It takes 90 gallons of water to baptize a Christian and only 9 drops of rain to keep him at home!
Source: Unknown
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” - Philippians 1:20
Fair-weather Christians do not possess Paul’s commitment to glorify Christ in every area of their lives at any cost.
They do not have a passion for God’s Word, a passion for lost souls, a passion for the growth of fellow believers, a passion to make their church the best it can be to the praise of their Lord and Savior, etc.
Are you a fair-weather Christian?
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FPR CHRIST!
THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE
05/29/21
It took less than ten seconds for Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt to cover the one hundred meter distance on the Olympic track and win the gold medal in London. Those few seconds cemented his status as the “fastest man alive” and placed him on the winner’s podium once again. But the race was not won in those seconds—it was won by hours and hours of practice, workouts, weightlifting, special diet, and coaching.
The race was not won in the performance but in the preparation. It is our desire for something greater that causes us to sacrifice some things, even some good things, for the sake of things that are better.
Source: Usain Bolt: An Unauthorized Biography, Belmont And Belcourt Biographies
“And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” - Genesis 6:13
“It took much work and time for Noah to prepare the ark for he and his family. Likewise, if we are going to be fruitful in serving our Lord and accomplishing His purposes for our lives, it will require physical, mental, emotional and spiritual preparation through the study and application of the Word of God to all areas of our lives. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Are you diligently preparing yourself daily to serve the Lord?
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, come to him NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
THE TREASURE HUNT
05/28/21
For more than thirty years, archaeologist Howard Carter searched the deserts of Egypt for something that most people thought didn’t exist—the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Most experts believed that everything in the Valley of the Kings had already been discovered, but Carter continued his search. Eventually after five more years without result, Carter’s sponsor, Lord Carnarvon of England, declared that he would stop funding the search.
In November of 1922, during his final season of work, Carter uncovered a hidden staircase near the tomb of Ramses VI. He sent a cable to England which said, “At last have made wonderful discovery in Valley; a magnificent tomb with seals intact.” Carter had indeed located the tomb of King Tut, one of the greatest archaeological treasures every discovered. After months of careful work, the golden treasures of the tomb were cataloged and the first intact royal mummy ever found was removed from the place where it had rested for more than 3,000 years.
Carter’s search was driven by his firm belief that there was treasure to be found, though he could not be certain that he was correct. Unlike Carter, we have an absolutely guaranteed result of success and great reward if we search for the wisdom of God. Notice the certainty of the promise—if we receive God’s Word, if we cry out for it and seek it as treasure hunters do for precious metals, we will surely find what we seek.
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5
Source: In the Valley of the Kings, Daniel Meyerson
Are you daily seeking the riches of the Lord’s wisdom for every area of your life in His Word?
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
GET UP AND TRY AGAIN
05/27/21
Though he would later be acclaimed as one of the greatest inventors of history, Thomas Edison’s school career lasted three months. The teacher believed he was incapable of learning anything and sent him home. Edison’s mother taught him, and he was on his way to a lifetime of overcoming what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles. Among his most famous inventions were the commercial incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, and the fluoroscope. Most of his inventions required months if not years of dedication to overcoming obstacles before seeing any results.
In a 1921 interview, Edison described his persistence this way: “After we had conducted thousands of experiments on a certain project without solving the problem, one of my associates, after we had conducted the crowning experiment and it had proved a failure, expressed discouragement and disgust over our having failed to find out anything. I cheerily assured him that we had learned something. For we had learned for a certainty that the thing couldn’t be done that way, and that we would have to try some other way.”
Very few things of lasting significance and value are achieved without overcoming serious obstacles. The story of almost every “overnight success” is actually the story of someone continuing to persevere in the face of great difficulty and disappointment.
Source: Thomas A. Edison and the Modernization of America, Martin V. Melosi
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:9
So many times we born-again Christians have failed to be effective in serving our Lord as we should because we have failed to persevere with our Lord’s strength and have chosen to give up. May we determine that we are going to faithfully serve Him by His enablement in every situation so that we can produce super-abundant fruit to His praise and glory.
