Just heard that my college roommate suddenly died. Many are shocked.

Bill really wasn’t old (4/29/2020) -- I’m praying for his brother Mike, his wife Laurie (up in Lee's Summit, Missouri) and the kids. Wish I had words right now, but they fail me. The Bible says... 

The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again. 2 Corinthians 4:9

Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. You know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4

The LORD is always kind to those who worship him, and he keeps his promises to their descendants who faithfully obey him. God has set up his kingdom in heaven, and he rules the whole creation. Psalms 103:17-19

Life here goes by pretty quickly. I say live rapture-ready, yes, daily live ready to see the Lord as if it's your last day here. 

Pastor Bill Virgin was a hard-working rodeo Cowboy hwn younger, and more importantly a born again Christian believer. We know where he is today. 

Believers daily long to see Jesus face to face.. and the cool thing about that..even though we’ll indeed be happy and excited to see Christ... He's going to be happier, and more excited to see us. It’s cuz His love for us is so HUGE. Bill is home and happy today. 

Sort of like with a hotel reservation, ya gotta make your reservation in advance. 

Cry out to Jesus-Third Day

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He’ll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

Homesick- Mercy Me

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I’ll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again

I can only Imagine- Mercy Me

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?

Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine.

There will be a Day- Jeremy Camp

There will be a day with no more tears,
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face
But until that day,
We’ll hold on to you always

I will Rise- Chris Tomlin

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

Save a Place for me- Mathew West

I have asked the questions why
But I guess the answer’s for another time
So instead I’ll pray with every tear
And be thankful for the time I had You here

So You just save a place for me, save a place for me
I’ll be there soon, I’ll be there soon

Blessings- Laura Story

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Entering, yeah gettin' myself walkin' and thinkin' in the best direction is a relational thang really. Lord, give wisdom -- help me refocus and have a good attitude today.

There’s a way for you. The next time you’re feeling kinda of down, the next time you wonder about or think, “Man, I don’t know how I’m going to get through this weird situation,” (might sound sort of religious, but) quote the Bible to yourself. Find verses that address your current need and fears. 

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” —Isaiah 26:3 

Remind yourself of the truth of God’s Word -- His promises never fail. He always keeps em cuz He loves you. This is exactly what it means to think biblically, as the Lord would have you and me think. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

https://seenations.tumblr.com/post/616456869143314432/thanks-for-family-and-wise-friends-lord-really

Covid-days might not seem like the best days, but hope can make a come back. Real joy and peace are to be had regardless. Do ya feel ditched, fried, lonely, sick of it and bored?

Do you feel neglected, ignored, insignificant, rejected or forsaken? Ever felt abandoned by God or by others? Ever felt abandoned by God or others?

Hope can make a comeback in Christ. He hears your prayers today. Jesus said he'll never leave you nor forsake you, believer. “Has it ever seemed as though God has abandoned you? Maybe you’re feeling weighed down by the very real threat of COVID-19 and the pressures along with it. Maybe you feel like God has given up on you or isn’t hearing your prayers.

If so, then you have a vague idea of how Jesus felt on the most difficult day of His life on earth. He felt abandoned by the Father. He wasn’t though.”

That day, when Jesus hung on that cruel Roman cross and cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46 nkjv).

These are also the opening words of Psalm 22, one of the most unique psalms in the Bible. We would call this a Messianic prophecy, which simply means it’s one of those remarkable passages in the Old Testament that points to the Messiah.

And not only is this a Messianic prophecy, but it’s also a graphic description of the events that took place on the day of the Crucifixion.”

Notice what Scripture says in Psalm 22:24. The Father did hear His Son, “For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard.”

Listen, when you feel abandoned, remember you are not alone, believer. God still hears your prayers, believer. He's not going to bail out and forget you. 

Perhaps you were raised in church.. or not so much. Are you a Christian believer yet? You can be.  

