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As a true believer – a disciple of Christ Jesus – if you found yourself siding with those that desired for the death of a man created by God – in His image, for such a time as this, then you need to seriously consider if you have been saved by grace at all. A person saved by God’s grace will not be wishing for the death of another believer. God saved this man for a reason. Thank You Lord.
“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Thorn in the Flesh
“Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
The passage above describes a "messenger of Satan" that the Apostle Paul was dealing with. Most Bible scholars understand this to be a physical ailment – but, could it not as easily been a pesky sin that would occasionally rear its ugly head? As a born-again believer, I believe that we all have experienced those times when we are on a peak of our walk with Christ, when all of a sudden, BAM! the “messenger of Satan” – that pesky sin that we can’t seem to shake off no matter how much we plead with the Lord to remove it – rears its ugly head – and there we are: feeling weak, ashamed, defeated and downright unworthy of being called a child of God.
I believe that the Holy Spirit prevented Paul from telling us what his “thorn in the flesh” to be because the Lord knows full well that all of His followers will experience a thorn in our flesh as long as we are alive in this fallen world; whether it be a physical ailment, other certain person(s) or types of persons, sin, etc.
The Good News is that the Lord’s grace is sufficient for all that we are going through – we just need to ask and receive it.
•
What Seeds are You Sowing?
“Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows that will they also reap.” ~ Galatians 6:7
The Bible has a lot to say about “sowing seeds” – and rightly so. We all sow (plant) seeds on a daily basis, and we will reap a harvest of exactly what we sow – later than we planted and more than we planted. Later than we planted because it takes time for the seed to grow, and more than we planted because a single seed can sprout into an abundance of crop – and it also multiplies the original single seed into many seeds of like kind.
So, the question is: “What seeds are we planting on a daily basis?”
If we’re filling our minds and time with ungodly thoughts, words, actions and deeds – then that is exactly what we will reap – and like seed will be spewed unto our circle of influence of family, friends, and associates.
On the other hand, when we fill our minds and time with the Word (Bible), seek to know and do God’s will – then we are sowing godly seeds, that will reap the fruits of the Spirit springing forth from us onto our circle of influence.
The seeds that we are sowing also have eternal consequences – as pointed out in Galatians 5:
“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: adultery, sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, murders, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things — as I warned you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (verse 19-22)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” (verse 22-25)
I pray that you will continually seek out – and walk in – the paths of righteousness as taught and demonstrated by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Trust me – you will never regret planting the godly seeds in your life.
•
The Living Word
~ Through the Bible, God speaks personally to His children.
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:12-13
The Bible is the most amazing book ever written. God used human beings to record His thoughts and words in writing so that others could know Him (2 Peter 1:20-21). The One who spoke the universe into existence still speaks just as powerfully through the pages of the Bible that you hold in your hands.
At the moment of salvation, believers receive the Holy Spirit, and lines of communication with the Lord are established. Then, whenever the Scriptures are read, children of God can hear His voice, and the Spirit enables them to understand and put into practice what they have heard.
The Bible isn’t just a good book that’s filled with comforting words; Scripture is effective and always achieves God’s purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11). Today’s passage describes it as “active and alive,” and 1 Thessalonians 2:13 tells us the Word of God is “at work in you who believe.” This Book has the power to change our life if we will believe the Lord and do what He says.
God uses the Bible to transform us from the inside out. Before reading Scripture, ask Him to help you hear and understand what He’s saying. As you believe and obey, your spiritual hearing will become more acute, and your time in the Word will become an intimate conversation with the Lord.
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/the-living-word
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We – Together
“But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” ~ 2 Corinthians 10:12
We live in a world full of gifted people. Everywhere we go we are surrounded by the beauty, skill, and passion of others.
Unfortunately, our responses to the greatness of others are not always healthy. Jealousy. Comparison. Envy. Wrath even. We sometimes feel as though the ability of others is a condemnation of our own ability. As soon as someone succeeds, we can feel stifled and limited, as if our own success is being subsequently pushed out of the way.
We forget that we are all in this together. We are made to work as a team. Counter-intuitive as it seems, celebrating others actually allows us the opportunity to be ourselves. Others are great. We can’t stop that (and shouldn’t). The prison is not the ability of others but the perspective we adopt in response.
Unhealthy responses are a treadmill that waste our energy and keep us from progressing. An untrue perspective can poison us, creating unnecessary obstacles and paradigms that are unproductive.
Celebrating the greatness in others is part of participating in greatness. It frees us to be encouraged and contributive. It leads to understanding. Choosing to value others unleashes power to unlock the potential within ourselves. It is an act of love. Acting in love taps in to the unlimited power of the Spirit.
To see others as valuable is an opportunity to also look within and see how we might partner with the good going on in the world.
___________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Quick Listener
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” ~ James 1:19-20
Listening is an important and often overlooked part of communication. We all tend to vie to be seen and heard. It’s easy to forget that we need to fight to hear what others say and see what others see.
When we refuse to listen to others, we only see one way. Our way. And the odds are we do not have a monopoly on the truth. Even if our facts are right, there is something that is more important than just knowledge: loving someone by hearing them.
Not listening leads to wrath. Anger. We become incensed that our way is not being accepted. We raise our voices. We use manipulative tactics to try to turn an argument in our favor. If we refuse to listen, we become trapped in our own heads. Our insecurities feast and the chaos forms like a tornado. We try to displace it, blame the other for their inability to listen, or make everyone around us hurt in equal measure.
It is easy to see how this kind of anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. The Greek word translated “righteousness” includes the idea of community and harmony. Listening leads to harmony, anger does not.
If we cannot listen to others, it probably means we cannot listen to God either.
When we make the effort to listen, to slow down the fleshly impulses of pride, we can hear what others have to say. Not only hear what they say, but also to see what they are seeing. That opens the door for us to know God better.
_________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Forgiving Like Jesus
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ Jesus.” ~ Ephesians 4:32
How many of us have withheld forgiveness because the other person never apologized for a wrong? We may think that punishes the offender. But unforgiveness destroys us — and also trickles down to hurt others.
When someone harms us, we may feel that person doesn’t deserve pardon, but neither are we deserving of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. That’s why the Lord calls us to follow His example of extending grace.
