Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
You know folks...its easy to have a grateful heart and give thanks to God when things are going well in our life. However...its often a different story when the circumstances of life take a downward turn all the way to life altering events walking through our front door. Life can be hard at times and thankfulness to God often takes a back seat because we feel we have little to be thankful for due to our circumstances...our problems and burdens. You see...i believe having a thankful response in all circumstances starts with having a positive perspective on life and more importantly...a personal relationship with Jesus! Having a good attitude knowing and accepting that as long as we are in these earthly bodies we know we can expect adversity all through our life in some form...right? Im not being negative folks...it just seems to be a fact of life. Its easy to become narrow minded in our outlook of the future and forget the big picture when we are suffering in some way..i get that! But often times its when we become so focused on ourselves and our problems...the problem usually ends up being a lot bigger than it should be. So today...i encourage you to take your eyes off your problems and instead...look to Jesus. As the saying goes..."tell your mountain how big your God is"!...and...say a prayer of thanks to Him that He has created you and given you life...and look at today as a gift from God to start fresh. Most often we cant change our circumstances...but we can change our response to difficult times. If we allow every trial and tribulation to become an opportunity to thank God He will always show up! When we come into the presence of God and sing praises to Him...He is always there! God loves the praises of His people and it can change our entire perspective on whatever we may be facing today. Please remember...no matter how hard life on planet earth gets nor for how long. When we as born-again believers die...we are going to spend the next million...billion...trillion years...in heaven with God the Father...God the Son...God the Holy Spirit...and every family member and friend that also was saved....and...that life on the new earth....heaven...there is going to be Zero pain...suffering...no tears or sadness for Forever! So...trust Him and praise Him not only in the good times but also in the bad times. You will be amazed how much better your mental and emotional and especially your spiritual life will become!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day.
Psalm 71:8
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Psalm 115:1
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
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
What is Christlike Humility?
~ By Dr. Joel Muddamalle
Let’s look at how the Greek word for humility was used in Paul’s setting. One of the prominent Greek words we translate as “humble” (tapeinophrosyne) could also be translated as “self-abasement” or “lowliness.” In Greek, there are words that are related to each other that convey the concept of humility, and this type of thing is referred to as “word groups.” Markus Barth, a renowned Swiss New Testament scholar that lived during the second half of the 1900s, shared this insight about the humility word group: “The entire word group which belongs with tapeinophrosyne, according to its usage in common Greek, is used in a negative sense and means a low slavish orientation.”
This means the concept of humility would have been something totally shameful. The culture was highly competitive and focused on self-exaltation (sounds familiar, doesn’t it?). So anyone who had a low social status, who was weak or lowly, was considered “humble,” and it almost always had a negative connotation.
The early church father Augustine went so far as to say humility was an unknown virtue in the ancient world. Given this cultural climate, imagine how shocking and disruptive it was when Paul told the church in Rome, “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble [tapeinos]. Do not be wise in your own estimation” (Romans 12:16).
There had to have been some jaws on the floor. I can picture people sliding out the door of that house church thinking, “These people have lost their minds. Ain’t nobody got time for that.”
This isn’t the only time Paul said something like this. It was a consistent theme throughout his letters — he taught it to the churches in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae.
“When we came into Macedonia, we had no rest. Instead, we were troubled in every way: conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast [tapeinos], comforted us by the arrival of Titus.” ~ 2 Corinthians 7:5–6
“I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility [tapeinophrosyne] and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” ~ Ephesians 4:1–3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility [tapeinophrosyne] consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.” ~ Philippians 2:3–4
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility [tapeinophrosyne], gentleness, and patience.” ~ Colossians 3:12
“He will transform the body of our humble [tapeinoseos] condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.” ~ Philippians 3:21
Over and over, Paul reiterated the importance of the humble life for the believer in Jesus.
When the people sitting in these churches first heard these words from Paul, they might have thought, Wait a minute. Did Paul really say the H– [I guess in Greek, the T-] word? He presented it as the identity-forming virtue that should mark Christians. What motivated Paul to make such a countercultural, even offensive, claim?
It’s actually pretty simple. He followed the Messiah, Jesus, who lived a countercultural life that was offensive to both the Romans and the religious elite.
