John Cliver

[Judy Harder]

Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do." Romans 13:6.

Jesus told his disciples that they needed to do what was right. If taxes were required, pay them. one of the miracles Jesus performed involved getting the money from a fish to pay taxes for both himself and Peter. The Bible said that it is proper and part of your duty as a citizen to support those who are in positions of leadership in this world. like it or not, it is the right thing to do.

[Judy Harder]

9:55am Nov 6 
"He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10.

A lot of things are mysteries to those who have not experienced them. Falling in love, marriage, having children – these are all things that are common to some, but mysteries to others. In the same way, the joy of being in Jesus is also a mystery to those who do not know him. And to those in the Old Testament, the plan of God for us in the New Covenant was a mystery. But that mystery fulfilled brings unity in that it brings all humanity together under the name of Jesus. A mystery revealed.

[Judy Harder]

11:50am Nov 7 
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

We pray, Lord, for your blessings to be on President Obama that he may do what is good and needed for this country. And we pray that he sees you and allows you to guide him in whatever he does. Bless him, Lord. We also pray that bitterness and anger will not reign. In Jesus name, Amen.

[Judy Harder]

 1:01pm Nov 8 
"But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15.

We all have a choice s to whom we will serve. Service to either is slavery. But a servant of the devil is a slave to sin, to his nature and his passions and failings. A servant of God is a slave of joy, of goodness, one who lives his life in a way that brings happiness and peace. Slavery to sin is real bondage. Slavery to God is freedom. The choice is yours.

[Judy Harder]

12:10pm Nov 10 
"God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of his power. He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down." Job 37:5-6.

Any god we can imagine the limitations of would not be the Almighty God. Our God is not a God that we can limit, that we can predict, that we can order about like a servant. Our God is a consuming fire, a light upon which we cannot look in this life. He is God and he is in control.



7:41am Nov 11 
"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world." 1 John 2:15-16.

When you get yourself tangled up in things of this world, you untangle yourself from God. Jesus said you have to choose whom you will serve. When we serve the world, it takes up everything we have, all of the space in our lives. It overwhelms us until we can no longer find room for God. It brings despair at life and a certain knowledge of doom. But when God overwhelms us, we have freedom, we have joy, we have the knowledge that God is with us. The two cannot coexist. Untangle from the world and let God overwhelm your life.

[Judy Harder]

9:28am Nov 12 
"So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding." Colossians 1:9.

Prayer is a response of gratitude. When we remember people and things that they have done for us and for the kingdom of God, we thank God for them. But it is also a response of anger, disappointment and betrayal. When people do things to us that hurt us, we pray for them that they can understand what they have done. We pray for strength to deal with the situation. Sometimes we pray for God to take care of the situation and stop it. Many are disappointed in the result of the election of last week. But we pray to God to make the best of it, to use it to his glory. And we pray that he will bless the president. That is the right thing to do.

[Judy Harder]

9:12am Nov 13 
"It is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil." 1 Peter 2:15-16.

It is the truth that people who live lives outside of the grace of Jesus hate it when you live within that grace. They will do anything possible to tear you down and minimize that life of goodness. But sometimes, it is nothing more than a life lived in honor consistently that will shut them up. And it is your responsibility to do whatever you can to do what is right so that they will have no ammunition to use against you. Sooner or later, you will win.

[Judy Harder]

8:41am Nov 14 
"Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:18.

Just like Jesus, we will suffer physical death. But just like Jesus, we will live forever with God in heaven. That one sacrifice brought eternal life, which spiritually begins when you accept him as your Savior. Physical life will end, but eternal life will never end.

[Judy Harder]

8:28am Nov 16 
"Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions." Psalm 119:18.

The reason people in the world cannot understand Christians is because their mindset is so different from ours. The people in the Tower of Babel learned that you do not just walk up to God and look him in the eye and say hello, or understand him. It is God who draws us. and it is only him who can help you understand what he says in his written word. Only by the grace and the wisdom and understanding of God can you ever really understand anything of eternal importance. You cannot do it yourself. He opens our eyes to the beauty that lies in his grace.

:angel:8:52am Nov 16 
"Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." Hebrews 13:15-16.

[Judy Harder]

8:49am Nov 17 
"Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105.

The world is a pit of darkness and many a good person has fallen into it and died. But the word of God provides light for the path, direction for the lost, aim for the aimless. That word will guide us throughout all of the problems that come on us as we travel life's road. With it, we will not fall.