From His Heart

[Judy Harder]

From His Heart
1
HOW FIRM IS YOUR FOUNDATION?

Some years ago, a good friend of mine bought a new house in the Dallas area.  He and his wife were so excited!  The house looked great... the price was right... nothing could be better!  Within nine months, however, their excitement turned to grief because the house had major foundation problems.  As everyone knows, when the firm foundation of your house starts to shift and fail, every other part of the house begins to suffer as a result... and the homeowner is left holding the bag. 

As important as it is have a firm foundation for your home, it is even more important to a have a firm foundation for your life, a foundation that can stand the storms.  What exactly does that foundation look like?

TWO THINGS YOU MUST HAVE   

I believe with all my heart that there are two foundational truths that you and I must have embedded in the core of our being in order for us to stand, no matter the storm.  These two key truths are simple and yet so profound.  They are found in 2 Chronicles 7:3:

"And all the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, 'Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting.'"

1. You must know and believe that GOD IS GOOD.  No matter what happens in your life, no matter what tragedy strikes, God is still good.  If you don't believe that, when the disaster of cancer... or job loss... or the death of a loved one... or betrayal and divorce strikes, you will get bitter at God and silently declare, "God is not good and not worthy to be trusted."  Nothing could be further from the truth.   

Remember, life is not always good, but God is.  Do not equate the circumstances of this life with God.  This life is marred and tainted by sin.  Bad things do happen to good people.  Terrible tragedy does touch down like a tornado even on those who love and fear God.  That is just a fact of life.  When the bad things come, don't believe the devil's lie that God is not good.  "Truly He is good", regardless of the devastating circumstances. 

2.  You must know and believe that GOD LOVES YOU.  It is very easy to look at the bad circumstances of your life and make the determination that God must not love you.  Job's wife lost all ten of her children, her wealth and her husband's health... all within a week.  As she looked at the circumstances she determined God did not love her or Job anymore, and she counseled Job to "curse God and die" (Job 2:9). 

Now before you throw her under the bus for her lack of faith, put yourself in her shoes.  She experienced pain and loss to a greater degree than any of us have ever experienced.   You and I often question God's love for us over things far less devastating than Mrs. Job faced. 

The truth remains the same, regardless of the circumstances: GOD DOES LOVE YOU.  The cross of Jesus Christ proves it.  God freely gave His only begotten Son to be whipped, beaten, spit upon and nailed to a tree not for friends, but for enemies.  You and I were enemies of God because of our sin and independence, yet God still gave His sinless, innocent Son for us... and Jesus willing gave His life for us.  Charles Wesley wrote, "Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?"  Anytime the devil tells you God doesn't love you... and you are tempted to believe it, take a mental trip to a bloody hill called Calvary and see His love for yourself.     

A NEW FOCUS

Will you focus on your foundation today?  Will you praise God for His goodness and for His love?  Will you look at everything in your life through the rock-solid, never changing foundational perspective that says, "COME WHAT MAY, MY GOD IS GOOD!... AND MY GOD LOVES ME!!... AND MY GOD WILL ONE DAY WORK ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR MY GOOD AND HIS GLORY!!!

Love,

[Judy Harder]

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE LEFT?

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  James 4:14


Have you ever noticed how we tend to bank on tomorrow?  Have you ever noticed how we tend to think we have LOTS of time to get things right with God and get things right with others because death is such a LONG way off?  Hmmm.     

A few years ago, I conducted the funeral of a friend of mine.  He was one of my basketball buddies, and we played together quite often.  One Sunday afternoon, David was playing ball at the playground.  After a made basket, he turned to run down court and fell down in a heap.  He suffered a massive heart attack and was dead before he hit the ground.  He was 42 years old and seemingly in good shape.     
   
Last Saturday, I conducted the funeral of another basketball friend of mine.  He also died of a massive heart attack.  He was 48 years old and full of life.       

NO GUARANTEES OF TOMORROW

God does not promise us tomorrow.  Our lives are a vapor, a puff of smoke.  They are here one minute and gone the next.  Like the morning fog that rolls in and rolls out, so is the brevity of life. 

Because life is so brief and tomorrow is not promised, it is critical to MAKE THE MOST OF TODAY.  Are you doing that? 

