Daily Spiritual Meditations - 10/6

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Be Glad and Rejoice

"Be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things." Joel 2:21

What is it that you focus on in your life? Do you focus on the negative? Joel gives us an important

truth in this Scripture. We have much to be grateful for. We are to be glad and rejoice; not

necessarily because our lives are filled with blessings, though for many of us they are. The reason

for the joy in our lives is because of what great things God has done and is doing in our lives. Think

about that for a moment. Did God leave you in your sins? Did he not provide for you a Savior? Did he

not give you His Son to take your place in sin? Did He not raise Jesus from the dead and give all

mankind the promise of the resurrection? Has God begun in you a work you could not do alone? Has

God not promised to complete that work in you? Has God been faithful to you in your struggles in

life? Has God stood by you when you failed Him? Has God lifted you up over and over again and

cleaned you up and let you start again? Is not your life full of grace and mercy? Do you deserve any

of it? God has over and over again showed us His faithfulness. He has done amazing things in our

lives. He is changing us into Christ daily. He has broken us that we might be drawn closer to Him. All

that comes into our lives is for our eternal good. Focus on that. Focus on what He has done and is

doing. Surely the LORD has done great things for you and He will continue to do them until that day

when you meet Him face to face. What other choice is there then but to be glad and rejoice?

Father, how we thank you for your hand in our lives. Our narrow vision hides you from sight so

often. We have no concept of how much you are working in our lives. We can see your hand if we

will only look for it. You have made us grow. You have broken us that we might know you. Help us to

focus on that. Give us a joyful heart, a heart that will give you glory and honor no matter our

circumstances. Surely you have done great things in our lives and you will continue to do so. For that

we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Amen Quiet Waters

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NEVER, NEVER, NEVER

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience. What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak, and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so. And furthermore, the future world we are talking about will not be controlled by angels.
Hebrews 2:1-5

Someone once asked Jesus, "What is the truth"? "Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'" The truth Jesus taught was this: God loves you! If we can hold on to that truth we will make it through whatever storm comes our way.

Because He loves us, God promised us that He would never forsake us. His promises are true. When we walk through the storms, the truth is that God is with us. When it seems that our lives have fallen apart, the truth is that God is with us. When people reject us or treat us harmfully, the truth is that God is with us.

These are the truths that we need to hold on to. If we begin to believe that God will forsake us if we fall or that He turns away from us when we miss the mark, we may drift away from the truth. Although in the Old Testament many were physically punished, that is not the New Testament way. Will God turn away from us? No. Will He allow us to suffer the consequences of our sin? Yes! However, if people refuse to receive the gift of salvation He provided for us through Jesus � well, what can I say?

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was only given to certain people for specific missions. Today, anyone who calls on the name of Jesus and invites Him to take over his or her life receives this marvelous gift; as a result, we are connected to God through Jesus Christ.

A result of our connecting to Jesus is the fact that we are going to a future city where God will be in total control, where there will be no phones, crying babies, election commercials � and that, my friend, is an offer we just can't refuse!

Father, I praise You and thank You for the perfect gifts You have given us. I praise You and thank You for Jesus and the price He paid for my sin. Help me Lord not to hold on to this gift selfishly, but reach out and share this Good News with someone who doubts Your love for them. Open my eyes wide that I might see their pain. The Well

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NEVER, NEVER, NEVER

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. The message God delivered through angels has always proved true, and the people were punished for every violation of the law and every act of disobedience. What makes us think that we can escape if we are indifferent to this great salvation that was announced by the Lord Jesus himself? It was passed on to us by those who heard him speak, and God verified the message by signs and wonders and various miracles and by giving gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose to do so. And furthermore, the future world we are talking about will not be controlled by angels.
Hebrews 2:1-5

Someone once asked Jesus, "What is the truth"? "Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'" The truth Jesus taught was this: God loves you! If we can hold on to that truth we will make it through whatever storm comes our way.

Because He loves us, God promised us that He would never forsake us. His promises are true. When we walk through the storms, the truth is that God is with us. When it seems that our lives have fallen apart, the truth is that God is with us. When people reject us or treat us harmfully, the truth is that God is with us.