Crucifixion was slow and agonizing, but Jesus’ worst torment occurred when the sin of the world was laid on Him and His Father turned away (Matthew 27:46). Even so, as the crowd cast lots for His garments, Jesus gave us the best possible example of forgiveness by saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Others may not know your pain, but be assured that Jesus does. With His infinite love and gentleness, He’ll help you overcome hurt, anger, and bitterness.
Forgiveness is a choice — an act of service to God and a necessary step in our healing. He wants us to give up the “right” to punish those who hurt us, even if it’s a mindset change that takes place only within our own heart.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/forgiving-like-jesus
•
Good word on forgiveness Plugger!
A Life Without Lack
~ The longer we follow Jesus, the more we discover that He is all we truly need.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 23
“How much is enough?” a reporter once asked John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil and the first American billionaire. “Just a little bit more,” Rockefeller said. While few of us have the resources of the super wealthy, we face the same question. Our world is obsessed with getting more, spending more, doing more. But at the root of an answer like Rockefeller’s is a misunderstanding about who provides for us.
David understood that God was his provider. “I will not be in need,” he wrote in verse 1 of Psalm 23. In other words, because he belonged to the Lord, he was able to experience a life without lack.
We can think about this in two ways:
First, we can expect God to give us everything we think we need. And when we don’t get it, we look for someone — or Someone — to blame. Or, as Jesus and His followers laid out, there’s a second and better approach: Gratefully receive what God has provided and allow Him to change our heart. In that way, even our needs are governed by our submission to Him.
Reading the first verse of Psalm 23 should immediately remind us of John 10:11, where Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” The transforming truth of the gospel is that we have more than enough because Jesus gave us [all of] Himself.
_________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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Imperceptibly Turning
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey Him, and remain faithful to Him.” ~ Deuteronomy 30:19-20a
"...as a person thinks in their heart, so they are.” ~ Proverbs 23:7
Clearing out clutter and sprucing up called for something new from the nearby garden shop. I picked a hardy houseplant and placed the pot outside where you could see it from the kitchen. It looked perfect out there.
One day I looked out the window and the plant was all bent over and facing the other way. It had gotten plenty of water, what happened? It looked so pretty before!
It seemed like that plant changed direction overnight. Of course, it didn't happen that fast. It was like time lapse photography. Each day, the little leaves turned their faces towards the sun. Imperceptibly, the plant was turning. Ever so slowly. And over a period of time, the difference was noticeable.
Plants don't have a choice. They just do what they do. We, however, have a choice. We can choose what we look at, what we think about, what we absorb.
In our day-to-day lives, all the seemingly insignificant decisions we make, matter. As we turn in the direction of our focus, little by little, the choices pile up to create a definite, noticeable change.
The Bible says:
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” ~ Philippians 4:8
Wherever we may be planted, we can bloom and grow, as we continue to decide and purpose to follow in the path our Lord has mapped out for us in His Word.
Thank you Lord.
_________________
~ by Sally I. Kennedy
~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
•
The Desire to Live a Life of Significance
People often ask a common question when it looks like their time on earth is drawing to a close:
“Did my life matter?”
• Have you ever wondered that?
• Have you ever taken a minute to look back on your life and wonder if all your efforts will mean a thing when you’re gone?
We all dream of being a great success. No children playing sports in their backyard fantasize about hanging up the towel after high school. They dream of making it pro. No musician dreams about playing to a handful of people. They see themselves on a massive stage in front of thousands of screaming fans. We all have a desire to make an impact in this world. We all desire to make a difference to the degree that we will be remembered when we’re gone.
God designed us all with this desire while having the perfect plan to satisfy it. The problem is that we have twisted what success really looks like. We’ve made success into something prideful — an idea constrained to the ways of this world. We’ve been living under the notion that living a life of significance is all about ourselves. You see, making an impact doesn’t necessarily mean you’re known by the entire population, have books written about you, or are even a success at all in the eyes of the world. Success is solely defined by God and solely achieved by your faithfulness to whatever He has called you to. You are meant for the significance that faithfulness to God brings, not an impact wrought with struggle for achievement by the world’s standards.
The Bible clearly defines success as being faithful to what God has spoken. In Matthew 25:21 God says:
“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
Your desire to make an impact will only be satisfied by living in obedience to God’s will for you. It’s His plan we’re all a part of, not our own. God has brought us into the glorious narrative that has been playing out from the foundation of the earth. Being faithful to your page in God’s grand narrative has an eternal significance more important and long-lasting than anything you could achieve on your own. One day, all of the grand stories of what mankind has done in pursuit of our own glory will be brought to nothing. One King will stand above all. Jesus Christ will be given His reward, and we will reign alongside Him forever.
Choose to live a life of significance for eternity today.
Be faithful first to love God and then to love others with compassion and humility. You have a chance to lead people into eternal life. You have a chance to store up your treasure in heaven where moth and rust will not destroy (Matthew 6:19-20). You have a chance today to cause change and significance beyond anything you could imagine. Allow God to define your identity and purpose. Experience the joy and fulfillment that can only be found in passionate communion with your heavenly Father.
Jesus is the perfect example of what it looks like to live a life of significance because He was wholly surrendered to the will of the Father. At the end of His ministry, He had only a few followers that stood by Him. He never wrote a book or even traveled more than a few hundred miles from where He was born. Rather than considering Him successful, the world killed Him. But He made the biggest impact of anyone in all of history. Live like Jesus today. Live solely for the opinion of God, and find your satisfaction in being faithful to what He has called you to. May your day be filled with the abundant life that comes from surrender to the perfect plans of God.
_________________
~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/
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"All Scripture is inspired [breathed out] by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that a messenger of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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The Landmine of Fear
~ You don't have to be afraid of anything — Almighty God is with You and promises to help.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 27:1-4
Fear has been a part of our emotional makeup since the fall of man. When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, they hid themselves from Him and were afraid (Genesis 3:10). Things haven’t changed much. Anxiety often affects our thinking and controls our actions. It can keep us confined and unwilling to venture into unknown territory. Let truth help you defeat fear.
Remember that God is …
• Almighty:
Jesus set us free from slavery to sin; the Devil has lost control over our lives. What’s more, we no longer face eternal separation from God. Jesus’ physical death has become the gateway to heaven, where we can live with the Father forever.
• Always with us:
In commissioning Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, God promised to be with him (Joshua 1:5; 1:9). Jesus gives us similar reassurance (Matthew 28:20). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we as believers have God not only near us but also in us.
