4 Mile prayers

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• September 23 While reading the story of Joseph and his brothers when they went to buy grain from Egypt. It became clear that when the brothers left one in prison, as they were accused of being spies, that they did not return immediately to redeem their imprisoned brother. No, they waited until the grain was nearly gone and they had to purchase more! We have no idea how long that was, but, wouldn't you think that it was longer than a week, or month? There would be no use traveling to buy grain enough for just a few days! Meanwhile the one was in prison!  I can imagine him wondering if the brothers would return at all. After all they had sold Joseph to get rid of him. We think that they returned right away to retrieve their brother, yet it was later when they needed more food! Our thoughts sometimes cover up the truth. We often tend to believe what we want. But GOD has told us how we will be judged and it will be fair, yet harsh! We are told to fear the ONE that can send us to hell. To tremble at the thought of HIM! Today we do not understand the harshness that we will witness. The time of waiting will end. Our judgement will take place. The waiting will be over and our preconceived thoughts will vanish.  Only the truth will prevail. At times I feel like that brother, waiting and wondering when the return will come. Perhaps today, or the next, but be certain, it WILL come. Be ready. GOD bless you. 
• September 22 I look back just a few years ago and remember the campus rebellions, the 'rainbow' groups and the rebellion fracture of our nation that rose to popularity. Sex changes and same sex marriage were raising and our moral decay rotted a whole nation. Since the last election those things have run like roaches from the light! However, we are about to encounter a new election, that will again make a track that could be followed! All it takes is 'good men to do nothing'. Today my thoughts turn toward Luke17 where Jesus said, "When I return the world will be as indifferent to the things of GOD as the people were in Noah's day." Things were 'as normal' until Noah went into the ark and the floods came, killing the entire population except those in the ark! We may be at the edge of the rising waters and if we are not safe in the ark of the LORD, we will be swept away in the looming flood. Prepare for a flood! Build an ark and fill any cracks that could leak inside. The waves are about to beat against our ship once again. We cannot just wait and see what happens. We must be able to survive the storm. Our anchor must be GOD or our ship will just ride with the influxing tides. Today the preparation begins, the waters are poised to flood, and take mankind with it. May GOD be with you as we build on a solid foundation. GOD bless you. 
• September 21 The elk hunters are returning from the mountains, they each have their stories to tell some of success, others of failure. Some of the great times that they had and some the troubles that  were encountered. But no one expressed that they would not do it again. As I consider the life that I have lived, I see troubles, hardship, failures and successes. However, there are things that I wish I had done differently. I wish I had treated my parents better, had been more honest in business, had been a real friend to my friends and let them know how much I truly love them. I wish that I had allowed GOD into my life when HE first knocked. I have had, like hunting, successes and failure, but I am glad for the journey. When the role is called, I will TRUST that the BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST and the FAITH in GOD, will deliver me from the torments of hell. But when face to face with GOD and HE does not say 'well done' I can only blame myself. HE has made us to be messengers of HIS WORD and if we fail, it is our own fault. Like hunting we look for sign. As humans the signs of the PRESENCE of GOD surrounds us. 'Be still' and KNOW' that HE IS GOD. In that there is no regret. God bless you. September 22 The elk hunters are returning from the mountains, they each have their stories to tell some of success, others of failure. Some of the great times that they had and some the troubles that  were encountered. But no one expressed that they would not do it again. As I consider the life that I have lived, I see troubles, hardship, failures and successes. However, there are things that I wish I had done differently. I wish I had treated my parents better, had been more honest in business, had been a real friend to my friends and let them know how much I truly love them. I wish that I had allowed GOD into my life when HE first knocked. I have had, like hunting, successes and failure, but I am glad for the journey. When the role is called, I will TRUST that the BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST and the FAITH in GOD, will deliver me from the torments of hell. But when face to face with GOD and HE does not say 'well done' I can only blame myself. HE has made us to be messengers of HIS WORD and if we fail, it is our own fault. Like hunting we look for sign. As humans the signs of the PRESENCE of GOD surrounds us. 'Be still' and KNOW' that HE IS GOD. In that there is no regret. God bless you. 
