Daily Devotion for April 30, 2007
TO THE ONLY WISE GOD

Jude 1:1 ¶Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

3 ¶Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

8 ¶Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

15 ¶To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

This devotion is posted by Louis Culver, an Elder in the Primitive Baptist Church. Please freely Copy, Paste and RePost it to all who are interested in receiving it, so long as it is sent intact - including this message. My e-mail address is culver38@bellsouth.net.

Daily Devotion for April 27, 2007
SHORT OF THE GLORY

Romans 3:23 “…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;…”

Because of our sins we have come short of the glory of God. We have not obeyed the laws of God in our life and therefore we have fallen short of the glory of God. God is gracious to forgive our sins, through the redemption of Jesus Christ, and He still loves His own.

God has given us instructions for our daily lives, telling us how to live and conduct ourselves in this present world. Many people think the Ten Commandments are the only commandments that God has given His people. This is patently untrue. God has given many commandments (or commands) for the guidance of His people. For example:

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

When He said “seek” it meant that we were to do something. When we seek for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, there awaits a promise for us: “…these things shall be added unto you.”

The next verse is different in that it tells us NOT to do something…”take no thought…” and the promise following that is: “…for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself…” Then follows a statement of fact: “…Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

When left to our own devices, we always come up “Short Of The Glory.” With God in charge, we never come up “Short Of The Glory.”

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 23, 2007
HIS BANNER OVER ME

Song of Solomon 2:4 “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

When I read this I think of the Lord’s House, His Church, as being the banqueting house. A banqueting house seems to describe a place of great beauty, much good activity, a place where one can be of a very good frame of mind. Usually those who come together in a banqueting house are people who are like-minded, who enjoy the same things, and who care deeply for each other. They are friends one to another.

When there is a function at the banqueting house, there is most often one particular person who is responsible for calling the people together. This is true for the text given above. The word “He” at the beginning of the verse refers, in this case as I think of the banqueting house, to the Lord Jesus Christ. He has established His “Banqueting House” on the earth. That house is His Church which He left for us when He went away. It is a place of refuge, of peace, of comfort and joy for His children.

Why did Jesus leave the Church here for us? Because

“…his banner over me was love.”

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 20, 2007
FALSEHOOD OR TRUTH

Some people deny GOD's existence.
They deny we're creatures of His hand.
They spout confidence in things seen --
In things they touch and understand.

Deny that GOD is? Why not deny breath?
Or, perhaps, deny that gases exist --
Invisible, explosive at a spark;
Yet of these, they have evidences.

Then, the very winds, deny.
Deny regions beyond mortal sight;
Deny the sun after it sets --
Pretend that it has no more light!

Deny that acorns grow into oak trees.
Deny, butterflies emerge from cocoons;
Deny, trees-deciduous leaf in Spring;
Deny, the sun gives light for the moon.

What shall unbelief have accomplished,
When all the denials are said and done?
When the last falsehood is spoken,
TRUTH will still reign -- GOD the eternal ONE!

by mercies of GOD,
© by Peggy Hood, 4-18-2007

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 19, 2007
AWAKE, AND WITH THE MORNING

Awake, and with the morning . . .

We see the first light of day, and rejoice in the vision

We hear a songbird singing, and revel in the sounds thereof

We feel the gentle breeze, and breathe in the sweetness of life

We experience the warmth of the sunshine, and know that God lives

We meet a friend, and realize that we are not alone

We eat a good meal, and think how God provides our needs

We read the Word of God, and rejoice in the strength thereof

We engage in our work, and thank God that we are able

We observe our dwelling, and thank God that it is only temporary

We look Heavenward, and awake and with the Morning.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 18, 2007
REACH FOR YOUR BIBLE!

When Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States, an organization known as the Pocket Testament League prepared a beautiful, especially bound copy of the New Testament for the President. A committee was sent to Washington to present the little book to Mr. Coolidge. The chairman is said to have made a lengthy and flowery presentation speech, while the President listened. Receiving the little volume graciously, Mr. Coolidge, in his characteristic manner of few words, lifting the copy of the New Testament in his hand, said: “Gentlemen, in this Book will be found the solution of all the problems of the world.” - The Preacher’s Magazine

Famous men and women of the past and the present have found help in God’s Book. There is help in it for you, too!

GEORGE WASHINGTON:

“Above all, the pure and benign light of Revelation has had a meliorating influence on mankind, and increased the blessings of society.”

ABRAHAM LINCOLN:

“In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to men. All the good Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.”

WOODROW WILSON:

“I have a very simple thing to ask of you. I ask every man and woman in this audience that from this day on they will realize that part of the destiny of America lies in their daily perusal of this great Book.”