Joe's Crab Shack used to have a sign in front of the restaurant, "Free Crabs. Tomorrow." The only problem was "tomorrow" never came.  Don't put off for tomorrow. because tomorrow may never come. 

TODAY QUESTIONS

1. Do you know that you are right with God?  If YOU had a massive heart attack, would you go to heaven?  Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ and received His forgiveness and salvation?  Do you know for sure that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life?  If not, receive Him TODAY!
     
2. Do you have things right with family and friends?  Is there someone you need to forgive?  Is there someone you need to ask to forgive you?  Do it TODAY! 

3. Are there people who have made a great difference in your life and you have never told them.  Tell them TODAY!  Write them a letter TODAY!

4. Are your kids growing up before your eyes. and you are too busy with work and the cares of life to really notice them or spend quality time with them?  Spend time with them TODAY!

God has given us "today."  That is all we have. so make every day count.  As the poem says, "Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last."

Love,
.

[Judy Harder]

From His Heart

GOING.GOING.GONE?

Have you ever been to an auction?  I haven't actually ever attended one, but I have seen many of them portrayed on television and in the movies.  When the bidding reaches its climax, the auctioneer often says, "Going.Going..Gone!  With that last "gone", he raps his gavel and that particular item is up for grabs no longer. 

AMERICA UP FOR GRABS

I believe our nation and the very fabric of what has made America great for these last 200+ years is "going.going.gon ."  I believe we are one vowel away, so to speak, from seeing our nation completely disintegrate before our eyes.  For untold decades, Bible students have wondered why America, the most powerful and affluent nation in the world (at least we used to be), would not be mentioned in Bible prophecy.  Hmmm. I think now we can begin to see the reason. 

While it is easy to lament the fall of morality, a strong work ethic, and basic common sense with regard to economics and national security, it is important to note that the answer to our problems will not come from the White House. it will come from the Church House.  God's people hold the key that can turn this nation around for God and for good. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA?

God tells us in 2 Chron. 7:13, "If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people..."  Would we not all agree that we are living in a day where the blessings of God are being withheld in America?  The news is filled with devastating reports of corporate cutbacks, job losses, unemployment, bankruptcies, bailouts, disease outbreaks, devastating natural disasters, and mind-boggling national indebtedness.  Truly, the land is being "devoured" as I type this paragraph. 

We like to sing "God Bless America" .but how can He?  We are kicking God out of every arena of American public life.  Ronald Reagan hit the nail on the head when he stated, "If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."  How arrogant we are to ask for the blessings of God while refusing to submit to or acknowledge the God of the blessings.                             

THE GOOD NEWS

With all the bad news, there is some good news . actually, it is great news.  On the heels of the curses of 2 Chron. 7:13 comes the promise of 2 Chron.  7:14, "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 

Without question, God responds to the repentance and prayers of His people.  If the Christians in America will get right with God and white hot with passion for the Lord Jesus Christ (lukewarm Christianity is a disgrace to grace and makes God vomit), THEN AND ONLY THEN will we see God forgive and heal our land. 

The auctioneer's gavel is coming down fast on America.  The last "GONE!" is about to be uttered.  Will you take a stand with me for Jesus Christ and for righteousness before it is too late? 

In October of 2008, I preached a sermon called LEFT.RIGHT.OR RIGHTEOUS?  Please click here to watch this four minute synopsis of that message and stand in the gap for America, the land of the free and home of the brave.

Love,
.

[Judy Harder]

From His Heart

RIGHT BEFORE THE RAPTURE


For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. 
2 Timothy 4:3-4


I have a good friend of mine who works with churches to help them design and build new facilities.  He was lamenting about the fact that so many churches today seem more concerned with production, entertainment and style than they do with preaching, praying and heart-felt worship.  He told me that the new wave is for pastors to preach a 15 minute "feel good" sermonette.  Some very popular preachers on TV today rarely mention sin, or the cross, or the core message of the Bible.  YIKES!   

