Daily Message: Monday 16 May, 2022 
Continue in the Word 
John 8:31. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him. If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed. 
32. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 
Truth is always a precious fact to have in life. Man’s nature is to create his own image of the truth. The truth of God is the most precious valuable we can have in life. As Chrst states, the truth will set us free. Free from man’s dogmas and misconceptions of salvation. To know that our eternal destiny is entirely in God’s Hands frees us from the burden of our own work. We are not able in the least to make our destiny sure. Christ is our light of life and through His blood and the Father’s will, we have a hope and surety of hevenly glory with the Lord. 
Each day to walk closer with the Lord; and continue in His word brings a freedom. A freedom from the pride of man, free from the heresy of Satan and his legions. Free to rejoice in the joy of Chrst’s salvation for us. Both eternal and in this time world, He works His salvation for us. And it isHis truth and the more we learn the more we are free in Him. Let us be thankful for His truth and its freedom. 
God Bless you all this day and those to come.  Let us draw closer to our Lord and His truth.

Love in Christ.

​Brother Mike

Trust in the Lord  
Prov. 3:
3. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 
4.  So shall thine find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5.  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.
7.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Trust is an expression of confidence in someone or something.  It has many fold implications to life, but the most significant is trust in God.  When we have trust in the Lord, our confidence in the outcome of a situation is set and sure.  He abides with us and has all control.  His judgments are sure and steadfast.  We enjoy a peace and happiness that passes understanding.

Thy Youth is Renewed like the eagle’s.

Ps. 103:1 – 5.    Bless the Lord , O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thine diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy
As far as the east is from the west He hath removed our transgressions from us.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him

Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word .   

The Psalmist's words describing the renewal of youth as the young eagle brings to mind how gracious and bountiful in grace the Lord is to us.  To have a refreshing renewal of strength is so uplifting for the soul as well as the body.  We may become refreshed by bedrest or other physical means and be able to continue to serve again.  How blessed we are when the Lord grants such mercies.  But lest we forget, He grants a refreshing of Spirit as well   How blessed we are to enjoy that refreshment and rejoice in that joy.   
We are so blessed with the abundance of God's grace and mercies   How rich His blessings are for us each day and how He lights the path with His presence.   May He always be honored in our daily walk.   
God bless and keep you all in this day,
Bro  Mike

Numbers:  16:41 -18:32
Ps. 54:1-7
Mark 16 :1-20
Ps. 55:-23
Prov.11:7
 
 
What time I am afraid,  I will trust in thee.
In GodI I will praise His Word.
In God I will praise His name, my God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.    
 
Ps. 55:5.  Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed  me.
6.  And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest.
16. As for me, I will call upon Go: and the Lord will save me. 
 
This life and its existence can be a frightening place to dwell  We have all experienced times of great fear to the point it seems we cannot even breathe or continue. Not all fear is generated from outside ourselves  Much can be generated internally due to our weak and sin prone nature.  However, ours is a great and merciful God who knows and understands our weaknesses,  2 Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Some day we will experience flying as the dove.  But until then the Lord is with us and sustains us in this journey.  And it is, by His grace and mercy we are able to think upon Him and have a desire to worship Him In spirit and in truth.
 
May our trust and fervency for serving Him grow in grace and Spirit.
 
May the Lord bless our meetings and services tomorrow throughout this land and may we desire to serve the living God.

​Numbers: 15:17 – 16:40
 Mark 15:1-47
 Psalm 54:1-7
 Prov. 11:5-6
 
Good Friday Evening
Hope you all are well and warm.  We are certainly Looking forward to the coming spring and warm weather.  It appears to be near and will bring opportunities for fellowship and visitation. 

Ps.54:4.  Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
 
This is a thoughtful text of how God supplies those in our lives that encourage us in the Way, give spiritual advice, help us realize our needs in Him, pray for us and lift us up to Him when we need extra grace and most of all share the joy only He can give.
We need all the help we can get on this journey.  The Lord’s help most of all but also prayers of those we love, a warm embrace, a thoughtful and kind word of encouragement 
As we look forward to the meeting day, may we be prayerful and ever looking unto Him.  God bless you and Love in Christ .

God bless and love you all,
Bro Mike

​Numbers 10:1-11:23.
 
Good Tuesday Morning and trust everyone is doing well and enjoying the Lord’s blessings.
 
Mark 10:14,3, 13.  And they brought young children to Him that He should touch them:
And His disciples rebuked them: those that brought them.
14.  But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not:  for of such is the kingdom of God.
15.  Verily I say unto you, Whomever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little , he shall not enter the kingdom of God.  And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.
 
Psalm 51:1-19.
 
Proverbs 10:31-32.
 

The Lord’s blessings are continual and so abundant upon His people.  They come with evidence of His love and Grace and mercies are abundant.
This verse has always been s favorrite of mine and may be of many of you.  It's been read, referenced many times. Each time I read or hear it quoted I'm encouraged in the Lord's truth and Grace to His own  it demonstrates His deep and abiding love but also His compassion for us as each His own.
 
