Christian Photographers Community

Morning Devotional...


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The Lamb of God [/td]
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Spring is not far away in this part of the globe. In a few weeks, buds will be bursting into beautiful cascades of colour.  Brown fields will give way to tender, luscious shoots of green grass. The mornings will resound again with the melody of song birds, as they flit around in their new bright spring feathers, doing the things birds do while building their nests and raising their little ones. Soon, too, the little lambs will be seen sporting on the hills and in the valleys of Ontario, and Scotland and Ireland and many other places throughout the world.

Perhaps it was in spring that John the Baptist, on seeing Jesus coming to him said: "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." John 1:29 (NKJV) What an unusual thing to call an adult male. What a peculiar statement to make. Think of it again.  "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

Lambs were familiar to the Jewish people of John's day. Lambs were a reminder to them of their history, when as slaves in Egypt, God had commanded them to kill a lamb, a spotless lamb, for each household and apply its blood to the lintel and door posts of their houses so that God's judgment would not fall on them. This exciting story can be read in detail in Exodus 12.

When I was a boy (many years ago), my father used to tell me stories to illustrate the Bible way of salvation. He seemed to have an endless store of them. Some of these stories I have remembered fondly over the years. One was about a man in Switzerland who was employed to repair the steeple on a local village church. So used, was he to working at heights that he did not bother to attach himself with a safety rope. He wanted freedom to move around, but alas his desire for freedom almost cost him his life. To their horror, some of the villagers saw him slip and grasp wildly to break his fall. To no avail, downward he hurtled. The villagers ran frantically to where the worker lay. He must be dead! But wonder of wonders he was alive. Instead, a lamb lay beneath him bearing his weight. The lamb was dead, crushed beneath the human load which had fallen on it.

When John the Baptist called the Lord Jesus Christ, "The lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world", he was telling his hearers that Jesus would die on the cross to take the weight of sin of the nations so that judgment need not fall on those who like the Israelites in Egypt were protected, by the blood of the lamb.

In the book of Revelation 7:9-10 (NKJV), we see, "a great multitude from all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues standing before the throne of the Lamb clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands and crying with a loud voice saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb".

There is a lovely hymn we sometimes sing in the church where we fellowship that speaks of Christ's sacrificial work as the Lamb of God and the blessings brought to all those who are His by personal faith in Him.



                                                                                         
Let me lovingly ask you a very personal question, "What is your relationship to the Lamb of God? Have you put your faith in Him to deliver you from the judgment to come?" To do this you must first agree with God that you are a helpless sinner unable to meet the demands of His law, unable to pay the price of your own sin. Then you must agree that as the Lamb of God, He has taken away your sin.

If you have trusted Him you will one day sing the song of the redeemed in heaven



The alternative is frightful. Those who do not seek the Lamb as Lord and Saviour will want to flee from Him as Judge, and will "call on the mountains and rocks to fall on them to hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" [/i] (Revelation 6:15-17).

It is my prayer that none who read this will miss the day of Salvation, and the mercy of the Lamb, for who will be able to stand in the coming day of the wrath of the Lamb.

---

Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Pat you nocked my post out into cyber space.

I will not try to repost, have a good night all

God Bless, JudyB

Sorry Judy.  I looked and didn't see you online when I locked the door!  Sorry.




I urge everyone to get onto the Yahoo mailing email list so that you all can be notified of very important messages.  We used that list to notify the members quickly when we heard of Papa John's serious illness and today we used it to notify people that CP was "down".

I got knocked out also, so will post tomorrow.  Pleasant dreams all.

Hehehe, I just got my email message.  Hmmm.

Sorry i didn't post more, my "free" time was while the site was down.

I got some cute pictures today, I'll try to post them tomorrow night, or something!

Goodnight  Everyone



zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz




Ruthie

Pat - Dear sis, a wonderful post this morning. I do hope that you are feeling stronger today. I also pray that what I have written does not detract from Jack's devotional.

I pray that you all enjoy a fruitful and refreshing
weekend.

LOL

For many years the only true and real 'calling' that I could imagine in this life was to be a preacher of the gospel. It is without doubt the highest calling available or should I say honoured to any man.

It is over twenty years now since I approached a minister in my church for guidance on this matter. I was aware of a compelling urge to preach. I did not feel 'gifted' or qualified enough to preach, but I could not get rid of the nagging within. His advice to me was, 'if there was any way that I could stay out of the ministry, then I was to do that!'

'Phew!!' Relief! I do not have to go back to school, sit exams, go to College for three or four years and I did not have to stand up in front of people each week and preach a sermon. Yes there was relief, however the 'nagging' within did not go away. I kept returning as surely as the tide returns to the shore.

