tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21171615578940702102024-03-12T21:02:02.199-05:00Ray SpellbrinkRay Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.comBlogger276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-43696365173112861422024-02-16T12:22:00.001-06:002024-02-16T12:22:14.657-06:00Additional Outreaches<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Over the past few weeks, I have been sharing some outreaches of New Jerusalem Ministries. I shared about some changes that will impact this ministry this year as well New Jerusalem Singers and Happy Times Variety Show. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In this blog post I would like to share a few other outreaches we have that many may be unfamiliar with. We will look at them one by one. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Needless to say, if you are reading this you know I write a blog. Well, I have been on hiatus with some of these things for quite a while, but I am slowly making my way back to being active in these things as the Lord leads. I recently resumed blogging. My blog will consist of me sharing my thoughts on a variety of topics on, what I hope to be, a weekly basis. Be sure to check back and check out my blog. I would encourage you to take some time to go back in time to read some of my previous blog posts as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I also started a Vlog some time back. I don't have many posts but I look to start posting more vlogs in the near future. I will be sharing thoughts on my vlog from time to time. I will share inspirational thoughts as well as words of encouragement. I would encourage you to subscribe to my vlog and you will be notified when I post a new vlog. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Check out my vlog at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@rayspellbrinkvlog9423">www.youtube.com/@rayspellbrinkvlog9423</a> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My YouTube channel has my preaching and teaching in various settings such as churches, home, outside or even sitting my favorite chair. You can access my YouTube channel at <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@RaySpellbrink">www.youtube.com/@RaySpellbrink</a> .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My podcast will cover a variety of topics and will include personal thoughts from my own journey as well as interviews with others on a wide variety of topics. You can access my podcast on a variety of platforms. You can check out my podcast using this link:</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><a href="http://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ray-spellbrink" style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ray-spellbrink</a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another outreach of NJM is a ministerial fellowship. Our ministry motto is Encourage, Exhort and Edify. That is what we do with NJM Ministerial Fellowship. We work with ministers, ministries, churches, singers, organizations or anyone who may need encouragement, counseling or advise on the various aspects of ministry. This is a free service that we offer however there may be federal, state or county fees associated with legally setting up a Corportation or ministry. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We host an online Bible Study every other week on Mondays at 7 pm. We host this via Zoom. This is an interactive Bible Study where we encourage everyone to participate and share. We generally go for an hour or so and this includes prayer time at the end of the Bible Study. If you are interested in receiving a link to the Zoom Bible Study, send us your email address and we will add you to our email list when a link is posted. This is also simulcast on my personal Facebook page. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There is so much associated with ministry, and we try to be available as needed. We are able to serve communion to those who are shut in or may not have a church home. If a loved one is in a senior retirement environment, we can go to them. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We are able to baptize those locally who have believed on Jesus as their personal Savior and desire to take that next step and be baptized. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also perform weddings as well as funerals. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There may well be other things we do and other services we provide that escape my memory. We love God and love what He has called us to do. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After reading the last several blog posts, you should have a pretty good understanding of what New Jerusalem Ministries is all about. In a nutshell...IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Please feel free to share this blog post with others who may be interested in NJM and what we offer. We stand ready to serve. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Enjoy the journey!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:rayspellbrink@gmail.com">rayspellbrink@gmail.com</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Feel free to friend me on Facebook</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink">www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink</a></span></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-13806373441183726252024-02-09T21:00:00.000-06:002024-02-09T21:00:37.216-06:00Happy Times Variety Show<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In this blog post I want to share a little about a newer outreach that is available. I firmly believe that Christians can have good clean fun. In fact, I had a pastor who would often say, "If Christians can't have good clean fun, then who in this sin-sick world can?" That always stuck with me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As a ministry, we believe the gospel is needful and relevant for all age groups. NJM since its inception has had a very strong emphasis on what we deem to be a forgotten segment of society - senior citizens. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">New Jerusalem Singers, our gospel group I shared about in my last blog post, play and sing old time traditional and country gospel music at many senior retirement facilities and senior groups. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we were not permitted to come and sing for quite some time. That left the seniors without a form of ministry or family entertainment. While we were eventually allowed to sing on a very limited basis outside and under limited circumstances due to COVID protocols, we seen the need for these seniors to be provided with quality family entertainment and interaction. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As a result, we developed<span> a program that would still give seniors who are shut in some entertainment. In 2020 we developed Happy Times Variety Show to fill this need. This includes, but is not limited to, playing songs and music from the 1920's - 1970's that seniors are familiar with. We play a variety of rhythm instruments along with the music. This has gone over very well. In fact, we are doing both a gospel program as well as Happy Times at some facilities on a monthly basis. God is using us to bring joy to and make a difference in the lives of seniors. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>We believe everyone needs to laugh from time to time. It does the soul good. Happy Times Variety Show will do just that. Seeing the smiles and sometimes even the tears as memories flood back from playing these old songs on the faces of the people we play to is so rewarding. We have found that is has become popular enough to offer on a larger scale. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>Happy Times Variety Show is a family friendly variety show consisting primarily of music (DJ style) that includes Country, Gospel, Folk, 50's Rock n Roll, Big Band, Cowboy, Pop and includes songs from the 1920's through the 1970's. We play a variety of rhythm instruments along with the music. Some of the instruments we play include washboard, cajon bongos, bones, sticks, tambourine, shakers, castanets, bells, cabasa, spoons, Chilean rain stick along with others too numerous to name. We are always looking for instruments to add. From time to time, we also utilize puppets, illusions and props. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>If you desire further information or desire to book Happy Times Variety Show for your facility or event, feel free to contact Cindy at 217 652-0423 or email us at <a href="mailto:happytimesvarietyshow@gmail.com">happytimesvarietyshow@gmail.com</a> and give us the pertinent information (Name, Date, Time, Contact Information) and we will check our schedule and get back to you as soon as possible.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>There is a link to the Happy Times Variety Show website on our ministry page at <a href="http://newjerusalemministries.net">newjerusalemministries.net</a> . We encourage you to check it out. There are even a few photos on the Happy Times website. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you know of someone who may be interested in this post or interested in Happy Times Variety Show, please feel free to share this blog post with them. Thank you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Enjoy the journey!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:rayspellbrink@gmail.com">rayspellbrink@gmail.com</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Feel free to friend me on Facebook</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink">www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink</a></span></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-42893411543305394742024-01-27T18:12:00.005-06:002024-01-27T20:39:53.988-06:00New Jerusalem Singers<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span>I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some information regarding the part of New Jerusalem Ministries (NJM) that has been active the longest. In fact, this particular facet of our ministry is older than even NJM, itself. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While Cindy and I have been singing all of our married life (and even before we got married), we didn't formally form the singing ministry until June of 1988. It was at this time we formed New Jerusalem Singers (NJS). We got our start singing in nursing homes, hi-rises, retirement homes, reunions and at just about any other event we were allowed to sing at. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We started off as a quartet. My brother-in-law, Paul Summers, sang bass and played bass guitar with us. In fact, while trying to figure out a name for the new southern gospel group, it was Paul who suggested New Jerusalem Singers. We all liked it and it stuck. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The group has been a quartet, trio and duet. We have utilized keyboard, and at time even two keyboards. We have utilized rhythms with the keyboards until I was able to learn how to play bass. Our son, Matthew, began singing at age 5 and played drums with us when he was 6 or 7 years old. We had electronic drum pads he played for some time. An older preacher friend told me, "That boy needs a drum set". He asked us to research how much a new drum set would cost. He generously purchased a drum set for Matthew to play. At another time we had a full band which included, keyboard, bass, rhythm guitar, lead guitar along with drums. The group currently consists of Cindy and me. Cindy plays rhythm guitar and piano/keyboard and I play bass. We do invite others to join us from time to time, as well. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As previously mentioned, we started out singing southern gospel music. We have also sung country gospel music as well as traditional gospel music. Currently we are more of a blend of country gospel and traditional gospel music stylistically. We love singing old hymns and old songs of the faith whose messages have stood the test of time. These songs are never out of date. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Without a doubt, we sing primarily to senior citizens. Even the churches we sing at are primarily attended by seniors. We travel thousands of miles each year singing and sharing the gospel message through word and song. Each song is a sermon, in and of itself. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We recently purchased a new keyboard for the ministry and will begin bringing back some keyboard playing in some of the places we go. Cindy will also continue using her guitar at many of the places we sing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God has blessed us through the years as we have traveled singing for His glory. We continue to sing to seniors in various settings, churches of various denominations and affiliations, fairs, festivals and any other events where gospel music is desired. We rarely turn down an opportunity to share the gospel through song. We believe God will continue to open doors for us as we are faithful to Him. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Our goal is to encourage, exhort and edify God's people where ever they may be or however they may meet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you are interested in scheduling New Jerusalem Singers to come and sing at your church, facility or event give Cindy a call at 217 652-0423 or email <a href="mailto:newjerusalemsingers@gmail.com">newjerusalemsingers@gmail.com</a> and give us the information regarding your event and we will check out schedule and get back to you. Check out our website at <a href="http://newjerusalemsingers.org">newjerusalemsingers.org</a> for additional information about NJS.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I will share another aspect of New Jerusalem Ministries in my next blog post. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you know of someone who may be interested in this post or interested in New Jerusalem Singers please feel free to share this blog post with them. Thank you. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Enjoy the journey!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:rayspellbrink@gmail.com">rayspellbrink@gmail.com</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Feel free to friend me on Facebook</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink">www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink</a></span></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-25299947694228373782024-01-20T15:28:00.004-06:002024-01-20T15:46:14.904-06:00A Couple of Changes<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In my last blog I mentioned that some changes were on the horizon. I want to take a moment to share a couple of changes that have been made. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One change we have made is I have shut down my personal website that I have had for many years. We have folded the things from my personal website into our ministry site at <a href="http://www.newjerusalemministries.net">www.newjerusalemministries.net</a> . I would encourage you to check out our ministry website. You will find the various ministries and things we are doing at the present time. You will also find some book recommendations (Good Reads) as well as some links that will not only encourage you but may very well challenge you, as well. I hope you will check it out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The second change we have made is we are cutting our travel. Please note, this does not include churches or church gatherings. We have sung for decades in retirement homes, supportive living facilities, and nursing homes. Some of our travel has taken us from Central Illinois to other parts of the state. While we are still traveling to some of these distant towns to sing in these facilities, we have cut back on the number of times per year we do this. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It's not that we don't love doing this but through the years singing 20-25 times most months has taken its toll on us physically as well as vocally. These have not been easy decisions for us to make but we do feel they are necessary ones. These are not spur of the moment decisions but rather these are decisions we have talked about, thought about and most importantly prayed about.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have found that as we are backing off some things that other doors are opening for us. We will continue singing and serving in whatever capacity God would have us to. Nothing has changed there. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In upcoming blog posts I will share the various aspects of ministry and service we are involved in. The future is bright, and we remain excited for what God has in store for us. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Enjoy the journey!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="mailto:rayspellbrink@gmail.com">rayspellbrink@gmail.com</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Feel free to friend me on Facebook</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink">www.facebook.com/rayspellbrink</a></span></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-71946687857762614522024-01-12T16:02:00.003-06:002024-01-20T15:27:39.792-06:00It's A New Season<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Wow. It's been a long while since I made my last blog post. November 4, 2021 to be exact. It was my intent to resume blogging in January of 2022. Yet I did not do that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What happened, you may wonder? In a nutshell it was due to health reasons as well as our schedule. Prior to that November, we were still in the COVID -19 Pandemic. Yet we carried a heavy schedule. In 2021 we sang 115 times, did 3 sings via Zoom, preached 14 times filling pulpits, conducted 2 church services at a supported living facility, sang with Cindy "Live from our Living Room" via Facebook Live 26 times, I taught a Fruit of the Spirit Series via Facebook Live that went 9 lessons, I taught a series on The Names & Character of God that went 14 lessons, I taught a series A Closer Walk With God that went 14 lessons, we jointly did a Bible Study via Zoom for a supportive living facility 19 times, we hosted a Zoom Bible Study 19 times, I blogged 44 times, did a vlog 3 times, did 40 podcasts, we did 12 variety shows, performed 4 baptisms and 1 funeral. Cindy and I did these things on top of the health issues we were dealing with. We remained busy in 2022 and added even more things in 2023. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I didn't share all of this for accolades. Trust me we do not want, nor do we need them. We do what we do because we love to do it. However, at that time to be quite honest I was feeling overwhelmed. Something had to be put on the back burner for a while. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fast forward and here we are in January of 2024. Where did all the time go? We have taken some time to reevaluate the various things we are involved in. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the Bible, even Solomon (known as the wisest man to live) told us <b><i>"To everything there is a season, and a time for to every purpose under the heaven"</i></b>. So, there are seasons for things. That is, some things run their course. They are a part of our lives for a season - for a time. After they have run their course or time and purpose then there comes a time to step back and reevaluate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We are now in this phase. Some decisions have been made. Some changes are on the horizon. There is even a new ministry door that has opened for us to do some one-on-one ministry. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One thing I felt strongly about was that I wanted to resume blogging. It is something I enjoy...even if no one reads these posts. I find that it is good for me. I hope to resume blogging once a week but if not, it will be every other week. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We also feel at this stage in our lives we need to slow down on some things. Take time to smell the roses, so to speak. Slowing down and taking time for self could very well improve quality and longevity of life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There is always a need and there is much to do. We would love to see others catch the vision and get involved in serving. If you have a desire to serve let me know. Contact me and we can arrange to get together and share some opportunities that are open right now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As our season is ending in some things perhaps <i>your </i>season is about to begin. Serve strong. Serve well. The harvest is ready. Just need laborers. Will you be a laborer for Jesus?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Enjoy the journey!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">rayspellbrink@gmail.com</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Feel free to friend me on Facebook</span></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-11469370378162845902021-11-04T23:44:00.001-05:002024-01-12T16:08:52.093-06:00Stay Close To The Shepherd<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In this day in a world overflowing with false teachings it is imperative that we stay close to our Shepherd. It is the responsibility of the shepherd to take care of and protect the sheep. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jesus, in His own words, talks about this. </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>John 10:11,14 CSB</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>[11] "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”</b></span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>[14] "I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me”</b></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jesus cautions us to be watchful for false teachers.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Matthew 7:15 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">"Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves.”</span></b></p><div><br /></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUFccf1XiIO68TFL5KDYFydr-rp-t4GaxpONbKltwltLXjlascaOj6vVmFS6XC76mH3rtPz4fABcbHYlvPg2yyPyAS8FaTwEAFi-ZdTMDyHNrBlzv1atT48yZJJoxpBYVHKcppCSWSMw/s640/1E377CEB-1B00-40B1-8F0B-E42303535150.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="640" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUFccf1XiIO68TFL5KDYFydr-rp-t4GaxpONbKltwltLXjlascaOj6vVmFS6XC76mH3rtPz4fABcbHYlvPg2yyPyAS8FaTwEAFi-ZdTMDyHNrBlzv1atT48yZJJoxpBYVHKcppCSWSMw/w400-h399/1E377CEB-1B00-40B1-8F0B-E42303535150.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As we draw closer to our Shepherd He will watch over us. He will protect us. He will even carry us at times. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">On our journey we will encounter trials, temptations, heartache, maybe even health, emotional and mental health issues. The enemy will be there to whisper negative things into your life. That is what he does. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When you find yourself in a situation like this look to Jesus, the Great Shepherd. Draw near to Him. In fact, <i>stay</i> near to Him. Make it a lifestyle. When you do this you will walk and live in victory - <i>His</i> victory.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121); text-size-adjust: auto;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida 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ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" 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sans-serif=""><span></span></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><br /></b></span></font></div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><br /></b></span></font></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-53236837791626202952021-10-29T20:52:00.000-05:002021-10-29T20:52:24.952-05:00How Not To Lose Patience<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Have you ever lost your patience with others? Do you still tend to grow impatient with other people? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Maybe it’s because of things they should or should not do. Perhaps it’s because they ask you for your advise time and time again yet they ignore it. Maybe they ask you to pray for them regarding a particular situation in their life but they do nothing to rectify it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Maybe you feel like you are at your wit’s end with them. You are frustrated. You are ready to give up on them. Perhaps you even want to give them “what for”. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1GWf4iEr5ViCrY9W5PcMDU0N-XcwAjWY5IJLUDBQ6n4AehrWWnJGHQf7sr-AVApXb7E3v61gU2W4cjoXwSlb-kJtHFDfaieUWmKz9_nj175qIL7lFQmiPFbZumTYvzbNOkJYdbuPeDc/s500/06600085-142A-4CEF-91B4-2C333A6347F9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1GWf4iEr5ViCrY9W5PcMDU0N-XcwAjWY5IJLUDBQ6n4AehrWWnJGHQf7sr-AVApXb7E3v61gU2W4cjoXwSlb-kJtHFDfaieUWmKz9_nj175qIL7lFQmiPFbZumTYvzbNOkJYdbuPeDc/w400-h400/06600085-142A-4CEF-91B4-2C333A6347F9.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When you are about to lose all patience with people like this stop and take a step back. Consider how patient God has been with <i>you</i>. God shows great restraint and patience with each of us. Sometimes He even sends very patient people into our lives to help us get on track. That’s love! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Perhaps consider if you had to put up with some of the things you have done just how patient would you be with yourself? Yikes! When I think about that I cringe. You see, I know me. I realize just how impatient I have been with others. Sometimes I still catch myself being impatient. There are times others point my impatience out to me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We should be grateful and thankful that God loves us unconditionally. He wants what is best for us. By the way, patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit that should be prevalent in the life of the believer (Galatians 5:22-23). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Anything worthwhile takes effort. If patience is a problem in your your life pray and ask God to work on that in your life. Be prepared. He will work on helping you become patient.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121);"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" 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ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" 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sans-serif=""><span></span></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-56162865132748801832021-10-22T13:56:00.004-05:002021-10-22T13:58:07.940-05:00Quit Beating Yourself Up Over Your Past<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">One thing many people have a difficult time doing is letting go of their past. Most of us have made mistakes in the past we wish we hadn’t. We’ve done things, perhaps, we were not proud of. Many have a hard time moving on from those mistakes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We pray. We ask for forgiveness. We put it under the blood. Yet we have a difficult time leaving the past behind. </span> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7LJ73gBKf4jd89rutHolXUL1s7-RNiO8huu5hsAkvtHrb9KnnPnstZ1f8aKkFXIN28E_rvl1rwV3Y4KV6gDLP-Wvv9EA1xRqrLR1GfB317z4tFHITQlK5v4kIKjIyNRMURiFthISM-g/s960/5A815D57-DE62-4F37-A2F2-BCF65F644341.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="883" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7LJ73gBKf4jd89rutHolXUL1s7-RNiO8huu5hsAkvtHrb9KnnPnstZ1f8aKkFXIN28E_rvl1rwV3Y4KV6gDLP-Wvv9EA1xRqrLR1GfB317z4tFHITQlK5v4kIKjIyNRMURiFthISM-g/w368-h400/5A815D57-DE62-4F37-A2F2-BCF65F644341.jpeg" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Too often we continue to beat ourselves up over our past. Even though God has forgiven us we haven’t forgiven ourselves. We must accept God’s Grace and mercy regarding our past. If we fail to do this we will never walk in the victory and have the joy God intends for us to have.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Not only does Satan throw our past in our faces there are people who will bring our past up to us. However I believe the most detrimental one who throws our past in our face is self. We just have a hard time forgiving ourselves.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Talking to people through the years I am genuinely amazed at the sheer number of people who battle not forgiving themselves. It is astounding. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Let’s take our past sin, failures, trials and heartaches to Jesus. Leave these burdens at the feet of Jesus. Don’t pick them back up. You will feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from your shoulders. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We sing a song that I really like. The chorus really has a good message. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Leave it there, leave it there</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you trust and never doubt He will surely bring you out</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there </span></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Don’t carry the burden from your past. Don’t allow Satan, anyone else or even yourself to discourage you or bring you down because of what you did or didn’t do in your past.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Walk and live in the victory God intends for you. Turn it over to Jesus and smile the rest of the day.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121);"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" 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font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" 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style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><br /></b></span></font></div></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"> </p></blockquote><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-22180209997466821612021-10-15T16:44:00.000-05:002021-10-15T16:44:16.767-05:00Don’t Look Down Your Nose At Others<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Far too many people have preconceived notions of what a Christian is. They even have ideas in their minds of what a Christian should look like. Some will even take Scripture out of context and tell you what you should or should not wear. In all honesty it gets pretty ridiculous. No wonder many people want no part in what passes as “church” these days. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gr24d1q94UbI6YYOBBQzs9Jwr6yL4AazVlCrHc4AAcZAMuaiYdsoYrO4QH7IWhSolZ0VpdBlP-FDLKNexiBYTf_7F2cgqsYRuDGT8eaetAwC8JeT2esSsJKOEiPtM36cXTqJOYhuiXk/s960/67DDC1F6-5528-4654-A751-5E46370B578C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="712" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gr24d1q94UbI6YYOBBQzs9Jwr6yL4AazVlCrHc4AAcZAMuaiYdsoYrO4QH7IWhSolZ0VpdBlP-FDLKNexiBYTf_7F2cgqsYRuDGT8eaetAwC8JeT2esSsJKOEiPtM36cXTqJOYhuiXk/w474-h640/67DDC1F6-5528-4654-A751-5E46370B578C.jpeg" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We look at how a person looks in regard to their outward appearance. God looks at the heart of the person. People can <i>dress</i> the part. They can <i>look</i> holy yet be far from it on the inside - where it matters. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I have had people say to me, “You don’t <i>look</i> like a preacher.” I then usually ask them, “What does a preacher look like?” That tends to throw them off guard. If they do respond, it generally has something to do with the outward appearance such as me not wearing a suit and tie. Not wearing a suit and tie is becoming more of a norm these days. For the record, I had a wide array of suits I used to wear. However, my jacket would be off before the service began and my tie would be, at the very least, undone or even off as the service progressed. I deem it to be just man-made expectations. I currently only own one suit. I call it my combination wedding/funeral suit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Certainly we should be modest in regard to what we wear. After all we are ambassadors of God representing heaven. The Bible teaches modesty. Let me also say here if you dress up because you want to that is fine. I have no problem with that so long as you don’t think you are better than others who do not dress up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxqjM60CvXW4WHXaJN9o2ZvRI4R6JLdIRXF5EIHhYFygMbvMhudoFEM-nB0gRFODRasazdt2g3kEmvyvwzrlW8krV6_SJ4Q-KSWRHI08iXxTZ6BrMFmZWuzWeVtJ4ZUrXafAYpT2uAk8/s960/924A50B9-2E16-4DB1-A5C4-A2C5A223E845.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="773" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxqjM60CvXW4WHXaJN9o2ZvRI4R6JLdIRXF5EIHhYFygMbvMhudoFEM-nB0gRFODRasazdt2g3kEmvyvwzrlW8krV6_SJ4Q-KSWRHI08iXxTZ6BrMFmZWuzWeVtJ4ZUrXafAYpT2uAk8/w517-h640/924A50B9-2E16-4DB1-A5C4-A2C5A223E845.jpeg" width="517" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oftentimes these people who hold to these man-made rules or traditions look down their noses at those who don’t meet or measure up to their standards. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I have no reason to look down my nose at anyone. I am but a sinner saved by God’s amazing grace. I’m thankful for Jesus’ redemptive work at Calvary. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I pray this particular blog post gives you something to think about and consider.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121);"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida 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style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-84810225964489673502021-10-08T08:34:00.006-05:002021-10-08T08:40:23.040-05:00Does It Really Matter If People Know Who You Are?<strike><strike></strike></strike><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Many, today, are concerned with their legacy. Will they be remembered? How will they be remembered by others? Have they made a difference?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sometimes we wonder if our lives have even mattered. Have we had an impact in any way on those around us?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Perhaps we look for something tangible to see what impact our lives have had. Often we walk away disappointed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The fact is, in many cases, only eternity will tell the impact our lives have had on others. Let me share a story, if I may. The story is about a man named Edward Kimball. His name doesn’t sound familiar? Let’s take a look at what impact his life had on others. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU5l68d88h6xtqHupQQSt4qiE4tDO5Py_e3KjE58Cid679he3EwigTWEWiA0JkhP28pQZ8NuAAgMDyfH3ZPxfl61aZ0mBI9w5MfYtD6Phye6mq5jdWugBLavugqMw2XUbck297sx9bzY/s804/D040557A-C762-469F-B7E6-68647FFC7257.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="557" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhU5l68d88h6xtqHupQQSt4qiE4tDO5Py_e3KjE58Cid679he3EwigTWEWiA0JkhP28pQZ8NuAAgMDyfH3ZPxfl61aZ0mBI9w5MfYtD6Phye6mq5jdWugBLavugqMw2XUbck297sx9bzY/w444-h640/D040557A-C762-469F-B7E6-68647FFC7257.jpeg" width="444" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p><span style="background-color: #444444; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The year was 1855, April in America, Mr. Edward Kimble who was 40 years of </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121);"><span>age learned that he was going to die and had very little time to live. He was </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>a man of very little education but taught a Sunday School class of 15. A</span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>fter the pastor of the church where he attended had preached on evangelism he </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>went out to lead all of his class to the Lord. Mr. Kimble had to overcome fear </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>to go into a shoe store to talk to one of the boys named Dwight. He did so and it was in </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>the stock room of this shoe store he lead D. L. Moody to the Lord.