Believe In Christ:

John 20:28.  And Thomas answered and said unto Him, my Lord and my God.
29. Jesus saith unto Him, Thomas because thou hast seen, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet believed. 
 
Psalm 119:156.  Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: Quicken me according to thy judgements.
160.  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever.
162. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
174.  I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord, and thy law is my delight.
 
Thomas is always seen and described as the doubter.  He was blessed, as Christ said, to have seen with his own eyes the evidence of Christ.  Yet Christ says those who have not seen with their own eyes and yet believe are blessed as well.  This again confirms that our belief has a deeper source than natural experience and understanding.  He knows His own and blesses them in His truths, His word, His judgements, and His salvation.  We are delivered from our unbelief by the tender mercies of our Great God.  These truths become more precious each day as we live them and see evidence of Christ’s hand leading us.  These truths lead to a deeper belief and deliverance from unbelief to enable us to draw closer to Him each day.

As the father of the afflicted boy cried to Christ:  Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief.  And Christ did and healed the boy.  He does hold back His grace because of our weakness but delivers us in all things.  May we continue to rejoice in His tender mercies, grace, and word each day.  Love in Christ, Brother Mike.   

Look Thou Upon Me:
Psalm 119: 135.  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy statues.
140. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
142.  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
153.  Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154.  Plead my cause, and deliver me:  quicken me according to thy word.
 
​When we consider all the ways in which the Lord interacts with us in our daily walk, the most compelling fact is that the Lord looks upon us and considers us in our needs and growth. 
His face shines the glory of His being and it is ours to receive that look and rejoice in His cause.  He not only looks upon us but He sends His word of truth and hope which enlivens us to follow Him in a closer walk.  He knows and considers our weakness and affliction and delivers us to that larger room where we can be sustained and grow in grace.  Oh that our focus would be more to Him, to learn more and hear more of His truth and everlasting righteousness,  May we always be in that state of His face shining upon us; and being quickened in His truth.
May God bless and keep you this day.  Love in Christ, Brother Mike  

Psalm 119:114. Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word.
Prov. 16:11. A just weight and balance are the Lord’s; all the weights of the bag are His work.
 
Psalm 119:127. Therefore I love thy commandments above Gold; yea, above fine gold
129. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
30.  The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.
 
The Lord is truly our hiding place and refuge in this life.  The very entrance of His word gives light and enlightenment to the heart.  The commandments of the Lord are grievous or burdensome.  The Lord’s word brings hope and light to our walk of faith.  As we exercise our walk of faith His word becomes a value such as gold as it sustains and hides from the arrows of satan and his legions.  The more we dwell in His word the stronger we become and we can’t become ashamed of such a great hope as we have in Christ.  Christ holds the weights and balance of judgement and truth.  And His weights and balances are just and perfect and we have a great hope to trust in and rely upon Him.  Therefore let us go forward, always glorifying the Lord in our life and finding that refuge and solace we need.  Love in Christ.  Brother Mike 

​Prov. 16:9.  A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.
Psalm 119:103.  How sweet are thy words unto my taste: sweeter than honey to my mouth.
105.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
 
Prov. 16:7. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Psalm 119:83. For I am becoming like a bottle in the smoke: yet do I not forget thy statutes. 


A bottle in the smoke is an interesting example.  A bottle is used to pour something into it so that it might hold or contain it.  But how can you pour or fill a bottle with smoke which is just vapor?  It is not practical or really possible.  Therefore the Psalmist declares his state of his ultimate need of the Lord to make the difference in his life.  To follow the Lord, and the Lord will make the way clear.  He truly sets the light of the way for us that our path becomes sure in Him.  And the sweetness of Christ’s words become more evident as we journey and trust in Him.  Our path becomes more and more directed by the Lord the closer we come to Him.  May we continue to look unto him as author and finisher of our faith for there is life more abundantly there than trying to catch smoke in the bottle. 


Please pray for tomorrow's services that they may be honoring and glorifying to the Lord and we may be edified in His word once again.   Love in Christ, Brother Mike.  

​Daily Message:   Friday May 27, 2022.
Let Not Your Heart be Troubled
 
Ps. 119:77. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight.
80.  Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
 
John 16:33. These things I have spoken unto you , that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation;  but be of good cheer:  I have overcome the world. 

