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 keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
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.
Proverbs 3:5
Speaking Agape
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” ~ John 13: 34-35
In the early 60s, Brother Andrew, a man from Holland, smuggled a load of Bibles in his VW across the Romanian border and past communist guards. He checked into a hotel and began praying that God would lead him to the right Christian groups - the ones who could best use his copies of the Scriptures.
That weekend Andrew walked up to the hotel clerk and asked where he might find a church. The clerk looked at him a little strangely and answered, "We don't have many of those you know. Besides you couldn't understand the language." "Didn't you know?" Andrew replied, "Christians speak a kind of universal language." "Oh, what's that?", asked the clerk. "It's called Agape." The clerk had never heard of it, but Andrew assured him. "It's the most beautiful language in the world."
Andrew was able to locate several church groups in the area and managed to arrange a meeting with the president and secretary of a certain denomination. Unfortunately, although both Andrew and these men knew several European languages, they found they had none in common. So there they sat staring at each other across the room.
Andrew had traveled thousands of dangerous miles with his precious cargo but there seemed no way of telling whether these men were genuine Christian brothers or government informants.
Finally, he spotted a Romanian Bible on a desk in the office. Andrew reached into his pocket and pulled out a Dutch Bible. He turned to 1 Corinthians 16:20 and held the Bible out, pointing to the name of the book, which they could recognize. Instantly their faces lit up.
They quickly found the same chapter and verse in their Romanian Bibles and read: "All the brothers here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss."
The men beamed back at Andrew. Then one of them looked throughout his Bible and found Proverbs 25:25. Andrew found the verse and read: "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." These men spent half an hour conversing and sharing - just through the words of Scripture. They were so happy in this fellowship that crossed all cultural boundaries that they laughed until tears came to their eyes. Andrew knew he had found his brothers. When he showed them his load of Bibles, the Romanians were overwhelmed and embraced him again and again.
That evening at the hotel, the clerk approached Andrew and remarked, "Say, I looked up 'agape' in the dictionary. There's no language by that name. That's just a Greek word for love." Andrew replied, "That's it. I was speaking in it all afternoon."
_______________
~ published by: The Daily Encourager
•
Good morning folks....i posted this on another board this morning to a good reply to a post concerning all the negativity in the world and a good MANY folks. For me....i dont watch the news or read newspapers for a good many years now....i just dont need all that junk flooding my head and heart day in and day out. NOW...im not ignorant to whats going on in the world....i read the top headlines when i log on to my Yahoo account to start my Jesus time in the morning....i just dont click on them to read the details....but...thats just me. Anyway....im reposting that post here with maybe some insight for some to think about...then...maybe its just another mans opinion and you might think hogwash!
Thank You Father
Dear God:
I want to thank You for what You have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am going to thank You right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking You right now.
I am thanking You because I am alive.
I am thanking You because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking You because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking You because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I'm thanking You Father, because You haven't given up on me.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” ~ Philippians 4:13
__________________
~ 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
•
Track Layer
“For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.” ~ Ephesians 2:10
We have a race marked out for us. A journey prepared beforehand to which we've been called. An adventure that's been laid upon us, a path for good works. We have a job to do, a special assignment.
In the adventure of life, Jesus is the tracklayer. He lays out the path. He guides us through the twists and the turns. He fires the starter's pistol to get us out of the blocks and run the race. He is also the judge that pulls the tape to let us know we’ve finished.
Along the way we have jobs to do. People to touch. Stewardship to embrace. Responsibilities to discharge. Service to render.
The only way we even begin to fulfill this divine calling is because we are given the strength to perform great deeds by God’s grace. This is what we were made to do. He's already prepared the way. What remains is for us to choose to follow the path he has forged.
How do we know we are walking in the path God prepared?
Certainly not by our circumstances - that's just terrain. We walk in Jesus’ way when we engage with whatever circumstances we have with faithfulness. When we walk in obedience to the chances we've been given.
Let's not look for opportunity to serve. Let's serve with the opportunities we have. That's our divine occupation.
________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
•
The Truth About Salvation
"Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the Word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household." ~ Acts 16:30-32
Do you ever wonder if faith in Jesus is really the only way to be saved?
Satan is a crafty liar who will twist God’s Word to cause confusion. In order to steer people away from following Christ, he tries to create the impression that eventually everyone will make it to heaven. But that is not what Scripture teaches.
