Weekly Readings - 9/19
1 view
Skip to first unread message
bluidkiti
Sep 18, 2008, 12:23:22 PM9/18/08
to
Weekly Spiritual Readings
September 19, 2008
Christians In Recovery
Daily Spiritual Meditations
Daily Recovery Readings
Ask Jesus Into Your Life
Online Bible
***********************************************************
God, thank you for answering my prayer, it isn't exactly what I prayed for but it is Your answer and it is best way.
God has a way of loving us and blessing us that is so much better
than fair. Think of the ways God has blessed us that transcend what we
"deserve." Every good thing that has ever come to us is a gift of God's grace.
If you and I could ever stop being self-centered long enough to be honest,
we would have to say that we are not entitled to any good thing. We have
no right to demand anything. And the last thing we really want is for God
to just be "fair" with us. What we want and what we need is grace, the love
that is better than fair. And grace is exactly what we ultimately receive
from the God who is better than fair, even when life is less than fair.
-- Charles E. Poole
Sometimes the stormy weather comes not in the form of a blizzard,
a tornado or hurricane, but rather in the form of a crisis in our lives over
which we have no control. I have wondered many times if my Heavenly Father
has not allowed certain difficulties to come into my life just to remind me
that I'm not the one in charge--but that He is. And He knows what He's doing.
-- Rocky Henriques
God sees the whole picture, and acts in my life based on a higher view than mine.
I have learned to trust God, who looks beyond what we can see.
When we ask, God will give us the wisdom we need.
We must not judge, criticize, and condemn others; God is at work in their lives, too, and we cannot know what they may grow to be. Let us obey and trust that God will bring about a good harvest.
My relationship with God is at the center of my life. God feeds my soul and sustains my life. God is my strength when I am weak, my comfort when I am afraid, my companion when I am lonely, my confidant when I am angry, my biggest fan, my best friend. --Heidi A. Tierney
I need to be listening for God's call to reach out to someone.
***********************************************************
Have you learned to take a long-term look at your short-term problems?
Whenever something frustrating happens, don't immediately become upset. Instead, ask yourself if this problem is really worth getting aggravated over: is this a five minute problem, a five hour problem, a five month problem, or a five year problem?
For example, if you can't find where around your house you left your car keys, don't let that steal your love, joy, peace, or patience. Being five minutes late to most things is not worth losing your joy. Similarly, if you're stuck in a traffic jam, don't let that ruin your Fruit of the Spirit. It's not worth getting upset and uptight about a ten minute delay on your way to work. Indeed, ten minutes is nothing compared to all of eternity.
Also, remember that God may be using your short-term problem for a long-term purpose. That's why James 1:2-4 says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. God will work through your current trials and difficulties in order to produce lasting benefits such as faith, perseverance, and spiritual maturity. That's why it's important to take a long-term look at your short-term problems. --Weekly Wisdom
***********************************************************
God has given us peace so that we can be stable even in the midst of hard times. In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives."
In this verse, Jesus tells us that He has left us his peace. Jesus' peace, however, isn't like the world's peace, which depends on your circumstances; rather, God's peace is internal. God's peace allows believers to be stable even in the midst of hard circumstances, difficult trials, and uncertain times.
It's no wonder Paul said that he could be content, i.e. stable, in all circumstances: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:11-12). What was Paul's "secret"? "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
The key to contentment and stability is living in, through, and with God in everything. Like Paul, we are able to remain content and stable in all circumstances. --Author Unknown
***********************************************************
Singing as Worship
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Psalm 66:4
When people think of worship, they often think of singing. Indeed in many churches, the singing time in the service is designated as the worship time. As I study worship, I realize that singing is only one of many ways to worship God. I will have to admit though that singing is one of my favorite ways to worship. I do not have a good singing voice, but it doesn't matter. God doesn't care that I often do not hit the right notes. He still loves to here me sing.
Singing can stir the heart in a way that mere speech cannot always achieve. When I sing old hymns such as "Amazing Grace" or "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" or "Blessed Assurance" my heart soars. The hymns may be over a hundred years old, but they touch on timeless truths and clearly express our praise to God. Hymns, of course, are not the only way to sing in worship to God. Over the last thirty years, simple worship choruses have found their way into the church. Songs such as "Here I Am to Worship" and "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" have given new ways to worship God. As a songwriter, I have found ways to worship God in writing both hymns and simple worship choruses.
Singing along with a congregation or singing privately can both foster worship. When we sing together with others, we are reminding ourselves that we are part of the body of Christ. Many voices are joined together to make a beautiful symphony in praise of God. When we sing privately, we are able to intimately express our love to God.
Are you worshiping God by singing? --Jason Mitchener
***********************************************************
Just Look Up! by Jessica Campbell
Life is like playing in an orchestra. First, God gives you your instrument and some music, and you sit down to play, but you say, “God, I’ve never played this piece before! Look at all of those notes! I’ll never be able to do it!” But God gets up on the pedestal and holds His baton in His hand. He winks at you and says calmly, “Just follow me.”
You say, “But God, that will be too hard... can’t we play this other song? It looks a whole lot easier and a lot more fun to play,” but God says, “No, follow MY lead”
Well, you decide that it doesn’t matter what God says, you want to play the other song. So, as He raises His baton and begins to conduct, you ignore Him and begin wailing away at the piece you wanted to play. However, it just doesn’t quite work. The music doesn’t sound beautiful at all, because it’s not the way God wanted you to play. After a little more playing and a whole lot more frustration, you realize that it would be better just to listen to your Conductor. So, with a red face you silently search for the piece God wants you to play.
“But God, it looks so hard.” But God just smiles caringly and taps the baton on His stand. “No matter what, follow Me. Just look up at Me, and I will lead you,” He whispers. So, you begin to play. In the beginning, it seems as though you will never be able to play this piece. All you can see are those notes rushing by. Then you remember what God said... “LOOK UP”... so you look up and see God carefully counting out the beats for you, and if you listen really carefully, you can hear His Voice humming your part.
The song is the most beautiful song that you have ever heard, and you find that as long as your eyes are fixed on the Conductor, you are able to play along. All you have to do is look up! Sure, some parts are REALLY tough, but as long as you follow the Conductor and listen to His steady rhythm, you can make it through. All you have to do is LOOK UP!
