Real ills 5
No this is not about real ills (sickness), but about devotions from Real Life Illustrations. These are true earthly illustrations that reveal a spiritual truth. We encourage you to find illustrations from your life to share with others about what God is doing in your own life. Just click on the blue titles.
Embrace Change
This past year was filled with changes for everyone. What 2018 will bring is unknown. One thing is for certain is that there will be change. We must decide when to resist change, change change, cause change, or embrace change. Knowing what to do can be very scary. “To reach the younger generations with God’s unchangeable truths, we must not ignore change but we must pray, plan and then embrace it.”
This past year was filled with changes for everyone. What 2018 will bring is unknown. One thing is for certain is that there will be change. We must decide when to resist change, change change, cause change, or embrace change. Knowing what to do can be very scary. “To reach the younger generations with God’s unchangeable truths, we must not ignore change but we must pray, plan and then embrace it.”
All Vets
My Uncle Jim Bean was a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Battalion 9th Marines, “The Walking Dead” during the Vietnam War. He received a Purple Heart for his service. In September 2015, he started an organization called All Vets. All Vets is a nonprofit group that has the goal of preserving the stories of local veterans for the future. “Even though we may not be a veteran from the military, we are still involved with spiritual battles. Who we daily yield to determines if we become a casualty or a veteran.”
My Uncle Jim Bean was a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Battalion 9th Marines, “The Walking Dead” during the Vietnam War. He received a Purple Heart for his service. In September 2015, he started an organization called All Vets. All Vets is a nonprofit group that has the goal of preserving the stories of local veterans for the future. “Even though we may not be a veteran from the military, we are still involved with spiritual battles. Who we daily yield to determines if we become a casualty or a veteran.”
Birth Dates
Everyone reading this had a birth date. Most celebrated that date more times than they wished. This month, I now considered by Social Security a Senior Citizen at age 62. "On your birth date, a person of great potential was created. But, until you had a second birth date, what you did with that potential would not be eternal.”
Everyone reading this had a birth date. Most celebrated that date more times than they wished. This month, I now considered by Social Security a Senior Citizen at age 62. "On your birth date, a person of great potential was created. But, until you had a second birth date, what you did with that potential would not be eternal.”
We Are All Olympians
We are Olympians in a spiritual race with the finish line quickly approaching. “As you are sitting watching the Olympics, remember that you are even now involved in running a spiritual race.” Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
We are Olympians in a spiritual race with the finish line quickly approaching. “As you are sitting watching the Olympics, remember that you are even now involved in running a spiritual race.” Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
The Lord’s Supper
For 31 years, I have looked at Leonardo Ds Vinci painting The Last Supper several times a day. Even thought, I have looked at the painting thousands and thousands of times, I never truly looked at it until now. “The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance that Christ paid the cost so that our next meal would not be our last supper.”
For 31 years, I have looked at Leonardo Ds Vinci painting The Last Supper several times a day. Even thought, I have looked at the painting thousands and thousands of times, I never truly looked at it until now. “The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance that Christ paid the cost so that our next meal would not be our last supper.”
He’s Alive
Today, you will find that most believe that Jesus was a real person and that He really died. However. the empty cross and the empty tomb are symbols that Jesus is alive. No other religion can claim that their god lived among them, gave up they life for the sins of the world, conquered death and lives today in each believer. “Is there enough evidence in your life to prove that Christ is alive and well?”
Today, you will find that most believe that Jesus was a real person and that He really died. However. the empty cross and the empty tomb are symbols that Jesus is alive. No other religion can claim that their god lived among them, gave up they life for the sins of the world, conquered death and lives today in each believer. “Is there enough evidence in your life to prove that Christ is alive and well?”
Billy Graham BC
“In the spring of 1934 Billy Graham’s father allowed a group of Charlotte businessmen to use a portion of the family’s dairy farm to gather for a day of prayer. They prayed that out of Charlotte, the Lord would raise up someone to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth.” Read about Graham’s BC Before Crusades molding that affected my hometown and family’s life. The world has yet to see what one person totally surrendered to Christ can do. “Before we can effectively prepare people for their AD (After Death), God often molds us in His BC (Boot Camp or Before Commission).”
“In the spring of 1934 Billy Graham’s father allowed a group of Charlotte businessmen to use a portion of the family’s dairy farm to gather for a day of prayer. They prayed that out of Charlotte, the Lord would raise up someone to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth.” Read about Graham’s BC Before Crusades molding that affected my hometown and family’s life. The world has yet to see what one person totally surrendered to Christ can do. “Before we can effectively prepare people for their AD (After Death), God often molds us in His BC (Boot Camp or Before Commission).”
