COFFEE THOUGHTS

 

COFFEE THOUGHTS Gerald D Hochstetler Jr. It was quite an experience to be a part of the Cumberland County Virginia roller coaster of emotions yesterday. WOW! A little two-year-old girl wandered off into the woods while the kids were playing hide and seek and just disappeared. 19 hours they searched. Our minds went to the ponds close by, bears, coyotes, and other evils lurking out in the dark. She spent the night out in the cold and was found yesterday around 1 pm. It was like a scene on tv. Helicopter flying over, crisscrossing back and forth, dogs, volunteers searching, and then yesterday the FBI and other professional search crews showed up. At around 1 they heard a little voice. One of the dogs got so close she spoke to the dog. And thus she was found in a thicket of brush/grass. She told them she slept out in the woods last night. During this long day I noticed not all people are the same. Some prayed, some prayed even more. A lot of people prayed. But there were those who were critical and judgmental. They had the parents tagged with crimes before the sun set. These are a miserable bunch of people to say the least. They sounded like a Candace Owens podcast. I also noticed they just disappeared when the girl was found. These suspicious miserable individuals have no joy. I walked away knowing that I have been one of those suspicious miserable individuals myself. It’s easy to be that way. It’s not a good way to live. I would rather be with the group that prayed, and prayed more, and then rejoices in victory!!!!! Gerald D Hochstetler Jr. #coffeethoughts on Facebook Used with Permission

GOD'S PERFECT TIMING

 

GOD'S PERFECT TIMING When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him. Psalm 91:15 The question often arises, "Why didn’t He help me sooner?" But God has His order. He must first adjust us to the situation and teach us the lessons we need to learn. His promise is, "I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him." God remains with us in the trouble, helping us grow calm and trustful. Only then will He deliver us, saying, "It is enough." God uses difficulties to teach us precious lessons. They are meant to educate us, and once their work is done, a glorious reward will follow. Even in the midst of trouble, there is joy and opportunity. God sees these not as obstacles but as occasions to show His power and love. Lord, help me to see my troubles as opportunities to experience Your deliverance and to trust in Your perfect timing. By A.B. Simpson

FAITHFULNESS

FAITHFULNESS His master replied, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very small matter, you shall have authority over ten cities.’  Luke 19:17 Faithfulness is a quality that Scripture holds in high regard. It’s not about achieving greatness or doing remarkable things, unless that’s specifically what God calls us to do. For most of us, faithfulness means simply doing the duties that come our way each day with integrity and dedication. Faithfulness means being true to the relationships we’re in, resisting temptation, and using the gifts God has given us for His glory and the good of others. While the world celebrates success, God celebrates faithfulness. Jesus teaches us that being faithful in this life prepares us for greater responsibility in the life to come. Our time on earth is a kind of probation, a test to see who will be trustworthy with the tasks of eternity. The real life begins after this one, and those who are faithful here will be entrusted with much more in God’s kingdom. This truth should inspire us. Every task we do well here is preparation for the greater tasks awaiting us in heaven. Many people, as they near the end of their lives, wish they could start over, with all the wisdom they’ve gained. The good news is that if they’ve been faithful, they will get that chance. In God’s eternal kingdom, we will begin again, but this time with all the experience and wisdom we’ve gained, ready to serve God more fully. By J.R. Miller

 

WONDERS OF THE DEEP

WONDERS OF THE DEEP They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deepest sea. Psalm 107:24 The narwhal is a small whale, reaching perhaps 10 feet in length, which has an eight-foot spiral tusk coming out of its head. While a whale with a tusk nearly as long as its body might be a dramatic sight, it must be difficult for the narwhal to hunt down its food. The strap-toothed whale would seem to have an even more difficult time catching its prey. You see, this whale has two long teeth growing out of its lower jaw which curve over its upper jaw, preventing it from opening its mouth very wide. Now scientists believe that they may have discovered how these apparently ill-equipped creatures make their living. They suspect that toothed whales and dolphins can create explosively loud, focused sound beams under water which literally stun the fish they eat. Bottle-nosed dolphins have been known to emit sounds louder than 228 decibels, nearly the same as a blasting cap under water. It seems they quite literally catch fish with dynamite! Sperm whales can outdo a blasting cap, generating 265 decibels. NARWHAL VOCALIZATION LEVELS Echolocation Clicks: Peak intensity levels reach up to 218–222 dB, making them among the loudest sounds recorded in free-ranging toothed whales. Frequency Range: Their clicks operate at high frequencies up to 160 kHz, with peak frequencies usually between 55 and 83 kHz. Directionality: Narwhal biosonar beams are extremely directional (about a 5.0° beam width), helping them scan for prey and navigate sea ice. The wonders to be discovered in the living world beautifully combine and harmonize even the most subtle principles of chemistry, physics and biology in most creative and imaginative ways. What science is learning leaves us with no other conclusion than the Bible’s own statement that we have a wonderful, powerful and glorious Creator. Biblical Creation on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/1mill.creationist Used with Permission

 

OPEN YOUR MOUTH WIDE

 

OPEN YOUR MOUTH WIDE I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it. Psalm 81:10 What an encouragement to pray! Our human nature leads us to ask for small things because we feel unworthy. But the Lord wants us to ask for great blessings. Prayer should be as natural and simple as opening our mouths—it should be an unforced, sincere expression of our need. When a person is truly earnest, they open their mouth wide, and this verse encourages us to pray with great fervor. It also suggests that we can boldly ask God for many and large blessings. Look at the whole verse: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt.” Because the Lord has already given us so much, He invites us to ask for even more and to expect even greater things. Think of little birds in a nest when their mother comes to feed them—they are all open mouths! Let it be the same with us. Let’s receive God’s grace in every possible way. Let’s soak it up like a sponge absorbs water. God is ready to fill us if we are ready to receive. Let our needs drive us to open our mouths; let our weariness cause us to pant for Him; let our fear make us cry out like a child. The mouth that is opened wide will be filled by the Lord Himself. So let it be for us today, O Lord! By Charles H. Spurgeon