Paul’s most striking use of humility might be in Philippians 2:8–9:
“He [Jesus] humbled [tapeinosen] Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. For this reason, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name.”
Because we find ourselves “in Christ” (another favorite saying of Paul: Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 2:16), it makes sense for us to identify ourselves with Him in all things, especially in His humility.
Why?
Because the very thing that was true of Jesus will be true of us. Jesus humbled Himself, and His humility led Him through humiliation — but humiliation was not the end for Him. As we’ve seen, humility was His path of exaltation.
This unity with Him and shared exaltation with Him is exactly what we just saw in Philippians 3:21: “He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body.”
What was true of Jesus will be true of us.
_______________
Adapted from “The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility”, by Joel Muddamalle.
More about the book:
The peace we long for begins with coming to the end of ourselves.
There are inescapable aspects of life we are all marked by. We have less control than we want, more anxiety than we’re comfortable with and just enough insecurity to continually remind us of our shortcomings. To experience these things is to be human. We aren’t superheroes and invincibility isn’t an option.
But humility is.
Whether we’ve incorrectly defined it, or underestimated its relevance to our daily life, humility is the missing piece for the security, strength and confidence we all want. It’s time to stop trying so hard to avoid our limitations or overcompensate for them. God has better for us and it begins with bowing low in humility.
With relatable stories, practical wisdom and biblical theology broken down into digestible takeaways, “The Hidden Peace” by Dr. Joel Muddamalle will help you:
• Walk through hurtful situations in the most God-honoring way by gaining a true understanding of biblical humility.
• Know confidently that you’re living with purpose and being used by God through seven ways to practically live like Him today.
• Be led by the biblical definition of self-awareness so you can experience the unexpected ways it brings safety and security to your life.
• Stop believing the lie that theology is out of touch, or too difficult to comprehend, as Joel shows you how to dig into scripture and study it yourself.
Weakness is not your enemy. Planted in the soil of humility, weakness becomes a means to gaining more strength and more peace.
_______________
https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2024/03/christlike-humility/
•
Making Me Angry
“Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” ~ Ephesians 4:26-27
“He’s making me so angry!”
“She made me so mad yesterday.”
We’ve all used this kind of language. We tend to miss that these statements signal we’ve adopted a victim mentality. We shifted the responsibility for our happiness onto others. We see no other way but anger after what they did or what they said. We use anger to regain control, but the reality is we have ceded control of our happiness to others.
In truth, no one can make us angry. People and circumstances do things that trigger a reaction in us. But the choice of how to respond belongs to each of us on our own.
The circumstance does not make us angry. It does not have that control. The circumstance simply provides a prompt. The resulting anger or frustration is a signal that a choice needs to be made. But emotions have no business making choices. Choosing is something we should do based on our purpose and values.
The emotion is an alarm, letting us know our values have been pressed and a choice needs to be made. It’s not the person or the circumstance that actually makes us angry. It is the internal value(s) within us that feel threatened. It is a result of what matters to us, what we’ve experienced, and the purpose we are living toward.
We need a true perspective about our anger. We need to acknowledge our feelings. Then we can make choices based on values rather than emotions. Time is of the essence, “before the sun goes down.” It’s in our prompt and purposeful action that we can avoid our anger leading to sin.
_______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
•
The Power to Serve
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” ~ Galatians 5:13
Each of us has been granted a unique set of passions and abilities. We can feel it in the recesses of our soul. And we can also sense we are meant to use these gifts for something important. We have a longing for greatness. A capacity to do good. Like the superheroes in the movies, we have talent that’s eager and ready for action.
The temptation is to use this power for selfish gain. As Uncle Ben tells Spiderman, “With great power comes great responsibility”. The only difference between a superhero and a super villain is in where they direct their powers; to promote self or to serve others.
Throughout the Bible, we see the call on humanity to serve one another. Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. Paul talks about the church as the Body of Christ, imploring us to bear one another’s burdens. The message is clear. Our gifts are meant to serve others.
The villains in the movies are the ones who use their powers of intellect, skill, and money to build devices and schemes that serve their own lust for power. They attempt to use their abilities to control others. To make others serve them.
Heroes, on the other hand, see that their power is a responsibility. It is an equipping toward serving others, meant for the edification of the community as a whole.
