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Morning Devotional



By MaxA

In the Old Testament the altar spoke of gratitude, appreciation, and devotion. In a worshiping way, we ought to have an altar. This outline with notes should picture that. May it help enrich you in your daily walk!

HAVE YOU LEFT THE ALTAR?

GENESIS 12:1-13:4 W. Max Alderman

INTRODUCTION: For the believer the altar speaks of consecration. It is so easy to move away from that place of consecration. This study will show the need for staying close to the altar and to also show what happens when we move away from the altar or the place of consecration.
The first mention of the word altar in the Bible is Genesis 8:20 when Noah built an altar.
The first altars were simply built out of stones, raised up in a pile or just earth raised up to be easily seen as having been raised for that purpose. Later, the altars were fashioned of valuable woods and metals.
Two things may be noted by these two different types of altars. First, we are taught the simplicity of worship, and then that true worship requires man's very best. Bethel is the place Abram built his first altar. Bethel means "house of God". It was also here that Jeroboam chose in his apostasy to erect an idol. (I Kings 12:28, 32). Because of what Jeroboam did, God poured out His wrath and destroyed Bethel (I Kings 13:1-5) God never hesitates to cast aside that which no longer serves His purpose (Rev. 2:5; 3:16). During this message, I will be asking three important questions, beginning with:

I. DO YOU REALLY HAVE AN ALTAR IN YOUR LIFE? (Are you really saved?)

A. The Altar Is a Place of CONSECRATION. (Romans 12:1,2; I Corinthians 6:19,20).

B. The Altar Is a Place of DEDICATION.

C. The Altar Is A Place of SANCTIFICATION. (to make a difference)

1. Should be expressed in ones deportment. (Conduct)

Illustration: Billy Sunday said, "One can no more be a worldly Christian than the devil can be a heavenly devil"

2. Should be expressed in ones dress. (Deut. 22:5)

a. there should be the mark of modesty.

b. there should be the mark of identity.

c. there should be the mark of appropriateness. (Do not go to the extremes to draw and seduce others by the way that you dress).

3. Should be expressed in ones devotion.

D. The Altar Is A Place of CONSIDERATION. (Involving introspection and interrogation)

Some of you will think that I am climbing into a time machine making a journey back into the distant dusty past as I mention some sins that are often being ignored, now...

1. What can I do to be more like Jesus? (The big question)
2. Is my speech becoming of a Christian?
3. Do I have something in my heart against a brother?
4. Do I find myself closer to Him today than any other time in my life?
5. Have I lied to someone?
6. Have I stolen something?
7. Do I have bitterness in my heart?
8. Do I partake of habits that are hurtful to my body and testimony, such as tobacco products and alcohol (including beer, wine and liquor)?
7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 9. Do I go to places that will hurt my testimony, such as bars, nightclubs, and movie theaters?
10. Do I watch or listen to music or movies that would be offensive to Jesus if he were sitting next to me?
11. Do I gamble, including raffles, card playing and the lottery?
12. Do I have a critical spirit and guilty of sinning with my tongue either talking about someone or as a gossip.
13. Am I guilty of being unfaithful to the church, witnessing, reading my Bible, prayer, family devotion, tithing, supporting faith promise missions?
14. Am I currently involving myself in ministry to Christ and the local church?
15. Do I have a dedicated time for devotion and prayer?
16. Do I strive to be more like Jesus?
17. Do I have anger in my heart against someone?
18. Am I a tale bearer or gossip?

II. ARE YOU PRESENTLY AT THE ALTAR?

A. To Leave the Altar or the Place of Consecration Will Bring Wicked Dangers.
1. It will take its toll on your flesh.
2. It will take its toll on your Family.
3. It will take its toll on your Future.

B. To Leave the Altar or the Place of Consecration Will Bring Wrong Decisions.
(You can leave the altar before you leave the church!)