• September 20 The man planted a fig tree and it failed to bear fruit. So, he told the gardener to cut it down. "Give it one more chance. Leave it another year and I will give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get no figs the next year, I will cut it down." We are the tree that was planted!  If we continue to bear no fruit, we are going to be destroyed. By GOD'S mercy we have been given more time, another chance. But our time will run out and should we produce no fruit, we will be burned! One more chance will be over, our time to produce is now. You may say, well that is just a story. Yes, it is! A story that JESUS told as an illustration of the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. It tells us that we cannot be fruitless and 'of this world', but to bear fruit that will be of value in the coming, eternal world. We either produce or are destroyed. Have you begun to bud, the leaves of the coming fruit or do you remain a plant waiting for the fire? May we send out that shoot of precious fulfillment, our last chance may be upon us. GOD bless you. 
• September 19 Our society today seems to glorify those that are rich. In return we place our importance on the things that this world has to offer. The words, "Beware! Don't always be wishing for what you don't have. For real life and real living are not related to how rich we are." Those who trust in this world and rely on their riches are easily disappointed. Instead of enjoying what they have been given, they often seek more? In doing so the goodness of life is lost and a slave has been created! Our wants can easily out pace our ability to pay for them. And the 'card' provides just another way to make us into this worlds slave. Happiness will not come from things but from within. Our TREASURE is in HEAVEN, our debt is on earth. Let your only debt be to JESUS CHRIST, who has PAID our ultimate price for us. HE alone is worthy of our praise. May GOD bless you.
• September 18 Today as I was reading, these timeless words jumped into my heart. "These are evil times, with evil people. They keep asking for some strange happenings in the sky's, but the only proof that will be given is a miracle like that of Jonah." Still today people say, 'if there was a sign', but the sign has been given! The resurrection has occurred! The proof has already been given! Yet so many fail to believe. These are evil times with evil people.  If you are asking for 'a sign' what else could be done to make us believe? The sign has been given. If we are stuck in the mud, down trodden by a financial burden or requiring hospital care. We can be assured that we are there as a test of our FAITH and the assurance that we will be gaining from that time. Together we make up the body of CHRIST, together we survive the evil, the hearts that are joined in CHRIST know the outcome ahead. There is no need of another sign that will distract from the TRUTH that has been given. Think on the signs in your life that have been opportunities to awaken your SPIRIT. All these signs point in the same direction, the return of CHRIST in fulfillment of GOD'S WORD. The KINGDOM of GOD is upon us. GOD bless you. 
• September 17 This year's hunting season is finally upon us. I have received photos of successful elk hunters and a great mule deer. The Iowa youth season will begin in a few days and I am so excited for those going for their first time. I see a great difference between the Amish boys and others. The ones that watch hunting on tv think that it should be easy and if they do not see something they become bored. The Amish boys are glad to be out in the woods and rejoice in many things. Perhaps tv isn't such a good teaching aid as it shows success in 10 minutes! We gain a lifetime of experiences, but none greater than the SALVATION of a SOUL! Our drive each day needs to be the way to save even one from the torment of eternal death. We may have the honor of saving one or many, but the work is not easy, it is a challenge! We must be suited in GOD'S WORD, with our eyes toward CHRIST. With out HIM we will stumble at all we do. Walk in the LIGHT of GOD'S GRACE and hunt for the opportunities to open the doors to them. The season has arrived. GOD bless you. 
• September 16 It is no surprise that when the people, built a proud, eternal monument to themselfs' that GOD separated them. That same 'tower of Babel' remains a constant barrier to our relationship with GOD. We are proud, often arrogant people, that want to flaunt what we have done to others. Thus, building that tower, so that all can see our 'glory'. When a fall occurs it is often dramatic!  The WORD tells us to be servants, but we press to build towers. When that happens, it will be followed by a state of confusion.  The world is competing, each proud nation, with its wisest people to erect a tower of A.I. Claiming how its intelligence can cure diseases and save time, money and resources. Are we witnessing another 'tower' in today's world? Time will tell as the results of the tower is under construction. The one thing that is certain, GOD has NOT lost any control! Our towers can be taken away at any moment, when we use them to proclaim our own pride. Anything that we place in front of or before GOD has become our idol and tower. We are in charge of our own lives, to tear down the towers that separate us from GOD that proclaim our own pride. Which is first in our lives? May GOD be with us.
