More Punctuality Needed

 Ugh, late again and they made all the others wait.  So they cheerfully sang a song they'd heard at camp ...

"What we want is more punctuality,

More punctuality,

More punctuality;

What we want is more punctuality,

We were here on time.

We were here on time x2

what we want is more punctuality,

We were here on time."

And then they all clapped enthusiastically.

The late ones, sheepishly, at least, sat down as soon as possible, attempting to blend in ...

The singers were not sure if the latecomers were truly sorry or not since they made a habit of being late, no matter the time of any event.   They seemed rather incorrigible.

Sigh ...

It was like they felt themselves to be more important than everyone else.  This obviously was not an attitude of humility nor was it looking out for the other peoples' intersts.  Rather, they

 "counted themselves more significant" (Philippians 2:3 & 4 ESV).

But where there's life, there is hope.  Where the Holy Spirit indwells, the one indwelt can and ought to change this lack of punctuality into being on time.  

Because ...

What we need is more humble punctuality, but not to get proud of that either ... Here's hoping ...

Bye for now ...

                                             ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on James 3:17 & 18.

Song, Be In Time, along with Hymns of Praise.

Incidently, it is exceedingly important to be on time to receive Jesus as Savior in the here and now.  Once Jesus comes to call all believers up to heaven, it will be forever too late.

Imitating NOT Comparing

 God of wonders, beyond our comprehension, You are the best!  You are the "most-est" of all.  We cannot compare ourselves to You even one iota.  Yet we still desire to emulate Your son Jesus Christ.  We desire to be more like Him; to be Christ-centered rather than self-centered.  We wish to avoid comparing ourselves with others.  Help us Father.

Like Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he exhorted ...

"Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves.  But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding"                             (2 Corinthians 10:12 ESV).

Cain got jealous and angry at Abel, comparing himself with his brother.  It led to murder.

Hearts full of 'self' are a huge hindrance towards humility and becoming Christlike.  I tell you, just so you know.

Nothing we can do or be, can compare to our Jesus Christ but we can allow the Holy Spirit to move and nudge us towards being more like Him.  In this can be found more humble hearts.

Let's pray for that.

Bye for now...

                                            ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on 2 Corinthians 10:12 ESV.

Sing, God of Wonders, along with Chris Tomlin.

HAIKU & A PRAYER of Blessing and Hope - The Little Bundle

 "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds" (Psalm 9:1 ESV).

We can observe the psalmist's thanksgiving for all the Lord has done and how it swelled his heart and lips with praise. He seems to be declaring and recounting His wonderful deeds.  And they are indeed, good deeds.

It is very good and one of the most wonderful recent things our LORD has given to us to tell about, it is a baby boy grandson.  Our first of many, I hope ... haha.

Praise You Father and Lord of my heart for the safe arrival of little boy S____.  May he grow up before You as a tender plant that is well nurtured in every way.  May he grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with both You and all mankind.

Give the Grandparents the wisdom and understanding to have good influence in his life and to pass on the love of Jesus, so His will and ways will be instilled.

May he live under Your Lordship in every relationship and let him be willingly taught by You, walking with a meek and humble heart, yet with Your courage and peace guiding him.

I ask this in Jesus name, amen.

That is the prayer of blessing and hope.  Now here's the Haiku...

HAIKU - The Little Bundle

The Grandparents did

not know they were old enough

for that title.  Joy.

 

The Little Bundle

of joy slept soundly.  Snuggled

in swaddling blankets

Then, in their arms, he

slept on, unaware of the

moments of rapture.

Sleep well, Little One,

Jesus loves you, and wraps you

in His tender care.

        ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on Psalm 9:1 ESV.

Sing, Because He Lives, along with the Gaither Vocal Band Music.

NOTE:

This song was chosen because of the line, "How sweet to hold a newborn baby."

Soon, But Not Specifically Soon

 Jesus is coming soon, He's coming to get us.  "Us" as in His followers, made children of God through Him.  But, "soon"?  Well, no specific date is stated.  But the hope of us hearing that trumpet of God is out there, ready or not.

What kind of a trumpet?  I don't know.  A shofar?  I don't know but it matters not.  I believe I'll know it when I hear it, just like knowing my Good Shepherd, Jesus' voice.  A sheep who follows the Good Shepherd, will KNOW it instinctively, I believe.  And up we'll go to meet Him in the air and be with Him forever and ever.

Isn't this encouraging?!

Thank You, Jesus.

Jesus come!

Bye for now ...

                                               ~  ERC  August  2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 ESV.

Sing, Soon and Very Soon, along with Andrae Crouch and Emmanuel Church Eastleigh.

Lord's Day Devotion - Boast in Jesus

 

Lord, You are just and righteous, Your love is steadfast and unmoveable.  You've done so much for us, Your followers, through Your death and resurrection.  In You may we only boast.  To boast of Your goodness and love and especially of the salvation You earned for us.

Help me to have the humility needed so that no matter my achievements, my boasts will always, ever, be in You.

I ask in Your name Lord Jesus even this Lord's Day that through all this blest assurance we will know and understand Your love and wish to be surrounded by Your presence in our lives.  We take of the broken bread and drink of the cup of wine, symbols of what you went through for us.  In this may we always boast.  Amen.

                                                    ~  ERC  September 2026  ~

Based on Philippians 3:8 and Proverbs 27:2 ESV.

Sing, All My Boast is in Jesus, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.

Self-Control Needed

 More self-control is needed, so I'm glad that self-control is one of the characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23).

Why?

Because it is often difficult to impliment.  Therefore, followers of Jesus Christ have this advantage - if we so employ this potential.

How so?

It is a benefit of humility.  It stops us from having to have the last word; it helps us to give soft answers; from over or under eating and from becoming proud - obviously - along with a whole list of other things.

We can ask the Lord Jesus to teach us these in greater measure as we walk in step with Him, enabling us to walk in greater humility - just like He did when He walked this earth.

Let's honor God by humbly exercising Holy Spirit-led self - control.  In Him is our strength.

Bye for now...

                                             ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 5:22-23ESV.

Sing, Give Me Self-Control, along with Soverign Grace Music.

Cycle of Grace and Humility

 It's tricky talking about being humble.  The very moment I do, I feel prickles in my mind that say, "Uh-oh, are you sure you're humble?  Sounds like some tinge of pridefulness."

But I'm glad God gives more grace ...

"But He gives more grace.  Therefore, it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6 ESV).

So, I suppose cultivating God's grace will help me become more humble.  The humble are given more grace. A cycle of grace and humility then can become intertwined in ever-increasing measures.

This cycle can then help me towards humble repentance.  And God hears and answers those who pray.  We can then humbly listen for His voice and answers.

Let's all grow humility in our hearts and cultivate God's grace in our lives.  That's not too tricky, I don't think.

Bye for now ...

                                                  ~  ERC  August 2026  ~

Based on James 4:6 ESV.

Sing, God of Every Grace, along with Keith and Kristyn Getty.