C. To Leave the Altar or the Place of Consecration Will Bring Worldly Defilement.

III. IF YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY AT THE ALTAR, WILL YOU COME BACK? (Luke 15).

A. It is A Place of Reception. (V.20)
B. It is A Place of Refreshment. (Vv. 11; 23)
C. It is A Place of Restoration. (V. 22).
D. It is A Place of Revival. (V. 24)

CONCLUSION: We do not in a literal manner go and stand before or offer to and altar, but in a spiritual sense, we should have the spirit and attitude towards God that will be pleasing to Him as we consecrate ourselves to Him; for He is worthy...

"Is Your All On The Altar?"

You have longed for sweet peace
And for favour to increase
U have earnestly, so fervently, oh oh you really prayed
Oh yes you have
But you cannot find rest
Nor be perfectly blessed
Until all on the alter, until it's laid

Is your all on the alter of sacrifice?
Is it laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
Now, you can only, you can only be blessed
And have peace and sweet rest
After you have yielded unto the Lord
Your body and your soul

Is your all on the alter of sacrifice?
Of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
Now, u can only, only, only be blessed
And have peace and sweet rest
After you have yielded Him
Yielded Him your body and your soul

That's all He wants:
Everything, everything, everything
So would you walk with the Lord
In the beauty of His light?
Would you obey His Word
Everyday and every night?
We will never know just what
The Lord has to bestow upon his children
Until we give Him complete control
Give Him your, your heart and your mind
Give Him your spirit, your soul
Give Him your thoughts, give Him your ways, your desires
Just give Him your body and your soul

The music is in this you tube....

Very interesting devotional by Max, Judy.  And a perfect hymn to go with it.   

Thanks for this week's devotional, Judy . ... I have sung that song many times, growing up.   

QuoteJane, before I have another senior moment, I wanted to welcome you back home!  And it's good that Judge Judy found in favor of your granddaughter concerning the car deal.  How will they assure the guy pays her back and pays for the towing?  He likely  won't do it if it's left up to him.  I just wondered how those deals work.  It is really nice to have you back in the fold, now don't be a stranger!   

Janet, The show guarantees the award.  In fact, they pay both parties for appearing, as well as air fare, hotel stay, and a daily stipend while they are in L.A.      Becky was mad about the guy not having to pay anything, because he had stuck her with such a bad deal.  He gets his car back, but he will have to come get it.  Becky said he seems to think he can get it running if he brings a mechanic.  She will let him know when he can get it.  It currently is sitting (with expired tags) in the carport at Dot's.  That is the manufactured home that I now own, in Sacramento.  The park manager is not happy about this, but I told her it had to stay there until after the court decision.  I didn't tell her that it was going to be Judge Judy. 

Becky was awarded the amount she was suing for: the entire payment and the $90 towing fee.  She said she wished she had sued for the 3 weeks of work she had to miss because she had no transportation.     Let's not get greedy.

Those of you who have enjoyed MaxA's pictures and message starting this week...... Here is the message I read from him today.

Thanks for your prayers; being treated in the hospital for possible pleural effusion or pneumonia, there is a pocket of fluid in my lung. God bless you as you do...been so blessed, this is the first week that I had to cancel in Five years due to sickness.

He had to cancel a preaching engagement.  Lets all pray for this brother!

Another update about Thomas

More good news. I wanted to see if Thomas could read and understand, so I wrote on a piece of paper "raise your right hand" and showed it to him. He took some time to read it, then raised his right hand!

Hi, friends,

It's so good to see y'all this beautiful Sunday afternoon. My friend has now left town, so I feel a bit lonely. But that will pass.

Tomorrow's to be a big day with an appointment at church and then physical therapy. Since I'm already tired from the weekend, I would think that would be enough for tomorrow.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Judy, encouraging news about Thomas.  Thanks for sharing.

But definitely not good news about Max.  I pray the Lord will give wisdom to the doctors, and healing for Max.

May I please request prayer for Stephanie Riley she is the DIL expecting the twins, She is 6 months along and has been ordered to bed rest.  She will have another ultrasound or sonogram this week.  and is hoping she will be able to be up for a short amount of time. The babies are doing well and growing as they should.

