Receiving CHrist

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it^[b] with thanksgiving. Col. 2:6

Have you received Jesus Christ ??  I did, 1974 at the Victory Baptist Church 202 Canton Road.  I remember the time and I can show you the place where the Lord saved me, where & when I became a christian, a follower of Christ. 

I got a new path for life, my life.  A path with direction. Truth be told, I do not know where I would have landed in life if I hadn't got saved went I did.  As I think about, wild living and alcohol was ahead of me. As I was searching for acceptance and fun.  BUT, Christ came into my life and I got saved and a new path for life was set before me. A good path. A happy path.  I glad I got saved.

Many are less and less seeking Him. But wise men still seek the Lord, where He will find them.  The greatest gift is the Gift from God.   For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ not of works, lest any man should boast Eph 2:8-9


God bless you friend, seek the Lord while He may be found and called on Him Today. I hope you will accept and receive Jesus Christ today. For whosoever will call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Have a great day,

RevDanSam

With Thanksgiving

^Phil4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. ⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,

I was listening to a preacher on TV last Sunday and as usual, most preachers will preach a sermon on Thanksgiving as it is the season.  I say why not ??  It's on a lot of peoples heart and mind.  Anyway, He read a couple of scriptures from Paul's epistles, (literally Paul's letters) and two words jumped out at me, "with thanksgiving"  It was in two of Paul's writing Philippines 4 and Colossians 4 and in 1st Timothy 4. Interesting to me, Paul was in prison when he wrote Phil. and Col. and he mentioned to them to be thankful, then  he advised young preacher Timothy to be with thanksgiving,  Then God started to speak to my heart and mind. And what an attitude, what an announcement and what a application for life.

What an attitude to lead us, with thanksgiving !!  Many today have secular attitudes. Oh, they are saved and the are Christians, but what is really their attitude?? Is it mean and selfish or happy and glad.  And God can help you with your attitude.  One can be logical with thanksgiving. One can be stern with thanksgiving. God through the Holy Spirit and the word of God can help you with your attitude and the key is being with thanksgiving.

Then, the two words "with Thanksgiving" is a announcement to learn. You probably have not even thought about it, but that's what an announcement does.  It bring things to your attention and mind.  An alarm and a wakening. Many things can bring us down, even if we are saved.  BUT, the announcement to learn here to get our attention, is with thanksgiving.  Finding things be thankful for in your life.

So not only are these two words, with thanksgiving an attitude to lead us and an announcement to learn, but it's an application for life. We can apply this to our life. It can be apart of us.  All things with thanksgiving.  The Apostle Paul did this while in prison. It wasn't a happy place to be yet he endured it with thanksgiving. Then even when he was giving a young preacher some wisdom and lessons, he tells  young Timothy, with thanksgiving. 

God spoke to my heart through a preacher on TV, but is God speaking to you ??  How is you attitude ?? But you say, you do not know what I have gone through, well time will pass and God will help. Or you may say wow, what an announcement !! BUT here is where many miss the mark, by saying that does not apply to me, yet the bible says lean NOT on your understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct your path.  Won't you with thanksgiving to your life ??

First, you have to be saved, born again, accept Jesus Christ into heart, for whosoever shall on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Salvation first, separated life second, service is third but do it with Thanksgiving.

God Bless you neighbor, have a great day !!
RevDanSam

Listening for the Shout

The family and I went rail fanning a couple of weeks ago.  We love the steam train especially here in the 21st century.  To see a Steam train going down the track and to see a modern city skyline the back ground is something very special and something you don't see every day.

 

We have seen a Steam train in Atlanta, Charlotte and Chattanooga. Always an awesome sight.   Well, part of a Rail fanning is the train chase.  As you go to designated locations to catch a shot or photo of the steam engine.  Many times you have go a head of the train and get situated.  The train may slow down or even stop on the main line.  Then you have to rely on the sound (the whistle) to warn you of his coming.  There are train track signals too. But many times you have hear or listen for the sound.

Out on the track when rail fanning, you will hear ghost sounds and sounds from a trucks that sounds just like a steam train whistle. Then someone will say I hear him, and you know it's the real thing.  Interesting, it has been said you can hear a steam whistle 10 miles our and I have from that to be true on many a occasion.