A MARK OF THE END TIMES

One of the tell-tale signs we are living in the last days is the abandonment of the preaching of the Bible, the very Word of the living God   

I believe we are seeing an increasing number of preachers who appear to be more concerned with popularity and political correctness than they are with faithfulness to preach the whole counsel of God.  Peter and John could have gotten along just fine with the Jewish Sanhedrin IF they had only stopped preaching in Jesus' name. but they would not do that!  They were called to be His witnesses, even if their witness meant prison and death.  As the viciously attacked beauty contestant, Carrie Prejean, so aptly said after she gave her "controversial" answer to the gay marriage question at the Miss USA pageant, "I would rather be biblically correct than politically correct."  Would to God that every preacher in America had the courage and conviction of Peter, John. and even Carrie Prejean!   

EVERY PASTOR'S CALL

Paul emphatically and clearly told young Pastor Timothy, "Preach the Word!"  We are not to preach pop psychology or "feel good" theology. we are to preach His Word.  Why?  Because the devil works hard to get us to turn away from the Word.  The devil knows that the Word of God is milk (1 Pet. 2:2), bread (Matt. 4:4) and meat (Heb. 5:14) for our souls.  He knows that there is nothing more important for us TO HEAR AND TO DO than God's Word.  It is the Word of God that produces faith (Rom. 10:17).  If the devil can get us to water down the Word, compromise the Word, lay aside the Word, or, God forbid, disbelieve the Word. he has us right where he wants us.   

OUR CHALLENGE FROM GOD

The Bible challenges us to be people who tremble at His Word (Is. 66:2).  May you and I ALWAYS hold to the clear teachings of the Bible, even if those clear teachings go against the grain of political correctness and the world's warped understanding of "love."  Make no mistake about it; real love kindly but firmly tells people the truth, even if it is unpopular and unpalatable. 

Remember, truth is not what you may think, or what you may feel, or what may seem right to you. truth is what God says (Jn. 17:17).  We would do well to cling to His Word.  God will always honor the person who honors Him (1 Sam. 2:30).         

COUNTDOWN TO ARMAGEDDON

Last week, we began airing the series COUNTDOWN TO ARMAGEDDON.  If you missed the first message, you can watch it on www.fromhisheart.org.  This coming Sunday, we will be looking at the state of the church and the world right before the rapture comes.  I trust you will find this message encouraging, sobering, and helpful as you walk with Christ and look forward to His soon return.  Invite a friend to tune in also.


Love,



Jeff Schreve
Pastor
www.fromhisheart.org
jeff@fromhisheart.org
1-888-811-8203
.

[Judy Harder]

From His Heart

BURNING THE WICK OR BURNING THE OIL

H"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the
LORD of hosts.  Zechariah 4:6
I heard something the other day from a very well-known and respected pastor.  He talked about ministry being "so incredibly hard."  He was doing great work for God, reaching lots of people for Christ, but he was SO WORN OUT in the process.  Can you relate?  Does it seem as if the things God calls you to do are SO INCREDIBLY HARD?

As I thought about that statement, I started to wonder if this pastor was unknowingly burning the wick instead of the oil.     

Everyone knows when you light a candle, the wax candle begins to melt and consume itself as it burns.  An oil powered lamp, however, does not consume itself.  It can burn and burn and burn with no ill-effects.  It can shine as long as there is oil in the lamp.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

Isn't it interesting that one of the key symbols in the Bible for the Holy Spirit is oil.  Anointing was done with oil to symbolize the Spirit of God coming upon a person - "Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him [David] in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward" (1 Sam. 16:13).

God saved us to walk in the infinite power of the Holy Spirit, not in the puny power of our own human strength.  Jesus said, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).  When you feel worn out. when you feel as if this Christian life is just SO INCREDIBLY HARD. you are doing it in your own strength, and you need to come to Jesus. 

Quit burning the wick and start burning the oil.  Of course we will still get tired, but the work will NEVER feel like a heavy, exhausting chore.  It will be exhilarating. and you will feel the power from on high when the Holy Spirit is filling your life and providing the energy.

A SIMPLE PRAYER

Maybe you are heavy-laden today. Maybe you need to pray this simple prayer:

Lord, I am so worn out trying so hard to please You and do Your will.  It is obvious to me that I am burning the wick . and I need to start burning the oil.  Jesus, you have invited me to come to You.  You want to give me rest.  You want to live through me, not just live in me.  Right now, Jesus, I surrender my will to Your will.  Fill me with Your Spirit and Your power.  I yield control of every area of my life to You.  In Jesus' name. 