Our unique passion and ability are vehicles of tremendous power. God has granted us the awesome responsibility to choose how to use them.
_____________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
•
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
"Rescued"..."Redeemed"..."Restored"....God had a plan for ole Rick Sane but it took me 40 years to figure that out with the last 25 of those years filled with drugs and booze in a helter-skelter self-destruct satan lovin frame of mind that in hind sight...blows my mind! I say it everyday..."i have no regrets about my past..my past is who i am today...Born-Again"...but guess what...if i had not come to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior...i would have more than regrets because i can say without a shadow of any doubt....i surly would be dead in the torment of Hades right now awaiting to be cast into the lake of fire in Hell come judgement day! That thought...though i dont dwell on it...still freaks me out! You see folks...Jesus "Rescued" me from that life and that lifestyle. When i cried out to Jesus from my heart to forgive me and save me...i didnt have to put my name on a list...He was right there waiting like He had been for 40 years. And in that moment i was "Redeemed" by the blood that Jesus shed for me those 2000 years ago on that old rugged cross. I was delivered from the sin sick life that i was living and given freedom from the captivity of satan and filled with the Holy Spirit....those chains of sin and wickedness were broken once and for all and i was adopted into Gods family for forever! And sense that day of salvation i have been "Restored"...little by little...day by day....to be the man that God desires me to be. Now look...i still have some rough edges...i still mess up...and by the way mess up means sin...but guess what.....Im a fer piece from where i was and i gots a ways to go....but all my faith and trust is in Jesus and i know that He walks with me every breath of every day until that day that He calls me home to my heavenly reward in Heaven. Do you have that...have you been "Rescued"..."Redeemed"..."Restored"...if not...why not start today...right now...by asking Jesus into your life...trust me friends...its the best and most important decision you will ever make!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1 Peter 1:3
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
Psalm 37:39
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:5
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
A Complete Restoration
"He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them ... This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" ~ 2 Corinthians 5:15,17
God loves to remodel. God has to remodel. Let Him live in your heart long enough, and your heart will begin to change. Portraits of hurt will be replaced by landscapes of grace. Walls of anger will be demolished and shaky foundations restored. God can no more leave a life unchanged than a mother can leave her child's tear untouched.
This might explain some of the discomfort in your life. Remodeling of the heart is not always pleasant. We don't object when the Carpenter adds a few shelves, but He's been known to gut the entire west wing. He has such high aspirations for you.
God envisions a complete restoration. He won't stop until he is finished.
He wants you to be "Just like Jesus."
______________
~ by Max Lucado
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
•
Patience and Paradox
"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” ~ John 16:33
As we search for a true perspective, patience is a necessity. Jesus tells us to expect a paradox: He has overcome the world, yet we will have trouble. That means there is a time lag between where we are today and where we desire to be. We are standing in line, just not quite at the front counter yet.
In this world, we cannot eliminate the need for waiting. But we do not have to get to the front counter to discover truth. Pain and confusion, challenging circumstances and fleeting seasons are an inevitable part of the wait. Truth is not the elimination of these difficulties. Truth is found through a right perspective surrounding these things. It is the paradox of the Kingdom of God.
Part of gaining a true perspective is seeing waiting as a privilege. We believe the front counter is coming. But we also need to see that waiting in line is our once-in-an-existence opportunity to exercise the resurrection power of Jesus by a walk of faith.
Jesus has overcome the world by shining within it. He shines in many ways, but He desires to shine through us. Patience and faithfulness in difficulty allows His truth to peer through the inevitable troubles of life. The paradox of his kingdom is not only true, but an incredible gift.
________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net/devotional/patience-and-paradox/
•
Shining Light in Our Circle of Influence
~ Is there someone you can serve and encourage today?
Scripture Reading: John 8:12; 12:35-36
Jesus, the Light of the World, told us — His followers — to be light as well. We are to shine so that people will be drawn to the One who dwells within us.
Light shines most effectively when it’s not hidden. As Christians, we should be transparent about our faith and dependence on the Lord. Who we are in private must match who we are in public. Eliminating sinful habits and practices will brighten our testimony for Jesus. Light reveals what’s in the darkness as well as what is missing. The Holy Spirit will use our actions to shine truth into others’ lives and reveal their need for the Savior.
