In Sunday’s ‘bulletin’ for First Baptist Satsuma, my Associate Pastor, Bruce Holmes, encouraged us with an article.  He has graciously allowed me to share it with you all. I think it will bless you even as it did me.

        Many of you know I enjoy nature. I’m not the type to be dropped off by a helicopter in a secluded location and find my way back to civilization like the guy on television. But, I am the type of guy who loves to go walk through the woods and listen to the wind blow. I am the type of guy who loves to hear rain fall. I am the type of guy who will go hunting, occasionally, just to see the sun rise or the sun set. I’m the type of guy who loves to see the different animals and how they were made uniquely different. I love being in nature.
       But, there is another reason I love being in nature. This is where I find the highest quality of time with God. Have you ever had one of those weeks? I mean, one of those weeks where you just had to get away for some time with God. I’ve always thought that was a little hokey, in a sense. It is always good to spend time with him but I’m talking about getting away from everything, every responsibility, every concern and just seek His Will for whatever you need an answer to. This past week I did just that.
       I was seeking an answer of a personal question that took me all over South Alabama to various locations to be in the nature God created. As I began to pray aloud I felt God’s presence. (If you have ever experienced His presence you know what I’m talking about. If you have not ever experienced His presence, it may sound hokey, and that’s OK. I’ll claim hokey!) And even though I was standing in the freezing drizzle on a dock in a lake in 30* weather, I didn’t want to leave His presence. I heard the wind blow in the trees and watch it make ripples in the water. I got to see fallen trees and examine how nature changes over time. I got to see a hawk fly above. I heard the sound of a light rain hitting the lake. And, I heard from God.
      He again allowed me into His presence at another location while I was walking through the woods. Again it was freezing and getting dark but I stood longer this time and as He was talking I got to enjoy His nature. There was no other person in either location, too cold I guess. So I was able to talk with God, right by myself.  And, I heard from God.     
     There is no feeling like it in the world! I urge you, if you are seeking an answer to something, find your place and get alone with God. Pray, read His Word, listen to Christian music, sing and praise. He is everywhere around us. He’s just waiting on you. Then you can say, “And, I heard from God”.

Written by: Michael Bruce Holmes
Associate Pastor of Administration
First Baptist Church of Satsuma

Praying for These

Thank You, ABBA, that You speak and every soul who desires to hear from You can. I pray for each who comes to this page that they will be willing to hear from You. Thank You for Bruce and the ministry You have called him to at Satsuma First. Thank You for the strenght, wisdom and intergity You give him. As I set this to post I pray for strength, wisdom, integrity for all our Readers and for our Praying for These, thank You for the plans You have for them; thank You for what You are doing; thank You for the healings, the restorations and the mendings of broken and bruised hearts. Thank You for ears to hear You and eyes to see You.  Thank You for our IDOK Troops, for keeping them safe and for calling them to a closer walk with You; we pray each will answer yes in JESUS Name.  Amen and amen.

Until then + + +
Kathie

with C. H. Spurgeon from his book Morning and Evening.

January 24

“Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler” — Psalm 91:3

God delivers His people from the snare of the fowler in two senses. From, and out of. First, He delivers them from the snare — does not let them enter it; and secondly, if they should be caught therein, He delivers them out of it. The first promise is the most precious to some; the second is the best to others.

“He shall deliver thee from the snare.” How? Trouble is often the means whereby God delivers us. God knows that our backsliding will soon end in our destruction, and He in mercy sends the rod. We say, “Lord, why is this?” not knowing that our trouble has been the means of delivering us from far greater evil. Many have been thus saved from ruin by their sorrows and their crosses; these have frightened the birds from the net. At other times, God keeps His people from the snare of the fowler by giving them great spiritual strength, so that when they are tempted to do evil they say, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” But what a blessed thing it is that if the believer shall, in an evil hour, come into the net, yet God will bring him out of it! O backslider, be cast down, but do not despair. Wanderer though thou hast been, hear what thy Redeemer saith –“Return, O backsliding children; I will have mercy upon you.” But you say you cannot return for you are a captive. Then listen to the promise — “Surely He shall deliver thee out of the snare of the fowler.” Thou shalt yet be brought out of all evil into which thou hast fallen, and though thou shalt never cease to repent of thy ways, yet He that hath loved thee will not cast thee away, He will receive thee, and give thee joy and gladness, that the bones which He has broken may rejoice. No bird of paradise shall die in the fowler’s net.

Praying for These

ABBA, a new day is before us thank You for deliverance(s) from and out of as You see fit for us this day. I pray for spiritual strength to say “how can I do this wickedness against my GOD who loves me so?”  And if we fail to receive such strength, thank You, HOLY SPIRIT, for teaching and leading and delivering us out of the messes we make. Yet I earnestly pray that we will hid Your Word in our hearts and that it be upon our lips so profoundly that we resist the world, the evil one, and our own flesh to Your Glory. I also come petitioning on behalf of our Praying for These list these very things – protect and deliver them. Protect and deliver our IDOK Troops as well. Thank You, ABBA, that You always hear us and You always answer what is best for us. In JESUS name we come. Amen and amen.

Until Tuesday + + + LORD willing,
Kathie

Letting God Use Me by Sandra Drescher from her book Just Between God & Me.  Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, MI 1977.

A few years ago, a building near us was condemned because termites had eaten so much wood that it wasn’t safe any more. Later it was torn down because nothing could be done with it. The termites had completely destroyed it.

To think that something as small as a termite could do so much damage! When I think about the vastness of our world and universe, I feel small and insignificant; but the termites taught me a good lesson. Everything I do has some impact, and it’s up to me to determine whether it’s good or bad. If little termites can ruin a big building, I can do something far greater for good, if I’m willing to work at it.

Even if no one else sees it, God will reward fully.

May the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, bless you for it (Ruth 2:12 LB).

Father, help me to think about what good I can do, instead of feeling small and insignificant. Amen.

What an excellent petition to make to ABBA! I am fully amen-ing it. Perhaps you are too.

Praying for These

Until Thursday —

Kathie