• Actively involved:
God promises His help, and He always keeps His word (Numbers 23:19).
God Himself is the reason we should not be afraid. Grasp the truth of His power, presence, and involvement, and use them to disarm the landmine of fear.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/the-landmine-of-fear-2
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Find Help in God’s Presence
~ Take your pain to the Lord — you can rely on Him.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 42:5-11
Whenever you’re feeling down, the Psalms are an excellent source of comfort and encouragement. In today’s passage, the psalmist shares how God offers comfort to you, His child, in hard times. To receive it, you should …
1. Look within:
Before you can deal with despair, you need to know what is causing it. If you’re not sure, ask the Lord to help you figure out what’s going on.
2. Look up:
The next step is to lift your eyes to the Lord and place your hope in Him. Remember, discouragement comes to everybody at one time or another, but it should not be permanent.
3. Look back:
Despair has a way of making you forget all the good things God has done over the years. Recalling His past care and provision helps to overpower discouragement.
4. Look ahead:
Knowing that the Lord’s plans are good, you can look forward to what He is going to do in the future. His lovingkindness will support you by day and bring comfort by night.
To overcome discouragement, fixing your focus on the Lord is key. His Word promises that He walks with you through the valley (Psalm 23:4). Remember, even if you feel disheartened, you are never alone.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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Saved by Grace
~ Jesus suffered and died so that all who believe in Him can live forever as part of God's family.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10
Many people believe that piling up good works can make them right with God. Yet when it comes to sin, death is the only payment that can satisfy divine justice (Romans 6:23). Since we all sin, this leaves us facing an eternity cut off from God. But grace, the expression of divine love and kindness to the undeserving, prompted the solution: Jesus. According to John 6:29, the only “work” we need to do is believe.
The Savior’s death brought us:
• New Life:
Our spirit is made alive in Christ the moment we acknowledge we’re sinners and believe that His death paid our sin debt in full.
• Freedom:
At salvation, sin’s power over us is broken and we are set free from its hold. Now we can exercise our newfound freedom and follow the Lord.
• Security:
When we accept that we are sinners and acknowledge our Savior’s sacrifice as payment for all our wrongdoing, we’re permanently adopted into the God’s family. Someday we will be seated in the heavenly realms with Christ to enjoy life everlasting with Him.
God, the One against whom we rebelled, sent His Son to receive the punishment that was rightfully ours.
How will you show the Lord gratitude for His saving grace?
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/saved-by-grace-2
•
How to Diminish Fear
"And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your Word with all boldness." ~ Acts 4:29
Peter and John had been ministering in some pretty amazing ways, teaching faithfully that Jesus had risen from the dead. Their teaching and the healing of a lame man drew some attention from the Jewish leaders, the elders, and the teachers of the law, so they were arrested and questioned.
If you read the first verses in Acts 4, you might think that these men had no fear! They bravely stood before the Council and answered the questions being asked of them. Acts 4:13 says, "The members of Council were amazed to see how bold Peter and John were and to learn that they were ordinary men of no education." However, later we see that they are released with a threat… under no condition were they able to teach in the name of Jesus. And although we see the brave reply from Peter and John, this strong warning instilled fear.
Our natural response to such threats might be to withdraw to avoid further consequences. However, Peter and John joined with other believers, and together prayed to God. They believed and trusted that God had them there for a reason, and they wanted to be obedient and continue the work God had set before them, so instead of asking God to miraculously make the opposition disappear, they asked for boldness to speak God's message. After they prayed, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and God granted them the boldness they prayed for.
We all have fears. There is no question about that. Often, we feel tempted to give in to these fears and let them stop us from doing what God has called us to do. Instead of giving into fear, we need to move forward trusting that God will provide what we need to boldly face the opposition we may encounter. Fear only grows when we let it stop us. However, our faith can grow greater than our fear when we obey God and continue taking steps forward. Our fears will diminish when we choose to embrace the boldness that we have in Christ and His Spirit that lives within us.
Suggested Prayer:
Dear God, there are times when fear seems to creep in and tries to discourage me. In those moments, I pray that You would give me the boldness to trust You and keep moving forward one step at a time. Thank You because regardless of what I face, You are always with me. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, amen.
________________
~ published by: The Daily Encourager
~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
•
The Need for Salvation
~ We were born in darkness, but God invites all of us into His glorious light.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-3
Followers of Christ know the importance of being saved, but the world sees no need for rescue. Those who don’t have a personal relationship with God through His Son Jesus are:
• Spiritually dead:
There are three kinds of death — physical, spiritual, and eternal. Spiritual death occurred in the Garden of Eden when disobedience severed Adam and Eve’s connection to God (Romans 5:12). As a result, we’re born as “dead” people in need of new life. Eternal death comes at the end of the age, when all those who have refused Jesus are cast away from God (Matthew 25:41).
• Living a life of sin:
Our nature is to rebel against God. We’re enslaved to sin (John 8:34), and any effort to free ourselves from its power is in vain. We need someone to rescue us.
• Under divine wrath:
Because of our disobedience, we are under God’s judgment. All efforts to earn His approval and escape our sentence are insufficient. Sinful man has nothing acceptable to offer holy God. Our only hope of escape is for someone else to pay our penalty.
The good news is that the Lord has provided a way for all to pass from spiritual death to life, from sin’s bondage to freedom, and from condemnation to intimacy with Him. Jesus Christ alone is the way (John 14:6), and He meets our every need.
____________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/the-need-for-salvation
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America’s Impending Judgement
“Gather yourselves together; gather together, shameless nation, before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning of the Lord’s anger overtakes you, before the day of the Lord’s anger overtakes you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who carry out what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the Lord’s anger.” ~ Zephaniah 2:1-3
This is the prophecy (God’s decree) given to Zephaniah for the nation of Judea. Many people will read this passage and declare that was against only the peoples and nation of Judea a millennia ago. I believe that – just as most of the Holy Scriptures – this passage is applicable to any nation of peoples whom – at any point of their existence – have declared the Lord God to be sovereign over the land. The United States of America (USA) was formed under the precept of: “One nation, under God”.
For any that have read, or listened to, the messages of Jonathan Cahn – you are already aware of the synonymous of the prophecies of old concerning the nation of Israel and the nation of the USA. Like the nation of Israel, the USA was at one time a nation of people who served the Lord God with moral virtue, humbleness, and Christlike compassion and love. That is no longer the way it is in the USA – for unbelievers and, unfortunately, many that claim to be believers as well.