That prayer, prayed from a humble, believing heart makes all the difference in the world!  Remember, anytime you feel burdened, weighed down, and overwhelmed in your Christian life, you need to blow out the candle and light the lamp!

Love
`

[Judy Harder]

THE KING IS ALIVE!


In the year of King Uzziah's death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty
and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.  Isaiah 6:1


Have you ever heard the familiar expression, "The King is dead.  Long live the King!"? That well-worn phrase originated in France in 1422 upon the coronation of Charles VII following the death of his father, Charles VI.

According to Wikipedia (I just love that website, don't you?), "The phrase arose from the law of le mort saisit le vif-that the transfer of sovereignty occurs instantaneously upon the moment of death of the previous monarch. 'The King is dead' is the announcement of a monarch who has just died. 'Long live the King!' refers to the heir who is immediately the successor to a throne upon the death of the preceding monarch."

THE KING OF POP

Every since the unexpected death of Michael Jackson on June 25th, the media coverage has been non-stop on the King of Pop.  Shock and mourning has been the order of the day because the King is dead. and there is no other King in the wings. or is there?

Uzziah was King in Israel.  For the most part, he was a good and godly king, and the people loved him.  He ruled for 52 years.  Can you imagine a good and godly President who would lead our country for 52 years?  If we had someone like that, you can imagine the great mourning and uncertainty that would accompany his death. 

As Isaiah was lamenting the King Uzziah's death, God let him see the real King. the One who is high and lifted up. the One who is over everything. the One who is holy and good and love and right concerning everything . the One who is alive forevermore.    Isaiah saw Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords (Jn 12:41). 

DO YOU SEE HIM?

When tragedy strikes - and it strikes us all - it is critical to see the real King.  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Heb. 13:.  He "is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1).  When your world comes crashing down because of disease, disaster or the death of a loved one, He is there for you. 

No matter what you may be facing today, put your eyes on King Jesus.  He loves you and wants to work miracles in your life today.  Talk to Him about your problems, your hurts and your cares.  He really does care for you. and He is ready, willing and able to make a difference and work all things together for good (Rom. 8:28).

Love,
`

[Judy Harder]

Running The Race


Therefore since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the
life of faith, let us strip aside every weight that slows us down, especially the
sin which so easily hinders our progress.  And let us run with endurance
the race that God has set before us.  Hebrews 12:1 NLT


When I was a kid in school, I ran track.  I was the fastest kid in my 6th grade class and was the anchor man on our 440 relay team.  When I ran, I wore lightweight shorts, a lightweight tank top and track shoes.  Our coach made sure we were all dressed appropriately so that we could run as fast possible. with no added weight to slow us down and hinder our progress.   

The writer of Hebrews said we are in a race as Christians. and we need to make sure we are dressed appropriately.  We must make sure we have laid aside all that which would weigh us down.  You see, we cannot win the race if we are dressed in heavy clothes, carrying a load of baggage.

GET RID OF THE WEIGHTS

In my years as a pastor, I have found that many Christians are not doing well in the race that is set before them.  They are not winning.  They are discouraged and tired and ready to throw in the towel.  What is the problem?  They are trying to run the race with a 100 pound pack on their back.  Listen, the fastest man in the world (Usain Bolt) couldn't beat a 9th grade sprinter if he were hauling an extra 100 pounds on his back.   

What weight are you carrying?

1. Many carry around the weight of guilt and shame.  They have sinned greatly in the past, and they cannot seem to escape the torment of the guilt.  They do well in spurts, but then the thought of that terrible sexual sin. that divorce. that abortion. that horrible thing they did pulls them back down. 

What are we to do with our past sins?  Get them out in the open and under His blood.  When you openly confess your sins to God, believe Him for total and complete cleansing.  Quit elevating your sin over His blood.  If He says He forgives you (1 John 1:9), accept it and go on your way rejoicing!!!  Acts 10:15 says, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy." 

2. Many carry around the weight of resentment and bitterness.  The world is full of angry, bitter people.  These folks have been hurt, mistreated, laughed at, and wronged. and as a result they are so angry and so bitter inside. 

Bitterness is a weight that MUST be laid aside.  If not, you will never, ever, ever win the race.  Jesus said, "If you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive you" (Matthew 6:15).  You cannot function in the Christian life if the Lord will not forgive you.  You must forgive those who have hurt you.  By faith, let that person go who caused you such pain.  Release them to Jesus and accept His healing for your heart and for your hurts.       

