Comfort in Christ & Flower Photos to Enjoy

 Comfort in Christ

It's been a really long time since I've posted it seems, but I'm still alive.  

Life is difficult both with family health troubles ongoing (including my own issues) and what is going on in the U.S. and around the world (and my sympathy toward others).   I know others have been having a lot of hardships.

 Last night, I heard a message that Don Green gave which was encouraging for Christians going through trials.  God brings all of His children through trials or chastening.  We can't avoid them, but God is with us through them.  Side note:  Poor Don Green was sick while preaching, so I'm sure it made him even more sympathetic to the subject.

OUR COMFORT IN CHRIST - Don Green (Truth Community Church)

Photos to Enjoy

I was going to share some flower pictures in the past here and put it off, so some of these are belated.

The tulips are gone and some of the azaleas, etc., but the blue hydrangeas are currently in bloom.

A Message on Suffering, Free Streaming Session for Pastors & Elders, & Audio LSB

 Are you suffering illness or trials in your life?  

We generally want to escape suffering and pain and difficulty, but God may be using it to turn you to Him.

Don Green gave a message on January 16, 2024, that I recommend for you and those you want to share it with.  It's called, "What If Suffering Is a Gift?"

Free streaming session for newer elders and pastors on February 9, 2024, at 6 AM Pacific (9 AM Eastern and 2 PM GMT)!

Don Green is planning to share things that weren't taught to him in pastoral ministries classes. The streaming should be on the church site HERE (and you can see alternative sites to stream from on that page as well).

An audio version of the Legacy Standard Bible:

If you like the LSB translation and would like to listen to someone else's reading, it is available HERE.

Grace Community Church Christmas Concert, Christmas Music, and a Song of Christian Encouragement

Grace Community Church Concert & Christmas Music MP3 Album

Grace Community Church in Southern California has Christmas concerts every year, and this year they are scheduled to stream the one on December 17th.  I look forward to watching the stream online each year.  

The time it is scheduled for is: 6 PM Pacific / 8 PM Central / 9 PM Eastern (U.S.) / 2 AM on the 18th GMT.  Don't miss it!  Look for the choice of Livestream links on the Concert Page Here.

I also discovered a Christmas album on the church's site called A Church Notes Christmas that has a few Christmas songs available.   

Music to Encourage Christians in Troubling Times

The following music has lyrics, so you may be able to sing along!

A Timely Message on Israel by John MacArthur, Natalie's Story, Psalms of Grace MP3 Files, & Christmas Carols

God Will Keep His Promises to Israel - Don't Miss This!

There was a timely message John MacArthur gave on November 19th of this year that Christians should listen to.   God's keeping His promises to Israel in the future should encourage all believers.  It's on the GTY website:  In God We Trust (sermon by John MacArthur).

Natalie's Story

I have been following the story of Natalie (a child) for quite some time, and God has used what could have seemed tragic for His purposes.  It's amazing to be reminded again about how God made the body in a wonderful way.  Watch Here.

Free Psalms of Grace MP3 Files (available at the time of this post)

I saw that these files are still free which are good for those who want to use them.  There are also ones available in Spanish!  You can find them HERE. 

Celebrating the Incarnation with Music

I often have shared music on here around Christmas, and here are some carols with violin and guitar for you to listen to.

Don't Look Away

 What Hamas did in Israel on October 7, 2023, was horrific.  I did not watch everything, but I saw some still photos that were gruesome.  I've read and heard accounts.  I know it happened.  Deniers are liars...just like those who deny the Holocaust of Hitler's time.  Some recently have said things like, "Do not look away."   I understand, as some want to deny the truth.... deny reality.... pretend like there is a good excuse.  They are deluded and blind to the truth.

I was thinking today about how I feel sometimes when I read the account of the crucifixion in the Gospels.  I feel like I don't want to read that part even though I should want to.  I don't like to think of the suffering and humiliation and the injustice.  Yet I know that what Christ suffered...physically and also the wrath of God (which he willingly suffered for others as He was sinless) ...well, that was the only way that my sins could be properly atoned for.  He was my substitute.  

So, while I can't see the physical blood of Christ, or know the depth of His suffering of the wrath of God against my sins and the sins of all who would ever believe, it is necessary to remember and to see the reality with the spiritual eyes He has given me.

Have you seen Christ on the cross in that way?  Have you seen the depth of your sins?  Turn to Christ.  Read His Word, and don't look away from the cross.  Look to Jesus.  Only in Him is forgiveness and eternal life. 

The Bible

Fall Colors of 2023

 

The Wind Does God's Word

Praise Yahweh from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;

Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, doing His word;
Psalm 148:7-8 LSB

Doing His word.
They are to praise Yahweh.
This is a good reminder that God is in control.
A lot of people are trying to stir up panic today over the climate, and there are those who want to use that panic to gain control over the world and do crazy things (and waste a lot of money, resources, and effort, etc.).
But as I was reminded on another site, the wind and the seas obeyed Jesus.

There really is no need to fear, because all of the efforts of the climate alarmists will not change what God's plans are for the future.  I don't believe there is any climate crisis, but sadly some people want to shut down opposing viewpoints.  

For now, I can be content with knowing this:

While all the days of the earth remain, 

Seedtime and harvest,

 And cold and heat, And summer and winter, 

And day and night Shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:22 LSB

God sets up and throws down governments and determines boundaries.  

Even though the world is going crazy and evil governments are gaining control and there is corruption all over the place (even in the U.S.), I again can go to the Bible to remember that God is still sovereign even over governments.

And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
Daniel 2:21 LSB


and He made from one man every nation of mankind to inhabit all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
Acts 17:26 LSB

I've been reading Job again lately, and it's a reminder that while Job suffered the loss of family, possessions, livestock, and health (boils and misery) that God was still sovereign even over Satan's evil schemes. 

God has purposes that we might not see now.  

Job is quite the example of blessing the Lord even though he did want the day of his birth cursed in chapter 3. 

Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.