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Trusting God Alone
If you only trust in God "if" or "when" He gives you what you want, or the answers you want, then you're not really trusting in God. God will give you what you NEED because He created you and He knows what's best for you. It may not be what you WANT, or what YOU think you need, but it will be exactly what's best for you. Believing that is real faith; trusting in Him when you don't get what you think you need - that's the mark of a true disciple:
"Then Jesus said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, they must deny themself, take up their cross daily, and follow Me.” ~ Luke 9:23
The whole book of Job in the Old Testament is based on the fact that Job trusted in God whether he was rich or poor, healthy or sick, with a family or without a family - Job still trusted God. In fact, he says, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust the Lord with all your heart; in all your ways acknowledge Him; and He will direct your paths."
You don't "ask God for advice". Instead, you trust God - you FOLLOW HIM! You ask Him for wisdom and discernment, but you surrender to Hs will. It's not about you, it's about God.
When the three Hebrew young men (Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego) were about to be thrown into the fiery furnace, they told Nebuchadnezzar "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." They were willing to serve God whether He gave them what they wanted or not. That's real trust!!! You have to willing to trust God, to follow Christ no matter what.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7
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~ by David Langerfeld, The Daily Encourager
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A Good Name
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” ~ Proverbs 22:1
There are two days in our lives when our name is prominent: the day we receive our name at birth, and the day our name appears in the obituary column. What happens between those two determines whether our name is a lovely ointment ... or a foul stench.
The late Bill Bright, founder and president of "Campus Crusade for Christ, International", told about growing up in Oklahoma in the 1920s and '30s watching his father and grandfather conduct business affairs with other men. It was all done on a handshake (which is unheard of today) because of his grandfather's reputation in the area. He didn't realize exactly how respected his grandfather's name and word really were until years later.
In 1948, Bill was driving from California to Oklahoma to marry his sweetheart, Vonette Zachary. As he passed through Okmulgee, Oklahoma, where his grandfather had lived for many years, he remembered that he had forgotten to purchase gifts for several members of the wedding party. Stopping at a jewelry store, he asked if he could make a purchase with an out-of-state check and was told no, that it was against store policy.
As he turned to leave, the owner asked him, "Do you know anyone in Okmulgee?" thinking someone might be able to vouch for his honesty.
"No, I don't," Bill replied. "My grandfather used to live here, but he died a few years ago."
"Who was your grandfather?" the store owner asked.
"Sam Bright."
"Are you Sam Bright's grandson?" the store owner asked, his face lighting up as he approached Bill. "Why, Sam Bright was the most honorable man I have ever known! If you're anything like your grandfather, I'll sell you anything in the store -- and I'll gladly take your check."
A Good Name — even though you may not have much in the way of material possessions, a good name is one of those wonderful gifts you can pass on to your children.
__________________
~ by David Jeremiah, "Searching for Heaven on Earth” (https://www.davidjeremiah.org)
~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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Psalm 46 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world
If you dont have a personal relationship with Jesus. Im going to give you the opportunity to do that right here right now. If you will pray this prayer...not only from your mouth but also your heart...and mean it like nothing you have ever spoken before. Jesus will come into your life and heart and save you. You will be born-again!
Lord Jesus, Im like everyone else...i cant make it through life on my own. Im imperfect. Im prone to sin. I have come to realize that theres nothing in the world I can do to make myself acceptable to You. But I know that You have loved me so much that You were willing to die on my behalf. That's a grace so amazing I cannot understand it...i can only accept it. And i do. Please forgive my sins and i accept Your free gift of Salvation... and I know that from this moment on... i am saved...i am a child of God. And i give the rest of my life to serving You and experiencing the joy that only You can offer. Fill me now with your Holy Spirit dear Lord...and raise me to walk in the newness of life. I thank You and praise You!
Amen.
If you just prayed this prayer and meant it...you are now born-again and have a home in heaven! Go tell the world and if you dont already have a church family...please find one...And if you would like to talk...send me a private message....i will give you a call....
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
Salvation is from our side a choice, from the divine side it is a seizing upon, an apprehending, a conquest by the Most High God. Our 'accepting' and 'willing' are reactions rather than actions. The right of determination must always remain with God.
