What Is That in Your Hand?
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
"Moses answered [God], 'What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you?' Then the LORD said to him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff,' he replied. The LORD said, 'Throw it on the ground.' Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it". - (Exodus 4:1-3, NIV).
I have read how "there was a 10-year-old boy, who's left arm was damaged and subsequently amputated. He decided to learn judo. His Sensai (teacher) was an old Japanese judo expert.
"The boy learned quickly. After a short time, he had mastered one important move. He asked his teacher to teach him more moves. The sensei told him that this was all he would need.
"Soon after, the boy entered a tournament where his opponent was bigger and more experienced. The boy seemed outmatched. After a long match, the opponent seemed to lose concentration. Quickly, the boy took advantage and pinned what seemed to be his superior opponent.
"On the ride home, the boy asked his sensei. 'How could I win with this one move?' The sensei replied, 'You have mastered one of the difficult moves in judo. And a good defense against that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.'"
Sometimes we don't think we have much to offer in service to God. But we all have at least "one thing in our hand." If we offer that willingly to God, he will use it for his glory. And as the writer of
the above story said, "Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your greatest strength."
There is many ways you can tell others of our Saviors love
just plant littles seeds of faith ..even the small things you do become bigger down the line
(Mark 16:15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
MY QUOTE FOR TODAY IS BY -A.W. Tozer
The average person in the world today, without faith and without God and without hope, is engaged in a desperate personal search throughout his lifetime. He does not really know where he has been. He does not really know what he is doing here and now. He does not know where he is going. The sad commentary is that he is doing it all on borrowed time and borrowed money and borrowed strength; and he already knows that in the end he will surely die! Man, made more like God than any other creature, has become less like God than any other creature. Created to reflect the glory of God, he has retreated sullenly into his cave; reflecting only his own sinfulness. Certainly it is a tragedy above all tragedies in this world that man, made with a soul to worship and praise and sing to God's glory, now sulks silently in his cave.
A.W. Tozer
Prayer: "Our eternal Father in Heaven, thank you for the gift you have given to me. Help me to know what it is and how I can best use it for serving you and helping others. I want to be a winner in your book. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Mighty Name I Pray, Amen."
HERE IS A MUSIC VIDEO BY THE NEWSBOYS CHECK IT OUT
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
He (jesus Christ)
Psalm 100:1
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth....... Thoughts on This Verse... With joy, let's praise and make a joyful noise to the LORD of lords and the King of kings today. Let's find short moments during our day, seize them, and use them to give thanks and praise to our Father in heaven. When we are blessed, let's take a moment and pause for praise. In every good thing, let's share a phrase of praise to our gracious Father.
I like this song below it speaks of how our savior can calm the storms in our life
there so much to give him praise for and be thankful
My quote for today is by William Temple
It is probable that in most of us the spiritual life is impoverished and stunted because we give so little place to gratitude. It is more important to thank God for blessings received than to pray for them beforehand. For that forward-looking prayer, though right as an expression of dependence upon God, is still self-centered in part, at least, of its interest; there is something we hope to gain by our prayer. But the backward-looking act of thanksgiving is quite free from this. In itself it is quite selfless. Thus it is akin to love. All our love to God is in response to his love for us; it never starts on our side. "We love, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth....... Thoughts on This Verse... With joy, let's praise and make a joyful noise to the LORD of lords and the King of kings today. Let's find short moments during our day, seize them, and use them to give thanks and praise to our Father in heaven. When we are blessed, let's take a moment and pause for praise. In every good thing, let's share a phrase of praise to our gracious Father.
I like this song below it speaks of how our savior can calm the storms in our life
there so much to give him praise for and be thankful
My quote for today is by William Temple
It is probable that in most of us the spiritual life is impoverished and stunted because we give so little place to gratitude. It is more important to thank God for blessings received than to pray for them beforehand. For that forward-looking prayer, though right as an expression of dependence upon God, is still self-centered in part, at least, of its interest; there is something we hope to gain by our prayer. But the backward-looking act of thanksgiving is quite free from this. In itself it is quite selfless. Thus it is akin to love. All our love to God is in response to his love for us; it never starts on our side. "We love, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
thoughts for today Peace on Earth
Peace on Earth
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14
Daily devotionsOut in space two alien forms are speaking with each other. The first spaceman says, “The dominant life forms on the earth planet have developed satellite-based weapons.” The second alien, who looks exactly like the first, asks, “Are they an emerging intelligence?” The first spaceman says, “I don’t think so…They have them aimed at themselves.”
Now that’s a cute little story, but one that ends with more truth than humor. As we approach that season of the year when people talk about peace on earth, we soberly note that there is anything but peace on earth. Civil and international wars and conflicts are being fought all over the globe and the threat of the unseen enemy of terrorism is ever present.
The root cause of it all is greed and sin, something God sent His Son to free us from, but before He came, when He came and ever since He came, people have rejected both Him and His Father. In 1 Samuel (10:19) we read “You have rejected God…and asked for a king“.
As long as people are looking for earthly power (a king) and not heavenly power (God), nothing will change. As we look around the world, people are aiming their weapons as one another and even shooing their own, all in the name of greed, power and international control.
As we enter this yuletide season amidst a fallen world of strife and conflict, we should be reminded about what Jesus said about peace.
In Matthew He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (5:9) and “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (11:28-30).
In John, He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (14:27) and “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (16:33).
The prophet Isaiah said, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). It has yet to happen, but most assuredly it will. God said so.
When we read or watch the daily press it seems to be all focused on the strife war and threats of war in the world, but as we celebrate this coming remembrance of the birth of our Savior, may our focus be not on the world, but on the manger that held the true agent of peace on earth…… real peace …….. and eternal peace.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
The world defines peace as the sense of calm, tranquility, quietness, contentment, and well-being that comes when everything is going well. But that definition, frankly, is shallow. A calm, tranquil feeling can be produced by lies, self-deception, unexpected good fortune, the absence of conflict and trouble, biofeedback, drugs, alcohol, even a good night’s sleep. Such peace is fleeting and easily destroyed. It can be shattered by the arrival of conflict and trouble, as well as by failure, doubt, fear, bitterness, anger, pride, difficulty, guilt, regret, sorrow, anxiety over circumstances beyond one’s control, being disappointed or mislead by others, making bad decisions – in short, by any perceived threat to one’s security.
John MacArthur
PRAYER
We pray for lives lost
families torn apart
lost and lonely
homeless
hungry
afraid
We pray for factories
destroyed in an instant
for machinery
shattered
livelihoods
ruined
We pray for rescuers
finding survivors
alongside bodies
courageous
undaunted
hopeful
We pray for recovery
in the years to come
for restoration
generosity
healing
closure
IN JESUS NAME AMEN
CHECK OUT STEVIE WONDERS VIDEO
HEAVEN HELP US ALL
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Luke 2:14
Daily devotionsOut in space two alien forms are speaking with each other. The first spaceman says, “The dominant life forms on the earth planet have developed satellite-based weapons.” The second alien, who looks exactly like the first, asks, “Are they an emerging intelligence?” The first spaceman says, “I don’t think so…They have them aimed at themselves.”
Now that’s a cute little story, but one that ends with more truth than humor. As we approach that season of the year when people talk about peace on earth, we soberly note that there is anything but peace on earth. Civil and international wars and conflicts are being fought all over the globe and the threat of the unseen enemy of terrorism is ever present.
The root cause of it all is greed and sin, something God sent His Son to free us from, but before He came, when He came and ever since He came, people have rejected both Him and His Father. In 1 Samuel (10:19) we read “You have rejected God…and asked for a king“.
As long as people are looking for earthly power (a king) and not heavenly power (God), nothing will change. As we look around the world, people are aiming their weapons as one another and even shooing their own, all in the name of greed, power and international control.
As we enter this yuletide season amidst a fallen world of strife and conflict, we should be reminded about what Jesus said about peace.
In Matthew He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (5:9) and “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (11:28-30).
In John, He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (14:27) and “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (16:33).
The prophet Isaiah said, “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). It has yet to happen, but most assuredly it will. God said so.
When we read or watch the daily press it seems to be all focused on the strife war and threats of war in the world, but as we celebrate this coming remembrance of the birth of our Savior, may our focus be not on the world, but on the manger that held the true agent of peace on earth…… real peace …….. and eternal peace.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
The world defines peace as the sense of calm, tranquility, quietness, contentment, and well-being that comes when everything is going well. But that definition, frankly, is shallow. A calm, tranquil feeling can be produced by lies, self-deception, unexpected good fortune, the absence of conflict and trouble, biofeedback, drugs, alcohol, even a good night’s sleep. Such peace is fleeting and easily destroyed. It can be shattered by the arrival of conflict and trouble, as well as by failure, doubt, fear, bitterness, anger, pride, difficulty, guilt, regret, sorrow, anxiety over circumstances beyond one’s control, being disappointed or mislead by others, making bad decisions – in short, by any perceived threat to one’s security.
