Today's Soul Food — Nov. 18 & 19

Golden Words

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8 NIV

One cannot plant the seeds of onions and expect petunias to come up. God's word is painfully clear. Many are living as though there are no consequences to their behavior. There will be a payday, someday. Our actions will produce results. These words are also true of the positive as well as the negative. If we plant to please God we will also reap a harvest.

We will harvest the cop of joy and everlasting life.

Lordship Determines Destiny!

Every person that does any evil, that gratifies any passion, is sufficiently punished by the evil he has committed, by the passion he serves, but chiefly by the fact that he withdraws himself from God, and God withdraws Himself from him.

John Sergieff of Cronstadt, My life in Christ

Daily Meditations by Pat Nordman ©

November 18

"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteous-ness" (James 3:18). This is James' version of the beatitude, "Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). We sow in peace when we say good of others; when we are courteous and kind; when we com-fort those in sorrow; when we encourage another to make good use of life; when we tell of Jesus' love; and when we tell others that His peace will keep our thoughts and our hearts quiet and at rest as we trust in Him (Philippians 4:7). The harvest of this righteousness will be the peace we feel in our own hearts.

November 19

A friend asked a famous evangelist what he was laughing at the night before after he had left him in his room. The man replied, "I laugh three times a day.-..after breakfast ...after dinner and...just before I retire. I laugh systematically. -..scientifically...persistently. I like laughing. It is as medicine to my soul."

That good man lived the wonderful proverb, "A cheerful heart is good med-cine..." (Proverbs 17:22a); "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face..." (Proverbs 15:13a). The happy heart is a satisfied and satisfying heart. "The cheerful heart has a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15b).

Pat Nordman ©

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions With links to the entire devotion
Spurgeon's Morning for November 18	Spurgeon's Evening for November 18
"A spring shut up, a fountain sealed." - Song of Solomon 4:12	"Thou art from everlasting." - Psalm 93:2
Every Christian should feel that he has God’s seal upon him-and he should be able to say with Paul, "From henceforth let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."	Christ is EVERLASTING. Of him we may sing with David, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever." Rejoice, believer, in Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Jesus always was.
Spurgeon's Morning for November 19	Spurgeon's Evening for November 19
"Avoid foolish questions." - Titus 3:9	"O that I knew where I might find him!" - Job 23:3
Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance.	God’s children run home when the storm comes on. It is the heaven-born instinct of a gracious soul to seek shelter from all ills beneath the wings of Jehovah.

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November 18 Acts 26:1 - 28:31
November 19 Romans 1:1 - 3:31

365 days of Bible Readings Linked to Bible Gaitway TM

Current Bible Question

When was an iron ax made to float on water?

Previous question and Answer:

Who sent spies to watch Jesus?

And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. [20] And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.

Luke 20:19-20

With Hat And Coats On

It was on Thanksgiving several years ago that Helen Hayes cooked her first turkey. Before serving it she announced to her husband, Charles MacArthur, and their son James: "Now I know this is the first turkey I’ve ever cooked. If it isn’t right, I don’t want anybody to say a word. We’ll just get up from the table without comment, and go down to the hotel for dinner."

Then she retired to the kitchen. When she entered the dining room, bearing the turkey, she found her husband and son seated at the table—wearing their hats and coats.

—Kansas City

Today's Devotion

...and by his light I walked through darkness! JOB 29:3 NIV

Faith

by Pat Nordman

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead"

– Hebrews 11:1 TLB

Romans 1:17 is a capsule summary of Paul's message to the Romans; it changed Martin Luther's life and ours, as well: "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: `The righteous will live by faith'." Lauterbach quotes Luther as saying, "When I learned that the righteousness of God is his mercy, and that he makes us righteous through it, a remedy was offered to me in my affliction." Luther's Works, volume 54, Table Talk.

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace. . ." (Romans 5:1). Even though we cannot see the future, we are assured that it is in God's capable hands and heart. We have no idea what a blessing this is until we need it now. It is here on this ground of complete hope that we build our justified life; it is here on earth that we frame a foundation of a faith finally worthy of the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). We don't build our life in blind faith, but in complete con-fidence in God's integrity. It saves us many heartaches and headaches. Harry Emerson Fosdick said, "It is cynicism and fear that freeze life; it is faith that thaws it out, releases it, sets it free."

A man who had endured much trouble in his life was asked by a friend, "How is the outlook?" The man answered, "The outlook is dark, but the uplook is wonderful." Peter Boehler is said to have advised John Wesley, "Live by faith till you have faith." On days we question God's ability to take care of us, let's look up!

Send a note to Pat Nordman , the writer of this devotion.

Even though we cannot see the future, we are assured that it is in God's capable hands and heart. We have no idea what a blessing this is until we need it now.

More Walking Through the Darkness

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