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
A BLIND, ILLITERATE SOULWINNER
05/26/21
A missionary to Africa told the story of an elderly woman who was reached with the gospel. Though she was blind and could neither read nor write, she wanted to share her new found faith with others. She went to the missionary and asked for a copy of the Bible in French. When she got it, she asked the missionary to underline John 3:16 in red and mark the page it was on so she could find it. The missionary wanted to see what she would do, so one day he followed her.
In the afternoon, just before school let out, she made her way to the front door. As the boys came out when school was dismissed, she would stop one and ask if he knew how to read French. When he said “Yes” she would ask him to read the verse that was marked in red. Then she would ask, “Do you know what this means?” and tell him about Christ.
The missionary said that twenty-four of the school boys that lady led to the Lord became pastors.
Source: Colossians and Philemon: The Supremacy of Christ, R. Kent Hughes
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
Proverbs 11:30
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
Daniel 12:3
How wise are you? Are you letting the Lord show you many ways to reach lost people for Him?
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to him NOW!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
STAYING ON THE RIGHT PATH
05/25/21
There were 128 runners in the field for the cross country race at the 1993 NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships. As they set out on the 6.2 mile run, they were following a course that had been marked for them by the race officials. Toward the end of the course, one of the runners in the middle of the group realized something was wrong. Mike Delcavo of Western State College in Colorado saw that the main pack had missed the turn. “I was waving for them to follow me and yelling ‘This is the right way,’” he told an interviewer after the race.
Delcavo was right—but only four other runners followed him. The rest continued on the shortcut, which allowed them to run a shorter distance and finish the race sooner. In a widely-criticized decision, race officials allowed the abbreviated route to stand as the “official course” and Delcavo officially finished 123rd.
The world does not always reward staying on track—literally or figuratively. But the path we follow is important to God. One day, those of us who have already trusted Christ for our salvation will appear before the Lord for an evaluation of our service. Our entrance to Heaven is sure—that was settled when we received Christ. But rewards—or the loss of them—for how we spent our lives are not so sure. When we stand before the Lord, no shortcuts will be recognized, and only those who have run the race by His guidebook will be honored.
Source: Scorecard, Sports Illustrated, December 27, 1993
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” - Joshua 1:8
Like Joshua, if we give explicit obedience to our Lord and His Word, we will be successful and richly rewarded by Him forever.
Are you faithfully doing His will and not trying to take shortcuts?
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
DEATH TO SELF
05/24/21
When a man asked George Mueller the secret of his service, Mueller responded: “There was a day when I died, utterly died; died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends; and since then I have studied to show myself approved only to God.”
Source: The London Quarterly Review, Volume 92
“Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him (well-pleasing to him).” 2 Corinthians 5:10
When we determine that we are going to please the Lord and obey His Word, regardless of what others think, we experience great joy and his richest blessings. Also, we are able to be the witnesses to the lost that we should be and helpers to our fellow believers in their walk with the Lord.
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
THE PLIGHT OF THE LOST SHOULD DISTURB US
05/22/21
On January 13, 2012, the massive Costa Concordia cruise ship with more than 4,200 passengers and crew on board was sailing off the coast of Italy on a tour of the Mediterranean Sea. The captain deviated from his planned course and the ship struck a reef near the shore. After taking on water for a while, the ship began to sink. Abandoning his duty to the passengers and crew, Captain Francesco Schettino left the ship instead of remaining to make sure everyone could be rescued.
In a phone conversation, the local Coast Guard commander repeatedly pressed Schettino for an update on the situation. “Tell me if there are women, children and people in need there.” Failing to receive a satisfactory reply, he ordered Schettino to return to the ship. The captain responded, “You realize it’s dark and we can’t see anything?”
“You’ve been telling me that for an hour, now get back on board!” the Coast Guard official shouted. The captain was later arrested for his failure to do his duty, resulting in the deaths of more than thirty people.
Every day we are surrounded by people who will spend eternity either in Heaven or in Hell. The fact that so many are lost should disturb us. The Bible tells us that Jesus cared about the people a great deal. “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). Let your heart be stirred by the condition of the lost and do everything you can to win others to Christ.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:15
Are you doing everything possible to share the Gospel with those who are lost that they may come to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ?
