Pastor Tim Cruse

"O LORD, Hear Me"

2012-01-30T07:41:00.000-08:00

“O LORD, hear me”

Psalm 86:1

King David was pouring his heart out to God. He cried, “save thy servant” (v. 2), “Rejoice the soul of thy servant” (v. 4), and “give thy strength unto thy servant” (v. 16). David knew who was serving Who. He realized that he was subject to God and that God was not subject to him.

This is the heart of our cries unto God – we need Him! He is greater than us and can do what we cannot. We must humble ourselves before this God who is “full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy and truth” (v. 15).

Faith in God brings the favour of God and man. In verse 17, David cried, “Shew me a token for good...”. May we seek God and His favour this week. Let’s ask Him to give us favour with those we are working with. Know that when our heart touches God’s, He touches others' for us.

–Tim Cruse

God Is Waiting For You

2012-01-16T05:24:00.000-08:00

“And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”

–Isaiah 30:18

We often speak of waiting on God to do certain things in our lives. Yet, there are times when God is waiting on us to do certain things. He wants us to:

1. Start Doing Things His Way

“Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me” (vs. 1)

We must seek the counsel of His Word and do what He wants instead of what we want – come to the end of doing things our way.
“As for God, his way is perfect (entire; complete)” (Psalm 18:30) God already knows the end from the beginning and the best route for us to take to become more like Christ, learn life lessons and accomplish His will.

2. Start Listening to What He is Saying

“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:” (vs. 9)

We can develop a habit of not listening –“...hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” (Matthew 13:13)
We cannot talk and listen at the same time – “Be swift to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19) Be silent before the Lord – “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7), “Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth.” (I Samuel 3:9)

3. Start Following His Lead

“Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things...” (vs. 10-14)

God leads us through His Word, His Spirit and His servants. If we are not following God-ordained authority in our lives, we are not following God.
To not follow God’s lead is to eventually fall and to be broken (vs. 12-14).

May the Lord help us today to take verse 15 to heart,“In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength”. Let’s return to the Lord by doing things His way, listening to what He is saying and following His lead.

–Tim Cruse

God Is A Refuge For Us

2012-01-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” –Psalm 62:8

The One Who has never failed will not fail us now. We can count on the eternal God to be the same yesterday, today and forever.

What is your burden today? Trust God with it! Pour out your heart to Him. He hears your cry of faith and will not refuse to carry the care you cast upon Him.

Have you sought refuge from people and places who have proved to be of no comfort and reassurance? Find your acceptance in the Rock of Ages! All who flee to Him within shall be safe from the storm. He is our lighthouse of salvation and security.

Thou art my Conqueror, Comfort and Guide,

In the castle of thy Word I humbly abide.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and stand by my side,

Refuge of the ages in Thee I hide.

There are times when only the Overcomer can help the overcome overcome – and He will!

–Tim Cruse

A Fresh Start for the New Year

2012-01-03T05:32:00.000-08:00

Should I Do As I Have Done?

“Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” - Zechariah 7:3

The people of God had observed fasts for certain special days in their history each year that God had not commanded them to. Though commendable, they were to be willing to adjust their disciplines to make sure they were doing what God had commanded with the right heart attitude.

Sometimes our spiritual disciplines can become habits without heart. In light of the new year, we need to ask ourselves: Is my walk with the Lord in need of some fine tuning and freshness? Am I in a rut spiritually? Going through the motions? Settling for a form of godliness? In strengthening the fundamentals of my Christian life, do I need to adjust certain particulars? May the Holy Spirit enlighten me as I consider:

My Bible Reading

Should I read the Bible all the way through in one year’s time by reading three chapters per day?
Should I read a chapter in Proverbs per day?
What about a Proverb, five Psalms and a chapter in Acts each day for a month?
What about two OT chapters and one NT chapter per day?
What about mastering one book of the Bible by reading it through each day for one month? Then, a new book the next month throughout the year.
What about reading the NT through – one, two or three chapters per day?
What about one chapter per day in a book with close to thirty chapters?

My Prayer Life

Should I spend more time giving thanks?
Do I need to update my prayer list?
Do I have a definite time planned for prayer?
Do I need to get involved in a prayer meeting?
Have I taken the time to write down some past known answers to my prayers?
What about studying the subject of prayer? Listening to some sermons on prayer? Asking others about how God has answered their prayers?
What about attending a Prayer Retreat? Or taking a day or two to get alone with God to pray and think through some things?
What about a prayer and fasting time when I skip a meal(s) to pray?
What about seeking out a prayer partner to pray with and to help hold me accountable?
Should I write some people and let them know that I am praying for them by name?
Am I willing to memorize some verses on prayer?
What can I do to start or strengthen my family altar? New time? Involvement of other family members? Read the great stories of the Bible? Change tone or spirit of?

My Church Attendance

Do I see the wisdom of faithful church attendance for myself and my family? Am I obeying God in this matter?
Do I put forth my best effort to attend as much as I possibly can? Do I let unimportant things stand in my way or make excuses?
Should I attend more services? Attend more regularly the ones I presently attend?
Are my children developing the rewarding lifelong habit of faithful church attendance? What am I giving to them to take from my home to give to their children?Should I attend special meetings in my church more often?
Should I change my attitude toward church and do a better job of planning ahead to attend?
Do I need a notebook to write sermon notes in? What about my children? Are they paying attention? Are they needlessly going in and out of the services? Do I need to rearrange our seating order?
Should I participate more in the services? Singing from my heart? Giving out of my heart? Listening with my heart?
Should I invite others to attend more often?
Is there someone at church I need to reconcile with? A past grievance I need to give to God and move on with? Someone I need to forgive and trust to the Lord?

My Witnessing

How long has it been since I told someone how he or she can know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour?
Could I be more soul-conscious? Carry gospel tracts with me? Participate in church visitation efforts? Keep a prayer list of unsaved people I am working with?
Should I start a Bible Study at work? In my neighborhood?
What about writing a gospel tract?
Should I start putting tracts in my correspondence and on tables with my tips? What other venue comes to mind?
Am I willing to talk to a visitor about the Lord? Work the altar during invitation time? Take a class on Soul-winning?
Should I seek a renewed burden from the Lord for my unsaved loved ones?
Do I know that my immediate family members have professed faith in the Lord? Followed Him in baptism?
Should I keep a better record of my family’s spiritual life? (dates of professions of faith, baptisms, church membership, Baby Dedications, surrender of life, etc.)

My Giving

Do I understand that all things come from and belong to God in my life?
Should I become a tither by conviction?
Should I give regular offerings above God’s tithe?
Should I give to Faith Promise Missions?
Should I put forth more direct effort to teach my children Biblical stewardship principles?
Is God in His kindness to me forcing my hand to deal with a financial situation that must be addressed with faith and boldness?
Should I take a class on money management? Am I living on a budget? Do I need to talk to a counselor?
Should I offer to teach others how to honor the Lord and have victory in this area?

“Dear God, help me to outline and, from my heart, act upon what you have shown me. In Jesus name, Amen.”

-Tim Cruse

A Guide to Christmas Cheer

2011-12-05T10:49:00.001-08:00

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:14

The following principles will help make this a blessed Christmas season:

Put Christ First:The Lord Jesus Christ is the very reason for this time of year. Remember that daily worship of Christ in Bible study and prayer lays the foundation for genuine weekly and seasonal worship. Be faithful to God and His house.

Plan Family Events Ahead of Time:Every family needs to continue or establish traditions which make this season more meaningful. Whether it’s visits, meals, times of praise and prayer, church services or other events, always remember to be Christian, be kind and be calm.

Pay Cash for Gifts:Through proper planning and prioritizing, Christmas gift-giving can be a genuine expression of love and appreciation. Watch excessiveness. Look for good deals. Prepare something “homemade.” Avoid credit spending; “if you cannot afford it, you can only enjoy it for 30 days.”

Place Gospel Tracts in Christmas Cards:Everyone needs to know what it means to trust Jesus Christ as Saviour. Give God’s Word on eternal life and forgiveness of sin to family and friends in a practical way.

Provide for Those in Need:There are many in need throughout the year. Be sure to remember others and look for ways to be a blessing to the sick and shut-in, those between jobs or someone without a family. Time and help are ways to provide in addition to money. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

–Tim Cruse

The Foundation of Contentment

2011-11-21T05:48:00.001-08:00

“Contentment is not having all you
want, but wanting all you have.”

Ill-gotten gain always comes with the attached string of eventual guilt. That is why there are many who are increased with goods yet decreased in their ability to enjoy them.