But you know when it's the real thing as you hear the whistle (sound) and it's followed by the steam train. Well bible speaks of a similar happening with the return of Jesus Christ.  In the bible John 14 says
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

The Apostle Paul would tell us in the bible  in his letter to the Thessalonians "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷ then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

An old saying about the coming of the Lord is " we are NOT looking for a sign, but rather we are listening for the SHOUT !!"

We may see many signs of His coming and we may hear many things, But like the steam trains we should listen for the sound, in this case we should Listen for the SHOUT !!

But dear friend are you saved ?? Have you been born again ?? The bible says Turn ye unto God and He will turn to you, also, trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved !!  

Call on Him today and then listen for the shout of his soon return.  The last prayer in the New Testament in the book of the Revelation says "Even so, come Lord Jesus" see Rev. 22:20

God Bless you and Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

RevDansam 


(Jesus paid it ALL, ALL to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow"
 

A Business Lesson

 Matthew Chapter 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

The other day after work, I got into my pickup truck and started home. I had the radio station set to listen to the Atlanta Braves per-game radio show.  But it was not on the air.  The season was over and I heard the supper time program with Southern Gospel music.  The my mind went back to my days preaching on our local radio station. 


Well it was a small building, but was the outlet for preaching we young preachers had back then.  The station was not full time southern gospel singing as it was played gospel music in the mornings and country music in the afternoons, then gospel until sign off time, which was sun down, for they only broadcast sun up to sun down.  I really enjoyed those years.

One thing we had to deal with and learn was the " business" side of the station. Making money and selling air time.  For the station could broadcast the NASCAR race and make more money than for preaching time on the air. So we got pushed aside during race season for the sale of air time for commercials during the race.




Well, we learned to preach when we could.  Many times we recorded on tape. But we did what we could,  when given the opportunity. Some preachers quit while others made the adjustments.  But it was a learning experience in business for a secular radio station trying to make money and choosing what to broadcast on the air waves.

So when I heard on the radio that day in my pickup truck, the sounds of Southern Gospel music, I knew the ball season was over.  And they will play supper time gospel through the winter until spring,  or April and the ball games will play again.  A Business decision where they can sell commercial time and during the ball game to make some money.  It's a business decision.  But what will be your decision, what will you make friend ???

The bible says seek FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and He shall direct you path. And that includes your spiritual path and your secular path.



For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. I remember the time and day when the Lord saved me, why don't you call in Him today. A-men

God Bless you,
RevDanSam

The Bird Nest

The Bird nest story

Many years ago, at my first church, the grounds keeper and I were standing on the front porch of our church building.  It was after a morning service, and we were looking at the church ground for future events.  Then we heard a stirring going on, on top of one of the columns. It was a bird and she had built a nest there.  My grounds keeper said I'll get a ladder and knock it down. I said OK, thinking he was only doing his job. Then immediately God spoke to my heart and mind.

 

The bird chose our church for the home of her babies.  No doubt, and even with animal sense, she was looking for a peaceful place, protected place and a Place to feed her young ones.  OMG !! WOW !! and what are we looking for in a church. A peaceful place where we can come and worship the Lord in spirit and truth. A protected place where can sing, shout and rejoice to the Lord.  A place to be feed spiritually in song, sermon and scriptures.  Were we have fellowship with the believers in Christ. Just a good place to be.  :-)

.

So, I said to our grounds keeper, NO, let's leave it there until she raises her young ones, and they all leave the nest. I must admit that he did a double look at me and with a smile. But then next Sunday morning he fully knew what I was talking about when I preached a sermon on the "THE BIRD'S NEST" 

Last Saturday, while I was grilling burgers and hotdogs, I noticed a bird's nest on the gutter of our house.  I thought the mother bird wanted to raise her young ones next to our family. And I thought what an honor for her to choose our home, but in many cases the good Lord watches over the birds and perhaps He led her there.  The song says, "His eyes are on the sparrows, and I know he watches me !!"

