlook ~ By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

If our self-value is based on our title, net worth, or ZIP code, then we will never find contentment. There will always be something better than what we have--something newer and nicer. There will always be someone who is more successful, attractive, or smarter than us.
 
In Psalm 73 we see the psalmist falling into this danger of comparing himself to others. He succumbed to envy and self-pity. He began to doubt his godly lifestyle. "For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.…This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth. Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning" (Psalm 73:3-4, 12-14).
 
As he began to see his circumstances from the eternal viewpoint of God, his outlook improved. "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny....Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds" (Psalm 73:16-17, 27-28).
 
Prayer: God, when I find myself struggling with comparing myself to others, or wanting to be elsewhere, help me to follow the example of the psalmist, looking at my circumstances from an eternal perspective. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
 
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18
 
May God Bless You and be gracious unto you. May you share His love with someone today and be content with who and where you are.

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Sunday's Coming

Good morning,

This has been a long week I haven't felt good at all, but today, praise the Lord, I am feeling much better.  Thanks for your prayers.

As I was reading this morning I liked this and wanted to share it with you. Every day is a good day, we need to choose how we are going to view it either positive or negatively.  This is from from The Sower.

THANK YOU FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY

Just before leaving for school, little Noah was saying his morning prayers.

"Heavenly Father, thank You for this beautiful day."

"But," interrupted his mother, "there is going to be a storm with rain, lightning and thunder. That's not a beautiful day."

"I know," was the quick reply. "We just can't judge a day by the weather."

There are some days when the last possible thing we can do is to find something beautiful. We awaken to discover that a loved one is critically ill, we feel overwhelmed by the tough schedule we are facing, the children are out of control and the sink is overflowing because the plumbing is stopped-up. What next? Can anything else go wrong?

Perhaps it is time to listen to the Psalmist:

"This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

Throughout the Psalms we often read about the difficult, demanding and discouraging days they faced. What did they do? They spoke to God honestly and took their problems to Him and plead for His help. And every time, at the end of the psalm, they were rejoicing!

Prayer: Father, we know that You are bigger than every problem we face and have solutions for each of them. May we see Your beauty in all things. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

May God Bless You, may you share His love with someone today.

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.


Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Sunday's Coming!

Good morning!

I made it to Trenton, Georgia yesterday afternoon. Thanks for your prayers and support.  Each of you mean so much to us.

As I was reading this morning I liked this and wanted to share it with you. Made me think of us in someway, planting seeds where ever God takes us. It's from "The Sower."

SOWING SEEDS OF BEAUTY
Captain James Cook was one of the most famous British navigators. He sailed around the world many times. On each of his journeys he would take seeds of flowers that came from lovely English gardens. Whenever his ship reached a port, he would disembark with his crew. While the crew enjoyed the city, he would take some of the seeds he brought with him and plant them in a garden near the port. Everywhere he went, he left a reminder of his visit by planting seeds that brought beauty to the lives of the people who lived in that city. There is nothing more important for Christians to do than to share God's love and beauty. Wherever He leads us in our journey through life, He will give us many opportunities to "plant" seeds of His love, salvation and hope. Paul reminds us that we Christians must be clothed in God's love. His love adds His beauty to our actions and makes whatever we do attractive to others. No matter what other gifts God may give us, we can all share His love in every word and deed.
Prayer:  Lord, help us to always be mindful of the great love You have for us and as we do, be willing to go to any extreme to give that Love to others. In Jesus' Name, Amen._
Scripture for Today:  1 Corinthians 13 - And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
May God Bless You and may you share His love with someone today.

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.

Don

Sunday's coming

Good morning this is my last week in Pharr, Texas I will be leaving monday to be with my darling wife to support her in these trying times. I pray you will continue to keep us in your prayers, for LaVon's mother , for my travels and for somewhere to preach while I am in Georia.

My sermon this week is based on: Prov 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Joke: A minister was speaking to a Sunday school class about the things money can’t buy. “It can’t buy laughter and it can’t buy love” he told them. Driving his point home he said, “What would you do if I offered you $1000 not to love your mother and father?” Stunned silence ensued. Finally a small voice queried, “How much would you give me not to love my big sister?”

Laughter is a powerful tool it can heal you but if used in the wrong way can be devistating. Many people tell off colored jokes. Let me ask, “What is your reaction?” Is it like the following.

Illus.: “The General Took His Stand”
Fredrick the Great of Germany, was a scoffer, but his great general, Von Zealand, was a devout Christian. One day at a gathering, the king was making coarse jokes about Jesus and the whole palace was ringing with laughter. Von Zealand arose stiffly and said, “Your Majesty, you know I have not feared death. I have fought and won 38 battles for you and my country. I am an old man now. Soon I will go to be with the One who saved me from sin—the very One you are blaspheming against.” With trembling voice, King Fredrick replied, “General Von Zealand, I beg your pardon; I beg your pardon!” And the gathering quickly dispersed quietly.

I pray we will be that bold. May God Bless You, may you have laughter in your life today and be a bold witness for the Lord Jesus.
LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.

Don

Sunday Is Coming

Good morning from Pharr,Texas. I ask you to be in prayer for us as we have to make some very important decissions. Thanks in advance.

As I was reading today this caught my mind and heart, I wanted to share it with you. It's from the Sower:
WHEN SILENCE IS GOLDEN_

He was a new Christian. But it didn't matter: he wanted to be a witness for the Lord and let everyone know how grateful he was for his salvation. On the final night of a revival meeting, he went to his pastor and asked if he could give his testimony. The pastor was pleased and said that he would call him to the platform when it was time for him to speak. As the service progressed, George became rather nervous and fearful of standing before a group of people he did not know. But he smiled, asked God for strength and peace, and looked forward to the time to share his story. Finally, his moment came. He walked boldly to the pulpit, placed his hands on each side as he had seen his pastor do on many occasions, and said, "Brethren." And that was it. His fear overwhelmed him. Not able to remember what he was planning to say, the only thing he could utter was, "Will you please join me in three minutes of silence to honor our beloved Savior."

Our words of worship and witness need not be eloquent, only sincere. A genuine Christian is the best proof of genuine Christianity. Standing to honor our beloved Savior may, at times, be the best thing we can do.

_Prayer:_ _Father, there are times when our lives speak so loudly that words are not necessary. May we realize, however, that in word or deed, we witness for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen._

_Scripture for Today:_ Philippians 1:7-12 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.

Don