God’s impending judgement is at the doorsteps of our once great nation. The sins of our nation (people) are a pungent odor to the Lord, and as the Righteous God that He is – those sins must, and will, be dealt with.
Do these words imply that there is “no hope” for our nation of peoples? Absolutely not.
Hundreds of years before the prophecy given to Zephaniah, the Lord God answered Solomon’s prayer with the following message:
“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14
And from the New Testament the Holy Spirit tells us this:
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” ~ James 5:16
Whether God delays His righteous judgement against the USA, or if it is imminent – as true disciples of Christ we are to continue to pursue His righteousness through our thoughts, words, actions and deeds, and to proclaim salvation – by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ – to those within our circle of influence.
And pray.
•
How to Walk Wisely
~ Are you still practicing the fundamentals of the faith?
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6
Living committed to the Lord calls for following His wisdom. Let’s look at attitudes necessary for a Christ-centered lifestyle:
• Determination: Walking in wisdom doesn’t happen automatically. We must wholeheartedly pursue righteous living.
• Focus: To stay on the path of God’s will, we must fix our attention on His Word. As we meditate on Scripture, our mind will align with Christ’s.
• Sensitivity to the Spirit: With determination to live a holy life and with close attention to Scripture, we become more sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
• Trust: At times the Lord’s choice for us doesn’t appear sensible. Trusting in His perfect wisdom is necessary if we’re to walk according to His plan.
• Courage: Some things God requires may cause us to react with fear. As our trust in Him deepens, our courage will grow, and we’ll discover the joy of embracing His choice for us.
• Perseverance: By depending on God, we can persist and choose wisely no matter how long our challenges last.
Walking in wisdom requires that we practice a few basics: Know God, trust Him, and obey Him.
Is this your pattern for living?
Remember, a lifetime of godliness develops one choice at a time.
_________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/how-to-walk-wisely-2
•
America’s Impending Judgement
“Gather yourselves together; gather together, shameless nation, before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning of the Lord’s anger overtakes you, before the day of the Lord’s anger overtakes you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who carry out what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the Lord’s anger.” ~ Zephaniah 2:1-3
This is the prophecy (God’s decree) given to Zephaniah for the nation of Judea. Many people will read this passage and declare that was against only the peoples and nation of Judea a millennia ago. I believe that – just as most of the Holy Scriptures – this passage is applicable to any nation of peoples whom – at any point of their existence – have declared the Lord God to be sovereign over the land. The United States of America (USA) was formed under the precept of: “One nation, under God”.
For any that have read, or listened to, the messages of Jonathan Cahn – you are already aware of the synonymous of the prophecies of old concerning the nation of Israel and the nation of the USA. Like the nation of Israel, the USA was at one time a nation of people who served the Lord God with moral virtue, humbleness, and Christlike compassion and love. That is no longer the way it is in the USA – for unbelievers and, unfortunately, many that claim to be believers as well.
God’s impending judgement is at the doorsteps of our once great nation. The sins of our nation (people) are a pungent odor to the Lord, and as the Righteous God that He is – those sins must, and will, be dealt with.
Do these words imply that there is “no hope” for our nation of peoples? Absolutely not.
Hundreds of years before the prophecy given to Zephaniah, the Lord God answered Solomon’s prayer with the following message:
“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14
And from the New Testament the Holy Spirit tells us this:
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” ~ James 5:16
Whether God delays His righteous judgement against the USA, or if it is imminent – as true disciples of Christ we are to continue to pursue His righteousness through our thoughts, words, actions and deeds, and to proclaim salvation – by the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ – to those within our circle of influence.
And pray.
•
Developing a Discerning Spirit
~ Discernment isn’t an innate quality — we must be trained by the Holy Spirit to distinguish between good and evil.
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:11-14
No matter how long a person has known Jesus, every faith journey ebbs and flows — with regard to doubt, intimacy, despair, joy, and more. Today’s passage discusses one such area of fluctuation: our ability to discern.
Comparing discernment to a baby’s diet, the writer of Hebrews observed that Jewish Christians at the time lacked spiritual wisdom and needed help consuming information. However, he went on to say that they could mature; they just needed to “have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil” (v. 14). In other words, it’s possible to acquire keen discernment.
If you’re experiencing cloudy judgment right now, you can lean on two sources for guidance: God’s Word and God’s Spirit.
When we listen for His Spirit and read Scripture over time, we will gradually be trained to sense the difference between what is righteous and what isn’t. Even if you face a situation that isn’t addressed in the Bible, you have a Helper whose job is to guide you into all the truth (John 14:26; John 16:13).
God has given all believers access to His wisdom. So, if you need guidance today, don’t hesitate to ask Him. He wants to help you.
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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An Acquired Taste
“So Jesus said to the people who had believed Him, “If you continue in My Word [message, teaching], you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~ John 8: 31-32
Truth is an acquired taste. We like the idea of truth when it benefits us. But sometimes truth is difficult to accept or comprehend. Sometimes it hurts. And when it hurts, we push against it. We avoid or deny or try to explain it away.
It is much easier to deceive ourselves, to avoid the sometimes convicting truths of self-awareness, than to face it with courage and humility. We tend to defend, deflect, and rationalize.
A choice to believe deception is a shackle on our souls. False perspective entraps us. Perpetuating deception eliminates choices. But we have the key to unlock these chains. The key is truth.
Adopting a true perspective centers on a willingness to pursue the truth. John tells us that truth is fully available through adherence to the teachings of Jesus.
The truth sets us free. It unlocks the chains of inaccuracy and falsity. Freedom may not feel like we imagined – it comes with the companionship of responsibility – but it is freedom nonetheless.
It takes courage and boldness to pursue the truth. And although pursuing truth is difficult, in the end, there is nothing sweeter.
Nothing more nourishing or necessary.
Nothing more challenging and nothing more freeing.
_______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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The Chosen
With Season 4 of "The Chosen" series finally arriving (I realize that it has been out for a while, but I preferred to wait for the DVD release), I decided to start watching it again beginning with Season 1. I believe that this video series to be the most realistic and authentic representation of the life and times of Jesus’ ministry according to the Scriptures (The Gospel’s) of all time. I have read where it is on-track to be the most translation dubbed (not closed caption) series of all time. The plan is to translate the audio into every known language of the world. Quite an undertaking, but one that can and will be accomplished. This could perhaps be the fulfillment of the prophetic words of Jesus:
"And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations [peoples] will hear it; and then the end will come.” ~ Matthew 24:14
There are many ways to watch "The Chosen" for free, and the best way is from The Chosen APP (available for all streaming devices), or online.