Light also serves to guide and to warn. As we obey the Lord’s leading, we will be able to help others understand who God is and how much He loves them. We also can function as lanterns to warn people of the dangers along their path. Finally, our interactions are to bring warmth through an encouraging attitude and servant-like actions.
In order to have a strong impact, we must reflect the light of God’s Son. Growing in Christlikeness is the key. Become intentional about shining your light wherever you are — especially in your home, workplace, and community.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/shining-light-in-our-circle-of-influence
•
Facing Life’s Unknowns
~ When we know and trust the Lord, we don't have to fear change and uncertainty.
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:23-29
Moses knew what it was to live with uncertainty. He was born in Egypt at a time when the growing Hebrew population was seen as a threat. So to protect Moses, his family let others raise him. But then, as an adult, he had to flee his homeland.
Later, in a personal encounter with the Lord, Moses learned that he was God’s choice to be the Israelites’ leader. In this new role — one for which he felt woefully ill-equipped — he had to stand before Pharaoh and demand his people’s release. And as if that weren’t enough, he had to lead more than a million slaves — each of them depending on him — to the Promised Land.
Yet Moses steadfastly carried on. Scripture tells us he was able to persevere because of faith, which Hebrews 11:1 defines as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”. Moses had learned how to see “Him who is unseen” (Hebrews 11:27). As a result, he was able to grasp the reality of the Lord’s character and promises. After encountering the Lord at the burning bush (Exodus 3:2), he understood his purpose was to rely on God and follow His plan.
Though Moses wasn’t perfect, the Scriptures commend him for walking by faith. From his example, we can learn how to persevere through life’s unknowns with the help of the Holy Spirit.
______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/facing-life-s-unknowns
•
Each and everyday that we live...no matter how happy we may feel in the present and how well things are going in our life at the moment. There are always two days...if we allow them...that can steal our happiness and put that black cloud back over our heads in this day that we are living. One is tomorrow and the other is yesterday. Both are days that we as Christians should refuse to live as we focus on the here and now...that be today! There are so many folks that never learn to separate themselves from yesterday. They continue to drag it around with them and in the process it steals their happiness and peace of this present day. The same with tomorrow. So many folks also have a bad habit of worrying about this...that and the other...that may or may not happen tomorrow and in the process they also rob themselves of the contentment that they could have had this present day! The thing about yesterday...its already happened..we cant do nothing to change it. And tomorrow...have you ever noticed how much is worried about that actually never happens and the things that do happen did the worry really help anything? Worry...regret and dread seems to consume so many people and when we allow that in our life we basically have put our faith in the back seat for the long haul. Please remember my friends...God is sovereign...God is in complete control...God never takes a day off and God will never leave or forsake us. And...His loving tender mercy is new every morning! So...give it all to God and see what happens. Dont let yesterday and tomorrow contaminate your today. Learn to live in the here and now. Embrace the joy and peace and contentment that Jesus can provide...when...we put our faith and trust in Him! Think about it!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid
John 14:27
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
God Has the Final Say on Our Future
~ Every day can be a new beginning with Christ; His mercy is always available.
Scripture Reading: Joshua 2:8-14
Rahab, a prostitute in the enemy nation of Jericho, had faith that the Lord would rescue her family from the Israelites’ impending attack. We aren’t told why she chose to protect the men of Israel and trust God — perhaps Rahab herself didn’t even know why she risked defying the king on behalf of two strangers.
What we do know is this: On trusting in God’s protection, Rahab became grafted into the story of His people. The Lord didn’t count Rahab’s sin against her, but instead spared the woman’s entire family — and redeemed her history.
Ultimately, Rahab chose God’s way over her own culture and livelihood, at the risk of her own life. When her city and its walls fell to the ground, she joined the family of Israel and was given a new home. Faith changed the trajectory of her life, and she’s listed as one of the women in Jesus’ lineage.
Similarly, faith in God invites renewal and change in our own life. It’s not our sin that the Lord ultimately considers, but our faith. Rahab’s story reminds us that we don’t have to be perfect for God to use us. No matter what we have done, He can reweave our broken past into a future filled with grace.