-Aiden Wilson Tozer-
The roaring thunder of the law and the fear of the terror of judgment are both used to bring us to Christ, but the final victory culminating in our salvation is won through God's loving-kindness.
-Charles Spurgeon-
What I would say is Jesus came to save lost sinners like you and me, and if Jesus Christ has a burning desire to seek and save the lost, then you should, too, if Christ is living within you. If you don't have a concern for the lost, then I am concerned about your salvation because the Holy Spirit wants the lost to come to Christ.
-Kirk Cameron-
When it comes to my salvation, all I need is Jesus; after my salvation, everything is Jesus plus the church... When people preach that all you need is Jesus, they cut you and I off from one of the greatest sources of healing, which is the body of Christ. Don't go it alone - you won't make it.
-Josh McDowell-
I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.
-John Wesley-
The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.
-Billy Graham-
The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation.
-Charles Spurgeon-
Salvation is by repentance and faith, and if you have truly believed unto salvation, you have been regenerated, which means you have become a new creature, and you are going to live a different life. And so works do not result in salvation.
-Paul Washer-
The Importance of Baptism
~ When we follow Christ into the water to be baptized, we publicly proclaim our allegiance to Him.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:14-17
Think back to when you were a child. Do you remember imitating an older person you looked up to? It’s common for children to adopt mannerisms, speech patterns, and ideas of people they admire, but in time, many outgrow these behaviors. We, however, as children of God, are never to stop emulating and being closely identified with Jesus. And one way we follow His example is through baptism.
At the beginning of His public ministry, Jesus chose to be baptized. John the Baptist was calling the people to confess their sins and repent — and then to be immersed in the Jordan River as an outward sign of that decision. Jesus, the One who had no sin, joined the crowd at the river and asked John to baptize Him.
By following His example in the waters of baptism, we are publicly confessing our faith in the Savior and identifying ourselves with Him.
It’s important to remember that baptism isn’t required for salvation — only faith in the Lord is. But through baptism, we demonstrate our connection with Jesus and our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all members of one body, following in His footsteps.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/the-importance-of-baptism-2
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If you have never been saved...born again...never ask Jesus to forgive you your sins...and yet you find yourself here reading....i can assure it is not by mistake...the Holy Spirit could very well be convicting you to pursue a relationship with Jesus....that my friend...in all your years here on planet earth is the most important decision you will ever make....to invite Jesus into your heart. Jesus...is your only way to heaven when you die....so...how do you get saved....become born-again....just talk to God and ask Him to forgive you....somethink like what ive typed here below...and then....talk to us here....find a church and tell someone there....continue to read post here and most importantily....start reading your Bible every day and let the spirit of God start to change you into the likeness of Jesus....
Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that You love me and want to save me. Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God, who died on the cross to pay for my sins. I believe God raised You from the dead. I now turn from my sin and, by faith, receive You into my life as my personal Lord and Savior. Come into my heart, forgive my sins, and save me, Lord Jesus. In Your name I pray , Amen.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him
should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Each of us as we walk this earthly journey come into contact with a good deal of people. We have our family..friends and acquaintances. Of these many people that we know i think we also have different degrees of love and friendship toward those people. For example...the difference in the kinds of love from spouse to spouse, parent and child, good friend to friend. In all relationships we love people differently and to different degrees. Some things that may play a big role in this is the time spent with each other, what we have in common and similar dreams and goals. Im not sure that love and friendship just happens without some kind of effort and it dont continue to grow over time unless there is some type of interaction with each other...and...the more the better? Yes...usually, the more time we spend with someone, we tend to want to be with them more and the love and friendship grows. We develop a "personal relationship". That is one of the reasons we need to be focused on Jesus as often as we can in this life to make certain our personal relationship with Him grows stronger and stronger as we travel lifes rocky road. Heres the thing if you are born-again. When we die we are going to go to heaven for all eternity. There we will be in the presence of God the Father...God the Son and God the Holy Spirit...for forever. If we truly love God can we actually spend enough time while here on this earth talking to Him...reading His word...serving Him...really getting to know the very person that we are going to spend FOREVER with? I guess what im asking...if we only spend a total of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day with Jesus...how much of a "personal relationship" do we actually have with the Person that we are going to spend every second with when we get to heaven?...Think about it!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
“Love is giving someone what they need most, when they deserve it least, at great personal cost to yourself.”