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
STANDING STRONG IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION
05/20/21
When he was appointed as the pastor a church in Cambridge, England, in 1783 Charles Simeon was delighted. The people of the church did not share his joy. Many of the prominent members of the church opposed his convictions on reaching the lost with the gospel. To show their displeasure they locked their pew boxes during the service and left them empty so that those who came to hear Simeon preach had to stand or sit in the aisles. Eventually God began to work, and Simeon’s ministry had a powerful influence on the nation of England and the world through his efforts to encourage missionary work.
During the dark days of opposition Simeon wrote: “In this state of things I saw no remedy but faith and patience.... It was painful indeed to see the church, with the exception of the aisles, almost forsaken; but I thought that if God would only give a double blessing to the congregation that did attend, there would on the whole be as much good done as if the congregation were doubled and the blessing limited to only half the amount. This comforted me many, many times, when without such a reflection, I should have sunk under my burden.”
Opposition does not mean that we are doing things wrong—often it is evidence that we are doing things right. If we allow ourselves to be deterred from doing anything unless we have complete approval, it is certain that we will never accomplish anything of value. Rather than being discouraged by opposition, we should take comfort in God’s faithfulness and keep on doing what is right.
Source: Charles Simeon, Handley Carr Glyn Moule
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:9
When we know what the Lord’s will is and stick to doing it no matter what, we will reap His richest blessings!
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
WHAT THE DOCTOR FORGOT TO SAY
05/18/21
Doctor to patient: “I have bad news and worse news.”
Patient: “So let’s have it.”
Doctor: “The bad news is that you only have 24 hours to live.”
Patient: “I can’t imagine what could be worse than that!”
Doctor: “I forgot to tell you yesterday.”
Source: Unknown
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” - 2 Corinthians 2:4
“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:” – 2 Corinthians 5:14
Paul told the believers at Corinth that he loved them and we, who belong to the Lord Jesus, should not forget to do the same as often as we can. It encourages and inspires each other to passionately love our Lord and to take care of each other.
Also, we ought to love the lost with the love of Christ and not forget to share with them the Gospel so that they can come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
LOVED ONES ARE NOT LOST WHEN THEY GO TO HEAVEN
05/16/21
A little girl whose baby brother had just died asked her mother where Baby had gone. “To be with Jesus,” replied the mother. A few days later, talking to a friend, the mother said, “I am so grieved to have lost my baby.” The little girl heard her, and remembering what her mother had told her, looked up into her face and asked, “Mother, is a thing lost when you know where it is?”
“No, of course not.”
“Well, then how can Baby be lost when he has gone to be with Jesus?”
Source: A Treasury of Bible Illustrations, Ted Kyle and John Todd
Submitted by the homiletics class of West coast Baptist College
“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 5:8
What a tremendous comfort it is to know that our loved ones who have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are not lost but are in Heaven, and we, who also belong to the Lord Jesus, have a great, indescribable reunion day coming!
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
CHURCHILL'S FUNERAL
05/14/21
Winston Churchill planned his funeral before he died. His wishes called for a bugler, positioned high in the dome of Saint Paul’s to play the taps after the benediction. The taps were meant to represent that his physical life was over. But then came the most dramatic turn: as soon as the taps was finished, another bugler, placed on the other side of the great dome, played the notes of reveille—It’s time to get up. It’s time to get up. It’s time to get up in the morning. At the end of history, the last note will not be taps; it will be reveille.
Source: The Speaker’s Quote Book, Roy B. Zuck
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
What day of resurrection is guaranteed to everyone who belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ if they go home by way of death! We have a certainty that the unbeliever does not possess and an indescribable and glorious expectation.
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
05/13/21
A lady arranged the cremation of a body she believed was her son. He turned up alive the next day.
Greater Manchester Police said the confusion began when the body of a man in his 30s was discovered in Manchester, northwest England, on Oct. 12. He was identified as Thomas Dennison, 39, by a care worker who knew him. Officials contacted Dennison’s mother, Gina Partington, 58, who identified the dead man as her son.
“Following normal procedures, the body was released to the family of the missing person and cremated on Oct. 30,” according to a police spokesman. The next day, Dennison was discovered alive in Nottingham, 80 miles away.