***********************************************************
God’s Accuracy
God’s accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs. For example, the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days; those of the canary in 14 days; those of the barnyard hen in 21 days. The eggs of ducks and geese hatch in 28 days; those of the mallard in 35 days. The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days. (Notice, they are all divisible by seven).
The lives of each of you may be ordered by the Lord in a beautiful way for His glory, if you will only entrust Him with your life. If you try to regulate your own life, it will only be a mess and a failure. Only the One Who made the brain and the heart can successfully guide them to a profitable end.
God’s wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant. The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped is so made. God planned that this animal would have a huge body, too large to live on two legs. For this reason He gave it four fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground easily. The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs first. A cow rises from the ground with its two hind legs first. How wise the Lord is in all His works of creation!
God’s wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments, as well as in the number of grains. Each watermelon has an even number of strips on the rind. Each orange has an even number of segments. Each ear of corn has an even number of rows. Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains. Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an even number and the next row an odd number. The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather. All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks, and the Lord specified thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold – all even numbers.
God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during the day, so that Linneus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those that were closed!
Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes and plans, and will be fragrant with His presence. Only the God-planned life is successful. Only the life given over to the care of the Lord is safe. --Author Unknown
***********************************************************
Perspectives!
One day, a financially comfortable father decided to take his son to the country, with the purpose of showing him how poor people live, and that the son could understand the value of things, and realize how fortunate they were.
They stayed overnight at a very humble family’s farm for 1 day and 1 night. As the trip ended, and during their return home, the father asks his son:
So what did you think of the trip?
It was great, dad!
Did you see how poor and needy some people have to live?
Yes!
And what did you learn?
I saw that we have one dog in the house, but they have four. We have a huge swimming pool, but they have a river that never ever ends. We have imported lamps in the patio, they have the stars. Our backyard ends at the fence, but theirs goes on and on into the horizon. Especially though, dad, I saw that they have time to talk to each other and live as a family. You and Mom have to work all day, and I hardly see you both!
As the conversation ended, the father remained silent, and his son added: Thanks Dad, for showing me how rich we could be!! Author Unknown
***********************************************************
A Choice
There had been several frustrating and aggravating things happen within the last few days. Nothing major. Just the typical things that come with relocating and dealing with companies who make big promises, but seem unconcerned about fulfilling those promises. You know the kind of things I'm talking about: The customer service representative promises, "We'll have someone there between Noon and 2:00 PM." They show up at 3:30 PM and do not have time to complete the job. Or, "We'll get it taken care of on Monday between Noon and 3:00 PM." Again, they show up late and fail to finish the job.
I was tired of moving, emptying boxes, and tired of empty promises. So, I wrote in my journal, "Father, let me see You in this day. Unfortunately, yesterday - whether by choice or circumstance - I saw mostly frustration and aggravation. I'm ready not to focus on those things and get beyond them. I have allowed these things to consume most of my energy. I pray today will be better."
I turned to the Psalm for the day and read these words:
I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise. 2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life - when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. 3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. 4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. 5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. 6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. 7 No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. 8 Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD. (Psalm 101, NIV)
There was my answer. There in verse 3 I recognized the main object of my irritation and my desire for my day: "The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me." The New Live Version says it this way, "I hate the work of those who are not faithful. It will not get hold of me." I wanted to get above and beyond the "faithless" deeds of men. I did not want them to "cling to me" or "get hold of me"... any longer.
As I pondered the Psalm I realize God was answering my prayer. It was as if He was saying, "You want to have a better day? Fine with me. It's your choice." (Ouch!) These are the instructions He gave me:
Sing about the love and justice of God. Praise Him for it.
Be careful to lead a blameless life today. That way you will have nothing to fear when I come.
Make every effort to come home at the end of the day with a blameless heart.
Keep your eyes, your mind, and your heart focused on things that are pure, true, honest, and faithful. And, stay away from people who might pull you in another direction.
Keep my word. Be trustworthy. Do not listen to or dwell upon words, no matter who is speaking, that consists of lies, gossip, rumors, or evil. Do not give audience to anyone who is inclined to do evil or who is involved in wickedness.
After I read His words, I wrote in my journal, "Thank You for instructing me in Your ways." It became evident that it was my choice to have a better day. I listened to Him. I chose. It was a better day.
How's your day looking? It's your choice. --Tom
***********************************************************
"I SAW ME"
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me! I don't mean to hold you up," he said as he struggled to get off the escalator.
I'll admit to it. There have been times when walking or driving behind an older person, I've gotten impatient and upset. I've huffed and zoomed around them because I was in a hurry to get nowhere. Perhaps I'm more aware of it now because I see myself there one day soon. Today I saw myself in this old man's shoes and it caused me to slow down, stop, and ask for his forgiveness.
He was about five or six people ahead of me. I was in a hurry and saw him as an obstacle. I've seen people get off the end of an escalator and stop dead in their tracks, gather their things and suddenly there's a pile up of angry people behind them. You can't stop an escalator full of people behind you. Like the Energizer bunny, they keep on goin'.
This man was well aware of the challenge. He tried desperately to step aside. Fumbling with his small packages, struggling to gain his footing, you could see how troubling this was for him. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me! I don't mean to hold you up," he said as he struggled to get off the escalator.
I suddenly saw this in a whole new light. It was like I was watching my future. I felt sorry for him. I felt sick to my stomach because this man was apologizing to everyone, when we should have been helping him and calming his fears.
One by one, people zipped around him. I heard a few angry comments whispered as one lady passed by him.
I saw me.
By the time I got to him he was just about steady on his feet.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know there was more," he said.
"No, sir. No more with me," I said. This really hit me hard. I realized right then how sad it was that the world was in such a hurry. That, of course, included me. But...no more with me. Count me out.
This wonderful man paid his dues. For whatever time he had spent on this earth, he most likely walked many rough roads and too many important miles. Now he should be apologizing for moving slower?
My heart ached as I looked into his eyes. I wished that I could see what he had seen all those years. His face weathered from life itself, was creased and wrinkled. The small soft pockets under his eyes and the gentle lines that curved up and around them told me he had many happy moments, too. Those were traces left behind from laughter and a smiling, happy man.
"My friend, can I help you with those things?" I asked.
Hesitant at first, he finally said, "Well, yes, thank you!"
