Today's Bible Reading
The Coming Day of the Lord
2 Peter 3:11–18 (NLT)
11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, 12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. 13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him— 16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
17 You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. 18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
The Past Few Days
Wednesday November 20, 2019
Jimmie Johnson announced that he will retire after the 2020 season. He is most likely one of the top five drivers of all time.
Tuesday November 19, 2019
We learned that more businesses are closing today. Marianne Pharmacy in Shippenville and Health Complex Pharmacy in Clarion will shut down next month.
Twila has been sick for a few days, perhaps bronchitis. Dr. Tim told her to get a chest x-ray today. Becky came over and took her down. I guess her lungs are clear so she will see Dr. Brooks Wednesday morning.
I got finished with the leaves today so leaf season is over until next October.
Monday November 18, 2019
I never did get my leaf blower back from Tom’s Sales. After I picked up Jim from the cancer center, we went out to his home and I got his blower. I worked for a couple hours in the afternoon. It was a nice day to work outside and I got a lot done. One more day for leaf season. After 6 straight days of below temperatures, today was 1° above normal.
Ralph, Don and I began a new book tonight: Letters to the Church by Francis Chan
Sunday November 17, 2019
I don’t watch much NASCAR anymore but today was the championship race. And, since I no longer like pro football, I watched most of the race. Kyle Busch won his second championship, beating out Hamlin, Harvick, and Truex.
Saturday November 16, 2019
Today was the 16th day of the month. Thirteen of these days have had temperatures below normal. So far, this has been a cold November.
Hannah had two games, one at 6pm and then at 7 pm, both at Grove City. She played well tonight. I got back home around 9pm.
Friday November 15, 2019
Danny Wilson continues to go to the Y everyday. He is really getting into shape. He has signed up for the Turkey Burner Challenge from November 25 - December 2. The goal is to burn 3,000 calories (or more) to help the Clarion County YMCA "out-burn" the Oil City YMCA. Jared also has been working out at the Y everyday. He has lost a lot of weight.
Did you know that the sun is now setting before 5pm each day?
Devotion for the 19th of November
When God Blesses Others
Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. 1 Samuel 18:15
Jealousy is a destructive attitude that poisons the way you view life. It is so harmful that God condemned coveting in two of the Ten Commandments. King Saul was a jealous and insecure man. He had been elevated to the highest position in Israel. He had been blessed in numerous ways. But Saul saw that David was gaining the attention and praise of the Israelites. The Israelites recognized Saul’s accomplishments, but they also praised David, whom God was using to accomplish even more (1 Sam. 18:7). Rather than rejoicing that God had empowered another to defeat their enemies, Saul became murderously jealous and sought to destroy David.
Jealousy is an abomination in the life of a Christian. God has made us His children. None of us deserves to be God’s child, so there is no need to compare our blessings with those of other children of God. Jealousy is self-centeredness at its worst. Jealousy robs us of joy and chokes out contentment. Jealousy hardens the heart and stifles gratitude. Jealousy assumes that God’s resources are too limited for Him to bless another and still bless us.
Saul grew so preoccupied with his jealousy toward David that he neglected important things, bringing suffering and pain upon his people. Because of his jealousy, Saul’s family was destroyed.
Watch over your heart! If you find yourself unable to rejoice in the success of others, beware! Do not let jealousy taint your heart. Repent before it robs you of any more of the joy and contentment God desires for you. When you are tempted to compare your success in life to that of another, ask God to remind you of all the ways He has blessed you undeservedly.
10 years ago
Weather for Clarion
So far, November has been much colder and drier than normal.
Sunrise/Sunset
Yesterday: morning fog, cloudy, 1° below normal, the warmest of the past 2 days.
