Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell. McAleester,OK

"The God of the Possible" (Part 2)
I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a Future…” – Jeremiah 29:11

Yesterday, we started talking about what happens with God in our lives. The Angel told Mary that there is nothing impossible, with God and that is the path we need to continue to walk for a couple of days. Here is one way we can do that!
Practice Possiblility “Thinking!”
I have a feeling that one of our biggest hindrances is our “rational” thought process. If it does not make sense here (in our minds), then it is not worthy of further consideration.
When she was told that she was have a child, Mary asked the question to Gabriel: “How can this be, I am still a virgin?”

It was, by all means a very good, rational and logical question! She understood completely the wonderful process God Himself created call, pro-creation.
How many times have we heard these words: THAT’S NOT HOW IT’S DONE! WE’VE NEVER DONE IT THAT WAY BEFORE! THEY ARE A HOPELESS CAUSE!
We’ve heard those words because we ourselves have probably uttered them – or something like them many times!

The very life and message of Jesus was a direct result of the fact that God was with Him!! He lived in a world that was negative, (much like the one we still live in) but because the power of God is greater—He proved it by never allowing people’s unbelief to stop Him.
For example, a father brings his son to Jesus to be healed (Mark 9). After several minutes this desparate father says to Jesus: “If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us.”
You wonder – how many people and how many times this father heard those words – “He’s a hopeless cause!” “There is nothing that anyone can do for him!” Maybe he was at the brink of giving in to those voices – that is, until he hears about Jesus!
Jesus’ response to him: (Are you ready for this?) “There are no [ifs] among believers! Anything can happen.” (This rendering is from The MESSAGE)
Is it possible that we could somehow remove the words, “if” and “never” or “can’t” from our thinking when it comes to what Jesus wants to see happen in each life, and in the life of the Church?
Can we come to the realization that when we accept Christ, we receive Christ and He is with us! Since there is nothing impossible with God, and since Christ is God, then is it safe to say there is nothing beyond what is possible for us?
The message of Christmas is not just a story about God coming to earth, it is about God coming to each of us to change how we live—act—AND THINK!! As a Christian—be Positive. See the possibilities that lie before you and live with kind of purpose!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Caarnell, McAlester, OK

"The God of the Possible"
I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you Hope and a Future…” – Jeremiah 29:11

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." -Luke 1:35-37

A television interviewer was walking streets of Tokyo at Christmas time. Much as in America, Christmas shopping is a big commercial success in Japan. The interviewer stopped one young woman on the sidewalk, and asked, "What is the meaning of Christmas?" Laughing, she responded, "I don't know. Is that the day that Jesus died?" There may be some truth in her answer.
I have a theory as to why Christmas is as popular as it is; (certainly not for religious reasons/the current “holiday” controversy), that if for no other reason, it is the chance for many to escape the “realities” of life for a while! So many people often refer to the birth of Christ as a “story!” It’s as if it were a Dr. Seuss book or something from Aesop’s Fables or Mother Goose. Perhaps, in the back of their minds is this thought, “Wouldn’t it be great if it were only true?” And so the result is that the Gospel is nothing more than just a nice spiritual “placebo” to help them, if only for a brief time, give their lives some hope and joy!
I, However, Serve a Bigger GOD Than Just a Story!! I Serve The God of the POSSIBLE!!! In the passage from Luke, we find the archangel Gabriel trying to reassure (a very frightened young) Mary that what was to be happening within her was for God's purpose! (Remember this—God has a plan!) And what Gabriel reveals to her is a great truth that we need to put into practice for ourselves: Great things are possible (even probable) when we are working with Jesus!! For a long time I have either misread or misunderstood the last part of verse 37: “Nothing is impossible [with] God.” The word with, gives more power to the meaning of this verse. It may be easier to say, and perhaps believe, that there is nothing impossible for God, which is probably how most of us see the meaning. The reason why I think that verse would be easier to believe (if it is said that way) is because it removes the “personal” relationship aspect out of it! (Does that make sense?)
But the word, WITH carries with it a personal attachment to the situation. (Look at the sentence just above where the angel refers to Elizabeth.) What had previously been thought impossible for Elizabeth, became possible because the living God had attached Himself to the situation!!
Do you need the “God of the Possible” for a particular situation in your life today? He will make Himself available in ways that may be beyond our thinking. But that is when God is at His best—when He is truly God!
Pastor J. T. Carnell

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK>br />
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. - Psalm 136:1(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
(The Lord said concerning Jesus) 1“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” - Isaiah 42:1-4(New International Version).