_______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/god-has-the-final-say-on-our-future
•
A Life-Changing Prayer
~ In God’s Word, we can learn a lot about how to intercede for our loved ones.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:9-12
There are times when we may wonder whether our prayers are really accomplishing anything — when no matter how passionately we pray, the Lord seems unmoved and nothing changes. However, we need to persevere and trust Him to act with His perfect wisdom and timing. James 5:16 says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Therefore, our goal should be to learn to pray effectively.
Colossians 1:9-12 is an example of just such a prayer. The apostle Paul is asking that the believers in Colossae be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. We, too, must learn what Scripture has revealed about the Lord’s desires for our life so we can obey His will in the following ways:
• Live in a manner worthy of the Lord so we’ll please Him.
• Bear fruit in every good work.
• Increase in the knowledge of God.
• Be strengthened with His glorious power to attain steadfastness of faith.
If you want to see your prayers become effective and life-changing, pray these verses for yourself and fellow believers. Then be patient and wait for God’s will to come to fruition.
_______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/a-life-changing-prayer-2
•
God Delights in You
“He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me.” ~ Psalm 18:19
I was blessed to grow up with parents who were positive, supportive, and encouraging. The words “I am proud of you” are one of their greatest legacies to me. I knew they loved me and showed it in a variety of very important ways. I knew they were very glad that I was their son.
If you did not grow up with that kind of advantage then the concepts of grace and unconditional love will be harder for you to accept. One of the reasons we send Biblical messages of encouragement is to help you hear God’s words and to help you trust in His boundless, joyful love and draw closer to Him. Psalm 18:19 is one such verse.
David wrote this psalm after escaping repeated attacks from Saul and his armies. A man who could have been a mentor and encourager for David became an implacable enemy. Other Psalms reflect David’s anguish during this very rough period in his life. David responded by seeking God even more and looking to Him for the support. God delivered Him.
The key phrase I want you to focus on concerns the reason God delivered David: “because He delights in me.” This phrase is joyful and exuberant! God delighted in David!
And God delights in you. Let that sink in. "He delights in you!" Even though you may not have been programmed from your childhood to hear and accept such truth, or perhaps because you have suffered rejection in adulthood at the hands of people who were once very close to you, you must trust and believe that God delights in you. He knows you deeply and individually as if you were the only person to know. He is capable of that kind of sustained regard and focus on you. His verdict: “I take delight in you.” And for that reason He will deliver you.
So whatever you face, or whatever handicap you have in life, accept God’s rich love for you.
Trust in it. Rely on it.
_____________
~ 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
•
The Riches of The Kingdom
"I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see." ~ Revelation 3:18
Humans are motivated by the pursuit of riches. We are drawn to concepts like value and worth. In a broken and imperfect world, these pursuits most often manifest in superficial ways. But we are unsatisfied by the wealth the world has to offer. Unfulfilled by the desires of the flesh. Our longing remains.
The Lord invites us to purchase from Him all the riches we want. God is not talking about money and possessions for self-serving purposes. He is talking about peace and wisdom so that we might worship Him through stewarding this precious life.
We are searching for the depth of treasure, the heart of true richness. Material wealth is only a means to an end. Instinctively, we know there is a greater end than material. And we hope money will help serve as a means to that end.
Through wealth or poverty, the true riches lie in how we live the life given us. How we see the world around us. If we ask God, He will grant us all the richness of His Kingdom. He will gift us with the opportunity to see the world from His perspective, which will transform the way we see all other things.
There is no greater treasure than wisdom. There is no fortune worth more than a true perspective. If we ask, He is there, ready to endow upon us the wealth of the Heavens, the transformational riches of true perspective.
_______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
•
Freedom’s Paradox
"A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls." ~ Proverbs 25:28
One of life’s paradoxes is how self-discipline gives us freedom. People without self-control live under the tyranny of whatever desires master them — pleasure, sleep, sex, indulgence, addictions, or hatred. When the Lord becomes the King of our life, He enables us to grow in the quality of self-control. It’s a fruit of the Spirit. As we’re released from our vices, we’re increasingly free to live healthy and happy lives.
To many people, the word freedom means doing anything you want whenever and wherever you want. But true freedom is impossible without constraint. Limitations don’t bring confinement — they enable freedom. Paul told Timothy, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…self-control.”