The truth is, we can choose to reject the salvation that Jesus Christ freely offers. John’s gospel tells us:
“For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.” ~ John 3:17-18
The Word of God clearly states that whoever believes in Jesus will be saved:
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16
The Bible also stresses that we make this choice during our earthly life — there will be no further opportunities once we die.
So, if you would like to be sure of your salvation, you can do so by inviting Jesus to be your personal Savior. God, who wants you to spend eternity with Him, offers compelling reasons to make this all-important decision:
“The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but those that refuse to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on them.” ~ John 3:36
There are no more chances to place faith in the Savior after death. The free gift of salvation is available only in this life — and only through Jesus:
"Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." ~ John 14:6
Receive Him now, and you will never have to wonder what awaits you in eternity.
_______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
•
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
Up until the age of 40...ole Rick Sane...lived life his way. During the last 25 years of that span...he put enough drugs and alcohol in his body to kill a great deal of Coxes army. He never went to church...never read the Bible...never prayed. He cussed often and often took the Lords name in vain and mocked God and laughed about seeing folks in hell one day. His main focus in life was getting high and all the insanity that goes with that lifestyle. In jail a few times....overdosed on drugs twice...alcohol poisoning to some degree several times...in his twisted mind he somehow thought he was indestructible. He kept a job traveling the country working construction...deep down in there somewhere he was kinda sorta a pretty good person raised a farm boy whos family were born-again believers...but for whatever reason he had become one of satans right hand men...in the crazy life he lived. Now...Rick had this friend...we will call him Jim...and Jim was kinda sorta a model citizen. Jim did not drink or use drugs. He held a job and was also a volunteer fireman. Coached his sons little league baseball team. He didnt cuss and was always helping in charity events thru the Ruritan club that he was a member of. Jim went to church...read his Bible once in awhile and sometimes prayed and tithed his money. In most ways...Rick and Jim were complete opposites. The thing is...in the most important way...they were just alike. And that being...both Rick and Jim had never repented of their sins...never ask God for forgiveness of their sins...neither were saved...born-again. If Rick and Jim had both been in the same car and had a bad wreck and both had died...they both would have gone to hell. You see folks...it dont matter what kind of life we live...wicked like Rick or pretty dad burn good like Jim...unless we surrender our life to God...we have a personal relationship with Jesus...we are filled with the Holy Spirit upon the day of salvation...we are going to split hell wide open. We cant buy our way...we cant do enough good stuff or be good enough...there is nothing we can do to earn our way to heaven outside of a personal relationship with Jesus. Salvation is all about what Jesus did on the cross...He paid our sin debt in full. So...do you have that? Remember...there are no do-overs...when we step foot into eternity the stage is set...heaven or hell...where are you headed?
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13
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
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
The Daily Article — April 19, 2024
Israel conducted a strike in Iran early this morning in what appears to be its first military response to Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel last weekend.
Fars news agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that explosions were heard in the city of Isfahan in central Iran near an air force base. Iranian state TV also reported that several drones were shot down by air defenses in the city.
The limited scale of the attack and Iran’s muted response both seem to signal a successful effort by diplomats working to avert all-out war after Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel last Saturday. Tehran is playing down the incident and indicates it has no plans to respond. In fact, they referred to the incident as an attack by “infiltrators” rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation.
According to Israeli officials, their leaders came close to ordering widespread strikes in Iran on the night Iran attacked. However, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to American President Joe Biden, and because the damage was limited, the war cabinet postponed a decision.
Rather than launching a response that would intensify the conflict with Iran, Israel chose a limited action aimed at military targets. Its response was reportedly intended to show Iran that Israel can strike within its borders, but without provoking a larger escalation. In turn, Iranian state-run media sought to minimize the incident, airing footage of an otherwise peaceful Isfahan morning.
“As long as Iran continues to deny the attack and deflect attention from it and no further hits are seen, there is space for both sides to climb down the escalation ladder for now,” according to Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House.
We can be grateful that leaders in Israel and Iran have apparently chosen the path of de-escalation, since an all-out war between their nations would affect the world in a number of dire ways:
• Oil supplies would be threatened, sending oil prices skyward and damaging the global economy.
• A conflict could trigger a sell-off in the global stock market, with oil-based sectors such as automobiles, transportation, and aviation taking the greatest hit.