A QUOTE
How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments. - Ben Franklin -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
If people talk negatively about you, live so that no one will believe them. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It! -
Old age is like a car. Paint can conceal the exterior, but the lines reveal the age. - From Reminisce Magazine -

NOTES
Today has been a sunny day with a high temperature of 53 degrees and a low temperature this morning of 18 degrees. I saw Charley and Bill at noon time. I went by the post office and then the Family Dollar Store. At 1:45 p.m. I took Friendly to the vet. She was still doing alright but I wanted the vet to check her to make sure that nothing serious was wrong with her. Doctor Sewell could not find anything wrong with her. She said Friendly might have eaten something that upset her stomach. I did notice the day she got sick that the cats had caught a Eurasian Collared Dove and had eaten part of it. I buried the remainder of the bird. If any bird lovers want to criticize my cats for catching birds, just remember that God made the birds and also the cats and each have their own unique way of doing things. When I can get to the cats while the birds are still alive I will get the bird and let it go. I have even been known to take wounded birds to the vet. Some birds even catch other birds. I took a nap around 3:00 p.m. with Tony. At 4:30 p.m. I took treats outside for the cats. I watched a Billy Graham Crusade at 6:00 p.m. from Sheffield, England taped in 1985. Since the last Good Things I have heard from Alice, Geneva, Tiyan, Gaetano and Burlene. Thanks so much for your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. The others are asleep elsewhere. I have seen all of them this evening.
Have a nice Thursday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett.

Good Things

by Everett Christian, McAlester, OK

GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
13 Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. - Isaiah 49:13(New International Version).

GOD'S PROMISE TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. - Proverbs 28:13(New International Version).

A QUOTE
Take your choice: trust God or worry. You cannot really do both. - Henrietta C. Mears -

THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
Cherish all the happy moments, they make a fine cushion for when you get older. - From Reminisce Magazine -
The only people you should try to get even with are those who have helped you. - From Don't Wait for Your Ship to Come In. . . Swim Out to Meet It.

NOTES
Today has been a mostly sunny cold day. Low temperature last night was 15 degrees. I didn't look up today's high temperature, but it has been cold. I had lunch with Charley, Bill and Pastor JT. Pastor usually has lunch with us on Friday but he will be preaching a funeral on Friday of this week. I went by the post office and then by a Dollar General Store. When I went to sleep this afternoon, Tony was not with me be he was there when I awoke. Since last night's Good Things I have heard from Michelle, Michele, Annette, Janice, Laura and Alice. I always appreciate your e-mails.
The cats are fine. Rascal is asleep in the recliner. I think all of the others are asleep in other parts of the house.
Have a nice Wednesday!
I will see you next time, In Christian Love, Everett

Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

Do You Know What Christmas is All About?
There is a story of a man, who skeptical of Christianity, approached and asked a group of monks one day, that if they could one at a time, give him their definition of God. He then wrote down all of their responses and then came back to them and concluded this: “I asked all of you to define for me who God is and all of you gave me a different definition. Since none of you can come to consensus of just who God is I must conclude that He really does not exist.”
One of the monks, the oldest of the order stepped out and said, “Sir, I understand your skepticism and using your logic I must agree that since we cannot truly define who God is then perhaps we do not know Him well as we thought we did. But I would like to ask you a couple of questions as well if I may.” The man agreed. The monk then asked the man, “Are you a husband?” “Yes, yes I am.”
“Are you also a father?”
“Yes.”
“Are you a brother, a son, a friend, a neighbor, an employee, a citizen….”
To each of these the man answered, “Yes!” “It is then my conclusion, that since you say that you are all of these things you cannot adequately define for me who you are and I must then conclude from that you, sir, do not exist!”
There is a great debate going on in our country. Is it Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays? Political correctness is dictating that we take the “Christ” out of the holiday – making it just another time.
Allow me to state emphatically and clearly I intend to celebrate CHRISTMAS because Christmas is entirely about the person of Jesus Christ and to say it any other way or celebrate it without Him would be to lessen it to nothing! Last year I heard a new song about Christmas that I really liked. The young lady who sings it is not nationally known and I don’t think I have heard anything else she has done. The name of the song is: “Where’s the Line to See Jesus?” Here is how it goes:
Christmas time was approaching; the snow was starting to fall, Shoppers choosing their presents, people filling the mall, Children waiting for Santa with excitement and glee,
A little boy tugged my sweater, looked up and asked me,
Where's the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday, Why don't we see Him more?
As I stood in amazement at this message profound, I looked down to thank him, he was nowhere around. The little boy at the mall might as well have had wings
As the tears filled my eyes, I thought I heard him say,,br /> Where's the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday, Why don't we see Him more?
Where's the line to see Jesus? He was born for me. Santa Claus brought me presents, But Christ gave His life for me.
In the blink of an eye, at the sound of His trump, We'll all stand in line at His throne. Every knee shall bow down, every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.
So…you think you know what Christmas is all about? I hope and trust that it is the belief and stance that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Pastor J. T. Carnell