An Impactful Prayer

~ We know our requests align with God's will when they come directly from Scripture.

Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:1-14

Today’s passage includes a life-changing prayer, written by Paul to the believers at Colossae. Here’s what makes this prayer so powerful: Every request is in agreement with God’s will.

In verse 9, Paul asked that the Colossians be filled with knowledge of what the Father desires from His children. The way this happens is by spending time with God — talking with Him, reading His Word, and seeking His will. It includes His general purposes for all believers — such as loving Him and people (Luke 10:27) — as well as His specific plan for each one of us (Ephesians 2:10).

Paul knew that to apply what we learn, we need insight and clarity, which come from the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). So he asked God to give the believers at Colossae spiritual wisdom and understanding. But this is also a request we can make for those who don’t yet know Christ. After all, it’s not God’s desire for any to perish (2 Peter 3:9), and people need spiritual understanding in order to come to faith.

Our heavenly Father has promised that those who pray in agreement with His purposes will receive what they ask. Therefore, it is important to start by discovering what His plans are. Try incorporating scriptural prayers — like the one from today’s passage — into your conversations with the Lord.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/an-impactful-prayer






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Megaphones for Christ

~ There are countless reasons — and countless ways — to praise God and share Him with others.

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Picture this: You’re at a professional football game. There are thousands of people in the stands, all cheering as if their shouts are actually willing their team to victory. Now think about your faith. How many believers do you know who put that same passion and intensity into their relationship with Jesus?

In his letter to the church at Thessalonica, the apostle Paul rejoiced in the young congregation’s passion for telling the world about Christ. Because the city was a busy seaport, he knew that the church there had the ear of the whole world. Travelers would hear the gospel and then take it back to their own communities.

By saying that the word of the Lord had “sounded forth” from the church (1 Thessalonians 1:8), Paul painted a powerful word picture. In Greek, this verb refers to a sound that projects like a trumpet blast or thunder. So, Paul was praising the Thessalonians for being living megaphones proclaiming Christ.

As followers of Jesus, we have the responsibility of sharing who He is and what He has done. Shout it from the rooftops! Fill entire stadiums with the thunder of your praise! Don’t just show the people around you who your favorite sports team is. Make sure they know who your Savior is, too.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/megaphones-for-christ






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Casting Crowns - Here's My Heart

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

God Listens

"I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy.” ~ Psalm 142:1

You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, He turns to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God, and He listens.

He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God listens.

Intently. Carefully. God Listens!

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, pray... God listens!
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~ by Max Lucado, "Grace For the Moment” (https://www.maxlucado.com)

To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager






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Insights from Job — Part One

"There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless — a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil." ~ Job 1:1

The story of Job begins with Job’s faithfulness. It ends with the faithfulness of God. Everything in between is about this difficult, but beautiful dance between creature and Creator. Job and God are in this together. They are not adversaries, though at times it may feel that way.

Intimacy is not predicated on things going our way. Any married person can testify to that. It is a central theme to traditional vows. An intimate relationship is about personal togetherness.

Job and God experience this dance of togetherness throughout the difficult story of Job. His friends tempt him to abandon the relationship. They question its nature and the pain it causes. In the end, Job discovers the truth. He discovers oneness. And the Lord demonstrates His faithfulness to His servant.

Life is hard. Things rarely go the way we expect. Sadness and difficulty and disappointment are a ready part of each day.

Through it all, the Lord is faithful. And He calls us to be faithful. The reward is not an ease of circumstance but a relationship of intimacy. A unified relationship filled with communication, perseverance, and perspective.

We are dance partners with God, just like Job. We have the opportunity to explore the difficult challenge of intimacy alongside the Creator of the cosmos.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons

https://yellowballoons.net/devotional/part-one-dance/






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The Lord is my Shepherd

Under The Circumstances

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens [sojourners] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” ~ Ephesians 2:19-22

It’s a phrase we use often. "I’m doing well…under the circumstances". The implication being that whatever is happening in our lives is lowering the ceiling. That there is a maximum closing down on us, shrinking our potential by the moment.

It doesn’t have to be this way. It is only so because we choose it. This mindset is more indicative of our perspective than the circumstances they refer to.

The power of perspective allows us to live over the circumstances. It does not mean the circumstances are not acknowledged and weighed. It just means they are not the sole measure that determines our weight.

