Daily Dose of God’s Glorious Love

The Two Cups of God Study continued For thus says the LORD God of Israel to me: "Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it.   "And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them."   Then I took the cup from the LORD’S hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the LORD had sent me: (Jeremiah 25:15-17 NKJV)             One of the purposes of God’s people is to share the warning that other people will drink of the Cup of God’s Wrath if they don’t turn from their sin and seek God’s forgiveness.   This is the back side of the Great Commission, to warn the lost that they are in sin and must drink of God’s wrath unless they turn to Him.             So we must share the wine cup of fury so if they will hear they will not have to drink of the Cup of God’s Wrath.             Some will enjoy the message because they want vengeance or because at least it isn’t ha

September 27, 2017 Wednesday             Went to bed early and rested okay.   Got up during the night for a couple of hours and then went back to bed for awhile.   I slept about 4 hours yesterday during the day as well.   Weariness is becoming overwhelming to me and affects the clarity of my mind.             Not wearing sunglasses today to see how my eyes do.   The headaches are still bad and pain continues though not as constant.               Bonnie read the devotional and prayed for us.   She is taking Mom to the doctor to check on her heart.   Rebecca has a doctor’s appointment.   I am slowly able to get some things done but each time I am left weaker.             Lately I have been very concerned at the decline in myself on about every level.   I feel I am losing my mind and that my body is breaking down.   My skin is breaking down even with the sunscreen.   My breathing gets harder at times and I also seem to not be as balanced as I used to.               My L

September 26, 2017 Tuesday             More and more my days seem to get mixed up and mixed together.   Trying to remember yesterday gets confusing.   Each day get mixed up with the other.             The only thing I can say for sure is this is the first day in over a week that neither eye hurt.   Thank You My Love for healing and blessing me.

September 25, 2017 Monday             After going to Church I am often very weary on Monday.   Bonnie and I had our devotion and prayer time.   The hymn for today is Near to the Heart of God .   This hymn is so beautiful; O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God, Hold us who wait before Thee Near to the heart of God.             To me this is where I think of sitting in God’s lap.   For the nearest we can be to someone’s heart is to sit in their lap and rest in them.             As Bonnie and I talked it seems as though so many people are mad and caught up in blaming others.   It is so sad to see not just the nation but the Church in America fracturing.   In the West Islam is growing and stepping into the vacuum left by the fracturing of Christianity.   More and more people fall under the reign of Islam.   I fear for the women and children who as always suffer the most.  

The Two Cups of God Study continued You are filled with shame instead of glory. You also—drink! And be exposed as uncircumcised! The cup of the LORD’S right hand will be turned against you, And utter shame will be on your glory. (Habakkuk 2:16 NKJV)             We were meant for GLORY!   We were meant to walk with God and to share in His love and life.   We were created to lift up and to make the world, each other, and please God through our shared love and our worship of God.             But we settled for our own glory and that led to our own shame.   Is there anything more shameful than to see someone taking all the credit for a win or a success?   Their self promotion deflates us and in the end themselves.               But one who lifts up others in their celebration lifts us all up and makes us all feel stronger and better about ourselves.   That is why we like to wear shirts or hats from winning teams.   They make us feel stronger and better as though we are a

September 24, 2017 Sunday             I awoke feeling better but my left eye continues to hurt badly.   It has hurt for the last few days and I have had to wear sunglasses most of the time.   Even when I am in the house with the shades drawn my eye hurts.   Used a tissue to cover the eye and that helped but then I noticed that my vision didn’t decrease with only the right eye.   That means the left eye has into the lazy mode and quit working again.             We went to Asbury and stayed for Sunday school.   Rev Dennie Humphries and his wife were there and it was good to see them.   A good service and a good class.             Bonnie and Rebecca went to a movie and it gave us a chance to rest.   Jonathan dropped by and we got a chance to visit.               I was hungry today and was able to eat well.   But other than that I just rested as I am still tired, weak and hurting.

September 24 Philippians 1:21-30 Best of both worlds By your life or death bring honor to God!                              Old Testament Jonah 3:10-4:11 10Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it. Jonah 4 Jonah’s Anger and God’s Kindness 1But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he became angry. 2So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. 3Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live!” 4Then the LORD said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5So Jonah went out of the city and sat on the east side of the city. There he made himself a shelter and sat under it in the shade, ti

September 23, 2017 Saturday             The heat from the dehydrator made it very hard ti sleep last night.   I feel so weak and hurt so much.   I am down to praying and then watching cheesy movies so I don’t have to think very much.   My mind is getting more and more scattered whether by what I am going through, the meds or just the pain and weariness.               Bonnie went to Asbury to help with the baked goods for Fall Festival.   They really are doing well getting ready.             The ServPro guy came by and thought everything was better and removed the equipment.   Glad that went well.  

September 22, 2017 Friday             Even with fans running and the heat from the dehumidifier I was able to sleep well.   Bonnie and I had our devotion and prayer time before going for a walk.   While walking the ServPro man returned and said all was well.   They are stretched thin because of the hurricanes that hit Texas and Florida.             As the day goes on I get wearier and weaker.   Every day I start out at the best I will be and then decline.   But My Love is there each day and each moment and the worse it gets and the worst I am My Love is more and more to me.   Thank You My Love and My Lord!!!

September 21, 2017 Thursday             I awoke better rested but still down from the water crisis.   I fear one day it will be the stove or something more dangerous that will endanger house or even lives.   This has taught me that I must concentrate on one task at a time.   To try to work on more than one at a time stresses my mind clarity too much.             Bonnie and I had our devotion and time of prayer which is so important for us.   We literally are living not even day by day but moment by moment.   Before I had to leave the pastoral ministry I preached a message about God breathing life into us and now we depend on God with each breath we take.             ServPro came and set up a dehumidifier and some fans to draw out the moisture and humidity.   The technician is very nice and is trying to do as little damage as possible.

The Cup of God’s Wrath Awake, awake! Stand up, O Jerusalem , You who have drunk at the hand of the LORD The cup of His fury; You have drunk the dregs of the cup of trembling, And drained it out. (Isaiah 51:17 NKJV)             Throughout the Old and the New Testaments we are told about the Cup of God’s Wrath or fury.   God cries out to Jerusalem that since they have drunk from the cup of God’s fury they should awake!   This terrible cup that we must drink because of our lack of faith and trust opens us to fear and despair should awaken us.   This cup of trembling which we have drained is to call us back to God.             We fear judgment as a child fears punishment because we believe they are the very same thing.   But judgment, like a test at school is an attempt by God to show us as a person and a nation what we need to do to not fail at life.   When God judges us as a person or a nation it is to show us our need for forgiveness and for His grace.            

September 20, 2017 Wednesday             I am getting so much better rest on my new mattress.   Was always a little leery of the memory foam mattresses but now I see why they are so popular.   Even if I lay there for awhile I do not get sore!             Day started out well as I got some wash done, cleaned my sleep-apnea equipment and started a roast in the crock pot.   But all was undone when I went to finish cleaning the equipment and realized I had left the water on!   Over and over I put down towels to dry it up and used the fan to help.   But to no avail!   We have had to call Servmaster to come and clean it up.             Jonathan got off early and came by to visit and for supper. He caught me in the midst of “bailing” and helped.   When Bonnie and Rebecca got back they helped.             It is another sign that I am slipping.   My mind is less and less effective and my memory is going quickly.   As with all things I am never sure what is the disease, the meds

September 19, 2017 Tuesday             Slept well but found it hard to get up and my left eye was hurting so bad I put on my sunglasses even though I was inside.             Bonnie and I had our devotion but talked and shared our prayer.   We shared about so many good things we see in the congregations we have served.   God still works and is so much more faithful than I am.   Also about the pain, suffering and those who seem to be Christians while not believing or acting like God followers.   In a book by Don Richardson he called them pseudo-Christians.   Please My Love don’t let me judge but so many do such terrible things and teach such untruth in the name of Jesus, supposedly.  

September 18, 2017 Monday             Woke still beat up and worn out and not sure whether I slept well or not.   Bonnie and I had our devotion and then I returned to bed.   Stomach not happy so going to wait to eat for awhile.               Rested most of the day because of serious weariness.   The last time I felt this weary was when for three days we fought a fire desperately to keep our ship from sinking.             Was able to eat supper and felt some better.   But my feet hurt so bad it was late before I could sleep.   The grace of God continues to see me through even the worst of days.

Here is the beginning of a new study.  This study is different as I developed it to have a sort of background for my Theology and for my teaching.  Hope it is a blessing to you! The Two Cups of God By Ronald Ramsey May 2007 (Revised September 2017) Foreword             In Scripture there are two cups that stand out to me.   They come together in the study of the Crucifixion of Jesus and the Garden of Gethsemane .   Jesus offered one of the cups to us and drank the other that we might not have to.   I will look at the two Cups and then see how they are related to Jesus, and how they are related to us.               This study is to help me understand even more how God’s grace flows in my life and in the lives of all who come to Him.   When Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane He asked for THIS Cup to pass from Him.   A little before this Jesus had offered the Cup of His blood t

September 17 Romans 14:1-12 Brotherly Love      15 th Sunday after Pentecost     Serve one another as God has blessed you!                   Psalter reading Psalm 103:8-13 8The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.                              Psalm 103:8-13 NKJV 1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But he who prophesies speaks edification an