Come and see today:
https://watch.thechosen.tv/
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The Daily Article — July 5, 2024
~ President Biden has told allies he has only days to salvage his candidacy.
ABC News has shifted President Biden’s interview tonight with George Stephanopoulos to primetime. Seldom in American history has so much ridden on a single conversation, but this is just one example of the continuing turmoil regarding Mr. Biden’s future. According to the New York Times, he has told key allies that he knows he has only days to salvage his presidential candidacy.
In light of today’s news, consider this warning from one political leader to his colleagues:
"We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded; and we ourselves shall become a reproach and by-word down to future ages."
Was this a reflection on our current political climate?
Actually, these words were spoken by Benjamin Franklin on June 28, 1787, at the "Constitutional Convention". According to James Madison, Franklin was deeply concerned about “the small progress made and the different sentiments” being expressed as the infant nation struggled to forge a common governance.
Franklin’s solution?
"I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service."
This from a man widely considered a deist rather than an orthodox Christian. But even Benjamin Franklin recognized his nation’s urgent need for divine guidance and strength. Others, however, did not — one delegate remarked that the Convention had no money to hire a chaplain, and the assembly adjourned without voting on the motion.
While the Constitutional Convention did not formally endorse Mr. Franklin’s recommendation, another Founder typically thought to be a deist might have. Consider the theology espoused in our Declaration of Independence, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson:
• It speaks of “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God.”
• It claims that men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”
• It appeals to “the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions.”
• And it closes with “a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence.”
In fact, as president, Jefferson issued a “prayer for the nation” in 1801 in which he asked God to “save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.” Both he and Franklin were right: fallen humans need help beyond ourselves to become a people capable of independence.
Monarchies such as the one from which we rebelled typically believe in the “divine right of kings” to rule over their lesser subjects. Autocracies are typically ruled by dictators who consider themselves "superior by virtue" of religious office or personal attributes.
By contrast, America’s democracy is founded on the belief that “all men are created equal.” This means we are subject to no one by virtue of their innate superiority. But it also means that none of us is worthy of unaccountable authority over others.
The fact that our Founders recognized this paradoxical truth provides yet another reason I’m grateful to be an American today.
________________
Here’s the catch: we need God’s help to become godly people. Drowning people cannot save themselves. Sinful people cannot make themselves holy.
I recently had a skin cancer removed. It was a minor event — the surgeon reported that she got “clean margins,” meaning that she removed the entire malignancy, and all is well. But it occurs to me that I am trusting her in this. I have no ability to confirm her report myself. If she chose to lie or were incompetent, I would not know it until the remaining cancer became symptomatic and the malignancy became harder to treat.
Jesus is still the Great Physician:
As such, we can trust him to diagnose spiritual disease we do not see and remove it completely by his atoning grace (1 John 1:9). His Spirit can sanctify unholy people, molding us into the character of Christ (Romans 8:29). The key is for us to seek and trust his transforming power.
St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote of Jesus:
"He is like a pure, untainted stream. If you draw from him the thoughts in your mind and the inclinations of your heart, you will show a likeness to Christ, your source and origin, as the gleaming water in a jar resembles the flowing water from which it was obtained."
"For the purity of Christ and the purity that is manifest in our hearts are identical. Christ’s purity, however, is the fountainhead; ours has its source in Him and flows out of Him. Our life is stamped with the beauty of His thought. The inner and the outer man are harmonized in a kind of music. The mind of Christ is the controlling influence that inspires us to moderation and goodness in our behavior."
“Christianity without the living Christ”
And so, once more this week, we see that our best and most patriotic service to our nation is for us to be a people capable of the liberty we celebrate. Dietrich Bonhoeffer observed:
“Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship, and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.”
For the sake of our nation and your soul, would you ask the “living Christ” to make you more like Himself than you have ever been?
________________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/president-biden-has-told-allies-he-has-only-days-to-salvage-his-candidacy/
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Amen brother plugger! If we’re “talking the talk” we had better be “walking the walk”! We’re all going to stand before God on the Judgement Day and I, for one, do not want to be guilty of another soul stumbling due to something that I said or did.
Powerful message brother Rick! Thank you for sharing it. Have a blessed weekend!
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From the Pastor’s Heart – July 2024
~ When you’re caught in the middle of doubt and fear, call out to Jesus for help.
Would you consider yourself a risk-taker? More importantly, would you ever take a risk for God?
That’s something Dr. Stanley asked of himself — and us. This month, let’s consider the dangers we encounter as believers, and what “risk” means when it comes to children of the heavenly Father.
Here’s what Dr. Stanley had to say on the topic:
What drives mountain climbers to put their lives on the line? I have watched them in Yosemite National Park scaling a rock face without any net or ropes, just grabbing handholds on the cliff face. If they’d made one wrong move, they could have plummeted to their deaths.
Whether you’re someone who likes to play it safe or one of those who enjoy living on the edge, the most important issue to consider is: What does God think about risk-taking? Would He ever ask you or me to face the possibility of danger, suffering, loss, or even death?
To answer that, let’s first consider the apostle Paul:
His life in Christ was filled with risks. His actions led him to be beaten, imprisoned, persecuted by the Jews, and chased out of one city after another. Why was Paul willing to go through all that?
He gave the reason in Acts 20:24: “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of God’s grace.”
The intensity of Paul’s commitment to Christ made the apostle willing to take any course approved by God — regardless of the possible price.
Is that the attitude you have about doing whatever God leads you to do?
You may feel out of your depth and totally inadequate, but that should never stop you from stepping out in faith to obey Him.
If you want to live a godly life that’s useful to the Savior, you must be willing to take risks. It may be costly in this life, as it was for Paul, but the Lord will reward you richly in eternity.
Now let’s look at Peter:
Of all the disciples, he may have been the biggest risk-taker. He once had the audacity to reprove Jesus (Matthew 16:22-23), and when a crowd came to arrest the Lord, Peter was willing to fight to save Him (John 18:10). On both occasions, Peter’s bravery was misguided because it was centered on his interests, not Christ’s.