Love is patient...love is kind. It does not envy...it does not boast...it is not proud. It does not dishonor others...It does not insist on its own way...it is not easily angered...it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects...always trusts...always hopes...always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
Hebrews 12:28
Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do.
-David Wilkerson-
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
Hebrews 13:15
The world is not a play-ground; it is a school-room. Life is not a holiday, but an education. And the one eternal lesson for us all is how better we can love.
-Henry Drummond-
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:14-17
I cannot love you as I love myself until I love God as I ought to love Him.
-Jack Hyles-
Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
Psalm 95:6
Persecutions Predicted
“If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they don’t know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. Now they have no excuse for their sin. The one who hates Me also hates My Father. If I had not done the works among them that no one else has done, they would not have sin. Now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this happened so that the statement written in their scripture might be fulfilled: They hated Me for no reason."
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~ by Jesus Christ (as transcribed in the book of John)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015%3A18-25&version=HCSB,KJV
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Is Restlessness a Sin?
~ When I ran out of reasons to move — but still felt the urge to pack — I knew something in my spirit was off.
Tossing the battered moving boxes I’d packed and unpacked five times in the last 15 years was my declaration that we were finally done relocating. Plus, those cardboard containers simply wouldn’t stand up to another move.
But after three years living in what my husband and I called our retirement home, I found myself wondering if I’d been a little rash about my boxes. I caught myself dreaming about our next address before I reminded myself that this was supposed to be our final earthly stop. Our previous moves had come out of necessity: work relocations, a landlord selling the property he’d rented to us, a short sale during the housing market downturn. There was no burning reason to move anymore.
As much as I claimed to loathe pulling up stakes every few years, I’d grown used to looking forward to the next new and improved thing in my life, whether it was a new friend or a different zip code. I had long assessed this as a strength — I was usually able to adapt quickly to all the changes that marked my life.
But my constant scanning of the world had a dark side to it, too. I was coveting the life, success, or stuff I thought someone else was surely enjoying (and I was missing out on). Saint Augustine famously observed, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless, until they can find rest in You.” The Holy Spirit used those words to speak to me about the envy that contributed to my lack of contentment.
I began to see that focusing on everything else — looking for a new place to live, getting to know a new community, searching for a church, forming new friendships — let me avoid dealing with the deeper issue as well as the pain of those goodbyes. As a social worker once told me, “It’s hard for grief to hit a moving target.”
My not having a relocation on the horizon meant I had to both face the heartbreak I’d accumulated over so many moves and confront my habit of always looking ahead for my happiness. Over the course of 15 years, my soul had grown used to the rhythms — and pitfalls — of a somewhat unsettled life.
I was reflecting on all of this with a wise friend, when she suggested that maybe some of my restlessness was a gift from God. Hebrews 11:1-40 is sometimes called the "Hall of Faith" because it lists notable people who acted in hope on God’s not-yet-fulfilled promises. Doing so uprooted some of those named, unsettled others, cost many their comfort — and in some cases, their lives.
Verse 13 summarizes their faith in God like this: “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
Being strangers required these faithful men and women to experience a restless existence, one that kept them moving toward a future they could barely see. Not being settled somewhere was a byproduct of focusing on their true home — oneness with God.
You could say the same for Jesus. Both Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58 capture the way Jesus described His years of journeying with the disciples: “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” His years of active ministry were spent wandering from town to town — but with purpose and intention. Still, Jesus must have ached for home.
It is not an accident that people like Noah, Abraham, and Moses earned a place in the Hall of Faith. Their trust in God didn’t allow them to seek a comfy, settled life. A life that appears restless to others isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it might be the result of a heart entirely committed to seeking God.
In "Mere Christianity", C. S. Lewis wrote of this uniquely human predicament: “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” For me, it is very good news indeed that the world of which Lewis speaks does not require me to pack and unpack moving boxes to get there.