John MacArthur
PRAYER
We pray for lives lost
families torn apart
lost and lonely
homeless
hungry
afraid
We pray for factories
destroyed in an instant
for machinery
shattered
livelihoods
ruined
We pray for rescuers
finding survivors
alongside bodies
courageous
undaunted
hopeful
We pray for recovery
in the years to come
for restoration
generosity
healing
closure
IN JESUS NAME AMEN
CHECK OUT STEVIE WONDERS VIDEO
HEAVEN HELP US ALL
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Thoughts for Today - Last days Men will be lovers of themselves
2 Timothy 3:1-5
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
THOUGHTS
I will never forget Billy Graham’s eulogy at the memorial service held in honor of those who died in the Oklahoma City Bombing. It was a Sunday afternoon and there stood America’s Pastor charged with the unenviable task of trying to comfort mourners whose lives had just been shattered by such a senseless act of violence.
Rev. Graham did a masterful job at reaching out and reminding all of us that God still cared. His words were comforting, but he also told us that we could expect more of the same. He reminded us all that evil in many ways is a mystery that will not be fully understood until we get to Heaven. We may think we know why people do the things they do, but God’s word tells us that the lawlessness which we see at work in America today is a secret that only God and Satan fully understand. “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7a)
Isn’t is astonishing at how accurate the Bible portrays the times in which we live? “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:2-5) We don’t have to go to Oklahoma City to find examples. Just read the rest of today’s newspaper. They live right here in our own community.
Billy Graham was right. Sadly, the Bible does tells us that times will get worse. Wrong will continue to be seen as right, immoral as moral, evil as good. Even Satan, the Bible says, will masquerade as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians II: 14) Until Jesus returns, truth will always be at peril.
Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42) We may not know the day and hour of Christ’s return, but God expects us to recognize the season.
The Apostle Paul warned us that the “last days” would be unbearable. As far as I’m concerned, we’re living in the “last days”. Just as the prophets predicted, we live in a world where wrong is now right and right is wrong.
Well now its Christmas time and i see very little about Our Savior
its all about nothing but Jesus any more ..Then People wonder why there is no Peace Jesus is the Reason for the Season ..Then again it says in the bible Peace Peace then suddenly Distruction ..Jesus could come any time
Some time ago, Paul Harvey quoted a prayer and said that he had more requests for it than almost any other he had used. Pastor Joe Wright offered it before the Kansas State Legislature:
“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek our direction and guidance. We know your Word says woe to those who call evil good but that’s exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem. We have abused power and called political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today. Try us and show us any wicked way in us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas and who have been ordained by you to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask in the name of your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
PS Singer Stevie Wonder recorded a song about Someday at Christmas
check out the link ,,One day we will have Peace when we are with our Savior Amen
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
THOUGHTS
I will never forget Billy Graham’s eulogy at the memorial service held in honor of those who died in the Oklahoma City Bombing. It was a Sunday afternoon and there stood America’s Pastor charged with the unenviable task of trying to comfort mourners whose lives had just been shattered by such a senseless act of violence.
Rev. Graham did a masterful job at reaching out and reminding all of us that God still cared. His words were comforting, but he also told us that we could expect more of the same. He reminded us all that evil in many ways is a mystery that will not be fully understood until we get to Heaven. We may think we know why people do the things they do, but God’s word tells us that the lawlessness which we see at work in America today is a secret that only God and Satan fully understand. “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7a)
Isn’t is astonishing at how accurate the Bible portrays the times in which we live? “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a form of godliness but denying its power.” (2 Timothy 3:2-5) We don’t have to go to Oklahoma City to find examples. Just read the rest of today’s newspaper. They live right here in our own community.
Billy Graham was right. Sadly, the Bible does tells us that times will get worse. Wrong will continue to be seen as right, immoral as moral, evil as good. Even Satan, the Bible says, will masquerade as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians II: 14) Until Jesus returns, truth will always be at peril.
Jesus said, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42) We may not know the day and hour of Christ’s return, but God expects us to recognize the season.
The Apostle Paul warned us that the “last days” would be unbearable. As far as I’m concerned, we’re living in the “last days”. Just as the prophets predicted, we live in a world where wrong is now right and right is wrong.
Well now its Christmas time and i see very little about Our Savior
its all about nothing but Jesus any more ..Then People wonder why there is no Peace Jesus is the Reason for the Season ..Then again it says in the bible Peace Peace then suddenly Distruction ..Jesus could come any time
Some time ago, Paul Harvey quoted a prayer and said that he had more requests for it than almost any other he had used. Pastor Joe Wright offered it before the Kansas State Legislature:
“Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek our direction and guidance. We know your Word says woe to those who call evil good but that’s exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of your Word in the name of moral pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor and called it a lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. In the name of choice, we have killed our unborn. In the name of right to life, we have killed abortionists. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem. We have abused power and called political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it taxes. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today. Try us and show us any wicked way in us. Cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas and who have been ordained by you to govern this great state. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of your will. I ask in the name of your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
PS Singer Stevie Wonder recorded a song about Someday at Christmas
check out the link ,,One day we will have Peace when we are with our Savior Amen
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Thoughts for Today - Its ChristmasTime
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7
(6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Diana Ross did a Christmas song called Chrismas time a song about our prince of peace Jesus Christ , Read: Luke 2:1-20
The events leading up to the birth of Christ weren't coincidental, but were put in place by God, so that the prophecies of old would be fulfilled, in Isaiah 7: 13-14; Isaiah 9: 6-7; Micah 5: 2-5.
Everything that happened, from the time the census was ordered, to everyone returning to their own city to be registered, and then the birth of Jesus while Joseph & Mary were in Bethlehem, was orchestrated by God. Out of Bethlehem, a small town in the City of David, came the Messiah.
This event was the beginning of something so incredible. Jesus Christ left His throne in glory and took on human form just to bring us reconciliation to our Father God. He came into the world, miraculously conceived, and then born as all humans are. He was first a baby, then became a toddler, then grew into a child and went through adolescence before becoming an adult. He experienced humanity at all levels. He truly can identify with all people at all stages of life.
This very first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift ever. His Son! And His Son gave the gift of His life - which was why He came. Because of this, we can have relationship with God as His children. Through Jesus Christ, we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God.
So this Christmas, bear in mind the 'True' Christmas story, which led to the 'True' Easter story. Let us give thanks and praise to our heavenly Father for these events, which have changed our lives forever.
No matter how 'secular' the world is becoming, disregarding the truth of Christmas, let us boldly proclaim the truth about the birth of Jesus as the reason for the season.
Let us claim 'CHRISTmas' back!
If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: "God with us." We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!
John MacArthur
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 9:6-7
(6) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Diana Ross did a Christmas song called Chrismas time a song about our prince of peace Jesus Christ , Read: Luke 2:1-20
The events leading up to the birth of Christ weren't coincidental, but were put in place by God, so that the prophecies of old would be fulfilled, in Isaiah 7: 13-14; Isaiah 9: 6-7; Micah 5: 2-5.
Everything that happened, from the time the census was ordered, to everyone returning to their own city to be registered, and then the birth of Jesus while Joseph & Mary were in Bethlehem, was orchestrated by God. Out of Bethlehem, a small town in the City of David, came the Messiah.
This event was the beginning of something so incredible. Jesus Christ left His throne in glory and took on human form just to bring us reconciliation to our Father God. He came into the world, miraculously conceived, and then born as all humans are. He was first a baby, then became a toddler, then grew into a child and went through adolescence before becoming an adult. He experienced humanity at all levels. He truly can identify with all people at all stages of life.
This very first Christmas, God gave the greatest gift ever. His Son! And His Son gave the gift of His life - which was why He came. Because of this, we can have relationship with God as His children. Through Jesus Christ, we are Sons and Daughters of the Most High God.
So this Christmas, bear in mind the 'True' Christmas story, which led to the 'True' Easter story. Let us give thanks and praise to our heavenly Father for these events, which have changed our lives forever.
No matter how 'secular' the world is becoming, disregarding the truth of Christmas, let us boldly proclaim the truth about the birth of Jesus as the reason for the season.
Let us claim 'CHRISTmas' back!
If we could condense all the truths of Christmas into only three words, these would be the words: "God with us." We tend to focus our attention at Christmas on the infancy of Christ. The greater truth of the holiday is His deity. More astonishing than a baby in the manger is the truth that this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of the heavens and the earth!
