Posts by courtnut02 (Page 29)

I love Emmanuel’s Senior Adults! They are faithful in attending church, they are involved, and they serve the Lord. Recently, I read an article about becoming a senior-adult church member by Thom Rainer of Lifeway. He listed five prayers for himself as he gets older and his attitude about his church. His prayers were: I pray I will not feel entitled because I am a key financial supporter in the church I pray I will not say ‘I’ve done my…

In my quiet time this morning I was reading in Matthew 27. It is the trial of Jesus and the denial of Jesus by Peter. My heart aches when I read this account. I ache for Jesus because of what He suffered and endured because of me and for me. It is one thing to know someone is suffering because of the wrong I did, I can feel regret but to know this same person did it because they love…

A man, once told Mark Twain, “Before I die, I’m going to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I’m going to climb to the top of Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud.” “I have a better idea,” said Twain. “Why don’t you stay right here at home and keep them?” God has given us the Great Commission to go and make disciples. It is truly great when we can travel across the world and witness to others…

At one point in Jesus ministry He sent out His disciples into the cities telling them to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the people. They reported back to Jesus rejoicing over what they had seen – people receiving the Good News and even demons were subject to the Name of Jesus! Jesus rejoiced with them but then told them not to rejoice in the spirits that were subject to them but even greater and more wonderful was that their…

A famous Japanese shrine has a spot with three waterfalls. Each waterfall represents something different, each represents a blessing. The waterfalls are said to represent wisdom, health, and longevity. Visitors who come to the shrine are invited to choose which of the blessings they want for their lives by placing their hands under the appropriate waterfall. But the catch is this… each visitor can choose only one blessing. Which of the three would you choose? We know what King Solomon…

One of my mother-in-law’s favorite verses is Numbers 32:23 which say: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” This verse reminds us that a choice to sin will often NOT remain private. Once upon a time, a carpenter built many houses for a wealthy developer. As he grew older, he wanted to retire, but the developer asked him to build one more house. He said, “After that, you can retire.” The developer went on, “I’m leaving all the choices…

Mercy vs. Sacrifice. Is it a competition? How do we use these in serving God? What did Jesus have to say about this? In Matthew 9 Jesus said: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Perhaps we can look at it in the form of actions, our actions. Sacrifice may…

After a hurricane, a TV news crew was filming the destruction, and in the middle of the devastation and debris, one house stood while all those around it were destroyed. The owner of the house left standing was cleaning up the yard when the reporter asked him, “Sir, why is your house the only one standing? The man replied, “Well, I followed the building code, and I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a Category…