In the summer of 1986, I was invited to an Evangelistic Conference in Amsterdam, Holland sponsored by the Billy Graham Association. There was about 8,000 Evangelists from all over the world there. One of the things that stood out to me was the importance that was put on THE WORD OF GOD.

One of the affirmations we were asked to affirm was this, “We confess Jesus Christ as God, our Lord and Savior, who is revealed in the Bible, which is the infallible word of God.”

The other day someone called me and said they wanted some advice and when they asked that question I was reminded of 2nd Timothy 3:16 & 17 which reads in the LBT, “16 The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. 17 It is God’s way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.” God speaks to us in many different ways, but I believe His main communication with you and I is His holy word.

The best advice that I can give you today is to get advice today through taking out your Bible, reading it, studying it, and believing it.

This is Bro. Shep asking you to think about it.

Matthew 28:18-20

I’m always intrigued by the story of Jesus as a boy in Luke 2. In the latter part of that chapter we find that Joseph and Mary have taken Jesus to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover Feast.

The scriptures tell us that Jesus was 12 years old. After the Feast was over, Joseph and Mary were traveling back home with their kinsman and acquaintances and they found they had left Jesus in Jerusalem.

They turned around to go look for Him. As they searched for Him they found Him in the temple. In verse 49 of this chapter we read, And He said unto them, “How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

Even at the early age of 12 Jesus was about His heavenly Father’s business. God’s word tells us that when we are born again we become the children of God. So, I ask my question today. Am I about my heavenly Fathers business today?

This is Bro. Shep asking you to think about this.

PS Matthew 28:18-20

“If you are growing, you are going”

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I thought it would be good if we could read some verses that talk about giving thanks. The 136th Psalms is a giving thanks Psalms.

It reads in the KJV, “16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

20 And OG the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Not only does this Psalms give thanks to God, but it also paints a beautiful word picture of God. I hope that you can see the majesty of God and the might of God in these scriptures.

This is Bro. Shep asking you to think about it.

“If you are going, you are growing”

Matthew 28:18-20

I’ve been reading in the Psalms here lately and I wanted to share a few verses from some of them today. In the 120th Psalms verse 1 it reads in the KJV, “A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.”

Here we find King David in deep distress, but when he prayed he knew God heard him. I find comfort in that verse knowing that when I pray God hears me and when you pray God hears it.

There’s another verse that is found in Psalms 126:5 in the KJV that reads, “5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” This tells me that when we go to Him with a broken heart He hears our prayers and gives us joy and comfort.

In Psalms 121:2 in the KJV, “2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.” It tells us that we have a divine helper and that HE is the creator of Heaven and Earth and finally Psalms 119:2 and it reads in the KJV, “2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” This tells me that if we seek God with all of our heart we’re blessed when we walk in obedience.

This is Bro. Shep asking you to think about it.

Matthew 28:18-20

“If you are going, you are growing”

NKJV

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

These scripture are a picture of what its like in Heaven. I believe that this is what it is like now in Heaven a place that God has prepared for us where there is no more pain or suffering. We have a picture of what Heaven is going to be like when Christ sets his Kingdom up on earth and it is found in Revelation 21, verses 1-5. They read this way,

Rev 21:1-4

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.

4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

NKJV

In these verses God has given us a glimpse into Heaven and what its going to be like to be with Him through all eternity.

He also gives us a picture of where those of us who have not accepted Christ as our Savior will be. It is found in Revelation 20:15 and it reads “and whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast in the lake of fire.”

Brother Shep saying think about this.

If you’re going you’re growing…..Matthew 28:18, 19, 20

Winter can be a drab time of the year, the leafs have left the trees, the grass has died, no crops in the fields. It is as nature has left and gone south.

Some times we fell all alone. That’s kind of the way I fell today. I’m setting on the couch, Hersey, our dog, is sleeping here with me. The TV is off. All is quit I fell like the world has stop and let me off.

Winter can be a time to be hopeful because we know that summer is coming, it always has and it always will.

Even though life can be like the winter sometimes, we who believe in Jesus have hope. Christ is coming some day. He promised us the Holy Spirit( the Comforter) now. I am glad that know matter how I feel God is always with me.

God’s word is true and so powerful ain’t that great!