“I love the LORD, because He has heard My voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. The pains of death surrounded me, And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I implore You, deliver my soul!” Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For You have delivered my soul from death, My eyes from tears, And my feet from falling. I will walk before the LORD In the land of the living.” Psalm 116:1–9

You never need to feel lonely and forgotten when you are not alone, nor forsaken. Pause, pray.. simply talk to Jesus about it. Facebook.com/ShareJesus

What’s so weird to me.. it the inconsistency. Why is the suffering and passing of some humans so horrific to those of this world while it’s okay for others to feel pain and die? As those of this world push hard to save and protect humans on the outside of the womb these says, it’s also been pushing to keep abortion places open so more babies can be killed. Crazy thinking. 

“The one overarching principle of the biblical view of suffering is this: that suffering, for the Christian, is never an exercise in futility… but that suffering is used by God for redemptive purposes among His people.” — R.C. Sproul 

I  pray that God comforts those who have been suffering. Is that you. I pray that He protects and provides for His children, especially those who are medically uninsured during the days of this pandemic, yes, even those who are without any access to medical care. 

“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” Psalm 33:20-22

God does answer every prayer, kids of the Kingdom. Yes, No, Wait -- He knows best. He knows the number of your days here. So live life fully here, full of thanks, obedience and praise to Jesus Christ. Doin’ my best I commit the rest -- be a vessel of honor not one of dishonor. 

Yes, regardless of the trials, the tests, the personal losses, and the hurts you might be now feeling, just focus on the Lord and be wise and practical. Place your treasures on heaven's side when you can. Be around ministries that love to give, to win and help people, and to add Bible edification to you, rather than false teachers posing as ministers who are on the take.. “Dig deep, you must give to keep this ministry alive.” I say let it die, but be glad to give to those Bible teaching Christian churches and ministries that are sound (not talking about me here, though daily biblical soundness is still my aspiration too).   

Choose life and to speak what's right, what's needed today. Yes, regardless of the troubles, the different trials, the testings, the personal losses, and the hurts that you might feel, but stay focused on the Lord and place and your treasures on heaven's side. Provide for your fam, but if you only lay em up here on earth ...they may real quickly rust, rot, be stolen and decay. Let Jesus lead you. 

I don’t know what you’ve been going through, but I know who does know. When we speak of hurts, pain, loss, mourning or grief, we speak about a deep emotion of which the God is profoundly aware. You can see this in the Bible, we can experience this when we pause to pray -- God SO loves you and indeed can help today.  Turn, trust, believe in Jesus. Invite Him in to forgive you and keep you. To suffer without Christ living on the inside of you is to risk being totally and completely crushed. Why risking going another day without Jesus as your Lord, leading you from the inside by His Spirit?   

None of us can earn God's blessings, but please be blessed and stay blessable in the Word of God. Keep yourself in the will and love of God today!

Have you yet personally experienced the Lord of life and His biggest blessing? That's free forgiveness and salvation. 

Livin' in the will and Word of God is such a blessing! 

What a relief it is to be forgiven and daily walk with God according to His plan -- His way. Christ the One who blesses people with all good things to enjoy.. is the biggest blessing to me. I want to know and please Him more! Have you chosen His will and Word. Have you received the Blesser of all as your blessing, Savior, and Lord? See John 1:12-13.   

Ever wondered what it's all about..or what it means to “keep yourself in the love of God”? 

Do you feel loved by God or believe that you are? Ever asked about that love? But wait a minute Kurt, if God’s love is so wonderful and unconditional... then why does the Bible commanded us to keep ourselves in His love?

Is that a contradiction? Is that an inconsistency or some fickleness on His part?

Nope, it sure ain't. It’s just two sides of the same coin so to speak. Please understand something about God’s great, boundless and selfless love. It's not so easy to grasp how much God loves us -- we need His Spirit to help us. See the Book of Jude.

You Are Safe And Secure In Jesus Christ, Believer

All reborn believers (John 3:3) have good promises from God. Here is one that we each can claim: We are kept secure in Jesus Christ. Does that mean we won't be persecuted or martyred for our faith if we claim this? Nope. You or I will be mocked, persecuted and we might be killed for our faith. God will give us each His grace for what lies ahead. 

Recall how Jude addressed the first-century believers in his letter saying, “to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ” (Jude 1 nlt).