These are the truths that we need to hold on to. If we begin to believe that God will forsake us if we fall or that He turns away from us when we miss the mark, we may drift away from the truth. Although in the Old Testament many were physically punished, that is not the New Testament way. Will God turn away from us? No. Will He allow us to suffer the consequences of our sin? Yes! However, if people refuse to receive the gift of salvation He provided for us through Jesus � well, what can I say?

In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit was only given to certain people for specific missions. Today, anyone who calls on the name of Jesus and invites Him to take over his or her life receives this marvelous gift; as a result, we are connected to God through Jesus Christ.

A result of our connecting to Jesus is the fact that we are going to a future city where God will be in total control, where there will be no phones, crying babies, election commercials � and that, my friend, is an offer we just can't refuse!

Father, I praise You and thank You for the perfect gifts You have given us. I praise You and thank You for Jesus and the price He paid for my sin. Help me Lord not to hold on to this gift selfishly, but reach out and share this Good News with someone who doubts Your love for them. Open my eyes wide that I might see their pain. Word4U2Day

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The greatest manifestation of His Light is Love

This day the Lord our God shall set you free from the powers of darkness and illuminate the pathway of your life with His Light.

Little children while you have the Light, walk ye in it and choose the Light of God over darkness.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world and through Him and in Him our lives can be brightly lit both inwardly and outwardly.

The greatest manifestation of His Light is Love and by this you shall know you walk in the Light when you feel love in your heart for the people around you in your daily life.

He who says he walks in the Light but hates those who are around him is a liar and is living in darkness and knows not the Light.

The more love abound in your heart the brighter God's Light is shining in your life.

Let Love abound. Amen.
©10/06/2001 Jim Welch

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Devotional For Dieters

October 6

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Kip was amazed at how easily he took the stairs. When his kids had begged him to climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty with them, he had squirmed. He remembered what a labor it had been when he was fat. He knew that he never would have made it before. Instead of a painful trauma, he found the climb a relative breeze. Thank God he had been able to lose the weight. It was the best move he ever made. It had been tough, but Kip had relied heavily on God to help him out. While he had been dieting, he had needed God's strength. Now that he was thin, God let him use his own strength once again.

Today's thought: Food gives us temporary strength. God gives us strength forever!

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ALCOHOLISM IS CRUEL

“We have listed the people we have hurt by our conduct, and are willing to straighten out the past if we can.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 70


“Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief.” Proverbs 14:13

For what it's worth: My alcoholism and my defects of character insidiously joined forces to destroy or cripple every meaningful relationship in my life. While my drinking progressed, I cared not. However, once sober in Alcoholics Anonymous, I became aware of some of the pain I had inflicted. Because of blackouts, I may never know the real extent of the harm done to others. Moreover, now that I was no longer anesthetized, I could feel the guilt and the loss. And I cried. At a later point in recovery, I do not know exactly when, I realized that I had seriously damaged myself. Throughout my sober years, I have tried “to straighten out the past” where I could, but the loss and the grief can still resurface. Alcoholism is cruel.

God bless you!

Joe W.

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Today I will...cast off all discouragement and despair over my past sins and failures. Instead, I will

remain faithful to my God, knowing that he remains faithful to me.

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2 The rich and the poor have this in common, The LORD is the maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2


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A Bible Devotion

Monday, October 6, 2008

God's Demonstration

ROMANS 5:8 NKJ
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for

us.

There is no reason to say, "If God loves me, let Him prove it!" He already has.

God gave a demonstration proving He loves you at Calvary -- where Jesus died a cruel death on a

cross. He died, in your place, suffering punishment you deserved, to set you free.

By dying for you, God proved He loved you supremely. How could He love you more?

Jesus showed that He loves you more than He loves Himself.

JOHN 15:13 NKJ
13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

Jesus gave His life for you. What more could He do?

1 JOHN 3:16a NKJ
16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.

Many people have a distorted view of God. The true picture of God's nature is that He loves all the

people of the world so much, He was willing to suffer for their freedom.

SAY THIS: God loves me -- and He proved it!