I placed my hand under his left arm and walked with him a safe distance away from the rush of people.
"So what are you shopping for, sir?"
"Oh, just a little something for my neighbor. She's a young mother raising kids on her own. She's always so nice to me. I thought a box of candy for Mother's Day..." he said, stopping suddenly as he searched the inside pocket of his sport coat.
"Do you need something?" I asked.
"Oh, no. Here. I think I have it right here. I always carry them with me," he said. Then pulling out a hand full of papers he shuffled through them and handed me a business card that read: "John A. Pomicter. Friend to all...enemy to no one! I said a prayer today and you were the answer. Thank you!"
"That's for you," he said. "Thanks for stopping to help an old man."
"My friend, you helped ME! I discovered that I was unhappy with the world and I was part of the problem. Now I'll be part of the solution. No more with me!"
"Then this was meant to be," he said smiling. "You know God sends me gifts every day and always at least one special person. You were my gift for today! Let's go get some chocolates, my friend." --Bob Perks
***********************************************************
Where You Lead I Will Follow
Do you remember playing “Follow the Leader” or “Simon Says” when you were a child? These were two games that required concentration and attentiveness to play; especially if you wanted to win. Leading and following require skill and are far more complex than a simple childhood game. Leading is difficult, but following can be even more difficult. Following requires that you submit to the direction of another and be willing to give up your ideas and preferences for that of the leader’s. This may be easy when the leader asks that you follow along doing something that is simple or that you agree with. Things change though when the leader asks you to follow in something more challenging, or that is contrary to the way you feel or think. In some situations you may find it difficult, if not impossible, to be a good follower. After all, you want to be in control of your own life and destiny.
When you submit to Jesus Christ you will find that following takes on a whole new meaning. Following Jesus is not easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it. It requires that you give up a lot of things. You may need to give up your association with certain individuals. There may be activities that you once enjoyed doing that are now off limits. You will be challenged to behave in a way that may be different from the way you behaved in the past. Others may look at you with indifference or even think you have lost your mind! Still, following Jesus is the most rewarding and fulfilling things you will ever do. It is the one and only way to live your life with total peace, joy, and love…. even in times of trouble. Stop and listen to His voice. Then follow Him where He leads you with trust and confidence. He will never lead you astray and will always ensure that the path leads exactly where you need to be from now until eternity.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 --Weekly Daily Journey
***********************************************************
Notes to Live By
Away with you, Satan! for it is written, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him."
-Matthew 4:10 (NRSV)
I stood in the courtroom. The judge took a deep breath: "Mr. Westbury, I am sentencing you to time in a drug-treatment facility." During the three days until a bed became available, I stayed with my brother, who was living in the house we grew up in.
While in jail awaiting trial, I had attended church and read the Bible. I had known for some time that addiction is primarily a spiritual disease, and reading scripture touched me in ways that drugs could not. For the first time in my life, I felt hope.
At my brother's, I was restless. I was tempted to call old friends for one last party. I had to find something to do, so I decided to pack. I went up to the attic and found myself in a world of cardboard boxes.
In the first box was an old notebook filled with my mother's notes from a Bible-study class. In the back was a section titled, "Daily Prayers." I started reading my mother's prayers, cries from her heart to God. The prayers were written when I was at my lowest, and I saw my name lifted up in every prayer. I wept. At some point peace came over me, and I felt the spirit of God in my heart.
When I went downstairs, I knew two things: I never had to be alone again, and I never had to use drugs again. God had sent me my mom's notes and prayers to live by. --Adam James Westbury Prayer: God, keep each of us safe in your love. Amen.
Thought for the Day: Whose prayers have made a difference in my life?
***********************************************************
Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Rejoice, for it is the Day of My Power for those who believe. And, if you believe, you will receive the power of My Spirit to overcome every obstacle and obtain victory in every situation. I have made available to you every tool necessary to live an overcoming life, but you must choose to do so and exercise your faith. You can also choose to be helpless and hopeless, but that is not My perfect will for your life. I have given you the way out; take it! Rise up and defeat the enemy of your soul, says the Lord. Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
A special anointing is now being released that will bring regeneration and resurrection power. The tests and trials of the past eight months have taken their toll and have brought a general weakness in your body, soul and spirit. But, now it is time for you to rise up and access this fresh anointing that will refresh, restore and renew. You will do this in the realm of the Spirit by faith. Come boldly before My throne of Grace and receive all that I have made available to you, says the Lord. Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
You are on the very cusp of a spiritual season when you will reap the results of your attitudes, motivations and actions. There will be much for you to learn from this harvest time. The question is: will you actually gain wisdom and insight that will guide you into the realm of blessing, or will you place blame on others for any misfortune? You would benefit greatly from looking yourself squarely in the face and being honest about taking responsibility for your deeds, says the Lord.
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
So, you feel like you can't see the forest for the trees? I tell you that you are about to come out into a clearing where you can regain your perspective and equilibrium. I am giving you a time of unusual grace to get your bearings. And, once you have some clarity, I will give you the necessary strength to press on and accomplish what is set before you. Instead of getting stressed out, just trust Me to bring you through, says the Lord. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
***********************************************************
A WONDERFUL REMINDER
While praying one day a little girl asked,
'Who are you, Lord?'
He answered, 'I Am'
But, Who is I Am?' she said.
And He replied...'I Am Love, I Am Peace,
I Am Grace, I Am Joy,
I Am the Way, Truth, and the Light
I Am the Comforter,
I Am Strength, I Am Safety
I Am Shelter, I Am Power
I Am the Creator;
I Am the Beginning and the End
I Am the Most High.'
The girl with tears in her eyes looked
Toward heaven and said,
Now I understand, but Lord, Who Am I ?'
Then God tenderly wiped the tears
From her eyes and whispered,
'YOU ARE MINE'
-- Author Unknown
***********************************************************
When God Moves In
I don't have all of the answers my friend
however, there's one thing for certain, I know;
Your heavenly Father would love to help you
but you've got to turn loose and let the past go!
When you finally stop all of your struggling,
trying to solve all your problems on your own;
You'll find all along He's been patiently waiting
for He promised He'd never leave you alone!
He's just waiting for you to open the door
and invite him to come and enter in;
There's no way that He can help you my friend
till you open your heart's door and let him within.