A known principle we see and illustrated by Solomon is: “Contentment is not having all you want, but wanting all you have.” Only the Lord Jesus Christ can give us the capacity to rejoice over what God has given us already. Thank God today for what you have. Contentment and gratitude are opposite sides of the same coin.

One preacher said this about marriage, “If you ever leave your wife, you will not leave her on the same day you are on your knees thanking God for her.” A grateful heart is the foundation of contentment in life.

“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Philippians 4:11

–Tim Cruse

Another Spirit

2011-11-17T10:42:00.001-08:00

“But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me

fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.”

–Numbers 14:24

Some things we learn from the life of Caleb:

He walked by faith, stood apart from the crowd & looked for the hand of God in situations.
Caleb asked, “Where is God in this?”, “What is He trying to do and to teach me?”. “I must deal with this in faith!”, “We are well able...”.
Caleb wasn’t surface, shallow or small-minded. He was a man of content, character and commitment.
People with vision truly from God have an uncommon depth to them. Their spirit is resilient, reassuring and refreshing.
While others dwell on the giants of life and fall by the way, Calebs dwell on the mountains of promise and keep going.
Obtaining the mountain God has for us will involve waiting on God, wading through problems and wanting it more than anything else.
When the want for what God wants for us increases, the want for what we want for us decreases.
There is no price too great for a reward that is far greater!

–Tim Cruse

With My Whole Heart

2011-11-07T12:58:00.000-08:00

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” – Psalm 119:1,2

With an upright, sincere whole-heartedness, I want to ask the Lord to:

1. Draw Me Nearer – "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments." (vs. 10)

2. Give Me Understanding – "Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart." (vs. 34)

3. Shine On Me – "I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word." (vs. 58)

4. Help Me to Do Right – "The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart." (vs. 69)

5. Deliver Me – "I cried with my whole heart; hear me O LORD: I will keep thy statutes." (vs. 145)

Sin will keep you from this Book – "They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law." (vs. 150)

This Book will keep you from sin – "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." (vs. 11)

This message can be listened to in its entirety at shininglightmonroe.com or by clicking here

–Tim Cruse

We Serve a Great God

2011-10-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

"Give ye them to eat."

Mark 6:37

1. God uses what we have, not what we don't have. "He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes." (vs. 38)

2. God orders His work. "And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties." (vs. 39, 40) – the right people, place, time, and way.

3. God can do so much with so little.

The difference is God. "And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all." (vs. 41)
God gives enough. "And they did all eat, and were filled." (vs. 42)
God gives more than enough. "And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes." (vs. 43)

–Tim Cruse

Fresh Anointing

2011-10-26T04:48:00.000-07:00

Written 30 years ago when I was in Bible college after I was
called to preach on February 22, 1981:

“It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (I Corinthians 1:21). God, in His greatness and sovereignty, has chosen something seemingly foolish to the world to convey the gospel. He has chosen us as preachers to tell the wondrous story of amazing grace and redemption!

I view preaching in two distinct ways. First of all, I believe with all my heart that preaching is the greatest privilege ever given to fallen man (apart from salvation). The God of this entire universe has called you and me to preach His blessed Word! Amen! Secondly, I look at preaching as a great responsibility. We have to be faithful in proclaiming God’s Word because we will give account to Him one day!

God is looking for some men who will stand in the gap and make up the hedge. Oh, how we need some men of God today who will preach in the power of God, with His anointing and unction from on High. We need men who are called, committed, compelled, constrained, courageous, and compassionate. We need preachers who will yearn for God’s power and blessing. Truly, men of God!

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that

he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;"

I Timothy 1:12

–Tim Cruse

What Do You Have Coming?

2011-10-17T13:06:00.000-07:00

"And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Galatians 6:9

God instructs us in Romans 13:7 to "Render therefore to all their dues...honour to whom honour" and in I Samuel 2:30 that "them that honour me I will honour".

• A Faithful Man – read how God honoured Joseph in Psalm 105:17-22 and understand that God uses people to treat us in ways we do not deserve to prepare us for the honour we do deserve; that is coming our way.

• A Faithful Wife – “Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come” (Proverbs 31:25). She looks at the future and smiles because she knows “a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” (vs. 30). Honour is coming to her house.

• A Faithful Child – children who obey and honour their parents have the promise from God “That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3). Blessing and fullness of days are on their way to them.

Victor Frankel, who lived in a Nazi death camp, stated, “The prisoner who had lost faith in the future – his future – was doomed.” May God help us to “hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11). Don’t lose heart and stop short. Your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Do right and the honour that is traveling your way will soon reach its destination.

–Tim Cruse

I Believe

2011-10-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the
goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

Psalm 27:13

I Believe...

1. “There is a God in Heaven” – Daniel 2:28

2. The Bible is His Word – “that revealeth secrets” – vs. 28

3. He has a plan for my life – “But as for me” – vs. 30

4. There is nothing too hard for Him – What “there is not a man on earth

that can” do, “there is a God in Heaven that” can. – vs. 10 & 28

5. He will bring His plan to pass in His time – 12:9-13

David and Daniel believed that God would show them good when others were showing them bad, and that He would strengthen them in times of great challenge – and He did!

–Tim Cruse

Our Seeking Savior

2011-10-03T05:45:00.000-07:00

Our Seeking Savior

...is looking for sinners – "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." –Luke 19:10
...is looking for servants – "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." –Acts 13:22
...is looking for servants who will look for sinners – "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." –Matthew 9:38

To follow Jesus Christ is to become a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19). Are you a true follower of Him? Tell someone about the gospel of grace this week.

–Tim Cruse

Our Abundant God

2011-09-28T08:02:00.000-07:00

Our Abundant God offers us abundant:

Pardon – "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." –Isaiah 55:6,7
Life – "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
Answered Prayer – "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" –Ephesians 3:20
Mercy – "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" –I Peter 1:3
Entrance into Heaven – "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." –II Peter 1:11

Study these verses and walk in the abundance of our wonderful Lord!

–Tim Cruse

A Life That Matters

2011-08-16T06:05:00.000-07:00

“Therefore their days did he consume in vanity” – Psalm 78:33

We only pass through life but once. Many of us already have a number of miles under our feet. We do not know the measure of our days and surely do not want to waste the ones we have remaining. Charles Spurgeon said, “None live so fruitlessly and so wretchedly as those who allow sense and sight to override faith, and their reason and appetite to domineer over their fear of God.” Unbelief, pride, and self-will when added together equals emptiness and multiplies sorrow. “What a nothing is our life” apart from divine grace and purpose. God help us to get a hold of His willand live a life that matters. Every day spent in His service can be filled to overflowing.

“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. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:20, 21

– Tim Cruse

Assurance For Your Storm

2011-07-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

"...from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God."

Psalm 90:2

Storms – we all experience them. In fact, at any point in time, we are all either in one, coming out of one, or getting ready to go into one.

In perilous times, when every foundation upon which we've stood is being shaken, there is a sure and steadfast God in Heaven upon which we can cast ourselves and find help.

May the Lord reassure our hearts that His grace is sufficient to sustain us during our deepest sorrows. We may be shivering and shaking in a storm today, but the Rock upon which we stand isn’t!

–Tim Cruse

Some Better Than None

2011-07-06T08:46:00.000-07:00

“...but I will grant them some deliverance” – II Chronicles 12:7

Rehoboam was lifted up in pride. He thought he was strong enough without God and His Word. His own strength became his greatest weakness.

After God pronounced judgment, Rehoboam humbled himself. The consequence of his sin, however, was not totally removed. The mercies of God prevented his utter destruction as God gave him “some deliverance.”

Be reminded that some mercy is better than no mercy. Some blessing is better than no blessing. Some health is better than no health. Some family is better than no family. Some companionship is better than no companionship. Some opportunity for God is better than no opportunity for God.

I would rather dwell on and work to strengthen the one percent I do have than to complain about and make excuse because of the ninety-nine percent I do not have. Instead of brooding over some loss, let us rejoice and thank God for some gain.

“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” – Psalm 84:10, 11

– Tim Cruse

A Father's Name

2011-06-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Remember, men:

• When sorely tried, stand still on the promises of God when everything else but God is saying, “Move.” Do not jump ship and wreck your family. Do not forsake in the dark what God has given you in the light. One of your greatest fears should be getting out of the will of God, and thereby losing the influence and opportunity He has given you.

• You will always leave God with more than you return to Him with. If you make it back to God, your family may not (II Chronicles 33:12, 23; Job 9:4; John 21:3).

• According to Isaiah 50:11, the greatest spiritual darkness is the light kindled by the fire of your own understanding, which shines on the path that leads you away from God (Proverbs 3:5-6, 4:19; Matthew 6:22-23; I Peter 2:8; I John 2:10-11).