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The Grace Of God
October 6

I have raised you up for this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My

name may be proclaimed the whole world over.
—Romans 9:17

If you want victory over something, prepare yourself to work at it. But it is not a matter of depending

on yourself, or winning at life through your own determination. God gives us grace to do good works.

But grace doesn’t mean that our human flesh gets a free ride while we just lie down and go to sleep.

You are made for good works, to be a servant of righteousness. You are built to take responsibility,

and God will help you accomplish all He gives you to do. He set you free from the bondage of sin so

that you can conform to His divine will in thought, purpose, and action (See Romans 6:18). Victory is

achieved through God’s grace, but you have to choose to trust Him every step of the way.


From the book Starting Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Morning of the Year by Joyce Meyer.

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Daily Thoughts

A Time to Think Where there is great love there are always miracles. –Willa Cather
To Act Waste no tears over yesterday's grief.
To Pray Lord, help me to remember in thought and prayer those whom You have brought into my

life.

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Gather Two or Three Together for Prayer.

Matthew 18:20 states, "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the

midst of them." Two well-known industrialists met together to discuss a business and technical

problem. They called in a country preacher on two principles stated in Matthew. The first is the

principle of two or three stated above. The other is found in Matthew 18:19. After several

thoroughgoing sessions of prayer, the three men together affirmed that they had received the

answer, which proved to be entirely satisfactory.

No. 80 in a series of 100 Power Thoughts from The Power of Positive Thinking, the All-Time

inspirational Best-Selling Book by Norman Vincent Peale.

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I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Philippians 4:11
Your present situation may not be to your liking. Perhaps you are dissatisfied and discouraged. Put

the matter in God's hands. If He wants you elsewhere, He will lead you there, providing you are

amenable to His will. But perhaps He wants you where you are. In that case, He will help you to

adjust to the situation. He will make you content, even grateful for present opportunities. Learn the

great art of doing the best you can, with what you have, where you are. When you do this, you learn

how to reach the better condition, or how to make your present situation a better one.
Courtesy of PealeCenterforPositiveThinking.com

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Change my heart, O God…
October 6th, 2008 Posted in Psalms | No Comments »

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Here is one of the many verses in the Bible where it is easy to skip the first statement and grab hold

of the second statement because it’s a promise of good things! BUT if I am looking for the good

things of the promise – then I need to look at the words of wisdom in the primary statement.

The big question today for me is: Do I want to delight myself in the Lord? Do I want to be obedient to

what God wants in my life? Do I look for God’s way? Do I study and listen so I know what that is?

These are soul-searching personal questions. I can fool anyone, even myself, but not God. If I allow

God’s Spirit to meet and examine my heart – then my relationship with God becomes clear – it

becomes righteous – a right relationship. And then the desires of my heart are also the desires of the

Father’s heart for me! We are on the same page. We are of the same mind.

The devotion today is shorter than usual. Take time today to read this psalm. Join me in letting the

words seep into our hearts – and change our lives.

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NACR Daily Meditation

Monday 6th of October 2008

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he
asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then though you are evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father
in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:9-11

Our children ask regularly for bread, milk, cereal and every other kind
of food in the house. We delight in their appetite and their growth and
development. It is pleasurable for us to provide the basic good things they
need to be nourished and sustained physically.

Jesus uses the simple joys of parenting to make a point about God. Just
like parents enjoy providing for their children, God is eager to provide
good things for us. God is a good parent. God delights in our growth, development
and nurture.

But God is not a codependent parent. God wants us to ask directly for the
things we need. The importance of asking comes from the fact that it requires
us to acknowledge our need. We have learned to deny our needs. We have learned
to act as if we can take care of ourselves. As a result, we have a difficult
time both asking God for good things and trusting God to respond.

Most of us begin with the struggle to identify our needs and to put them
into words. After this we struggle to acknowledge that these needs can’t
be met with our own resources. And finally, we struggle to come to God and
to trust God to be a giver of good gifts.