Risk-taking of this kind, when we follow our own hearts instead of seeking God’s will, can be costly indeed. There were consequences to Peter’s mistakes, for example, for the servant whose ear was severed.
Another time, Peter risked walking on water at Jesus’ command (Matthew 14:22-33). Humanly speaking, that was impossible, yet Peter was willing to believe Jesus despite the laws of nature, and obey his Lord.
Because of his faith, he at first succeeded: “Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and came toward Jesus” (v. 29). Peter was doing well until he looked at the waves. Then his confidence in Christ waned, and he started to sink.
Does that sound like you?
Perhaps your goal is to obey God in faith, but you’ve been focusing on obstacles. You accepted risk with a heart of obedience, and maybe you saw fruit for a while, but then you started dwelling on the challenges. As earthly impediments to God’s will got bigger in your mind (and perhaps in reality), Christ became smaller in your thinking. Before long, you were overcome with fear and uncertainty.
And that wasn’t what you’d expected.
There’s hope for growing past lapses like this. Peter’s willingness to follow the Lord in danger fluctuated throughout his life. He wouldn’t take the risk, for example, of public loyalty to Jesus when He was under trial. The disciple denied his Savior three times but immediately regretted it (Matthew 26:75). Jesus forgave him and asked Peter to take care of His people (John 21:17-19). He also told Peter that he would eventually die glorifying God (v. 19).
Following Christ is risky:
You have to remember that “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). You’ve been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, and you now belong to Him. This means you go where He leads, do what He commands, and submit to whatever He says — even when there’s the possibility of danger or suffering.
It’s impossible to know the outcome of every decision you make.
God alone knows that. But He assures you of His presence with you and His Spirit’s power to enable you.
In actuality, the risk you feel is fear that events won’t turn out as you desire. But obedience is always the safest place to be. When you’re caught in the middle of doubt and fear, call out to Jesus for help. That’s what Peter did, and Jesus rescued him from the water. He’ll do the same for you.
_________________
Dr. Stanley’s reflection about the risks of obeying the Lord reminds us of Peter’s advice to the church:
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” ~ 2 Peter 3:18
This month, we pray you’re able to rest in the Lord’s love, discover His will, and walk trustfully with Him wherever He leads.
Till next time, God bless you.
For His Glory,
Your Friends at In Touch Ministries
P.S. As you observe Independence Day, pray for the United States and all who live here. We know that “A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much” (James 5:16). There is no better guide, for a person or populace, than God Himself. Let’s offer Him supplication on behalf of the country. Ask God to reveal Jesus to our hearts so that peace and wisdom are spread, and God is glorified throughout the land. God bless America.
https://www.intouch.org/read/from-pastors-heart/july-2024
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Instrument or Idol?
“The idols of the nations are of silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear; indeed, there is no breath in their mouths. Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” ~ Psalm 135:15-18
Choosing whom we trust can be thought of as a binary selection: God or idol. And we will serve who or what we trust.
It is sobering to consider that we become like whatever we serve.
Our passions, skills, and gifts can be used to serve others and love God. This path leads us to become conformed to the image of Christ.
These same passions can be used to gain power, hoard income, and gratify the flesh. Trusting in these leads us to spiritual muteness.
Our thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives are either being used to serve themselves or to serve God. The same can be said of our wealth, our relationships, and our daily practices. It begins with whom we trust. And whom we trust very much depends on the perspective we choose, particularly about God.
All of the things of this world are tools to serve a trustworthy God. Idolatry is putting our trust in the equipment rather than the Equipper.
• Is God trustworthy to lead me to fulfillment?
• Or is money in my hand more trustworthy?
If we trust God, He promises to fill us with Himself. The alternative is to be filled with stuff. When we take this perspective, the choice seems clear.
___________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Are You Acting Like Satan?
"Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So, because you have rejected the command of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.” ~ 1 Samuel 15:23
Rebellion is what got Satan kicked out of heaven, and rebellion and stubbornness against God's desire for our life, will get us the same results. If we believe that we can keep on doing life "my way" with complete disregard for seeking the Lord and doing it His way – then we are only fooling ourselves.
The seasons of the world are speaking loud and clear that the time for redemption is drawing near. You do not want to be "left behind" when the trumpet of God sounds, and those that are called by His Name (accepted His free gift of salvation – which includes a complete turning-away from self) are caught-up with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – to be removed from the wrath of God that will descend upon the earth and its remaining inhabitants.
If you are reading this – then it's not too late for you to repent of your sins, accept the Lord Jesus Christ as the only source of salvation, and turn-away from self and the sins of rebellion and stubbornness.
Send me a private message and I will help to connect you with the only source of salvation: Jesus Christ – the Messiah.
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Amen brother! Thank you for the reminder.
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Another Declaration of Independence
Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)
Like millions of Americans this week, my mind is on the Fourth of July holiday and what it represents: our freedom as a nation. This freedom is a precious thing, bought with the sweat, toil and blood of countless Americans who initially fought to obtain it, as well as those who have fought to secure it in the centuries since that fateful day in 1776.
Gratitude without measure wells up in my heart when I consider the brave men and women of the American military who, this Fourth of July, will be standing guard around the world to combat the tyranny of terrorism. These soldiers stand in the train of valiant warriors who fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. Each of these conflicts — while unique in themselves — shared the common goal of protecting American freedom.
Today's battles are no different.
But even as I prize my freedom as an American, I am moved to consider a greater freedom — my freedom in Christ. It is the freedom that comes with being a disciple of Jesus Christ. "If you abide in My Word," our Lord declares, "you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free".
This statement was shocking to Jesus' audience. These proud men thought they already had all the freedom they needed by virtue of being "offspring of Abraham” (John 8:33). Jesus proceeds to point them beyond any national, social or religious freedom they might enjoy to the freedom that comes through His person and work: "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin … So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:34,36).
Even as Christians we can fall prey to the temptation to trust in other things for our freedom from the tyranny of sin: status, money, good works, associations, etc.
But the true disciple finds freedom in Christ and Christ alone.
What am I trusting in today?
The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to consider our freedom — as Americans and as Christians. Our national freedom is precious, but our freedom in Christ is of infinite worth.
The great singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin was undoubtedly moved by his freedom in Christ when he penned this stanza in his song "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"...