I have been a follower of Jesus for nearly five decades, and though my restless soul has at times harbored discontent, I now recognize the value of my pilgrim nature. (I also feel a kinship with Jesus’ disciples, who, when they answered His call to follow, found their lives well and truly uprooted.) But whether I am physically planted in one place or on the move, His call is what I will always aim to follow.
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~ by Michelle Van Loon
https://www.intouch.org/read/articles/is-restlessness-a-sin
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Moved by Vision
“Without revelation [vision] people run wild, but one who listens to instruction will be happy.” ~ Proverbs 29:18
The key motivator in life is purpose. Meaning. A goal to achieve. An end to accomplish. A proper vision propels us through life’s challenges.
Without a vision to grab hold of, to tether us to the person God has made us to be, we will find ourselves tossed back and forth by the waves of circumstance. Every wind of teaching becomes our new source of motivation.
The reason adopting a true perspective is so important is because there is nothing more vital than knowing who we are, who God is, and how we are to think, act, and believe as a result. All of life is a pursuit of this end.
We find what we are looking for. And so many of us are unsure where to look. Like Peter hopping over the side of a boat, our vision is meant for Jesus. Our eyes are made to lock with His. We can do incredible things, live incredible lives, and overcome impossible circumstances with a proper vision in place.
Without this vision of life, we are destined to perish. We might be overwhelmed by circumstances, led astray by falsities, or lulled into an apathetic sleep.
But with the vision of true perspective, we can see the world through the eyes of God’s wisdom. We can discover the purpose He has for us. We can participate in the fullness of meaning.
_______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Grace For Days
“Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness” ~ John 1:16
If we step into the pursuit of truth, we will find some things that make us uncomfortable. This can cause some of us to bail on the quest. Self-awareness leads to the inevitable truth that we are broken and wretched, miserable, blind, and in need.
Yet, a continued pursuit of truth allows us to find that we are also okay, accepted, loved, and adored.
• How is this so?
• How can these two realities live side by side?
The answer is one word: grace.
We are okay not because we decide we are okay or because we choose to ignore the reality of our brokenness. We are okay because Jesus makes us okay in the sight of God. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He mends the brokenness. The fullness of Jesus fills in our gaps.
As heirs, sons and daughters of His family, we are now freed and empowered to pursue the experience of grace. Grace is not only the water in the desert for dying, imperfect beings. It is the fuel in the car. Once we are rescued, it is the thing that enables us to drive forward, to excel, to act according to the grace given us.
_________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Have Faith - He Hears You
On any given day, I might pray...
I feel lost. Show me the way. He does.
I feel empty and alone. Fill me with Your Spirit, Your love, and Your wisdom. He does.
I feel broken. Put me back together so I can serve you. He does.
I feel sinful. Cleanse me. Forgive me. Restore me. He does.
I feel weak and powerless. Remind me that You are my strength. He does.
I feel useless. Show me what I can do to live my purpose. He does.
When I pray, the response isn't always what I want or when I want it. But I know He does hear me. He cares, and He will always respond.
________________
~ published by: The Daily Encourager
~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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If God’s People Rest
~ We will be blessed if we listen when God instructs us to stop striving and wait.
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 30:15-21
In the season of upheaval described in today’s reading, God clearly specified how the people of Israel could be saved from their enemy. They were under threat from Assyria, and God said to wait on His ultimate deliverance instead of trying quick fixes like running to Egypt for protection. Repentance, rest, quietness, and trust were His gracious prescriptions for those awaiting restoration.
Tragically, the Israelites “would have none of it”. Some fled on horses only to meet with disaster — a stark reminder that relying on our own efforts can easily fail us. So how can we learn to accept God’s invitation to trust and rest when we’re tempted to take matters into our own hands?
This is our hope: No matter how bleak our circumstances seem, God is our constant source of security — our “very ready help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
It is our confidence in His character and constancy that enables us to experience peace, even when chaos surrounds us. We serve a gracious and just God who longs to pour out compassion and deliver us.
Our choice to rest is a profound act of trust. Indeed, “blessed are those who wait for Him” (Isaiah 30:18).