John MacArthur
Thursday, December 8, 2011
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Song sang by Diana Ross- His Eye is on the Sparrow.
Luke 12:6-7; Matthew 10-29-31
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?
Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
I LOVE BIRDS MATTER A FACT USE TO HAVE 2 OF THEM AND LOVED THEM
BUT GOD WHO IS GOD WHO SEES EVERYTHING CARES ABOUT EVERYTHING
WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE HE GOES AND EVERY STEP I TAKE HE WATCHES ME
MATTER A FACT HE LIVES IN ME EVER SINCE I ACCEPTED HIM AS MY PERSONAL SAVIOR
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON CAN BE TOUGH FOR LOTS OF PEOPLE BUT LETS REMEMBER
WHAT THE SEASON IS ALL ABOUT ....JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
HE CARES ABOUT YOU SO REACH OUT TO HIM AND HE WILL MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE
TRUST IN OUR LORD AND SAVIOR TO SEE YOU THROUGH
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Psalms 46:1-3 KJV)
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. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. (Psalms 84:11-12 KJV)
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:3-5 KJV)
QUOTE FOR TODAY
Truth is now simply a matter of etiquette: it has no authority, no sense of rightness, because it is no longer anchored in anything absolute. If it persuades, it does so only because our experience has given it its persuasive power, but tomorrow our experience might be different.
David Wells
Luke 12:6-7; Matthew 10-29-31
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies?
Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
I LOVE BIRDS MATTER A FACT USE TO HAVE 2 OF THEM AND LOVED THEM
BUT GOD WHO IS GOD WHO SEES EVERYTHING CARES ABOUT EVERYTHING
WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE HE GOES AND EVERY STEP I TAKE HE WATCHES ME
MATTER A FACT HE LIVES IN ME EVER SINCE I ACCEPTED HIM AS MY PERSONAL SAVIOR
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON CAN BE TOUGH FOR LOTS OF PEOPLE BUT LETS REMEMBER
WHAT THE SEASON IS ALL ABOUT ....JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON
HE CARES ABOUT YOU SO REACH OUT TO HIM AND HE WILL MEET YOU WHERE YOU ARE
TRUST IN OUR LORD AND SAVIOR TO SEE YOU THROUGH
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Psalms 46:1-3 KJV)
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. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. (Psalms 84:11-12 KJV)
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:3-5 KJV)
QUOTE FOR TODAY
Truth is now simply a matter of etiquette: it has no authority, no sense of rightness, because it is no longer anchored in anything absolute. If it persuades, it does so only because our experience has given it its persuasive power, but tomorrow our experience might be different.
David Wells
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
thoughts for today - Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love
Romans 8:35-39 Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all the day long. We are counted as sheep of slaughter." 37 But in all these things we more than conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ...
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
this is one of the pivotal life passsages from youth that continues to not only leave me standing in awe but continues to wrought freedom and faith in my spirit. i am loved and there is nothing that can diminish that love, reduce it or come between God and I. implication - what i have done and what i will do does not seperate me from God's love. nothing done to us by others can reduce God's love and acceptance for us.
I WAS READING A BOOK CALLED JESUS CALLING AND MY DEVOTION WAS
DO NOT EXPECT TO BE TREATED FAIRLY IN THIS LIFE
PEOPLE WILL SAY AND DO HURTFUL THINGS TO YOU,THINGS THAT YOU DON'T DESERVE. WHEN SOMEONE MISTREATS YOU,TRY TO VIEW IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW IN GRACE. SEE HOW QUICKLY YOU CAN FORGIVE THE ONE WHO HAS WOUNDED YOU. DON'T BE CONCERN ABOUT SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT. INSTEAD OF OBSESSING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS OF YOU , KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON ME. ULTIMATELY, IT IS MY VIEW OF YOU THAT COUNTS.
AS YOU CONCENTRATE ON RELATING TO ME, REMEMBER THAT I HAVE CLOTHED YOU IN MY RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS. I SEE YOU ATTIRED IN THESE RADIANT GARMENTS, WHICH I BOUGHT FOR YOU WITH MY BLOOD. THIS ALSO IS NOT FAIR; IT IS PURE GIFT. WHEN OTHERS TREAT YOU UNFAIRLY , REMEMBER THAT MY WAYS WITH YOU ARE MUCH BETTER THAN FAIR . MY WAYS ARE PEACE AND LOVE , WHICH I HAVE POURED OUT INTO YOUR HEART BY MY SPIRIT.
MY THOUGHTS
Sometimes it seems the world is caving in on me maybe you too but remember
the love of the father is always there and i know its easy to take our eyes off that
i have been going through so much lately but this i do know jesus loves me this i know for the bible tell me so .Sometimes we are weak we fall into stuff
we sin we are sinners saved by grace and even if you are addicted to stuff God will never let you go if you hang in there .....
C.S. Lewis indicated that if he wanted something easy and pain-free, he would have chosen a bottle of wine over Jesus. There is no question that biblical http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giflove leaves us more vulnerable. But this will not be the devastating vulnerability that comes with psychologically needing people. Christians need less and love more.
Edward T. Welch
PLEASE CHECK OUT THE U TUBE BELOW
Monday, October 24, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
STORM DAMAGE
STORM DAMAGE
Isaiah 4:5b-6 – God’s own glory will be like a huge tent that covers everything. 6It will provide shade from the heat of the sun and a place of shelter and protection from storms and rain.
Much like life we all have many storms in our life to go through rather you been in a earthquake or tornado or a loved one died could also be a friend who you where close to
Much like sin, which can enter our hearts and minds (often unexpectedly) – it tears us apart and litters our spirits with the debris of wrong choices and bad-decisions, bringing us into lifestyles that destroy all that is good; anything and everything from large ‘hurt those you love’ sins, to small (seemingly insignificant) wrongs, that together wreak havoc on us and all that we hold dear, taking us on journeys we never imagined could happen to us.
Exodus 18:19 – Listen now to My voice; I’ll give you counsel.. (NKJV)
Isaiah 40:29 – The LORD gives strength to those who are weary. (CEV)
We might not always have the wisdom to live life without error – we after all, are not perfect beings; but we can choose to live differently by striving to be God-driven and Jesus-spirited. He is always ready to assist us and shelter us, if we call upon Him; and our footsteps can be guided by Jesus, Son of God in the everlasting Way.
Prayer: Father let us heed the signs you send when we are considering entering ‘stormy relationships and lifestyles’, gather us up, tidy our thinking and our actions, and let us grow more in Your image, standing erect and strong like a tree freed of all that is broken
As the road ahead seems rugged
And the path is getting steep,
I feel that I can't make it
So my heart begins to weep.
Then I turn to see who's coming
To join me on my way,
I see it is my Lord
And he slowly turns to say
"Lean on me.....
When you have no strength to stand.
When you feel you're going under,
Hold tighter to my hand.
Lean on me.....
When your heart begins to bleed.
When you know I'm all you have,
Then you'll find I'm all you need."
Then when I felt that no one cared
If I lived or died,
And no one bothered asking why
I'd go alone to cry.
When the burden got so heavy
I could barely face the day,
I felt His arms around me
As I gently heard Him say
"Lean on me.....
When you have no strength to stand.
When you feel you're going under,
Hold tighter to my hand.
Lean on me.....
When your heart begins to bleed.
When you come to know I'm all you have,
Then you'll find I'm all you need."
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
FROM MY HEART
I HAD TO SHARE THIS I GOT THIS FROM A FRIEND
From My Heart
by Mitch Salmon on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:17am
What further evidence do we need that we are broken? As I survey this land I see conflicts, wars, droughts, starvation and a deep sadness that has pierced so many hearts. It’s clear that this world is crying out, but do they know who can deliver them? Do they know the One who died on that tree so that we would finally be declared free? Even if the trials of this world were to pass would they know who to thank for the mercy? I ponder these things as I consider Your wondrous love. You traded glory for shame. You left Your perfect kingdom to live amongst us in this broken place. You spared no expense, held nothing back. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” You spoke these words as You considered Your own destiny. You knew the love in Your heart. It is more than we could ever fathom. It is far greater than anything we have ever experienced. Your love alone has the ability to transform a heart. Your love alone can set us free.