The Lord is very clear as to our path and source of peace in this world.  Yet we often struggle trying to work out and through tribulations on our own.  How weak we truly are and need grace sufficient.  The world has no peace nor does it ever offer us a refuge.  We acknowledge this by experience in the world.  But to consider we have a source of strength that is stronger than the world and the enticements of satan;  what a great gain is ours.  The Lord’s Tender mercies are ours to enjoy and rejoice in His Glory.  For they establish the heart in His sound statues and grace. 
The apostle Paul states it well:
Rom 5:3. And not only so,but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4. And patience. Experience; and experience hope;
5. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 
What a Great Hope we have and a soundness to the heart of such glorious truths as what our Lord has given to us.  May we serve Him first always and honor His Holy name each day.  Love in Christ.  Brother Mike

Commit Thy Works unto the Lord.
Prov.16:3. Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.
John 15:10. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.
11.  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12.  This is my commandment. That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
16.  Ye have not chosen me,  but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you.
Scripture teaches, Christ teaches and emphasizes the need for us to have our life aligned in the Lord and to work His works.  There is great promise of happiness and peace in this commitment.  When our very thoughts are upon the Lord and His way, we have a peace and clarity beyond measure.  This is not a commitment of duty but of Love.  To aid in the love of the Father and Christ is riches beyond measure.  Our way will be established and made clear.  This is a case of not our choice but rather the Lord has chosen us even before time began that we should walk in those things He has ordained for us.  And by His grace and mercy we are able to follow Him.  What a rich blessing is ours to seek and follow that path of light and life in our life.  May we draw closer each day and rejoice in such truths as are ours to enjoy.
God bless you and yours this day and we continue to put on the Lord Jesus Christ.  Love in Christ. Brother Mike

Let Not Your Heart be Troubled 
 
Prov. 15:33. The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom: and before honor is humility. 
Psalms 119:49. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 
50. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. 
 
John 14:15. If ye love me, keep my commandments. 
16. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another comforter, that He may abide with you forever: 
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. 
27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

The words of comfort Christ brings are enduring and encouraging for the walk of faith.  To think how powerful the presence of the Holy Spirit with us truly is and that Christ’s promise of not leaving us alone is so uplifting and positive.   The apostle Paul stated it well: 
Rom. 8:26.  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession with groanings which cannot be uttered.   
To have the presence of the Holy Spirit with us is the comfort Christ promised.  And it is here with us and we have all the things Christ said brought to our awareness as we are in need.  How Great a God is our God who loves us in such ways!   
 
May God’s grace and mercy bless each of you this day and we rejoice in so great a salvation. 
Love in Christ, Brother Mike ​

​Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled 
 
John 14:1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am, ye may be also. 

Prov. 15:31. The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. 
Ps.119:24. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my consellors. 
32. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 
 
The Lord’s encouragement to not let our heart be troubled in this life is so very comforting.  We travel through many dangers and difficulties that constantly plague the Child of God but His Word and truth is always sure and steadfast for us.  He has not prepared heaven and glory for us as it was from the beginning.  But He has made the way for us to enter that eternal bliss with Him.  And that truth brings rest to the soul and He enlarges our very heart to rejoice in His salvation.   
And we receive His counsel daily to hear His precious truth and it gives counsel to the heart. And we can delight in these truths and learn from His wisdom and take comfort in His counsel. 
Oh how Great a God is our God.  May our lives praise and honor Him each day and we rejoice in such a salvation as His.   May God Bless each of you this day in the richness of His Grace and Mercies.   
In love of Christ.  Brother Mike ​

I have given you an example. 
 
John 13;12.  So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments and was set down again, He said unto them, know ye what I have done to you. 
13. Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well: for so I am.   
14. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 
15. For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you. 
 
Ps.18:23.This is the Lord’s doing.  It is marvelous in our eyes.  
24.  This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it. 
 
Of the many examples of behavior and conduct Christ set forth during His ministry on this earth, the washing of the disciples feet is most impactful for us.  Nothing can deflect and diminish the pride of man better than someone kneeling down and washing your feet.  What a marvelous act and thought Christ has set for us.  And though we may not literally wash one another’s feet or are not able to do it as we would desire, we still have the example to live by.  And we can bow at one another’s feet in humility of Chrst and serve Him by serving one another.  Oh may we continually bow humbly before one another and especially before our Lord and Master. 
May you have a blessed day in the Lord.  Love in Christ,  Brother Mike. ​

Trust In the Lord 
I Sam 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 
Ps. 118:8. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. 
Ps. 118:14. The Lord is my strength and song and is become my salvation. 
​15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous; the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly. 
David's distress was when the enemy had taken Ziglag and had taken all the women and children captive. 
In all of David's trials we see his faith remain focused on His Lord. From his young years when he faced the giant Goliath, he took with him only the things that God had blessed him with before and he knew were true. When our walk of faith is tested we should always remember our true source of strength and hope. The Right Hand of the Father, Christ the King, is with us. And with Him is rejoicing and singing of praise to Him for His magnificent and glorious Grace and Mercies. Just as David was blessed by the Lord: the children and wives were all returned, so our daily walk is encouraged as well as we are seeking the Right Hand that doeth valiantly. 
Please pray for our services tomorrow and for one another. God bless you this day in His rich and abounding mercies and grace. 
Love in Christ. Brother Mike