• September 15 By my calculations, it took Noah and his family 120 years to build the ark! But the BIBLE is very specific that 'when Noah was 600 years, two months and seventeen days old, the rain cane down in torrents.' It rained until the waters were twenty-two feet and more above the tallest peak! Imagine doing GOD'S work for 120 years with constant mocking and ridicule. Then imagine the fear that those people felt as the water rose! For those 120 years they had the opportunity to change, yet they all perished. Can you see them pleading with GOD as the water was about to take them? But it was too late! Even today we are informed of GOD, yet we tend to lend a deaf ear. Those who BELIEVE will be SAVED, those who do not will be pleading and turned away. The world is full of those who say they believe, yet how many will be willing to give their lives in HIS SERVICE? The day will come when all mankind will be judged and many will be turned away. Search your life and KNOW the result. May GOD bless you. 
• September 14 On 911 we were in remembrance of the attack on American soil 25 years ago. We said that we would 'never' forget the loss! However, 25 years later, we have men and woman that were not born yet. They didn't witness that day or the results that followed. Today we are divided in thought of what direction the nation should go. Some of those running for political office believe what the attackers did and they are gaining followers!  Some even celebrate the day that we said would not be forgotten. Through time that day will lose its importance, will be forgotten in history. But GOD does not forget. He remains the same! What HE has said HE still delivers. HIS GREATNESS will never pass away. We will stand in judgement and HE will know ALL the EVIDENCE! Our minds may put GOD to the sidelines but we are very important to HIM, HE will not forget. May GOD bless you, as we remember.
• September 13 Yesterday I took a group of Amish boys to qualify to hunt in the park. Before we went I thought it would be good to practice a few shots before we went. So, we went to a round bale of hay and put a paper plate on it and backed up 20 yards and let fly. To my surprise I was the worst shot! I had been shooting and they outshot me. So off we went to the park. The 'test' is 3 out of 5 in an 8-inch circle at 20 yards.  So, we each fired 3 arrows and were done. It is rewarding to see that the instructions and teaching was followed so well. CHRIST has given us an instruction manual and sadly it is not used. We may pick out bits and pieces but seem to disregard most. It makes me wonder, how many will pass the test? It is not hard, but the guidelines are firm. It sounds, to easy to be true, yet it is going to be failed by many. Open the WORD and PRACTICE. The test is a matter of eternal life or death. Unlike qualifying at the park. GOD bless you. 
• September 12 The hunters in Colorado reported that a land lease has changed and that some areas that were previously open are being closed. That areas will be unobtainable next year. That is disheartening to me as I know that some who have accessed that area will not be able to hunt those spots that have become so precious over time. It just shows that both, GOD has been so generous to us and that things change. We feel that things always change for the worst. And often they do, but a whole new generation of hunters will not know what once was and will find their own spots. The world changes and mostly in a wrong direction. We can either ride with its flow or strike out on a new adventure. "GOD remains the same Yesterday, today, and tomorrow" and that is comforting in these days of change. We can count on HIS WORD to be true, remaining our guiding light in a world of darkness. To obtain that LIGHT we only need to open our hearts, no GPS coordinates are needed. We can find our way In CHRIST by way of the CROSS and that will not change, our spot is reserved.  GOD bless you. 
• September 11 If you were to read from Luke 3 the generations that had passed from Adam to JESUS, you may notice that from the creation of mankind, Adam, to the point that the world was so evil that GOD had decided to destroy it by flood and begin over was 9 generations!  Not a long period of time from Adam to Noah! And not a long period from when GOD walked with us in the Garden until we were so awful we had to be destroyed. Now, many generations have passed since JESUS has walked among us and what can GOD witness of our actions? As the 'stars fall from the sky' over many parts of the world, it takes only one device to trigger our destruction. We have lost so much since that original walk, but each of us can gather toward HIS Hand and return to that Garden. HE has never left or abandoned us; it is we who have left HIM. We have the great fortune to witness HIS greatness and return any moment of each day. Will we be a generation that returns to GOD or just another that sinks to destruction? It is our choice. May GOD bless you. 