Then the peace and the joy that He'll bring to you
will surpass all your hopes and your dreams;
He'll drive out all of your fears and your doubts
and your problems won't look as bad as they seem.
Turn loose of all of this baggage my friend
Tell satan to leave, that with him you are through;
The weight you've been under will be lifted
when you finally let God come and live within you!
~Helen Johnson~
***********************************************************
He Is In Control
He can calm the troubled waters,
when you walk in dark despair,
There is hope when you feel hopeless,
knowing that the Lord is there.
Sharing in your sunshine moments,
or in valleys deep and wide,
He will never, ever leave you,
He is always by your side.
There's no other friend so faithful,
through the sunshine and the rain,
Through the teardrops and the laughter,
in your joy and in your pain.
We could never, ever thank Him,
for His love He gives so free,
Never changing never ending,
throughout all eternity.
Oh, the wonder of all wonders,
as we live from day to day,
Knowing that we have a Father,
who is with us all the way.
--Gertrude B. McClain
***********************************************************
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very natural of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Giving to the Needy
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4
Titus 2
What Must Be Taught to Various Groups
1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:1-15
Warning Against Falling Away
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14
The World Hates the Disciples
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.' 26"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:18-27
The Resurrection Body
35But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" 36How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. 42So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. 50I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"[h] 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthinans 15:35-58
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
***********************************************************
Did Someone Else Pack Your Lunch?
When I was young, my mom would pack my school lunch. I never really knew what was in there until lunch time. I ate what she packed, well, at least the stuff I liked. The rest I traded off or gave away to the guy that would eat anything.
Who packed your faith in Christ? Sounds like a strange question, but isn't it fair. Your take on Christ is really the product of someone else, a pastor, a friend, the media church or maybe a book or a particular church. They packed your faith. Wait, hear me out before you disagree.
What you believe was likely established by others who influenced you or made it easy to trust what they were saying about the Bible and God, so you just fell in line with this or that denomination, or this or that belief system. You may whatever your religion is merely because it is your family's religion, right? You may never give up being whatever denomination you are, because it is all you know.
To believe others without checking out the Bible is never beneficial! I respect the fact that you trusted someone, maybe a pastor or a strong Christian person. But if you merely respected someone or a church to the point where you did not check out their teachings and doctrine against the Bible you let someone else pack your lunch. In fact, am I right in saying you are not eating everything in your lunch?
You're not eating everything in your lunch, because though you are glad someone else has taught you Spiritual things, you do not like everything they say or believe. Sadly, you like them enough to dismiss their false doctrine.
Which brings me to an important question. I would question anyone if they merely repeat what others tell them and cannot defend their own belief system. Can you clarify with Scripture whether or not people burn in hell for all eternity or just until they die? Can you explain and show me in Scripture how to be saved? Can you explain to me and show me in Scripture what your position is on infant baptism, once saved always saved, the inerrancy of Scripture, the virgin birth, the resurrection and the rapture?
If you can, are these your interpretations of Scripture or did someone else pack your lunch? A true convert of Jesus digs into the Word, studies all matters of the faith and prays to seek the correct way to understand Bible doctrine.
Stop relying on all your man-written commentaries. Give up being a study note junkie. Be very careful with all your man-written books and Bible studies. Learn to dig into the Word for yourself. You are capable...that is, if you are truly saved. If you are not, then the Holy Spirit is not living in you to guide you and understanding doctrine is overwhelming. But if you are saved, then "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
Dear Heavenly Father, it is so easy to take someone else's word for Gospel Truth. Lead us to hunger and thirst after the Truth of Your Word, and help us to be able to feed ourselves, with the help of Your Holy Spirit, the very Word of God. In Jesus' Mighty Name, AMEN! --David L. Burns
***********************************************************
A Child's Prayer for Morning
Now, before I run to play,
Let me not forget to pray
To God who kept me through the night
And waked me with the morning light.
Help me, Lord, to love thee more
Than I ever loved before,
In my work and in my play
Be thou with me through the day.
Amen.
--Author Unknown
***********************************************************
Read Through The Bible
Leviticus 10
The Death of Nadab and Abihu
1 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: " 'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.' " Aaron remained silent. 4 Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, and said to them, "Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary." 5 So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses ordered. 6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not let your hair become unkempt, and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the house of Israel, may mourn for those the LORD has destroyed by fire. 7 Do not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting or you will die, because the LORD's anointing oil is on you." So they did as Moses said. 8 Then the LORD said to Aaron, 9 "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 10 You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses." 12 Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, "Take the grain offering left over from the offerings made to the LORD by fire and eat it prepared without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy. 13 Eat it in a holy place, because it is your share and your sons' share of the offerings made to the LORD by fire; for so I have been commanded. 14 But you and your sons and your daughters may eat the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. Eat them in a ceremonially clean place; they have been given to you and your children as your share of the Israelites' fellowship offerings. 15 The thigh that was presented and the breast that was waved must be brought with the fat portions of the offerings made by fire, to be waved before the LORD as a wave offering. This will be the regular share for you and your children, as the LORD has commanded." 16 When Moses inquired about the goat of the sin offering and found that it had been burned up, he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's remaining sons, and asked, 17 "Why didn't you eat the sin offering in the sanctuary area? It is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt of the community by making atonement for them before the LORD. 18 Since its blood was not taken into the Holy Place, you should have eaten the goat in the sanctuary area, as I commanded." 19 Aaron replied to Moses, "Today they sacrificed their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD, but such things as this have happened to me. Would the LORD have been pleased if I had eaten the sin offering today?" 20 When Moses heard this, he was satisfied.
***********************************************************
God Hear My Prayer
God in heaven hear my prayer, keep me in thy loving care. Be my guide in all I do, Bless all those who love me too. Amen. --Traditional
Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. If you do not have Jesus in your life and wish to ask Jesus into your life please go to this link now to do so: http://www.christianrecoveryministries.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22 . Jesus is calling you to live a life that matters.
September 19, 2008
Christians In Recovery
Daily Spiritual Meditations
Daily Recovery Readings
Ask Jesus Into Your Life
Online Bible
***********************************************************
God, thank you for answering my prayer, it isn't exactly what I prayed for but it is Your answer and it is best way.
God has a way of loving us and blessing us that is so much better
than fair. Think of the ways God has blessed us that transcend what we
"deserve." Every good thing that has ever come to us is a gift of God's grace.
