Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
April 30, 2012

“Wrestling Theology”
“Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel…” – Proverbs 5:7-9

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV)

Solomon has spent the better part of this chapter with this specific appeal—stay away from the seductions of the enemy—lest you have your life drained by those very seductions. It is great advice and the truth is real.
When I was in Junior High and High School I was on the wrestling team. Wrestling is one of those few team sports where what you do as an individual can make or break if the team wins or loses. In Junior High, each “match” was two, two-minute rounds, and in High School, three two-minute rounds—that is unless you or your opponent is pinned at any point during those rounds. And believe me—they are grueling!!
I remember my first match. I had managed to secure a spot in the rotation which meant I would be on the team for one of the upcoming duels against another school. Now, this may seem like a stretch, but I was wrestling at 95 pounds, (this was Junior High, remember?) but to get to that weight I had to lose close to ten pounds. It had taken me two weeks of both dieting and exercise but I had made it. The day before the match I had weighed in at 95, which meant I would be competing the next night. I was excited to say the least. What I did not realize was how drained I had become from the dieting and exercise. Halfway into the first round my mouth felt like it was filled with cotton and my strength was zapped to the point where I could barely raise my arms. Although I was behind by two points, I managed to get through the first round without being pinned. After a quick drink I renewed my strength and ended up pinning my opponent mid-way through the second round and won my first match.
When you wrestle—it is you against your opponent. Your coach, family, teammates, and fans can cheer you on, but in the end your success comes down to your skills, strength, and your ability to think and react when your opponent makes his moves. By the time you have finished practically every muscle in your body aches because you are using all of them to defeat your opponent. If that person is better conditioned, faster and stronger, the match may not last very long.
The Apostle Paul reminds us (in the passage above) that we “wrestle not” against a common opponent but against one who is much stronger and more cunning—one who wants to drain every ounce of spiritual strength within us and once he does we are made “slaves” to sin (Romans 6:13) and what strength we have left is given over to him. By the way, wrestling (real wrestling I might add!) is a team sport! If you do not win your match the team does not get any points. In the Christian life—the Church is our team. We work together to make each other strong. We understand that we are ultimately responsible for our actions and relationship, we work to make each other strong!
As Solomon says—give your best strength to Christ and for one another. That is how we “win” for the Kingdom!
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Good Things

by E. Christian,
Sunday, April 29, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
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(New King James Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:22-24(New International Version).

A QUOTE
The worth of money is not in its possession, but in its use. - Aesop -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
The best way to lead is by a good example. - From Home is Where the Heart Is -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy in McAlester, Oklahoma, with a high temperature of 81 degrees and a low temperature of 67 degrees. I attended Worship Service this morning. We had a wonderful service. We had some wonderful choruses and hymns the names of which were "The Solid Rock," "The Lily of The Valley," "Step By Step," "Hallelujah, Praise the Lamb," "Praise The Name of Jesus," "All Because Of God's Amazing Grace" and "It Is Well." Stan McMullen sang a special song titled "Consider The Lilies." I included this song in the Good Things some time ago and requested that Stan sing it again soon, so he did this morning and it is always a Blessing to me when I hear that song. Pastor J. T.'s message was titled "The Lord of the Dance" and was very inspirational. I had lunch at home. I sat outside for a few minutes before I had my afternoon nap. Rascal napped with me this afternoon. I sat out with the cats for a few minutes around 4:30 p.m. I attended church tonight. Every month that has a fifth Sunday, several churches get together for a "Fifth Sunday Sing." People from each church have a chance to sing. Tonight we had people from the following Nazarene churches: Arpelar, Atwood, Eufaula, Friendship and McAlester. This was also a very inspirational service. I appreciate your e-mails and I appreciate everyone who reads the Good Things. If for any reason, you would like to be dropped from receiving the Good Things, send me an e-mail and I will certainly understand.,br /> The cats are fine. Little Girl is asleep on the sofa. Leo, Rascal and Tony have been here in the den this evening but have now gone on to other things. I have seen all of the cats this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Saturday, April 28, 2012
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. - Colossians 3:23-24(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! - Romans 11:33(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
We may depend upon God's promises for He will be as good as His word. He is so kind that He cannot deceive us, so true that He cannot break His promise. - Matthew Henry -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
Tough times never last - tough people do. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been mostly cloudy with a high temperature of 80 degrees and a low temperature of 69 degrees. My house cleaning lady came at 11:15 a.m. and cleaned my house while I had lunch with Charley. Before I came home I went to the post office and the cemetery. At the cemetery the large white gander came up to the side of my van as I was getting ready to leave the cemetery. He was so close to my van that I reached out and patted him on the head. My brother, Charley, buys corn by the sack and feeds the ducks and geese at the cemetery. He says the white gander is not always hungry but he likes to be petted.
I sat outside for a few minutes before I took my afternoon nap. When I awakened from my nap Rascal had joined me. At 4:00 p.m. I went to Walgreens to pick up a prescription and stopped by Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy store for a carton of ice cream. I sat outside with the cats this evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. As I have mentioned many times before I lived on a farm untill I was 18 years of age and went into the Army. When I was growing up on the farm I always loved to hear the mocking birds sing. Later after I married and lived at different places in Oklahoma there was usually a mocking bird nearby that I would hear at different times during the day and sometimes at night. In the last few years I have lost my hearing for those tones in which the mocking bird sings. I was sitting in the yard this evening and the mocking bird was high on a utility pole and I could tell that he was singing and oh how I longed to hear him sing but I couldn't. You know, one of these days when I join my dear Flonnie in Heaven I will be able to hear those mocking birds sing again. Won't that be a wonderful time? Thanks for your e-mails and thanks for reading the Good Things.
The cats are fine. Little Girl is on the sofa asleep. Emmy, Leo, Rascal and Tony have all been by while I am doing the Good Things. All the cats have been seen this evening.
I hope everyone has a Wonderful Sunday,
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by E. Christian, McAlester, OK
Friday, April 27, 2012