I studied hard each evening in my own home for what seemed like months on end. I read Louis Berkhof's, Systematic Theology from cover to cover then on to Hodge's three volumes.

Theology was meat and drink to my thirsty soul at that time as each day I was learning something new. I confess that my knowledge of the Scriptures was then as it is now – very poor indeed.

It was in Romania that I was given the first opportunity to preach. I did so through an interpreter and I confess that I truly enjoyed the experience.

A while after returning home I was asked if I would take the occasional Prayer Meeting in a small, yet warm village church. I do so and I returned a number of times.

I dreaded it! I enjoyed the preparation and the discipline of preparing each sermon, yet I hated the actual preaching. I was sick in my stomach days before hand, yet I managed to memorise the sermon before actually preaching it. It did not use notes, I simply stared at the back wall of the church and spoke!

I truly felt sorry for those sitting in the pews listening to me. I had absolutely no confidence in what I was doing and after a number of months I decided that it was not for me. Was this the right decision for me to take or was I simply echoing Moses' words listed above?

It is the easiest thing in the world for us to make excuses, especially when the Lord's service is concerned. How often have I been guilty of sitting back and allowing others to struggle on when I have been sitting on my backside doing nothing? How often has the fear of man prevented me from doing certain tasks in the Lord's Name?

I preached twice at 'Open Air' meetings in Stornoway, my home town. I hated it!! I could not string two sentences together and I found myself too easily distracted with all that was going on around me.

I am glad to have done it, but never again! I admire those who can preach at these meetings, they are gifted indeed. I would love to have heard George Whitefield.

I made up many excuses when I was fitter and healthier than I am now and I question these decisions now. Was I right or wrong? Have I missed my calling?

Am I being chastened through ill health as a result of my disobedience? Perhaps I should have done this, or said that, or taken this turning! Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps!!

I can make myself ill meditating on my errors but that is not productive. What has happened before is now water under the bridge. I have only today and I have the choice either to serve God where I am, as I am or not serve Him at all.

Will I ever be able to preach the glorious Gospel in public? I do not know the answer to that question and I do not worry about it. If it is to be then the Lord would have to improve my physical well being in a manner that only He could do. Is what I am doing now my training ground or is this my calling?

Today it is. Today is all I have and although I did not know what I was going to write about this morning as I got out of my bed, the desire to do so was there.

I often write and wonder if anyone reads what I am writing. I wonder if I truly do any souls any good. I dispel such thoughts by committing my efforts to the One who alone can bless and bring the increase.

I am not eloquent neither do I count myself a skilled writer. I am most thankful to Pastor Al Moak for it is he who takes the time to edit my writings and that is no easy task! God provided me with a helper as He did with Moses. Thank you Lord and thank you Pastor Moak.

We may be fearful of doing anything in His name, but my friend let me encourage you to do all that you can for Him while it is called day. If you keep putting off what the Lord wants you to do, then the day may come when you will not be able to do it!

Do not make the same mistakes that I have made. God does not want to hear excuses though we may be quite eloquent in offering them!!

I will not give you the advice that was given to me all those years ago, rather I say to you, if the Lord is calling you, then He will also equip you for the task at hand.

Remember you do not need to be a preacher of the Gospel to serve God. May you hear His words to your soul today. 'Go forward.' As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.  

LOL

Your brother in Christ

Iain

Niters everyone, my eyes are shot and I'm bushed.  Just spent over an hour installing "Panda" Anti-virus.  My Norton crashed and I didn't want to fool with them anymore.


Pat.........

Wrong place, but I always cut my roses back in November.  Why do you have to do it in the Spring??  Winter doesn't require feeding, and the stubs can rest.  I'm NOT an authority on this, it's just the way I did it in So. California.

I want to take time to digest your devotional so I'll study it tomorrow.

Love to all...........

8.30 a.m. England.

Pat I am so glad you seem to be better.  Take care dear.

Thanks Pat and Ian...
Lovely to think of Spring Pat..."Soon everlasting Spring will come"...

Lee I use Zone Alarm.  Virgin recommended the free download and it really does it's job!..Excellent. It actually told me not to open a message from a friend last week, said it wasn't just a warning .

This is All Saint's Day in the Anglican Church...Is it for you dear Ria also?  It is a very special day.  Until recently I always received Holy Communion on this day.  Dear Jane George brought me the sacraments last Wednesday.  I have some readings for the day and will use these as a quiet devotional...Thanking God for all those faithful that have gone before and have passed on the Christian Faith under tremendous pressures. I will think of Jack and of those dear ones who taught me my faith.

Prayerfully.
Jenny.

Pat thank you for the very good devotional this morning  from your lovely Jack

Take care of your self Pat my prayers are also for you

Iain thank you also for your devotional you also are very good  thank you brother

Papa John also thank you for yourgood words yesterday evening
i am always happy to see you Papa John.