John 14:16-18

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
KJV

This is Brother Shepherd asking you to think about this.

Matthew 28:18-20

“If you are going, you are growing”

The Bible tells us that we reap what we sow. I was reading theses verses from the Living Bible this morning, “Jerusalem’s streets, once thronged with people, are silent now. Like a widow broken with grief, she sits alone in her mourning. She, once queen of nations, is now a slave.

2 She sobs through the night; tears run down her cheeks. Among all her lovers, there is none to help her. All her friends are now her enemies. 3 Why is Judah led away, a slave? Because of all the wrong she did to others, making them her slaves. Now she sits in exile far away. There is no rest, for those she persecuted have turned and conquered her. TLB This tells us of Jerusalem’s mourning and broken heartedness over the conditions of the city.

Verse 3 says, “why is Judah led away, a slave” and then it goes on to tell us, “because of all the wrong she did to others. Now she sits in exile far away.” I was thinking about how she mistreated other people and now what goes around comes around. Jerusalem was receiving bad things because she had done bad things and I believe this is true, but I also believe that it’s true that if we do good things we receive good things.

This is not talking about material things, but it can include them too. I have found that a happy person usually gives out happiness and a cruel person gives out cruelty which teaches me that if I do good, good things will be done for me and if I do bad things, I will receive bad things.

Luke 6:38 in the KJV says, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”

This is Brother Shepherd asking you to think about this.

Matthew 28:18-20

“If you are going, you are growing”

In 1939 my Dad built a house in the Woodlawn Community. I was 4 years old at that time and my room was upstairs. I can remember lying in bed at night and because we had no air conditioning the windows were open and I could hear the sounds of the night.

There wasn’t much traffic on the road and the night owls and bobcats would scare me and I thought something bad was going to get me, but when Mama would come and turn on my light the darkness would flee and I could see that I was safe.

Jesus says in John 3:19-21, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (KJV) We lived in a dark, sinful world until Jesus came to be the light in the world, so you and I would not have to be afraid of sin, death, and darkness when we believe in Him.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for reading these devotionals and it is my prayer that it helps each one of you to have a closer relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for each reader that they might be blessed and con know the love of God as I know it.

This is Brother Shepherd asking you to think about this.

Matthew 28:18-20

“If you are growing, your going”

17 He is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit who leads into all truth. The world at large cannot receive him, for it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you do, for he lives with you now and some day shall be in you.

18 No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm-I will come to you.

19 In just a little while I will be gone from the world, but I will still be present with you. For I will live again and you will too.

20 When I come back to life again, you will know that I am in my Father and you in me, and I in you.

21 The one who obeys me is the one who loves me; and because he loves me, my Father will love him; and I will too, and I will reveal myself to him.” TLB

Verse 15 is 7 words. I was reminded that the number 7 is the number of completion because God created all things in 6 days and rested on the 7th. Jesus spoke in that 15th verse a statement, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” If there’s one verse in the Bible that does not need interpreting surely it’s this verse. After reading this I ask myself a question, how much do I love God and the answer came to me, how much do I obey His commandments?

Verse 16 Jesus tells us something, that if we obey His commandments and love Him, He will ask God to give us another counselor, who will NEVER leave us. I find great peace in this promise. That God is always with me through this counselor, the Holy Spirit.

Verse 17 tells us that the Holy Spirit leads us into ALL truth. It is impossible to understand the Bible and what truth really is without the Holy Spirit and we cannot receive the Holy Spirit unless we believe in Jesus Christ. Verse 18 Jesus says that He will not abandon us. Let’s look at that verse again.

Verse 18, “No, I will not abandon you as orphans.” You notice God is going send the comforter and we know that Jesus will never leave us. This speaks of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In a world of indifference, of greed, and cruelty, I can find love in God and in knowing Him. I can love others, YES, even my enemies. I pray for peace in the world and in your heart.

This is Brother Shep asking you to think about this.

Matthew 28:18-20

“If you are growing, you are going”

16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

20 And OG the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

26 O’give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.”

Not only does this Psalms give thanks to God, but it also paints a beautiful word picture of God. I hope that you can see the majesty of God and the might of God in these scriptures.

This is Brother Shep asking you to think about it.

“If you are going, you are growing”

Matthew 28:18-20