• September 10 "For I am going to do something in your own lifetime that you will have to see to believe." And it has begun. The thoughts in the minds of those that will destroy our nation. Things that we thought were unimaginable right up to this moment. Yet we will witness, in our time, the persecution of those that believe on the LORD. Already right has become wrong and wrong right! We murder those helpless unborn to the moment of birth, lie in our courts, follow every whim of evil as a slave. The time has also begun when all the earth is filled with an awareness of the GLORY of the LORD, but many, far too many will disregard that GLORY and turn away! Instead of paying WITNESS to GOD, we turn to our own thoughts, ignoring the signs. The fields that are ripe will rot due to the lack of workers willing to take up the sickle. We will be held accountable for our actions. Satan's thoughts spreading as a wild fire out of control, floods, earthquakes, famine and war, they all point in one direction. Pray that eyes are open to the scenes around us, and that souls return to the ONE that created. May GOD have mercy our souls. In our lifetime we will see, will we believe? GOD bless you. 
• September 9 "For every promise from GOD shall surely come true." I have a friend that has been in the hospital and undergone multiple surgeries since having a liver transplant. Many would call it a curse and a lesser man would have given up but he calls it a blessing! Every time that trouble comes his way, he sees the opportunity to witness and pray for others. And the opportunities just keep coming. But each time there is a whole new field of people to receive the message of how good GOD is. The body is weak and the arm of flesh will fail us, but the WORD of GOD remains true and faithful. Undying in faithfulness to us, HIS precious children. To be able to serve even when ill remains a privilege and not a curse. To snatch even one from the eternal flames of hell, worth any temporary discomfort on this earth. GOD has given us many promises, each will become reality in HIS TIME. We are considered faithful to work toward HIS KINGDOM and not worry of our own. For ALL GOD'S promises will surely come true. They are in our lifetime! GOD bless and thank you for your service to GOD, the fields are ripening, the harvest is about to take place. GOD bless you. 
• September 8 Yesterday while visiting my former boss, who remains in bed from a stroke over a year ago, I was attempting to get his tv set so that he could watch the Cubs ball game. However, the network wanted to be signed into! Helpless to know the password and after several guesses, I asked Gus if he knew the password and he wrote on a white board a capital letter and several other letters and numbers and a couple dots with a line through it. So, I tried what it looked like he had written. It didn't work. So finally, I reached the person that set up the account and got the password. Guess what, it was exactly what Gus had written down! It was I who had failed to enter it correctly. I had not made the capital and misinterpreted a number and did not understand the dots and line. But even though he did not make the password and surely had only heard it, he remembered it. GOD works in mysterious ways and when we have given up, God remains at work. How much of a miracle is that? We see signs every day telling us what to do. From where to walk and how to drive and we obey. Yet the WORD of GOD is neglected. How hard our hearts must be. Open our eyes and hearts, take away our interpretations and let us understand YOUR WORD. See the MIRICLES each day and BELIEVE. GOD bless you. 
• September 7 Jesus said that "The most important thing is that our names are registered as citizens of HEAVEN!" "Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the KINGDOM of GOD." And, "Your care for others is a measure of your greatness." I do not know about you, but by those measurements I have been a failure! But how privileged I am to see what I have seen, heard what I have heard, been told what I was told! It is nobody's fault for my failure but my own. There may be 2 voices, one on each shoulder, encouraging my actions, but it is I who makes the choice. There is always a way out, a path to take, a voice of truth. Thank GOD that HE never gave up on me. HE will never give up on you. Together we are HIS crop, the choicest of fruit, from the best vine. It is OUR choices that make us rotten and destroy the vine of heritage. It is not too late to restore the root that nourishes our soul. That fertilizer is the WORD of GOD. If you are lost, as I can be, open the BOOK that will restore that growth within. The WORD of GOD. With it everything changes, the voice becomes stronger and the actions turn. Do not be distracted by this life, focus on the eternal life ahead. God bless you. 