If you and I could ever stop being self-centered long enough to be honest,
we would have to say that we are not entitled to any good thing. We have
no right to demand anything. And the last thing we really want is for God
to just be "fair" with us. What we want and what we need is grace, the love
that is better than fair. And grace is exactly what we ultimately receive
from the God who is better than fair, even when life is less than fair.
-- Charles E. Poole
Sometimes the stormy weather comes not in the form of a blizzard,
a tornado or hurricane, but rather in the form of a crisis in our lives over
which we have no control. I have wondered many times if my Heavenly Father
has not allowed certain difficulties to come into my life just to remind me
that I'm not the one in charge--but that He is. And He knows what He's doing.
-- Rocky Henriques
God sees the whole picture, and acts in my life based on a higher view than mine.
I have learned to trust God, who looks beyond what we can see.
When we ask, God will give us the wisdom we need.
We must not judge, criticize, and condemn others; God is at work in their lives, too, and we cannot know what they may grow to be. Let us obey and trust that God will bring about a good harvest.
My relationship with God is at the center of my life. God feeds my soul and sustains my life. God is my strength when I am weak, my comfort when I am afraid, my companion when I am lonely, my confidant when I am angry, my biggest fan, my best friend. --Heidi A. Tierney
I need to be listening for God's call to reach out to someone.
***********************************************************
Have you learned to take a long-term look at your short-term problems?
Whenever something frustrating happens, don't immediately become upset. Instead, ask yourself if this problem is really worth getting aggravated over: is this a five minute problem, a five hour problem, a five month problem, or a five year problem?
For example, if you can't find where around your house you left your car keys, don't let that steal your love, joy, peace, or patience. Being five minutes late to most things is not worth losing your joy. Similarly, if you're stuck in a traffic jam, don't let that ruin your Fruit of the Spirit. It's not worth getting upset and uptight about a ten minute delay on your way to work. Indeed, ten minutes is nothing compared to all of eternity.
Also, remember that God may be using your short-term problem for a long-term purpose. That's why James 1:2-4 says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. God will work through your current trials and difficulties in order to produce lasting benefits such as faith, perseverance, and spiritual maturity. That's why it's important to take a long-term look at your short-term problems. --Weekly Wisdom
***********************************************************
God has given us peace so that we can be stable even in the midst of hard times. In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives."
In this verse, Jesus tells us that He has left us his peace. Jesus' peace, however, isn't like the world's peace, which depends on your circumstances; rather, God's peace is internal. God's peace allows believers to be stable even in the midst of hard circumstances, difficult trials, and uncertain times.
It's no wonder Paul said that he could be content, i.e. stable, in all circumstances: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:11-12). What was Paul's "secret"? "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
The key to contentment and stability is living in, through, and with God in everything. Like Paul, we are able to remain content and stable in all circumstances. --Author Unknown
***********************************************************
Singing as Worship
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. Psalm 66:4
When people think of worship, they often think of singing. Indeed in many churches, the singing time in the service is designated as the worship time. As I study worship, I realize that singing is only one of many ways to worship God. I will have to admit though that singing is one of my favorite ways to worship. I do not have a good singing voice, but it doesn't matter. God doesn't care that I often do not hit the right notes. He still loves to here me sing.
Singing can stir the heart in a way that mere speech cannot always achieve. When I sing old hymns such as "Amazing Grace" or "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" or "Blessed Assurance" my heart soars. The hymns may be over a hundred years old, but they touch on timeless truths and clearly express our praise to God. Hymns, of course, are not the only way to sing in worship to God. Over the last thirty years, simple worship choruses have found their way into the church. Songs such as "Here I Am to Worship" and "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" have given new ways to worship God. As a songwriter, I have found ways to worship God in writing both hymns and simple worship choruses.
Singing along with a congregation or singing privately can both foster worship. When we sing together with others, we are reminding ourselves that we are part of the body of Christ. Many voices are joined together to make a beautiful symphony in praise of God. When we sing privately, we are able to intimately express our love to God.
Are you worshiping God by singing? --Jason Mitchener
***********************************************************
Just Look Up! by Jessica Campbell
Life is like playing in an orchestra. First, God gives you your instrument and some music, and you sit down to play, but you say, “God, I’ve never played this piece before! Look at all of those notes! I’ll never be able to do it!” But God gets up on the pedestal and holds His baton in His hand. He winks at you and says calmly, “Just follow me.”
You say, “But God, that will be too hard... can’t we play this other song? It looks a whole lot easier and a lot more fun to play,” but God says, “No, follow MY lead”
Well, you decide that it doesn’t matter what God says, you want to play the other song. So, as He raises His baton and begins to conduct, you ignore Him and begin wailing away at the piece you wanted to play. However, it just doesn’t quite work. The music doesn’t sound beautiful at all, because it’s not the way God wanted you to play. After a little more playing and a whole lot more frustration, you realize that it would be better just to listen to your Conductor. So, with a red face you silently search for the piece God wants you to play.
“But God, it looks so hard.” But God just smiles caringly and taps the baton on His stand. “No matter what, follow Me. Just look up at Me, and I will lead you,” He whispers. So, you begin to play. In the beginning, it seems as though you will never be able to play this piece. All you can see are those notes rushing by. Then you remember what God said... “LOOK UP”... so you look up and see God carefully counting out the beats for you, and if you listen really carefully, you can hear His Voice humming your part.
The song is the most beautiful song that you have ever heard, and you find that as long as your eyes are fixed on the Conductor, you are able to play along. All you have to do is look up! Sure, some parts are REALLY tough, but as long as you follow the Conductor and listen to His steady rhythm, you can make it through. All you have to do is LOOK UP!
***********************************************************
God’s Accuracy
God’s accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs. For example, the eggs of the potato bug hatch in 7 days; those of the canary in 14 days; those of the barnyard hen in 21 days. The eggs of ducks and geese hatch in 28 days; those of the mallard in 35 days. The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days. (Notice, they are all divisible by seven).
The lives of each of you may be ordered by the Lord in a beautiful way for His glory, if you will only entrust Him with your life. If you try to regulate your own life, it will only be a mess and a failure. Only the One Who made the brain and the heart can successfully guide them to a profitable end.