"My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing Grace"
The saving truth that Jesus speaks of in John 8:32 brings ultimate freedom — freedom from sin and death and satan; freedom from a life of futility and an eternity of wrath.
May this "Declaration of Independence" be on my lips and in my heart this Fourth of July holiday.
_________________
~ by Mike Pohlman, Pastor of Immanuel Bible Church, Bellingham, Washington
~ 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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Prayer For America
"Lord, we are thankful for the abundant blessings You have bestowed on America. Our forefathers looked to You as protector, provider and the promise of hope. But we have wandered far from that firm foundation.
May we repent for turning our backs on Your faithfulness. We pray that this great nation will be restored by Your forgiveness. From bondage, You grant freedom. Through Your own sacrifice, You offer salvation. From the state of despair, You offer peace.
From the bountes of heaven, You have blessed - not because of our goodness - but by Your grace. You have given us freedom to worship You in spirit and in truth as Your holy Word instructs. May our lives honor You in word and deed. May our nation acknowledge that all good things come from the Father above. Amen."
_______________
~ by Franklin Graham
~ 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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Are You Ready?
“Every spirit who confesses Jesus to be the Christ [Messiah] is from God. But every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist; you have heard that he is coming, and he is already in the world now.” ~ 1 John 4:2-3
The spirit of the antichrist is present among the nations and peoples now, and very soon the physical manifestation will appear on the scene. This according to scripture as to the monitoring of the times and seasons.
There will be a catalyst that will usher in the physical manifestation though, and that catalyst must have global ramifications. It has been stated that real change is brought about through chaos or traumatic circumstances. The “pandemic” of 2020/2021 proved this philosophy to be true; by utilizing life-altering conditions and fear-mongering – the spirit that is at work in the world was able to have its way with the vast majority of the global human population, of which the repercussions of individual lives are still being affected.
Most people are either familiar, or have heard about, the “mark of the beast” that the antichrist will enact in order for all people to buy or sell. Currently, this is not possible, as each country has its own printed currency in use. In order to do away with printed currency, the adoption of “digital currency” will have to be universal. This push is well underway. A vast majority of people worldwide no longer use printed currency – it’s all done via cellular devices. But, in order to bring all persons into alignment, the world will require an economic event so profound that all (or most) global economies will crash. I believe that it is at this point in time that the physical manifestation of the antichrist will occur.
People that do not hold-fast to the Word of God, and endeavor to obey the Lord in all aspects of their life, will be more-than-willing to do what they are told to do in order to get things back to “normal” – even if that means injecting a microchip or any other foreign object/substance into the body. The methodology has already been proven to be effective.
How can one be strong enough to resist the antics of the antichrist, and its spirit?
There is only one way: we must first accept Jesus Christ as our only source of salvation.
If we have been truly saved by grace, accepted by faith, then by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit our lifestyle will begin to change to become more Christlike in all of our thoughts, words, actions and deeds. This doesn’t just magically happen overnight, and it does require an effort on our part. In order to gain insight as to how we are to live our lives as true children of God, we must get into the Word of God – the Bible. As we delve into the Word, the Holy Spirit will guide us into understanding the desires that God has for us during this short journey upon earth. We must be obedient to the understanding that we are given by the Holy Spirit. If we are not obedient, then we are declaring that we understand better than God what is best for us and for our lives; in this case, a disobedient person cannot claim to have a personal relationship with God, the Creator – but, as a matter-of-fact – have made themselves their own “god”. A person like that will not have the Godly wisdom, knowledge and strength to recognize and resist the desires and wishes of the antichrist upon their very life and soul.
According to the Word of God, the spirit of the antichrist and the beast are described to us as follows:
“All those who live on the earth will worship him [the beast], everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb [Jesus Christ] who was slaughtered.” ~ Revelation 13:8
I haven’t shared this with you in an attempt cause fear – it is being shared in the hope that it will open the eyes of those that have been blinded by the spirit of the antichrist – that is working 24/7 to deceive as many human beings as possible. There is only one hope found in the entire world – and that is through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other way.
Do you desire this hope for yourself? Send me a message, and I will gladly pray with/for you.
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Pain And Joy
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~ James 1:2-4
Imagine you walk into a coffee shop and see a person buckled over at the waist, tears streaming down their face. Is this person experiencing extreme sorrow or immense joy?
There are definitely clues that might help you determine whether it is sorrow or joy. But isn’t it strange that our body has the same responses in extreme cases of either? Closed eyes. Tears. Holding our stomach.
In a lot of ways, joy and pain are opposites. But if we take the perspective offered by James, they are more like cousins, descendants from the same family. The family of opportunity.
James 1 tells us we ought to see all trials as opportunities for our faith to be tested and proven, like gold or silver being refined and purified. Although not pleasant, when we take this view, we can actually see all trials as related opportunities, terrains of our journey.
Suffering is a part of persevering in faith. A deep sense of hope, love, and joy that we have been gifted, the amazing opportunity to live by faith during the two-minute ride that is our life.
Of course we should not go looking for pain. And we certainly should not create it for ourselves. But when it inevitably arrives, we have an opportunity to see its presence in the context of a true perspective that puts our lives on earth into a much greater context. Our current life is a once-in-an-existence opportunity to know God by faith. We can embrace joy in that, even during times of difficulty.
_________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Failing to Listen to God
~ Accept and be thankful for godly correction; your life will be better because of it.
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-4
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul charged his disciple to preach the Word and to correct and rebuke with great patience. A pastor could hardly have a more difficult assignment than this, because few people respond well to correction. What you do when you are criticized is a good indication of the maturity of your faith. Scripture tells us that the “one who neglects discipline rejects himself,” whereas the “one whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke will stay among the wise” (Proverbs 15:31-32).
Every time criticism comes our way, we stand at a crossroads of possibilities for good or evil. Either we embrace correction and grow in maturity, or we reject it and start down the slippery slope described in 2 Timothy 4. In this passage, Paul outlines the behavior of those who become tired of reproof. He says they will reject sound doctrine and instead embrace teachings that “tickle” their ears (v. 3). Then they “will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths” (v. 4).
We can’t afford to ignore truth, even when our critics are immature, ignorant, or tactless.
Be mindful to stay attuned to God’s voice, regardless of the form it may take.