</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="">Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899) was an American evangelist. <spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="">Moody was born in Northfield, </spanlucida></spanlucida></span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Massachusetts. His father died when he was four years of age. He left school </span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>at the age of 17 to find work. Moody was led to Christ by his Sunday School</span><br /><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>teacher, Edward Kimball, and later began his own Sunday School class with 13 </span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>street kids. This class increased its enrollment to 1,500 in four years. </span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Moody did personal work with the soldiers during the Civil War. He traveled </span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>in Europe and America, holding campaigns, and personally dealt with over</span><br /><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>750,000 individuals. He preached to more than 100,000,000 people, and had </span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>over 1,000,000 first time conversions to Jesus Christ. His work continues </span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>today through the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.</span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span><br /></span></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121);"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: #444444;"><span>Dwight L Moody rocked the world with his preaching. Moody was preaching </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>in the British Isles, and a lady teacher was so moved by his testimony that </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>she told it to her class. She, in turn, also told her preacher Frederick </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Brotherton Meyer that every one of her students had given their heart to the </span><span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="">Lord. <spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="">The report of the teacher had a profound effect on his life. He realized</spanlucida></spanlucida></span><br /><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>for the first time what it meant to be brokenhearted about sin and point people </span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>to Jesus.</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Meyer came to America and preached at Moody’s school in Northfield, Massachusetts. </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>He said, “If you’re not willing to give up everything for Christ, are you </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>willing to be made willing?” That remark changed the life of a young preacher </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>named J. Wilbur Chapman.</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Chapman went on to be a great evangelist in his era. But when he decided to </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>return to the pastorate, he turned his ministry over to a YMCA clerk who had </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>been his advance man. The young man’s name was Billy Sunday.</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Billy Sunday is one of the twentieth century’s best-known evangelists. By the </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>time of his death in 1935, he had preached to millions, and it is estimated that </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>three hundred thousand men and women were led to faith in Christ at over 200 </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>campaigns. His campaigns were known as “The Sawdust Trail”. His career spanned </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>five decades.</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>In 1924, Sunday conducted a revival in Charlotte, North Carolina. Out of those </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>meetings came a group of laymen that formed a permanent organization to continue </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>witnessing for Christ in their city. Eight years later in 1932, that same </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>group brought an evangelist named Mordecai Ham to town for a citywide meeting.</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Mordecai Ham lived from 1878 to 1959. He was a Baptist evangelist. During </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>the first year of his ministry Mordecai saw more than 33,000 conversions. In </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>30 years of ministry more than 300,000 new converts joined Baptist Churches in </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>the south.</span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span><br /></span></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121);"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: #444444;"><span>The author of the amendment for prohibition stated that Billy Sunday and </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Mordecai Ham nearly put the saloons out of business. Mordecai exalted Christ </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>and fought sin with all his might.</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>It was at Mount Gilead, Kentucky he encountered two incidents he could never forget. </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>First, a strange power came over him. It was much like that which Charles Finney and D.L. Moody </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>had experienced. It was the power of the Holy Spirit, and Ham always preached </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>in that power from then on. </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>The next day after that Ham visited a dying girl named Lulu. As Lulu, who </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>apparently was unsaved, closed her eyes in death he called to her, “Lulu how </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>is it?” A voice came back, not hers “Lost.....lost.....Oh.....so dark…..so dark.....”</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>Ham established a pattern that was to follow him the rest of his days. He </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>went after the biggest sinners in town, and often saw them saved. A typical story </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>is in a Southern town he was directed to a certain cornfield to seek out the most </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>notorious sinner. The infidel saw the feared preacher coming and hid. The evangelist </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>began to hunt his prey and hearing a suspicious sound from under a corn shock, hauled him out. </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>“What do you want with me?” The atheist quivered. Ham retorted, “I’m going to ask </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>God to kill you! You don’t believe God exists. If there is no God, then my prayers </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>can’t hurt you. But if there is a God, you deserve to die because you are making </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>atheists out of your children and grandchildren. </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>The infidel begged him not to pray that way. Ham said, “Very well then, I shall </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>ask God to save you.” He was saved, and before the meeting was over, all of that</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>infidel’s family was baptized---forty of them.</span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>In November of 1934, in Charlotte, North Carolina, during a fall crusade, Ham </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>was having a trying time. The place was a temporary tabernacle on Pecan Avenue </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>on the outskirts of town. A total of 6,400 were saved at this crusade. A young </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>man was there and was amazed as he saw more than 5,000 in every meeting, and every </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>seat was filled. People were getting saved all around this young man. It seemed </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>to the young man that the only safe place from the evangelist’s wrath was to join </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>the choir. So that is where he and his friend sat the next night. As the evangelist </span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>came up to speak, his first words were, “There is a great sinner in this place tonight.” </span><span><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="">The young man thought “My mother has been talking to him about me.” <spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="">That night </spanlucida></spanlucida></span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>he turned to his friend and said, “Lets go.” He and his friend were saved that </span><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>night. His name is Billy Graham and his friend is Grady Wilson.</span><br /><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span> </span><br /><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span>This all came about from one unknown Sunday School teacher to 15 young people who had a passion and a determination to see them saved. Just think of the men, women and young people who were won to Jesus because of this one unknown man.</span></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121);"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="background-color: #444444;"><span>Let me ask you, <i>Are you willing to be made willing?</i> Are you willing to allow God to change <i>your</i> heart? Just imagine what <i>your</i> legacy could be. </span></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(121, 121, 121);"><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" 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sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida color:="" console="" ff="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><spanlucida console="" font-size:="" large="" sans-serif=""><span></span></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></spanlucida></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-36691355309747772792021-10-01T10:57:00.000-05:002021-10-01T10:59:15.468-05:00Life Is Only Found In Jesus<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">People, today, are searching. They are searching for something that is true and genuine. They are searching in many different places and through many different means.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Many are searching for truth. They are searching in books, religious teachings even in institutional church services. Oftentimes they look to the Bible as a text book to find truth instead of looking to the One who <i>is</i> truth.