The things that happen to us can be messy and sometimes tragic. But there is a force inside us more powerful than experience, more definitive than our situations. The Holy Spirit provides us insight into the identity God has bestowed on us and invites us to see Him more clearly. The circumstances of life provide an opportunity for Jesus to grow us into a holy temple in the Lord.

A true perspective allows us to view any circumstances as a step in this process. That we are being built together by the Spirit into a dwelling of God. That is a context that places all we do above any circumstance.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons

https://yellowballoons.net






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War in the Holy land! Another sign Jesus Christ is coming back soon! Prophecy fulfilled!

I put a lot of miles under my belt over the years doing the 18 wheeler thing----then one day I slipped and fell out of the back of my trailer, broke everything in my right wrist, even crushed a couple of those little bones, I was out of work for right at 2 years-----I give my wife all the credit for somehow or another getting us by financially and not loosing everything.....OH! I was in business for myself-----wheels don't turn --I make no money. It was during this really tuff time that I truly came to Christ-----long story, save it for another day, but, I believed and still do believe that God kicked my worthless butt out of that truck---Had I kept going like I was I would have been dead years ago,, How So? Glad you ask---back then I was working about 80 to 100 hours a week, used 2 log books, smoked around15 to 20 packs of smokes a week and drank enough coffee to sink a good size boat........for what ever reason God thought I had not fulfilled my earthly job, so He taught me a real lesson. The doctors thought I would have little to no use of my right hand.....they were wrong 100% wrong. For close to 2 years we really suffered in many ways, but had I not gone through what I went through---I would not be here today....I firmly believe that things happen for a reason, if we are lucky we learn from that reason, sort of sink or swim---------NOW back to the driving thing, driving can make the best of us use words that have never been invented, luckily now at 80 yr old I can just shake my he'd and wonder what in the world has gone wrong with driving abilities......Back years ago my older son, as a teenager had the opportunity to speak at church and he made the point that folks come to church, leave church and someone cuts them off in traffic and instantly the window comes down and the bird gets flipped-----traffic is a real religion stopper...lol

I can so totally relate to that and i mean totally!
IF.....a person could lose their salvation it would be at times when im driving! Now....im not flipping people the bird....im not yelling and screaming and cussing....not blowing the horn...well sometimes when im sitting at a green light and the driver in front is either taking a nap or texting i give it a honk....i dont get all Dukes of Hazzard and act like im at the fair in a bumper car....BUT....in my mind the war begins and im like....RICK!!!!....get a grip....tomorrow when you drive....the next day and the next day....just like the past 36594 other days you drove...this is the way its going to be....GET A HANDLE ON IT.....it being me......Help me JESUS!!!!!
And yet....even though ive had that conversion with myself AND Jesus more times than i can count....in a day or two or three...driving...im back asking Jesus forgiveness once again for my failure...i freak myself out sometimes so i can only imagine what Jesus is thinking....SIGH!

I cant imagine how plugger drove a 18 wheeler all those years...if that had been me i would have been in federal prison for who knows what...wink!

With the words of my mouth....i walk the walk pretty dad burn good....my actions and deeds i live each day....i walk the walk pretty dad burn good.....but the battles in my mind sometimes...i fail miserably!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12

Scripture tells us......and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.....
Well....that story is the truth if i ever heard it....my mind went in several different directions reading that and it applied to all of them.....my flesh needs a babysitter 24 / 7...thank you Jesus for sending me a Helper whos living in me....thank you Holy Spirit!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12

Kutless - What Faith Can Do

...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

A Guidebook for Life

~ Are you seeking — and sharing — wisdom from the Lord?

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-4

Suppose the wisest person you know left you with a manual for living — what words of wisdom do you think it would contain? The pages would probably be crammed with encouragement, advice for challenges, and instructions for moments when you don’t know what to do. The manual would likely be very personal and unique to the life its author lived, not a bland book filled with vague platitudes. And you’d probably cling closely to its words.

That’s similar to what King David did for his son. Nearing death, David encouraged Solomon to obey God. Solomon listened to his father and thereby secured his kingdom. Though Solomon wasn’t perfect, he loved the Lord and was humble enough to ask for help in leading His people (1 Kings 3:3; 1 Kings 3:9).