Identify any area of life in which you find yourself in bondage. Ask God to help you to allow His Spirit to work in your heart so that you will experience true freedom.
"Jesus, who lived such a remarkable life, has sent His Spirit to dwell in you. His goal is to reproduce Himself through you — the courage, the self-control, the love, everything." ~ Charles Stanley
_______________
~ by David Jeremiah, Turning Point Ministries (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
•
A Beautiful Simplicity
~ Our giving should reflect the generosity and grace of our Lord.
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
Today we return to Romans 12:8 to explore the next spiritual gift — generosity. As before, Paul’s directive is concise: “The one who gives” should do so “with generosity.” Our English translation may not seem to offer much guidance, but the Greek contains a beautiful visual we’d do well to examine.
The word Paul uses for “gives” is "metadidómi", and it means precisely what we think it should — “to share, bestow, or give a share of.” But he tells us we should give “with generosity.” In some translations, “liberality” or “generously” is used, but that doesn’t quite get at the heart of what he’s trying to say. The Greek word is "haplotés". We translate it as “simplicity, sincerity, purity, or graciousness,” but it literally means “not folded” or “not compounded or needlessly complex.” Imagine a bedsheet hanging on a laundry line — its wide, flat expanse drying in the afternoon sun is "haplotés". Compare that to a fitted sheet, which is all seams, puckers, and corners and utterly impossible to fold neatly.
Paul is saying that our giving should be straightforward, not tied up in some complicated system of rules or justifications. We shouldn’t put elaborate stipulations on our generosity or run down a strict checklist to see if someone is “worthy.” Rather, we should simply give of what we have as the Holy Spirit leads.
______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/a-beautiful-simplicity
•
God created each of us...yes...every single human...with the desire that we would all come to know Him thru His Son Jesus. God loves all of us so deeply that we really cant understand the true and unconditional love He has for us...He is our heavenly Father. However...to truly obtain and experience that love...we must become born-again by asking Jesus for forgiveness of our sins and surrendering our lives to Him. Once we have done that...we start a process for the rest of our lives to become more and more like Jesus. We will never be perfect like Jesus while we are on this earth but our daily goal is to work towards that end result which will happen when we get to heaven. God loves us and truly does want the very best for us. However...as we know...we often dont and cant understand why so many things come into our lives that seem just the opposite. We must search ourselves and come to the conclusion that yes...Gods plan and purpose for our life is perfect. Whatever we are confronted with God has sent our way...or He has allowed...and yes given satan permission to throw something at us...and that dont mean that we are doing anything wrong although God does send correction and discipline our way...all in all...its to better us and mold us into the likeness of Jesus! Yes i know...sometimes that can mean some pretty hard and tragic life experiences but here is a thought for us to ponder. When the earthly path we are traveling becomes rough...filled with ruts and pot holes. And when we think we can endure no more....the solution to our problems and burdens is often really very simple and it has to do with a mindset of letting go of self. When we learn to forget about me and my way and focus on God and His way...if nothing else changes you can bet our attitude will. Me is good at having a negative attitude while God will bless us with a positive attitude....Me will grasp a hold of self pity and depression and God will deliver comfort and peace! Me tries to fix things seeing only one second at a time so frustration sets in...God will guide our steps seeing every day of our lives knowing what the big picture truly looks like and will provide peace by trusting in Him. So...let us always keep in mind that Gods ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Only by keeping our complete faith and trust in the very person that created us knowing that whatever we are going thru is another chance to glorify God...will we be able to accept our circumstances and give God the praise for it all no matter how hard the road of life may become to travel. Remember....Jesus never said that life in these human bodies would be easy...but He did say that thru a relationship with Him...it will be all so worth it! Trust Him!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
Isaiah 58:11
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
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
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
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Are Americans Eating Spiritual Pufferfish?
What do these stories have in common?
• A man cooked and ate a poisonous pufferfish that had been given to him, fell into a coma, and died thirty-five days later.
• A nineteen-year-old hiker was taking photos at a scenic overlook in Utah when the cliff he was standing on crumbled beneath him and he plunged to his death.