• Like David, you make yourself more susceptible to temptation even when you disobey God’s Word in just one area (II Samuel 11:1).

• Like Samson, you cannot lay aside your consecrated service to God and “be like any other man” (Judges 16:17; II Chronicles 33:9; Luke 12:48).

• You will not die doing right, though it may seem so at times (Genesis 25:32). That which seems to be killing you is in reality keeping you alive by forcing you to deal with sin or seek God (Joshua 7:11; Psalm 119:67, 71, 75, 92, 143).

• Faith is looking unto Jesus and living without scheming. God can visit that famishing home or church of yours again (Jeremiah 33:12 - “Again in this place”).

• Your love for your children is measured by your love for your wife. Your love for your wife is measured by your love for Christ (Matthew 22:37; Ephesians 5:25, Malachi 4:6).

–Tim Cruse

The Nathan Principle

2011-06-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

“...and Zabud the son of Nathan was the principle officer, and the king’s friend”

- I Kings 4:5

Why was Zabud so honored by King Solomon? Why was he such a close friend to the wisest man who ever lived?

Trace it back in God’s Word and you will find that his father Nathan was a true friend to Solomon’s father David. By honoring God, Nathan always came down on the side of right and of that which God ordained, whether it was popular or not. Zabud was the friend of God’s anointed for Israel because his father was the friend of God’s anointed.

In his early days, King Solomon rallied men and honored loyalty. Those who followed Adonijah, the one not ordained by God, were scattered and so were their children. Many a man has lost his children for Christ’s sake because he dishonored the servant of the Lord.

The Nathan principle is thus - "Always on the side of right". May we recognize what is right before God and come down on the side of right in whatever issue we are grappling with at present. Our children will be glad we did.

“Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.”

- Psalm 92:12,13

– Tim Cruse

My Prayer

2011-05-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

“Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer” – Psalm 86:6

O King eternal, Lord of my soul,

Drive out the enemy of my heart and take control.

Thou art my Conqueror, Comfort, and Guide,

In the castle of Thy Word I humbly abide.

Keep by thy Spirit my mind upon the cross,

Reclaim the inward territory I have lost.

I am so helpless - sin’s gulf is too wide,

Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and stand by my side.

Lead on Jehovah, I now clearly see,

The overcome overcome only through Thee.

Now empty and bare, my self-will has died,

Refuge of the ages in Thee I hide.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

– Proverbs 18:10

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

– Isaiah 40:31

–Tim Cruse

Mighty in the Midst

2011-05-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty" – Zephaniah 3:17

The capitalized name “LORD” means “Jehovah - the self-existent One.” Our God is the true and living God. In His omnipresence, He is everywhere at the same time. In His omniscience, He is all-knowing. In His omnipotence, He is all-powerful.

Psalm 113:5,6 declares, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!" What a wonder to think that the mighty God of heaven can be known personally and, as our text indicates, is in the very midst of the lives of His people.

God is with us in the midst of our circumstances, our fiery furnaces, our storms, our times of want, our loneliness, our sickness, our family stress.

Praise God that He is not on the outside of our lives looking in, but on the inside looking out for us.

“He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” – Daniel 3:25

–Tim Cruse

The Ripple-Effect of Influence

2011-04-13T08:19:00.000-07:00

I remember throwing rocks into creeks and skipping them across ponds as a young boy. My brother and I would often compete in trying to make the biggest splash and the farthest-reaching ripples in the water. It is amazing how wisdom speaks even in the woods, down by the creek and, of all places, right next to your kid brother.

It is easy for young ripplers to discern that the increasing breadth and length of a ripple is a direct result of the size of the object making the ripple and the force behind it. If God is the force behind the large faith-rock of your life, He can toss you higher than any other and cause you to make waves in the water of this world that will touch many lives.

Because God’s force is not forced upon anyone, He draws others to Himself often through the influence of a godly life - someone who is light in darkness and preserving salt in the midst of decay.

This world does not need someone walking in step with it - offering a cheap imitation of what it already has. People all around us need the influence of a life that is in step with God; walking in the steps of Christ and becoming more like Him (Ezekiel 36:23; Romans 8:29).

The opportunity to influence others stands on the shoulders of credibility. As others see honor and integrity in your life, they are more likely to listen to what you have to say. When they discern diligence and dedication, sacrifice and service, and concern and character, they may not agree with you, but they will respect you. They will know that you are a higher caliber (“Ten times better” - Daniel 1:20) and an extra miler. And, at some point, people listen to those they respect. Thus, the greatest tool you have to impact the world for Christ and the generations that follow is the influence of a godly life.

The Apostle Paul declared, “For to me to live is Christ.” Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift and giver. He came “to give His life a ransom for many.” If we will walk in the way of His wisdom, we will realize, “For to me to live is to give.”

Genuine living is about giving. We will never be fulfilled as takers. There will never be enough. True contentment will escape us. The way for our influence to live on after we die is to die to self-gain while we live. The life that gives now will gain then. God will bless you and others through that kind of life.

Therefore, do right. Do your best. Be wise in whom you allow to influence your life. Your influence will reflect their’s. Seek out influences who are going the way God wants you to go. “Get wisdom...exalt her, and she shall promote thee; she shall bring thee to honour...a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” (Proverbs 4:7-9).

More people listen to those who wear crowns than to those who do not.

–Tim Cruse

Urgency Begets Fervency

2011-04-04T04:55:00.000-07:00

“It is time for thee, LORD, to work:” – Psalm 119:126

There comes a time in the life of every Christian wherein he needs God to do what only He can. Our prayer to God then goes beyond a mere form or routine. As in James 5:16, it becomes fervent, urgent, heated.

I think of the needs in my own life and family, the needs of many dear people within our church family and the need of our community for Christ. Praise God we have a Savior who is greater than our needs!

Purpose today to draw nigh unto God in prayer. Plan a daily time to seek the Lord or lengthen the time you are seeking Him already. Set aside an extended time to immerse yourself in the scriptures and in prayer for guidance or provision.

No doubt, there is a need for God to do what only He can in your life. The more urgent the need, the more fervent the prayer. It is time to seek the LORD.

“Ask, [and keep on asking] and it shall be given you; seek [and keep on seeking] and ye shall find; knock, [and keep on knocking] and it shall be opened unto you.” – Matthew 7:7

–Tim Cruse

Treasures of Truth

2011-03-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

“I rejoice at thy word,
as one that findeth great spoil”
Psalm 119:162

As the spoils of battle go to the victor, so the treasures of truth go to those who prevail upon the flesh by appropriating the powerful armaments found in God’s book of triumph. Proverbs 6:22-23 speaks of the bounty of hearing God’s Word outwardly and writing it upon the tablets of our hearts inwardly:

“When thou goest, it shall lead thee, when thou
sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest,
it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a
lamp; and the law a light; and reproofs of
instruction are the way of life:”

Those discovering God’s will for their lives are in His Word daily. Those whose testimonies and opportunities are preserved of God are in His Word daily. Those enjoying communion with God are in His Word daily. The headlights of Bible promises and the guardrails of Bible commandments keep us on the highway of abundant life in Christ (Prov. 13:6).

Declare war upon your fleshly lusts. Get into God’s Word and realize the spoils of the victorious Spirit-filled life!

–Tim Cruse

The Lightning Bolt of Life

2011-03-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

Scientists tell us that lightning flashes around the world some 6,000 times per minute. Like a bolt of lightning, we are shot through this world in a flash and then gone forever.

Our lives are “a vapour, that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). The days of our years are “soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). We are as “a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again” (Psalm 78:39).

Away, away, away! We are here today and gone the next; never to pass through this life again. We only get one life to count for God. This is it. We will not get another.

Away then with regret - wishing you were someone else, someplace else, doing something else. If you are doing what God wants you to do, “do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Give who you are, where you have been and what is left of your life to that which never dies (I Peter 4:2, I John 2:15-17). You do not have to consume away and die for want of instruction (Proverbs 5:23). Listen up and take note.

Someone has said, “Life is like a coin, you can spend it any which way you wish. But, you can only spend it once.” Life is short. How are you spending the coin of your life?

Life is filled with storms. And, we know that lightning flashes brightest during the darkest storm. How bright will the flash of your life be?

–Tim Cruse

Are You Available?

2011-03-14T06:47:00.000-07:00

"The LORD is with thee,
thou mighty man of valour."
– Judges 6:12

God oftentimes sees more in us than we see in
ourselves. While we see our own insufficiencies,
He sees His ability to do mighty things through
the lives of those who will take Him at His Word.