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">John 14:6 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.</span></b></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdIvDed8J1An410EpZA-gRvFkfubOse5WSAHGCH8tvhfg_KDdpmsK1SOVfBwSDr8CvDQuciyCzolxmSivqasZjlkY5GV-SHIyWMmRPsQJMeNZDPbQ45nVmwkcICI6qvGN3ausEaYqf20/s1080/82B56951-B6EA-48D4-996C-506187D65FCC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdIvDed8J1An410EpZA-gRvFkfubOse5WSAHGCH8tvhfg_KDdpmsK1SOVfBwSDr8CvDQuciyCzolxmSivqasZjlkY5GV-SHIyWMmRPsQJMeNZDPbQ45nVmwkcICI6qvGN3ausEaYqf20/w400-h400/82B56951-B6EA-48D4-996C-506187D65FCC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We must keep the Main Thing the main thing. While there is nothing inherently wrong with authors who write about Jesus, books written about Jesus, speakers who speak about Jesus and Bibles that point you to Jesus we must keep in mind these things <i>are not Jesus.</i> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There is but one Jesus and He is the Living Word. </span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">John 1:1-2 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning.</span></b></p><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">John 1:14 CSB</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.</span></b></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As I have said often in my blog it comes down us having a relationship with the Living Word - <i>Jesus</i>. Relationships take work. Communication is a huge key to all successful relationships. We speak to Him in prayer and He speaks to us through the Bible as well as by way of the Holy Spirit who indwells believers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Of all the relationships we cultivate none is more important than our relationship with Jesus. As important as our relationships are with our spouse, children, extended family and even friends there is no relationship more important than the relationship between us and Jesus. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jesus loves us unconditionally. He laid down His life for us. That’s love! The very least we can do is live for Him. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It’s all about Jesus!</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><br /></b></span></font></div></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div> </div></div></blockquote>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-63659449885320035122021-09-24T10:14:00.001-05:002021-10-14T15:33:48.535-05:00Times Of Uncertainty <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We all face times of uncertainty in our lives. If you have not you will. That’s life. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There will be times someone we count on let’s us down. There will be times when someone you love hurts you and it will cut deep. Sickness will take it’s toll and you will lose someone you love. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNzDE3kkjwQ1nFV0c6nGq-pQ-CTiTDmu4DV9xPSPC8p0cFLWk9yfEuJRGMzjKn8ZmNeL0THHhpDtu2b6tL6OcCeT4Vb87I_MFHZOpqmKRB0PF11lVOeWkGJzrYNfc9-R1f2sa_5LsvoY/s960/D33DCA15-701E-4771-893B-A6D84C994FD8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="781" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNzDE3kkjwQ1nFV0c6nGq-pQ-CTiTDmu4DV9xPSPC8p0cFLWk9yfEuJRGMzjKn8ZmNeL0THHhpDtu2b6tL6OcCeT4Vb87I_MFHZOpqmKRB0PF11lVOeWkGJzrYNfc9-R1f2sa_5LsvoY/w520-h640/D33DCA15-701E-4771-893B-A6D84C994FD8.jpeg" width="520" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thankfully, if you will allow Him,God will show Himself faithful through the darkest of nights and toughest of times. His love is unconditional. There are no strings attached. Absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of God.</span></p><p> </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Romans 8:38-39 NLT</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">[38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></b></p></blockquote><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The outcome of Paul’s search is that he can find nothing that can </span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is exciting to know there is nothing - absolutely <i>nothing - </i>that<i> </i>can separate us from the love of God. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Stand on this Word. Embrace it. Let it sink in to your spirit. God loves you and is faithful.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: 27.200000762939453px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></span></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-26660117089774884572021-09-17T09:28:00.001-05:002021-09-17T16:23:36.703-05:00You Can’t Hide Sin From God<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We have a tendency to want others to perceive us in a certain way. For example we often don’t want others to know the struggles we have in our lives with sin. We do our best to cover up these things. As far as other people are concerned we try to “pull the wool over their eyes”, as the old expression goes. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While we may be able to hide sin from others and live each day as if all is well with us spiritually, the truth is we know better than that. More importantly, <i>God</i> knows better than that. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k0FEvCUMUpY8e5BMpYYcc71fsdxzSRlltwfFfmH1axyqPSGgT2lcoIzZLLm37jAAk5PUUqI15Zp-X3rNvyD8L7ny8IPm111vbf_vKuwgipGALW5YG_dsuyD7DnUKgktQfIx74lKUwo8/s960/CCD372D2-5FCD-4369-A37A-369798EBA9A3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1k0FEvCUMUpY8e5BMpYYcc71fsdxzSRlltwfFfmH1axyqPSGgT2lcoIzZLLm37jAAk5PUUqI15Zp-X3rNvyD8L7ny8IPm111vbf_vKuwgipGALW5YG_dsuyD7DnUKgktQfIx74lKUwo8/w400-h400/CCD372D2-5FCD-4369-A37A-369798EBA9A3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are times we may even try to convince ourselves that everything is fine with us. Sometimes we even try to justify the sin in our lives. The fact is, deep down in our heart we know better. As the above picture shows, it is ridiculous to even think we can hide sin from God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are many Scriptures that deal with sin. One that comes to mind really encapsulates the thoughts in this blog post.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Numbers 32:23 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But if you don't do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD; <i>be sure your sin will catch up with you.</i></span></b></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Whether or not others discover your sin, your sin <i>will</i> catch up with you. Don’t even consider the possibility of dabbling in sin. Sin cannot be tamed, outrun or shaken off. No matter how well you think you are hiding sin in your life your sin will catch up with you.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you have sin in your life there <i>is forgiveness</i>. Isn’t that great to know? Let me share a couple of Scriptures about that.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1 John 1:9 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.</span></b></p><div><br /></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1 John 2:1-2 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">[1] My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ the righteous one. [2] He himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.</span></b></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The only one who wins when we attempt to hide sin is the one who tempts us to sin - old smutty-face himself - the devil. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We should not give the devil a foothold in our lives in any way, shape or form. Give him an inch and he will take a mile. Paul, the apostle, when writing to the church at Ephesus instructed them not to give the devil an opportunity (Ephesians 4:27). Don’t even give him a chance </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you are a Christian you are on the winning side! God has provided for us everything we need to walk in victory and live a victorious Christian life. Let’s do it.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-48989153872598064832021-09-11T01:34:00.001-05:002021-09-17T01:35:48.726-05:00It’s All About What You Are Made Of<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Have you ever asked someone how they are doing and they respond, “I’m doing okay under the circumstances”. “Circumstances is defined as “</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">facts or conditions connected with or relevant to an event or action”.</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I believe character and integrity is extremely important. I also believe our faith and trust in God is vital to the believer. </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Let’s face it, we all face challenges on our journey through life. How we respond to these challenges - whether they be trials, valleys, heartaches, tempatations or whatever else it may be - will be determined by our character and integrity. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The <i>means</i> we use in responding to these things is our faith and trust in God. </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5o2RUqmPCcFADH5YikGG91Sp_IPGyVg8YJjOgSg-Pp46qr_0i5v-7nk5b-0VDHJVMzEMeXTfbda7fKBt8xvXsj54PJWB11HoZNdnr5TMHIBOkSWXcy7MVA9-IA8YGJJgkSUESjZFk8kk/s640/F4617464-FF82-4AB9-A569-B8F5CCF00778.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5o2RUqmPCcFADH5YikGG91Sp_IPGyVg8YJjOgSg-Pp46qr_0i5v-7nk5b-0VDHJVMzEMeXTfbda7fKBt8xvXsj54PJWB11HoZNdnr5TMHIBOkSWXcy7MVA9-IA8YGJJgkSUESjZFk8kk/w400-h400/F4617464-FF82-4AB9-A569-B8F5CCF00778.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">You may very well encounter some things on your journey that will soften your heart to a particular situation or person. On the other hand you may encounter some things that harden you or toughen you up. It’s ironic, as the above saying tells us, the same things that soften us can also toughen us. Both are needful in the life of every believer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I encourage you to look for the lessons God has for you when you are facing things you’d rather not face in your life. Don’t throw yourself a pity party and become so eager to get out of the tough times that you overlook and miss the lesson.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Keep your chin up and your focus on Jesus.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-5106252987670126612021-09-03T12:53:00.001-05:002021-09-03T13:01:35.650-05:00Rock Bottom<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you feel you have hit “rock bottom”? It seems everything you set your hand to do falls apart? Your life is a mess. Maybe you have even asked yourself, “What else could go wrong?”</span> </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJ_aKkeUaROfCn1j_aOeeOkrgnDsmZkR0lsyQ5jWsOcRPK94Sl97Aw0LBgSxZuu6RTTOArPekUNENFtzptjvGluZeZkSqCr_mvLf-v-dNHSw5X0luquNmwv6SAPpn9cpzt5trG0hn0QI/s604/1D6896DB-7F15-45B8-BBC3-E6A597F65734.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="604" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJ_aKkeUaROfCn1j_aOeeOkrgnDsmZkR0lsyQ5jWsOcRPK94Sl97Aw0LBgSxZuu6RTTOArPekUNENFtzptjvGluZeZkSqCr_mvLf-v-dNHSw5X0luquNmwv6SAPpn9cpzt5trG0hn0QI/w400-h400/1D6896DB-7F15-45B8-BBC3-E6A597F65734.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I do believe there is often a purpose for these times. None of us likes going through these severe times. I know I have been at this point in my own life in the past. Not a fun time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Maybe you find yourself at rock bottom now. You feel like you are at the end of your rope. You might be facing serious trials or heartache. You may feel no one understands what you are going through. Perhaps you feel unloved. Maybe you feel you don’t deserve to be loved by anybody - even by God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I once heard someone say, “When you get to the end of your rope tie a knot in it hold on tight and swing.” You see, God <i>does</i> love you. You have worth. There is a way out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Remember, sometimes God let’s you hit rock bottom so that you realize that <i>He is the Rock at the bottom.