Remembrance Day

Our Daily Bread

READ: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” —Luke 22:19

About this cover

I was in London’s Heathrow Airport waiting for a connecting flight to the US. An announcement came over the public address system stating that it was “Remembrance Day” in the UK, the day on which people honored those who had died for their country in times of war. The announcement further said that at 11:00 a.m. there would be 2 minutes of silence and that it would be appreciated if everyone kept that in mind. Thousands of people from all over the world stood in silence as a tribute to the fallen soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen of the UK.

The desire to remember those who gave their lives for their country is noble. Yet, as meaningful as that is, it cannot compare to the privilege that belongs to us when we approach the Lord’s Table. As we celebrate Communion, we are obeying Christ’s command that we remember His death (Luke 22:19) and to do it “till He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). When He sacrificed His life for us, He provided the forgiveness of sins that sets us free and secures for us an eternal home in heaven.

Rather than letting the Lord’s Supper become routine, make every opportunity at the Table a true “Remembrance Day” by honoring Him till He comes. —Bill Crowder

Thank You, Lord, for dying for me
On the cross of Calvary;
Help me always to remember
What You did to set me free. —Sper

Remembering Christ’s death for us should cause us to live for Him.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Basics Of Faith > Jesus Christ > Death/Cross

Happy Veteran's Day!

Here are a few sites with information & resources about Veteran's Day:

Military.com: Veteran's Day 11/11: Veteran's Day information

Kaboose: a site for kids with information, games and activities

Apples4theteacher: a site for teachers containing activities and information

Kidsturncentral: a site for kids with online resources about Veteran's Day

I hope you find some of these useful, informative and fun.

Don't forget to show your support and thanks for our veteran's today!

One Problem: Two Views

Our Daily Bread

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: MP3
READ: Romans 13:1-7

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. —Romans 13:1

About this cover

Jamaicans were recently concerned that their country’s murder rate was nearing an all-time high. Debate was lively as good citizens sought solutions.

Typical of two common approaches came in letters to the editor of one Jamaican newspaper. One writer said, “Unless our scholars, . . . policymakers and political representatives seriously seek answers, the future of our nation is dire.” Another observed, “It is time we address the heart of the problem—that the people of Jamaica go . . . not to the Minister of National Security but to God Himself.”

One problem, two views: The totally secular proposal, which leans on the wisdom of man alone; and the divine approach, which depends on God and those who love Him.

We need both: God-ordained government to care for the people (Rom. 13:1-7), and people who have a proper view of God and His guidelines for life (Prov. 14:33).

No matter where we live, we must pray for those in charge, asking God to provide direction. Then we must also work and pray that individuals—one by one—see their need for Jesus and their dependence on the Lord.

By combining the two views, we can make a difference. —Dave Branon

It’s always easy to complain
And say that government’s unfair,
But God’s Word says we should give thanks
And lift our leaders up in prayer. —Hess

Through prayer, the public business of the nation can become the private business of the Christian.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Relationships > Relating to God > Prayer

Weekend Schedule

I will be preaching the Homecoming Service at Bryceville First Baptist Church on this Sunday, November 12th. The service will begin at 11am. The church is located at 7732 Highway 301 in Bryceville, Florida. For more information call Pastor Richard Fish at (904) 266-4169.

Immediately following the Bryceville service, I will be traveling, with my pastor and others from First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, to Fort Myers for the annual Florida Baptist Convention. This will be the first time I have attended this convention. Please pray for our travel and for the meeting too.

The JCEA ministry DVD should be completed this weekend and I hope to begin work on the November edition of Walking with the Giant today or tomorrow. I'm way behind on this edition due to a heavy schedule in my first 2 1/2 weeks of full-time ministry. Please keep all of these projects in your prayers.

Reach Up, Reach Out Event Tonight

I will be leading a training session tonight on "The Church Preparing for Revival" for the Santa Fe River Baptist Association. The session will be attended by Southern Baptist pastors from the Gainesville, Florida area. Please be in prayer for this session.

Lake Butler Tonight

I will be preaching at my home church, First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, tonight at 6:30pm. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida.

Mississippi Squirrel Revival

Do you remember the Ray Stevens song "Mississippi Squirrel Revival"? Here's a site that features the song, lyrics and some photos to make it more interesting.