Gideon thought that he did not have the lineage,
the standing among men, nor the possessions to
do something eternally significant with his life.
What he learned was that God was looking for a
man who would trust Him completely to do what
only He could do through him. It was not about
ability; it was about availability of life and nobility
of character.

Many are those who have made themselves
available to defend the freedoms of our nation.
Some gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.
God give us more men and women who will make
themselves available to fulfill their duties toward
Him, their families, and our country at all cost.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service."
– Romans 12:1

– Tim Cruse

Speak Up

2011-03-08T05:53:00.000-08:00

“Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace” -II Kings 7:9

How long has it been since you told someone how to be saved? Have you made any attempts of late to obey your Lord by declaring the good tidings of salvation by grace through faith?

The contemplations of the weightier matters of life are bearing down upon many in this day of political instability and economic uncertainty. There are people all around us that God is dealing with and are open to consider the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A noted preacher once asked, “Why should anyone hear the gospel twice when there are those who have never heard it once?” God help us to shine the light of gospel knowledge to the ones who will cross our path today.

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” -Proverbs 4:18

– Tim Cruse

While There Is Hope

2011-02-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and

when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

The following poem was sent to my wife and I

by a dear man of God on the occasion of our tenth

wedding anniversary in 1997:

I took a piece of plastic clay

and idly fashioned it one day,

and as my fingers pressed it still

it moved and yielded to my will.

I came again when day was past,

the bit of clay was hard at last.

The form I gave it, still it bore,

and I could change that form no more.

My wife and I took five pieces of living clay,

and gently formed them day by day,

and molded with our power and art

these young boys soft and yielding hearts.

We come now when years are gone.

It is five men we look upon.

And they that early impress bear,

we thank the Lord we took time to care.

May God by His Spirit speak to each of us who

have influence in the lives of precious children.

Remember, the way for your influence to live after

you die is to die to self while you live.

–Tim Cruse

Home

2011-02-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

Home

"…that where I am, there ye may be also."

John 14:3

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His own.

When they leave us, they go to their heavenly home.

Absent from the body and present with our Savior so fair,

They are home and no pain can enter there.

Home where the streets are paved with the purest of gold,

Home where the half has not been told,

Home where the gates of pearl are made,

Home where the radiance of God's glory will never fade,

Home where there is one endless day,

Home from which I am sure they would say,

"Make ready my dear loved ones so faithful and true,

Because death will soon be coming to you."

We are thankful they are well and have no more care,

But when the roll is called up yonder will you be there?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

– Tim Cruse

Should I Do As I Have Done?

2010-12-30T05:56:00.000-08:00

Should I Do As I Have Done?

“Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?” - Zechariah 7:3

Is my walk with the Lord in need of some fine tuning and freshness? Am I in a rut spiritually? Going through the motions? Settling for a form of godliness? In strengthening the fundamentals of my Christian life, do I need to adjust certain particulars? May the Holy Spirit enlighten me as I consider:

My Bible Reading

Should I read the Bible all the way through in one year’s time by reading three chapters per day?

Should I read a chapter in Proverbs per day?

What about a Proverb, five Psalms and a chapter in Acts each day for a month?

What about two OT chapters and one NT chapter per day?

What about mastering one book of the Bible by reading it through each day for one month? Then, a new book the next month throughout the year.

What about reading the NT through – one, two or three chapters per day?

What about one chapter per day in a book with close to thirty chapters?

My Prayer Life

Should I spend more time giving thanks?

Do I need to update my prayer list?

Do I have a definite time planned for prayer?

Do I need to get involved in a prayer meeting?

Have I taken the time to write down some past known answers to my prayers?

What about studying the subject of prayer? Listening to some sermons on prayer? Asking others about how God has answered their prayers?

What about attending a Prayer Retreat? Or taking a day or two to get alone with God to pray and think through some things?

What about a prayer and fasting time when I skip a meal(s) to pray?

What about seeking out a prayer partner to pray with and to help hold me accountable?

Should I write some people and let them know that I am praying for them by name?

Am I willing to memorize some verses on prayer?

What can I do to start or strengthen my family altar? New time? Involvement of other family members? Read the great stories of the Bible? Change tone or spirit of?

My Church Attendance

Do I see the wisdom of faithful church attendance for myself and my family? Am I obeying God in this matter?

Do I put forth my best effort to attend as much as I possibly can? Do I let unimportant things stand in my way or make excuses?

Should I attend more services? Attend more regularly the ones I presently attend?

Are my children developing the rewarding lifelong habit of faithful church attendance? What am I giving to them to take from my home to give to their children?

Should I attend special meetings in my church more often?

Should I change my attitude toward church and do a better job of planning ahead to attend?

Do I need a notebook to write sermon notes in? What about my children? Are they paying attention? Are they needlessly going in and out of the services? Do I need to rearrange our seating order?

Should I participate more in the services? Singing from my heart? Giving out of my heart? Listening with my heart? Should I invite others to attend more often?

Is there someone at church I need to reconcile with? A past grievance I need to give to God and move on with? Someone I need to forgive and trust to the Lord?

My Witnessing

How long has it been since I told someone how he or she can know the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Saviour?

Could I be more soul-conscious? Carry gospel tracts with me? Participate in church visitation efforts? Keep a prayer list of unsaved people I am working with?

Should I start a Bible Study at work? In my neighborhood?

What about writing a gospel tract? Should I start putting tracts in my correspondence and on tables with my tips?

What other venue comes to mind? Am I willing to talk to a visitor about the Lord? Work the altar during invitation time? Take a class on Soul-winning?

Should I seek a renewed burden from the Lord for my unsaved loved ones?

Do I know that my immediate family members have professed faith in the Lord? Followed Him in baptism?

Should I keep a better record of my family’s spiritual life? (dates of professions of faith, baptisms, church membership, Baby Dedications, surrender of life, etc.)

My Giving

Do I understand that all things come from and belong to God in my life?

Should I become a tither by conviction?

Should I give regular offerings above God’s tithe?

Should I give to Faith Promise Missions?

Should I put forth more direct effort to teach my children Biblical stewardship principles?

Is God in His kindness to me forcing my hand to deal with a financial situation that must be addressed with faith and boldness?

Should I take a class on money management? Am I living on a budget? Do I need to talk to a counselor?

Should I offer to teach others how to honor the Lord and have victory in this area?

“Dear God, help me to outline and, from my heart, act upon what you have shown me. In Jesus name, Amen.”

–Tim Cruse

A Guide to Christmas Cheer

2010-11-29T16:16:00.000-08:00

A Guide to Christmas Cheer

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14

The following principles will help make this a blessed Christmas season:

Put Christ First:

The Lord Jesus Christ is the very reason for this time of year. Remember that daily worship of Christ in Bible study and prayer lays the foundation for genuine weekly and seasonal worship. Be faithful to God and His house.

Plan Family Events Ahead of Time:
Every family needs to continue or establish traditions which make this season more meaningful. Whether it’s visits, meals, times of praise and prayer, church services or other events, always remember to be Christian, be kind and be calm.

Pay Cash for Gifts:
Through proper planning and prioritizing, Christmas gift-giving can be a genuine expression of love and appreciation. Watch excessiveness. Look for good deals. Prepare something “homemade.” Avoid credit spending; “if you cannot afford it, you can only enjoy it for 30 days.”

Place Gospel Tracts in Christmas Cards:
Everyone needs to know what it means to trust Jesus Christ as Saviour. Give God’s Word on eternal life and forgiveness of sin to family and friends in a practical way.

Provide for Those in Need:
There are many in need throughout the year. Be sure to remember others and look for ways to be a blessing to the sick and shut-in, those between jobs or someone without a family. Time and help are ways to provide in addition to money. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

You Have One Move Yet!

2010-11-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

Man Versus Mephistopheles

This is a portrait of a young man about to lose his soul to the Devil. Satan has declared, "checkmate." Famous U.S. chess player Paul Morphy examined this picture in 1861 and according to legend pronounced, "Young man, you have one move yet!" Apparently, the painter had overlooked one possible move.

Satan whispers to us, "Checkmate, you are finished!" Always remember that with the Lord Jesus Christ, "you have one move yet!"

Christian Life Principles from Proverbs

2010-10-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Christian Life Principles from Proverbs

God's Word is written for our instruction. As one must dive deep for pearls and dig deep for precious stones, so must we delve deep into God's Word if we are going to uncover its powerful principles.

• LET NOT

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart" (Prov. 3:3) “My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion" (Prov. 3:21)

Mercy, truth, sound wisdom and discretion are to be grasped. In order to take hold of them, we must turn loose of pride, error, simple-mindedness and human folly. "Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths." (Prov. 7:25) One must guard his heart from being lured down a path that appears exciting but ends in evil.

"Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying." (Prov. 19:18) Parents must install accountability into their children while they still have the most influence upon them. Their tears of repentance now are easier to bear than their tears of remorse then, after sin has scarred their lives.

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stum-bleth" (Prov. 24:17)

We should never rejoice at the failings of others. Rather, we should take the high road and honor those who dishonor us. (cf. II Samuel 1:17-27)

• LEAN NOT

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." (Prov. 3:5-6)

We must trust God in all things and never demand an explanation for what He is doing in our lives.

• LUST NOT

“Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids." (Prov. 6:25)

Lust causes one to lay aside reason at the expense of reality. The first step to forni-cation is rebellion against authority (Prov. 5:11-13). The reality of lust and its con-sequences is that one surrender his honor, accomplishments, health and eventually life. When one gives himself over to lust, he sins against his own mind, emotions and body (cf. I Cor. 6:13-20; I Thess. 4:17).

Every man should read Proverbs 5-9 at least once a month. In the words of Dr. Clarence Sexton, "Don't look at her face, look at her feet" for "Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell" (Prov. 5:5).

Every parent should guard the minds of his/her children. All forms of immorality have their beginning in the seeds of sensuality sown in the mind. (Read Rom. 1:18- 32)

• LOVE NOT

“Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread." (Prov. 20:13)

I heard a poem once that said, "You better work while you can, be a diligent man, you better get up and work and not sleep. Work and hoe, watch them grow. 'As ye sow, so shall ye reap.' "

All of nature tends to disorder. This is the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Discipline and order must be learned. The disciplined life is the productive life. "In all labor there is profit" (Prov. 14:23).

Study the words diligent(ence) and slothful(ness) in Proverbs. You will be amazed at the rewards of initiative and the sad consequences of laziness.

• LABOUR NOT

“Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." (Prov. 23:4-5)

Earthly riches are temporal and fleeting. Live not only for time, but for eternity. "One short life will soon be past only what's done for Christ will last." Children should be challenged to fulfill God's plan for their lives. Not until one is ready to meet God in death is he or she ready to live life with purpose. Labour in the realm of faith. Your rewards, though unseen here, will shine there. Live your life in a way that it will have mattered.

• LOOK NOT

“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again" (Prov. 23:31-35).

Alcohol is the #1 drug in America. There are more deaths attributed to alcohol than experienced in all our nation's wars combined.

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." (Prov. 20:1)

The bottle you once thought you could lay aside at any time will mock you one day and say, "Can't get enough of me, can you?" Make a holy vow before God that alcohol will never touch your lips and stick to it.

Take the Challenge

Read a chapter of Proverbs each day. There are 31 chapters to correspond to the

days of the month. Start over again in chapter 1 on the 1st day of the month, etc. "With all thy getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7)

–Tim Cruse

The Timothy Principle

2010-10-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Timothy Principle

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
II Timothy 2:2

We live in a day of much challenge and opportunity. The need for well equipped, Spirit-filled servants of the Lord is great. The Apostle Paul trained the young pastor Timothy and instilled in him:

• The importance of sound doctrine (1:3, 10)

• The requirement of a pure heart (1:5)

• The honor of his calling (1:12, 18, 19)

• The necessity of prayer (2:1-8)
• The significance of distinction and modesty (2:8-15)

• The qualifications of leadership (3:1-13)

• The supremacy of the local church (3:15)

• The need for steadfastness (4:12-16)
• The responsibilities of laboring in word and doctrine (5:17-22)

• The challenge to fight the good fight of faith (6:12)

• The opportunity for bold leadership (1:7-14)

• The passing of truth from one generation to another (2:2)

• The discipline of endurance and study (2:3-15)
• The key to usefulness (2:19-26)

• The resource of the scriptures in a day of apostasy (3:1-17)

• The primacy of preaching (4:1-8)

• The faithfulness of God to His servants (4:17, 18)

May God help us to train another generation of Timothys to take the baton of truth and run with it until they pass the exact baton to those after them.

“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust.”
I Timothy 6:20

Nothing Without Him

2010-09-23T15:34:00.000-07:00

Nothing Without Him

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

– John 15:5

It is a blessed day of victory in our lives when we realize our absolute dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ. As we walk in fellowship with Him through prayer and Bible study, we enjoy His presence and peace, as well as, His production of fruit through our lives. The very first step of barrenness is when we neglect our prayer life. “Beware the barrenness of busyness”, Mary Baker Ruth wrote to me several years ago.

During these years of serving the Lord, my perspectives have changed:

I used to think that I could do everything.

Then, I wondered if I could do anything.

Now, I know that I can do nothing - without Him.

–Tim Cruse

Our Shoulders

2010-08-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

Our Shoulders

“...they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy

daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.”

Isaiah 49:22

Our shoulders are held high in praise

for the godly seeds we have seen raised.

Our shoulders are bowed in humble thanks

for the privilege of training you to enter

the Lord’s ranks.

Our shoulders, they feel the commitment,

the effort, and wear, of all it has taken to

show you we truly care.

Our shoulders are the solid rocks on which

you sighed, they are the pillars of security

on which you cried.

Our shoulders have been exercised and

strengthened, and the opportunities

of those after you lengthened.

Our shoulders bear the impress of where you

once stood, they have provided a launching

pad into life the way they should.

Remember our shoulders, steadfast and true,

for the responsibility of these shoulders

will one day fall on you.

Stand fast, men! Teach your children to do the same.

– Tim Cruse

The Train of His Will

2010-08-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

The Train of His Will

Long before the world began,

God included you in His master plan.

He knew from the very start,

Just what would be your part.

Your family, your friends, your education,

They are all a part of your preparation.

As a polished car on His railway of grace,

He has a track just for you in this race.

Trials and temptations will encompass your path,

When pursued by sin’s bandits, just do the math.

My wisdom plus my way equals sure defeat,

God’s wisdom plus God’s way equals victory sweet.

God can do more with your life than you could ever do,

His way is perfect all the way through.

So, hop aboard and ride the train of His will,

It’s departing this year from Graduate Hill.

–Tim Cruse

Understanding Your Parents

2010-07-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

Understanding Your Parents

• We love you more than life.
• We have many responsibilities we must attend to on a daily basis.
• We discipline you because we delight in you and want God’s best for your life.
• Our heart is strengthened by your attitude of submission and forgiveness.
• We are charged by God to keep you pure in mind, heart and body until you
have learned the discipline to do so yourself.
• We reserve the right to veto friendships and potential relationships with or
without explanation.
• God protects, corrects and directs you through our prayers and wise counsel.
• We hold you accountable to teach you responsibility to God.
• We would rather do without than to see you do without.
• Though our heart breaks, we must allow you to feel the sting of failure so you
can appreciate the fruit of success.

–Tim Cruse

Preparing Your Child For Marriage

2010-07-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

Preparing Your Child For Marriage

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when

he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

To train means to narrow, conveying the thought of marking a clear path for our children by removing the unnecessary and focusing on that of lasting value - setting Biblical boundaries (Proverbs 13:6). Many parents unwisely encourage their children to experiment with various philosophies of life. We should spend more time teaching our children the truth instead.

Ask God Daily for Wisdom and Strength

• “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” - James 1:5

• Esther 2:11 - Read Job 1:5 - “Thus did Job continually”

Pray Consistently for Their Future Spouse

• Salvation, purity, protection, maturity, respect for authority, etc.

• Development of Christ-like character - Philippians 2:5

Teach Them Early on God’s Plan for Their Lives

• Own identity - responsibility - “God wants you to get married and raise a godly family of your own someday” - Malachi 2:15; Proverbs 31:1; I Thessalonians 4:1-8

• God’s blueprint for building a strong family is found in His Word - Ephesians 5:18-6:4

Develop in Them a Servants Heart

• Marry for what you can give, not get - dead to self - filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit

• Marriage brings many responsibilities - will have to be mature and settle in - “leave and cleave”

• Life-long commitment to God and one another “Till death us do part” - “let not man put asunder” - Matthew 19:6

Uphold the Standard of Purity in the Home

• The parent’s job is to guard the hearts and minds of their children until they are old enough to do it for themselves - “simple concerning evil” - Romans 16:19

• Teach - “greatest gift you can give your spouse is yourself” - pure in heart, mind, and body - do not play the dating game and give your heart and body to many, but rather save it all for that special one

Show Them How to Walk With God

• “You cannot impart what you do not possess” - consecration of life - yielded to God’s will

• Daily prayer and Bible reading - abiding in Christ - heart and mind of discernment

- I John 4:1

• Good steward of time, talent, and treasure - Romans 12:1,2

Remind Them to Wait on God’s Timing

• Right one, right way, right time - no unequal yokes - II Corinthians 6:14

• “If in doubt, don’t” - “Don’t settle for second best”

• Approval of parents with insight and counsel of your pastor

Help Them Plan a Truly Christian Marriage

• Pre-marital counseling - Christ-honoring ceremony - establishment of a Christian home that pleases God in all areas - i.e.. faithful church attendance, family altar, Christian service, financial stewardship, child-rearing, etc.