Goedemorgen dear Jenny is it also raining in England
here in Holland we have rain and a lot wind.
Yes Jenny we also have All Saint's Day

I hope the rain will stopped this morning this afternoon we are going away not nice when it is raining.

I wish you all a BLESSED WEEKEND

Lord, help us see how much we need each other
As we walk along the Christian way;
In fellowship with sister and with brother,
You will keep us growing day by day
                                              Hess
Bye for now
Love RIA

WELCOME  CHAR[/color]

Pat, thank you for a very wonderful sermon from your beloved,he still speaks today because his daily walk was with his Saviour, Who took him, for everything was prepared for him, Jesus  went to prepare a place for us all,and we shall all meet in glory,at the feet of a gracious loving God.
Be happy my sister, he was a wonderful man and meeting him again will be something glorious too.
But for now continue the great work you are doing so well, we love you so much.
And dont forget to REST!!!!!!!!!

Iain my Brother in Christ whom I love so much,you are very gifted, and your works are pleasing unto God, never doubt the inspiration you bring to all of us, for your sermonettes are from life's rich experience.
The troubles and trials you go through are forming you into a man of God, never, ever, feel that you are doing little, for you are a good and faithful servant, and one day you will enter into the joy of your Lord and hear the words "well done!".
"Whatever your  hand finds to do, do it with all your heart."
Ecc ch 9 v 9-10.
And you too remember to REST !".

Another beautiful morning here in Middle Tennessee this morning.  The trees are yellow, orange, red with all the little shades in-between.

Ps 1:1-6
1   Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2   But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3   He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
4   Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5   Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6   For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
(NIV)

I often read a scripture like this and say, "What could I add to this?  It is so clear that it doesn't need any explanation.  Just read it and think and you will find that God is speaking to you    ----    and to me.


--- Papa John              <)))><<

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Good day everyone.  

Well God is good . . . . . . . all the time.

He is answering prayer for this family in very dramatic ways.  

John is home for the weekend and will be working in the bush again.

Elijah Michael (isn't that a strong name!) is being dedicated tomorrow.

I have decided to change rooms (bedroom) around on the girls.  We have one downstairs bedroom and three upstairs.  The girls will be sharing again.

WE have had some really beautiful weather the last few days.  There has been rain but, the temp has been quite mild.  Right now it is sunny  and the temp in the shade is 10*C.

Papa John That was one of my Mothers favourite passages.  She had me memorize it during the time Pat spent in N.Ireland.  We would repeat it together. memories.

Talk Later

JudyB

Good Morning. Pat thank you for psting another of Jack's wonderful sermons. (writings). I gives me much to think about this morning and  throughout the day.

I am reading the book of John, I love the book of John. This morning I read of the Feeding of the 5,000, Chapter 6.

Iain Thank you for letting us see  into your heart as you write down  your thoughts on the scriptures that you read. I have learned much about you through these writings.

Papa John: It is so good to see  the familiar Green print as you aslo bring us scriptures, I pray that they will be here daily soon. How are you feeling?

Pat: I didn't know that lemon juice would help dizziness. Why didn't you tell me that when I was suffering so much with those dizzy spells a year ago. My ear has finally stopped  bothering me just last month, I don't know what changed it, but it stopped.

Jenny: How are you feeling? Did you get over your bout with the Flu?

Ria How is your Father?

JudyB: you have snuck in here while I am still posting. so Hi JudyB.

TTYL

Good afternoon everybody  4.35PM

I wish you all a good afternoon and evening

My father the next week is his last week from radium therapie.
He has had a talk with the doctor but they are saying he is doing well.
But his has what little problems now but the doctor
has say to him when the therapie is over then also his problems because that is coming from the radium.

I thank you all for the prayers

Bye for now
Love RIA

QuoteBy Janet
HHHmmmmmmmmmm.....It sounds like Lee may host a CP get-together........ .........doesn't it?  That would be AWESOME!

This was quoted in Lee's AtV thread in the photography area.

This would be great! What do you all think???

Ria I am glad the Radiation is searly dome.  He will feel better soon.

Marilyn Hi.  Have a good day sis.  You are up early for a Saturday?  

Sun is now really shining.  

Bye all
I won't be back till much later.

Love Judy

Good Morning Everyone!

Yes, it's still morning!


Marilyn, I'm so happy that you are enjoying Jack's "Walking in the Old Paths".  I always get a blessing from them each time I read them as well.  Thanks for letting me know.   Lemon juice helps dizziness if your dizziness is being caused by something you ate so I always take it in case that's the reason.  If it's something to do with your inner ear, etc. lemon juice wouldn't help.  But it won't hurt to try it.