His mother said, “I held his hand and kissed his head. I stayed with him for about 40 minutes and would have sworn he was my son. We held his funeral on Tuesday this week at Southern Cemetery and there were genuine tears, because Tommy is a lovely lad.”
Family members may mistake identities, but God never does. He knows all those who have trusted Him to be their Saviour.
Source: The Seattle Times, 11/4/2007
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” - 2 Timothy 2:19
I am glad that the Lord Jesus knows everyone who belongs to Him and that He cannot be fooled! He knows everything because He is omniscient and because He has a personal relationship with His own. There is something that our Lord expects of His people; that they will daily develop a passionate relationship with Him, letting Him live out His life through them. They will live pure lives for Him, not allowing any known iniquity to reside in their lives.
If you do not belong to Him, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
INFLUENCE OF MUSIC
05/12/21
Some say that the music they listen to does not affect them. It would be hard to convince the Kuntz family of this. Fifteen year old Richard Kuntz was listening to a Manson album when he committed suicide by shooting himself. His father says Richard was a major Manson fan and his favorite song contained calls to commit suicide.
Source: World Magazine, November 22, 1997
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” - Colossians 3:16
Yes, music affects people; that’s why different types of music is used for different occasions. Music was used by the Jewish people in the Old Testament for praising the Lord, to minister to people who had troubled minds as David did to Saul, for mourning, etc. Our text tells us that when we let the Word of God make its home in us, we will be “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
Fill your mind and heart with great songs based upon the teachings of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit will bring to your mind the song that you need for each occasion.
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, and, therefore, the fulness of his joy does not fill your life. Come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
A DEAD MAN CANNOT RESPOND
05/11/21
I went to the UCLA Medical Center with my high school anatomy class and saw a cadaver on a cold, stainless steel counter. A dead person is totally powerless. It’s impossible to reach him. I could have handed that cadaver a Gospel tract or witnessed to him, but he couldn’t do anything to respond to an appeal or to change his condition in and of himself.
Submitted by Ray Cazis
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
Ephesians 2:1
We are born into this world dead in our trespasses and sins and can only be made alive through the convicting and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit with the Word of God, bringing us to faith in Christ and receiving Him as our Lord and Savior. Therefore, we, who belong to the Lord Jesus, must be faithful in letting the Holy Spirit minister the truth of God’s Word to those who are still in their sins.
We, who have been born-again, must be faithful in serving our Lord now, because once we die, or the Rapture takes place, our opportunities for exalting the Lord Jesus in reaching lost souls for Him and the discipleship of fellow believers is over.
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
FIRST CENTURY EPITAPHS
05/10/21
Archaeologists have dug up first century cemeteries in Greece and Rome and have found many tomb stones that bear the Greek or Latin inscription for “No hope.” Imagine living your entire life with no hope! Imagine going to your death, to that eternal night, with no hope!
Source: Unknown
Submitted by Ray Cazis
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” - Mark 8:36
How foolish it is for a person to refuse to repent of all their sin (Luke 13:3,5) and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and, therefore, have no hope.
How foolish it is for us born-again believers to not warn the lost by loving them and sharing the Gospel with them!
What would be your epitaph, if you died today?
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to him NOW!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
DON’T CLIMB THE FENCE
05/09/21
On June 28, 2008, Asia LeeShawn Ferguson went over two fences and entered a restricted area in Six Flags Over Georgia. The seventeen-year-old was hit and killed by the Batman roller coaster. It is not known why Ferguson climbed the fences; and his father said, “Nobody knows but my son and the Lord.”
Many people try to climb the fences their authority has placed around them, and they enter forbidden territory. It should not be a surprise to them when they get hurt.
Source: Chicago Tribune, June 30, 2008
“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Psalm 19:7-8
Yes, the Word of God is perfect and right. When we do not obey the instructions, the Lord gives us in His Word, we will experience all manner of trouble and may suffer physical death as a result of our actions. Daily love the Lord and obey His Word and enjoy the protection He gives and His richest blessings!