–Tim Cruse

Understanding Your Child’s Heart

2010-07-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

Understanding Your Child’s Heart

“My son, give me thine heart,

and let thine eyes observe my ways.”

Proverbs 23:26

God wants His people to guard (4:23), guide (23:19) and give their hearts. When children give their hearts to their parents, they trust them to protect, provide and prepare them to follow God’s will for their lives.

Understand this about your child’s heart:

• By nature my own heart is sinful and therefore imperfect.

• I need you to hold me accountable and teach me good character by helping

me to think Biblically.

• My view of God and how to trust Him is being shaped by your influence

and example. Teach me how to properly respond to His authority.

• I feel most secure when there is harmony and structure in the home, and

I am allowed to become who God wants me to be.

• I lack discernment and need you to keep me from the appearance of evil

so I will not be weakened to the evil itself.

• Your acceptance and understanding means the world to me even though

we do not always see eye to eye on some things.

• Your unconditional love when I have stumbled teaches me forgiveness

and grace.

• Know that I have problems and do not believe me if I act like I do not

need to talk with you about them.

• Your time is more important to me than your gifts.

• Never give up on me or stop praying for me.

–Tim Cruse

Standing With Your Pastor

2010-06-25T13:35:00.001-07:00

Standing With Your Pastor

• Let him know if his preaching is a help to you. Point out something specific God spoke to you about.

• Assure him of your prayers for him and his family.

• Show open support for projects he has prayed over and believes God wants the church to do.

• Be slow to criticize him. He will make mistakes.

• Realize that a true Under-shepherd would rather die for the sheep than knowingly hurt them. Deal with him from this premise.

• Pray for God's hedge of protection around his family.

• Tell him of the blessings of God in your life. Your faith and victory will strengthen his faith immeasurably.

• Understand that one of the main ways he stays in touch with you personally is around the services of the church. Many communication issues can be handled after a church service. If you work in some capacity in the church, be sure to touch base with your Pastor before you leave.

• Receive his admonitions with grace. The unique responsibilities of a Pastor involve many things in addition to preaching. Your Pastor's work out of the pulpit consists of many unseen efforts in dealing with individual needs and problems.

• Know that God in His kindness to you has put it in the heart of one of His servants to watch for your soul. He is one of God's gifts of grace to you intended to bring your family eternal profit by his preaching and teaching, as well as his shepherding.

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch

for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy,

and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you."

Hebrews 13:17

–Tim Cruse

Understanding Your Pastor

2010-06-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

Understanding Your Pastor

There will be times when:

• You will not understand or agree with a decision he must make.

• He must be willing to be misunderstood or misjudged in your eyes because he cannot divulge certain confidences. You see the part. He sees the whole.

• The only thing you have to go on is faith in God and in your Pastor's integrity to do the right thing. It is a matter of trust.

• Because of providential circumstances, He will not be able to do some things you would expect him to.

• His love for your family should not be put on trial because of perceived oversight on his part in a particular matter.

• His forbearance of you will out-weigh your forbearance of him.

• He will be the first to forgive and the last to be forgiven.

• His family is suffering silently with him in a certain matter while others suffer openly and receive necessary reassurances.

• He will not ask you to sacrifice in a matter that he has not sacrificed in already.

• Your burdens are on his heart while he is riding down the road, awake in the middle of the night, working at his desk, knocking on someone else's door, walking down a hospital stairwell, listening to the choir sing, playing with his children, or at any other place at any other time of any other day.

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour

among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you:

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.

And be at peace among yourselves."

I Thessalonians 5:12, 13

–Tim Cruse

A Life That Matters

2010-06-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

A Life That Matters

“Therefore their days did he consume in vanity”

Psalm 78:33

We only pass through life but once. Many of us already have a number of miles under our feet. We do not know the measure of our days and surely do not want to waste the ones we have remaining.

Charles Spurgeon said, “None live so fruitlessly and so wretchedly as those who allow sense and sight to override faith, and their reason and appetite to domineer over their fear of God.” Unbelief, pride, and self-will when added together equals emptiness and multiplies sorrow.

“What a nothing is our life” apart from divine grace and purpose. God help us to get a hold of His will and live a life that matters. Every day spent in His service can be filled to overflowing.

“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. For to me

to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:20, 21

–Tim Cruse

He Is Near

2010-05-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

He Is Near

“The Lord is at hand”

Philippians 4:5

God, however, clearly tells us in His Word that He is ever present. Because He is at hand we know He is near. He is looking on. He could come at any moment and take us home with Him in heaven.

We also know that He could change our present circumstances if He willed. For them to remain means He has a purpose in our difficulties. There is a greater good to be realized beyond our immediate deliverance.

Perhaps you are expending much energy grappling with why you are facing something today. Know that the Lord is at hand. His hand is not shortened that it cannot save and His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. Accept where you are and trust God to guide you from here. Let patience have her perfect work.

He is near when He seems so far,

Our blessed Saviour knows where you are.

With nail-pierced hands to hold and to guide,

The tempted and touched will stand by your side.

–Tim Cruse

Related Resource: He is Near framed print for Shining Light Inspirations

Treasures of Truth

2010-05-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Treasures of Truth

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil”
Psalm 119:162

As the spoils of battle go to the victor, so the treasures of truth go to those who prevail upon the flesh by appropriating the powerful armaments found in God’s book of triumph. Proverbs 6:22,23 speaks of the bounty of hearing God’s Word outwardly and writing it upon the tablets of our hearts inwardly:

“When thou goest, it shall lead thee, when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law a light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”

Those discovering God’s will for their lives are in His Word daily. Those whose testimonies and opportunities are preserved of God are in His Word daily. Those enjoying communion with God are in His Word daily. The headlights of Bible promises and the guardrails of Bible commandments keep us on the highway of abundant life in Christ (Proverbs 13:6). Declare war upon your fleshly lusts. Get into God’s Word and realize the spoils of the victorious Spirit-filled life!

–Tim Cruse

While There Is Hope

2010-05-06T12:41:00.000-07:00

While There Is Hope

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and

when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

The following poem was sent to my wife and I by a dear man of God, Dr. J. R. Faulkner, on the occasion of our tenth wedding anniversary in 1997.

I took a piece of plastic clay

and idly fashioned it one day,

and as my fingers pressed it still

it moved and yielded to my will.

I came again when day was past,

the bit of clay was hard at last.

The form I gave it, still it bore,

and I could change that form no more.

My wife and I took five pieces of living clay,

and gently formed them day by day,

and molded with our power and art

these young boys soft and yielding hearts.

We come now when years are gone.

It is five men we look upon.

And they that early impress bear,

we thank the Lord we took time to care.

May God by His Spirit speak to each of us who have influence in the lives of precious children. Remember, the way for your influence to live after you die is to die to self while you live.

–Tim Cruse

Urgency Begets Fervency

2010-03-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Urgency Begets Fervency

“It is time for thee, LORD, to work:”

Psalm 119:126

There comes a time in the life of every Christian man wherein he needs God to do what only He can. Our prayer to God then goes beyond a mere form or routine. As in James 5:16, it becomes fervent, urgent, heated.

No doubt, there is a need for God to do what only He can in your life. The more urgent the need, the more fervent the prayer. It is time to seek the LORD.

“Ask, [and keep on asking] and it shall be

given you; seek [and keep on seeking] and ye

shall find; knock, [and keep on knocking] and

it shall be opened unto you.”

Matthew 7:7

–Tim Cruse

The David Principle

2010-02-24T13:09:00.000-08:00

The David Principle

“And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him?”
II Samuel 9:3

David was a man after God’s own heart. He wanted to have the heart God has, to see things as He sees them and treat others the way He treats them. As a result, God’s character of loyalty and kindness was demonstrated through David’s life.

Hebrews 6:10 states, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your works and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” This aspect of God’s character is summarized by the David principle: “It’s not, What have you done for me lately? But, What have you done for me ever?”. Every act of faith carried out in God’s name has never nor will ever be forgotten. He not only remembers the kindnesses we have shown unto Him, but will return them upon our own heads and those of our children.

