Second wave of swine flu leaves 24 in London fighting for life | News

October 31, 2009

Second wave of swine flu leaves 24 in London fighting for life | News.

1 Comment | News | Permalink
Posted by The WATCHMAN

“At The Well of Samaria” 10-31-2009

October 31, 2009

at the well
 
  by dale d. hastie

  *Scriptures from the King James Version except where indicated

 
 One of my favorite accounts of Jesus and his ministry was in the book of John (the story of the woman at the well, St. John Chapter 4). Jesus was headed toward Galilee but had to first go through Samaria. Arriving into Samaria, Jesus had become tired from his journey. Seeing a well there he decided to sit on it for rest and drink. But, instead of drawing the water himself he noticed a woman from Samaria preparing to draw water for herself and plainly asked her to give him some water to drink…
 
John 4:9 Then saith the woman of Samaria to him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
 
In those days, the Jews didn’t associate with the Samaritans because they viewed them as unclean people. So as the text says the Jews had no dealings with them. Not only that, but the normal time of day to draw water, was at the end of the day. But, here this woman is in the hottest part of the day.. noon, to draw her water. Could it be she was ashamed to draw water with even the women of her own town?
Jesus conversation with her paints a picture of this woman’s reputation since he knows our hearts…
 
John 4:16 Jesus saith to her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
17 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:
18 For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
 
Stunned, that Jesus knew her life’s shames…
 
John 4:19 The woman saith to him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet.
 
First off, Jesus wasn’t ashamed to be seen talking with this woman. Secondly, he didn’t condemn her. But, he revealed who he was and offered her eternal water…
 
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
 
People in life, may judge us because of things we’ve done in our pasts. People may look down on us for whatever reason under the sun. But there is a merciful Savior who already knows our lives. Who doesn’t approve of our sins but makes a way to be forgiven of them. Jesus, today sits near us knowing what we’ve done. Waiting for us to admit our faults and confess our sins, so that he may present us with living water. We never have to thirst again.
 
 
 
Drink and be satisfied my friends…DRINK.
 
 
  A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE WATCHMAN…
 
I spend time praying and reading God’s word regarding every message I write. It’s my joy and my mission to encourage and uplift God’s people with thought provoking, inspirational words. Giving glory to Christ in ALL THINGS. As I have said before, many of these messages may not be for you on a given day. I encourage you to save them for later or forward them on to people you know who may need a positive word from the Lord. I’m learning everyday and watching to discern the signs of the times. Be vigilant, the Lord IS coming soon. And when he does, may he find a smile on your face and hope in your heart.
 
 
 
 Be Blessed, Be Encouraged-
  

 
THE WATCHMAN
(Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: Luke 12:37) 
 
 Also, I’d be happy to stand with you in prayer regarding your needs or requests. So, send your requests to the same address-
 

 

 
 

Leave a Comment » | Christian Devotional and Study | Permalink
Posted by The WATCHMAN

“Designed by Purpose” 10-30-2009

October 31, 2009

blueprints 

by dale d. hastie

   *Scriptures from the King James Version except where indicated
 
 
Inventors, and companies that manufacture products invent items for us to use in our everyday lives. Some products help us to do things better, like helping us to do tasks with more efficiency and less effort. Most products also come with instructions or manuals, to inform us how the item should be used properly. Not reading the instructions can possibly cause damage to the device or cause personal injury, if used improperly. If there is damage to the product, or it doesn’t work as designed, it is sometimes recommended that it be sent back to the manufacturer…why? Because the creator of the product will know best how to repair it and make it suitable for what it was designed for once again.
 
Likewise, as we were created by a Creator, God, knows what’s best for us. And WE likewise, have an instruction manual to refer back to for every instance in life… the Holy Bible.
 
Every individual on this planet has a unique, unmistakable design and purpose. We posses different abilities, talents, desires even different visions and dreams. God’s purposes for us, helped determine our design…and what we were equipped with… the natural God-given gifts we posses inside.
 
I’ve often used this practical example to illustrate my point on this…
 
Say for example, I’m the owner of a heating and cooling repair shop. Everyone I hire would obviously have to have a working knowledge of fixing furnaces and air conditioners to start or I could also train them. (Not to mention being certified as well.) When a call for service comes through, what would happen if I didn’t supply my workmen with all the right tools to do the job? I definitely wouldn’t be in business long that way. So, I’d supply my crew with the right tools for that kind of work. In the same way, God puts within us nature tools…gifts. Gifts that no one has to train or teach us to do. Whatever the Lord has purposed you to do with your life he has also placed within you the right skills to be able to complete the task.
 
Take for instance Joseph, God’s purpose for Joseph, was  to be Prime Minister of Egypt.
 
Genesis 37:5 – Exodus 1:6
 
Due to jealousy, his brothers sold him into slavery. Eventually he worked under the Egyptian official Potiphar, but was freed and became the chief adviser to the Egyptian Pharaoh. But as you read the bible account of the story notice how Joseph, was essentially doing many of the same tasks he would later do as Viceroy to the Pharaoh.
Genesis 39:4 And Joseph found grace in his sight (Potiphar), and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.
5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.
6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.
 
Even when Joseph was falsely accused and cast into prison, Joseph’s skills and God’s blessings got him favor in that circumstance also.
 
Genesis 39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.
 
Joseph possessed natural gifts within himself, equipping him for service under the Pharaoh.
 
Next, let’s take a look at David. God’s purpose for David was to be King over all Israel.
 
David had a passion for shepherding sheep. He defended his flocks many times with his own life, even as a youth. Listen to David’s testimony as he convinces King Saul to allow him to fight Goliath.
 
1 Samuel 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
David was also skilled with the harp, even before David fought and defeated Goliath. David was known to the King by his skill playing the harp. Which David later used while he wrote many of the Psalms that we read today.
 
1 Samuel 16:20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid (a young goat), and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
 
For David and Joseph, their natural gifts were somewhat perfected in smaller arenas before they came into ultimate destiny. Can you see how the gifts they possessed gave a clue to what their greater purpose was? Both of them utterly put their trust in the Lord for everything. And that’s truly the point of this lesson. That if we lean and trust in God for our lives our purposes and destiny can be clearly seen through him leading and guiding us daily.
 
I think many people, especially many young adults under value themselves. They don’t see their gifts and abilities or even the potential God himself knows lies within them. People are throwing away their lives, lowering themselves to selling drugs, robbing and or stealing. Not realizing that they could accomplish so much more with faith in God and believing in themselves. I mean, considering David. Being a Shepherd (even at that time) wasn’t exactly a prestigious job. But David tended his fathers sheep with integrity and heart. Fry cooks that do their jobs with integrity won’t be cooking fries for long. As with Joseph, who can hold a good man down when he puts his trust in God.
 
You maybe caring a dream inside of yourself that no one understands. A dream that everyone and the devil has tried to tell you could never happen. Maybe people have told you that there’s no money in that career or position. But, just pray and hold on, the Manufacturer knows what he’s doing.
 
My prayer is that we will all see our potential through faith in God and we may all testify as David…
 
Psalms 63:3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
 
 
 
 Be Blessed, Be Encouraged-
 
THE WATCHMAN
(Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: Luke 12:37) 
 
 

Leave a Comment » | Christian Devotional and Study | Permalink
Posted by The WATCHMAN

Salvation Offer…

October 31, 2009

 

Perhaps you have come here out of curiosity. Maybe you wanted to see what free pamphlets you could download. However, the gift we offer to you is simply an extension of what God has already given to everyone through Jesus Christ. You see, no matter what your background, where you come from, or where you’re going, God gave His Son, Jesus, so that you would not have to die, but have eternal life (John 3:16). You might think, “Well I’m a good person. Surely, I’m going to heaven.” Or, “I belong to denomination ABC or church XYZ. Surely, I’m going to heaven.” Or even, “It doesn’t matter which way I choose, I’ll go to heaven when I die. All paths lead to God, anyway.”

Read along and see what the Bible has to say. All scripture references are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-

Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

The two passages above explain that all have sinned and no matter what good you do in life, it cannot earn you eternal life. Even if you never knowingly committed sin in your life, you were born with a sin nature. Sporting or boasting about a membership card to a certain organization, church, or denomination cannot save you because salvation is a free gift from God.

The Bible goes on further to say:

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me…”

Acts 4:12
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Now there are a lot people in the world proclaiming to know the way to God and eternal life. Some even say it does not matter which route you take (Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Self-Enlightenment, Nature, Astrology, Psychics, etc.), all roads lead to the same God. But, in John 14:6, Jesus emphatically declares that He is the only way to the Father. He does not share this role with anyone or anything else. It is by His Name and His Name alone that you can be saved.

How then does one become saved? The Bible says:

Romans 10:8-11
But what does it say? “The word is near you, even, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is the word of faith which we preach); that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the mouth confession is made to salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

Romans 10:13
For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Believing in your heart and making a simple confession with your mouth that Jesus is Lord is all you have to do to be saved. The great thing about calling on Jesus is that He will not put you on hold and make you wait for salvation. When you call upon Him by confessing Him as Lord of your life, you will be saved. There is no question about it. By now you might say, “Salvation is a free gift I cannot earn. Looking over my life, I can’t say that I deserve to be saved.”

But wait! Look at what the Bible says about this:

John 1:12

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
 

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.

We have already seen in the Bible that you cannot earn salvation. But, there is also nothing that you have done or could ever do in your life to make you ineligible to receive salvation through Jesus. God has given you the right to do so. You do not have to clean yourself up to approach Him. Come exactly as you are. When you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, those things that you have done in the past are left behind in the past.

Skeptics might say, “Well that’s all fine and good. But, do you really expect us to believe in the Bible? Adam and Eve, Noah and the Ark, a burning bush, a virgin birth, Jesus dying on a cross to save the world, and His resurrection…Those events seem just a little farfetched.”

Again, let’s turn to the Bible:

I Corinthians 1:21, 25
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Deuteronomy 30:19
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;”

The beauty of the Bible is that it is so simple. Anyone can understand it by accepting it as truth by faith. As indicated in the scriptures above (Ephesians 2:8 and Romans 10:9), accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life is a step of faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, that it is impossible to please God without faith. Jesus, in John 20:29, says those who have not seen and still believe are blessed.

God has given you the choice to believe and have life, or not to believe and have death. In so much as He urges you to choose life through Jesus, He will not force you. He loves you enough to give you a choice. He protects a decision to choose life just as He does a decision to choose death.

A Prayer For Salvation – Accept Your Gift

Should you decide to accept the free gift of eternal life God has made available to you through Jesus, believe in your heart and say the following prayer with your mouth:

“I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe He died for me on Calvary’s tree, bearing my sins for me. I believe that He rose from the dead and is alive right now.

Dear Lord Jesus, come into my life now! Come into my heart now.

I believe in my heart, therefore, I say with my mouth that Jesus Christ is my personal Lord and Savior. And I am, right now, born again.”

If you just prayed the prayer above you are now born again. Nothing spectacular may have happen to you as you prayed and you may not feel any different from the way you felt two minutes before you prayed. But make no mistake, you are saved. Don’t let anyone or even yourself convince you otherwise. When you leave this life, heaven will be your home.

Comments Off | Christian Devotional and Study | Permalink
Posted by The WATCHMAN