HERBERT HOOVER:

“The whole of the inspirations of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American live.”

HELEN KELLER:

“Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations, because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.”

DOUGLAS MACARTHUR:

“Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the Word of God before I go to bed.”

J. EDGAR HOOVER:

“The Bible is the unfailing guide which points the way for men to the perfect life. The lessons of charity, justice, and equality which enrich its pages should be learned well by all men in order that greed, avarice, and iniquity can be blotted out.”

When Calvin Coolidge was president of the United States, an organization known as the Pocket Testament League prepared a beautiful, especially bound copy of the New Testament for the President. A committee was sent to Washington to present the little book to Mr. Coolidge. The chairman is said to have made a lengthy and flowery presentation speech, while the President listened. Receiving the little volume graciously, Mr. Coolidge, in his characteristic manner of few words, lifting the copy of the New Testament in his hand, said: “Gentlemen, in this Book will be found the solution of all the problems of the world.” - The Preacher’s Magazine

“Conscience tells us that we ought to do right, but it does not tell us what right is – that we are taught by God’s Word.” - H. C. Trumbull

THERE IS A REASON

An editor asked one hundred prominent men what three books they would want, named in order of preference, if they were to be imprisoned for three years. Ninety-eight listed the Bible first. The reason is found in a clipping from an old scrapbook:

“This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved [from this untoward generation], and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. . ..”

“It is impossible, mentally and socially, to enslave a Bible reading people.” - Horace Greeley

“Man is an able creature, but he has made 32,600,000 laws and hasn’t yet improved on the Ten Commandments.” - Anonymous

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 17, 2007
SCRIPTURAL SAYINGS

“A little bird told me”

“A bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter” – Ecclesiastes 10:20.

“Spare the rod and spoil the child”

“He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him early” – Proverbs 13:24.

“He escaped by the skin of his teeth”

“I am escaped with the skin of my teeth” – Job 19:20.

“My hair stood on end”

“Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up” – Job 4:14 and 15.

“Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind”

“For they have sown the wind and shall reap the whirlwind” – Hosea 8:7

“Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning”

“And in the morning, it will be foul weather today; for the sky is red” – Matthew 16:3.

Sometimes we are more familiar with passages from the Bible than we realize. We ought to become more familiar with much more of the Scriptures, learning something more each day. We miss so much when we fail to glean from the words of the Bible on a regular basis. Many people can quote a great number of sports data – statistics by the multitude – but are we able to define and describe the multitudes that Jesus taught? Can we call to memory any portion of His teachings to the multitudes?

Challenge:

Do you know any other common sayings that are based upon the Scriptures? If you do, please send them to me. It would be interesting to know how many we can find.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 16, 2007
THINGS THAT AREN’T IN THE BIBLE

Purgatory is not in the Bible.
Limbo is not in the Bible.
Burning candles for the sick is not in the Bible.
Sprinkling or pouring for baptism is not in the Bible.
A second chance to go to Heaven after death is not in the Bible. (1)
Prayers to Mary or to any of the saints to help us, is not in the Bible (I Timothy 2:5).
Speaking in tongues to be saved is not in the Bible.
Be good and you will go to Heaven is not in the Bible.
Be sincere and you will go to Heaven is not in the Bible.
Be baptized in water to be saved is not in the Bible.
Join the church to be saved is not in the Bible.
Confession to a priest or preacher for forgiveness is not in the Bible.

-Selected

(1) Neither is a first chance to go to Heaven after death found in the Bible. Our going to Heaven is not based upon a chance system. It is based upon the assurance that Jesus died to pay our debt of sin, that debt that would have kept us from Heaven if it had not been God’s will that we should be redeemed from that load of sin-debt under which we were laboring.

The foregoing statements represent much truth – truth with which so many are not familiar. They are laboring under the false impression that there are some things we are to do in order to gain entrance into Heaven. It is not required that we do anything to obtain eternal life – it was a gift from God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Lest we seem to be saying that there is nothing a child of God should do, let us hasten to proclaim that much is to be done, but not to gain entrance into Heaven, but to obtain a good conscience toward God while we live here on this Earth. Because we are bought with a price, we are compelled to serve the living god with our very life while we are living in this world.

When we are carried to Heaven, we will be praising God in all Eternity.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 13, 2007
NO ONE LOVES ME

"Spouse, family, friends -- all fail!
No one loves me, that you could tell!
Poor, sad, lonely, forsaken me!
I'm all forgotten. Can't others see?"

Such self-pitying thoughts of mind
Are likely common to most mankind.
O but there's better than all of this.
There's true LOVE which brings us bliss!