• A thirty-four-year-old man in Colorado was bitten by a Gila monster he kept as a pet and died four days later.
• A man in India jumped into a zoo enclosure to take a selfie with a lion who then mauled him to death.
Obviously, none of them knew their decisions would lead to their deaths.
However, can someone who is sincere be sincerely wrong? Can a nation?
“Is it true that man is above everything?”
I came across an article this week highlighting Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s 1978 commencement address at Harvard University. When I reread the exiled dissident’s words, I knew I needed to share some of them with you today.
How well do they describe America’s culture forty-six years later?
Solzhenitsyn warned:
"The fight for our planet, physical and spiritual, a fight of cosmic proportions, is not a vague matter of the future; it has already started. The forces of Evil have begun their decisive offensive. You can feel their pressure, yet your screens and publications are full of prescribed smiles and raised glasses. What is the joy about?"
He diagnosed the root of the problem:
"We have lost the concept of a Supreme Complete Entity which used to restrain our passions and our irresponsibility. We have placed too much hope in politics and social reforms, only to find out that we were being deprived of our most precious possession: our spiritual life."
Then he prescribed the solution:
"Since [man’s] body is doomed to death, his task on earth evidently must be more spiritual: not a total engrossment in everyday life, not the search for the best ways to obtain material goods and then their carefree consumption. It has to be the fulfillment of a permanent, earnest duty so that one’s life journey may become above all an experience of moral growth. . . ."
"Only by the voluntary nurturing in ourselves of freely accepted and serene self-restraint can mankind rise above the world stream of materialism."
Solzhenitsyn concluded:
"Even if we are spared destruction by war, life will have to change in order not to perish on its own. We cannot avoid reassessing the fundamental definitions of human life and human society."
• "Is it true that man is above everything?"
• "Is there no Superior Being above him?"
• "Is it right that man’s life and society’s activities should be ruled by material expansion above all?"
• "Is it permissible to promote such expansion to the detriment of our integral spiritual life?"
In his view, “We shall have to rise to a new height of vision, to a new level of life. . . . This ascension is similar to climbing onto the next anthropological stage. No one on earth has any other way left but — upward.”
The wisest course of action:
Would you allow me to ask you some hard questions I’m asking myself this morning?
• Have you “placed too much hope in politics and social reforms”?
• Is your life focused on “the search for the best ways to obtain material goods and then their carefree consumption”?
• Is your life “ruled by material expansion above all”?
When we are going in the wrong direction, the wisest course of action is to reverse course. This is why Jesus began His public ministry by calling on those who heard Him to “repent,” to make a spiritual U-turn from their sins to their Savior (Mark 1:15).
This is our Father’s urgent call to us still today. If you are hearing a voice assuring you that this call is not for you, you’re being deceived by the “father of lies” (John 8:44).
St. Augustine was right:
“God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but He has not promised tomorrow to your procrastination.”
Your Father has a “new level of life” waiting for any who make Him their unconditional King and Lord (John 10:10). This is the “next anthropological stage” for humanity.
Let’s choose it together, to the glory of God.
______________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/are-americans-eating-spiritual-pufferfish/
•
The Believer’s Impact
~ Ask God to help you make your days count for eternity.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:19-20
The Lord has given us talents and abilities so that we can serve Him and make a difference in our circle of influence, no matter its size.
To maximize our impact, we must develop a lifestyle of prayer, because talking to God is essential for effective ministry. Conversation with Him prepares our mind for communicating to others — the simplest words can have amazing results when He directs. And the Lord has also promised to respond to our requests according to His perfect will.
Our Father wants us to use our spiritual gifts to bless others. So let’s keep in mind that acts of service can speak clearly of His love and compassion. As we become salt and light, God will expand our sphere of influence beyond what we could imagine.
Suggested Prayer:
“Lord, I give You control over my life so You can affect others through my words and actions. Make my days count for eternity however You choose — do not let me waste them. Live Your life through me in such a way that many recognize their need for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
_______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/the-believer-s-impact
•
What He Prayed
The fact that Jesus took time to pray for His followers shortly before He went to the cross is humbling and astonishing. Now consider what He prayed from John 17:
• He prayed for His followers to have joy. (vv 6-13)
• He prayed for His followers to be protected from the evil one. (vv 14-16)
• He prayed for His followers to be made holy. (vv 17-10)
• He prayed for His followers to know unity. (vv 20-26)
But notice this, the first thing He prayed for was His followers "to know Him":
"Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." ~ John 17:3
He wanted those who were and would become His followers to experience Him completely, not just know "about Him". Not just memorize His words and stories so you can repeat them and sound like You know Him.
