“I learned about how God makes jelly,” Brenda reported.

Grandma questioned, “Are you sure that was what your teacher said?”

“Yes,” Brenda replied, “she said God makes preserves and keeps us.”

Henry told Grandma his Sunday school lesson was all about houses. “What kind of houses?” Grandma asked. Henry replied, “My shack, your shack, and a bungalow.”

God keeps and “preserves” for an eternity enjoying Him.  And the house that He has prepared is a bit more than a “shack”……… 

John 14:1-3 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 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. 3 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.

This reminds me of the preacher who said, “Everyone who wants to go to heaven, Stand Up!”  All but one man stood, so the preacher asked him, “Sir don’t you want to go to heaven?”  The man replies……… “Why Yes Sir, but I thought you were getting up a load this morning.” 

Jesus said  “Luke 19:13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

And we await when He says, “ Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. ” vs 17

Then I worked in the woods as a lumberjack, but I just couldn’t hack it, so I got the axe.

After that I tried to be a tailor, but just wasn’t suited for it, mainly because it was a sew-sew job.

Next I tried working in a muffler factory, but it was too exhausting.

Then I tried to be a chef, I figured it would add a little spice to my life, but I just didn’t have the thyme.

I attempted to be a deli worker, but any way I sliced it, I couldn’t cut the mustard.

My best job was being a musician, but eventually I found I wasn’t noteworthy.

I studied a long time to be a doctor, but I didn’t have any patience.

Next was a job in a shoe factory . . . I tried, but just didn’t fit in.

I became a professional fisherman, but discovered I couldn’t live on my net income.

I managed to get a good job working for a pool maintenance company, but the work was just too draining.

So then I got a job in a workout center, but they said I wasn’t fit for the job.

After many years of trying to find stead work I finally got a job as a historian, but there was no future in it.

My last job was working at Starbucks, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind.

SO I RETIRED AND FOUND I AM PERFECT FOR THE JOB!!!

1 Corinthians 10:31 . . .  whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Romans 5:3-5 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

When I am lonely, God’s presence cheers me up.

When I’m uptight, God’s presence calms me down.

When I’m troubled, God’s presence helps me out.

When I’m discouraged, God’s presence sees me through.

Psalm 139:7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

2 At 30, he wants to wake up married

3 At 40, he wants to wake up successful

4 At 50, he wants to wake up rich

5 At 60, he wants to wake up contented

6 At 70, he wants to wake up healthy

7 At 80, he wants to wake up.

Remember. Fifty isn’t old if your tree.  – Anonymous

A pastor was talking to a group of young children about being Christians and going to heaven. At the end of his talk, he asked, “Where do you want to go?”

“Heaven!” they all piped up.

Again, the pastor asked, “And what do you have to be to get there?”

“Dead!” one boy yelled.

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

 9. You have an executive “lift” chair

 8. It takes you longer to go to sleep than it did to get tired.

 7. You and the pharmacist are on a first-name basis.

 6. It takes you twice as long to look half as nice.

 5. The pressing question of your life is “ Where did I park the car?”

 4. You get winded playing Bible Trivia.

 3. You know all the answers, but nobody is asking the questions.

 2. You walk with your head held high…….  To see through your bi-focals.

 1. Shuffleboard doesn’t sound too bad.

                        – Derric Johnson in Lists, the Book

Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

“You’ll know tonight,” he said.
That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it–only to find a book entitled “The meaning of dreams”.

Philippians 2:1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion. 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

What can be done to make Your Valentine Dreams come true?

1: Encourage one another.”if you have any encouragement.”
Someone has noted, “Man doesn’t live by bread alone. He also needs buttering up.”

2. Comfort One Another. “If any comfort from His love”

Any comfort you or I give in Christ will grow affection in our relationships, including that special person

3. Spending time with one another. “if any fellowship with the Spirit”

Fellowship is simply two or more people in the same boat. It is the understanding that the Holy Spirit helps believers cope with one another in their weakness.

4. Be Tender and compassionate to one another. ”if any tenderness and compassion”

Adam and Eve had the world’s only perfect marriage. She couldn’t talk about the man she might have married and he couldn’t complain that his mother was a better cook.

5. Have a Good Attitude “then make my joy complete”

Having the right attitude! That’s so important – maybe the most important.

For your Valentine: encourage, comfort, spend time, be kind, and most importantly, have a right attitude.
- from a sermon by Rev Billy Blackmon

“Your husband is suffering from a rare form of anemia. Without treatment, he’ll be dead in a few weeks. The good news is, it can be treated with proper nutrition.

“You’ll need to get up early every morning and fix your husband a hot breakfast – pancakes, bacon and eggs,  the works. He’ll need a home-cooked lunch every day and then a seven-course dinner every evening.

“Also, his immune system is weak, so your home must be kept spotless. Do you want to break the news, or shall I?’ asked the doctor.

“I will” the wife replied.

She walked into the exam room. The husband asked, “What did the doctor say?”

With a sob, she blurted out, “The doctor says you’re gonna die!”

We are given a choice today.  Neglect others like this wife seemed to want to do or be like man in Scripture who gave all that was needed for a total stranger.

Luke 10:33“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

Be Blessed and Be a Blessing Today! 

9. Because God is just . . . He will always treat me fairly.

10. Because God is love . . . He is unconditionally committed to my well-being.

11. Because God is merciful . . . He forgives me of my sins when I sincerely confess them.

12. Because God is faithful . . . I will trust Him to always keep His promises.

13. Because God never changes . . . my future is secure and eternal.

From Discovering God by Bill Bright and quoted in Stan Toler’s Book  The Buzzards are Circling, but God’s Not finished with me yet.