Pray For Elections

This is the day that United States voters will elect those that will serve in various offices from Congress to local government. I hope that every eligible citizen will take this responsibility seriously and let their voice be heard by voting. I also hope that each Christian will make their vote a matter of prayer so that the result will reflect God’s perfect will for our nation.

After the election, let's be in prayer for both winners and losers, as well as those already serving.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,
2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

FBC Lake Butler Added to Schedule

I will be preaching in supply for my pastor, Jason Johns, on Wednesday, November 8th at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler. The service will begin at 6:30pm in the fellowship hall due to construction in the sanctuary. The church is located at 195 East Main Street in Lake Butler, Florida. For more info call the church at (386) 496-3704.

The Choice

Our Daily Bread

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: MP3
READ: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. —Deuteronomy 30:15

About this cover

You’ve heard the infamous name of John Wilkes Booth. He assassinated President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. But have you heard about Edwin Booth, John’s eldest brother? Edwin, a well-known actor, was waiting at a Jersey City train station when he saw someone slip and fall off the platform. Edwin quickly grabbed the man’s collar and pulled him to safety—rescuing him from serious injury or death. Who was the man he saved? Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert, a soldier in the Civil War.

How ironic that the man who saved Lincoln’s son had a brother who would soon kill the president. One saved a life; one took a life. One chose life; the other chose death.

The Lord gave His people a choice between life and death: They could love Him and obey His commands (Deut. 30:16), or they could worship and serve other gods (v.17). He told them, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life” (v.19).

We too have a choice between life and death. We can receive Jesus as our Savior and live with Him forever, or we can reject Jesus and be in darkness forever without Him. The best choice is clear. Receive God’s gift of His Son Jesus. Choose life! —Anne Cetas

The choice we make determines our
Eternal destination;
One leads to everlasting life;
The other, condemnation. —Sper

The choice you make today will determine your tomorrow.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Basics Of Faith > Salvation > Eternal Life

Know-it-all

Reunion in Lacoochee?

I mentioned in a previous post that it was good to see some of my family at the revival meeting at First Baptist Church of Lacoochee this week. There are several members of the Croft family that live in the area. I rarely see most of them. I see some of them at an annual family reunion in Lulu, Florida, but not all are able to make the trip. Well, this week I was able to see alot of them, some of which I didn't even know. Pictured are a few of the family members that were present for last night's service. There were several others that attended other services.

One of my cousins, Russell Linville, a deacon at the church, is the person that recommended me to the church. Russell and I always looked forward to a family reunion that was once held in Ocala, Florida. We,along with his brother Rodney, would catch-up on events of the past year and just have a great time. Well, you know how the aging process, starting careers and families, etc. can allow you to lose touch; plus they stopped having that reunion in Ocala.

Russell learned last year that I had been called into evangelism, so when the church began to discuss a revival he recommended me. He was able to find how to reach me via the Internet and the line of communication was re-opened after 31 years!

I don't think it will be another 31 years before we communicate again. I praise the Lord for the technologies we have today such as the Internet and cell phones that make it much easier to stay close to family from great distances.

This has truly been a great week for the Lord and for members of the Croft family.

By the way, Russell and I now have something else to share with each other, our worship and service to our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Getting Even

This can be a tough lesson for Christians to learn.

Our Daily Bread

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: MP3
READ: Ephesians 4:25–5:1

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. —Ephesians 4:32

About this cover

When we or someone we love has been hurt, thoughts of revenge may dominate our minds. But we won’t ever be able to “get even.” Dr. Lewis Smedes, a professor of theology, wrote extensively about forgiveness in Forgive and Forget, saying: “Revenge never evens the score, for alienated people never keep score of wrongs by the same mathematics. Forgiveness is the only way to stop the cycle of unfair pain turning in your memory.”

These insights help us understand why Paul wrote with urgency: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger . . . be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, . . . forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:31-32). Paul knew that a spirit of forgiveness was essential for the Ephesians’ spiritual survival. His appeal was based on God’s forgiveness of them.

Smedes said that forgiveness is not forgetting, excusing, or smoothing things over. Instead, forgiving breaks the cycle of revenge and “creates a new possibility of fairness by releasing us from the unfair past. Forgiving is love’s toughest work, and love’s biggest risk. To forgive is to dance to the beat of God’s forgiving heart. It is to ride the crest of love’s strongest wave. To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” —David C. McCasland

Jesus came our debt to pay,
Saved our soul in grace one day,
So in love we all should live,
Ready always to forgive. —Bosch

Revenge imprisons us; forgiveness sets us free.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Relationships > Relating to others > Forgiveness Of

Good Meeting in Lacoochee

The revival meeting at First Baptist Church of Lacoochee, Florida went very well. It was great to make new friends and to see family that I hadn't seen in years.