We, too, can make good use of people’s hard-won advice. More importantly, however, God’s Word provides dependable guidance through its statutes, commandments, ordinances, and testimonies. Now and then we’ll undoubtedly find ourselves in weighty situations where the next step is unclear. Whenever that happens, we cherish the wisdom we’ve gleaned from others. But even more valuable is time spent with the Lord, seeking His will and direction.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/a-guidebook-for-life






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So much truth in your post brother. It is very easy to get tripped up, and to start feeding the wrong one as well. Here lately I have been struggling to feed the good spirit within me during my daily driving, as there are so many crazy driving habits by others to deal with, that I have the tendency to resemble them as well. And then I feel so ashamed of my actions. Sometimes, I just have to pull off the road and sit and pray until my attitude comes back into alignment with who I am in Christ. God bless, and have a great weekend!






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your post reminded me of the Old Indian story:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Could just be me, IDUNNO, but this is so very true to life in general-----reminds me of my yesterday's post about Paul--------God Bless

The Chooser

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” ~ Deuteronomy 30:19

Perhaps the most fundamental question for any person is “Who am I?” Am I an evil, debased creature, full of sin? That is certainly what many voices inside (and out) scream at us. And there is evidence to support it. We are prone to selfishness and have terrible thoughts.

But the Bible tells us we are a new creation in Christ, made to walk in good works that Jesus prepared. It also teaches that all humans are made in the image of God, created for relationship and community with the Divine.

So which is it? Are we bad creatures tempted by grace or good creatures tempted by sin?

The answer is that we are both, and neither. There is a third option and it is the truth.

The third role in the drama of life is the prime actor in the play. The role of the chooser. There is evil and there is good; both exist. Both are swirling within us. Both are a part of who we are. But The Chooser selects which one gets to act within the circumstances with which we are presented.

Perhaps one of the reasons we struggle with perspective is because we have failed to accurately cast ourselves in the cosmic play.

We make choices each day about how to engage with others and with our surroundings. We can choose to follow the spirit, leading to life. Or we can choose the flesh, which leads to separation (death). Our choices give us stewardship over the kind of life we live.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons

https://yellowballoons.net






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I really enjoy my Bible Study time and I often learn how in so many ways those of many, many, years ago that folks are no different than we are today. I always keep in mind that anytime I read --"I THINK",-- I realize that is just another's opinion.....It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us not some one's opinion..... Back years ago when I first got into my Bible I said to my dad----" I read Paul's writings, but, I don't get much from it, I just don't understand him at all"----my dad just smiled and said "Paul can be difficult to understand". In Peter, he himself says that Paul is hard to understand.....BUT, today I read Paul like he is writing me a letter, Paul's Epistles now are almost crystal clear....reckon I am like ole Festus from Gunsmoke, you can't clean the creek until you get the pigs out of the creek------reckon my mind is like the dirty creek...lol....I love to read in Romans 7...Starting in yrs.15
For what I am doing----I do not understand
For what I will to do---that I do not practice
but what I hate,---that I do

then a couple verses further

but how to perform what is good----I do not find
for the good that I will to do-----I do not
but the evil I will to not do---that I practice

Like I said, I love this and in my study there are different points of view on what Paul meant, but he wrote it and he wrote "I" so I go by what God's Word says not by someone's opinion----I appreciate other's opinion it makes me research, but in the end I have to go by what God's word says.....But I think on what Paul wrote, NOW if that poor guy (Paul) struggled with doing right and often failed-----to me it says there is hope for me. Rick, in your personal testimonies you let others know that if God forgave you then there is hope for them also----now I am just rattling off here, not quoting -----Paul makes a point that if I can not do what is right, I am lost, but thanks be to God that He sent His-----through Him we are be saved

Can't tell you how appreciated your thoughts are---God Bless

As we know...the Apostle Paul....was born Saul to a mom and dad that were Jewish and their home was Tarsus...so...Paul was born a Roman citizen. So of course Saul was a Jew that was a Roman by citizenship. And ive heard and read that Sauls mom and dad and extended family were probably roman slaves at one time. And ive read that Saul / Paul most likely spoke Greek and Hebrew. Now we know that before the encounter on the road to Damascus Saul was on a mission to wipe out all those new believers in Jesus....and for several years i thought he was working...so to speak...for the Roman government in doing this... then...i find out or figure out that actually he as a Zealous Jew and Saul thought he was doing it in the name of God...the great I Am...the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob as at this time few Jews had accepted Jesus as the Messiah....that blew my mind!

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? And he said, “Who are You, Lord? Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads. So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?
Acts 9: 3-6

Why do i bring this up. To go along with the topic of Bible study. Without it we can sometimes be confused...so to speak...about the truth. And as we know after the road to Damascus moment Saul changed his name to Paul and what a transformation that was!
But i guess in reality...all of us that .....