God’s wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant. The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. No other quadruped is so made. God planned that this animal would have a huge body, too large to live on two legs. For this reason He gave it four fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground easily. The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs first. A cow rises from the ground with its two hind legs first. How wise the Lord is in all His works of creation!
God’s wisdom is revealed in His arrangement of sections and segments, as well as in the number of grains. Each watermelon has an even number of strips on the rind. Each orange has an even number of segments. Each ear of corn has an even number of rows. Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains. Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an even number and the next row an odd number. The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather. All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks, and the Lord specified thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and a hundredfold – all even numbers.
God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during the day, so that Linneus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those that were closed!
Thus the Lord in His wonderful grace can arrange the life that is entrusted to His care in such a way that it will carry out His purposes and plans, and will be fragrant with His presence. Only the God-planned life is successful. Only the life given over to the care of the Lord is safe. --Author Unknown
***********************************************************
Perspectives!
One day, a financially comfortable father decided to take his son to the country, with the purpose of showing him how poor people live, and that the son could understand the value of things, and realize how fortunate they were.
They stayed overnight at a very humble family’s farm for 1 day and 1 night. As the trip ended, and during their return home, the father asks his son:
So what did you think of the trip?
It was great, dad!
Did you see how poor and needy some people have to live?
Yes!
And what did you learn?
I saw that we have one dog in the house, but they have four. We have a huge swimming pool, but they have a river that never ever ends. We have imported lamps in the patio, they have the stars. Our backyard ends at the fence, but theirs goes on and on into the horizon. Especially though, dad, I saw that they have time to talk to each other and live as a family. You and Mom have to work all day, and I hardly see you both!
As the conversation ended, the father remained silent, and his son added: Thanks Dad, for showing me how rich we could be!! Author Unknown
***********************************************************
A Choice
There had been several frustrating and aggravating things happen within the last few days. Nothing major. Just the typical things that come with relocating and dealing with companies who make big promises, but seem unconcerned about fulfilling those promises. You know the kind of things I'm talking about: The customer service representative promises, "We'll have someone there between Noon and 2:00 PM." They show up at 3:30 PM and do not have time to complete the job. Or, "We'll get it taken care of on Monday between Noon and 3:00 PM." Again, they show up late and fail to finish the job.
I was tired of moving, emptying boxes, and tired of empty promises. So, I wrote in my journal, "Father, let me see You in this day. Unfortunately, yesterday - whether by choice or circumstance - I saw mostly frustration and aggravation. I'm ready not to focus on those things and get beyond them. I have allowed these things to consume most of my energy. I pray today will be better."
I turned to the Psalm for the day and read these words:
I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise. 2 I will be careful to lead a blameless life - when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. 3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. 4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. 5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. 6 My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. 7 No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence. 8 Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD. (Psalm 101, NIV)
There was my answer. There in verse 3 I recognized the main object of my irritation and my desire for my day: "The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me." The New Live Version says it this way, "I hate the work of those who are not faithful. It will not get hold of me." I wanted to get above and beyond the "faithless" deeds of men. I did not want them to "cling to me" or "get hold of me"... any longer.
As I pondered the Psalm I realize God was answering my prayer. It was as if He was saying, "You want to have a better day? Fine with me. It's your choice." (Ouch!) These are the instructions He gave me:
Sing about the love and justice of God. Praise Him for it.
Be careful to lead a blameless life today. That way you will have nothing to fear when I come.
Make every effort to come home at the end of the day with a blameless heart.
Keep your eyes, your mind, and your heart focused on things that are pure, true, honest, and faithful. And, stay away from people who might pull you in another direction.
Keep my word. Be trustworthy. Do not listen to or dwell upon words, no matter who is speaking, that consists of lies, gossip, rumors, or evil. Do not give audience to anyone who is inclined to do evil or who is involved in wickedness.
After I read His words, I wrote in my journal, "Thank You for instructing me in Your ways." It became evident that it was my choice to have a better day. I listened to Him. I chose. It was a better day.
How's your day looking? It's your choice. --Tom
***********************************************************
"I SAW ME"
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me! I don't mean to hold you up," he said as he struggled to get off the escalator.
I'll admit to it. There have been times when walking or driving behind an older person, I've gotten impatient and upset. I've huffed and zoomed around them because I was in a hurry to get nowhere. Perhaps I'm more aware of it now because I see myself there one day soon. Today I saw myself in this old man's shoes and it caused me to slow down, stop, and ask for his forgiveness.
He was about five or six people ahead of me. I was in a hurry and saw him as an obstacle. I've seen people get off the end of an escalator and stop dead in their tracks, gather their things and suddenly there's a pile up of angry people behind them. You can't stop an escalator full of people behind you. Like the Energizer bunny, they keep on goin'.
This man was well aware of the challenge. He tried desperately to step aside. Fumbling with his small packages, struggling to gain his footing, you could see how troubling this was for him. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me! I don't mean to hold you up," he said as he struggled to get off the escalator.
I suddenly saw this in a whole new light. It was like I was watching my future. I felt sorry for him. I felt sick to my stomach because this man was apologizing to everyone, when we should have been helping him and calming his fears.
One by one, people zipped around him. I heard a few angry comments whispered as one lady passed by him.
I saw me.
By the time I got to him he was just about steady on his feet.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know there was more," he said.
"No, sir. No more with me," I said. This really hit me hard. I realized right then how sad it was that the world was in such a hurry. That, of course, included me. But...no more with me. Count me out.
This wonderful man paid his dues. For whatever time he had spent on this earth, he most likely walked many rough roads and too many important miles. Now he should be apologizing for moving slower?
My heart ached as I looked into his eyes. I wished that I could see what he had seen all those years. His face weathered from life itself, was creased and wrinkled. The small soft pockets under his eyes and the gentle lines that curved up and around them told me he had many happy moments, too. Those were traces left behind from laughter and a smiling, happy man.
"My friend, can I help you with those things?" I asked.
Hesitant at first, he finally said, "Well, yes, thank you!"
I placed my hand under his left arm and walked with him a safe distance away from the rush of people.
"So what are you shopping for, sir?"
"Oh, just a little something for my neighbor. She's a young mother raising kids on her own. She's always so nice to me. I thought a box of candy for Mother's Day..." he said, stopping suddenly as he searched the inside pocket of his sport coat.