Not going to write much at this time.  I'm going to put a load of laundry in and then do a couple of things around the house.  My dizziness is still with me so I'll be getting in touch with the doctor on Monday if it's not cleared up by then.

Loved your portion of scripture today, Papa John.  Yes, as Judy has said, that was one of Mother's favourite portions.  

Chris, are you still in the dog house over the photos you've been posting?  Well, one anyway?

Thanks so much Iain, for allowing us the pleasure of yet another of your devotionals.  I always receive a blessing when I read what you write.  THANKS!

I forgot to say good morning to you, Ria.  I guess it's no where near morning over there in Holland.  I'm so glad that you can spend so much time with us.

By the way, who got the last piece of cheese cake?  Karma, Rachelle or ?

I was asked by a friend of mine why I believe we didn't evolve from apes. And you know something. I didn't know what to say.  

Would you all have some advice or verses that could help me next time?  

I did ask this person if they read the bible?  Said, "some" He also said he read the Darwin book.  He said that the roman catholic believe we were apes once.    

thanks I could use the help!

Quote from: Pat Scott on November 01, 2003, 11:00:50 AM
By the way, who got the last piece of cheese cake?  Karma, Rachelle or ?

I did!! I did!!  Muhahahahhehahhahaaa!  I snuck it before they could get it.

<sonja licks her lips>

Sonja a wonderful site that will help you is www.icr.org that is the Institute  for Creation Research. There is a lot of stuff there that you can learn before you speak to this person again scriptures etc.

JudyB Saturday is just another day for me, I go to work at 11:30 a.m. Beside the dogs get  me up at the same time every day. They just doen't seem to understand that I like to sleep later on some days. LOL

The last piece of Cheesecake is in the fridge, I think since no one came by to claim it, I will eat it for breakfast.

Thanks Marilyn!

Sonja You are most welcome. Also Genesis Ask him if he believes the Bible is truth.

Hi everyone.  As Pat just said it is still morning here in the Eastern part of North America.  It is another glorious and beautiful day and I have felt good for the last three days.  Think the increase in the heart medication is doing the job for me and not lifting anything or pushing myself too hard.  God is good.  Yesterday I went to do some shopping to get some printer paper from our Office Depot and then decided to stop at the Wal-Mark Super Center to check on a couple of things.  That was a mistake in that when I got to the quick checkout lane  and with only one couple in front of me the cash register didn't want to work right.  I stood there for a good 15-20 minutes and perhaps longer thinking they would solve the problem.  I finally gave up and went to a self-service line and started waiting for my turn.  Finally, they got the cash register to work and the nice lady at that register motioned me back to check me out telling the people behind me that I had been waiting a very long time.  I thought that was very nice.  However, I am definitely going to try to avoid going back to that store for a long time.  It really wore me out. Wow!  Didn't I have an exciting day and as I read this it looks like I need to get a life!      

Pat, as always I get so much from Jack's writing and his message is so clear.  I am glad you share one of these gems with us occasionally.  I know they are in another place on the CP site but I just don't take the time to go there to read them and when it is in the daily devotional I do and am blessed by the message contained.

Iain, in my way of thinking you are honoring God's call to preach.  Your pulpit in through the world-wide web and God is using your efforts for his glory.  Would you have ever done this type of ministry if God hadn't broken you via the physical ailments that plague you daily?  I had not known that Pastor Al was helping you but that makes it all the better.

Welcome to Char.  I look forward to your joining us here on CP.

Papa John, so good to see those green messages and scripture passages again.  We surely missed you while you were so ill but certainly didn't forget you in our prayers and thoughts daily.

Hope everyone has a blessed day regardless of the weather or temperature in your area.

Thank you Marilyn.  It is good be back home and feeling so well.  I remember so little of the three weeks I was in the hospital.  Seems strange that I have joined the group of so many cancer survivors.  My doctor said I was lucky.  I say the Lord was with me listening to the prayers of my many brothers and sisters who were praying for me.

I like John's prayer for Gaius:
3 Jn 1:1-3  The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.  It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth.  (NIV)

John was interested in his physical well being as well as of his spiritual health and he prayed for him.  He rejoiced when he received word from friends about him.  This is the way we feel when we have love for one another.

--- Papa John              <)))><<

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Thank you Pat for that wonderful devotional from Jack.....  I loved it !


It is true, there is only ONE WAY to have eternal life.     Only through Jesus Christ!


I am going to look for the book "More than a Carpenter"    and also Ravi's book "Jesus amongst other gods"    I have to get them for the Muslim family I met last Tuesday night.  This family of 5 kids and mom & dad are seeking the truth.


Will check in later.


Love Ruthie