"To those who are the called God’s chosen ones, the elect, dearly loved by God the Father, and kept secure and set apart for Jesus Christ." (amp)

"To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance." (niv)

Responsible believing parent, if you were to visit a public park with your elderly relatives or children today, you'd know exactly where they are during the day. You typically don’t leave that park having forgot them, because you have God's wisdom and protect those you really love.

Got an idea. How 'bout a sleep-over on the couch, self, and just cut back on your commute! Yeah, it’s now 7:30 AM or so and it's time to change into my daytime jammies now. Covid 19 crisis-days are so bizarre. It's a joke. #LvStellsMe2SkipCouch

But think about God and His love during any crisis. And He's SO there for you every day. Yes, how much truer it is with our patient heavenly Father—even when we’re feeling rattled a bit by some type of crisis.. and are feeling trapped in our daily circumstances we pray for protection and He meets our needs.

In the Bible's original language, the clear implication of Jude is, “You are continually kept by Jesus Christ.” Continually -- that's pretty encouraging huh!

I hope you are well and not sick today. Whatever your difficulties may be, God heals, restores, guides, and helps us. Should I wear a mask if the Authorities say I should? Yup, and I just found a cool snowboarder mask to wear. 

We all need to grasp that you and I are totally preserved in Jesus, and that He will take good care of us. He'll maintain His valued investment all your days. He has purchased you and me at a great cost -- think about Jesus leaving heaven to come here. Think about the cross and empty tomb! God will be patient to equip, to protect, to bless, to preserve, to watch over you like a good Shepherd would.. and to keep you. Wants you close to Him and His body. 

You Have Your Part To Play, And He Has His Part -- He Always Keeps His Word

Jude gives us this directive, “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21 nkjv). So which is it? It’s both Buckeroo. God is responsible to keep you and me, but at the same time we need to walk with Him and keep ourselves in His beautiful love. He is Lord, daily let Him lead you. That's a choice.  

We can do nothing to merit God’s grace, forgiveness and love. None can earn their way into His favor or Kingdom. 

Jude basically says for us to keep ourselves in a place where God in His wisdom can actively bless us over and over again. Why opt to firmly and lovingly get disciplined by your Father so often? 

God delights to daily bless you because He loves you. Can't take His eyes off of you. 

Sure, think about God's holy nature. We are to keep ourselves away from all that is unlike Him, and those things that would drag us down spiritually. 

We don’t keep ourselves saved, but we keep ourselves safe in His will according to His word.

This includes denying ourselves often. This includes hearing His voice, obeying and embracing what God has for each of us.

You know how in the '70s the “self-esteem” movement came about. And we were told that all of the social ills of the day were due to our low self-esteem and that we all needed to learn to love ourselves more. But the Bible teaches the truth.. that you already love yourself, and we are to love others as we already love ourselves. 

The Bible offers a different view.

You want to find life, fulfillment, peace, purpose, and personal happiness? Then prayerfully say, “Lord, here's my one life. Here are my plans, my goals, my aspirations, my life-dreams—as well as my flaws, weaknesses, shortcomings, and personal sins. Your ideas and plans are far better than mine, in the long run. Help me today, I remain willing to be changed by You, Lord. Sanctify me through and through.”

What Keeps Us? God’s Love And Grace Keeps Us 

Spiritual attacks will land on our doorstep. Spiritual harassment certainly come our way from the enemy of our souls. It comes through fear, unbelief, temptations, testings and the doubts. Were it not for the preserving grace and love of God, who among us here would even make it? None. Clearly, we are protected and preserved by Him. 

Let’s make sure we walk in God's word and will. Progress with His generous provision and protection. Yes, with the covering of God’s love, putting it on like a garment—or body armor—every morning before our feet hit the floor. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ everyone. Put on the full armor of God and fight the good fight of faith. Run to win, fight to glorify Jesus.. not in the flesh. 

 

Covid-days or no Coronavirus trust Him. Turn and trust in the Lord -- trust that the same strong grace that saved you will be there to keep you. Become convinced inside that nothing will ever separate you from God’s perfect love. "Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38–39 nlt Facebook.com/shareJesus

God never allows a loss, believer, without replacing it with something better. Just go with Him, with His people, and with what’s so, Sport. Chin up.