We always pray during the week for our Sunday services and ask the Lord to bless as He sees our needs.  Each one of us has a thought of the Lord adding to His church as He sees fit.  And when that occurs it is truly joyous for all.  This last Sunday Bethlehem church was blessed again when young Ellia Gore came forward asking for a home in the church.  What a sweet and blessed day it was.  The Lord willing in the next few weeks we will conduct her baptism along with Lacy Winchester who joined a few weeks ago.  Both of these young Ladies have been attending since they were babes in arms and before.  They have a deep love of the Lord and demonstrate with their faith.  Their familes are blessed with the same desire in faith.  How encouraging to see this work of the Lord as He adds to the church daily such as He would save from this wicked world.  This is a time that draws us closer to Him in knowledge and trus., Knowledge that we can comprehend more of His unsearchable riches of His grace and mercy.
 
May we earnestly continue to look to Him and trust Him for it is evident He is working with us to His glory.  Pray for one another and all such as these young sisters as they continue to walk in faith.  This was so encouraging for all and let us proclaim His glory as we continue on.
 
God bless and love to all. 
Bro. Mike

Good Morning to all.  Trust you are doing well and looking forward to services this week.   Due to the timing, duration, and reaction to these new radiation protocols there have been gaps in the daily message this week.  We think these issues are all solved and hope there will be no more of them for the duration of the treatment.
 
As we look to God’s word today and think of our upcoming meeting tomorrow; how thankful we are to be able to meet in person and gather to praise His name and rejoice and focus our collective voices to praise Him and bow in humble submission to petition at the throne of all grace and mercies once again.  
 
The psalmist makes us think.  There are so many at this time to pray for and petition on their behalf.  Many in grief and heavy laden with the burden of this life and its existence.  These bodies are succumbing and deteriorating daily as Paul states, yet there is a Great Hope we see and look forward to on the horizon.    We are called upon to suffer pain of this weak flesh and at times to give up those we love in this life and though this comes to all: we see a brighter day that brings the Great Hope of the Lord and His power, His glory and His sustaining and almighty grace poured out upon us.    And we rejoice to see the power of God; His love; His mercy abound to His children in this time.
And we can rejoice in the truth that He is risen, and sits on the right hand of the Father today and hears our prayers and requests and grants them.  For ours is The Great God of Heaven and Earth; Creator of all there is and establisher of the truth we live by.  By His Grace we have our being, and can see the beauty of His Saving Grace and Eternal Hope.  And He lifts the heart and calms the troubled breast and heart and sends peace that passes understanding.
 
It is a mystery of such a great work He has done and ia still doing each day in the lives of His own.  May our desire be to draw closer to Him and learn more of Him that we may serve Him here each day to the glory of His Great and Precious Name.
 
May God richly bless each of you this day with His eternal Grace and your heart be lifted from this old world of sin and sorrow for a season to rejoice in His finished work and glorify Him in our lives.

God bless and keep you in His Grace,
Bro. Mike

Leviticus 22:21-23:44.
 
Prov. 10:18.
Mark 9:30-10:12.
Ps. 44:1-7.
Prov. 10:19.
Ps.44:3.  For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hast favour unto them.
 
Ps. 44:6.  For I will not trust in my bow, neither  shall my sword save me.
 Ps. 44:7.  But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
Ps.44:8.  8. In God we boast all the day long,and praise thy name forever.
 
The Psalmist is very clear on where and whom His deliverance comes from. It is not from ourselves or man but only God can deliver one of His own.  
 
So much of our time is spent seeking deliverance and usually in the wrong places  God will not forsake His own whom He has demonstrated such love and grace for even before the beginning of time.  It's truly hard to comprehend such love.  But it is truly comforting to know the Lord has taken care of it all and there are no shortfalls or gaps:  It's done and complete and finished in Him!  That brings comfort and assurance to His own!
 
During our busy and sometimes complicated day there may be little time to think about and meditate upon these thoughts and the finished work of our Savior and how that brings comfort and peace to the heart of His own.  But if we are able at some point in time to have a concentrated thought upon God and His mighty works and blessings, what a blessing that brings to our heart.  The Lord teaches and stresses to us to not let our heart be troubled.  Ye believe in God, believe also in me is the encouragement the saviour gives.  And His blessings are abundant.  May God bless and comfort you on your path this day. When we can have that moment of sweet quiet thought on his grace and mercy how it lifts our hearts and calms the mind and troubled breast!  He brings comfort found nowhere else.  Can we not rejoice in such truth, peace, comfort, hope, and joy as what the Lord can bring!   The cool drink of water tp the dry and thirsty soul traveling through this desert land.
 
May His blessings lift and comfort you this day so you can drink from that eternal spring of life and rejoice once again in our risen Saviour.
 
God Bless and keep you in His Grace and Mercies.
 
With Love in Christ.

Bro Mike

​Leviticus 19:1-20:21
Mark 8:10-38.
Psalm 42:1-11
Prov. 10:17.
 
