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“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

John 10:27-28

My former Eli Lilly associate, Charlie Duncan, served 38 months in North Africa and Europe as a Captain of a tank company under Gen George Patton during WW2. 

Charlie’s wife was pregnant with their first child when he departed for the war. 

Charlie’s wife had young Jan on her shoulder when Charlie returned to Memphis on a “troop train” late at night on a fall night. 

Troops were piling out of rail cars and loved ones were crowded on the tarmac    .

Charlie’s wife was frantic to find Charlie as all the soldiers were dressed alike, when young Jan, who had never seen his father, started screaming,

“Momma, there is Daddy!” (I cannot tell this story without crying and neither can I write it.)

So as a 2-3 year old young boy only knew his earthly father from having seen pictures, a Child of God knows Jesus by His voice. We have moral clarity when the Holy Father speaks to us. We just have to be listening. 

And the “good news” is if we know His voice and follow Him, we have security of salvation.

Good morning and listen. Jesus might be speaking 

Editors note: One of Kaye’ dear friends sung “In the Garden” to her in the waning days of her life on earth. You could feel the presence of Jesus in our home. We heard His voice 

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Pro 23:7

In The Garden – Tennessee Ernie Ford TV  (Bill’s Favorite Hymn) 

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Gal 2:20

Paul gets the “Big Picture!”

1. Paul was spiritually crucified on the cross with Jesus. 

2. Jesus lives in him. 

3. Paul lives by faith in Christ who loved him and gave His life for him.

It is when we see the “Big Picture ” like Paul sees it that we can truly trust in Jesus and live by faith. 

Good morning as  by faith you feel Jesus living in you 

“🎶”I’d Rather Have Jesus Than Anything 🎶

Johnny 

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Pro 23:7

I’d Rather Have Jesus – Jim Reeves – Topic

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:8

I read recently where a university offered an 8th grade kid a football scholarship effective when he graduates high school. 

That is what Christ did for us; He died for our sins when we were immature, lost sinners.  Just like the coach offering an 8th grader a scholarship, Jesus knew our potential and the plans He has for us. 

Jesus demonstrated not only His love for us , but His faith in us. 

Paul spent some 3 years in exile in Arabia after his conversion on the Road to Damascus immersing himself in the Holy Spirit and grasping the grace of God. Paul understood God’s plan. 

“He who began a good work in you will complete it in the day of Jesus Christ.”

Phil 1:6

We are a work in progress. Jesus knows, He made us. 

Good morning and make sure you have your ticket to eternity( it was paid for 2000 years ago)

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Pro 23:7

Jesus Paid it All – Fernando Ortega – Lyrics – StrangeLyrics

Most Christians say they want to know God better. The question is, “What are we doing to know God better?”

We can never know everything about God. However, we have a long way to go to get to know what God wants us to know about Him.

How do we know God better: 1.  Accept Christ as our Savior. 2. Read His Word…it is alive (Hebrews 4:12). 3. On an ongoing basis, be filled with the Holy Spirit. 4. Seek the Lord through prayer. 5. Fellowship and live out our lives with other believers(Hebrews 10:25).

So the question is, are we just going to talk about knowing God better, or are we going to do things that enable us to know God better? 

Praise God always. 

Dave

For additional scriptures, search gotquestions.org for: “How can I get to know God better?” Also, “What is the key to truly knowing God?” Also, “Knowing Jesus vs. Knowing about Jesus-what is the difference?” Also, “How can I tap into the wisdom of God?”

Just a closer walk with thee – Patsy Cline And Willie Nelson – OhLord My God

“He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:29-31

The prophet Isaiah uses a physical metaphor to illustrate the Spiritual power of the Lord.

Isaiah knows youth are full of energy by God’s design. The Lord renews the Spirit of those who trust him and they soar like eagles. ( Eagles have up to an 8 foot wingspan that allows them to soar utilizing minimum energy.)

When we as Christians “soar like an eagle”, we have the unlimited spiritual strength from the Lord to meet the challenges of the world. 