When weird, awkward and painful things happen.. trade not what you do know for what you don’t know.

Why should I not be quick to judge people, but need to be quick to judge (evaluate) the deeds I see done, and the messages that I hear?

Cuz people have really unique and hard experiences here, and some people with different motives that I can't see.. say and do some really harsh things. We humans just can't see inside the hearts and minds, but One Person can. 

Life here can be pretty rough for a lot of folks we care about, but no matter what.. the Lord will be with you, believer. He can restore, heal, revive, comfort and fix things.

Question for ya if I may ask. Have you personally suffered from the tragedy of losing a loved one lately.. or like from this Covid 19 pandemic? Or been hurt in some other way? So sorry. Hate that. Have you had some grief that seemed overwhelming.. just way too much?

Hardships, trials and suffering often make us want to ask why? Nothing wrong with asking why.. but I don’t feel God owes me an answer when I ask. Perhaps it’s better I find out later on when I can handle it.

We each can turn from, ditch, and start to feel angry at God when bad, painful and tough things happen here. I say when hurting or questioning.. run to Him not away from Him. Also.. run to a healthy Bible-teaching church and to a saved spiritual pastor.. not away from. Here’s something to remember that at times has helped me:

Never trade in what you do know for what you don’t know.

Call to mind, fall back on, clearly recall what you know to be true. Focus on that instead of on all the “why questions” for now.

What do I know for sure? Well, I know that God loves me, that God is love, that He is 100% good and has a good plan for me. I know that born again Christians spend eternity in heaven (John 3). I know this.. because God said so and because I repented of my sin and put my faith in Jesus Christ.. I too will be in heaven someday. I will be reunited with those Christian loved ones that I miss. We can’t know why some people do really cruel things here, or why all the tough things happen but we can know and walk with Him today.

The Bible says, “We write these things so that our joy may be complete. And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar..” 1 John 1:5–8

Have you presently been suffering some? Have you blown it, stumbled or even fallen down?

Don’t give up, don’t give in ..to your pet sin. Get back up, stand and walk forward with Jesus. Just admit it and quit it. He will help you up cuz He is there for you and loves you. Never trade in what you do know inside for what you don’t know because the question for many bitter people is always, ‘Why God?’ We each can get better instead of bitter — we can forgive people and maintain a soft heart instead of a hard heart in a very hard to handle kinda world. I know this sounds so cliche, but it’s true.

That why question can sort of haunt you in a sense and can make you crazy (if you let it..) trying to figure it all out. Why did this happen!? Man, I don’t know why. But what I do know for sure is that God is good and He loves me and God is still working on His perfect plan in my life (see Romans 8:28–29, it’s still in the Bible). Choose to be content with Him and these facts.

What do we each need at this time? We need the living word of God. We need fellowship like in a healthy local church — close friendships with growing, red-hot, balanced Christian believers. Read your Bible daily, pray, fellowship and explaining the gospel to your friends — these things will build you up believer. We are saved-sinners and we love God the most — He gives us His love for the lost sinners that we come across.. that He also loves.

It is the exposition of the Word of God…from all the counsels of God in the Bible..that’s so needed today! I want to encouraging all people everywhere to read the Bible through and be expounding it to those around them. We hear so much about personal growth today from so many well-meaning sources. Listen, there is zero personal growth apart from the Word of God. It ain’t going to happen in you without the Word.

Honoring and obeying the Word is so important! He said that He would honor His word even above His name. Stick with the Good News, stick with real facts.

God never takes away something from your life, believer.. yep.. He never allows a loss without replacing it with something better. Just go with Him, with His people and with what’s so!

Harvest at and from home! We each can reap with love and joy. Let the Spirit of truth lead you -- catch people alive for God! Why waste time at home on the sofa.. when we can redeem the time!

We hope you are well and blessed today. Need some encouragement and prayer?
Looks like my wife goes back to work on Monday. Been musing on soil cultivating, the planting of seeds of truth, the nurturing, the watering of and the reaping with JOY and LOVE. Thinking 'bout a potential harvest at and from home!

The Bible says, "The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Every day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."