Father, I pray that You will reveal Yourself to the hearts of all. I pray that Your great love will be made apparent so that even the cynical, jaded and blind will open their eyes to You. This was where You found me; ashamed and alone even as I was surrounded by this mass of humanity. I hid in plain sight. No one knew my heart. No one knew my brokenness or the deep pit inside me. You replaced my shame with gratitude. If You can draw me unto You I know that You can draw anyone! So, Father, I pray that You will use me as an ambassador in this land. I pray that You will use these hands to type Your words. I pray that You will use the skills and abilities You have already blessed me with to bring glory and honor to Your name. I pray that I will decrease so that You may increase. My heart is full and there is no more space to contain this stream of life that You have poured into me. It must flow not to but through me. Take the weakness in me and use it to exhibit Your strength. I bow before You. You are my Lord, my King and the Author of my salvation! You are the Provider of hope, joy, love and peace. You are the one I searched for all my life even as I was groping in the darkness. Thank You for shining Your brilliant light into my dark heart. Thank You for showing me the way even as I was lost and alone.
Thank you, Jesus, that You would leave Your home in glory to make this world Your home for a time. Thank you for Your life of servanthood and for setting self aside for us. Your sacrifice did not begin on that tree. It began on the day that You opened Your human eyes. You never forsook those who sought You. You never turned down a plea for physical or spiritual healing. You were not murdered. You laid Your life down willingly. You endured agony and bore the burden of the cross for me! Love is Your prescription for this world and it is healing one heart at a time. So many have been transformed by this love already and yet I pray that there will be MANY more. Hear my cries, oh Lord! Hear me pleas for this world! We are all searching for the same things and yet so many do not know this love that changes hearts and lives. I pray that You will reveal Yourself to them just as You revealed Yourself to me. If they only knew the truth of Your love! Reveal it to them! Pour it down on every man, woman and child! We don’t have to live in brokenness! We don’t have to live in shame! We don’t have to be who we have been, we are called to be who You say we are. This identity can only be found in Your Son, Christ Jesus!
Father, it is in Your precious Son’s name that I pray. I am affectionately and gratefully Yours always. Love, me
From My Heart
by Mitch Salmon on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 8:17am
What further evidence do we need that we are broken? As I survey this land I see conflicts, wars, droughts, starvation and a deep sadness that has pierced so many hearts. It’s clear that this world is crying out, but do they know who can deliver them? Do they know the One who died on that tree so that we would finally be declared free? Even if the trials of this world were to pass would they know who to thank for the mercy? I ponder these things as I consider Your wondrous love. You traded glory for shame. You left Your perfect kingdom to live amongst us in this broken place. You spared no expense, held nothing back. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” You spoke these words as You considered Your own destiny. You knew the love in Your heart. It is more than we could ever fathom. It is far greater than anything we have ever experienced. Your love alone has the ability to transform a heart. Your love alone can set us free.
Father, I pray that You will reveal Yourself to the hearts of all. I pray that Your great love will be made apparent so that even the cynical, jaded and blind will open their eyes to You. This was where You found me; ashamed and alone even as I was surrounded by this mass of humanity. I hid in plain sight. No one knew my heart. No one knew my brokenness or the deep pit inside me. You replaced my shame with gratitude. If You can draw me unto You I know that You can draw anyone! So, Father, I pray that You will use me as an ambassador in this land. I pray that You will use these hands to type Your words. I pray that You will use the skills and abilities You have already blessed me with to bring glory and honor to Your name. I pray that I will decrease so that You may increase. My heart is full and there is no more space to contain this stream of life that You have poured into me. It must flow not to but through me. Take the weakness in me and use it to exhibit Your strength. I bow before You. You are my Lord, my King and the Author of my salvation! You are the Provider of hope, joy, love and peace. You are the one I searched for all my life even as I was groping in the darkness. Thank You for shining Your brilliant light into my dark heart. Thank You for showing me the way even as I was lost and alone.
Thank you, Jesus, that You would leave Your home in glory to make this world Your home for a time. Thank you for Your life of servanthood and for setting self aside for us. Your sacrifice did not begin on that tree. It began on the day that You opened Your human eyes. You never forsook those who sought You. You never turned down a plea for physical or spiritual healing. You were not murdered. You laid Your life down willingly. You endured agony and bore the burden of the cross for me! Love is Your prescription for this world and it is healing one heart at a time. So many have been transformed by this love already and yet I pray that there will be MANY more. Hear my cries, oh Lord! Hear me pleas for this world! We are all searching for the same things and yet so many do not know this love that changes hearts and lives. I pray that You will reveal Yourself to them just as You revealed Yourself to me. If they only knew the truth of Your love! Reveal it to them! Pour it down on every man, woman and child! We don’t have to live in brokenness! We don’t have to live in shame! We don’t have to be who we have been, we are called to be who You say we are. This identity can only be found in Your Son, Christ Jesus!
Father, it is in Your precious Son’s name that I pray. I am affectionately and gratefully Yours always. Love, me
Friday, September 2, 2011
Thoughts for Today - Set us Free part 2
Thoughts for Today - Set us Free part 2
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word” (Psalm 119:37).
Thoughts for today
A simple change of habit can do wonders in keeping you from temptation. For example, if you are most tempted when you spend time on the computer after your spouse has gone to bed, then make a commitment to stay off of the computer during that time. If you know that a certain street you drive down causes you to lust due to certain establishments on it, or prostitutes that hang around, or alluring billboards, you would be wise to travel a different route.
Remember that God loves you, no matter what kind of sin and selfishness you have immersed yourself in, no matter what your destruction your sin has produced. Confess your sin, and admit the gravity of it. Understand that it is impossible to overcome sin totally on your own. Depend on God's help, and seek the support of others. Saturate your mind with God's Word. Pray often. Create barriers to reduce your exposure to temptation. Confess your sin to another Christian (preferably of the same sex), and ask them to pray regularly for you and hold you accountable. Continue to read and learn about your addiction. Seek professional help, especially if the problem is severe and your life has been shattered. Get to work on rebuilding your life, now
Stephen Arterburn in his book Every Man's Battle talks about retraining the eyes to “bounce away” from visual things that stimulate lust in you. For men, this might mean you need to look away as soon as you see a scantily dressed female jogger. Don't fuel your lust. Avert your eyes from temptations, and don't look back.
The same applies to visual temptations on magazines at the grocery store checkout line, or billboards, television programming and commercials. A good habit can be formed in around two weeks. Keep bouncing your gaze away, and remarkable improvement can be noticed rather quickly.
Destroy all pornographic materials in your possession—magazines, books, videos, and computer files. Make no provision for your flesh (Romans 13:14). If you can't control yourself, then you must then get rid of every possible access to pornographic material in your life (Internet, cable TV, etc.). Stop feeding the fire.
If some friendships cause too much temptation, severe those relationships.
MY QUOTE FOR TODAY IS
Each of us is accountable to God for our personal holiness. At the same time, God never intended that we should battle sin single-handedly… Is it sometimes hard to confess my need and ask for help? Absolutely! It requires that I humble myself and acknowledge that I don’t have it all together. The very pride that keeps you from taking off your mask and getting real is the same pride that will cause you to fall into sin. Humbling yourself by letting others into your life and allowing them to help you and hold you accountable will release the sanctifying, transforming grace of God in your life.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss
PRAYER
Here's how to pray, each and every day…
Confess all known sin
Read: Psalm 51 | Mark 7:20-23 | 1 John 1:7-10
Renounce conformity to the world
Read: Romans 12:2, 6:13-14
Ardently seek an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. He will give you a richer, more meaningful life.
Read: John 10:10, 15:5-12 | Ephesians 3:14-19 | Philippians 3:10-14
Offer your body as a “living sacrifice” to God
See: Romans 12:1-2 | 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Worship God
Read: John 4:23-24 | Philippians 3:3
Thank and praise God. Thank Him for his grace and mercy, praise Him, and keep seeking His mercy. Thank God for answered prayer.
Read: What should we thank God for, and how should we praise Him? | Thanksgiving, do the right thing | Are you thankful to God? | Philippians 4:6-7 | Colossians 4:2
Ask God for help in living a pure and loving life
See: Philippians 4:6-7 | Hebrews 4:16
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word” (Psalm 119:37).
Thoughts for today
A simple change of habit can do wonders in keeping you from temptation. For example, if you are most tempted when you spend time on the computer after your spouse has gone to bed, then make a commitment to stay off of the computer during that time. If you know that a certain street you drive down causes you to lust due to certain establishments on it, or prostitutes that hang around, or alluring billboards, you would be wise to travel a different route.