Pictured left to right are: Pastor Eldridge Parrish, Deacon Russell Linville, Evangelist James Croft and Deacon/Music Director Donald Surrency.

Cloning Experience

Last Night of Lacoochee Meeting

This will be the last night of the revival meeting at First Baptist Church of Lacoochee, Florida. It has been a great week thus far and I look forward to the Lord blessing again tonight.

Podcast Numbers Down

The number of downloads for the Walking with the Giant podcast are dwon for the month of October. I think this could be contributed to some technical changes made to our download blog by Blogger.com which has resulted in a change of how our RSS Feed works. The last two episodes are longer than the previous ones which would mean longer download times. This could be deterring some from downloading them. Whatever the reason for the lower numbers, we will continue to pray that the Lord uses the program to speak to hearts around the world.

Here's a breakdown of the numbers for October 2006:

April 18, 2006 - October 31, 2006

Episode	Guest	Oct. 2006 Downloads	Total Downloads
January 2006	Kevin Owen & Cheryl Kent Musicians	20	264
February-March 2006	Dr. Harold Hudson Pastor, Fellowship Baptist Church Raiford, Florida	18	250
April 2006	Jack & Ali Spin 103.8, Dublin, Ireland	19	285
May 2006	Dr. Sterling Huston Internet Evangelism Coalition & Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.	52	369
June 2006	Evangelist Bobby Brindle “World’s Smallest Evangelist”	46	308
July 2006	Howard Butzer Amazing Grace Mission	49	320
August 2006	Ruth H. Westgate Songwriter/Author	5	76
September 2006	Chaplain (Maj.) Keith Kilgore Bagram, Afghanistan	17	68
October 2006	Junior Combs & Southern Joy 2006 National Quartet Convention Group Talent Competion Winners	25	25
Total Downloads		251	1965

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Follow these links for more information about Walking with the Giant:

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What's Wrong With This Picture

Bad Day At Work?

Carve Your Own Pumpkin

This is not a Halloween promotion, just a fun Flash program. Try your hand at carving a pumpkin.

Forbidden Fruit

Good Out Of Evil

Our Daily Bread

READ: Romans 8:18-28

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. —Romans 8:28

About this cover

The events of life can challenge our trust in the Scriptures. Romans 8:28 teaches that God can bring good out of "all things." But in August 2004 "all things" seemed hard to fathom. Some longtime friends of mine contacted me and others asking prayer for their son and his fiancée who were missing. It was so out of character for Jason and Lindsay that we feared the worst. Several days later, their murdered bodies were found, just 2 weeks before their wedding.

In those troubling days, "all things" seemed incapable of including such a senseless act. Yet the victims' families were amazing in their resolve to trust Jesus Christ, reaffirming their confidence that God would graciously bring good out of great evil.

In the following months, incredible stories began to roll in. Through letters, e-mail, and phone calls, we heard of people who had seen the families' example in the media coverage and had come to Christ. Eternal destinies had been changed and lives had been won through the testimonies of Jason and Lindsay and their families.

Nothing could ever justify those murders or replace precious lives cut short. But we are drawn again to hope, for we see God's ability to bring good out of evil. —Bill Crowder

We comprehend Him not,
Yet earth and heaven tell
God sits as sovereign on the throne
And ruleth all things well. —Gerhardt

God can turn tragedy into triumph.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Christian Life > Personal Crisis > Sorrow/Grief
Christian Life > Personal Crisis > Comfort

Revival Meeting in Lacoochee

Go With The Flow?

Losing To Gain

Our Daily Bread

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA
READ: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. —2 Corinthians 9:6

About this cover

On my father's farm were certain fields he sowed by hand. He would strap on a canvas contraption that looked somewhat like a kangaroo pouch, fill it with seed, and go out to sow. He would cast seed everywhere.

When a farmer sows seed in his field, it looks like he's throwing it away. It seems to be lost, but it isn't really gone. In due time he gets it back—with much more besides.