Visual Aids
In developing these devotions, I spend a lot of time looking for the right visual image to go with the subject. I believe they are a great aid and they help make them interest. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. A visual aid that has been used to help lead and encourage many to Christ are the paintings by Warner Sallman. “No person has ever seen God, so He needs your life to be His visual aid.”
In developing these devotions, I spend a lot of time looking for the right visual image to go with the subject. I believe they are a great aid and they help make them interest. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. A visual aid that has been used to help lead and encourage many to Christ are the paintings by Warner Sallman. “No person has ever seen God, so He needs your life to be His visual aid.”
Percy Crawford, Billy Ruth Graham, Cliff Barrows, &
my mother-in-law (row 2 right side) Lenore Humphreys Pine Brook Camp
my mother-in-law (row 2 right side) Lenore Humphreys Pine Brook Camp
Faith in the Great Physician
Four years ago this week, my heart went into total heart block. Blood was pumping in but not pumping out. I was rushed to the hospital and to the operating table. I was near death. I was not scared. I currently, depend on the Lord to keep my battery going 24/7. I am not concerned because I have that faith that God is in control. “Faith is a very important part of healing. Without it, the will, strength, power and hope of overcoming is lost.”
Four years ago this week, my heart went into total heart block. Blood was pumping in but not pumping out. I was rushed to the hospital and to the operating table. I was near death. I was not scared. I currently, depend on the Lord to keep my battery going 24/7. I am not concerned because I have that faith that God is in control. “Faith is a very important part of healing. Without it, the will, strength, power and hope of overcoming is lost.”
Left Our First Love
This church, like so many other organizations, does stand up against evil towards mankind and nature, does teach compassion, love and peace and does participate in many local and global good works. But they lost what made them different from other civil organizations. They lost their reason for existence. They lost their founding Father and forgot His Words. They have left their First Love. “A sign that you lost your passion for your first love is that you are too busy to spend quality individual time with them.” ”Stop being busy doing good things and start doing the right things with Me.” God
This church, like so many other organizations, does stand up against evil towards mankind and nature, does teach compassion, love and peace and does participate in many local and global good works. But they lost what made them different from other civil organizations. They lost their reason for existence. They lost their founding Father and forgot His Words. They have left their First Love. “A sign that you lost your passion for your first love is that you are too busy to spend quality individual time with them.” ”Stop being busy doing good things and start doing the right things with Me.” God
Be Good
Good appears in the Bible 768 times. Everything that God created was good, except it was not good that man should be alone. During World War II, fourth chaplains embarked on board the Dorchester, which was transporting over 900 soldiers to the United Kingdom. On the way, a German submarine fired a torpedo which struck the Dorchester. Several of the lifeboats had been damaged. The four chaplains began to organize frightened soldiers. They distributed life jackets from a locker; when the supply of life jackets ran out, each of the chaplains gave his to other soldiers. When the last lifeboats were away, the chaplains prayed with those unable to escape the sinking ship. Twenty-seven minutes after the torpedo struck, the Dorchester disappeared below the waves. The last anyone saw of the four chaplains, they were standing on the deck, arms linked and praying together. The chaplain from York was Alexander Goode “Be the reason people believe God is good in the world.” “You name does not have to be Good to be good.”
Good appears in the Bible 768 times. Everything that God created was good, except it was not good that man should be alone. During World War II, fourth chaplains embarked on board the Dorchester, which was transporting over 900 soldiers to the United Kingdom. On the way, a German submarine fired a torpedo which struck the Dorchester. Several of the lifeboats had been damaged. The four chaplains began to organize frightened soldiers. They distributed life jackets from a locker; when the supply of life jackets ran out, each of the chaplains gave his to other soldiers. When the last lifeboats were away, the chaplains prayed with those unable to escape the sinking ship. Twenty-seven minutes after the torpedo struck, the Dorchester disappeared below the waves. The last anyone saw of the four chaplains, they were standing on the deck, arms linked and praying together. The chaplain from York was Alexander Goode “Be the reason people believe God is good in the world.” “You name does not have to be Good to be good.”
ANTS
We had a major ant issue inside our house one night. Suddenly, there were hundreds on the floor, wall and door. A lot of them had wings and were flying on us Current estimates assert that there are about 10 quadrillion ants on the planet. This means that there are around 1 million ants for every 1 human. An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight. If a second grader was as strong as an ant, they would be able to pick up a car. If a man could run as fast as an ant, he would be able to run 34 miles per hour. “Even an examination of the smallest creature points to an amazing Creator.”
