Pastor Joe

James 1:3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
This morning the computer internet was down, and it was not fixed until 8:30-patience,please.
Do we have patience? Have we ever been tried? Can we learn from the problems of life?
We need patience, and we can have patience.
I will hurry up and finish, so we can get busy doing important stuff-right-PASTOR JOE
PATIENCE PLEASE...

1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

James wrote his letter to the scattered Jews who were now Christians. And his statement about being joyful because you have problems, makes us say,"What?"
The devil only troubles those who are on fire for God. If the devil leaves you alone-that is not good.
We will go deeper into this subject as the week passes-so hang with me-PASTOR JOE

How are you sounds personal doesn't it? Yet, it is a very good question. How are we financially-very important now-yes. How are we emotionally? So important-yes? How are we mentally-stress is real. How are we handing it, or is handling us?
But few think of how are we doing spiritually? It is eternally important, and sure can help now.
So how can we improve? How can we help others? Who do we need to talk to? Who do we need to pray for?
Think about it-PASTOR JOE

We all are serious about some things. We all are serious about different things. I hope and pray we are serious about our relationship with God. I hope we are serious about our Bible reading.
Some are very serious about eating, having fun,money,etc...
Some are serious about their mates or family. Some are only serious about themselves.
So, the question is- what are we serious about? How is our soul doing? PASTOR JOE

Many of us are good at expanding our bellies, but we need to learn how to expand our minds. What are we reading? Yes, reading. What are we learning> We only learn when we are trying to learn. Start a learning program, now.
Read a book, start a new hobby, learn a language, watch things worth watching-do it.
PASTOR JOE

Right now, what are you very thankful to the Lord for. What comes to your mind quickly? When is the last time you took 5 minutes and said to the Lord-THANKS for this, and that, and that,too.
I believe we need to do that often, and with a grateful heart.
Do it now, and thank him for 5 things-NOW
PASTOR JOE

Do it now. What? Why? One of the great secrets for the best life is do it now. We are not promised tomorrow- so do it now.
Do what? Those things you should do and have always wanted to do. But never forget honor the Lord in all things.
Have fun-live outside the box-use the good china-enjoy the best now. Do those things you planned to one day.
Life is to be enjoyed, and even we Christians can.
Think about it-Pastor Joe

That is the name of the message I shall preach on Sunday morning. What a great question. This could well be one of the greatest sermons ever. Please pray for me as I share the message, and as I get ready now.
Please pray for those who will hear the message,too.
I will try to make it available asap.
God bless you and yours-PASTOR JOE

3 of my most faithful blog readers are Bill, Diane, and Linda. Let me tell you about them.
Bill is a nice humble guy, who I am thrilled to be his friend. He also has a great and talented wife who Louise and I adore.
Diane is not only beautiful and intelligent, but she is so humble, and I am blessed to be her friend and pastor.
Linda is note as a beautiful and intelligent woman with a great smile and personality. How bless I am to know her.
Now, what is my strong point- people talk about us even behind our backs, and we can influence what they say, but we can't control what they say.
I am blessed with some good friends and I am proud of them.
Wonder what people say about us? PASTOR JOE

Tonight we will share a study in Ezekiel 2- God speaks. The great thing is God still speaks today, but are we listening? Through the Bible and through His Spirit God speaks today-glory!
To listen means we hear and apply. So many hear but never get to the applying part.
Hear and do. Remember God loves us and desires the best for us even now-PASTOR JOE

Here we have some rain falling in the midst of a horrible drought. Lakes look so bare,it's scary.
Yet on the news we see Ike's aftermath. We read of floods, winds, and all kinds of bad weather.
Makes me think of Matthew 24 where Jesus warns that in the last days it would be like this,plus wars and rumors of wars. Do yourself a favor and read Matthew 24 as soon as possible. PASTOR JOE

Sunday night we started a study of the book of James-what a blessing!
The key verse is 2:18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds.”NLT
This will be a great study and I will share some notes with you from time to time.
Challenge- live what you say-PASTOR JOE

It is very clear that we are to spread the Word of God. One of the great ways to do so is to help the Gideons. They place Bibles all over the world, especially in schools and hotels as allowed.
Sunday morning we will have a Gideon speaker, and he will share about their work. I am so glad that Refuge Baptist Church has then to visit, and we support them.
Have a great weekend. Sorry no blog yesterday- my line was down, but now it is fixed.
PASTOR JOE

We are so blessed and yet few realize it. God does speak to us now. The Bible contains a message that applies to us even now.
Tonight I shall share with those that come a study of Ezekiel 2. God has so much to say to us in that passage. Do yourself a favor- read Ezekiel 2 and allow God too speak to you. Try it-you may be blessed-PASTOR JOE
Ezekiel 2- NKJV

1. And He said to me, "Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.''
2. Then the Spirit entered me when He spoke to me, and set me on my feet; and I heard Him who spoke to me.
3. And He said to me: "Son of man, I am sending you to the children of Israel, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me; they and their fathers have transgressed against Me to this very day.
4. "For they are impudent and stubborn children. I am sending you to them, and you shall say to them, `Thus says the Lord God.'
5. "As for them, whether they hear or whether they refuse for they are a rebellious house yet they will know that a prophet has been among them.
6. "And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you dwell among scorpions; do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
7. "You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious.
8. "But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house; open your mouth and eat what I give you.''
9. Now when I looked, there was a hand stretched out to me; and behold, a scroll of a book was in it.
10. Then He spread it before me; and there was writing on the inside and on the outside, and written on it were lamentations and mourning and woe.

If you could do anything today, what would it be? I hope in just a little while to study preparing sermons-that rings my bell. I also enjoy delivering the messages. I enjoy learning how to do both better. Those are the kinds of books I love to read.
So, friend, what rings your bell? A nap, a walk, coffee, camping, a call, a hobby?
Life is to enjoy, and honor God.
Have a blessed day-PASTOR JOE

This blog was delayed for a good reason- Michele and I took Kyle to have botox treatment in Atlanta. We left at 3 am, and I didn't get back until a bit a go. With 2 hours sleep last night I was afraid to do a blog.
Now at 2:15pm here goes.
I love my daughter and my 2 grand boys very much, and I am glad to report a safe trip and a successful trip. Kyle did so well. Dr. Bruce and his staff are all so nice and caring. Thank you Lord, and bless them-PASTOR JOE

Have you ever been needing a ear to listen.
A friend will.
Have you ever hurt so bad, and nobody seems to care.
A friend will.
Have you ever needed a call or a hug, and no one comes.
A friend will.
Have you ever felt alone in a crowd, and no one reached out.
A friend will.
Be a friend.

Jesus is the greatest friend we could ever have.
But we sure could use some earthly ones, now-PASTOR JOE

Yes, God is speaking today. He speaks to us all. He loves,He cares, and He has much to say.
The problem is are we listening? God has given us a written message in the Bible. We need to spend more time reading what He says, and applying it.
Wake up-read the Bible, and listen to God-He is speaking-PASTOR JOE

Yesterday I enjoyed being with about 25 preacher friends-some old ones I have known for years, and some new ones I met for the first time-neato. There was some great stories, and possibly a few stretchings of the truth, but it was good fellowship. We also had some good food-of course.
It is great to have times such as that. We need them more than we know. I hope you have some good old friends and some new ones,too.
Have a great day-PASTOR JOE

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? Have you ever felt-I need prayer, please. I feel that way right now. I am having a real hard time with my Dad who is in a assisted living place with my mother. It looks lik things are worse, and we all need your love, support, and prayers.
I bet you need special prayer.too. LORD, PLEASE bless this reader, and the special needs that they have- PASTOR JOE

Why do they call it labor day, when you don't labor on that day?
Which brings up the question- how much do we labor for the Lord?
He died on the cross for us, and do we show Him our love by what we do for Him?
What is the last thing we did for Jesus? Think about it.
Lord, my actions show You what I really think about You!!!!
Do something for Jesus today-PASTOR JOE