When we give ourselves to Christ, it may seem to people as if we're throwing our life away. But He said that it is only as we lose our lives in Him that we find true life (Matt. 10:39).

Jesus teaches us to measure our lives by losses rather than gains, by sacrifices rather than self-preservation, by time spent for others rather than time lavished upon ourselves, by love poured out rather than love poured in.

It's a rule of life: God blesses those who give of their lives and resources (2 Cor. 9:6). Give out the truth you know, and He'll give you more to give away. Give your time, and you'll have more time to give. Set no limit on your love, and you'll have more love for others than before.

Israel's wise man said, "There is one who scatters, yet increases more" (Prov. 11:24). It's one of the oldest paradoxes in the world, but it works. —David H. Roper

We lose what on ourselves we spend;
We have as treasure without end
Whatever, Lord, to You we lend,
Who givest all. —Wordsworth

When you grasp, you lose; when you give to God, you gain.

For similar resources, search these topics:

Christian Life > Attitudes > Obedience

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Lacoochee Revival Meeting Next Week

Please be in prayer for these services.

Be An Example

I don't know about you, but I needed this one today.

Our Daily Bread

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA
READ: 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. —1 Timothy 4:12

About this cover

A high school senior honored as one of the "Best & Brightest" in our community has provided a forceful demonstration of integrity. When his school team was given the word auditorium in a regional spelling bee, Brady Davis glanced down to ponder his response and noticed that the word was printed on the microphone stand. He called this to the attention of the judges who responded with a more difficult word. Brady did what he knew was right whether others noticed or not.

We don't know when our actions might become an example to others. But if we live each day to honor Jesus, our behavior will model His righteousness, no matter who is watching.

Idealism and enthusiasm are often best expressed by the young. But uprightness and honor should be goals for Christians of every age. Paul told his young protégé Timothy: "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12).

Brady Davis says his goal in life is to change the world around him while never compromising himself. We would do well to join him in that pursuit of life, integrity, and exemplary behavior. —David C. McCasland

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care.
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare. —Walter

A good example always makes a good sermon.

DVD Project in Production

The James Croft Evangelistic Association will soon have a DVD presentation about the ministry. The program will feature the various areas of ministry involvement. Production got underway yesterday with filming of an introduction for the presentation. Pictured with me is Jon Fletcher doing the filming. The location is First Baptist Church of Olustee, Florida, which is where I was licensed in the Gospel Ministry on December 4, 1994. The video should be completed in November.

James and Emma

I preached at First Baptist Church of White Springs yesterday morning and evening. Between the services I was able to have lunch and fellowship with my brother, John, and his family. I am picured with my one-month old niece, Emma. John and his family are active in the Lord's work and he is a member of the Board of Directors of the James Croft Evangelistic Association.

Bible Search Tool

This is a new addition to the site. It is a a Bible Search too provided by Bible Gateway. You will always be available to find it at the bottom of the left column.

Lookup a word or passage in the Bible
Include this form on your page

In God's Image

Adjust Your Conscience

Our Daily Bread

READ: Acts 24:10-16

I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. —Acts 24:16

About this cover

Built into our nature is an internal judicial system, the conscience, that commends us when we do right and condemns us when we do wrong. But this vital monitor of morality does not say the same thing to everyone. In some cultures vengeful killing is seen as honorable. In others, a person is still considered good even when he betrays a friend.

A story from The Philadelphia Inquirer illustrates this problem. A 12-year-old boy was caught stealing a watch. He told police that previously he had shoplifted a gift for his mother, and he felt he had to do the same for his dad. Although troubled about slighting his father, he had no qualms about stealing.

Because of sin, conscience is unreliable and needs a continual adjustment. This begins with a right relationship to God through faith in Jesus Christ. He paid sin's penalty, and now our hearts are "sprinkled from an evil conscience" (Heb. 10:22). But this does not make conscience obsolete. As we study the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit puts our inner monitor on a frequency that brings us in tune with the words, deeds, and attitudes of the Lord Jesus.

"Let your conscience be your guide" is valid only if God's Word is guiding your conscience. —Dennis J. De Haan

There is a treasure you can own
That's greater than a crown or throne:
A conscience good with which to live,
That only God Himself can give. —Isenhour

Conscience is like a sundial: when the truth of God shines on it, it points in the right direction.

Spare the Rod?

