Daily Jewel

by pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Real Treasure is Never Hidden”
“Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold…” – Proverbs 8:10

A small boy, walking down the street one bright summer day, spotted a copper penny glistening at his feet. He picked it up and clutched it protectively. He felt a glow of pride and excitement. Here was something that was his and it cost him nothing! From that day on, wherever he went, he walked with his head down, eyes surveying the ground for more treasure.
During the next 20 years he found 302 pennies, 24 nickels, 41 dimes, 8 quarters, 3 half dollars, and one worn out dollar bill for a total of...$12.82. The money he had accumulated had cost him nothing—except…that he missed the beauty of several thousand sunsets...the colorful splendor of hundreds of rainbows...the brilliance of hundreds of maple leaves that had turned during the coolness of autumn....and most of all, the warmth of the smiles of the faces that had passed him day after day.
"I know now," the author of this article states, "that life's real treasures can never be measured with a dollar sign. I just wish I had not spent so many years with my head down!" Is your head “down?” Searching for treasure and truth in small, limited areas? Or are you looking up? Searching the heart and mind of God for what is good and real?
Life is a wonderful treasure!! And the people God has placed in our lives are to be cherished as well but if we walk around with our heads down looking for something that has no lasting value we will never recognize it.
One of my favorite contemporary Christian musical artists is Steven Curtis Chapman. One of his more obscure songs is called, “The Treasure of You.” In conclusion, here are the lyrics of this song.

Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice that heartsick look in your eyes You hide it very well, but I've got the same disguise I know from all you see around you, You feel worth a very small price So plain and ordinary, but there's a pearl inside And if you look in the mirror in the light of the truth You'll see there's really nothing you could say or do To make you worth more to the One who made you You are a treasure! Worth more than anything under the sun or the moon God's greatest treasure is the treasure of you

The rich man treasures gold and silver; The wise man, his knowledge of truth
Some will hold to memories and some will cling to youth
But the one who carved out the oceans; And painted the stars in the sky
You are His prized creation, the apple of His eye There's no one else in the world who could take your place
Just the thought of you brings a smile to His face God loves you with amazing grace
So take a look in the mirror in the light of the truth
Oh, yes it's true; See there's nothing more you can say or do
God loves the way He created you

From the T to the R to the E to the A to the S to the U to the R to the E God made everything and everything He made More than anything He treasures you and me Check in the mirror in the light of the truth There is nothing you will ever say and nothing you will do That will ever make God care more than He does for the treasure God's treasure is you.
We are truly God’s great treasure and as such, we need to treasure life, and God’s Word of life! Keep looking up! The treasure is before us, and below us.
Pastor J. T. Carnell.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
- Hebrews 13:5-6(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(Job said) 25 "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth." - Job 19:25(New International Version).

A QUOTE
A bad habit never goes away by itself. It's always an undo-it-yourself project. - Abigail Van Buren -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
What most folks need is an alarm clock that will ring when it's time for them to rise to the occasion. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In -
You eventually discover that you have two hands - one for helping yourself and one for helping others. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
First I will announce the arrival of a new baby great grandson today, November 7, 2012. His name is Carter Zane DeClerck. He arrived at 10:00 a.m. and weighed 10 pounds. His proud parents are my granddaughter, Carissa DeClerck and her husband, Sam. Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 67 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 34 degrees. At about 12:30 p.m. I went to lunch by myself at the new MacDonald's in our town which is very nice. Charley was having a luncheon at his church today. After lunch I went to the post office and then to the Country Mart market for a few items. I took my nap with you know who, the same as yesterday. My next door neighbor mowed my back yard this afternoon. This may be the last mowing until Spring. At 4:25 I took cat treats out to my babies. Since last night's Good Things, I have heard from Michelle, Alice, Geneva, Janice, Tiyan and Carissa (my granddaughter). I am always very pleased to get e-mails. If anyone is wondering how I voted yesterday for president, I lost my vote.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. Tony was in for a bite of food a few minutes ago.
Have a nice Thursday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Deeply Divided

This nation has shown how deeply divided we are politically, socially, and economically. Fifty percent of the voters chose Mr. Obama to be president again. But fifty percent chose someone else. Clearly Mr. Obama has no mandate. He appeared to realize that in his acceptance speech. Whether he really means to reach across the aisle remains to be seen.