</i> Stand on Jesus, the Solid Rock! Build your faith on Him. It’s about a solid relationship with Jesus firsthand foremost. Everything else is secondary. </span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-48153300827313607222021-08-27T21:19:00.000-05:002021-08-27T21:19:40.700-05:00Messed Up People<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Have you ever crossed paths with someone professing to be a Christian who thinks they are better than others? Yeah, me too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">They don’t want to be bothered with “messed up” people. They are “religious” people who often look down their noses at these “messed up” people. They tend to only want to be around people much like themselves. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It makes you wonder what Jesus would say about this behavior. Well, actually, we do not have to wonder. Jesus took on this subject head on.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_9Qkr1Q6nxs59qnnjtef0DDus5kLNKkaSj_gefBTxcX1csVrhESobtWU8GKUU7ILSZH0R7owM7VvrmCNWujkeGFkGeP1kBxHzUdQPF3HQPJfhaXKsCTFX58Pq7cvzvsL8tiYpt1Z9Gw/s960/522D494E-418A-41E0-9447-B59A94DC6C4A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="761" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_9Qkr1Q6nxs59qnnjtef0DDus5kLNKkaSj_gefBTxcX1csVrhESobtWU8GKUU7ILSZH0R7owM7VvrmCNWujkeGFkGeP1kBxHzUdQPF3HQPJfhaXKsCTFX58Pq7cvzvsL8tiYpt1Z9Gw/w318-h400/522D494E-418A-41E0-9447-B59A94DC6C4A.jpeg" width="318" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There is a great analogy of this found in a New Testament parable Jesus shared.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Luke 10:25-37 CSB</span></b></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>[25] Then an expert in the law stood up to test him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" [26] "What is written in the law?" he asked him. "How do you read it?" [27] He answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind," and "your neighbor as yourself." [28] "You've answered correctly," he told him. "Do this and you will live." [29] But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" [30] Jesus took up the question and said, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. [31] A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. [34] He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him. When I come back I'll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.' [36] "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" [37] "T</b></span><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">he one who showed mercy to him," he said. Then Jesus told him, "Go and do the same."</span></b></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Here we see Jesus illustrates this quite simply. The religious leaders crossed over to the other side of the street to avoid having to deal with a “messed up” person. They didn’t want to take the time or put forth the effort to deal with this messy situation. In essence, they did not want to get involved. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It was the Samaritan who had compassion and stopped to help the distressed man. Keep in mind Samaritans we’re considered “half-breeds” and were looked down upon by the Jews of the day. Yet it was the Samaritan who seen a need, stopped to help plus payed what was considered two months wages to the inn</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">keeper. Upon his departure he told the innkeeper to take care of the man and he would settle up any other expenses when he came back through </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">How about us? Do we take time for “messed up” people? If our paths crossed someone in need will we stop and tend to them? Will love them and be Jesus to them? It brings to mind a chorus to a song:</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Oh to be His hand extended</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Reaching out to the oppressed</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Let me touch Him, Let me touch Jesus</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So that others may know and be blessed </span></p></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div><p> </p><p> </p><div><br /></div><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-68237784618262262012021-08-20T14:41:00.000-05:002021-08-20T14:41:33.920-05:00Is It Time To Move Forward?<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">So often we fail to move forward or even move on to things God has in store for us. As a rule, many people don’</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">t like change. We are comfortable with the way things are. We don’t want to have to step outside of our comfort zone even if we know we should.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgDKsrtbdiXn7Jqhb4MlMAJp6D-BA2EixC7tNz3WRpLx8yGGDMW1HdluZCBTNuE57sY-ooSgfWEq3d7rBU_xG_RLrLORhBVLi2dFdbjIKX1-lUtUDcNtYP2Olqd6zk3nJ9pr6ArTH2zg/s612/906FA311-96A3-4C90-80A9-F59C5B442248.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgDKsrtbdiXn7Jqhb4MlMAJp6D-BA2EixC7tNz3WRpLx8yGGDMW1HdluZCBTNuE57sY-ooSgfWEq3d7rBU_xG_RLrLORhBVLi2dFdbjIKX1-lUtUDcNtYP2Olqd6zk3nJ9pr6ArTH2zg/w400-h400/906FA311-96A3-4C90-80A9-F59C5B442248.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It’s very possible God will close doors that we are trying our best to keep open. He wants to move us onto bigger and better things but He knows until the current door closes we won’t budge. The bottom line is the current door must shut if we are going to move forward with God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If you find yourself in this situation today allow God to close the current door and move on in Him. The next door - the next opportunity - God has in store for you will amaze you. Everything God does is amazing and will have amazing results if we walk through the door He is opening for us. I know these things to be true as I speak from personal experience.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">While the transition may be challenging for those who resist change, the reward and outcome will be worth it all. God knows what He’s doing. Trust Him!</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-51514089786715980452021-08-13T08:43:00.000-05:002021-08-13T08:43:53.598-05:00God Has A Plan<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I’m a firm believer that God has a plan for every individual. I have believed this for many years I have shared this with many people. </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfKQjah-Kqoo7BuGsuRcxCMd0bCk508lWqtgI5iCArzoiE_0Kxocj_C7cdnjO93aaul4IGgqu616w2aOWbd6cY_yu6AukVuia0YcSmvdz4rvr_-njuEFRMWCAHxZQ6JIX8mEpkssrTY4/s480/61266F47-49F5-4ECC-ABEF-30B00F7D36FC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfKQjah-Kqoo7BuGsuRcxCMd0bCk508lWqtgI5iCArzoiE_0Kxocj_C7cdnjO93aaul4IGgqu616w2aOWbd6cY_yu6AukVuia0YcSmvdz4rvr_-njuEFRMWCAHxZQ6JIX8mEpkssrTY4/w400-h400/61266F47-49F5-4ECC-ABEF-30B00F7D36FC.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I think many of us often have preconceived notions of what that plan looks like God has for us. We attempt to confine God to a box of what we think He wants for us. By doing so we limit God’s ability to fully reveal His plan for us. You see, we <i>can</i> limit what God does in our lives. We see examples of that in the Bible. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We serve an “outside the box” God. We look for Him to reveal His plan for our lives in conventional ways. We don’t look outside the box. By doing this we can miss God’s leading, will and plan for our lives.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Jeremiah 29:11 CSB</b></span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>For I know the plans I have for you"-this is the LORD's declaration-"plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.</b></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God knows the plan He has in mind for each of us. It’s a plan taylor-made for us. God is well aware of our gifts, personality traits and our quirks. In fact He often uses these things to accomplish His plan and purpose in our lives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">It doesn’t matter how young or old you are. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, educated or uneducated, an extrovert or an introvert, have good health or bad health - <i>God has a plan for you!</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The plan God has for each of us is for our own well being. His purpose is to give us a purposeful future that is full of hope.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I encourage you to look “outside the box” and see what God has for you. Embrace God’s plan for you. You will find no greater joy than knowing God’s plan and being in the center of His will.</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-66500826876121623082021-08-06T09:18:00.001-05:002021-08-11T23:18:09.704-05:00Leave The Drama Behind<p> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We live in a day of division. Bitterness and anger run rampant among friends, families, co-workers, churches and even countries. We are certainly seeing more than our share of it in the USA. I have never seen a more divided time than what we are experiencing today. It’s heartbreaking and sad to see what is going on and how this division is impacting all those involved.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">People and people groups get their feelings hurt far too easily these days. Political correctness is running amuck. It’s crazy! Everywhere you look there is drama. Sometimes it even turns dangerous and deadly.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZUXlPvuMqB3JAyMCmcdws1TXkH-VVAWG4sl-JEjOu5QoTGBWRDlttiEkmIOEA1GaZ3PKo539vGG5X_oPJO8NTrwDkKxq5ANDy4jOOL9gSNwGS8QpCPqgSiJUZ21ixwhJCN3dXOW36bI/s1379/E0503DD6-D44C-4032-AB13-30C73A6D4AC9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1379" data-original-width="1055" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZUXlPvuMqB3JAyMCmcdws1TXkH-VVAWG4sl-JEjOu5QoTGBWRDlttiEkmIOEA1GaZ3PKo539vGG5X_oPJO8NTrwDkKxq5ANDy4jOOL9gSNwGS8QpCPqgSiJUZ21ixwhJCN3dXOW36bI/w490-h640/E0503DD6-D44C-4032-AB13-30C73A6D4AC9.jpeg" width="490" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I do agree with the above. I have never been one to like drama. I don’t like it in families, work places, churches or my country. Frankly, I don’t see the point. I am aware of the old adage, “The squeaky wheel gets the greased”. Many start drama and carry on until they get their way. How sad. What a miserable life they must have.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I learned a long time ago to walk away from drama and the people who start it. I still love and care about these people but I want no part of the lifestyle of drama they have chosen for themselves. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I choose, rather, to be around people who are a positive influence. People who bring a smile to my face. People who make me laugh. People who are there to lean on when times are tough. You know, people you enjoy being around.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As for the drama queens, I will certainly pray for them that they, too, will be free from their self imposed bondage. If you are one of them, come and walk with me - away from the drama. Life is, indeed, too short to be anything less than happy. </span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-52567371711539831392021-07-29T17:29:00.001-05:002021-08-11T23:17:19.205-05:00Modern Religion Vs The True Gospel<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There is much emphasis on numbers these days. This is especially true in churches. Actually, it has been this way in institutional churches for as long as I can remember. It’s all about the numbers. If a group of pastors gather at a meeting or conference it’s going to come up in conversation in short order. “How large is your church?” Or “How many do you have in your church?” I’ve been asked this question every time I attended a pastor’s meeting. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We like to say numbers are important to the extent that each number represents a soul who will spend eternity in heaven or hell. I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. However, I do not believe I was asked this question, at least in most cases, for such a noble reason. My observation was more along the lines of importance and ego. The more people a particular pastor has in his church the more important he is and the greater his ego. The fewer people you have the less important you are to the work of God. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDBgUMQLRH9rVne3Y25wun7YpbLH44vpWFHO5u2fLwDzDrohyphenhyphenklaLGniLdZyv8oXW5Bx2dZXXOi7Dn4gafM7eW-RuEKGVAFjitDmEiVzjqVzo-3rqSVsP4zV5REYgWPfcKVtUWh_3M9s/s640/2F8A9CE2-0264-4A2C-A49E-15DE57EB781A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDBgUMQLRH9rVne3Y25wun7YpbLH44vpWFHO5u2fLwDzDrohyphenhyphenklaLGniLdZyv8oXW5Bx2dZXXOi7Dn4gafM7eW-RuEKGVAFjitDmEiVzjqVzo-3rqSVsP4zV5REYgWPfcKVtUWh_3M9s/w400-h400/2F8A9CE2-0264-4A2C-A49E-15DE57EB781A.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I like what AW Tozer said here. I believe he hit the nail on the head. Today’s modern religion has been brought down to mere numbers. Oftentimes in order to get the big numbers it entails a watered-down version of the gospel, worldly music and antics and celebrities. By compromising they can fill a building. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Preaching and teaching the true gospel to receptive hearts will fill people with God. This is substance for tough times. This will give them victory. This enables them to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. This looks different than the “big worldly churches” that so many flock to. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I so enjoy the free expression of God’s church in whatever shape or form it takes and wherever it happens. Remember, WE are the church. When we gather, wonderful things happen. It matters not if you gather in a dedicated building, a park, a restaurant, someone’s home or backyard. It’s also important each person gathering has the opportunity to have input should they so desire and be moved by the Holy Spirit to do so. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I believe, without a doubt, God’s church is an “outside the box” group of believers who love God and love one another. This group of believers desire more of God and to grow in His grace. This group of believers has the true gospel that emphasizes filling others with God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Don’t be fooled by modern religion. Don’t become complacent by the modern gospel. Rather, let’s make Jesus the center of all we do. Let’s give Him place to work on us and through us. Let’s put forth the true gospel and see others filled with God. Let’s do it for the glory of God. </span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-15307389370666562672021-07-23T10:43:00.000-05:002021-07-23T10:43:45.966-05:00Running People Away From Church<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fbYf-aNO8A2J8lnqczQpoYfaKgxuwiOaxv32pZLsjJ5ZU2SAg78BnupEXVaJQgEYlalMeXLUBGmUlq0PS2OOEZ0z7OWwlXGV5TDLYzBd5-Kty0OZI_puCj71xsHwQb8LKZKk-YtzsT0/s720/85249B97-3276-4BA3-BF94-D35FFD45139C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="720" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fbYf-aNO8A2J8lnqczQpoYfaKgxuwiOaxv32pZLsjJ5ZU2SAg78BnupEXVaJQgEYlalMeXLUBGmUlq0PS2OOEZ0z7OWwlXGV5TDLYzBd5-Kty0OZI_puCj71xsHwQb8LKZKk-YtzsT0/w400-h399/85249B97-3276-4BA3-BF94-D35FFD45139C.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I wonder how many times people attending an institutional church are made to feel unwelcome? Maybe they don’t know all the man-made rules and regulations. Perhaps they say something that’s wrong but they are unaware of it. Maybe it’s the way they dress. They don’t measure up to others’ expectations. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">How many times have you had someone look down their nose at you? I’ve been on the receiving end of this. I had not been saved too long. I was a product of the church bus ministry. I didn’t look right, act right or even smell right. I won’t even mention how I dressed in those days. I grew up poor. We didn’t even have a car. Many saw nothing worthwhile in me. To some I was just a nuisance. Thank God I didn’t allow <i>people</i> to deter me. My faith and hope was in <i>Jesus</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I could have given up. I could have said, why bother? There are many others in institutional churches all over who can relate to me. There are those who have experienced the same things I have - or even worse - </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">where they worship.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">“Church folk” are notorious for running people off from church. This is a sad truth. If they don’t repent of this they will have to give account for each person they ran off. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Another sad truth is some find far more camaraderie and fellowship from the world than they do the church. The world can be far more forgiving than the institutional church with its legalistic ways. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAT2VzlKupBzmFNvxOGk5l0NZrvZe_x__wR-u6mrzSRHcxZ8MbcwcQLjJuwaDI0YIWjhznxSIVILKsScUeRuTEjTSFQS_zcGzbYVsOVxe2n_sbafDabVKMYReY0W_EIIL0WkIwI9pX9Y/s928/16096CCD-BD61-499A-A6EC-CC3F01022827.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="631" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAT2VzlKupBzmFNvxOGk5l0NZrvZe_x__wR-u6mrzSRHcxZ8MbcwcQLjJuwaDI0YIWjhznxSIVILKsScUeRuTEjTSFQS_zcGzbYVsOVxe2n_sbafDabVKMYReY0W_EIIL0WkIwI9pX9Y/w436-h640/16096CCD-BD61-499A-A6EC-CC3F01022827.jpeg" width="436" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sure it would have been good if the man in the above story had turned his phone </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">down</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> before the service began. It was an accident. He simply forgot. He even felt bad about it. Plus the people “beating him up” over it. Was that really called for? I’ve been in church services where phones have gone off. The </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">attitudes of those in that so-called group of church people chased this man away and right into the accepting arms of the world. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Take a moment to read the “Lesson” again in the story above. Don’t let this be said about you. I pray it is never said about me. </span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-25299634117655400692021-07-16T01:00:00.003-05:002021-07-20T18:48:02.998-05:00From One “Bummer” Sheep To Another<p> <span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">This was posted on a group I belong to it was verified by several who are shepherds or who work with sheep. There is nothing more for me to add. Please read the story and see the beauty of our relationship with Jesus, the Great Shepherd.</span></p><p>***</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> Every once in a while, a ewe will give birth to a lamb and reject it. If the lamb is returned to the ewe, the mother may even kick the poor animal away. Once a ewe rejects one of her lambs, she will never change her mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> These little lambs will hang their heads so low that it looks like something is wrong with its neck. Their spirit is broken. These lambs are called “bummer lambs.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> Unless the shepherd intervenes, that lamb will die, rejected and alone. So, do you know what the shepherd does? He takes that rejected little one into his home, hand-feeds it and keeps it warm by the fire. He will wrap it up with blankets and hold it to his chest so the “bummer” can hear his heartbeat.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> Once the lamb is strong enough, the shepherd will place it back in the field with the rest of the flock. But that sheep never forgets how the shepherd cared for him when his mother rejected him. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> When the shepherd calls for the flock, guess who runs to him first? That is right, the “bummer” sheep. He knows his voice intimately. It is not that the bummer lamb is loved more, it just knows intimately the one who loves it. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybaC6udQ9BWuUChrFzt1AZqo1dQVVSCge-vnuI2U9Epicczspe9Bse_7UTaLBgWoHhOOs8qfREWcQlXa6OrPH2MbTmPHmo5NJKCNMKrHobzvvPf69LswOzHL-qHx1F2D1Ux7UoWbLE2w/s828/ADB15B48-B3B1-44FA-AE4F-4DC51A66ECFE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="828" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybaC6udQ9BWuUChrFzt1AZqo1dQVVSCge-vnuI2U9Epicczspe9Bse_7UTaLBgWoHhOOs8qfREWcQlXa6OrPH2MbTmPHmo5NJKCNMKrHobzvvPf69LswOzHL-qHx1F2D1Ux7UoWbLE2w/w400-h384/ADB15B48-B3B1-44FA-AE4F-4DC51A66ECFE.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> So many of us are “bummer” lambs, rejected and broken. But He is the good Shepherd. He cares for our every need and holds us close to His heart so we can hear His heart beat. We may be broken but we are deeply loved by the Shepherd.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From one bummer sheep to another… I love you! ♥️</span></p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-4289263523262406762021-07-09T18:19:00.002-05:002021-07-09T18:19:45.455-05:00Six Reasons Why You Should Trust God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4S2sg-Q6iQxf3ilsapzf-lRlvsJ20IZrobGcNzY3mrpRsTaX6Fm4rN2zdE4WHUhLTZQEIFL-6W58vHs5AvnbkdRhqE3QLK-QzgYvMvzHyo-NL-yzATU2N8d9VEhtwAPZXRN8VacNpqw/s960/4E9F8084-33F9-4218-8EFE-11D404500590.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4S2sg-Q6iQxf3ilsapzf-lRlvsJ20IZrobGcNzY3mrpRsTaX6Fm4rN2zdE4WHUhLTZQEIFL-6W58vHs5AvnbkdRhqE3QLK-QzgYvMvzHyo-NL-yzATU2N8d9VEhtwAPZXRN8VacNpqw/w512-h640/4E9F8084-33F9-4218-8EFE-11D404500590.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /> <div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We often have difficulty trusting God. Sometimes we can trust Him for the little things. We say we trust Him for the things <i>we</i> control in our lives. It’s like we do things that are within <i>our</i> wherewithal and then give God credit for them. Here’s a news flash - God doesn’t need us to “fix” things for Him so He can have the credit. He doesn’t need us to make Him look good.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">He simply wants us to trust Him. All we need to do is <i>trust Him!</i> And before you ask, yes it really <i>is</i> that simple. To prove this point let’s go over these “Six Reasons Why You Should Trust God”.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">First, God knows you by name. How cool is that? The King of the universe - the God who created all there is </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">knows you by name! </i></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></i></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: georgia;">Isaiah 43:1 CSB</b></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Now this is what the LOR</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">D says- the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel- "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.</span></b></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Second, God will fight for you. He doesn’t leave you to struggle on your own. He will fight for you if only we learn to let him. That includes keeping quiet at times. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Exodus 14:14 CSB</span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The LORD will fight for you, and you must be quiet."</span></b></div></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Third, God thinks about you often. He knows where you are. He understands what you are going through.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Psalm 139:17 CSB</span></b> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God, how precious your thoughts are to me; how vast their sum is!</span></b></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fourth, God has plans for you. I have said for years that God has a plan for each of us whether we are young, old or anywhere in between. Sometimes it’s hard for us to see and understand how God can and will use us. However, rest assured, God has a plan for you - and His plans are good. In fact, they’re the best!</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Jeremiah 29:11 CSB</span></b> </p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For I know the plans I have for you"- this is the LORD's declaration - "plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.</span></b></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Fifth, God is your refuge - your shelter in the time of storm. The storms of life will definitely come. Even as a Christian you will face these storms. But like the old hymn says, “The Lord’s our Rock in Him we hide, a Shelter in the time of storm”. As a believer, you have assurance God is there for us no matter what comes our way.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Psalm 62:6-8 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">[6] He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. [7] My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. [8] Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before him. God is our refuge. Selah</span></b></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sixth, Jesus is always with you. Once you believe on Jesus He has promised to be with you until the end of the age. I’d say that’s a pretty good promise from a reliable source - Jesus, Himself. What more could a believer ask for?</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Matthew 28:20 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">…And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."</span></b></p><div><br /></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Now take and reread these reasons why you should trust God. Become familiar with these Bible passages. They will come in handy in the future. Feel free to come back and reread this blog post during those trying and challenging times you face in your life. Learn to trust God more each and every day. Doing so will change your life forever.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div><p></p></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-41964745252125895282021-07-02T09:10:00.001-05:002021-07-02T09:13:30.343-05:00Jesus Gives A Fresh Start<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxHvU3SqwNxQ795IY-01avctiEGsOkL9NvxCnF3oMqejf1jg1VV6gjTD_Gukdmvwt8QjrRjRXPXO2XOKkb93nJoeHPab6_osrxzOySvQWUC3BKQxiYhV1EPDlS_3Da20fJr3xq9u05NM/s865/3F387413-D92A-4229-83E8-F7380A9BAA75.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxHvU3SqwNxQ795IY-01avctiEGsOkL9NvxCnF3oMqejf1jg1VV6gjTD_Gukdmvwt8QjrRjRXPXO2XOKkb93nJoeHPab6_osrxzOySvQWUC3BKQxiYhV1EPDlS_3Da20fJr3xq9u05NM/w532-h640/3F387413-D92A-4229-83E8-F7380A9BAA75.jpeg" width="532" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My path has crossed people who are discouraged and down on themselves for something done in the past. They have prayed to God and asked for forgiveness. Based on the promises of God <i>they are forgiven!</i> You see, when you come to Jesus things change. You are forgiven. God removes your sin as far as the east is from the west. We are new creations. How cool is that?</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!</span></b></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">The problem is we sometimes have a difficult time accepting we are forgiven. We cannot let the past go. Some tend to dwell on the past and become obsessed with what <i>God</i> has forgiven and removed. Why put yourself through that? Is that God’s intent? Is that God’s best? Absolutely not!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Sometimes we have so-called “friends” like job had who, after he lost all his possessions, his family and even his own health, stood with him to accuse him of sin. Job knew he had not sinned. Hear this, once sin is confessed it is forgiven and forgotten by God. <i>It’s as if you never committed it. </i>The blood of Jesus is powerful!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">There are times, of course, when Satan or one of his demons will throw things up in your face from your past. If it’s under the blood simply rebuke him or those thoughts in the name of Jesus. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Refuse to entertain these things from your past. They will bring you down and steal your joy and victory. We know it’s God’s will to live and walk in victory.</span></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSds7FxuZ-rnnQCduUZkhYcbJfZX8Wc3dVa0TXl2R4cuDe_46JNUlMPSroWzPgIFaJrGUM36jnzeN4Zx9shpzYf_eW1aWpt2jX-rrup29Q9qcCYGYdr8D4Cvh1-AsCnBUvI1sSZeoQ-F0/s960/E576E842-B63A-4C7C-9610-FABDF62DE858.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="762" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSds7FxuZ-rnnQCduUZkhYcbJfZX8Wc3dVa0TXl2R4cuDe_46JNUlMPSroWzPgIFaJrGUM36jnzeN4Zx9shpzYf_eW1aWpt2jX-rrup29Q9qcCYGYdr8D4Cvh1-AsCnBUvI1sSZeoQ-F0/w508-h640/E576E842-B63A-4C7C-9610-FABDF62DE858.jpeg" width="508" /></a></div><br /> <div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Thank God for a fresh start. Because of His love, His mercies are <i>new every morning! </i>Praise God for that! We all need His grace and mercies renewed every morning. We can shout to God, as Jeremiah did, “Great is your faithfulness!”</span></div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Lamentations 3:22-23 CSB</b></span></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>[22] Because of the LORD's faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. [23] They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!</b></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">This post seems to go hand in hand with last weeks blog post. If you missed it I encourage you to check it out. God laid these thoughts on my heart three weeks ago so I know they are meant to encourage someone on their journey.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Keep your head held high. Know who you are in Jesus. Know that you know you are the King’s kid. Do <i>not</i>, by any means, allow the enemy to defeat you in any way. Look to Jesus for that fresh start each day. </span></div><div> </div><div><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div></div></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117161557894070210.post-47395758959848148332021-06-25T10:49:00.000-05:002021-06-25T10:49:04.801-05:00Sometimes We Just Need To Be Comforted<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYse7eNm5f0ADkUncNo60yu6tRdeVWARtPxO3ywhPDogU00-q1Vyz4CjMvSZhprUPQpZ6N29wjVt9y9sBX_ix0LjIc4m-Bchg73RMPid8eKnwEzD5I7WJ9YjVhxG0WA1jl2WSvhZ2K86Y/s960/20279C8F-7C22-423C-8326-078B22A515E1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="960" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYse7eNm5f0ADkUncNo60yu6tRdeVWARtPxO3ywhPDogU00-q1Vyz4CjMvSZhprUPQpZ6N29wjVt9y9sBX_ix0LjIc4m-Bchg73RMPid8eKnwEzD5I7WJ9YjVhxG0WA1jl2WSvhZ2K86Y/w640-h596/20279C8F-7C22-423C-8326-078B22A515E1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">We don’t always feel like we are on top of the world. There are times when we feel down. Perhaps we lose someone close to us through death. Maybe you are facing challenges in your family or at work. The bottom line is, right or wrong, life’s circumstances can bring us down.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">In the Bible you might recall a man who faced some very serious challenges in life. The man’s name was Job. Job was a righteous man whose life had been abundantly blessed by God. Then came the tough times. In a very short period of time Job lost everything he owned. He next received word each of his children had died. Job even lost his own health. He had three friends and his wife left. These so-called friends told him he must have sinned against God and was being punished. In fact they hounded him about this and wouldn’t let it go. His own wife told him he would be better to curse God and die. He refused to do so and was willing to accept the bad along with the good God had given him </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">What Job really needed was words of <i>comfort</i> as opposed to words of <i>condemnation</i>. There was no one there willing to offer him these words of comfort. Instead, his “friends” and even his wife judged him on the circumstances he found himself in and condemned him. How sad.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Even the great prophet of God, Elijah, found himself down and out facing depression. This happened after a great victory. God used Elijah to challenge the prophets of Baal and the prophets of the grove to pray down fire from heaven. God answered Elijah’s prayer and this resulted in a great number of people turning to God. It also resulted with Elijah receiving a death threat from Jezebel. This caused Elijah to run. At this point he was depressed and feeling sorry for himself. God sent an Angel with some wonderful words of comfort. God gently reminded Elijah He was still there and he wasn’t alone. God even provided food and water for Elijah. I would encourage you to read 1 Kings chapters 17-19. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Perhaps you have been facing some down time in your life - a period of depression. If you are a Christian, be encouraged! Let me leave you with some Scriptures to meditate on. You should find great comfort in these verses </span></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hebrews 13:5-6 CSB</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">[5] Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, <i>I will never leave you or abandon you.</i> [6] Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?</span></b></p><div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.</span></b></div></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">1 Peter 5:7 CSB</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.</span></b></div></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">2 Timothy 1:7 CSB</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Hebrews 4:16 CSB</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.</span></b></div></div><div><br /></div><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Until next time...enjoy the journey,</span></i></p><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span><i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Ray</span></i></span></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><div><b><i><span style="color: yellow;">Thanks for taking your time to read and share this blog.</span></i></b><span style="color: yellow;"> </span><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>If you know of someone who would be encouraged by this blog, please feel free to forward a link or use the icons below to repost or forward this blog.</i></b></span></div><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><p><span></span></p><div><div><font><span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>Check out my website at <a href="http://rayspellbrink.com" target="_blank">www.rayspellbrink.com</a></i></b></span></font></div></div></span></div>Ray Spellbrinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17005326279676060022noreply@blogger.com0