"With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (See Acts 2:46-47, 5:41-42)

From Dana Point on the coast, I personally really love fish and people even more. To me fishing in the Bible is more about wisely goin' to where the fish are hanging out (ie, in mountain streams, crystal clear lakes, or in the wide open seas), the good bait choices, effective tool-use (hooks, line, boats, nets, scuba tanks etc), and about CATCHING THEM ALIVE.

Of course we do that for Jesus who loved to fish! He loves us all! But proper shepherding of the flock (You know Jesus is the Chief Shepherd) is about the growth of the flock -- the nurturing, new births, the caring for, the consistently tending to, diligence, the genuinely loving and proper feeding for health (ie, from the milk of the word, green pastures.. instead of that religiously fleecing of the flock as the greedy false teachers often love to do. Yes individually, like for each li'l lamb, sheep first). Me thinks all this needs clarity of vision, wisdom, a smart plan, real passion. Let the Spirit lead you -- He loves us going fishing too. We have lots of e-tools today.

Perhaps, for full-nets God'll help you gather, train a team of fishers like our Lord Jesus did. Ask Him to use and keep you. It's work. Takes some concentration. Can also be lots for fun! Let's go fish4souls.org

You recall, "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt. 4:18-19

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' And at once they left their nets and followed Him." Mrk. 1:16-18. Let the Spirit guide you. Fish both far, near and from home. SeeNations.tumblr.com

Being boring, bored or lonely are personal choices. No need to be all lonely or bored while alone at home. Nope. 

Q. Do you feel like waiting for someone to reach out to you at home? I say prayerfully initiate -- God did that, the Father sent Jesus. Christ did that He came to us. We love because He first loved us. 

Call or write a growing Christian believer today. Or in love just reach out to someone who needs to believe ..so that they too can begin to enjoy such rich fellowship. The Bible says... 

- “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9 

- “Make it a rule, and pray to God to help you to keep it, never, if possible, to lie down at night without being able to say: “I have made one human being at least a little wiser, or a little happier, or at least a little better this day.”  ~ Charles Kingsley 

- “Aloneness can lead to loneliness. God’s preventative for loneliness is intimacy – meaningful, open, sharing relationships with one another. In Christ we have the capacity for the fulfilling sense of belonging which comes from intimate fellowship with God and with other believers.”  ~ Neil T. Anderson 

- “If you are having difficulty loving or relating to an individual, take him to God. Bother the Lord with this person. Don’t you be bothered with him – leave him at the throne.”  ~ Chuck Swindoll 

- “Unity is necessary to the outpouring of the Spirit of God. If you have 120 volts of electricity coming into your house but you have broken wiring, you may turn on the switch, but nothing works – no lights come on, the stove doesn’t warm, the radio doesn’t turn on. Why? Because you have broken wiring. The power is ready to do its work…, but where there is broken wiring, there is no power. Unity is necessary among the children of God if we are going to know the flow of power…to see God do His wonders.”  ~ A. W. Tozer 

- “Faith tolerates a moderate love of ones fellow man no more than it tolerates a moderate love between God and man.”  ~ John McKenzie- “If in fellowship of service I seek to attach a friend to myself, so that others are caused to feel unwanted; if my friendships do not draw others deeper in, but are ungenerous (i.e., to myself, for myself), then I know nothing of Calvary love.”  ~ Amy Carmichael 

- “Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays.”  ~ Andrew Murray 

- “I want the whole Christ for my Saviour, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field.”  ~ John Wesley 

- “Human fellowship can go to great lengths, but not all the way. Fellowship with God can go to all lengths.” ~ Oswald Chambers 

- “Fellowship means among other things that we are ready to receive of Christ from others. Other believers minister Christ to me, and I am ready to receive.”  ~ Watchman Nee 

- “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.” Psalms 133:1-3 
Go rural or.. Urbaane.tumblr.com ..to win people as well.

The early Christian church in Acts (our model church) tactfully, prayerfully met and won people by the power of the Spirit and Word.. both in the temple and from house to house. So wanna see us get back to God's principles for His results. Want to get back to work as well for fellowship-sake and for winning people. I really want to see the church get back to church soon. 'Til then lets plant, reap, and fish! Thanks Jay for this meme.