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
THE “WITHOUT” OF THE LOST
05/08/21
A great without has been written on heathenism. Men and women are toiling without a Bible, without a Sunday, without prayer, without songs of praise. They have rulers without justice and without righteousness; homes without peace; marriage without sanctity, young men and girls without ideals and enthusiasm; little children without purity, without innocence; mothers without wisdom or self-control; poverty without relief or sympathy; sickness without skilful help or tender care; sorrow and crime without a remedy; and worst of all, death without hope.
Source: Goforth of China, Rosalind Goforth
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” - John 10:10
All of the above “withouts” would not exist, if people would repent of all their sin, surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus, trusting Him and Him alone to their Lord and Savior and lives their lives according to the instructions of His Word. They would experience the super-abundant life that the Lord wants them to enjoy in every area of their lives.
If He is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
ANGRY DRIVERS
05/07/21
Two men, driving in Southern California, got into a battle of road
rage after one cut the other off in a parking lot. The hot-headed men sped out of the parking lot in a fit of anger, chasing, driving recklessly, dodging and weaving in and out of traffic. They endangered a lot of lives before one finally forced the other to careen out of control. The driver frantically tried to regain control, but in the process an innocent little girl on a nearby sidewalk was killed. A young life was taken simply because two men became needlessly angry at each other.
Source: Different by Design, Cary Schmidt
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
Ephesians 4:26
Sinful anger is characteristic of our sinful nature and we will not allow it to express itself when we submit to the Lordship of Christ and the control of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23).
Rightful anger needs to be taken care of immediately so that we will have the right relationship with others, with our Lord and that He will be exalted in every situation!
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
UNUSUAL DEATHS
05/06/21
Anthony Fernando, a twenty-one-year-old man living in Colombo, Sri Lanka, went fishing one day off the coast of the island. He had no idea he would never make it back alive. A forktail gar fish jumped out of the water and cut him on the neck with its tail. He bled to death before a fellow fisherman could get him to a hospital.
Lance Foster, a twenty-three-year-old student at the University of Kansas was studying at his desk one night. Little did he know he would be dead a few minutes later. Foster became thirsty and decided to walk down the hallway to get something to drink. He put his money in the machine, but the drink didn’t come out. When he rocked the vending machine back and forth to get the can of soda, it fell on top of him. He died from internal injuries shortly thereafter.
If you would have told Ali-Asghar Ahani he would be shot to death by a snake, he wouldn’t have believed it. But it happened. Although he could have shot the snake, this man from Iran was trying to capture it alive. When he pressed the butt of his shotgun behind its head, the snake coiled itself around the gun. With its tail thrashing, the snake pulled the trigger, firing one of the barrels and shooting Ahani in the head.
After winning $3.6 million in the lottery, William Curry must have thought he was the luckiest person in the world. But he wasn’t lucky for very long. Two weeks after hitting the jackpot Curry, at the age of thirty-seven, died of a heart attack. His sister-in-law said the stress of winning the lottery killed him.
None of these people knew or even imagined that death was just moments away. Death can come unexpectedly to anyone.
Have you ever thought about how you will die? Will you be cut by a fish tail? Crushed by a soda machine? Shot by a snake? Maybe your heart will just stop beating. You probably won’t be able to predict how or when your death will occur. Nevertheless, you have an appointment with death and you need to be prepared.
Source: The 911 Handbook, Kent Crockett
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” - Hebrews 9:27
As a born-again child of God, are you ready to die and then face the judgment of your service at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9-16)?
If you don’t belong to the Lord, you will face eternal separation in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15). Come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
ALWAYS BE READY TO MEET THE LORD
05/05/21
A mother was explaining, to her little girl, the death of her father. The mother said: “God has sent for your father and will send for us, but I do not know just when.” Finally, the little girl said: “If we do not know just when God is going to send for us, do you not think we had better pack up and get ready to go? God might send when we are not ready.”
Source: The Expositor and Current Anecdotes, Volume 8, F. M. Barton Publisher
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
John 14:2-3
Are you ready if the Lord came back today or took you home by death? Would you hear, “well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21)?
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
A FUNERAL FOR A TURTLE
05/04/21
Alexander M. Sanders, Jr. (who was at one time the Chief Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals) spoke to the graduating class of the University of South Carolina in 1992. His daughter, Zoe, was a member of that class. He told a story about when Zoe was 3 years old. Sanders came home to find a crisis. Zoe’s pet turtle had died and she was crying her heart out. His wife turned the problem over to him to solve.