Remember that God loves you, no matter what kind of sin and selfishness you have immersed yourself in, no matter what your destruction your sin has produced. Confess your sin, and admit the gravity of it. Understand that it is impossible to overcome sin totally on your own. Depend on God's help, and seek the support of others. Saturate your mind with God's Word. Pray often. Create barriers to reduce your exposure to temptation. Confess your sin to another Christian (preferably of the same sex), and ask them to pray regularly for you and hold you accountable. Continue to read and learn about your addiction. Seek professional help, especially if the problem is severe and your life has been shattered. Get to work on rebuilding your life, now
Stephen Arterburn in his book Every Man's Battle talks about retraining the eyes to “bounce away” from visual things that stimulate lust in you. For men, this might mean you need to look away as soon as you see a scantily dressed female jogger. Don't fuel your lust. Avert your eyes from temptations, and don't look back.
The same applies to visual temptations on magazines at the grocery store checkout line, or billboards, television programming and commercials. A good habit can be formed in around two weeks. Keep bouncing your gaze away, and remarkable improvement can be noticed rather quickly.
Destroy all pornographic materials in your possession—magazines, books, videos, and computer files. Make no provision for your flesh (Romans 13:14). If you can't control yourself, then you must then get rid of every possible access to pornographic material in your life (Internet, cable TV, etc.). Stop feeding the fire.
If some friendships cause too much temptation, severe those relationships.
MY QUOTE FOR TODAY IS
Each of us is accountable to God for our personal holiness. At the same time, God never intended that we should battle sin single-handedly… Is it sometimes hard to confess my need and ask for help? Absolutely! It requires that I humble myself and acknowledge that I don’t have it all together. The very pride that keeps you from taking off your mask and getting real is the same pride that will cause you to fall into sin. Humbling yourself by letting others into your life and allowing them to help you and hold you accountable will release the sanctifying, transforming grace of God in your life.
Nancy Leigh DeMoss
PRAYER
Here's how to pray, each and every day…
Confess all known sin
Read: Psalm 51 | Mark 7:20-23 | 1 John 1:7-10
Renounce conformity to the world
Read: Romans 12:2, 6:13-14
Ardently seek an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. He will give you a richer, more meaningful life.
Read: John 10:10, 15:5-12 | Ephesians 3:14-19 | Philippians 3:10-14
Offer your body as a “living sacrifice” to God
See: Romans 12:1-2 | 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Worship God
Read: John 4:23-24 | Philippians 3:3
Thank and praise God. Thank Him for his grace and mercy, praise Him, and keep seeking His mercy. Thank God for answered prayer.
Read: What should we thank God for, and how should we praise Him? | Thanksgiving, do the right thing | Are you thankful to God? | Philippians 4:6-7 | Colossians 4:2
Ask God for help in living a pure and loving life
See: Philippians 4:6-7 | Hebrews 4:16
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thoughts for today - Set us Free Part 1
Subject: Thoughts for today - Set us Free Part 1
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 8:28)
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
There are many ways that we humans sin and fall short—lying, greed, stealing, adultery, taking the Lord's name in vain, and many other selfish acts. All sins are equally serious before our Holy God.
"But, I am saved" - If there is no doubt that you have already committed your life to Jesus Christ and are relying on His sin-covering blood for your salvation, then do not let your sin cause you to doubt your salvation. Instead, deal with your sin. Confess it, and rededicate your life to Christ. Don't hold back any part of your life from Him. Humble yourself totally before God. Surrender it all. Ask Him to help you live a life of purity and true love. Accept your own failure and inadequacy. Admit that you cannot overcome sin on your ownThe apostle Paul understood the frustration and terrible hold that our inherited sin has on all descendants of Adam and Eve "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. …I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.
Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
--Romans 7:15-24 (NIV)
Admit your weakness, seek God's help
All humans are selfish and sinful; it is our nature. Addiction to pornography and other sexual sins are particularly potent in their effect, similar to a seductive and powerful drug. Once it has a hold on you, it is very difficult to resist. In fact, it is virtually impossible to overcome on your own. You must have God's help.
God cannot work with you if you are still trying to overcome sin on your own; it is a form of pridefulness. You are, in effect, saying to God "I can take care of this myself." Consider these verses:
"The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God…" (Psalm 10:4). "Pride goes before destruction…" (Proverbs 16:18). "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2).
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You" (Isa 26:3, NKJV).
MY QUOTE FOR TODAY
What about cravings? The Bible understands them well. It refers to them as temptations. The Bible recognizes that people with years of sobriety often still struggle with huge temptations. Sometimes this is just a normal part of the slow process of change. Sometimes it is simply a consequence of being reminded of something we once loved. But at other times it can be a result of mentally cherishing and nurturing the addiction while physically abstaining from it. Instead of asking God for a desire to hate sin at its roots, some people cling to the pleasant memories associated with their addiction. They remember that they once had a potent escape, whereas now they experience the pain of facing daily problems.
Edward T. Welch
DEAR GOD IN JESUS NAME SET US FREE ..LORD IT IS EASY TO GET OFF TRACK IN THIS LIFE HELP US AND SEEK US WHEN WE GO ASTRAY GIVE UP THE EYES TO SEE WHAT THINGS IN OUR LIFE ISNT PLEASING TO YOU AND BRING US TO THE EVERLASTING WAY OF PEACE IN JESUS NAME AMEN
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 8:28)
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
There are many ways that we humans sin and fall short—lying, greed, stealing, adultery, taking the Lord's name in vain, and many other selfish acts. All sins are equally serious before our Holy God.
"But, I am saved" - If there is no doubt that you have already committed your life to Jesus Christ and are relying on His sin-covering blood for your salvation, then do not let your sin cause you to doubt your salvation. Instead, deal with your sin. Confess it, and rededicate your life to Christ. Don't hold back any part of your life from Him. Humble yourself totally before God. Surrender it all. Ask Him to help you live a life of purity and true love. Accept your own failure and inadequacy. Admit that you cannot overcome sin on your ownThe apostle Paul understood the frustration and terrible hold that our inherited sin has on all descendants of Adam and Eve "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. …I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.
Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
--Romans 7:15-24 (NIV)
Admit your weakness, seek God's help
All humans are selfish and sinful; it is our nature. Addiction to pornography and other sexual sins are particularly potent in their effect, similar to a seductive and powerful drug. Once it has a hold on you, it is very difficult to resist. In fact, it is virtually impossible to overcome on your own. You must have God's help.
God cannot work with you if you are still trying to overcome sin on your own; it is a form of pridefulness. You are, in effect, saying to God "I can take care of this myself." Consider these verses:
"The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God…" (Psalm 10:4). "Pride goes before destruction…" (Proverbs 16:18). "When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2).
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You" (Isa 26:3, NKJV).
MY QUOTE FOR TODAY
What about cravings? The Bible understands them well. It refers to them as temptations. The Bible recognizes that people with years of sobriety often still struggle with huge temptations. Sometimes this is just a normal part of the slow process of change. Sometimes it is simply a consequence of being reminded of something we once loved. But at other times it can be a result of mentally cherishing and nurturing the addiction while physically abstaining from it. Instead of asking God for a desire to hate sin at its roots, some people cling to the pleasant memories associated with their addiction. They remember that they once had a potent escape, whereas now they experience the pain of facing daily problems.
Edward T. Welch
DEAR GOD IN JESUS NAME SET US FREE ..LORD IT IS EASY TO GET OFF TRACK IN THIS LIFE HELP US AND SEEK US WHEN WE GO ASTRAY GIVE UP THE EYES TO SEE WHAT THINGS IN OUR LIFE ISNT PLEASING TO YOU AND BRING US TO THE EVERLASTING WAY OF PEACE IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Thoughts For Today ...Why Hide?
The Message (MSG)
Psalm 139
A David Psalm
1-6 God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I'm never out of your sight.
You know everything I'm going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you're there,
then up ahead and you're there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can't take it all in!
7-12 Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you're there!
If I go underground, you're there!
If I flew on morning's wings
to the far western horizon,
You'd find me in a minute—
you're already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I'm immersed in the light!"
It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you.
13-16 Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
you formed me in my mother's womb.
I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking!
Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
before I'd even lived one day.
17-22 Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!
God, I'll never comprehend them!
I couldn't even begin to count them—
any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you!
And please, God, do away with wickedness for good!
And you murderers—out of here!—
all the men and women who belittle you, God,
infatuated with cheap god-imitations.
See how I hate those who hate you, God,
see how I loathe all this godless arrogance;
I hate it with pure, unadulterated hatred.
Your enemies are my enemies!
23-24 Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.