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/if-god-s-people-rest
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Don't Tread On Me
"Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” ~ Ephesians 5:15-16
In December, 1775, an American colonist (believed by many scholars to be Benjamin Franklin), noticed the increasing use of a symbol throughout the colonies, stamped onto barrels and other items, depicting a coiled rattlesnake with the words "Don't Tread On Me" written below the snake. He wondered about how the symbol of a rattlesnake could be a symbol of the American desire for freedom?
He wrote the following words:
"The Rattle-Snake is found in no other quarter of the world besides America. She never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, never surrenders: She is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. She never wounds 'till she has generously given notice, even to her enemy, and cautioned him against the danger of treading on her."
I've been hiking in the mountains and heard the warning sign of a rattler and was extremely thankful for that. In the Bible, Satan is depicted as a serpent — a serpent who not only doesn't warn about his lethal bite, but appears in alluring disguises promising great rewards of pleasure ready and waiting to devour his every victim.
How different from God (although I don't want to compare Him to a rattler) but over and over He warns us in His Word, the Bible, to avoid sin at all costs for it will destroy us. He, too, has generously given notice even to His enemies to "flee from the wrath to come" and to turn to Christ — the Savior of the world.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to be careful where I walk (how I live) and avoid the ways of Satan at all costs. Thank you that there is salvation from the evil one when I turn to you. Help me so to do. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
________________
~ by Dick Innes
~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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Wisdom and Glory
“Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed for our glory before time began.” ~ 1 Corinthians 2:6-7
Wisdom is the wealth of the Kingdom of God. It is the currency of glory.
Throughout time, wisdom has been hidden in God. When Jesus, the Lord of Glory, came to the Earth, the wisdom of God made its way to center stage. The glory that was in existence before time began made itself known to us and invited us in for a meal.
The world’s wisdom takes many forms. Earthly fame, riches, and power. These are juvenile [temporal] benefits that fade away. But the wisdom of heaven is a mature wisdom. A prize of eternal value. It does not fade as the world does; it saturates us with the glory of eternity.
Jesus is the wisdom of eternity, the Good News of the gospel. And He beckons us into Himself. He invites us to take more of His wisdom, to feast on the joys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Abundant life is not found in superficial trinkets but in the wealth of heaven, the wisdom of the ages, the glory of eternity. Jesus came, died, and resurrected. He made Himself known to humanity. He revealed the wisdom of glory. God reveals truth to us through His Spirit, that we might know the things freely given to us by God.
_________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Have you ever been lost....i mean really lost. Maybe you were out walking in the countryside...hiking in the mountains...and suddenly you realized you had no idea where you were...in what direction to turn to get back to where you came from. Maybe you have been in your automobile going on a trip...or in a new town going to a doctors appointment and you make a wrong turn and again not only do you have that sense of being lost...but you have trouble trying to figure out which left or right will get you back on track. Ok...lets dig a little deeper. As a born-again believer...have you ever because of sin in your life after a period of time thought...this aint good...what have i done...where am i headed...that saying maybe comes to your mind....“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” However...even as a believer...and even though you want to get back on that path of righteousness...that sin in your life...you just cant seem to let go. And last but not least...there is the person that is unsaved. They have never ask Jesus into their heart and life. And this my friends...is the most tragic of all...because in this lostness they are headed straight to hell! So whats my point...well...i guess my thinking and its nothing necessarily specular. The first two things i talked about...we can in time figure out on our own and take care of finding our way ourselves. However....the last two things there is only one Hope...and His name is Jesus, Just like the man in the picture...four ways to turn...Three ways are wrong and one way is right...and that one way is always Jesus!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
"God — His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."
2 Samuel 22:31
By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
2 Peter 1:4
Equipping by Example
~ If you want to lead well, follow Jesus.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:21-24
There’s an adage about parenting that says more things are caught than taught. In other words, our children will pick up more from what we do than what we say. To lead those in our care well, two things are required: right teaching and a right attitude. While the principles we work to instill in our children are vital, the attitude with which we approach those lessons (and all of life, in fact) is key. For the best example of the right attitude to have, we need look no further than Jesus.
Parents are called to lead those in their home, modeling Jesus’ love and sacrifice for the people entrusted to their care. Our kids need to see us spending time with God, turning to Scripture when making decisions, being generous with our resources, and showing love to the people around us. Children learn to walk with God as they watch us apply His principles in daily life. Our right example will build their confidence and trust in His ways.
Even if you aren’t a parent, it’s likely you’re leading others in your circle of influence. Remember that Jesus is the perfect model for us to emulate as we share God’s truth with those around us (Mark 10:42-45). Lean into His example of servant leadership as you teach, train, and love others well. And ask Him to help you grow in godliness each and every day.
_______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/equipping-by-example
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Persecuted
“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:12
One of the marks of a faithful disciple is perseverance. We may try to shortcut the process of success and side step troubles. But difficulties arising from living faithfully are not reasons to step away from a godly life; they are the very evidence of a life of faithfulness.
Cinderella found herself in the most troubling of circumstances. She was taken advantage of, discarded, ignored, and devalued. She was pushed aside. Yet she remained kind and compassionate, caring and humble. She refused to become what she despised. She behaved in a royal manner while living among the cinders.
It turns out Cinderella was made for royalty. And, amazingly, so are we. But we currently sit among the cinders of the world. And the world does not recognize our calling. The world will abuse us. It will attempt to beat us down, silence us, and strangle our potential into its own mold. It will not stop unless we join it, and become fellow abusers.
Like Cinderella, we were made for more. And, like Cinderella, we can refuse to succumb. We can choose a “godly life,” a life fit for family members of the King of all creation. Persecution is an expected part of living in a Christ-like manner. The world will not understand the faith of the disciple. But this world is not the disciple’s fate. Our true citizenship is in heaven.
________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Accountable to the Father
~ Because God is perfect in love and wisdom, we can fully trust that His boundaries are for our good.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:1-3
Those of us who are parents have a great responsibility to teach and train our children in the way they should go. We have been given authority over them for their protection and benefit. We make sure they brush their teeth, eat their vegetables, do their homework, and say their prayers. We teach them to be respectful, patient, and kind. We train them to know and do the right thing in difficult situations (Proverbs 22:6). While all of this is important, there’s one principle we must teach that surpasses all the rest: They are ultimately accountable not to us but to the living God — His authority in their life is higher than ours will ever be.
One day, our children won’t have to answer to us anymore. So it’s essential that they learn God loves them more than we ever could — and that they’re accountable to Him for everything they do (including behavior, words, and choice of friends). Then our kids will be more likely to continue following Him and His ways even when no longer under our watchful eyes. Their obedience to the Lord will be borne out of their relationship with Him, not based on our expectations. And they’ll recognize He’s always with them, wherever they go (Matthew 28:20).
A true understanding of God’s deep love and their accountability to Him will shape our children’s relationship with Him and the ultimate direction of their life.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/accountable-to-the-father
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Amen brother - good word!
.
Theres and old saying..."The older you get the faster time seems to go"...and im sure all of you can vouch to that truth. We have a birthday and before we know it its birthday time again. Christmas rolls around and we blink a few times and there it is again. We hear something on the radio and they say that it happened ten, twenty years ago and we think...No Way!...its not been that long...has it? Yes, in the grand scheme of the universe...our time on this earth...even if we make it to 100 years really is just a drop in the ocean as compared to eternity. So as we live this life here on planet earth for whatever amount of time that God has allotted for each of us...What are we doing with our days, weeks, years in relationship to how we are living? Do we have a close personal relationship with Jesus and from that we draw upon His hope, happiness, contentment and joy?...Or...are we just sorta kinda struggling through this short life of ours dreading each new day...worrying about this and that...trying to live life our way and trying to fix everything ourselves in place of surrendering our lives to Jesus and drawing upon His strength to sustain and provide for us? The Bible is filled with Gods promises of caring and helping and providing for us. And all of those promises are just as true today as the day He spoke them! Have we embraced those promises and live by them daily...or...have we fallen into a rut trying to clear our own path? Think about it.
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2
Grant me, O Lord, to know what is worth knowing, to love what is worth loving, to praise what delights you most, to value what is precious in your sight, to hate what is offensive to you. Do not let me judge by what I see, nor pass sentence according to what I hear, but to judge rightly between things that differ, and above all to search out and to do what pleases you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
-Thomas Kempis-
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