In the gospel of Luke, it says

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

 

 There are many lessons here to learn here from the birds. But I like the lesson on raising your young ones at the church. (Although much can be said about the bird's provision and protection, but that's another blog post someday) :-)

But dear friend, are you saved??  Are you born again?? Have you ever accepted Jesus Christ as you Lord and Savior.  If not, you can today, right now.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Chrisy and you can be saved, for with the Heart man believes and with mouth confession is made.  Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your understanding, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.  For whosoever shall call on the mane of the Lord shall be saved!!

 

God Bless you friend, have a great day and very great day!!

RevDanSam

 

When our Faith becomes in sight

Our family hobby is in Trains. My son likes model trains, my wife enjoys the scenery work and painting buildings and I enjoy the tracks and engines.  Along with model railroading , comes rail fanning. Where you go to a designated site take pictures or video the big live engines as they go by your spot.  We particularly love steam engines and enjoy photographing them when we can and where they are in operation.

   

Well for years, our favorite steam locomotive was the Southern 2-8-2 Mikado 4501.  The flagship train of the old Southern Railroad from years ago.  My son has it as a model and we ran it many hours on different layouts.  And there are many historical stories and special runs and double header that are very enjoyable for us too.

 

Many years ago, they took 4501 out of operation and was about ready to scrap her but the Tennessee Valley Museum bought the engine and would make plans to restore her back to be operational.

So for years they reworked and restored parts and gears. Many were awaiting the day when she would come back on the scene. Many were waiting, hearing stories, she is almost ready to come back, but then no.  Many had to wait a little longer. Then funding became an issue and their were other setbacks, but this would only tarry her return. Months, weeks and days went by then finally she was ready !! She came back in ALL of her glory, a new coat of paint which looked shinning and new.  A sight to behold !!

Our family went to Chattanooga that weekend. We were all so excited. The train that we had heard so many stories and we had a model of in our home. "IT BECAME SIGHT " and then God started to speak to me heart and mind.  We have heard and read about our Lord for many years,  and we trust and believe in Him by faith. But one day out faith shall become SIGHT.  For we shall see Him as He is !!

The song says "when He returns in power and glory, we shall see Jesus just as He is"

John 14 says
³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

then, in Acts 1 the Angels tell us,
⁹ And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; ¹¹ which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

 Our Faith shall become sight, either in His return or in Death as we appear before Him.  But my friend, are you ready ??  Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior??  For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For with the heart man believes and with mouth confession is made. Confess your sin and confess Him as Lord. For there's no difference all have sin and come short of the glory God.  For God so love the world that He gave his only begotten son that who so believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.


Sometimes experience earthly lessons with heavenly meaning, truly what we saw and heard became sight.

God Bless you.

RevDanSam

 

The bible story in YOU

A famous local writer once said, in regards to writing, we all  have a novel with in us to write. And I say, we all have spiritual lesson or Bible story in us.  I guess the best tool to use for witnessing a lost person or testifying to another believer is our personal testimony of salvation.   The Apostle Paul talked about his conversion on the Damascus Road at different time in his writing and perhaps we should too.  Even in the old testament God reminded Moses in his writings to remember their deliverance of out of Egypt which is a type or lesson of salvation for the believer.



But God said to remember your great salvation experience. And if it's in your heart and mind, perhaps you will share it with family, friends and fellow workers.  Literally, a bible story or religious story in you.  It can be personal and practical for you to use and tell, even perhaps write.

 

The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 15
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

With Witnessing and sharing sharing the gospel, "when in doubt, just tell it out " your salvation experience.
It's that bible story with in you !!

But dear friend, do you have an experience of salvation ???  Has their ever been a time and place where you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior ?? If not, TODAY right NOW, you can !!

The bible says in the book Acts now is the acceptance time, Today is the Day of Salvation !!

For whosover shall call on the name of the Lord, after the leading of the Holy Spirit,  shall be saved !!

The Holy Spirit will lead you and the scriptures will show you, and with your heart you believe and with your mouth confession is made,  for whosoever shall call in the name of the Lord shall be saved !!




God Bless you, be saved today and become that bible story.

RevDanSam