Good Morning All,
I have spent great time thinking about answered prayers over the last few weeks, especially those in our life with ailments and personal struggles. It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord, no matter what the situation, He takes care of things. It may be in the final hours (humanly speaking), but He has always come through. It reminds me of the story of Lazarus, (John 11) who being a friend of Jesus', died. When Mary and Martha (The sisters of Lazarus) came to Jesus made said: “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
The fact of the matter Jesus waited two days to depart from His location after finding out that Lazarus was even sick. When He went into Bethany, Lazarus had been in the grave four days. One would look at this with human eyes and think “wow, he wasn’t in a hurry, he must not have cared for the man”. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters (for that matter we know that Jesus loved the world, for He died for it), so why did He wait?
Friends, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has never been late He is always on time, but never in a hurry. So often we equate the proper reaction with that of rush, swiftness and rapidity. We pray, asking the Lord for the answer and expect it to be in front of us when we open our eyes. Grant it, every prayer is answered and sometimes the answer is just ‘no’, but the Lord knows what is best for each and every one of us. It is in His due time that our prayers will be answered according to His will. It may not be exactly what we ‘want’, but it will be what we need.
When you pray today, tonight and tomorrow remember these two facts: The Lord will answer the prayer according to His will and do so in His time; so whatever befalls is sure to bring Him glory. But also, look back today and search out the already apparent answered prayers. Some were your prayers and some were others, but the answer came and a blessing was received. Many of our blessings are right before us on a daily basis (i.e. a safe ride to and from work, employment, good health, meals etc.). We take these things for granted when all the while it is the Lord, simply answering a prayer that may have gone up to His throne twenty years ago. Our lives can be changed in one second or less; sickness can strike any one of us in the blink of an eye. All that we knew the moment before is placed on hold until we re-learn to live in a new state of functionality. These are the things I think about daily, how the Lord has opted to allow me one more day, to function easier than the alternative. He has given me the opportunity for this very day to be blessing to others, to answer those prayers that are laid at His feet…Just one more day to operate in this life, the Lord has allowed me to ‘continue as is’.
May we give thanks today, for what we have – the answered prayers of our life here and now. After thanksgiving, then move forward with other requests… now wait, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
He is always there, He is always on time and He will always answer. Have a wonderful day.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Weekly Words of Encouragement Vol 2, Issue 3
Good Morning All,
The sound of rain… Saturday evening the rain began rolling into our area for the first time in 2010. As a I lay there listening, the sound of the rain hitting the rooftop just reminded me how much our Lord really and truly loves us. I realize that rain can and is used as a destructing force, but without it nothing would survive (Psalms 147:8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.) The early and latter rain in the Bible is a reference to the rain the Lord gave His people to prepare the fields and then to prosper the fields, these rains were a sign or confirmation of God’s blessings.( Zechariah 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.)
Whereas I know we need no sign, but there is continual evidence of God’s love for His people. Many of us have found ourselves in situations of life that seemly had no end, nor future. However, somehow and somewhere along the line, all was taking care of, our bills, family, food etc. That is the rain that fell from heaven, not only revealing a blessing from above, but also showing the love God has for His creation. Without rain, the land will starve, too much and the land will drown; the Lord sees to it that we, as His fields, receive just enough to allow us to grow in the grace He has intended. David said “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalms 37:25
So when the sounds of rain come your way, whether heavy or light; lift up your eyes and bow your heart and thank God that He loves you and that He is giving you a wonderful blessing, the blessing of life. Have a wonderful day.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
The sound of rain… Saturday evening the rain began rolling into our area for the first time in 2010. As a I lay there listening, the sound of the rain hitting the rooftop just reminded me how much our Lord really and truly loves us. I realize that rain can and is used as a destructing force, but without it nothing would survive (Psalms 147:8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.) The early and latter rain in the Bible is a reference to the rain the Lord gave His people to prepare the fields and then to prosper the fields, these rains were a sign or confirmation of God’s blessings.( Zechariah 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.)
Whereas I know we need no sign, but there is continual evidence of God’s love for His people. Many of us have found ourselves in situations of life that seemly had no end, nor future. However, somehow and somewhere along the line, all was taking care of, our bills, family, food etc. That is the rain that fell from heaven, not only revealing a blessing from above, but also showing the love God has for His creation. Without rain, the land will starve, too much and the land will drown; the Lord sees to it that we, as His fields, receive just enough to allow us to grow in the grace He has intended. David said “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalms 37:25
So when the sounds of rain come your way, whether heavy or light; lift up your eyes and bow your heart and thank God that He loves you and that He is giving you a wonderful blessing, the blessing of life. Have a wonderful day.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Weekly Words of Encouragement Vol 2, Issue 2
Good Morning all,
I hope and pray that the day has found each one of you safe and sound in the New Year. 2010 is wide open, making today a remarkably special day. We can, today, decide what we are to do for the New Year…how we are going to live, what changes we can make and how we are going to treat others. All of this can be decided right here right now.
Here is my thought for today, but in reality, for the future. In studying the book of Jude all these years one finds that even though it is small in quantity, the is a spiritual giant in quality. Two passages stand out this morning; they are verses 21 and 22. (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:) The instruction is personal; keep ourselves in the love of God, this is not a work for our salvation, but rather a response to our salvation. For the next statement is the supporting theme “some have compassion, making a difference”.
Herein is where we decide today, for what the year will hold… This moment is where we determine in our heart… in our life to make a difference in this life, in the lives of others. Will it require compassion? Most certainly. Will it be difficult? At times, yes. But in the grand scheme of the life we now hold, will it be worth it? Without a doubt, yes!
There has always been a great emphasis placed of ‘first impressions’, but let me introduce something that will over shadow a first impression. It is ‘final impressions’. How you are remembered tomorrow, will be how you are known today, a final impression on someone’s life can make the difference in their days more than any first impression did or even could.
So where are you as you read this? Are you now planning and preparing to have compassion of others that you may make a difference in their life, leaving a final impression that overshadows the first? Today is the day to decide, right here, right now. Move to make a difference. Have a wonderful day.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
I hope and pray that the day has found each one of you safe and sound in the New Year. 2010 is wide open, making today a remarkably special day. We can, today, decide what we are to do for the New Year…how we are going to live, what changes we can make and how we are going to treat others. All of this can be decided right here right now.
Here is my thought for today, but in reality, for the future. In studying the book of Jude all these years one finds that even though it is small in quantity, the is a spiritual giant in quality. Two passages stand out this morning; they are verses 21 and 22. (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:) The instruction is personal; keep ourselves in the love of God, this is not a work for our salvation, but rather a response to our salvation. For the next statement is the supporting theme “some have compassion, making a difference”.
Herein is where we decide today, for what the year will hold… This moment is where we determine in our heart… in our life to make a difference in this life, in the lives of others. Will it require compassion? Most certainly. Will it be difficult? At times, yes. But in the grand scheme of the life we now hold, will it be worth it? Without a doubt, yes!
There has always been a great emphasis placed of ‘first impressions’, but let me introduce something that will over shadow a first impression. It is ‘final impressions’. How you are remembered tomorrow, will be how you are known today, a final impression on someone’s life can make the difference in their days more than any first impression did or even could.
So where are you as you read this? Are you now planning and preparing to have compassion of others that you may make a difference in their life, leaving a final impression that overshadows the first? Today is the day to decide, right here, right now. Move to make a difference. Have a wonderful day.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Weekly Words of Encouragement Vol 2, Issue 1
Good morning all and Happy New Year!
It seems as if 2009 just started and now here we are in 2010. What will this year be for us? What will it be for you? Many will look back into 2009 with frustrations and sadness…most will feel unsatisfied, considering themselves to not have done all they could/should in the previous year. Others will look back at 2009 with pride, always referring to the prior year’s achievements; all the while the new year is steadily slipping away.
So what will we do? One of my all time favorite verses in the Bible is Hebrews 12.2 (Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.) The final week of last year, our church sign posted: “Finish Strong Heb 12.2”. The thought is self-explanatory, it was to encourage all that read the sign to finish strong, and the only way we can finish strong is to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…
As we walk into 2010, looking back into 2009 with thoughts of ‘shoulda’, ‘woulda’, ‘coulda’ will not benefit us or those around us. Therefore, let’s apply the ‘church sign’ during the last week of 2009 to the first week of 2010. Let’s plan today, right here right now, to finish strong in 2010. Let’s not wait until the final week to be encouraged, let’s not wait until we get down or discouraged in the year’s work. We all know what we need to do and we all know where we need to improve (whether it is church, home, work or all), we must prepare today to finish strong tomorrow.
How? By looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… His example of ‘enduring the cross’ and ‘despising the shame’ should move us toward Him knowing that He went to the cross as a willing sacrifice, because the benefits on the other side greatly outweighed the agony on this side. The benefits, my friends, was judgment upon sin was executed and the penalty paid in full. So, with all that said this morning, move into this year with eyes set on victory, you may fall and you may falter, just keep your eyes on the One Who already finished His course, and is now at the finish line encouraging you to finish you race with joy.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Have a wonderful day and again a happy new year…press on dear friends till the end, let’s prepare and plan to finish strong by starting strong.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
It seems as if 2009 just started and now here we are in 2010. What will this year be for us? What will it be for you? Many will look back into 2009 with frustrations and sadness…most will feel unsatisfied, considering themselves to not have done all they could/should in the previous year. Others will look back at 2009 with pride, always referring to the prior year’s achievements; all the while the new year is steadily slipping away.
So what will we do? One of my all time favorite verses in the Bible is Hebrews 12.2 (Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.) The final week of last year, our church sign posted: “Finish Strong Heb 12.2”. The thought is self-explanatory, it was to encourage all that read the sign to finish strong, and the only way we can finish strong is to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…
As we walk into 2010, looking back into 2009 with thoughts of ‘shoulda’, ‘woulda’, ‘coulda’ will not benefit us or those around us. Therefore, let’s apply the ‘church sign’ during the last week of 2009 to the first week of 2010. Let’s plan today, right here right now, to finish strong in 2010. Let’s not wait until the final week to be encouraged, let’s not wait until we get down or discouraged in the year’s work. We all know what we need to do and we all know where we need to improve (whether it is church, home, work or all), we must prepare today to finish strong tomorrow.
How? By looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… His example of ‘enduring the cross’ and ‘despising the shame’ should move us toward Him knowing that He went to the cross as a willing sacrifice, because the benefits on the other side greatly outweighed the agony on this side. The benefits, my friends, was judgment upon sin was executed and the penalty paid in full. So, with all that said this morning, move into this year with eyes set on victory, you may fall and you may falter, just keep your eyes on the One Who already finished His course, and is now at the finish line encouraging you to finish you race with joy.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Have a wonderful day and again a happy new year…press on dear friends till the end, let’s prepare and plan to finish strong by starting strong.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
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