We had a major ant issue inside our house one night. Suddenly, there were hundreds on the floor, wall and door. A lot of them had wings and were flying on us Current estimates assert that there are about 10 quadrillion ants on the planet. This means that there are around 1 million ants for every 1 human. An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight. If a second grader was as strong as an ant, they would be able to pick up a car. If a man could run as fast as an ant, he would be able to run 34 miles per hour. “Even an examination of the smallest creature points to an amazing Creator.”
Wrong Road
By that time, we were in the middle of no here with no GPS signal. We realized we were lost. We were on the wrong Indian Dam Road. Life is a journey. The final destination is determined by which path we take. By nature, we are all on the wrong damn road. “You can be assured of your final destination when you trust God’s Plan of Salvation (GPS).”
By that time, we were in the middle of no here with no GPS signal. We realized we were lost. We were on the wrong Indian Dam Road. Life is a journey. The final destination is determined by which path we take. By nature, we are all on the wrong damn road. “You can be assured of your final destination when you trust God’s Plan of Salvation (GPS).”
Is Your God Electronic?
In many schools, first graders are now using electronic tablets and know how to search the internet. Almost every home, in the US, has at least one PC, laptop, table, or smart phone in their home. (It seems like everyone has a smart phone glued to his or her ear or back pocket.) I know people that eat, sleep drive and shower with their smart devices. Put your electronic device down for 20 minutes. Jesus is trying to call you. “Which can you do without for one week: Your Bible or your electronic device?”
In many schools, first graders are now using electronic tablets and know how to search the internet. Almost every home, in the US, has at least one PC, laptop, table, or smart phone in their home. (It seems like everyone has a smart phone glued to his or her ear or back pocket.) I know people that eat, sleep drive and shower with their smart devices. Put your electronic device down for 20 minutes. Jesus is trying to call you. “Which can you do without for one week: Your Bible or your electronic device?”
A Fair
The fair in my home county is considered to be America’s first fair. In 1765, a charter to hold a fair was granted to the people of York by Thomas Penn, son of William Penn. Since then, it was not held just a few times. So, all my life, the first of September has been known as the time that the county is having a fair. There is another type of “a fair” that so many have gotten involved with. But this affair, destroys relationships, lives, marriages and families. So, when this type of “A Fair” comes just say NO! “True marriage involves falling in love many times, but always with the same person.”
The fair in my home county is considered to be America’s first fair. In 1765, a charter to hold a fair was granted to the people of York by Thomas Penn, son of William Penn. Since then, it was not held just a few times. So, all my life, the first of September has been known as the time that the county is having a fair. There is another type of “a fair” that so many have gotten involved with. But this affair, destroys relationships, lives, marriages and families. So, when this type of “A Fair” comes just say NO! “True marriage involves falling in love many times, but always with the same person.”
Better Together
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress met in York and during that time, the Articles of Confederation were drafted and adopted. Now over 240 years, most will agree that having the United States is “Better Together”. Another “Better Together” is the Bible. There are 66 books (1,189 chapters) in the Protestant Bible written by 40 authors between 1450 BC and 100 AD. The Bible has been translated into 2,932 languages and there are 58 English versions. “The Bible, you have to read it, to believe it.”
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress met in York and during that time, the Articles of Confederation were drafted and adopted. Now over 240 years, most will agree that having the United States is “Better Together”. Another “Better Together” is the Bible. There are 66 books (1,189 chapters) in the Protestant Bible written by 40 authors between 1450 BC and 100 AD. The Bible has been translated into 2,932 languages and there are 58 English versions. “The Bible, you have to read it, to believe it.”
Life Assurance
With this certainty of death, most of us are prepared with a Will, “Life Insurance” and some have their own burial preparations. But, so strange that many of these same people have no interest, thoughts or even preparations about what happens to them after death. How can they be certain there is no life after death, no heaven or hell, and no judgment? “God’s Plan of Salvation is the only policy that gives you true Life Assurance.”
With this certainty of death, most of us are prepared with a Will, “Life Insurance” and some have their own burial preparations. But, so strange that many of these same people have no interest, thoughts or even preparations about what happens to them after death. How can they be certain there is no life after death, no heaven or hell, and no judgment? “God’s Plan of Salvation is the only policy that gives you true Life Assurance.”
I Was On Noah’s Ark.
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Noah had to build an ark to be saved. However, you do not have to do anything but repent, receive and believe. Today, God is calling you to come to Him through the only door which is Jesus Christ. “Most know the story of Noah’s ark but like then, you have to believe to be saved.”