MY THOUGHTS
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS A KID IF I DONE SOMETHING WRONG I WOULD HIDE UNDER THE BED HOPING KNOW ONE WILL FIND ME BUT RATHER IT WAS MY UNCLE OR MY GRANDMOTHER THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO FIND ME UNDER THE BED ....I REMEMBER MANY TIMES I WAS AFRAID AND FEARFUL BECAUSE OF MY GRANDMOTHER FOUND ME SHE HAD A BELT THAT STING AND MY UNCLE WOULD HIT ME KNEES WITH HIS FIST ...BUT IT WAS NOT ABOUT BEING PUNISH IT WAS I THOUGHT I COULD HIDE FROM THEM AT TIMES ..ISN'T THAT IS WITH HOW WE RELATE TO GOD OUR FATHER ..WHEN WE FEEL ASHAMED WE DO NOT CONFESS OUR FALTS TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE LORD AND WE HIDE KNOWING IF I DID NOT CONFESS KNOW ONE WILL EVER KNOW BUT GOD KNOWS EVERTHING ABOUT US ....DAVID IN PSALMS 139 KNEW HE COULD NOT HIDE FROM GOD BECAUSE GOD IS EVERYWHERE AND KNOWS EVERTHING WE DO IN SECRET BUT GOD IS ALSO HAS GRACE AND LOVE TO FORGIVE US OUR WRONG DOINGS, SO WHY HIDE?
MY QUOTE FOR TODAY IS
Properly remembering our past sins with shame will deter us from repeating them and help us receive God's saving grace. When we recall our failures through the lens of Christ's mercy, God produces in us ongoing repentance and deepening humility.
BY ROBERT JONES
PRAYER FOR TODAY
GOD SOMETIMES I FEEL SO ASHAMED OF THE THINGS I DO AND WRONG AND I NEED YOUR HELP TO BE HONEST TO YOU TO OTHERS AND MYSELF THAT THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO SEPARATE US FROM YOUR LOVE ..GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO GO FOWARD AND BE STRONG AND GIVE US YOUR STRENGTH BECAUSE IT ONLY COMES FROM YOU IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Unconditional Love
Unconditional Love
TODAY'S VERSE "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love" John 15:9 (NIV)
TODAY'S THOUGHT I have had Christians chide me for my passion over the unconditional love of God. What about the Holiness of God, the part of God that hates sin? And yes, I understand that God is Holy and that He doesn't have to love us at all - but He does. He chooses to. He sees my sin and then He sees the sacrifice of His son. Jesus Himself said it, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you." How much does the Holy Father love His only begotten? Can we fathom it? And Jesus makes only one request. That we understand it? That we rationalize it? That we argue over it? No, He asks us to remain in His love. Like myself, Brennan Manning taught for years about the love of God without personally understanding its depths. Manning speaks of his own awakening in his book, Abba's Child. He writes, "Unwittingly I had projected onto God my feelings about myself. I felt safe with Him only when I saw myself as noble, generous, and loving, without scars, fears, or tears. Perfect! But on that day in Colorado I came out of hiding. Jesus removed the shroud of perfectionist performance and now, forgiven and free, I ran home. For I knew someone was there for me. -- I finally felt all the words I have written and spoken about stubborn, unrelenting love. That morning I understood that the words are but straw compared to the reality. I leaped from simply being the teacher of God's love to becoming Abba's delight." Today, you too can leap from reading to reality. Quit trying to earn His love and accept the unconditional love He has for you.
Romans 8:1 is one of the most important verses in all of Scripture, from both a theological and a psychological point of view. Theologically, this verse makes crystal clear the fact of our forgiveness in Christ. God has done through Christ that which we could never do, setting us free from the power of sin and death. Thus if we “belong to Christ Jesus,” the Greek reads literally, “if we are in Christ Jesus,” then we know that God does not condemn us. By his grace in Christ, we are forgiven, justified, and welcomed into relationship with him.
Romans 8:1 proclaims truth that touches our souls, or in New Testament Greek, our psyches. Thus it has powerful psychological implications. Many people struggle with a deep sense of their own inadequacy. We feel ashamed because of what we have done and even because of who we are. No matter what we might say about God’s love, in the depth of our hearts, we feel as if God stands against us in angry judgment. Though we are right to see and hate our sin, we are wrong in our estimation of God’s stance. If we belong to Christ by putting our faith in him, then there is no condemnation for us. Thus we can be free to approach God, knowing that he loves and forgives us. Though we rightly confess our sins to him, we see ourselves, not as dirty sinners but as forgiven sinners beloved by God, being renewed through his Spirit.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Do you ever struggle with the thought that God stands in judgment against you? Do you question God’s grace in your life? How might the truth of Romans 8:1 permeate your soul?
TODAY'S PRAYERGracious God, in some ways, this verse is so familiar to me. I’ve read it a hundred times. I’ve taught it, preached it, and written on it. It’s old news to me Father, dear Father. How long have I felt unworthy of your affection? How long have I strived trying to win Your approval? But today I quit. Today I quit trying to earn Your love. Today I surrender. I surrender to Your word and accept the love that You freely have for me. Thank you Father for Your unconditional love.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Thoughts for Today - Trapped?
TRAPPED?
Is anything too hard for the Lord? - Genesis 18:14a.
Nicholas White had a long, long weekend. He was trapped at work from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Nicholas went out for a little cigarette break and the elevator stalled after a fraction of a second voltage drop. No one noticed Nicholas was gone. Probably thought he had left for home a little early. No one noticed until Sunday afternoon when he was spotted on a security camera. It’s not like he didn’t try to gain some attention. He screamed, he banged on the walls, he pushed every button, and he tried to climb through the ceiling of the elevator. After his release he said he was relieved and a little shaky. He refused medical attention and said he just wanted to go home.
Have you ever been trapped? Not in an elevator but by life? Many people feel as though they are trapped by life. It may be financial, or it may be their health, or it may be their marriage, or their job, or family, or an addiction, or so many things that seem to get in the way of the enjoyment of life. 40 hours seems like a slight inconvenience compared to the lives which some are living year after year. We may very well feel like Nicholas. We bang on the walls of heaven, we scream, we push every button we can find, we try to climb out but no one seems to notice; not even God.
What can we do? How do we escape? Somehow our focus must go beyond our situation. We must look beyond our temporary circumstances of this world to the eternal circumstances of the Kingdom of God. Abraham and Sarah were trapped in their old bodies of 100 and 90 years of age. But God said they would have the promised child. Sarah laughed at the possibility. We would have laughed too. The spiritual reality, however, was that there was nothing too hard for the Lord. We must put our focus on and our trust in Jesus (Hebrews 12:3). We must deposit our fears, worries, cares, anxieties, situations, circumstances all upon God (1 Peter 5:7). When we do that we will find through the power of God we have been translated from our prison of circumstances into the freedom of eternal life.
QUOTE FOR TODAY Every person in the world, including yourself, will encounter various trials throughout life. Satan seeks to defeat you by tempting you to trust your own wisdom, to live according to your self-centered feelings, and to gratify the desires of your flesh. In contrast, God’s will is for you to be an overwhelming conqueror in all of these tests for His honor and glory.
Biblical Counseling Foundation
PRAYER FOR TODAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME HELP US NOT TO FEEL TRAPPED IN OUR CURCUMSTANCES OF ADDICTIONS , TROUBLES AND TRIALS OF LIFE BUT HELP US TO KNOW THE TRUTH BECAUSE THE TRUTH HELPS US TO BE SET FREE FROM THE CHAINS WE ARE SO USE TO LIVING TOO .
FATHER IT CAN BE SCARY SOMETIMES ..PLEASE LORD GIVE US STRENGTH FOR WITH YOU ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Is anything too hard for the Lord? - Genesis 18:14a.
Nicholas White had a long, long weekend. He was trapped at work from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Nicholas went out for a little cigarette break and the elevator stalled after a fraction of a second voltage drop. No one noticed Nicholas was gone. Probably thought he had left for home a little early. No one noticed until Sunday afternoon when he was spotted on a security camera. It’s not like he didn’t try to gain some attention. He screamed, he banged on the walls, he pushed every button, and he tried to climb through the ceiling of the elevator. After his release he said he was relieved and a little shaky. He refused medical attention and said he just wanted to go home.
Have you ever been trapped? Not in an elevator but by life? Many people feel as though they are trapped by life. It may be financial, or it may be their health, or it may be their marriage, or their job, or family, or an addiction, or so many things that seem to get in the way of the enjoyment of life. 40 hours seems like a slight inconvenience compared to the lives which some are living year after year. We may very well feel like Nicholas. We bang on the walls of heaven, we scream, we push every button we can find, we try to climb out but no one seems to notice; not even God.