• Such a war would likely bring Hezbollah more fully into the conflict, threatening all of Israel with its rocket and missile systems and formidable ground forces.
• And Iran could develop nuclear weapons, a step it has avoided thus far through fear of military escalation with Israel and the US.
However, we should not interpret the motives of Iranian and Israeli leaders so altruistically.
In his perceptive book "Why Politics Fails", Oxford professor Ben Ansell writes:
"The basic model underlying political economy is that everyone is selfish, or at the very least self-interested. You have a set of things that you want, and you’ll do your utmost to get them. Self-interest is everywhere. It explains why we do what we do. And why we should expect others to do that as well."
This is why, as British Prime Minister Henry John Temple stated in the mid-1800s:
“Nations do not have permanent friends or enemies, only interests.”
His sentiment was echoed most famously by former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, but it applies to all nations across all of history:
"Leaders in democracies are elected to advance the interests of the people they serve. However, it is in their self-interest to do so effectively enough to be reelected. Leaders in autocracies typically act to their personal benefit. In both cases, if we can determine what is in their self-interest, we can typically predict their behavior."
It is in Israel’s self-interest not to escalate conflict directly with Iran while it confronts the existential threat of Hamas in Gaza along with Hezbollah on its northern border, militias in Syria and Iraq, jihadists in the West Bank, and the Houthis in Yemen. It is in Iran’s self-interest to wage its war with Israel through proxies rather than in ways that directly endanger its military and economy.
Thus, the long-running “shadow war” between the two nations has apparently returned to its previous status quo — at least for now.
How to discover if you are a servant:
There is only one way to escape the “will to power” by which we strive to be our own god (Genesis 3:5), and that is to experience the transformation by which God’s Spirit remakes us in the image of God’s Son so that we manifest the character of the God who “is” love (1 John 4:8). The “fruit” of this Spirit in our lives is “love,” translating the Greek agape, which refers to the unconditional, self-sacrificial commitment to put the other person first (Galatians 5:22).
When we submit our lives every day to the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), He enables us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). He empowers us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). With His help, we can break the cycle of retribution by forgiving as we have been forgiven and loving as we are loved.
Today’s news highlights the binary choice I discussed yesterday: to treat people as instrumentally valuable to the degree that they are means to our ends, or to treat them as intrinsically valuable as sacred bearers of the imago Dei (Genesis 1:27).
The former perpetuates the wars between nations and conflicts between people that have blighted humanity across our history. The latter is the path to God’s best for ourselves and our world as we emulate the One who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
To discover if you are truly a servant, see how you respond the next time someone treats you like one.
_______________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/israel-retaliates-against-iran/
•
Soil Matters
~ Are you ready to hear from God?
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13:1-9
When teaching the crowds, the Lord often used parables, which were hard to understand in the moment. Yet now that we have the full revelation of God, these short stories serve as wonderful examples of what it means to live a life of faith.
One parable Jesus told was about a farmer planting seeds that fell in different places: on a path, in shallow soil, among thorns, and on fertile ground. He ended the story with, “The ones who have ears, let them hear” (Matthew 13:9). Afterward, the disciples asked Jesus why He chose to teach this way, and He explained that not everyone was willing to hear spiritual truth. But He told the Twelve, “Blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear” (Matthew 13:16). As believers, we are blessed in the same way.
However, learning how to listen to (and act upon) what we hear from the Lord takes time and practice; it’s not a process one can rush through. The fertile soil that Jesus mentions in verse 8 is a heart prepared to hear and respond to His Word (Matthew 13:23). By spending time in prayer and scriptural meditation, we can “rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us” (Hebrews 12:1). In that way, we can become even better, more attuned listeners.
What is one thing you can do today to prepare your heart to receive God’s Word?
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/soil-matters
•
The Daily Article — April 18, 2024
The comedian and abortion advocate Bill Maher made headlines this week when he admitted that abortion “kind of is” murder. Then he stated, “I’m just okay with that. I am. I mean there’s eight billion people in the world. I’m sorry, we won’t miss you. That’s my position on it.”
Maher’s honesty exposes the deepest fault line in American culture. It is not between Democrats and Republicans, or between believers and secularists, or between any other two commonly identified demographics. It is between those who consider life to be inherently sacred and those who consider it to be an instrumental means to other ends.