We ought never feel wholly unloved --
GOD's care, we're benefactors of!
Don't be crushed when others fail.
The LORD is true! HE loves us well!

John Doe fails. JESUS loves me!
Jane Doe forgets. JESUS loves me!
We are sinful. GOD is perfect!
Then, move beyond the inward wails.

I am loved -- JESUS died for me!
LOVE is not blind -- GOD always sees!
Never a moment, nor minute, nor hour,
Not at any time, shall HE of all power

Forget us, neglect us, or fail to hear
When we truly seek HIM -- HE's ever near!
HE's Hope unto us and Life and Peace!
His Spirit lives within us, ever in reach!

Dear child of GOD -- you're eternally loved!
Give thanks to HIM WHO reigns above.
Your emptiness, tell HIM all about.
HE can fill you with Peace throughout!

Certainly others fail! So do we--
We fail one another! The flesh is weak;
So, call on the LORD, your heart to speak!
HIM of unfailing LOVE, carefully seek!

by mercies of GOD,
© [Peggy Hood, 3-12-2007]

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 12, 2007
WILL WE CHEAT GOD?

Will we cheat God? Will we lie to Him? Many times we will. God is not pleased with such actions by His children, and He will exact proper payment from them for their misdeeds. God is not mocked; He means business and He takes no foolishness, such as lying, cheating or stealing.

Sometimes God’s punishment is swift and terrible, sudden and complete. Take for example the case of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They did part of what they were supposed to do: they sold a possession. But they did not follow through to a perfect conclusion the end of the command: they did not render all, but only a portion of the proceeds from the sale.

Both Ananias and Sapphira had conspired to cheat – they both agreed to the same amount received for the sale of the possession. But that amount was not the total amount. Ananias died on the spot when he was confronted with the truth.

Sapphira came in and told the same untruth that her husband had told and she, too, died on the spot. The same men who had just buried her husband came back and gathered her up and buried her also.

Will we cheat God?

Read the account of Ananias and Sapphira:

Acts 5:1 ¶But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 11, 2007
THE COAL BASKET BIBLE

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" the old man said. "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out." That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.

Take time to read a portion of God's word each day, and remind a friend by sharing this story. "Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly, Leave the Rest to God"

The Bible teaches us how to live before our God. In

Deuteronomy 10:12, we read, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,…”

We also read in

Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Another principle is taught in this story. We need to be careful how we live and conduct our lives, because others watch and pattern their lives after us. The grandfather set a good example by reading his Bible. The grandson wanted to be like his grandfather; therefore, he also tried to read the Bible. He did not feel that he was accomplishing anything until the grandfather told him just how his Bible reading was able to help him. We need excellent teachers, both by word and by deed.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 10, 2007
CROSSING THE BAR - Revisited

Recently the poem, Crossing The Bar, was used for a Daily Devotion. readers were asked to submit their thoughts concerning the poem. Sister Elaine Housley has submitted her thoughts, which follow the poem.

CROSSING THE BAR

Sunset and evening star
And one clear call for me!
Oh may there be no moaning of the bar
When I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell
And after that the dark;
Oh may there be no sadness of farewell
When I embark.

For though from out our bourne of time and place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

Dear Elder Culver,

I have always loved this poem, and when I first heard/read it my interpretation was that it was about dying/death, but now I see it through the lens of my present circumstances. My husband will likely be retiring within the year, and his plans for us upon his retirement include possibly (most probably) moving to another country and culture to be there for at least a month to three months initially, and then later possibly for more extended times, helping some friends with a “mission”, and continuing in his work to help the people there through electrification, and now, clean water. It won’t be a hardship, except that I have had a heart attack (several years ago), and it will be very hot there (something that I find difficult even here in summer.) Even in that, there is God’s hand present . . . my cardiologist is from that country, and his father is a cardiologist in the city we would be living in. I am now “of an age” when a move would not be necessarily an easy thing, but as a disciple of Jesus, the “easy way” would not be the path of following Him. In marrying this man--truly a gift from God, given when I was still a young Christian disciple -- I vowed that I would follow him, serve him, through sickness and health, for richer or poorer, (Yes, we used the traditional vows). He has always been a wonderful provider, and a caring man. I will keep my vows. I don’t break promises willingly. More importantly, I vowed, when I gave my life to Christ and promised to spend my life serving Him, to follow Him “wherever He leads”. And, as someone has said, you can’t sing “Where He leads me, I will follow” without being willing to say “What He feeds me, I will swallow.” With His help, I can acclimate to another culture. I have already started trying to learn the language.