"Do you need something?" I asked.
"Oh, no. Here. I think I have it right here. I always carry them with me," he said. Then pulling out a hand full of papers he shuffled through them and handed me a business card that read: "John A. Pomicter. Friend to all...enemy to no one! I said a prayer today and you were the answer. Thank you!"
"That's for you," he said. "Thanks for stopping to help an old man."
"My friend, you helped ME! I discovered that I was unhappy with the world and I was part of the problem. Now I'll be part of the solution. No more with me!"
"Then this was meant to be," he said smiling. "You know God sends me gifts every day and always at least one special person. You were my gift for today! Let's go get some chocolates, my friend." --Bob Perks
***********************************************************
Where You Lead I Will Follow
Do you remember playing “Follow the Leader” or “Simon Says” when you were a child? These were two games that required concentration and attentiveness to play; especially if you wanted to win. Leading and following require skill and are far more complex than a simple childhood game. Leading is difficult, but following can be even more difficult. Following requires that you submit to the direction of another and be willing to give up your ideas and preferences for that of the leader’s. This may be easy when the leader asks that you follow along doing something that is simple or that you agree with. Things change though when the leader asks you to follow in something more challenging, or that is contrary to the way you feel or think. In some situations you may find it difficult, if not impossible, to be a good follower. After all, you want to be in control of your own life and destiny.
When you submit to Jesus Christ you will find that following takes on a whole new meaning. Following Jesus is not easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it. It requires that you give up a lot of things. You may need to give up your association with certain individuals. There may be activities that you once enjoyed doing that are now off limits. You will be challenged to behave in a way that may be different from the way you behaved in the past. Others may look at you with indifference or even think you have lost your mind! Still, following Jesus is the most rewarding and fulfilling things you will ever do. It is the one and only way to live your life with total peace, joy, and love…. even in times of trouble. Stop and listen to His voice. Then follow Him where He leads you with trust and confidence. He will never lead you astray and will always ensure that the path leads exactly where you need to be from now until eternity.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 --Weekly Daily Journey
***********************************************************
Notes to Live By
Away with you, Satan! for it is written, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him."
-Matthew 4:10 (NRSV)
I stood in the courtroom. The judge took a deep breath: "Mr. Westbury, I am sentencing you to time in a drug-treatment facility." During the three days until a bed became available, I stayed with my brother, who was living in the house we grew up in.
While in jail awaiting trial, I had attended church and read the Bible. I had known for some time that addiction is primarily a spiritual disease, and reading scripture touched me in ways that drugs could not. For the first time in my life, I felt hope.
At my brother's, I was restless. I was tempted to call old friends for one last party. I had to find something to do, so I decided to pack. I went up to the attic and found myself in a world of cardboard boxes.
In the first box was an old notebook filled with my mother's notes from a Bible-study class. In the back was a section titled, "Daily Prayers." I started reading my mother's prayers, cries from her heart to God. The prayers were written when I was at my lowest, and I saw my name lifted up in every prayer. I wept. At some point peace came over me, and I felt the spirit of God in my heart.
When I went downstairs, I knew two things: I never had to be alone again, and I never had to use drugs again. God had sent me my mom's notes and prayers to live by. --Adam James Westbury Prayer: God, keep each of us safe in your love. Amen.
Thought for the Day: Whose prayers have made a difference in my life?
***********************************************************
Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Rejoice, for it is the Day of My Power for those who believe. And, if you believe, you will receive the power of My Spirit to overcome every obstacle and obtain victory in every situation. I have made available to you every tool necessary to live an overcoming life, but you must choose to do so and exercise your faith. You can also choose to be helpless and hopeless, but that is not My perfect will for your life. I have given you the way out; take it! Rise up and defeat the enemy of your soul, says the Lord. Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
A special anointing is now being released that will bring regeneration and resurrection power. The tests and trials of the past eight months have taken their toll and have brought a general weakness in your body, soul and spirit. But, now it is time for you to rise up and access this fresh anointing that will refresh, restore and renew. You will do this in the realm of the Spirit by faith. Come boldly before My throne of Grace and receive all that I have made available to you, says the Lord. Romans 5:1-5 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
You are on the very cusp of a spiritual season when you will reap the results of your attitudes, motivations and actions. There will be much for you to learn from this harvest time. The question is: will you actually gain wisdom and insight that will guide you into the realm of blessing, or will you place blame on others for any misfortune? You would benefit greatly from looking yourself squarely in the face and being honest about taking responsibility for your deeds, says the Lord.
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
So, you feel like you can't see the forest for the trees? I tell you that you are about to come out into a clearing where you can regain your perspective and equilibrium. I am giving you a time of unusual grace to get your bearings. And, once you have some clarity, I will give you the necessary strength to press on and accomplish what is set before you. Instead of getting stressed out, just trust Me to bring you through, says the Lord. Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
***********************************************************
A WONDERFUL REMINDER
While praying one day a little girl asked,
'Who are you, Lord?'
He answered, 'I Am'
But, Who is I Am?' she said.
And He replied...'I Am Love, I Am Peace,
I Am Grace, I Am Joy,
I Am the Way, Truth, and the Light
I Am the Comforter,
I Am Strength, I Am Safety
I Am Shelter, I Am Power
I Am the Creator;
I Am the Beginning and the End
I Am the Most High.'
The girl with tears in her eyes looked
Toward heaven and said,
Now I understand, but Lord, Who Am I ?'
Then God tenderly wiped the tears
From her eyes and whispered,
'YOU ARE MINE'
-- Author Unknown
***********************************************************
When God Moves In
I don't have all of the answers my friend
however, there's one thing for certain, I know;
Your heavenly Father would love to help you
but you've got to turn loose and let the past go!
When you finally stop all of your struggling,
trying to solve all your problems on your own;
You'll find all along He's been patiently waiting
for He promised He'd never leave you alone!
He's just waiting for you to open the door
and invite him to come and enter in;
There's no way that He can help you my friend
till you open your heart's door and let him within.
Then the peace and the joy that He'll bring to you
will surpass all your hopes and your dreams;
He'll drive out all of your fears and your doubts
and your problems won't look as bad as they seem.
Turn loose of all of this baggage my friend
Tell satan to leave, that with him you are through;
The weight you've been under will be lifted
when you finally let God come and live within you!