You've got the prayers from this corner, Marilyn.   

Praying Marilyn.  Please pray for MaxA

Hi everyone.  It was sunny and the sky was clear when I was at coffee but see it has become a bit overcast now but no rain predicted.  We ended up with no rain yesterday.  I enjoyed several of the basketball games yesterday and there were several that were very close.  You hate to see either team lose when it is down to the last shot to decide the game.  The housekeepers just left and Pat has gone for her weekly massage.  I will go to my normal Monday men's luncheon and tonight to a meeting and that will be it for today. 

Judy, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week.  I guess I have missed something as I don't know who MaxA is. 

Marilyn, these next weeks are going to be long ones if she has to stay in bed.  Before Stacey was born Pat was ordered to stay in bed and my grandmother came and stayed with us to help care for our son, who was still quite young, just a little over a year.   

Larry MaxA is an evangelist from Statesboro Georgia. He takes pictures wherever he goes to show the glory of God's creation.  Max has also won the last two challenges here on CP. As an evangelist he travels all over the US and to other countries preaching the word.   
If you check here you will see the challenge winners and two of Max's pictures.  A wonderful man with a great mission!

John has gone to borrow a trailer to pick up some outdoor railing wood for usto burn.  When that is done he will be bringing in some more birch from outside.  We are just about out of wood, and this railing wood burns hot and fast, helping to extend the life of the poplar.  It was -30 again this morning, days warm up but nights are still cold.  It is -8 right now out our window.  I can't wait for the good weather so we don't need to use wood any more!

John heads back out on the road tomorrow, I have food to prepare so I am off for now!

We were disappointed to see KU lose yesterday, but REALLY disappointed for Wichita State!  But that's life, someone wins and someone loses.

Our pastor had the very difficult task today of conducting the second funeral within a month's time for another young man who took his own life.  This one was married, lived in Tulsa, Okla.  I have no other details, not even why this was held at our church, long way from Tulsa.

I seem to not be able to get anything done in the afternoons!  I get up really early in the mornings and do all right, but the afternoons are gone before I know it! 

Prayers for the mommy expecting twins and also for Max A.  So many prayer needs, my list is quite long.

I'm really tired, as my back hurt and kept me from sleeping well last night, so I plan to retire early tonight.

Hello everyone.  Its been a while since I've dropped in on this thread, but have had Al Moak on my heart of late.  Last I knew he was in assisted living, but seems to have dropped off the CP radar after November or December of last year.  I knew his health wasn't rebounding very well, but I simply lost track.  Can someone please provide me an update on him?

Ken I will see if I can find out in the morning.

Hi everyone.  The sun is shining brightly this morning.  We had a little rain sometime during the night as there was water on top of my garage can.  I also noticed that the yellow pine pollen is beginning to appear in the water, a sure sign of spring.  Our weather forecast for tonight says we are to get down to 26 degrees.  I sure hope that will change.  I have to take Pat down to Atlanta for her annual checkup on her replaced knee and hip.  I have nothing else on the calendar for today.  She is taking a good friend out this evening, with some other friends, to the Cheese Cake Factory for dinner to celebrate her birthday. 

Judy, thanks for the info on MaxA.  You sure are having cold weather. 

Janet, so sad when young people take their own lives.  Sure hope you feel better today. 

Ken, we haven't heard from Al Moak for sometime. 

I have a phone number for Al Moak, not sure how current it is.  I don't have the son's number.  I will call this later this morning as it is in central time zone and we are eastern.

It was another cold one this AM.  It is warming up but the furnace is taking time to warm the house.

I will be back later.

The phone number that I have for Al is "no longer in service"

John is getting wood in, we are out downstairs, and I can't cut and split.   He got a wind/sun bun on his face yesterday. 

I have to go get things done!

Thanks for trying, Judy.  I did a little hunting, and see that he moved to TX to live with Joel Moak a year ago.  Found Joel on Facebook, so I sent him a message to see if we can get some info.  Will pass along what I learn.

Thanks, Ken--I know everyone is interested to learn about Al.

We had a great workout at the gym this morning, now ready to go to lunch.  Beth called and wants me to come eat with her, so I will.  They are having their monthly barbecue today.

Darrel is ready now, so I will come back and post again later!

I think Al moved to Texas, not to live with his son, but to be in an assisted living near his son.  Pat may have more information.  I think she did have contact information.

I just got off the phone with my daughter - my ear is sore after the hour-long conversation!     But that's how phone conversations with my kids always go.  We're great talkers!   

I sent Joel a message as well (on FaceBook)

Jeanne Those phone calls from our daughters can last a long time!  They are so treasured by this Mom! 

I just had a call from a 92 year old lady from Church.  She has boxes of yarn for me.  She doesn't want to give me all of it as she still is knitting!  She had a heart attack and thought she was going home, about a month ago.  But her response for still being here is, "I guess God still has something for me to do!"  Bless her heart, she is such a blessing to so many people!

Hi, friends,

I've been busy today, but a bit sore from needing our Lord to "guide my feet" literally. So, I'll recover, but would appreciate your prayers for full recovery from this fall.

It was great to see my trucker son today - in the midst of a hard blowing "thunder snow." Literally, the huge flakes of snow were blowing sideways, immediately melting on the roads, but accumulating on cars and grassy surfaces. And, there were lightning strikes and thunder happening at the very same time!

Now, I need to close and make my way downstairs to a memorial service for a wonderful, godly 95 year old christian who died recently. We had to wait for the memorial service until his wife, who was recuperating at a nearby nursing home from a fall and broken bones. It's so sad to lose both these sweet people from our fellowship. His wife will now live with a niece.

So long for today,
Ruth Ann

I hope today is restful for you Ruth Ann, you are always so busy, a day off is indeed needed.

We are finalizing arrangements for John to go to Moose Factory.  He will fly from Timmins and be back the next evening. 

Today is a cold day here, usually it has warmed up to 32F by now however not today.  John has the fire going well, and has left for the balance of the week.

I will be back later.

Hi everyone.  Eating a bite of lunch as I read the posting.  I had a busy morning as after coffee I had to make a quick trip to the credit union to take care of some business.  It was about 10 am when I got to Bible Study.  Pat had taken some muscle relaxation medicine last night so didn't go to Bible Study with me.  It is a beautiful but chilly 38 degrees here and it was 27 when I got up this morning.  Nothing else on the schedule for today.

Judy, glad to see that John is going to be able to make the trip to Moose Factory.  Glad he got some wood cut and in for you to use. 

Ruth Ann,  glad you got to see your trucker son.  That sounds like a very unpleasant snow experience with the thunder snow.

Jeanne, better a sore ear from a long call than not getting a call at all. 

Janet, I am sure Beth appreciated your coming to eat with her for the barbeque. 

Ken, hope you hear back from Al's son.  Judy, thanks for trying to call. 

Larry, I cherish that sore ear!   

Cold and windy today, but the latest storm has passed us by.  It's now attacking the coastal areas of New England with blizzard conditions. 

This is part of the message I received from Joel 

Quote..He's doing ok. He often forgets how to log onto things..

Let us continue to pray for him in this new chapter in his life. 

It is chilly here today, the house is not warming up very well, I don't know what John did to bring the inside temperature up.....I need to find that out.

Thomas is doing better he has rehab going now and they had him with his feet out of the bed, sitting up and then standing.  They did this twice.  His muscles are not doing a very good job of supporting his trunk.  The therapist said those two times they worked with hin was the equivalent of running a marathon for a healthy person.  Please continue to pray this brings them to the cross.

Jeanne I cherish the sore ear as well.  Those calls are precious.

Judy what else did Al's son say?

Marilyn That is basically it.

I think I have the fire going well at last. I am finally warm.  The dogs were out all day yesterday with John romping in the snow, and they are still wiped out!  All they have done today is sleep!

Anyway I am off will be back later!