The latter would likely not describe their position as I have. But as I’ll explain today, this is in fact how they view their fellow humans, with implications that touch every dimension of our existence from conception to death.
There is no more urgent battle for the minds of Americans than this.
________________
On April 1, an Israeli military strike on a building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, killed senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps leaders responsible for Iran’s terrorist activities against Israel in Lebanon and Syria. This is how wars are typically fought — by one nation’s military against its opponent’s military.
In response, Iran targeted not a few military leaders but the nation they serve.
Hamas terrorizes civilians as well, both Palestinian and Israeli. They stole a billion dollars intended for aid to Palestinian civilians and used it to build military tunnels that shelter no Palestinian civilians. Then they attacked Israel in a way they knew would provoke a response by the IDF but took no steps to protect the civilians they supposedly serve or even to warn them.
According to the independent Lancet Commission, Hamas’s actions on October 7 “constitute crimes against humanity including genocide.” By contrast, according to America’s defense secretary, the US has seen no evidence that Israel has committed genocide in its response.
Israel does not seek to kill Arabs; in fact, 20 percent of its nation is comprised of Arab civilians. But Hamas seeks the “annihilation” of the Jews, whom they consider to be “apes and pigs” (Qur’an 5:60). The difference between the two is simple:
If Hamas were to lay down its weapons, not another Palestinian civilian would be endangered. If the IDF were to lay down its weapons, every Israeli civilian would be endangered.
________________
This choice between human life as intrinsically or instrumentally valuable touches every aspect of our society.
The view of human life as only instrumentally valuable is what enables Hamas and Iran to murder Jews as a means of advancing their version of Islam. It is what empowers racists, enslavers, pornographers, adulterers, sex traffickers, and abortion and euthanasia providers.
In fact, this issue goes to the very heart of our democratic experiment.
There is a reason America’s Founders embraced the declaration that “all men are created equal” at the risk of their lives. They knew the alternative: a class-driven society in which monarchs and despots rule their subjects. This is precisely what they sought independence from as they birthed what Abraham Lincoln would later call “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
This is a binary choice: our leaders serve us as their co-equals, or we serve them as our superiors.
If we no longer believe that our governmental institutions can be trusted to serve us, that our votes count and our elected officials will do what we elect them to do, and that our courts will administer justice fairly to all citizens, our democracy is imperiled.
Sharing our faith through our works and words is vital to the future of our nation. The “will to power,” the drive to be our own god (Genesis 3:5), lives within each fallen soul. It takes the transforming work of the Spirit in a life given to Christ to birth in us that unconditional love for others which is so vital to our consensual democracy (Galatians 5:22).
Stated succinctly: “We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
When we experience life as God’s Beloved, we are empowered to love as we are loved. We see every person we meet as someone for whom our Savior died. We know that they will spend eternity either with our Father in His paradise or separated from Him in hell.
David Jeremiah was right: “If we understand what lies ahead for those who do not know Christ, there will be a sense of urgency in our witness.”
The key is simple but transforming: when we yield our lives to God’s Spirit today (Ephesians 5:18-21), He will manifest the character of Christ through us (Romans 8:29). Our words will be anointed and empowered by Him (Luke 12:12). And we will be “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11).
The great Scottish revivalist Duncan Campbell observed:
“It is the signature of the Holy Ghost upon our work and witness that makes all the difference.”
How obvious is His “signature” in your life today?
________________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/bill-maher-says-abortion-kind-of-is-murder/
•
A Season of Hope
“Through Him [Christ Jesus] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~ Romans 5:2-5
The roller coaster is a ride of anticipation. Hope boils as we wait in long, winding lines for the adventure of a two-minute ride. Once we’re on the coaster, it starts with the slow ascent, the track clicking along the way. From the moment it reaches the apex and plummets down until the end of the ride, it is all about hope. The surprise joy of the next turn.
The same is true for our “two-minute ride” on this earth. Our lives are brief. James calls it a “wisp of vapor”. Along the way, the twists and turns can be terrifying. The waits can be excruciating. The joys overwhelming.
No matter what is happening to us, it is shaping us for the next season. The next turn. The next rise or dip. It is preparing us for the next chapter. For our existence is eternal. And that eternity is shaped by what we do during this “wisp of vapor”, our two-minute ride on Earth.