White Springs on Sunday

I will be preaching in supply for Pastor Ron Thompson this Sunday at First Baptist Church of White Springs. The services will begin at 11am and 6pm. The church is located on Camp Street in White Springs, Florida.

Podcast for October 2006

The October 2006 edition of the Walking with the Giant Podcast is now online and available for download.

The special guest for this month's program is Junior Combs and Southern Joy, a Southern Gospel trio from Baldwin, Florida. They won the prestigious group talent competition during the 2006 National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in September. The trio features veteran Southern Gospel singer Junior Combs, his 18 year old daughter Jessica and his 11 year old son Wesley. The interview also features two songs from their first CD, Expressions From The Heart. You may have heard of another Gospel Music singer with the name "Combs" . It is Michael Combs. Junior and Michael are related. Talent runs in that family.

The program also features an excerpt from a message titled Forsaking All that I preached at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, Florida on September 27, 2006. I made a special announcement during this message about a new chapter in this ministry.

The program begins with the Ghana Update from our JCEA Ministry Coordinator. Evangelist Ralph gives us some information about a revival service in Teshie, Ghana-West Africa that he will be preaching.

Let me know what you think about this episode.

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Program Information

iTunes Link

Photo by Jon M. Fletcher

Prayer Request

Rev. H. Donald Freeman, a retired pastor and member of the James Croft Evangelistic Association Board of Directors, is having surgery on his back today. The procedure will take approximately 5 1/2 hours and will be performed at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. The doctors have said the recovery time will be approximately six months. Please be in prayer for Brother Freeman and his wife Fran.

I consider Brother Freeman to be my "mentor" in the ministry, and he and his wife are also very dear friends.

Photo: Donald Freeman, James Croft, Frances Freeman

A Gratitude Visit

Our Daily Bread

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA
READ: Romans 16:1-16

I commend to you Phoebe, . . . for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. —Romans 16:1-2

About this cover

Counting your blessings promotes good physical health, according to a study by some US doctors. Volunteers who kept weekly gratitude journals reported fewer aches and pains than those who recorded daily hassles or neutral events.

A "gratitude visit" was developed by Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman to promote strong emotional health. He tells people to think of someone who has made an important difference in their lives. He asks them to write the story of how that person has helped them, and then to visit that person and read the story aloud. Tests show that a year later the people who had done so were happier and reported fewer episodes of depression. Even more important, think of what it must have done for those who were thanked!

The apostle Paul had a long list of people who had helped him and for whom he was grateful (Rom. 16:1-16). He wrote that Phoebe had "been a helper," Priscilla and Aquila had "risked their own necks" for his life, and Mary had "labored much" for him. And he took time to write his thanks in a letter to the church at Rome.

Who has helped to shape your life? Could you make a gratitude visit—for their sake, and for yours? —Anne Cetas

Consider what the Lord has done
Through those who've shown you love;
Then thank them for their faithful deeds,
For blessings from above. —Sper

Gratitude should not be an occasional incident but a continuous attitude.

Revival Meeting Ends Tonight

Award Winning Illustration

An illustration by Jon M. Fletcher has received a "First Place" in the International Photography Awards for 2006. His creation won in the "Professional Photographer of the Year: Special" division in the sub-category "Digitally Enhanced".

Jon describes his illustration this way:

"The butterflies have set a trap for the little girl; and that one butterfly on the rod is willing to sacrifice himself to get rid of her for good. It's a little dark, but to me it's almost a picture of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. God was tired of sin controlling and containing us (the butterfly in the jar), so he sent His Son as a sacrifice to break Satan once and for all. Yes, I know it's a stretch, but that's what I honestly see in it."

Jon is a photojournalist for the Florida Times-Union newspaper in Jacksonville, Florida. He has made two trips to Ghana, West Africa (2003 and 2004) with our mission teams to document the events with photos.

Ali, James and the Great Fish?

Alexx St. John and I found ourselves in the jaws of one big fish Saturday at the Baker County Fair in Macclenny, Florida. At least we only spent a few minutes in the big fish; Jonah had to spend three days!

Ministry Newsletter

My monthly ministry newsletter for October 2006 in now online. If you would like to be notified about the availability of the newsletter by e-mail each month just sign-up for my Ministry E-list.

Careless Preachers

Our Daily Bread

READ: Matthew 23:1-12

Do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. —Matthew 23:3

About this cover

Some opponents of Christianity may not be so much against Christ as they are against the hypocrisy of His followers. Ironically, it hasn't occurred to them that no one was more opposed to hypocrisy than Jesus Himself.