Who has shown you some kindness that you need to acknowledge? Who does God want you to initiate kindness toward? We demonstrate the loyal character of God when we remember and return the kindnesses of others toward us and the ones we love.

“Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not.”
Proverbs 27:10

–Tim Cruse

Uncommon Blessings

2010-02-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

Uncommon Blessings

“I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city”
Amos 4:7

According to Job 37:16, the balancings of the clouds belongs to God. Because of His goodness, He allows it to rain upon the just and the unjust alike. However, there is a principle in this passage of scripture we must understand.

God can give rain or withhold rain according to the determinate counsel of His own will. He has the sovereign power and ability to give to some that which He withholds from others. Not everyone is going to be directly blessed by Him beyond the common blessings experienced by all.

“Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed” was the prayer of Jabez. More of us should long for the uncommon blessings of God in our lives. Though many are spiritually barren, we can “be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit”
- Jeremiah 17:8

–Tim Cruse

Light’s Delight

2010-01-25T10:52:00.000-08:00

Light’s Delight

“The Jews had light, and gladness,

and joy and honour.”

Esther 8:16

The happiest people I know are those who walk in the light of God’s Word. They have purposed to obey God by faith and find themselves pursued by gladness, joy, and honour.

Many want God to reverse His order, however. They want Him to give them gladness, joy, and honour first. If so, they will consider walking in His light. If not, they conclude, “God missed out on all I could have done for Him,” as though He was at their mercy instead of they at His.

Friend, we must realize that God is not on trial in our lives; we are! As we walk in the light He gives, He gives us more light. We must “believe to see” gladness, and joy, and honour as we walk according to the light He has given.

“... to him that ordereth his conversation

aright will I shew the salvation of God.”

Psalm 50:23

“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any

iniquity have dominion over me.”

Psalm 119:133

–Tim Cruse

Some To Honour

2010-01-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

Some To Honour

“But in a great house there are not only vessels of

gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth;

and some to honour, and some to dishonour.”

II Timothy 2:20

Our name carries with it a testimony. When others hear our name, they immediately associate it with the character we demonstrate. We are either vessels of honour or vessels of dishonour.

The day is coming when your character will be put to the test by an issue that arises between you and someone else. You can respond honourably by seeking a hearing with this individual and a peaceful resolve or you can stiffen your neck and harden your heart as you dishonour God’s name and your own name.

There are enough burdens to carry in our struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil. Proverbs 6:3 states, “Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.”

God help us to have a testimony of honour and not to carry burdens He never intended for us to bear.

“I am one of them that are

peaceable and faithful...”

II Samuel 20:19

–Tim Cruse

A Foundation of Faith

2009-12-31T15:26:00.000-08:00

A Foundation of Faith

“...that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after
you for ever.” I Chronicles 28:8

A wealthy businessman once stated, “I started out with an awful lot handed to me.” He took the work his father left him and turned it into a billion dollar enterprise.

King David reminded his son Solomon in I Chronicles 26:27,28; 28:8,20 and chapter 29 of all that he and others had provided for him to use in building the Temple of God. Children being reared in Christ-honouring homes where the foundation of faith is being laid are so much further down the road in accomplishing great things for God than they realize sometimes. The shoulders of those before them are providing a launching pad into life many do not have.

Let us be willing to pay the price to seek a godly seed and a polished shaft as we give our children every opportunity possible to be greatly used in the service of the KING.

Children for the Master, His name uphold. Children for the father, His name unfold.

–Tim Cruse

One More Time

2009-12-11T07:42:00.000-08:00

One More Time

“He brought me up”

Psalm 40:2

What horrible pit are you sinking in today? Have you been trapped by the quicksand of sin? Perhaps you are in the mire of frustration and wonder if you will ever rise again.

Though Jonah had failed the Lord and was in the deep of defeat, he said, “Yet I will look again unto Thy holy temple.” God heard his cry. He then declared, “Salvation (or deliverance) is of the LORD.” God not only delivers us when we trust Christ as Savior, but He continues to deliver us throughout the Christian life.

Psalm 40 applies to any time we have lost our song and are waiting patiently in prayer for divine intervention.

The Lord Jesus Christ has sought us out and brought us up many times over. Do not let your last prayer be your last prayer. Do not let the last time you read your Bible be the last time you read your Bible. Do not let the last time you went to church be the last time you go to church. “Look again” one more time to Him for deliverance.

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and

He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”

Psalm 40:1

–Tim Cruse

Pay Your Own Way

2009-11-30T05:54:00.000-08:00

Pay Your Own Way

“Neither will I offer...unto the LORD my God of

that which doth cost me nothing.”

II Samuel 24:24

It has been said that every tub must stand on its own bottom; which being interpreted means every man must pay his own way. As such, personal responsibility is one of the great lessons of life.

Man has been commanded by God to work by the sweat of his brow and to provide for his own. Each individual must maximize his measure of ability and opportunity in life and remember “in all labour there is profit.”

As a young man growing up in a broken home, I learned to work hard to provide for my necessities and to take care of things. I knew that sympathy from others would not feed me when I was hungry nor clothe me when I was cold. I was not to expect others to do for me what I must do for myself, nor assume upon another’s generosity by asking for that which should be offered instead.

Because character is consistent, the same man who does right by his family is the same man who will do right by the church. Good men do not expect something for nothing, and they know that nothing in life is free. The very fact that you must help some men means that you will not be able to help them. Those who do not appreciate the sacrifices of others are those who are unwilling to sacrifice themselves. Where there is increase, you always find someone paying the price.

–Tim Cruse

Another Vessel

2009-11-18T10:18:00.000-08:00

Another Vessel

“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.” Jeremiah 18:4

Each of our lives has been marred by sin. That is why we need to be made over again. The word wrought teaches us that God can take something useless and make it useful. His grace goes deeper than our sin. With one turn of the wheel, our Heavenly Potter can make, unmake, or remake our lives.

Astronomers estimate there are 100 billion galaxies in the known universe. To count the number of stars in the Milky Way galaxy alone would require counting three stars per second non-stop for 2,000 years. Yet, Psalm 147:4 declares

God’s infinite wisdom and power: “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.” God has the power to fix the damage sin has done in your life and restore you to a place of fellowship and usefulness. Do not disqualify yourself because you are weak; God uses us, weaknesses and all. Never leave God out of the equation of your life -“With God all things are possible.”

“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” II Timothy 2:21

–Tim Cruse

There Shall Be a Place

2009-11-06T12:33:00.000-08:00

There Shall Be a Place

“Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there...” Deuteronomy 12:11

In a world of darkness, there should be a place where one can go to find the light of life. There should be a place where the seeking can find understanding, the hungry-hearted can find manna from above and those bound by sin’s chains can be set free.

With volume and vice on every hand, there should be a place providing refuge for the weary soul. There should be a place where holy things are still holy and the worship of God goes beyond a cheap imitation of what the world already offers.

There should be a place of sacredness, sanctuary and service in a world profane and self-absorbed. This place should be a place where God is still great and His ways are higher than our ways. A place where thanksgiving translates into thanksliving. A place where Christ is high and lifted up and the Scriptures are sufficient.

Is there such a place to be found? Are there such blessings to be had? Where should we look? What should we expect? How shall we know?

Examine God’s Word dear friend. For the New Testament Christian, there is a place for all the above. According to I Timothy 3:15, it is “...the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” Read also Psalm 26:8; 89:7.

–Tim Cruse

I Cannot Do It

2009-10-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

I Cannot Do It

“How shall I give thee up?” Hosea 11:8

This chapter begins with God recounting His love for His people. As a father deeply loves his newborn son, so doth the Lord love His own.

Though their Father had taught them and cared for them, these children were bent on doing their own thing. Failing to be drawn back by His goodness, the time had come for Him to deal with their sin. He was wroth. They were deserving. The clouds of provoked wrath brooded over them.

At the height of His anger, with His heart wrangling within, God declared, “How shall I give thee up?” - or “How can I cut you off?” “How can I forsake you?” “How can I give up on you?” Our covenant-keeping God could not break His promise and walk away from His people.

What He has promised us -“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,” “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it,” “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ”- He will fulfill.

May this text ring in our ears and spring from our lips when pressures increase in our family life, our hearts become weary in our church life and we feel that the pain of leaving could not be greater than the pain of staying - “How shall I give thee up?” And, may our answer be, “I cannot do it; by God’s grace, I will not.”

–Tim Cruse

A Word To The Wise

2009-10-23T13:25:00.000-07:00

A Word To The Wise

Every father should read one chapter of Proverbs per day in addition to his regularly scheduled Bible reading. Start on the first day of the month with chapter one, then the second chapter of the second day and so forth through chapter 31. To keep your marriage healthy, pay special attention to chapters 5-9.