Good morning , expand your arms, receive your power from the Lord, and soar like an eagle

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Pro 23:7

Alan Jackson – There Is Power In The Blood

This from my sanctified friend Mary R.  From Ludington, Mi. and Indianapolis, In. …

…“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied:  ‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way.’ So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.” Love and blessings to you, dear Bill, as you continue to share your faith with us and open our minds and hearts to the gifts of God and reach for His Hand. 💝🙏🏻  Mary R. 29Dec24

Put Your Hand In The Hand 

Tennessee Ernie Ford – Put Your Hand In The Hand (1970) (Original) – ElvisKlan

We are spiritual beings here to have a human experience.

May you exercise your spiritual muscles each day in the New Year!

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Have a great week and keep your spirits high.

Hugs, 

Bill

“Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life. “

1John 2:24-25

The Apostle John wrote 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John at the mature age around 80 years old. (Let’s hear a cheer for octogenarians!) John had experienced a lifetime to devote his thoughts to his personal experiences with Jesus as a witness to His ministry, the Crucifixion, burial, Resurrection, and Ascension. 

John knew Satan’s most effective tactic deployed with Adam and Eve is planting the seed of DOUBT.

John says “let what you HEARD in the beginning, stay with you”.  

Jesus keeps HIS promises-Eternal life!

Good morning as we start this day,

🎵”Standing on the Promises🎶

On second thought, start the day singing,🎵”Jesus Saves”🎶

(Don’t ever forget it!)

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Pro 23:7

Alan Jackson – Standing On The Promises Of God (Live) – Gaither Music TV

Jesus Saves – Gospel Music Hymn Sing

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Luke 9:23

Jesus laid out the conditions to be a follower. This  is no place for prima-donnas or privileged.

Jesus gave 3 qualifiers;

    1.    Following Jesus requires self- denial. It is about others!

    2.    Following Jesus is 7 days a week not just on Sunday.

    3.    To follow Jesus will take you to the following people and places that you might be uncomfortable with. 

         • Prisons (visiting the incarcerated)

         • Hospitals (visiting sick people)

         • Feeding the poor

         • Clothing the less fortunate 

         • Giving water to the thirsty

         • Welcoming and befriending Strangers 

So Jesus is straightforward. There are no days off, we put our personal desires on the back burner, and following Jesus takes us to places and with people who are not like us. 

Good morning and the signup sheet is located at the Cross. 

Oh, we can sing 🎵”There’s Room at the Cross for Me”🎶🎶

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart so is he 

Pro 23:7

Room At The Cross For You (Live At Studio C, Gaither Studios, Alexandria, IN/2016)

Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone – Ernie Ford – Morgenster 24

“All true Christians must be content to WAIT for their wages.”

C.W. Ryle

Jesus did not promise instant gratification as His follower. Quite the contrary. 

“In the world you will have troubles. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Paul brings wisdom to our plight;

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” 

Rom 8:18

The psalmist encourages us: 

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” 

Ps 27:14

Good morning and join me in singing my mother’s favorite hymn

🎵”Sunrise Tomorrow, Sunrise Tomorrow 

Sunrise in Glory is Waiting for Me”🎶

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Pro 23:7

Sunrise Tomorrow – arr. Wyrtzen

Each of us is an innkeeper who decides if there is a room for Jesus

“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”

Luke 2:7

The Gospel of John vividly reveals the divinity of Jesus. 

Jesus described himself as the great “I Am” which is how God referred to himself in the Old Testament. 

John reported Jesus as stating:

• I am the bread of life: (John 6:35)

• I am the light of the world: (John 8:12)

• I am the door: (John 10:7) 

• I am the good shepherd: (John 10:11, 14) 

• I am the resurrection and the life: (John 11:25)

• I am the way and the truth and the life: (John 14:6)

• I am the true vine: (John 15:1)

Jesus stands at the door and knocks. 

Do you have a room for him?

Good morning as you usher Jesus to His room; the “Honeymoon  Suite” in your heart!

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Proverbs 23:7

Casting Crowns – Make Room (Official Music Video) ft. Matt Maher