Somewhat ironically, this perspective of hope is the best way to enjoy our present. Life is infused with anticipation. Things are not just randomly happening to us. There is a story at play. The track is connected. Someway. Somehow. Living in the moment requires the paradox of hoping for what is to come. Such is the nature of imperfection.
Perspective is our opportunity to harness anticipation, to see beyond ourselves, and to be filled with that most important of human qualities – hope. Life is hard and sometimes the dips can be painful. Sometimes the speed freezes us. And sometimes the joy comes bursting out. All of it is life. All of it is a call to true perspective.
All of it is hope.
______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
•
Taking Courage
“When they saw Him [Jesus] walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” ~ Mark 6:49-50
One of the interesting things about this story is that Jesus gives the disciples the recipe for courage. We gain courage by knowing God and choosing to trust Him.
A lot of times we think of courage as the absence of discomfort. But it is really about choosing whom to trust in the midst of discomfort.
The disciples originally think Jesus is a ghost. It is night time and there is a figure wading across the water. They’ve constructed myths and narratives to explain what they are seeing.
We do the same thing. We are sure when trouble arrives that we are done for. The end has come. We are sure there is no coming back from this circumstance. We are so ready to be afraid. So ready to give up. So ready to adopt the false perspectives that are clanging around this world.
Jesus offers another way. He invites the disciples to “take” courage. How? By knowing the truth. By trusting. We get our courage from the presence of Jesus. He is extending it to us; it is something only possible through a trust in who He is, an extension of knowing "The Truth".
The preceding verses say that Jesus intended to walk by them to the other side of the lake. But He stops and gets in the boat to comfort His disciples. In the most startling of circumstances, His presence is the source of our courage.
________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
•
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
As humans each walking a different path to a different earthly destination. We can come to think that we are pretty self-sufficient...self-reliant...we hold our lives within our own grasp and we can take care of ourselves...and...there can be some truth in that. However, in reality, no matter how well we can care for ourselves...theres not a man or woman alive that dont need help in a very specific and eternal way...we all need Jesus! We can be born with a silver spoon in our mouth...we can grow up in the best neighborhood and never have a want or need in the world and live a childhood that is picture perfect...we can go to the best schools for 16 years and make the best of grades and graduate with high honors and land the job that pays the best that most folks can only dream of. We can be a pillar in society and well respected. We can buy the biggest house...have the fanciest cars...the best of clothes and have all the toys we desire. We can live our life with good health and seemly an abundance of earthly happiness and be the poster child of prosperity...we can live a life that in our minds...and in the reality of the world...we believe we need no one or nothing outside our own self-sufficiency...BUT....no matter how awesome we may think we have it here on planet earth...i can assure you of this...outside a personal relationship with Jesus...there can never be true happiness because the true joy and peace and contentment in life only comes from Jesus....and ...the glitter and gold of this world is temporary and actually secondary. What matters first and foremost is what is waiting beyond this earthly life. One day we are all going to die...thats not a secret. And when we step into eternity...if we have lived this life our way depending on ourselves and our prosperity to be our focus...our idols..we are headed to hell. If we have lived this life storing our treasures in heaven then that is where we are going to go to reap our reward of trusting Jesus. Now folks...im not saying its wrong to have money and stuff as long as we honor God with it all. Im saying we can have a picture perfect life while we walk these years on earth but without Jesus there will never be any true satisfaction and happiness and when step into eternity we are going to discover we have actually failed miserably!....Think about it!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Matthew 19:21-22
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
2 Corinthians 3:5
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Romans 12:3
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
John 6:63
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 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 1:3-4
Name Above All Names
~ We are most like our Savior when we die to self and serve others.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:9-11
As we read about the other day, Jesus — God made flesh — didn’t insist on the position and privileges that were rightly His. Instead, He emptied Himself and became a servant. But He didn’t stop at token humility: He took this step all the way to death — in fact, the excruciating and demeaning death by crucifixion. This is a powerful statement of God’s character. What the Lord delights in is not arrogance but a servant’s heart.
Jesus set aside power to serve in humility. As believers, we want to gain in Christlikeness, so shouldn’t humble service be our goal as well? To avoid losing sight of this calling, let’s keep in mind the lengths our Father went to: He reached into death and raised Jesus to new life — resurrection life. God highly-exalted the Savior, giving Him the name above every name.