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 15:5-6(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(The Apostle Paul wrote) 9 And He (the Lord) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9(New King James Version).

A QUOTE
A loving family develops a sense of trust. - Dolores Curran -

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER
If at first you do succeed, hide your astonishment. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a partly cloudy day in McAlester, Oklahoma. The high temperature today was 83 degrees and the low temperature was 69 degrees. I had lunch with Charley, Bill and Pastor J. T. Carnell. Then I went to the post office and then by Walgreens to check on a prescription. Before my nap I sat out in the yard for a few minutes. There were three cats nearby while I took my nap, Emmy, Rascal and Smokey. At around 3:00 p.m. I went to the Petsense store and then to Walmart for my weekly supplies. I sat outside with the cats from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. I did a load of laundry this evening and now the laundry is the dryer. Most days I spend from 20 to 22 hours just with my cats so you can see why I am quite attached to them. I do visit with my neighbors over the fence once or twice a day. Thanks to those who send e-mails and thanks to everyone who reads the Good Things. I talk with Treva every morning and I talk with June every night. They are doing fine.
The cats are fine. Rascal is on the desk near my computer. Little Girl was just in here eating some canned cat food but I guess she has gone back outside. Beau, Emmy and Leo have been through the den recently but now they are elsewhere. Tony has also been here this evening. Friendly, Itty Bitty, Lucy and Smokey have also been seen this evening.
I will see you next time,
In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
April 27, 2012

“Quarantined”
“Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house…” – Proverbs 5:8

You’ve probably seen a movie like this: A deadly, infectious disease is running rampant through a town or area. Many have already died and others are dying. To prevent the disease from spreading further those with any symptoms are quarantined—separated from the healthy until either a cure is found or they succumb to the disease themselves. This “scenario” as a movie would be entertaining if it were not for the fact that too many times through the centuries this has been played out in real life. In Biblical days, leprosy destroyed the lives of countless thousands—not just the ones infected but their families as well.
The Black Plague of the 14th Century killed an estimated 60% of Europe’s population. In the 18th Century Smallpox took an estimated 60 million European lives including five reigning monarchs—with more than 60% of the deaths being children. Today, HIV/AIDS is claiming lives all over the globe.
Plagues and diseases have been a part of our world since the fall of man. But make no mistake about it there is a disease that not only takes one’s physical life—but destroys what matters most, the person’s soul.
The difference between the plagues listed above and the one I just mentioned is that of “choice.” Those infected with leprosy, the Black Plague, Smallpox, and many others, fell victim to something that they probably could not avoid. That is obviously not the case with the verse above—meaning we can avoid going to the house where the disease lives which also means there is a good chance we will not become exposed to the evil that lurks there. Amazing how that works…isn’t it?
The truth of the matter is this—if you do not want to “get caught” stay away from the problem! Don’t “take the bait” as it were. Yes, it is appealing, but in the end it is appalling. One more illustration to complete this.
Dr. Steven Jackson, a Zoologist, wanted to study the habits of eagles and to do so came up with an incredible method. He knew that eagles were extremely leery of humans so any attempt to get close to them would have to be by making them comfortable with him. He started by finding an area where a number of them lived and hunted. On the first day he found a tree stump near a lake and placed a fish on that stump. He stayed approximately one hundred yards away, hidden behind some trees. Although he spotted a number of eagles circling above, none of them “took the bait.”
Day two; same procedure—same results. Day three, same procedure, but this time one eagle landed approximately 50 to 60 feet away, but again, did not take the bait. Day four, same procedure, what appeared to be the same eagle landed, drew closer to the fish but still was not comfortable in taking the fish. Day five, the eagle landed, not 50 to 60 feet away, but right next to the fish and after several minutes, took the fish. Day six, the same. Day seven, Dr. Jackson left his hiding place and began drawing closer to the eagles landing spot. By the 14th day, Dr. Jackson was only a few feet away from the stump, even to the point where the eagle was allowing him to give the fish to him! After a week of this procedure, Dr. Jackson had literally befriended the eagle and could have captured or killed it with little effort.
Dr. Jackson’s findings confirmed this truth—the eagle’s first instincts, to be leery of a “free fish” were correct! He should have stayed away instead of taking the bait. Same thing applies to us—stay away from Satan’s lair—do not go near. Consider it quarantined, diseased and dangerous and deadly!
Pastor J. T. Carnell