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch; like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

What a transformation we all were and are!!!

Y'all have a awesome day!

Word of God Speak

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

Every day with Jesus
Is sweeter than the day before
Every day with Jesus
I love Him more and more.
Jesus saves and keeps me
And He's the one I'm waiting for
Every day with Jesus
Is sweeter than the day before

Trusting Godly Counsel

~ It’s never easy to hear correction, but we are blessed when we listen and respond humbly.

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 19:1-7

David, though deep in grief over losing his son, listened to Joab’s reprimand about putting aside his personal loss in order to lead the people well. Throughout his 40-year reign, David repeatedly heeded godly guidance. Was it easy for him to hear the rebuke? Of course not, but he was wise enough to know that on his own, he couldn’t see the situation from all angles and needed godly advice.

We, too, should seek wise counsel from trustworthy people. Sometimes we need outside wisdom because we are too close to the problem. At other points, we’re too heavily burdened with life’s hardships to be clear about the best direction to take. Then there are those days when we just don’t know what to do and need the guidance of someone who’s already walked the painful road before us.

What a gift it is to have people in our life who bravely urge us to fulfill God’s call and won’t allow us to neglect our role.

• What frustrating problem are you facing today?
• Who could help you see the situation a little more clearly?

Ask God for wise friends and mentors to help you — as well as a humble heart to receive their aid.
________________

~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/trusting-godly-counsel






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I had the other day a person tell me that they did not know how to pray, they really felt bad about this, maybe you fall into this barrel, but, Why feel bad? After all in Luke chapter 11 after Jesus finished praying one of His disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray-----Now think, the disciples had seen Jesus do many miracles, they had heard Jesus, in person, teach----yet they did not know how to pray. Now once again think, if these guys had difficulty praying why would any of us think it is a bad thing for us to struggle with prayer....This prayer is also recorded in Matthew 6....
I like to keep it simple, should one of you have difficulty in talking with God, just do as the disciple did----"Lord, teach me to pray"

God Bless and have a beautiful day

Our Heavenly Kingdom

~ God gives us the ability to experience His goodness here on earth — no matter what is happening around us.

Whether you study Old Testament passages or read news headlines, you’ll find the world has no shortage of conflict. It can be disheartening to realize there always have been and always will be leaders more interested in power than justice — leaders for whom winning matters more than how many people are killed or displaced. But Jesus told us that this would happen, that we would “hear of wars and rumors of wars” and, unfortunately, “such things must happen” (Matthew 24:6). But thankfully, we are citizens of the heavenly kingdom that doesn’t falter.

As believers, we can trust God to guide us, pray for our leaders to have wisdom, and know that everything is under control of the King of Kings. And we don’t need to wait for eternity to begin living in the kingdom of God — it’s already here! In Luke 17:20-21, Jesus told the Pharisees that His kingdom was already present. Today, too, it’s happening among His people, right here and now.

This month, spend time looking for God’s kingdom and the many wonderful ways it manifests itself. Yes, there are always certain leaders out for their own agendas, but look past them to those doing God’s work in quiet and often uncelebrated ways. That’s where you will find the truest beauty, the purest motives, and the trusted friends of God’s kingdom.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries

https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/our-heavenly-kingdom






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Thanks ole man, much appreciated and I believe that we as Christians are to share our thoughts with our brothers & sisters in Christ. I have no idea why I was so drawn into the Study of Romans, not like I haven't read it several times, but, I am learning a lot about Paul, about the Jewish people of that time and about the enemies of Christ, and many of those do not even know they are enemies of Christ. I have really learned that Paul is just as human and tempted to sin daily as we are. We, meaning Church folks, often think as the authors of the New Testament as living right at the foot of the cross, while they actually struggle with daily temptations as we do. These guys actually walked daily with Jesus, and were taught by Jesus, were at His crucifixion and experienced the time of His resurrection, yet they struggled with the ole devil, daily, in their lives on earth. I have learned, maybe understand, that as long as we are here on earth we sin, death ends that sinful life, but as Paul wrote, "thanks be to Christ Jesus".......maybe I best stop right here...you get my point. I do appreciate your reply----You a good man Charlie Brown, as we said as teen-agers