Even if we somehow miss the breathtaking scope of the Savior’s love and service during His life on earth, it will be clear when He returns. Philippians 2:10 says that every knee will bow before Jesus. The phrase “in heaven and on earth and under the earth” indicates that everything will worship Him as Lord.
In God’s view, the way up is down. We don’t please or honor Him by exalting ourselves. Rather, we pour out what we have in service and humility, to the glory of God the Father.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/name-above-all-names
•
When the Fig Doesn’t Bud
"O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and You will not hear?” ~ Habakkuk 1:2
The book of the prophet Habakkuk contains three chapters. In the first two, Habakkuk complained about his nation. He was discouraged. But the Lord told him to trust — for "the just must live by faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).
In the final chapter, Habakkuk responded by composing a hymn. He rejoiced in God’s splendor and glory, and he said that even if the fig didn’t blossom or the fields don't yield food, he would still rejoice in the Lord. He ended by saying, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19)
Like Habakkuk, we sometimes question what God does or what He doesn’t do. Yet we must walk by faith, remembering who He is and how He works. Meditating about God’s character and all the good things He has done can help us remember He has a plan. In all hard situations, ask God to help you take things one step at a time, standing on the firm foundation of His love.
_______________
~ by David Jeremiah (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
•
Made Himself Nothing
~ May we trust God enough to relinquish our will into His loving and capable hands.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:5-8
What kind of attitude should characterize a follower of Christ?
If we take our cues from social media, television, or even small talk in the foyers of our churches, we might be tempted to become brash or even argumentative. After all, we have the sword of the Spirit and should be ready to use it, right?
But this is far from the attitude the apostle Paul encourages Christians to adopt. Rather than throw our weight around or loudly demand that our rights be respected, we are called instead to have the same attitude as Jesus Himself.
The remarkable, world-changing news is that God — our God — tempers the power inherent to His being, and He does this through perfect wisdom and love.
Our Savior chose to empty Himself and take on the form of a servant. Jesus could have retained His position, equal to the Father. But instead, He chose to divest Himself of powers, rights, and privileges in order to serve the world. God did this for us. For all humanity and for all creation, “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on the cross” (Philippians 2:8).
Mindful of Christ’s sacrifice, may we seek to emulate Him by serving others selflessly.
_______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/made-himself-nothing
•
...i walk up to the mirror on the wall and i stand there and look at the person looking back at me...who do i see? Do i see more or mostly ole Rick Sane...or...do i see more or mostly Jesus? Now of course the visual is me..Rick Sane..but we have to go far beyond..or deeper than that. Ive got to look into my heart...my mind...even into my very existence...my soul...and in doing that...who do i see? When i am home alone...does my life consist of things behind close doors that are pleasing to Jesus...or do i partake in things that Jesus says...really Rick! When im out in public...how do i carry myself...do i act one way around my believer friends and another way around unsaved folks? Maybe the better question is...when other people see me...who do they see? Do they see Rick Sane living life like much of the world...or...do they see me in such a way that they also see Jesus in the way i talk...act..live life on a daily basis...or...do they see me acting just as the unsaved world acts...i guess my point this morning is this...i want to be a person...a believer...that as the saying goes...i dont just talk the talk...i walk the walk...and...when people see me each day i can in some way put a smile on their face and Jesus thru me...put a warmth in their heart. And for those that are not saved...i want them to see me in such a way that i stand out different...that next month...next year they stop and look in the mirror and they say...you know...im tired of looking in here and seeing me...i want what ole Rick Sane has...and he says that is Jesus! Remember folks...people are watching us...who do they see...Jesus now and then...or...Jesus thru us every breath of every day? And above and beyond everything and everyone...What is Jesus seeing as He walks with me each and every day...remember...there is No such thing as a part time christian and Jesus is watching our every step...and...hearing our every word and thought! So...the bottom line....i still have some rough edges...i still find time to sin now and again..but i am a work in progress...i try and let God mold me into the likeness Jesus im sure not as often as He would like...however....im a fer piece from where i use to be and i know im heading in the right direction!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 John 2:6
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
1 Peter 2:21
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
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
Gas in the Car
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” ~ Hebrews 12:1
Experience is the fuel for opportunity. The things that happen to us provide the chance to make our choices. It is like being dealt a hand of cards. You can’t control what you are given but you do get to decide how to play.
We are so scared of imperfection. We are frightened because experience is also the cause of pain. To avoid being hurt, we assume we must avoid experience. But if we avoid experience, we also sacrifice the opportunity to exercise our character and influence the world around us.
In trying to control our circumstances, we kill our opportunities. We have become people of apathy. Complacency is our highest ideal. We long for easy street, comfort, predictability, security.
No matter how much we try, we cannot fully control our circumstances. We cannot keep the pain at bay. We cannot eliminate risk or silence difficulty. What we can do is adopt a different perspective about our experiences.
Circumstances are not the finish line. They arrive and we think they are the finish line. Then, we somehow seem surprised that a new set is waiting in the wings. Circumstances are more like a checkpoint than an ending. They remind us that we are on the journey and have choices to make.
_________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
•
The Desires of Your Heart
"Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this…” ~ Psalm 37:4-5
We love the promise in verse 4 of today's passage: God will "give you the desires of your heart." Unfortunately, when we focus only on receiving gifts, we overlook the context of the Psalm, namely, that our commitment is needed.
1. Delight in the Lord
The first requirement for receiving the requests of our heart is that we delight in God. (v. 4) His top priority is our relationship with Him. We should delight in fellowship with Him and serve the Lord, and in time we will begin to think like Him.
2. Commit to His Plan For Your Life
The second requirement of this promise is that we commit ourselves to His plan (verse 5). Entrusting our way to God restructures the desires of our hearts until they resemble His. Now, sometimes what God gives us looks different than what we ask for. But He always responds to our pleas according to His infinite knowledge and His great love. He grants the best answer to our prayer, whether or not it was what we asked for.
3. Trust in Him
Remember that God wants to grant our requests, but what He longs for most is to relate to us. Seeing our heart's desires fulfilled is just a byproduct of delighting in Him. The true reward is a relationship with God.
Suggested Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, today I want to thank you for the promise you give us in your Word, but you also ask us to delight in you first before granting us the desires of our hearts. Thank you, Lord, that your Word is clear and concise. Let us see it clearly according to your will. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
_______________
~ by Rosina N. (https://www.actsweb.org)
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
•
The old Hymn..."Every day with Jesus...Is sweeter than the day before...Every day with Jesus...I love Him more and more"...So i ask you on this beautiful God given Thursday morning. Is your relationship with Jesus...your love for Jesus...sweeter today than yesterday...than last week? Do you have that awesome hunger and thirst to spend every moment you can with Jesus be it in thought...talking to Him and reading His word. Do you have a burning desire to know Him more and more? As born-again believers we know...that the God of the universe created all of us for a very personal reason...to love us beyond our understanding...to have a awesome loving relationship with us...and...to spend time with us...right? Thats the entire reason that God created us! Everything else really is secondary. So in each day...of course...there is 24 hours. In each week there are 168 hours. Stop and think...how many hours each day...each week...do you spend in dedicated...loving...intentional praise and worship to and with the very Person...One and only God...that created you? We are told in scripture to "pray without ceasing." We are told to "meditate on Gods word day and night". Now we know that we cant pray all the time nor read the Bible all the time...or...can we. When we get that mindset...that love and passion for Jesus Christ...can we not all throughout our day be in thought to Him...including Him in all circumstances of life...good and not so good...and talking of Him in all our conversation? When we do that...its kinda sorta like we are praying without ceasing...right? What does a personal relationship look like? And when we read the Bible...study the word...memorize scripture...then all thru the day when everything that comes our way we have scripture flow from our heart to deal with the day...is that not like meditating on the word all thru our day? The Holy Spirit lives in us...its not like we have to go looking for Him...so...when we open our hearts and minds completely thru surrender and obedience....all this other stuff comes easily...Right? Remember...God is thinking of us every second of every day....He provides every beat of our heart and every breath in our lungs....how much time do we give Him in return? Think about it!
I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Mark 12:30
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
Followers
|
93
|
Posters
|
|
Posts (Today)
|
1
|
Posts (Total)
|
31334
|
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
|
1
|
Posts (Total)
|
31334
|
Posters
|
|
Moderator
|
|
Assistants
|
Volume | |
Day Range: | |
Bid Price | |
Ask Price | |
Last Trade Time: |