What can we do? How do we escape? Somehow our focus must go beyond our situation. We must look beyond our temporary circumstances of this world to the eternal circumstances of the Kingdom of God. Abraham and Sarah were trapped in their old bodies of 100 and 90 years of age. But God said they would have the promised child. Sarah laughed at the possibility. We would have laughed too. The spiritual reality, however, was that there was nothing too hard for the Lord. We must put our focus on and our trust in Jesus (Hebrews 12:3). We must deposit our fears, worries, cares, anxieties, situations, circumstances all upon God (1 Peter 5:7). When we do that we will find through the power of God we have been translated from our prison of circumstances into the freedom of eternal life.
QUOTE FOR TODAY Every person in the world, including yourself, will encounter various trials throughout life. Satan seeks to defeat you by tempting you to trust your own wisdom, to live according to your self-centered feelings, and to gratify the desires of your flesh. In contrast, God’s will is for you to be an overwhelming conqueror in all of these tests for His honor and glory.
Biblical Counseling Foundation
PRAYER FOR TODAY
FATHER IN JESUS NAME HELP US NOT TO FEEL TRAPPED IN OUR CURCUMSTANCES OF ADDICTIONS , TROUBLES AND TRIALS OF LIFE BUT HELP US TO KNOW THE TRUTH BECAUSE THE TRUTH HELPS US TO BE SET FREE FROM THE CHAINS WE ARE SO USE TO LIVING TOO .
FATHER IT CAN BE SCARY SOMETIMES ..PLEASE LORD GIVE US STRENGTH FOR WITH YOU ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thoughts for today - The mind
Thoughts for today - The mind
Posted by Delmar on July 31,
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
THE CHURCH IS WHERE MOST CHRISTIAN GO TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD BUT I KNOW ON A PERSONAL LEVEL I HEARD GOD'S WORD ALL MY LIFE AND TRIED SO HARD TO LIVE UP TO IT AND KEPT FALLING INTO THE SAME OLD TRAPS THE DEVIL WOULD THROW AT ME .
I ACTUALLY BELIEVE A LIE THINKING THAT THE DEVIL HAD WON IN MY LIFE AND I HAD NO WAY OUT
SO I DIG MYSELF DEEPER INTO MANY THINGS AS THE BIBLE WOULD CALL SIN ....BUT MY MIND WOULD ALWAYS BOTHER ME BECAUSE I KNEW GOD WAS NOT GOING TO LET ME GO ....MANY TIMES IN MY WALK OF DARKNESS I WOULD COME BACK TO GOD AND CRIED PLEASE TAKE THIS AWAY .....
I HAD SO MUCH PAIN IN MY LIFE , DEPRESSION AND REJECTION AND THE LIST GOES ON BUT I WILL SAY GOD HELD MY HAND UNTIL THE MOMENT CAME YEARS LATER THAT I COULD NOT TAKE IT ANY MORE
I STILL STUGGLE BUT NOW ITS FOR DIFFRENT REASONS ....RELATIONSHIPS HAD NOT ALWAYS BEEN EASY FOR ME AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS TO MAKE TRUE FRIENDS AT TIMES ....I HAVE VERY FEW FRIENDS THAT KNOW ME AND CALL ME AND WE TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING ....ON THE OTHER HANDS I HAVE FRIENDS I DO GO OUT TO LUNCH SOMETIMES .....RECOVERY IS PLACING THE TRUTH WITH THE LIE
ALL MY LIFE I BELIEVE LIES AND THE DEVIL IS THE FATHER OF LIES ......IN THE PAST I FOUND MANY IDOLS TO RUN TO BUT DID NOT SATISFIELD ME .....
True happiness can only be found on the inside of your being in your connection and personal relationship with the Lord. All of the material wealth and goods that are out there for the taking will not give you this kind of true inner peace, happiness, and fulfillment.
MY QUOTE FOR TODAY IS BY SAM STORMS
Nowhere in the Bible is the “mind,” per se, described as evil or unworthy of being the means by which God communicates with us. What the Bible does denounce is intellectual pride, but not the intellect itself. It is humility that we need, not ignorance. I stand opposed to arrogant and cynical intellectualism. But that is not the same thing as using the mind God has given us, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the instruction of Scripture, to evaluate and discern and critically assess what is happening in both the church and the world. Whereas some things that God says and does are transrational, insofar as they are mysterious and often go beyond our ability to fully comprehend, God never does things that are irrational in the sense that they might violate the fundamental laws of logic or the reasonable and rational truths of Holy Scripture.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
My desire is to have a deeper sense of Your peace in me today. Take away all fear, doubt, and concern from my heart and replace it with the peace that only You can give. Thank You that Your peace will guard my mind so that I will not give place to thoughts that are not beneficial to me. In Philippians 4:7, we are told “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Father, thank You that Your peace will guard my heart from unproductive emotions and feelings that only serve to shatter my life. Thank You that the depths of Your peace are greater than we can imagine and that through this peace, we are made whole. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
Posted by Delmar on July 31,
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
THE CHURCH IS WHERE MOST CHRISTIAN GO TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD BUT I KNOW ON A PERSONAL LEVEL I HEARD GOD'S WORD ALL MY LIFE AND TRIED SO HARD TO LIVE UP TO IT AND KEPT FALLING INTO THE SAME OLD TRAPS THE DEVIL WOULD THROW AT ME .
I ACTUALLY BELIEVE A LIE THINKING THAT THE DEVIL HAD WON IN MY LIFE AND I HAD NO WAY OUT
SO I DIG MYSELF DEEPER INTO MANY THINGS AS THE BIBLE WOULD CALL SIN ....BUT MY MIND WOULD ALWAYS BOTHER ME BECAUSE I KNEW GOD WAS NOT GOING TO LET ME GO ....MANY TIMES IN MY WALK OF DARKNESS I WOULD COME BACK TO GOD AND CRIED PLEASE TAKE THIS AWAY .....
I HAD SO MUCH PAIN IN MY LIFE , DEPRESSION AND REJECTION AND THE LIST GOES ON BUT I WILL SAY GOD HELD MY HAND UNTIL THE MOMENT CAME YEARS LATER THAT I COULD NOT TAKE IT ANY MORE
I STILL STUGGLE BUT NOW ITS FOR DIFFRENT REASONS ....RELATIONSHIPS HAD NOT ALWAYS BEEN EASY FOR ME AND I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS TO MAKE TRUE FRIENDS AT TIMES ....I HAVE VERY FEW FRIENDS THAT KNOW ME AND CALL ME AND WE TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING ....ON THE OTHER HANDS I HAVE FRIENDS I DO GO OUT TO LUNCH SOMETIMES .....RECOVERY IS PLACING THE TRUTH WITH THE LIE
ALL MY LIFE I BELIEVE LIES AND THE DEVIL IS THE FATHER OF LIES ......IN THE PAST I FOUND MANY IDOLS TO RUN TO BUT DID NOT SATISFIELD ME .....
True happiness can only be found on the inside of your being in your connection and personal relationship with the Lord. All of the material wealth and goods that are out there for the taking will not give you this kind of true inner peace, happiness, and fulfillment.
MY QUOTE FOR TODAY IS BY SAM STORMS
Nowhere in the Bible is the “mind,” per se, described as evil or unworthy of being the means by which God communicates with us. What the Bible does denounce is intellectual pride, but not the intellect itself. It is humility that we need, not ignorance. I stand opposed to arrogant and cynical intellectualism. But that is not the same thing as using the mind God has given us, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the instruction of Scripture, to evaluate and discern and critically assess what is happening in both the church and the world. Whereas some things that God says and does are transrational, insofar as they are mysterious and often go beyond our ability to fully comprehend, God never does things that are irrational in the sense that they might violate the fundamental laws of logic or the reasonable and rational truths of Holy Scripture.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
My desire is to have a deeper sense of Your peace in me today. Take away all fear, doubt, and concern from my heart and replace it with the peace that only You can give. Thank You that Your peace will guard my mind so that I will not give place to thoughts that are not beneficial to me. In Philippians 4:7, we are told “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Father, thank You that Your peace will guard my heart from unproductive emotions and feelings that only serve to shatter my life. Thank You that the depths of Your peace are greater than we can imagine and that through this peace, we are made whole. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thoughts for Today -Set your mind above
SET YOUR MIND ON THE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH .FOR YOU HAVE DIED AND YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD. WHEN CHRIST ,WHO IS OUR LIFE,IS REVEALED,THEN YOU ALSO WILL BE REVELALED, WITH HIM IN GLORY
COLOSSIANS 3:2-4
BILLY GRAHAM QUOTED -A NATION IS MORE POWERFUL WHEN IT UNITES IN EARNEST PRAYER TO GOD THAN WHEN ITS RESOURCES ARE CHANNELED INTO WEAPONS ..WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF MILLIONS OF BELIEVERS AROUND THE WORLD AVAILED THEMSELVES OF THE GREATEST PRIVILEGE THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN THE PRIVILEGE OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER?
I BELIEVE WE ARE LIVING IN SOME DARK DAYS AND TO BE HONESTI AM CAREFUL WHAT I WATCH ON TV ...IT IS FULL OF DARKNESS , CRIME MOVIES AND THE WAYS OF THE WORLD
JESUS SAID SET YOUR MINDS UP ABOVE NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE DOWN HERE
IT WAS ALSO EXPRESS IN PHILIPPIANS 4:8 MENTIONS
For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. (AMP)
I KNOW WE ARE IN THE WORLD BUT WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD
AS THE WORLD BECOMES DARKER LET US BE TUNE IN TO THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG RUN TO GOD HE IS THE KEY TO EVERYDAY PROBLEMS AND IF THINGS DONT WORK OUT HE HAS ANOTHER BUT BETTER PLAN FOR YOUR CURCUMSTANCES .
Can we pray for justice, and yet love our enemy at the same time? The answer is yes…We will magnify the mercy of God by praying for our enemies to be saved and reconciled to God. At the personal level we will be willing to suffer for their everlasting good, and we will give them food and drink. We will put away malicious hatred and private vengeance. But at the public level we will also magnify the justice of God by praying and working for justice to be done on earth, if necessary through wise and measured force from God-ordained authority.
John Piper
PRAYER
DEAR LORD I PRAYER THAT WE CAN KEEP FOCUS ON WHAT IS LOVELY AND PURE TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS TRUE AND HELP US NOT TO BE IN OUR CURCUMSTANCES AND WORRY ABOUT THEM BUT HELP US KNOW YOU ARE IN FULLY IN CONTROL EVEN WHEN IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE IT
THANK YOU IN JESUS NAME AMEN
Monday, May 30, 2011
Thoughts For Today -Getting God's Guidance
AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE COME BACK TO THE LORD , I SURELY HAD MY UPS AND DOWNS IN LIFE AND THINGS I DID IAM NOT PROUD OF BUT GOD LOVED ME
(JUST AS I AM) A SONG THEY USE TO SING AT EVERY BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE
HE KNEW I WOULD COME BACK TO HIM BUT SOMETIMES WE WANT TO LIVE OUR OWN WAY AND NOT LEAN ON GOD'S WAYS . I FIND GOD'S WAYS ARE SO MUCH BETTER BECAUSE HE CARES SO MUCH FOR US HE DID NOT BUILT US LIKE ROBOTS BUT TO HAVE A CHOICE . I FINALLY CAME TO THE END OF MYSELF AND FIND IT IS EASIER TO LiSTEN TO HIM AND THE MORE I FOLLOW AND LOVED HIM THE MORE GRACE HE GAVE ME TO BE FREE .
DELMAR
Getting God's Guidance
I Believe there is a time and season for everything
lately there seems to be more Earthquakes and fires,Gas prices rising
The Rise of Unemployment and Murders and Wars
Which has always been there in the world but I notice they have much increased.
Every sign that leads to the Lords coming back to get his bride . I know People who are Hurting with Depression and Suicidal thoughts and all hope is gone .
Some People find it very hard to get out of bed in the morning .
I remember as a little boy what was wrong back then now is right in the eyes of man .
We as a People took God out of our Schools and we are telling God we don't need you .
As the bible says in the last days it will be like the days of Noah , People will be lovers of themselves not God .
I remember Churches were Respected on Sunday and most every store was closed on Sunday . I believe we lost the true meaning of what life was all about and that is Leaning on the everlasting Arms of Jesus .
I remember singing that song When I was a little Boy
I was thankful that I Who was a Prodigal Son many times throughout my life can Honestly say seeds were planted in my childhood of Learning on the everlasting Arms .
1.What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
◦Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.
2.O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
3.What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
I have peace complete with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!
Prayer: "Our Loving Heavenly Father, thank you that you
are interested in every detail of my life. Again this
day I commit and trust every aspect of my life to you.
Please give me the insight to see the reality in every
situation I am in. And then, help me to know what I need
to do and give me the courage to do it no matter what
it is. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.
Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray. Amen."
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Struggling
Philippians 4:6-8 #4
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things
I was thinking how so much bad news i here in the newspaper or to say online news , Even the Tv News and sometimes we get so focus on these things and it effects our minds to negative thinking
next thing it effect other peoples lives we are close to .
Sometimes we struggle with sin and which is another issue in our lives because of the things of this world surely effects our live . I Found peace in the verse whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
Think on the word of God which is lovely and pure and then your thoughts are in a very good place . The word of God says we are in the world but not of this world and God made a way for us to follow him if we would just give him a chance too.
Jeremiah 29:11 says For i know the thoughts that i think towards you, says the lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil , to give you a future and a hope."
Quote for today
Hope in God's promises, therefore, is not a wishful longing but a faith-filled confidence for the future. It is simply impossible to trust one of God's promises and not anticipate its coming true. To know God is to trust Him. And to trust God is to trust His promises. And to trust God's promises is to be sure of their fulfillment. This assurance concerning the future, anchored in God's promises, is what the Bible calls "hope."
Scott Hafemann
PRAYER
Dear Lord help us to fix our eyes on you and to focus our attention what is lovely and pure
and help us to know you will see us though are struggles and give us strength to face our struggles and to give them to you in Jesus name Amen
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Change
If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow
and do not shed innocent blood in this place,
and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm,
then I will let you live in this place,
in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever"
Jeremiah 7:5-7 (NIV)
Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.
Author: Warren Wiersbe
THOUGHTS FOR TODAY
Change can happen if we want to change and God knows we can change because he is the Father who cares about us and able to far that we can imagine . The Devil will tell us we cant change but with God all things are possible . The fact is we can all do better if we let God be God in our lives .Our Savior Jesus Christ made a way for us if we just let him .
I love that quotation. I've seen it attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr., but I think when he said it, he was quoting someone else. It doesn't really matter who said it. We all live off the achievements and great thoughts that have gone before us.
The three sentences in the quotation are a prayer for change. It speaks to us on every level of business, of society, and of self-improvement.
"We ain't what we ought to be." - This simple statement signifies that we know what we are with our strengths and weaknesses. It's the first step in training. Before we begin setting goals for improvement, we must first assess who and what we are. It also lets us and others know that we expect to do better and it holds us up in comparison to a goal for that achievement. Maybe not an exact goal, but one that tells us we always need to be doing something that would make our jesus proud.
Change Your Thinking...Change Your Life
by Joyce Meyer
The longer I live the more I realize how strong a connection exists between our thoughts and our words. I honestly believe that this connection is one of the most important things we can learn in our lives.
So many people’s problems are rooted in their way of thinking, which can actually produce a lot of the problems they experience.
How does that happen?
Well, a negative mind produces negative words and, consequently, a negative life. Our words can actually become traps that cause us to continue our cycle of negative thoughts and actions.
Yes, we’re all tempted to speak negatively, but we don’t have to give in to that temptation.
To turn our words around, we need to start thinking about what we’re thinking about, and then make some real changes.
Let me show you how.
The Trap of Negative Thinking
Because I allowed many years of negative thinking and speaking in my life, I became an extremely negative, sour person. My philosophy became “if you don’t expect anything good to happen, then you won’t be disappointed when it doesn’t.”
Have you ever felt that way?
Because I had encountered so many disappointments, I was afraid to believe that anything good could happen to me. I had developed a terribly negative outlook on everything.
If I had continued to believe those lies about never getting over my past, I never would’ve gotten over my past.
New Thoughts, New Possibilities
With God’s help I am continually reminded that my past doesn’t have to control my future. I don’t need God’s help in my life to give up; I need His help to keep going!
I now know how important it is for me to understand the fact that my life would not have gotten straightened out until my mouth did…
And since the two are linked, my mouth wasn’t going to get straightened out until my mind did.
Changing your words and thoughts is definitely not an easy thing to do, but with God’s help all things are possible.
Be Patient with Yourself
We have to choose to think and speak positively. It doesn’t come naturally—and it doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it takes a lot of practice.
There will be days when you have setbacks, but just get back up, dust yourself off, and start again.
When a baby is learning to walk, he falls many, many times before he gains the confidence to walk. Failing from time to time—which you will do—doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It simply means that you don’t do everything right all the time.
Well, neither does anyone else.
If you’ve been consumed with negative thinking and speaking, the pathway to your freedom begins when you face the problem without making excuses for it.
Be patient with yourself. As you change your thinking, your words will change and so will your life!
PRAYER
Father help us to change and mold us in the way you want us to be, I pray that you Transform our minds our thoughts and our life and give us to strength to want to change in Jesus name Amen
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