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” Noah had to build an ark to be saved. However, you do not have to do anything but repent, receive and believe. Today, God is calling you to come to Him through the only door which is Jesus Christ. “Most know the story of Noah’s ark but like then, you have to believe to be saved.”
God’s Utility
I can truthfully say that God does a much better job of supplying my needs then does my local utility companies. God has an unending source of power to meet my needs. God’s services are free, 24/7and does not need an infrastructure or power grid. “Just think what the world would be like if God was our utility suppler.”
I can truthfully say that God does a much better job of supplying my needs then does my local utility companies. God has an unending source of power to meet my needs. God’s services are free, 24/7and does not need an infrastructure or power grid. “Just think what the world would be like if God was our utility suppler.”
I C
The other month I went to the eye doctor. He covered my left eye and asked me to read the letters. I said, “Doctor, there is something wrong with your electronic chart. I cannot even read the top letter.” We are all born blind from birth. We do not realize it but we cannot see the truth. We cannot understand the meaning of life and death. “Seeing is not always believing, but believing is always seeing.”
The other month I went to the eye doctor. He covered my left eye and asked me to read the letters. I said, “Doctor, there is something wrong with your electronic chart. I cannot even read the top letter.” We are all born blind from birth. We do not realize it but we cannot see the truth. We cannot understand the meaning of life and death. “Seeing is not always believing, but believing is always seeing.”
In Everything Give Thanks
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” “How much time do you spend giving thanks on Thanksgiving?” “Unlike the Atheist has no one to thank for their blessings on Thanksgiving, we have an amazing Provider to thank.”
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.” “How much time do you spend giving thanks on Thanksgiving?” “Unlike the Atheist has no one to thank for their blessings on Thanksgiving, we have an amazing Provider to thank.”
Preserving Christmas
It is so sad to see that much of the Christmas celebration is turning away from the main reason for the season. No longer do you see the Nativity on the court house steps. Christmas carols are rarely song. Merry Christmas is being replaced with Happy Holiday. Real trees, toy trains, and even kids’ toys are becoming a thing of the past. The time off from school is now called Winter or Holiday break. As Christians, we must preserve and proclaim that Christmas is when God give the greatest gift, Jesus.
It is so sad to see that much of the Christmas celebration is turning away from the main reason for the season. No longer do you see the Nativity on the court house steps. Christmas carols are rarely song. Merry Christmas is being replaced with Happy Holiday. Real trees, toy trains, and even kids’ toys are becoming a thing of the past. The time off from school is now called Winter or Holiday break. As Christians, we must preserve and proclaim that Christmas is when God give the greatest gift, Jesus.
Mary and Joseph
I often think about what it would be like to be the parents of Jesus. What and how did Mary and Joseph feel, understand, react, and say to others? From the announcement of conception, to the birth, through His life, death and resurrection, those most affected were His parents. Little is recorded about them so one can only imagine. “This year, imagine the Christmas Story not as an observer but through the eyes of Mary and Joseph.”
I often think about what it would be like to be the parents of Jesus. What and how did Mary and Joseph feel, understand, react, and say to others? From the announcement of conception, to the birth, through His life, death and resurrection, those most affected were His parents. Little is recorded about them so one can only imagine. “This year, imagine the Christmas Story not as an observer but through the eyes of Mary and Joseph.”
Rain Rain Go Away
This was been the wettest summer on record for our County. It was double the normal amount. Just about a year before, Hurricane Maria wasted Puerto Rico killing thousands. This year Hurricane Florence ripped through North Carolina and other states. Weather storms, relationship storms, physical storms, and financial storms all will come. But, God can prevent, protect, preserve, and provide for us from, during, and after these storms of life. Let’s look and see how we can help those being effected by the storms of life. “Put your faith in a God who regains, not in others who are just whether men.”
This was been the wettest summer on record for our County. It was double the normal amount. Just about a year before, Hurricane Maria wasted Puerto Rico killing thousands. This year Hurricane Florence ripped through North Carolina and other states. Weather storms, relationship storms, physical storms, and financial storms all will come. But, God can prevent, protect, preserve, and provide for us from, during, and after these storms of life. Let’s look and see how we can help those being effected by the storms of life. “Put your faith in a God who regains, not in others who are just whether men.”
If you have questions, comments, or want to discuss about
our Lord, e-mail us at NHBDevotions@gmail.com
The international license information is on the Home page
our Lord, e-mail us at NHBDevotions@gmail.com
The international license information is on the Home page
ttt
NEW HEART
BEAT DEVOTIONS
BEAT DEVOTIONS
NEW HEART
BEAT DEVOTIONS
BEAT DEVOTIONS