I will leave behind church friends, family, including two children and two “children by marriage”, six wonderful grandchildren with a seventh on the way, and I pray that they will support us and pray for us. In fact, I’m counting on it. Since they are fellow believers I hope they see it as “the thing to do” for us who are praying for His will (as, I’m sure, they are). I believe they know (I pray they do), that our “home” is in Christ, who “will never leave us” (or them). Most of all, I pray to never do anything that would block my view of Christ. I love the song, and live by it, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus” http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/u/turnyour.htm, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, As you view Him in glory and grace”.

Whether the poet intended a poem at death, or a life living by faith, I love this poem. I pray I will always take His call seriously.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 9, 2007
WILL WE REMEMBER?

Will we remember today what yesterday meant to us? Yesterday represented the day that Jesus was resurrected from the dead, the day He came forth from the heart of the earth, the day He arose to die no more!

Jesus paid the debt of sin; He fulfilled the demand that we should pay for our sins. Instead of death, we now face life eternal with God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son in heaven.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Will we continue to remember, day by day, what Jesus has done for us? Will we remember to give thanks for our many blessings? Will we accord honor and glory, praise and thanks to God the Father and to His Son for our having life eternal through Jesus Christ?

Will we remember?

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 6, 2007
YOU ARE SO BLESSED

If you woke up this morning
with more health than illness,
you are more blessed than the
million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced
the danger of battle,
the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture or
the pangs of starvation,
you are ahead of 20 million people
around the world.

If you attend a church meeting
without fear of harassment,
arrest, torture, or death,
you are more blessed than almost
three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator,
clothes on your back, a roof over
your head and a place to sleep,
you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank,
in your wallet, and spare change
in a dish someplace, you are among
the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive,
your are very rare,
especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile
on your face and are truly thankful
you are blessed because the majority can,
but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them
or even touch them on the shoulder,
you are blessed because you can
offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message,
you are more blessed than over
two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways
you may never even know.

-- Unknown

Matthew 5:1 ¶And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 ¶Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 5, 2007
HE IS NOT HERE

We are approaching the day, Easter Sunday, which represents the day that Jesus arose from the tomb. He said that He would arise, and so He did. John tells us in John 2:19, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” He was not referring to Solomon’s temple, as some supposed, but to His own body. The people wondered that He could raise up Solomon’s temple in three days when it was many years being built.

When Jesus laid down His life (gave up the Ghost – man did not kill Him) he was placed in a borrowed tomb – He was not going to use it but for three days and three nights. At the end of such time, He arose from the dead – raised up “this temple” again. Listen to what Matthew, Mark and Luke had to say:

Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Mark 16:6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Luke 24:6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

He is not here, He is risen.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 4, 2007
TO LIVE WITH JOY

Shall I allow fearful thoughts
To swallow up my time;
Fret and worry, uselessly,
About the trials mine?

Shall I languish, then, in doubt?
Depression, shall I welcome in?
No! A thousand times over!
Of GOD's mercies, let me attend

To HIS goodness, to HIS Grace,
To HIS kindness, to HIS Love,
To HIS power, to HIS wisdom --
To the ONE my life is of!

Let arise strong trust in Christ --
In our Savior -- the Son of GOD!
Let me rest in HIS promises:
To never forsake us on life's road!

Let my thoughts, my hours, be attuned
Unto reflecting the Love of GOD.
Let thanksgiving flood my soul!
HIS Name, with joy, let me applaud!

by mercies of GOD,
© [Peggy Hood, 3-19-2007]

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 3, 2007
A WORD KINDLY SPOKEN

“Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.” - Dale Carnegie

An unkind word can cut deeply. The one to whom it is spoken may suffer much pain because of it. When we consider that we have harmed someone, then that same unkind word will cause us to become uncomfortable.

Properly spoken words of encouragement, words of kindness, and words of love will generate much joy and happiness, both for the hearer and the speaker. Consider:

Proverbs 25:11 ¶A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

May we speak kind words, soft words, encouraging words in order that we may encourage others.

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022

Daily Devotion for April 2, 2007
IN FLEETING TIME

I'm as a speck beneath the heavens,
This flesh temporal -- in fleeting time.
Yet, I believe my spirit lives eternal --
Forever secure by the LORD most high!

Many moments and hours I've known --
Days and years, quickly passed --
Many suns and changing seasons.
Where time has gone, I needn't ask

Can we stay time? wrap it? hold it?
Could one bring it back to live again
The hours expired, the opportunities
Which fell away as hourglass sand?

Man can't harness or retrieve time;
Yet, we can redeem hours we're given,
Walking in the eternal Love
Of GOD our FATHER in Heaven!

by mercies of GOD,
© [Peggy Hood, 3-23-2007]

In The Master's Service,
Elder Louis Culver .... * Top *
Deatsville, Alabama 36022