~Helen Johnson~
***********************************************************
He Is In Control
He can calm the troubled waters,
when you walk in dark despair,
There is hope when you feel hopeless,
knowing that the Lord is there.
Sharing in your sunshine moments,
or in valleys deep and wide,
He will never, ever leave you,
He is always by your side.
There's no other friend so faithful,
through the sunshine and the rain,
Through the teardrops and the laughter,
in your joy and in your pain.
We could never, ever thank Him,
for His love He gives so free,
Never changing never ending,
throughout all eternity.
Oh, the wonder of all wonders,
as we live from day to day,
Knowing that we have a Father,
who is with us all the way.
--Gertrude B. McClain
***********************************************************
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very natural of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Giving to the Needy
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4
Titus 2
What Must Be Taught to Various Groups
1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 15These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you. Titus 2:1-15
Warning Against Falling Away
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14
The World Hates the Disciples
18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23He who hates me hates my Father as well. 24If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason.' 26"When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning. John 15:18-27
The Resurrection Body
35But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" 36How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. 42So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. 50I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"[h] 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthinans 15:35-58
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
***********************************************************
Did Someone Else Pack Your Lunch?
When I was young, my mom would pack my school lunch. I never really knew what was in there until lunch time. I ate what she packed, well, at least the stuff I liked. The rest I traded off or gave away to the guy that would eat anything.
Who packed your faith in Christ? Sounds like a strange question, but isn't it fair. Your take on Christ is really the product of someone else, a pastor, a friend, the media church or maybe a book or a particular church. They packed your faith. Wait, hear me out before you disagree.
What you believe was likely established by others who influenced you or made it easy to trust what they were saying about the Bible and God, so you just fell in line with this or that denomination, or this or that belief system. You may whatever your religion is merely because it is your family's religion, right? You may never give up being whatever denomination you are, because it is all you know.
To believe others without checking out the Bible is never beneficial! I respect the fact that you trusted someone, maybe a pastor or a strong Christian person. But if you merely respected someone or a church to the point where you did not check out their teachings and doctrine against the Bible you let someone else pack your lunch. In fact, am I right in saying you are not eating everything in your lunch?
You're not eating everything in your lunch, because though you are glad someone else has taught you Spiritual things, you do not like everything they say or believe. Sadly, you like them enough to dismiss their false doctrine.
Which brings me to an important question. I would question anyone if they merely repeat what others tell them and cannot defend their own belief system. Can you clarify with Scripture whether or not people burn in hell for all eternity or just until they die? Can you explain and show me in Scripture how to be saved? Can you explain to me and show me in Scripture what your position is on infant baptism, once saved always saved, the inerrancy of Scripture, the virgin birth, the resurrection and the rapture?
If you can, are these your interpretations of Scripture or did someone else pack your lunch? A true convert of Jesus digs into the Word, studies all matters of the faith and prays to seek the correct way to understand Bible doctrine.
Stop relying on all your man-written commentaries. Give up being a study note junkie. Be very careful with all your man-written books and Bible studies. Learn to dig into the Word for yourself. You are capable...that is, if you are truly saved. If you are not, then the Holy Spirit is not living in you to guide you and understanding doctrine is overwhelming. But if you are saved, then "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
Dear Heavenly Father, it is so easy to take someone else's word for Gospel Truth. Lead us to hunger and thirst after the Truth of Your Word, and help us to be able to feed ourselves, with the help of Your Holy Spirit, the very Word of God. In Jesus' Mighty Name, AMEN! --David L. Burns
***********************************************************
A Child's Prayer for Morning
Now, before I run to play,
Let me not forget to pray
To God who kept me through the night
And waked me with the morning light.
Help me, Lord, to love thee more
Than I ever loved before,
In my work and in my play
Be thou with me through the day.
Amen.
--Author Unknown
***********************************************************
Read Through The Bible
Leviticus 10
The Death of Nadab and Abihu
1 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: " 'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.' " Aaron remained silent. 4 Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, and said to them, "Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary." 5 So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses ordered. 6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not let your hair become unkempt, and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the house of Israel, may mourn for those the LORD has destroyed by fire. 7 Do not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting or you will die, because the LORD's anointing oil is on you." So they did as Moses said. 8 Then the LORD said to Aaron, 9 "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 10 You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses." 12 Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, "Take the grain offering left over from the offerings made to the LORD by fire and eat it prepared without yeast beside the altar, for it is most holy. 13 Eat it in a holy place, because it is your share and your sons' share of the offerings made to the LORD by fire; for so I have been commanded. 14 But you and your sons and your daughters may eat the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. Eat them in a ceremonially clean place; they have been given to you and your children as your share of the Israelites' fellowship offerings. 15 The thigh that was presented and the breast that was waved must be brought with the fat portions of the offerings made by fire, to be waved before the LORD as a wave offering. This will be the regular share for you and your children, as the LORD has commanded." 16 When Moses inquired about the goat of the sin offering and found that it had been burned up, he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's remaining sons, and asked, 17 "Why didn't you eat the sin offering in the sanctuary area? It is most holy; it was given to you to take away the guilt of the community by making atonement for them before the LORD. 18 Since its blood was not taken into the Holy Place, you should have eaten the goat in the sanctuary area, as I commanded." 19 Aaron replied to Moses, "Today they sacrificed their sin offering and their burnt offering before the LORD, but such things as this have happened to me. Would the LORD have been pleased if I had eaten the sin offering today?" 20 When Moses heard this, he was satisfied.
***********************************************************
God Hear My Prayer
God in heaven hear my prayer, keep me in thy loving care. Be my guide in all I do, Bless all those who love me too. Amen. --Traditional
Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. If you do not have Jesus in your life and wish to ask Jesus into your life please go to this link now to do so: http://www.christianrecoveryministries.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22 . Jesus is calling you to live a life that matters.
-- May God Bless You and Keep You! Havagrt24! bluidkiti=^-^= http://www.cyberrecovery.net/ http://www.cyberrecovery.net/forums/ - Message Board http://www.christianrecoveryministries.com/forums/ - Message Board http://www.anythingboard.com/ http://www.ipass.net/a1idpirat/readings.html http://www.christianrecoveryministries.com/weekly.html http://www.cyberrecovery.net/RecoveryGifts.html http://www.onlinebiblerecovery.com/
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages