MY CUP RUNNETH OVER

SURFING WITH JESUS
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr
gene@SurfingwithJesus
April 1, 2006 #416

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER

How many times have we been at our wits end and we thought everyone had failed us and let us down? This week I was listening to comments from other ministers and picked up on some bits and pieces I would like to share.

We have all heard the illustration of the optimist that says the cup is half full. And, we know about the pessimist who say the cup is half empty. Well, here is the best one I've ever heard because it is scriptually based. Are you ready? The child of God says, "My cup runneth over."

Wow, now top that one. Take a look at Psalms 23:4-6

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

This ought to solve any discussion for you as a Christian. Keep this in your heart each day and you will overcome any dart the devil may throw your way. Child of God the battle is not ours. Lord, it's thine! We desire to stay in your favor where there is victory in God's word.

Tidbit: "Everyday that you stay in Christ, you are making progress."

Tidbit: "Lord, what do I lack? No matter what it is the word of God has an answer for it."

Tidbit: "The Bible is not a book of rules but a bag of seeds."

Tidbit: "Wisdom is gained every time one opens the Bible."

When we stay in Christ and God's word we gain wisdom and knowledge to lead and guide us. As we plant our seed in fertile soil it will flourish and multiply. As you continue with God's plan, I believe you will see how much God will bless you and you will sing praises to him as your cup overflows.

I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

"To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.

DEPRESSED

SURFING WITH JESUS
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus
March 25, 2006 #415

DEPRESSED

Depressed, yes, I have a right to be depressed. I've earned it, I deserve it, and let me be, I am depressed. Have you ever had these thoughts? Have you ever been down and out over your weight? Have you ever been down and out over the lack of attendance at your church? Have you ever just wanted to say, yes, I'm depressed because the sun isn't shining on your Spring Break? Well, you are not alone, everyone wants to have a pity party and have a gloom and doom moment. It's our right and we just take time to do it. It even feels good and we take time to enjoy it.

The kids and young people have a program called WWJD. When we get to this please perhaps, just maybe, we should take time to do as our youngsters do when they simply ask "What Would Jesus Do?" One writer said in IIThessalonians 3:13 "...be not weary in well doing." Another writer put it this way, "Never tire of doing what is right."

When we decide we will give into depression we overlook the great strength we can find in the word of God. I will always believe that reading God's word and getting lost in His love is better than any remedy this world may offer us. With God's word you will find an answer when you allow His Spirit to touch your life, your heart, and direct your thoughts and actions today.

You want to sow seed? Sow it in the word of God, sow it in prayer and sow in your giving tithes on your time and finances in your local church and your local community. This week I shared a story with a childhood friend about a guest minister at our church. This man preached the most compelling story I have ever heard on tithes on our time.

There are 168 hours in a week. Tithes on your time would be 16.8 hours each week. Just think, how much time do you give to the Lord each week. Let's see, we go to church on Sunday maybe for 1-4 hours. We come to midweek service for 1-2 hours. We do a few things to help others for perhaps 2-4 hours. So, this leaves 6 hours plus to give to service to God.

What do you think would take place if we took the tithes on time and placed it into action for God? I believe we would have less time to engage in depression. I believe we would be fresh and do things anew for Jesus. I know the writer in Malachi 3:10 is referring to financial directions and blessings but just think if we took time to give tithes on our time and follow this verse when he said "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Wow! WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? There is no limit to what he will do. Depressed? Why? There is so much excitement in God's word; there is joy in serving Jesus. Take time to learn His word and see what the Lord has in store for you as you learn to lean on Him.

I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.

Preserve Me, O God

SURFING WITH JESUS
Pastor Gene A. Dasher,Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com
March 18, 2006 #413

First of all I want to thank those of you that sent a personal note regarding my writing last week on my mom "What a Lady, My Mom." I called and shared many of your comments and her response was "you mean people have heard about my story in China, South Africa and all over the world." Yes, mom, "Well, I just did it for you boys and the grandkids, I wanted you to know my story." I know mom but you have inspired others to want to learn regardless of their age or circumstances. Now, for today.

PRESERVE ME, O GOD

As I think on mom and all she has done in her life, I can see her crying out "Preserve me, O God." Perhaps another way of looking at this would be to say cover me O God. As we face life what better thought could we have than to want the Lord to cover our lips, our thoughts, and our actions each moment of the day. It is human nature to make our plans and then ask God to bless them. However, it would be best to seek His will first and then allow Him to bless us as we take action with our plans.

By communication with God and constantly thinking about the way he would have us go we will gain insight that will help us as we make decisions and we will know His desire for us in everything we do.

I have seen some think that when you ask God to save you and come into your life that everything will be perfect and all life's challenges will be over. Not so, my friend, if you bought that house, that car, those new shoes, you are still responsible to pay for them. God does not exempt believers from the day-to-day things that come our way in life. But, there is one good thing about being a child of God, we can have that sense of security that God will be there and He will preserve us each day.

Tyndale's commentators state that "David found the secret to joy...True joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel joy even in spite of our deepest troubles...Joy is lasting because it is based on God's presence within us."

Take a moment and join me in reading this Psalm. Allow God to touch you this moment and meditate on his preservation as you place your all in his hands.

Psalm 16
1Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.

2O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;

3But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

4Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

5The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.

6The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

7I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

8I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Now, wasn't it nice to take just a moment for you and God alone? Have a great week.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.