September 16, 2017 Saturday             Awoke after sleeping but still so weary after the pain I felt all night.   The pain in my foot has settled to just being an annoyance to me.             Bonnie and I had our devotion and a time of prayer centering on our children.   We pray My Love that You will help them know Your love for them.   I couldn’t receive love until You showed Your love for me on the banks of the Mississippi River.             When I had been a Christian for just a short time I trusted in God for salvation but I did not have God’s love.   One day a group of us went to the Mississippi River very early for a time with the Lord.   I sat at the river side weeping because I so wanted to experience God’s love.   I begged God that somehow I would know He loved me.   As the sun began to rise I noticed a fog bank coming down the river.   Then I saw a fog bank coming up the river and they met in front of me and curled in.   Immediately I know God had just given me

September 15, 2017 Friday             The new mattress allowed me to sleep better and deeper.   Thanks to Bonnie and You My Love!   I get so weary from the almost constant pain.             One of the amazing things has been how comfortable God has helped me to be having to leave the pastoral ministry.   My Love has let me know that my pastoral ministry is completed at this time but also that He has given me a new ministry.   So sitting in the pews and listening and learning is natural and normal now.   My Love has given me such a peace about all of this.   A knowledge that I have a new ministry and a new calling.   Thank You My Love for trusting in me to allow me to go through all this!             Jonathan came by for supper and we enjoyed a good time.   I pray My Love that you will bring comfort to all our family as they also must go through this.   Especially Rebecca and Bonnie.             The pain in my foot increased today where it happened at least every hour.  

September 14, 2017 Thursday             Rested okay but awoke many times.   Bonnie and I had our devotion.   Started Matthew listening to the NIV Bible read by David Suchet.   What an amazing voice!             The new mattresses came today and mine fit but Bonnies was too big.   They will cut it to fit.   What a wonderful company!             A long day as I worked a little and my hands got very weak.   For a couple of days I have had a pain in my foot that feels like something, like a bone, is coming out of my foot!   The pain is terrible and it happens several times a day.             But I remember the terrible time when I had ITP and all of the day I had terrible pain that left me beyond screaming.   The Lord removed it by “the Stripes on Christ’s back” My Love I praise You and thank You!   May I glorify You by my life.

September 13, 2017 Wednesday             Did not rest well but feel some better and I have been able to do some.   Got some cards ready to go and Bonnie and I had our devotion.   Went through some and got more boxes out (yaah).               So many people and circumstances are on my heart and as I pray it seems more come to my heart.   God is guiding me to pray for so many and for so many needs.   I still have my Prayer Cards for Muslims, Chinese and Pilippino’s.               As always I pray for the “Shepherd’s” who serve God’s flock that they would lead their flock to the Good Shepherd.   And every day I pray for those who are enslaved.   Those who are enslaved by their addictions, habits and fear, those who are enslaved by others and sold or used worse than animals and those who are addicted to power and money and use others.               There are times I want to ask God to destroy those who sell people like property and use girls and boys as objects of sex and s

September 12, 2017 Tuesday             Today is a better day and I rested well.   The pain and weariness is a little better but still rough at times.   Bonnie and I had our devotion and this Hymn doesn’t speak to me but for me! Blessèd Savior, Thee I love,   All my other joys above;   All my hopes in Thee abide,   Thou my Hope, and naught betide;   Ever let my glory be,   Only, only, only Thee. Once again beside the cross,   All my gain I count but loss;   Earthly pleasures fade away,   Clouds they are that hide my day;   Hence, vain shadows! let me see   Jesus, crucified for me.   Blessèd Savior, Thine am I,   Thine to live, and Thine to die;   Height or depth, or creature power,   Ne’er shall hide my Savior more;   Ever shall my glory be,   Only, only, only Thee. Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You. – John 21:17 From a devotional by Robert J. Morgan, Near to the Heart of God: Meditations on 366 B

September 11, 2017 Monday             I awoke to being weary and my eyes still hurting.   The devastation of Irma as the storm rolled over Florida was terrible but better than they feared.   This morning Irma went from a Category 4 hurricane to a tropical storm.   There is still the aftermath in Texas and Louisiana after the previous hurricane and the horrific wildfires out west.   There is also the storm and earthquake in Mexico.             All this destruction besides the nuclear fears that North Korea will bomb others, tensions with Russia, China being belligerent and Muslim attacks across most of the world.   We still await the peaceful Muslims to step up. SEPTEMBER 11   Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord;   Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word;   Once His gift I wanted, now, the Giver own;   Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone.   Once ’twas painful trying, now ’tis perfect trust;   Once a half salvation, now the ut

Session 13 The Apostles Creed Study 1.       and the life everlasting.   Amen “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” (Romans 6:22 NKJV) “ 3   And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."” (Revelation 21:3-4 NKJV)             When God created us we were meant to be a forever people.   That is so hard to imagine.   Without the fall Adam and Eve would be here in perfect health to tell us about the creation.   We would be walking with God every day and visiting with Him face to face!               Our children’s, children’s