RUSSELL SANDERS

11-18-2025

BORN TO SACRIFICED

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Can we truly be merry that a child was born just to be brutally murdered by the very people he was born to save?

Okay, so who really murdered Jesus? Was it you? Was it me? Was it because of our imperfect state of condition?

It was mankind’s sin, including yours and mine that put Jesus on that horrible cross. What appeared to be the horrible fate of crucifixion proved to be the greatest gift that God could give to mankind. That is what can cause us to be merry because that horrible event gave us the greatest of all gifts because it brought us to the path to eternal salvation of our soul. 

As we are soon to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, let us not forget that Jesus offered his life as our “Thanksgiving sacrifice.” And as Christmas approaches next month, we can be grateful that Jesus loved us enough to be born and became a sacrifice for us. This should cause us to rejoice!

HELEN SANDERS

11-18-2025

ENCOURAGING YOURSELF IN THE LORD

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There will be times in your life’s journey that you may feel there is no one there for you. You may have even been in ministry, pouring yourself into many others, but they have forgotten you. You may have children that have gone astray and have lost contact with you. You may be seriously ill, and no one is there for you.

Whatever the case may be, it is a place that can bring darkness to your soul if you do not resist it.

David is a perfect example of someone that had been betrayed. He had been the harp player that calmed the demons in King Saul and was also Saul’s armor bearer. Yet, when David defeated Goliath and the people gave him more praise than the king, the king hated him. David had not done anything wrong. The issue was the dark demonic spirit within King Saul hated the Spirit of God in David. That demon was the real enemy.   Time after time David had to flee for his life when King Saul was determined to kill him. But God had a different plan.

On one occasion David turned to Saul’s enemies for help. He found grace in the eyes of King Achish of the Philistines. He gave David the city of Ziklag for him and his band of followers to live in. David was even willing to fight with the Philistines against Saul with King Achish, but the other Philistine Kings said no.  King Achish sent him back to Ziklag.

Upon arriving in Ziklag with his men, they found that the Amalekites had ransacked the city and taken all the men’s wives and children captive. David’s men were so grieved that they spoke of stoning David. Now, even his followers had turned against him. What would he do?

1 Samuel 30:6b says, “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” David knew where his strength came from. He sought out Abiathar the priest to seek godly counsel.

When we are in a place of darkness, we must also seek the Lord. We start with praise and worship. Praise and worship lift the dark clouds of hurt, doubt, and fear. Then we read the promises of God over ourselves. We speak what God says about us. We listen to the voice of the Word rather than the circumstances around us.  It may take a little time, but you will come out of that dark place.  Keep trusting God, who loves you when there is no one else and you will move into the light.

As for David, the Lord showed him what to do, and he brought back all the wives, children, and much spoil. God showed up for David, and He will show up for you.