Knowing someone is dramatically different from knowing about them. Jesus wants His followers to know Him so that we can help others know Him.
He prayed for His followers to know Him. This is eternal life.
Is there anything more important?
_______________
~ by Tom Norvell, A Norvell Note © Copyright 2024 (https://www.anorvellnote.net)
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
•
Now i dont know that one thing has anything to do with another...but just to make a point...in my 25 years of helter skelter living with drugs and booze...and especially those last 10 or so years....i didnt give a hoot about much of nothing. I lived the life of booze and drugs and all the craziness and madness that goes with it in pretty much self destruct mode... and... I didnt much care if i lived or died and didnt really much care if anyone else did. In many ways i was filled with hate...anger and im thinking that forgiveness wasnt in my vocabulary? Now dont get me wrong...i was not a Charlie Manson type...though i did have a good many loose screws...i was in some ways a good person?...a friend to some folks?...there was a few folks that im pretty sure i loved?...and that might sound like im contradicting myself...but....to anyone that has been there done that in living that life and the insanity and darkness that surrounds you day by day with satan showing you the way...you get my meaning...there is a method to the madness in ones head! Then at age 40 Jesus finally got thru my thick skull and hard heart and i changed...big time! I was born-again and made a new creation by the power of the Holy Spirit...God Himself...who came to live in me! So with all that said...today...and with this scripture in mind that i take as very serious business....."but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"...Matthew 6:15...Now...for me...and this doesnt happen very often...when someone says or does something in a hurtful way...it truly takes me about 10 minutes to put it behind me...let it go...and continue on with the peace...joy...contentment that i have each and everyday thru the Lord Jesus Christ...almost like water off a ducks back....all by the power of the Holy Spirit...God Himself...who came to live in me! That is as far as the east is from the west as to the person i use to be. And when something happens that hurts my little feelings...right then and there i just tell my heavenly Father that i forgive them...because...no one...is going to ruin my day in any way...shape or form and especially because i...me...myself...i refuse to harbor unforgiveness in my heart over something. My go to in that moment or the short time after...All i do is sit down and read Psalms 23 on my cellphone...or...call it out from memory... and ask Jesus for peace and strength and guess what...God lovingly gives it to me! Folks like to quote..."i can do all things thru Jesus who gives me strength"...do we believe that? Heres what i know....i can not live the christian life...i must let Jesus live His life thru me! Getting over being mad and forgiveness can be hard...but...to quote another scripture.... “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”.....Think about it!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Ephesians 5:8
Followers
|
93
|
Posters
|
|
Posts (Today)
|
3
|
Posts (Total)
|
31332
|
Created
|
03/01/07
|
Type
|
Free
|
Moderator Ranb2khz | |||
Assistants tenac Ragin_Cajun |
LIVING FOR THE SUPERNATURAL:
"OUR HEAVENLY FATHER & CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE"
SPIRITUAL
DEVELOPMENT LINKS:
(Click on Any Picture Below - Website Will Open in New Link)
LINKS FROM
ORIGINAL I-BOX:
(Click on Any Picture Below - Website Will Open in New Link)
LINKS TO OTHER
CHRISTIAN-RELATED I-HUB BOARDS:
Prayer Warriors
Bible
Christian Rock Cafe
Tunes to Spirit in the Sky
Christian Investors
Persecuted Christians
Thank you for visiting and contributing to the Eternity board.
It is our prayer that you are being encouraged, blessed, transformed, energized, and renewed
by the Holy Spirit as you read and participate (post) in this forum.
May our loving, merciful and compassionate Heavenly Father keep you and yours
safe and well throughout your days & nights.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Posts Today
|
3
|
Posts (Total)
|
31332
|
Posters
|
|
Moderator
|
|
Assistants
|
Volume | |
Day Range: | |
Bid Price | |
Ask Price | |
Last Trade Time: |