Jewels for the Journey 194 full page sermon starters - daily devotions Donald Cantrell Jewels for the Journey The Author It has been my privilege to preach the Gospel since 1980. I have now been preaching for more than 29 years. I have never gotten over the day that God saved me at Old Fashion Baptist church in Chatsworth, Georgia. I had only been saved for about 7 months when I realized that God was calling me to be a preacher. I have gotten over many things since that day in May of 1980, but the call to preach still burns within my heart. I had the wonderful opportunity to sit under one of God’s most noble men, Walter Hare. In sitting under his preaching, I had the honor of learning the Art of Alliteration. I have tried to develop this skill in my preaching ministry. The key to Alliterated Outlines is maintaining biblical accuracy and not forcing a word that has no foundation in the message. The main force that drives me in writing books and sharing my messages is the thought of being helpful. I want to help those ministers that may need a simple thought to prompt them in developing a mighty message. I find much pleasure in knowing that someone has found something useable in one of my books or outlines. This is an honor to me. In these times many do not have enough money for Bible College, nor do they have the time to pull up roots and move away. I try to establish some simple principles to help the busy pastor and preacher. If my writings are not practical then I have failed in achieving my goal as an author. I want my writings to not only be practical, but I want them to be preachable. I do not aim for the top shelf in the cupboard, but I aim for the low shelf so that even the simplest may understand. I have been allowed to pastor several churches during the last 30 years. I know the rigors and the pressure that the man of God faces in these difficult times. I want you to take these thoughts and use them in your pulpits. Hopefully the sincerity and the simplicity of them will allow you to minister to your people. I hope that these writings fan the flames of service within the hearts of every reader. “Daily Bible Devotions for the Journey” Page 2 Jewels for the Journey "Jewels for the Journey - Day 1" Exd 3:21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: Exd 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put [them] upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians. The Lord was about to set his people free, they were to start a new journey, after four hundred years of Egyptian bondage freedom was on the horizon. The people may have been filled with fear concerning this new found freedom, you may ask why? The people were slaves, they had no possessions to speak of, how would they survive, what would they do? The Lord had a good answer for their fears and their concerns, he would speak to the Egyptians and they would do something strange at his bidding, he would stir their hearts up to help the people of Israel. As the multitude of Jews began to leave Egypt they went to tell their friends and their masters goodbye, at this point God gave them liberty to leave the houses with an over abundance of Jewels of gold, Jewels of silver, much raiment, this was unbelievable. The Jewish people would have “Jewels for the Journey”, this was unheard of, and they went from slaves to freedom in one stroke of God's good hand. If we were to be honest God has done the same for most if not all of us, we came out of our former lives facing the unknown, fearful of how we were going to make it as Christians. We had great fears and lots of doubt about the direction of this new life, but thanks are unto our good God, he changed all of our doubts and settled all of our fears. As I began this new journey he gave me jewels that I cannot place a price tag on. If I need grace he has supplied me with an adequate supply, if I need mercy it is always abundantly available. When I need peace it is within an arms reach, when I need love he soothes me with a love that is plenteous and wonderful. If I doubt his word can soothe them sufficiently, if I cry his loving hand will wipe all of my tears away. “Nothing is an obstacle unless you say it is.” Wally Amos “Daily Bible Devotions for the Journey” Page 3 Jewels for the Journey "Jewels for the Journey - Day 2" Exd 3:21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: Exd 3:22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put [them] upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians. 1 - God Bestows His Favor upon Me 2 - God Bestows His Fortune upon Me 3 - God Bestows His Freedom upon Me In the space below thank him for his wonderful Jewels for the Journey. He has blessed us with blessings that would drain the pens of men if we were to write them down, the world very well could run out of paper if we were to note how good our God has been to each one of his blessed children: Journal Notes: Quote: “Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.” J. Willard Marriott "A Journey to the Unknown - Day 3" “Daily Bible Devotions for the Journey” Page 4 Jewels for the Journey Jos 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed [this] way heretofore. Jos 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. The children of Israel were on the banks of the river Jordan, the city of Jericho was in the distance, looming and lurking, waiting to test them. The past 40 years of wilderness wandering was behind them, 40 years of unbelief, 40 years of funerals and heartache. The Lord had just appeared to Joshua and promised to be with him, never to leave him, never to forsake him. The people had 3 days to get prepared, 3 days until they would launch out into the unknown, new beginnings, new horizons, new opportunities. Into a land flowing with milk and honey, these were good days, days of anticipation and excitement. As you launch out into the unknown, how will you face it, willingly or woefully, with reluctance or reassurance? The Lord wants to take us to greater places; it is up to each of us to let go and let God!!! Is it within you to launch out into the deep and follow the Lord's leading? This could be a journey of blessing, wonderment, fulfillment, we could all learn from the experiences of the children of Israel. "A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials." Chinese Proverb "A Journey to the Unknown - Day 4" Jos 3:4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed [this] way heretofore. Jos 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. 1 - We All Have Orders to Follow 2 - We All Have Obstacles to Face “Daily Bible Devotions for the Journey” Page 5 Jewels for the Journey 3 - We All Have Opportunities to Fathom In the space below list some of the obstacles the need to be removed in order for you to find complete fulfillment and joy in your Christian life: 1 - 2 - Journal Notes: Quote: “ Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.” Mahummad Ali "Famine or Funerals - Day 5" Rth 1:1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. In this story we read of a major famine that had overwhelmed Bethlehem Judah, the House Of Bread. In the midst of this horrible famine, Elimelech decided to pull up roots and travel about 50 miles down the road to Moab. I can hear them talking of leaving Bethlehem, the children would have been sad in leaving their friends, but excited concerning this new move.