Prov. 10:13.  In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.  Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
 
Ps. 40: 17.  But I am poor and needy: yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer: make no tarrying, O my God.  
 
For anyone who is a student of the Bible it becomes clear that the Lord is adamant in His desire that His people have understanding and wisdom and that those attributes are used in life.  The Lord gives us wisdom in this life to discern right and wrong in the Lord’s eyes, and he teaches us that of ourselves we are depraved creatures.  This teaching is totally contrary to Satan and man himself as Man always sees himself as having some innate good of His own.  In reality, the only good man can have is by the grace of God and is a reflection of God’s grace upon him.  The natural man does not want to hear about his depraved condition and only sees himself as being good.  We know this is not the case and if there is any good it is there by God’s divine grace and mercy and is a reflection of Christ’s qualities bestowed upon us.  Man wants to justify himself by saying he has ‘accepted’ God’s saving grace and that action by man justifies Him before God.  How absurd!  How can the created in sin ever justify himself before the most high God.  Men say all you need to do to have life eternal is accept Christ by your own will and desire.  Truth be known, man does not want to be saved by anyone other than himself.  Then he can claim he did it.  
Thanks be to God that God does not think that way nor does He pay attention to man’s frivolous thought, which usually is centered on himself.  
We have a God who is greater than man, Satan or any other creature and HIS thoughts are NOT our thoughts.    We are able to worship God when our thoughts are raised up to His .  We are poor and needy creatures saved by grace.  And He has thought it right to share this knowledge of our true salvation with us that we might rejoice in His finished work..  And being lifted in Spirit and truth to rejoice is such great salvation as He has worked for His own.  And this knowledge lifts us to desire to be more like Him and learn more of Him.  What a gracious God is our God that we are enabled to worship in Spirit and Truth and to learn more of Him each day.  And to see His work and feel His presence in our lives and of those we love in him.
May our thoughts be truly turned to Him as we approach tomorrow's services and come before His presence with singing and giving thanks for all He bestows and gives us each day, and especially for the knowledge and understanding of the finished work of His Son.  For it is in that work that our hope is built and stands.
 
May the Good Lord bless each of you and especially our services tomorrow that we may be permitted to see the Son high and lifted up and rejoice in His finished work.  God bless and keep you.
 
Bro Mike

Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10.
Matthew 16:13-17:9.
Psalm 21:1-13.
Prov. 5:1-6.
 
​Prov. 5:1-6.  My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:  That thou mayest regard Discretion, and that thy life may keep knowledge.  For the lies of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:  But her end is bitter as wormwood and sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death:  Her steps take hold of hell.  Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
 
Good Friday morning.  It is a very cold wintry day but we are blessed to be warm and encouraged by God’s Word and truth.  Solomon wrote the Proverbs with a young man in mind.  From reading the Proverbs it's clear Solomon was wanting to convey that wisdom of life that we gain with experience and years and give it to a young man with hope he would use it to not fall into the same mistakes.  We all come to that point where we look back and say, if I had only not made that decision but had gone the other path how much better it would have been.  Thankfully the LORD leads us on and though we may make our own mistakes and choices that are not as favorable, He is sure to uphold us on the way.
This does not give the excuse that we can’t learn from mistakes and the wisdom of others.  We should strive each day to learn and apply God’s wisdom to our lives as it has more benefits than we can imagine.
In this Proverb, the young man is encouraged to give attention to His wisdom and not to fall for the enticements of the strange woman.  There are many analogies in this depiction that are beneficial for us today in our lives.  The church is often described as the bride of Christ and therefore has special reverence in relation to how the church is to be respected. 
Solomon stresses to the son, to attend to wisdom and to listen to his understanding.  Understanding is gained when we experience something for ourselves.  We all know this is so true in life’s path as we may have a picture and expectation of marriage and family but until we experience it we don’t come to a full understanding of its joys and sorrows.  Solomon warns about the strange woman who is enticing but speaks with a different and unfamiliar voice.  Her voice is smooth but it draws us into a path of lies.  Her voice sounds smooth but it has the bite of the viper and can draw us away from God’s truth to that path of lies.  Her grasping hands hold on to hell itself and her feet are constantly moving and never satisfied.  They move so much that they can’t even be followed because they are constantly looking for something that satisfies but can’t find it.  And with all this confusion and strife there is no rest and no way that understanding or knowledge of life can be gained.  
 
We can think of this as so much of the world’s condition and it always has been and always will be.  Yet God shows and gives us the opposite.  With Him there is peace, rest, contentment in what we have and he gives us knowledge and understanding. Of His work, our purpose and the HOPE set before us.    This is true wisdom and it is of God.
 
May we strive each day to seek and find this wisdom and contentment.  May we encourage others along this way as they seek the same.  For with our Lord we find true peace and tranquility and HOPE in Him.  May the Lord bless you this day.    May He bless the services this weekend to His glory and that they may be edifying to His people.  How much we have to be thankful for words of gratitude should pour from our lips continually on this journey.
God bless and keep each of you in His grace.
 
Brother Mike