We are on a descending slope as a nation. Perhaps God has allowed this as a sign to Christians that Christ's return is imminent.

I pray for the president and those who have rule over us. I pray that Freedom of Religion will remain strong in this nation. I pray for spiritual awakening in the nation and a Holy Spirit led revival in the churches.

And today I grieve for our nation. We have made again an unwise choice in the man to lead our nation.

Good Things

by Everett McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
7 But if we walk in the light, as he (God) is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. - 1 John 1:7(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Patient waiting is often the highest way of doing God's work on earth. - From Proverbs for Daily Living - People would worry less about what people think of them if they only realize how seldom they do. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In -

NOTES
I decided to do the Good Things early tonight rather than not do them at all. Someone might find that a Scripture, quote, or thought might be just what they needed tonight. Later I will watch the election returns as I am sure many of you will do the same. Today has been a partly cloudy day with a high temperature of 70 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 34 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon time and then came by the post office for my mail. I went to vote at around 12:30 p.m. and then went to Braum's for some of their good ice cream. I took a nap this afternoon with my cat named Tony. I took cat treats outside for the kitties at 4:30 p.m. Since last nights Good Things I have heard from Alice, Gaetano, Burlene, Geneva and Debra. I always appreciate your e-mails. If anyone ever gets tired of reading my notes or anything else in the Good Things and would like to be dropped off just let me know.
The cats are fine. I think Tony was purring lightly all the time he was sleeping with me and was still purring when I got up and left him. He is a good kitty but they are all good kitties. None of the cats are with me at present but it is still early in the evening.
Have a nice Wednesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Daily Jewel

by pastor Carnell, Mcalester, OK



“Are you Ready to Really Get Ahead?”
"If you have understanding, you will see that my words are just what you need.” – Proverbs 8:9

Have you heard the story of Charles Schwab and Ivy Lee? Schwab was president of Bethlehem Steel. Lee, a consultant, was given the usual challenge: "Show me a way to get more things done and with my time." Schwab agreed to pay him "anything within reason" if Lee's suggestion worked.
A week later Lee handed the executive a sheet of paper with the following plan: “Write down the most important tasks you have to do tomorrow. Number them in order of importance. When you arrive in the morning begin at once on Number 1 and stay on it until it is completed. Recheck your priorities, and then begin with Number 2. Once you have completed that task then proceed to Number 3. Make this a habit every working day. Pass it on to those under you. Try it as long as you like, then send me your check for what you think it's worth.”
That one idea turned the Bethlehem Steel Corporation into the biggest independent steel producer in the world within five years. How much did Schwab pay his
consultant? Schwab admitted that it was the most profitable lesson he had ever learned so several weeks after receiving the note, he sent Lee a check for $25,000!! That may not seem like a large amount of money but this was in early 1900’s!! The equivalent of $150,000 in today’s economy.
I find it interesting that this verse begins with the word…”if.” On several occasions I have made the statement that the word if could very well be the most important word in the dictionary.
So much depends upon our actions/reactions—our attitudes and/or our decision-making. And it begins here—with this one incredibly important word…if! If we want what God has to give. If we will listen and truly take it to heart. If we will follow through and apply His words step by step, day by day!
Today’s message will be rather short and here is why—God’s Word has given us all we need to be successful. He has laid it out in very simple, understandable language. And, as millions have discovered through the years His track record for success through the centuries has been proven. What more do we need to know or say at this point?
The question is, how much would it be worth to you?
Pastor J. T. Carnell.