“For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb...Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; And thou mourn at the last...”

Proverbs 5:3, 8-11

After the night of sin,

mourning does come.

“And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.”

Ecclesiastes 7:26

–Tim Cruse

God Can Turn It Around

2009-10-14T12:08:00.000-07:00

God Can Turn It Around

Who is God using to bring you low today?

Perhaps it is a proud Peninnah1 to taunt you along the way.

How about a jealous Haman plotting to hang you out to dry,

Or a disloyal Absalom cursing you like a Shimei?

It could be a Mrs. Potipher with all her accusing strife.

Maybe it’s a self-willed Pashur terrorizing your life.

Remember how God used Pharoah to afflict His own?

He was getting them ready to be a new nation strong.

Job was a fading light in the eyes of those not distressed

Yet, his latter end, more than his beginning was blessed.

They wagged their heads at the forsaken Christ on the tree.

But, through weakness He secured the greatest victory.

Sometimes it does get worse before it gets better.

So, if you must lighten your ship and let her drive, let her9.

The clouds of opposition carry the rains of opportunity.

The blessing is on the way – so pray with importunity.

Just ask Hannah, Mordecai, David, Joseph or Jeremiah

about their crown • And, they will surely say,

“No matter how hard it gets, God can turn it around.”

“He bringeth low, and lifteth up.” I Sam. 2:7

–Tim Cruse

2009-10-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

A Life That Matters

“Therefore their days did he consume in vanity”

Psalm 78:33

“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. For to me

to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Philippians 1:20, 21

– Tim Cruse

The Sun Still Shines

2009-10-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

The Sun Still Shines

“With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it

not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.”

Job 36:32

Clouds do not extinguish the light of the sun; they simply cover it temporarily. No matter how dark it gets, beyond the clouds we find the sun unchanged in its radiance and warmth.

Spiritually speaking, God allows the clouds of sickness and sorrow to roll into our lives. Our days become long and dark. Our spirits sink low. Our faith begins to waver. Our minds begin to wonder: “Has God forgotten me?” “Has He failed to be gracious?” “Is His mercy clean gone forever?” “Will the sun ever shine again in my life?”

The Apostle Paul was exceedingly tossed with a tempest in Acts 27. The clouds covered the sun by day and the moon and stars by night. While those around him despaired their lives, God told the praying Paul that everyone would survive if they stayed with the ship.

Someone has said, “Sometimes God calms the storms of life, and sometimes God calms His children and lets the storms rage on.” As Paul sought and believed God, so must we. Stay with the ship of your family and church. Beyond the clouds of trial, the sun still shines.

“And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds:

but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.”

Job 37:21

–Tim Cruse

Just Enough

2009-09-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

Just Enough

“Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

I Peter 1:16

Would you consider yourself a consecrated Christian? One who is wholly given to God, seeking to honour Him in body and spirit in every way possible? Or, is there an area of your life that still belongs to yourself; some area that you “sort of” honour God in, but do not want to go “too far” in or “miss out” because of?

Churches abound with “casual” Christians in this hour. Those who are careless in their walk with God, in the way they live, in the work they do, in the witness they give and in the words they say. “Just enough” to soothe a quickened conscience, but not “too much” to satisfy self. “That’s not my personal conviction” or “I don’t look at it that way” or “I’m not called to full-time service” or “I’ve got a life apart from serving God all the time, you know” serve as umbrellas to shield the half-hearted. “Rich and increased with goods,” we have need of nothing - not even God. Who are we kidding, but ourselves?

While we withdraw from the call to consecration, we readily devise ways to discount the commitment of others. Be reminded that “like character attracts like character.” If you walk in the counsel of the unconsecrated and stand in the way of the lip-servers, it will not be long before you are sitting in the seat of the contemptuous. Be careful in developing a contempt for the holy things of God. He will not hold those guiltless who do.

-Tim Cruse

Mighty in the Midst

2009-09-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

Mighty In The Midst

“The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty”
Zephaniah 3:17

The capitalized name “LORD” means “Jehovah - the self-existent One.” Our God is the true and living God. In His omnipresence, He is everywhere at the same time. In His omniscience, He is all-knowing. In His omnipotence, He is all-powerful.

Psalm 113:5,6 declares, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high. Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!“ What a wonder to think that the mighty God of heaven can be known personally and, as our text indicates, is in the very midst of the lives of His people.

God is with us in the midst of our circumstances, our fiery furnaces, our storms, our times of want, our loneliness, our sickness, our family stress.

Praise God that He is not on the outside of our lives looking in, but on the inside looking out for us.

“He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Daniel 3:25

- Pastor Tim Cruse

He Is Near

2009-09-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

He Is Near

“The Lord is at hand”
Philippians 4:5

There are times in the Christian walk when the Lord seems far away. The dew of His conscious presence no longer saturates the contemplations of our heart. The clouds of unbelief hide the Son from us and we feel all alone.

God, however, clearly tells us in His Word that He is ever present. Because He is at hand we know He is near. He is looking on. He could come at any moment and take us home with Him in heaven.

We also know that He could change our present circumstances if He willed. For them to remain means He has a purpose in our difficulties. There is a greater good to be realized beyond our immediate deliverance.

Perhaps you are expending much energy grappling with why you are facing something today. Know that the Lord is at hand. His hand is not shortened that it cannot save and His ear is not heavy that it cannot hear. Accept where you are and trust God to guide you from here. Let patience have her perfect work.

He is near when He seems so far,
Our blessed Saviour knows where you are.
With nail-pierced hands to hold and to guide,
The tempted and touched will stand by your side.

- Pastor Tim Cruse

Are You Available?

2009-09-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

Are You Available?

“The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.”
Judges 6:12

God oftentimes sees more in us than we see in ourselves. While we see our own insufficiencies, He sees His ability to do mighty things through the lives of those who will take Him at His Word.

Gideon thought that he did not have the lineage, the standing among men, nor the possessions to do something eternally significant with his life. What he learned was that God was looking for a man who would trust Him completely to do what only He could do through him. It was not about ability; it was about availability of life and nobility of character.

Many are those who have made themselves available to defend the freedoms of our nation. Some gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives. God give us more men who will make themselves available to fulfill their duties toward Him, their families and our country at all cost.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the
mercies of God, that ye present your bodies
a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service.”
Romans 12:1

-Tim Cruse

Speak Up

2009-09-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

Speak Up

“Then they said one to another, We do not well: this
day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace”
II Kings 7:9

How long has it been since you told someone how to be saved? Have you made any attempts of late to obey your Lord by declaring the good tidings of salvation by grace through faith?

The contemplations of the weightier matters of life are bearing down upon many in this day of political instability and economic uncertainty. There are people all around us that God is dealing with and are open to consider the claims of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A noted preacher once asked, “Why should anyone hear the gospel twice when there are those who have never heard it once?” God help us to shine the light of gospel knowledge to the ones who will cross our path today.

“But the path of the just is as the shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
Proverbs 4:18

- Pastor Tim Cruse

The Hold of Heaven

2009-09-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

The Hold of Heaven

“Behold my servant, whom I uphold”
Isaiah 42:1

It is of great comfort to know that we are in the hold of heaven. God’s grip of grace clings to us through the trials of life and leads us day by day.

There are times when all human support is taken from us. As with Job, the joy brought by his children, the encouragement his wife gave, and the understanding that long-time friends provided was gone. Though tossed about on the sea of deep discouragement, God somehow buoyed him up time and again.

Perhaps the boisterous winds of weariness or the thunderclouds of temptation are bearing down upon you today; dread within, sinking without. The moment Peter cried, “...Lord, save me.” “Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:30,31) The Lord admonished Peter while he was still in the water and then pulled him into the boat.

You have cried to the Lord and you are still in the water. Let Him teach you something while you are dangling between victory and defeat. You are in His hold. He will pull you aboard the boat of deliverance before long - after He has deepened your faith.

- Pastor Tim Cruse

“...for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.”
Psalm 37:24

Cannot I Do With You As This Potter?

2009-09-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

Cannot I Do With You As This Potter?

Jeremiah 18:6

What is your bother?

Lack you a mother or father?

Perhaps it's a sin-filled past,

Or many disappointments thou hast.

Jesus, our great soulwinner,

Is also our gracious soulmender.

Beauty from ashes He will bring;

"The Restorer of my life" you will sing.

The sting of the past is taken away,

When Christ becomes your hope and stay.

Give Him the brokenness of your heart,

He will give you a brand new start.

O clay marred by sin,

'Tis our Heavenly Potter who can make you over again.

- Tim Cruse