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/failing-to-listen-to-god
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Made Whole
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you whole.’” ~ Luke 17:19
We have narrowed the word "miracle" to mean “something physical we are not used to seeing”. We talk about the physical healings of Jesus as His miracles. What Jesus does to the physical elements of this world are only a shadow of the truly miraculous work of His life.
The primary focus of Jesus is the healing of souls. Physical miracles are a manifestation of His power – so that others might have a glimpse of what He is capable of and come to Him for the main event.
When Jesus says "it is your faith that has made you whole", we often assume He is talking about cause and effect. You had faith so now your physical body is healed.
Perhaps He was saying something much deeper. Much more true.
Jesus makes this statement about wholeness only to the leper who returned to thank Him. The leper had already been physically healed, but he wanted the man behind the power. He returned to Jesus in gratitude. He recognized that the “mountaintop” of being physically healed wasn’t a place to remain. His faith pursuit of Jesus led him to wholeness.
No matter whether we are sick, battered, broken, or whether we encounter a physical blessing, a faith pursuit of Jesus is the path to wholeness.
________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Trusting God Alone
If you only trust in God "if" or "when" He gives you what you want, or the answers you want, then you're not really trusting in God. God will give you what you NEED because He created you and He knows what's best for you. It may not be what you WANT, or what YOU think you need, but it will be exactly what's best for you. Believing that is real faith; trusting in Him when you don't get what you think you need - that's the mark of a true disciple:
"Then Jesus said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, they must deny themself, take up their cross daily, and follow Me.” ~ Luke 9:23
The whole book of Job in the Old Testament is based on the fact that Job trusted in God whether he was rich or poor, healthy or sick, with a family or without a family - Job still trusted God. In fact, he says, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust the Lord with all your heart; in all your ways acknowledge Him; and He will direct your paths."
You don't "ask God for advice". Instead, you trust God - you FOLLOW HIM! You ask Him for wisdom and discernment, but you surrender to Hs will. It's not about you, it's about God.
When the three Hebrew young men (Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego) were about to be thrown into the fiery furnace, they told Nebuchadnezzar "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." They were willing to serve God whether He gave them what they wanted or not. That's real trust!!! You have to willing to trust God, to follow Christ no matter what.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:6-7
__________________
~ by David Langerfeld, The Daily Encourager
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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Pledging Allegiance to the Wrong King
~ Don’t trade God’s best for lesser things.
Scripture Reading: John 19:13-16
The chief priests were the power brokers of their day. They had spiritual authority over the Israelites and influence with the Romans who controlled the land. When Jesus became a threat, they negotiated with Judas to have Roman soldiers arrest Him.
The governor, Pilate, treated Jesus just as he would have any other Jewish prisoner — having Him flogged and brought before the crowd for a “trial.” Twice, Pilate noted that he could find no grounds for charging Jesus (John 19:4; John 19:6). Still, he gave in to the priests’ demands and ordered his troops to crucify an obviously innocent man.
The priests underscored their disgust with Jesus by promising fidelity to Caesar. In that moment, they violated the first and second commandments in order to accomplish their goals (Exodus 20:3-7). These men forgot their calling and pledged allegiance to the wrong king. But it is important to remember this:
Rather than stand in judgment or declare them all irredeemable, Jesus headed to the cross to die for us — and for every person who condemned Him that day.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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A Good Name
“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” ~ Proverbs 22:1
There are two days in our lives when our name is prominent: the day we receive our name at birth, and the day our name appears in the obituary column. What happens between those two determines whether our name is a lovely ointment ... or a foul stench.
The late Bill Bright, founder and president of "Campus Crusade for Christ, International", told about growing up in Oklahoma in the 1920s and '30s watching his father and grandfather conduct business affairs with other men. It was all done on a handshake (which is unheard of today) because of his grandfather's reputation in the area. He didn't realize exactly how respected his grandfather's name and word really were until years later.
In 1948, Bill was driving from California to Oklahoma to marry his sweetheart, Vonette Zachary. As he passed through Okmulgee, Oklahoma, where his grandfather had lived for many years, he remembered that he had forgotten to purchase gifts for several members of the wedding party. Stopping at a jewelry store, he asked if he could make a purchase with an out-of-state check and was told no, that it was against store policy.
As he turned to leave, the owner asked him, "Do you know anyone in Okmulgee?" thinking someone might be able to vouch for his honesty.
"No, I don't," Bill replied. "My grandfather used to live here, but he died a few years ago."
"Who was your grandfather?" the store owner asked.
"Sam Bright."
"Are you Sam Bright's grandson?" the store owner asked, his face lighting up as he approached Bill. "Why, Sam Bright was the most honorable man I have ever known! If you're anything like your grandfather, I'll sell you anything in the store -- and I'll gladly take your check."
A Good Name — even though you may not have much in the way of material possessions, a good name is one of those wonderful gifts you can pass on to your children.
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~ by David Jeremiah, "Searching for Heaven on Earth” (https://www.davidjeremiah.org)
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John 17 — Prayers of Jesus
Jesus Prays for Himself:
Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said:
"Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You, for You gave Him authority over all peoples; so He may give eternal life to all You have given Him. This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent — Jesus Christ."
"I have glorified You on the earth by completing the work You gave Me to do. Now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with that glory I had with You before the world existed."
Jesus Prays for His Disciples:
"I have revealed Your name to the men You gave Me from the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that all things You have given to Me are from You, because the words that You gave Me, I have given them. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from You. They have believed that You sent Me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those You have given Me, because they are Yours. Everything I have is Yours, and everything You have is Mine, and I have been glorified in them.”
"I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect [keep] them by Your name that You have given Me, so that they may be one as We are one. While I was with them, I was protecting them by Your name that You have given Me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled.”
"Now I am coming to You, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have My joy completed in them. I have given them Your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world. I am not praying that You take them out of the world, but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, as I am not of the world. Sanctify [set apart for special use] them by the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. I sanctify Myself for them, so they also may be sanctified by the truth."
Jesus Prays for All Believers:
"I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so the world may believe You sent Me. I have given them the glory You have given Me. May they be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me. May they be made completely one, so the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me."
“Father, I desire those You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they will see My glory, which You have given Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation."
"Righteous Father! The world has not known You. However, I have known You, and these have known that You sent Me. I made Your name known to them and will make it known, so the love You have loved Me with may be in them and I may be in them."
Amen.
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~ John 17 (HCSB)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2017&version=HCSB,KJV
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