• September 6 The other day I had someone call me by name and after a little while they asked, "You don't know who I am do you?" I replied that indeed I did not and they told me that I have not changed at all and they would know me anywhere. Well, I have changed! Perhaps not physically, but there has certainly been a change! There is only ONE SPIRIT that would recognize me and has from the moment of my conception. In fact, HE wrote my name in the ledger and in HIS BOOKS of LIFE. HE knows me by name from my birth and will welcome me at my death. HE will greet me at HIS KINGDOM, by name and present me with a new robe. However, there is also one that is constantly trying to separate me from the flock and lead to doom, away from GOD for eternity. That path is easy to follow and tempts daily. Give me the POWER to DEFEAT EVIL and enter the GOLDEN GATES, being called by name to come home. Thank GOD that HE has provided a way for each of us to be able to enter. May HIS GRACE overcome our desires. HIS FORGIVENESS clean our hearts, and lead us homeward. HE knows our name and watches our actions. GOD bless you. 

September 5 I have received reports of hunters in the elk woods having success and that is great news. It must be allot cooler in the mountains than we are experiencing here in Iowa! It has been near 100 for quite a while here. The GOD given part is that the corn has begun to dry and the humidity is nowhere near what it could be, thank GOD. Even in the trials of everyday life, we are blessed. Just imagine the torments of an eternity without GOD! Void of every sort of good blessing. That would be hell indeed! We too often are looking at the bad and overlooking the gracious gifts all around us. My best friend has both joy and sadness in the family's health. And just as they were about to be overcome by the grief, the joy of a new addition greets their ears. GOD is ALWAYS nearby. The only time that HE will be distant is when we have made the decision to make HIM distant. And that eternal void will be torment. See GOD'S presence in all things. God bless you. 

• September 4 For the last few days I have been getting my longbow tuned and ready to hunt this season. You would think that a guy that made bows would know how to tune them to top performance, but I have been overlooking some of the most unbelievable results by just hurrying through the process. It was quite by accident that I found the hidden true performance gain with that bow. It went from a good, almost great bow to exceptional. By changing one adjustment just the smallest amount. I had missed that point by over or under adjusting right up to the time that the nock point broke and I tied in an adjustable one. It was then that I found out that the smallest adjustment made a world of difference. I may have hit closely by chance in the past, but now it is perfect! Just like our walk with GOD, we can avoid HIM completely, seek HIM by chance or fine tune our relationship.  Once we find that perfect point, we wonder how we ever got along with it the other way. Take the time to tune your relationship with GOD. Whether you hit the mark by chance or work hard to obtain it, it is worth the work. The power within us is remarkable once we are in TUNE with GOD. GOD bless you. 
• September 3 Sometimes at night when we are asleep, we dream. They may be of loved ones that have gone before us. They may be of magical places or events. They may be of monster deer or elk that we are pursuing. We never know what we may dream. They are however flash views of our inner thoughts. Dreams may give us a warning to change our direction or show the folly of our past. It is at our discretion to react to dreams or not. Daniel was given the answer to the King's dreams and received great things. But it was by GOD that those visions were shown. We are often puzzled by what we have dreamt and to us they are meaningless. Yet Kings would honor those that could translate the puzzles of dreams. They may be a sign of a good rest or torment our soul. The imagination is ours alone. Just as we are CHILDREN of GOD, HE alone knows the working of our minds, because HE is the builder of that complex, yet delicate member of our body. How miraculous that body is. Yet some may say that we came from monkeys, apes or ameba? The WORD of GOD tells us from the beginning, it is not a dream. WE ARE HIS MASTERPIECE. Shouldn't we act like we are more than a dream? GOD bless you.
• September 2 Silence is golden; those words were in a song that was popular some years ago. Unfortunately that golden silence is not heard when we are angry. We want to get in the last word and the longer we are mad, the louder it becomes. Or when something gets on our nerves and no matter how much we want it to go away, it just gets louder! In fact, the only time that there is silence, is when there needs to be the WORD of GOD spread among the people. That is when there remains silence!  We were made to give GLORY to GOD and we remain silent. That is hardly golden. Our words reflect what is in our heart, let that be the golden path that we share with others. GOD bless you.