We've all met scoffers who thoughtlessly parrot the phrase, "The church is full of hypocrites!" But let's not be thoughtless in our response and dismiss such pronouncements without taking heed lest they be true.

We tend to think that it's not true of us. But let's think again. Have we ever been like the Christian who glanced through her window, only to see a nosy, noisy neighbor approaching her door? Her young, impressionable children heard her as she growled, "Oh, no—not her again!" Whereupon she opened the door and gushed insincerely, "How very nice to see you!"

Our lips and our lives often preach a mixed message. In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus described the hypocritical teachers of the law and warned His disciples, "Do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do" (v.3).

God forbid that some opponent of Christ would be influenced by careless hypocrisy in our lives.

Lord, help us to be "careful preachers." —Joanie Yoder

You can fool the hapless public,
You can be a subtle fraud,
You can hide your little meanness,
But you can't fool God. —Kleiser

A hypocrite will often pray on his knees on Sunday and prey on his neighbors on Monday.

For similar resources, search these topics: Christian Life > Character > Hypocrisy

Gainesville Revival Begins Sunday

I will be preaching homecoming/revival services beginning Sunday morning at Grace Baptist Cburch. The 11am service Sunday will be the church's homecoming and will also kick-off revival services. There will be no service on Sunday night, but the meeting will continue Monday through Wednesday night at 6:45pm.

Grace Baptist Church is located at 7100 NW 39th Ave. in Gainesville, Florida. For more information call Pastor Jim Riley at (352) 374-4748.

Please be in prayer for these services.

The Universe Is God's

Our Daily Bread

LISTEN TO ODB RADIO: Real | MP3 | WMA
READ: Psalm 104:31-35

He touches the hills, and they smoke. —Psalm 104:32

About this cover

Rising 6.3 miles from its base on the ocean floor and stretching 75 miles across, Hawaii's Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on Earth. But on the surface of the planet Mars stands Olympus Mons, the largest volcano yet discovered in our solar system. The altitude of Olympus Mons is three times higher than Mt. Everest and 100 times more massive than Mauna Loa. It's large enough to contain the entire chain of the Hawaiian islands!

Long ago, David looked up at the night skies and stood in awe at the wonder of his Creator's universe. He wrote, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork" (Ps. 19:1).

But the stars and the sky were not all that stirred the wonder of ancient writers. Earthquakes and volcanoes also inspired awe for the Creator. Psalm 104 says, "[God] looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke" (v.32).

As space probes explore more of our solar system, they will continue to discover unknown wonders. But whatever they find is the work of the same Creator (Gen. 1:1).

The wonders of the universe should move us to praise God, just as they moved a shepherd boy long ago as he gazed up at the heavens (Ps. 8:3-5). —Dennis Fisher

I sing the mighty power of God
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad
And built the lofty skies. —Watts

All of creation bears God's autograph.

Gainesville, Florida Revival Meeting

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FBC White Springs Added To Schedule

I will be preaching in supply for Pastor Ron Thompson at First Baptist Church of White Springs on Sunday, October 22nd. The services will begin at 11am & 6pm. First Baptist Church is located on Camp Street in White Springs, Florida. For more information call the church office at (386) 397-2895.

October 2006 Podcast

The October 2006 edition of the Walking with the Giant Podcast is now online and available for download.

The special guest for this month's program is Junior Combs and Southern Joy, a Southern Gospel trio from Baldwin, Florida. They won the prestigious group talent competition during the 2006 National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in September. The trio features veteran Southern Gospel singer Junior Combs, his 18 year old daughter Jessica and his 11 year old son Wesley. The interview also features two songs from their first CD, Expressions From The Heart. You may have heard of another Gospel Music singer with the name "Combs" . It is Michael Combs. Junior and Michael are related. Talent runs in that family.

The program also features an excerpt from a message titled Forsaking All that I preached at First Baptist Church of Lake Butler, Florida on September 27, 2006. I made a special announcement during this message about a new chapter in this ministry.

The program begins with the Ghana Update from our JCEA Ministry Coordinator. Evangelist Ralph gives us some information about a revival service in Teshie, Ghana-West Africa that he will be preaching.

Let me know what you think about this episode.

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Photo by Jon M. Fletcher