3. Many carry around the weight of sadness and loss.  Losing something or someone you love is very hard.  Your heart breaks and it is difficult to go on. but you must go on.  God still has a plan for you.  Life still holds meaning. 

You cannot live in the past . you must live in the present.  There is a time to mourn and a time to cry. and then there is a time to move on.  David lost a son when he was a baby.  His heart ached for that sick little boy.  He prayed and fasted for a week for his healing.  But healing never came, and the baby died.  What did David do?  He went on with life.  He said in effect, "My child is dead.  I cannot bring him back again.  God wants me to get up and get on with life" (2 Sam. 12:23).     

No matter how much you may have lost. your life is not over until the Lord calls you home.  Quit focusing on what you ONCE had, and focus on what you DO have.  Praise God for the little. because He does not owe you any.  If you have breath in your lungs today, it is a gift from God.  Praise Him for it!   

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO 

The time is now to lay aside the weights we so often carry around with us.  The time is now to get rid of the guilt and the bitterness and start living in the present.  If you will do it, you will run unhindered.  You will run victoriously.  And one day, you will meet the Lord at the finish line.  He will be there to greet you with a huge smile and a standing ovation saying with tremendous love and joy, "Well done, good and faithful servant!  Enter into the joy of your Master!" 

Love,
``

[Judy Harder]

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU'RE SUFFERING

[Paul and Barnabas were] strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter
the kingdom of God."  Acts 14:22

Who can't relate to some form of suffering?  Whether it is:
    a broken heart from rejection.
    financial disaster from a job loss.
    physical problems from sickness, disease or injury.
    deep and lasting hurt from abuse or divorce or the death of a loved one.
we have all experienced suffering in our lives. 

Paul, the great man of God, had more than his fair share of suffering.  He was stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, lied to, lied about, and eventually beheaded for his faith in Christ (see 2 Cor. 11:24-30).  One day, after being stoned and left for dead, God raised him up to preach yet again.  He encouraged the disciples to keep walking with Jesus saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."  Acts 14:22

What do you do when suffering touches down like a tornado and rocks your world? 

1.  Recognize that suffering is part of life.  Suffering does not necessarily mean you have done something wrong and are being punished as a result.  Paul suffered for doing what was right, not what was wrong.  Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered greatly on earth.  Isaiah tells us that Jesus was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Is. 53:3).  If Jesus did not escape suffering, why should we believe we will? 

2.  Realize that God has a plan in suffering.  The Lord uses suffering to get us to depend upon Him more.  We all have a great tendency to forget God when times are good. but we cry out to Him when times are bad.  God allows the suffering to show us how much we really do need Him.  Jesus said, "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (Jn. 15:5).       

3.  Accept the suffering as an opportunity for Christ to shine through you!  In addition to all of Paul's external issues, he also had a physical issue. a thorn in the flesh that bothered him greatly.  He asked the Lord three times to take it away.  Hear what the Lord said to him about it:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). 

Paul went on to say, "Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). 

You and I need to remember that weakness and suffering bring humility and dependence, the precise conditions for Christ to really shine through our lives.

Are you suffering today?  His grace IS sufficient in your suffering. and He wants to use it for good.  You will never shine more brightly for Christ than when you experience hardships with a joy and a peace that passes understanding.  That gets people's attention faster than anything and helps them see the reality of Jesus Christ in your life! 

ONE LAST STORY

I heard about a young husband and wife who came to Christ.  They were asked how it happened.  "Well," they said, "our neighbors, Tim and Julie are Christians.  Tim lost his job a year ago due to cutbacks.  We knew things are very hard for them, yet they hadn't lost their joy, their peace, and their confidence that God would take care of them.  We saw through their hardship, a power that we did not have. and we asked them how we could have what they had."   

Allow God to use your suffering for good.  Paul's greatest river of God's power came through his suffering, his thorn in the flesh.  The same can be true of you.

Love,
`

[Judy Harder]

TRUE CONFESSIONS

Have you ever done something terribly wrong and tried to cover it up?  Those who have done so find that living in the cover up mode is a miserable way to live. 