Well, yesterday was a real struggle for me, maybe I should say the ole devil really tested me-----thankful to say I over-came,,,well maybe not I over-came, but the Holy Spirit over-came----that is life , we have those up days and then we have those down days (trying days)---Yesterday I made mention of how my Bible Study was something way out there somewhere----this morning I started to skip Romans Chap. 8 and just go on but as I was getting ready to go into Chap. 9 this little voice said, "Naw, don't do that, try Chap. 8 again", I followed that direction and what was all foreign to me yesterday, today was mostly crystal clear or at least I started learning again, this morning.
Hope you good folks have a very Blest Day----God Bless

Good morning brother… Well first of all… I am NOT saying that a person should not study the Bible…as we know…gaining a deeper understanding of Gods word is very beneficial...of course in getting to know Him better...but also...helping us in our walk each day and helping us turn our back to sin. So...to go along with the Bible there's plenty of resources that we can put down on the table in front of us…and as we read the Bible to flip back and forth to the reference versus that are included…to read the words that others have put in their study Bibles like say John MacArthur…Bible dictionaries…Bible concordances…and there are like five different versions of the Bible that i use...NKJV...ESV...NSAB...NIV...NLT… Yes…plenty of awesome tools for us to use to study the Bible....with of course the best tool...so to speak...as you said...the Holy Spirit. But with me… I have found…and remember I'm kind of a one track simpleminded person… I can get so involved with this that and the other with all these resources…and I end up just confused and not even know what I originally was sitting there trying to figure out…sigh...but of course...even if a run a rabbit around the hole in that study i am still learning so its all good...right. Now...again...keeping in mind that I'm kind of a one track simple minded kind of person. So I'm not saying anything is wrong with studying the Bible…but I have found…just sitting and reading the text of the Bible and as this is often talked about.... not about the quantity of reading but the quality of reading…and taking those few verses and absorb them and like you say plugger letting the Holy Spirit reveal to me through that that I need to hear…seems to be my best bet. Now of course I use other resources from time to time…and they are awesome…but i just thought I would throw that out there to go along with what you were saying. The discernment of the Holy Spirit…in our heart…living in us…holding the Bible in our hands reading verse by verse…yes plugger with a cup of coffee...im pretty sure God will always reveal to us what we need to hear in our mind and our heart at that time…how cool and awesome is that !

Guy Penrod - Amazing Love/Word Of God Speak

Has that couple of beers or shots of whiskey on the weekend became a nightly thing? You know...just to take the edge off the day. Do you know that nobody wakes up one morning and says i think ill become an alcoholic? Has smoking a joint on the weekend or maybe a couple lines of cocaine turned into several nights a week to help you cope with the craziness, stress and hectic schedule of your life, work and the world? Do you know that nobody wakes up one morning and says i think ill become a addict? Do you read this and say...its cool..i can handle it...theres no way that i could ever be addicted...im just releasing stress and having a good time!...No big deal! Thats what millions of people have said in the beginning and sometimes it can take many years before a person wakes one morning and says...what happened to me? Ok, lets travel another road. Those pain pills the doctor gave you...those nerve pills you have been prescribed...how many are you doing a day and are you doing them now to help with a problem or have they become the problem. You know...your taking them now because they make you feel good...the definition of "feel good" is they give you a buzz. Now before you nail me to a cross...i know there is a time for prescribed medication...however...look at the statics of drug abuse and addiction stemming from prescribed drugs...its right up there with any other drug abuse! Ok...lets look at it in another light. Lets say the light of Jesus! If we say that we have been born-again then the Holy Spirit of God lives in us...so...what are we saying? What are the reasons that we are using alcohol and drugs? Stress, problems, burdens, relax after a hard day? Could it be that Jesus would prefer that we depend on Him for peace and comfort of those things? I mean...the very spirit of God is living in us...Right? And when we are with folks that are unsaved and we are drinking and / or using a little pot and coke...what are those unsaved people saying about us...are they seeing Jesus...or...are they seeing the world in us behaving just like them. What does that do to our witness and testimony? We are told several times in scripture to not be drunk with wine and In Ephesians 5:18 we are told..."And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit". Is not a "buzz" in any form...from any drink, drug and marijuana...all the same thing? And if you are not saved...i can assure you of this. The high you will get from Jesus Christ...if you will give your life to Him...is a high and hope and blessed assurance that alcohol and drugs will and can NEVER give you. One is a band-aide...the other...Jesus...is everlasting! Remember...ive been there and done that..i was a druggy and drunk for 25 years...im pretty sure i know what im talking about!

I Have No Regrets About My Past...My Past Is Who I Am Today...Born Again!
Rick j Sane