First, Mr. Sanders explained that he would go to the pet store and get her another turtle. He got nowhere with that idea. Zoe knew that life couldn’t be transferred from one turtle to another. She wanted her turtle alive. She continued to cry. Then Mr. Sanders said, “I’ll tell you what, we’ll have a funeral for the turtle.” Being three years old she didn’t know what a funeral was. “A funeral,” he said, “is a great festival in honor of the turtle.” She didn’t know what a festival was so he said, “A funeral is like a birthday party. We’ll have ice cream and cake and lemonade and balloons, and all the children in the neighborhood will come over to play, all because the turtle has died.” Zoe’s tears began to dry up and she returned to her happy self.
Then, an utterly unforeseen thing happened. They looked down, and the turtle began to move. He was not dead after all. In a matter of seconds he was crawling around as lively as ever. Mr. Sanders didn’t know what to say. But Zoe appraised the situation perfectly. With all the innocence of a three year old she looked up at her father and said, “Daddy, let’s kill it.”
Source: Public Speaking for Dummies, Malcolm Kushner
“Love…seeketh not her own,… -1 Corinthians 13:5B
The love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, does not seek its own pleasure at the expense of others (such as the turtle LOL) but unselfishly seeks to bring lost people to salvation in Him and the spiritual growth of fellow believers. Are you daily walking in close fellowship with the Lord Jesus, allowing Him to live out His love through you?
If you are not one of His, com e to him NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
STOPPING JUST SHORT OF THE GOAL
05/03/21
There is a marker on a rock near the top of Mount Washington, marking the spot where a woman climber lay down and died. She was so close to the top that she could almost hit it with a stone. A hundred steps more and she would have reached the shelter she sought, but she did not know this. Disheartened by the storm, beaten in body and distressed in spirit, she was at the end of her courage. She could not see a step ahead, so she lay down and died one hundred steps from her goal.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9
Source: Twelve Chosen Men Who Changed the World, Curtis Hutson
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
If you are a born-again child of God, don’t be weary in serving the Lord and doing what is right, because you belong to the Sovereign God of the universe, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has created all things, who has forgiven you all your sins, given you eternal life, a home with Him in Heaven, who will sustain you with His strength (Philippians 4:13), and will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19).
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
KNOWLEDGE MUST BE ACTED ON
05/02/21
Scientists studied a native tribe in South America whose people have been dying prematurely for generations. After thorough investigation, the cause of premature death was determined. The disease was transmitted by an insect that lived in the walls of their adobe homes.
This knowledge presented several options. They could move to another area where such insects did not exist, tear down their homes and rebuild them, use insecticide to rid their homes of the bugs, or, continue as they have and die early. Surprisingly, these people have opted to remain as they are and do nothing about their problem.
Many people behave similarly. They know how to be saved, but they opt to remain unchanged.
Source: The Power to Be Your Best, Todd Duncan
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” - Proverbs 14:12
Sadly, many have heard the truth of God’s Word regarding the way of salvation in Jesus Christ but refuse to trust Him and Him alone and continue on the road to eternal damnation.
Many Christians know what is right regarding all areas of their lives but still live according to what they think is right, missing out on the Lord’s richest blessings and experience needless grief and hurt. If that is you, surrender all areas of your life to the Lordship of Christ, the control of the Holy Spirit, and authority of the Word of God.
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
TOO BUSY
05/01/21
Too busy to read the Bible, too busy to wait and pray;
Too busy to speak out kindly, to someone who passes by the way!
Too busy working and worrying, to think of the life to come;
Too busy building earthly mansions, to plan for the Heaven above.
Too busy to help a brother, who faces trials and suffering woes;
Too busy to share his burden, “No time, I’m busy you know.”
Too busy for all that is holy, on earth beneath the sky;
Too busy to serve the Master, but not too busy to die.—Author Unknown
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.”
Deuteronomy 10:20
Are your priorities straight? Are you daily passionately serving the Lord and others to the praise of His glory?
If you are not one of His, come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”