King David committed the sin of adultery and the sin of manslaughter to cover up his adultery.  He tried to sweep those big sins under the rug and cover them over, acting as if nothing was wrong.  All the while, he was dying inside with guilt and shame.   

Sandi Patty is a great singer.  She has experienced tremendous fame as a result of her wonderful talent.  A number of years ago, however, she committed some terrible sins and she tried to cover them over.  Like acid dripping through her intestines, the immorality and lies were eating her up inside.  She longed for relief.  She longed to escape the hell within her. 

CONFESSION BRINGS RELIEF

What do you do when you sin big time and are eaten up with guilt and shame as a result?  The devil will tell you, "COVER IT UP!  KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND NO ONE WILL KNOW!"  That program always brings great misery, pain and loneliness.  God's Word tells us what to d  When you mess up, you fess up.  It is that plain and simple. 

David said, "When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer"(Ps. 32:3-4).  David was totally miserable in his cover up.  God was crushing the life out of him as a result of his unwillingness to repent. 

Sandi was right there with David.  She was nearing a total breakdown as a result of her cover up.  And this is what she said to her pastor as recorded in her book, Broken on the Back Row: 

"You know what?  I don't care anymore.  I've made so many mistakes - I've divorced my husband, and I've had an affair.  I've told lies and I hurt people.  I'm tied up in knots worrying about who knows this and who knows that, and am I going to lose this and am I going to lose that?  I'm sick of playing damage control, and I just can't do it anymore.  I want to be right and clean before the Lord.  I don't care if I lose my career.  I don't care if I never sing again.  Whatever it takes for me to be right and clean before the Lord, that's what I want to do."   

Sandi confessed all and made things right with God and the people to whom she lied.  She stood before her church and confessed her public sins publicly.  It surely was not easy, but it was right, and God blessed her for it. 

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Are you carrying around deep, dark sins like David and Sandi were?  Are you living a life of cover up?  YOU NEED TO CONFESS TO GOD AND TO ANOTHER PERSON (Jas. 5:16).  YOU DESPERATELY NEED TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT.   

David was sick with unconfessed sin, but he found the answer.  He said, "I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord'; and You forgave the guilt of my sin"(Ps. 32:5). 

God will forgive your sin and remove all the guilt IF you will uncover, confess and repent.  The ball is in your court.  What will you do?

Love,
`

[Judy Harder]

JUST SAY NO!!!

In the early 1980's, First Lady Nancy Reagan was famous for her JUST SAY NO campaign regarding kids and drugs.  If a kid was offered drugs, Nancy told that kid, "JUST SAY NO!" 

That little phrase may sound overly simplistic, but if heeded, JUST SAY NO prevents so many potentially devastating problems from ever entering our lives. 

HOW SIN GROWS

Who is it that knocks so low?
A lonely little sin.
Slip through, I answered
And soon all hell was in.

Sin always starts out small, but it never stays small.  It grows from a single drink to a full blown alcohol addiction - from a simple bet to a full blown gambling addiction - from one joint to a crack and crystal meth addiction - from fooling around to premarital sex and an unwanted pregnancy.  God says, "A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest -- and your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man"  (Prov. 6:10-11).     

The truth of the matter is this: People do not fall into terrible sin all at once, they fall little by little.  They crack open the door to this sin and that sin, and enter into a nightmare of   alcoholism, or drug addiction, or a gambling addiction, or sexual addiction.  These are devastating sins that wreck and ruin marriages, families and children.     

What is the answer to these potential destroyers?  When the early temptations come, JUST SAY NO!!!!  Don't go there.  Don't crack open that door and let that evil in.   

WHEN THE DEVIL IS INVITED IN

God warns us in Ephesians 4:26 to NOT "give the devil a place."  Anytime the devil is given a place in your life, he turns that place into a garbage dump.  Jesus said that the devil is a thief and comes only to steal and kill and destroy (Jn. 10:10).  When he comes knocking on your door, don't let him in!     

The Lord has come to give us an abundant life, a life overflowing with love, joy and peace.  It is definitely not easy to go against the tide of this world, but it is certainly right.  Remember: God sees, God knows, and God will reward those who honor Him and are faithful to Him.  Follow His Word, His will and His ways.  You will be SO GLAD you did!       

Love,
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