Lord, I acknowledge to you today that I have many needs.
I cannot take care of these needs on my own.
I turn to you for help.
Giver of Good Gifts, hear my prayer.
I am in need of what only you can give.
Help me to trust you today.
Help me to rest in the promise that you desire to give good gifts.
Amen.

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Permission to Grieve

Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

My friend’s mother died. Soon after, she was diagnosed with a similar terminal illness. When I tried

to talk with her about the loss of her mother and her own health, she changed the subject. At first I

thought she was experiencing the denial phase of the grieving process. But as months turned into

years, and her condition worsened, I realized she seemed unable to grieve, either in anger or

acceptance.

Did my friend believe God would be disappointed if she acknowledged her grief? Jesus said,

“Blessed are those who grieve. They will be comforted.”

The word, “blessed” means more than happy. It means to be personally satisfied with God so that

progressive inner joy comes in spite of circumstances. However, we will never fully experience

God’s loving help if we do not admit our need — our disappointment — our loss — our grief.

God does not reject us when we exhibit signs of grief and pain. He invites us to come near him and

receive comfort. Since he allows us to mourn, surely we can give ourselves and others permission

as well.

Lord, my heart is heavy with my disappointments.
I need your comforting arms around me.

2008 Joan C. Webb

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Proverbs chapter 6
THE ANT
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 6:6: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.

"If you have a task to be done, find a busy person to do it." This bit of wisdom has endured through

the years. And it must be the plan God follows in choosing His servants.

* Moses was busy with his flocks when God called him to serve.

* Gideon was busy threshing wheat by the wine press.

* Elisha was busy plowing with twelve yoke of oxen.

* David was busy caring for his father's sheep.

* Peter and Andrew were busy casting a net into the sea.

* James and John were busy mending their nets.

* Matthew was busy collecting customs.

It is a mistake to wait around for God to open some special door of service. Some people fail to

recognize opportunity because it so often comes to them in overalls and looks like work. God intends

that we get busy where we are. When we are faithful in the place He has assigned us, He can open

doors to greater service.

Phillips Brooks wrote: "Oh, do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be strong men and women. Do not

pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your

work will be no miracle; but you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the

richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God."

Finally, do all your work to the glory of God: "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and

not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve

the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23-24). JVI

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Love Worth Finding - Oct. 6, 2008

October 6

Four Levels of Gratitude

Ephesians 5:20 – “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our

Lord Jesus Christ.”

There are four types of people.

There are those who are constantly complaining and grumbling. Have you met any of these folks? I

mean, they can brighten up a room just by leaving it. That’s the lowest level.

Then there are others who live lives of ingratitude. They don’t complain, but they never thank God for

His obvious blessings. That’s a little better, but not much better.

Then there are people who thank God for obvious blessings. When something good happens, they’

re grateful. That’s a better level.

But the highest level is to be grateful for all things at all times. That is the secret of a happy and

productive life.

Bow before the Lord and begin to think about difficult circumstances you’re facing. Now, thank Him

for each one in light of James 1:2-4 which tells us: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into

divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have

her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

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Answers for Each Day - Oct. 6, 2008

God’s Provision for Your Failure

Psalm 37:23-24 states,

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he

shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand.

When you first read these verses, it is easy to focus on the truth that God orders the steps of a good

man, someone who is following God. That is certainly a comforting, motivating, and powerful truth.

But I want to point you to the second sentence, Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for

the LORD upholds him with His hand.

What an amazing statement! Even when your steps are being ordered by the Lord, you can still

goof up! God affirms that you may be seeking to walk with Him and you can still mess up, there is

always that human factor.

Our flesh gets in the way. Sometimes we make wrong decisions. Sometimes we can be a bit

stubborn. And sometimes we blow it, even when that is the last thing we want to do!

Here is what I want you to grasp today: Even if you mess things up, even if you stumble and fall,

God will not utterly abandon you. He will support you, and He will lift you up with His hand.

The Bible says in the book of Deuteronomy that God is our refuge and our strength and that

underneath us are His everlasting arms. That brings me a lot of comfort.

You and I may stumble, you and I may fall, but we are not going to stay down, because God’s arms

and His hands are underneath us, and they will uphold us.

Thank God for that!

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Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture
"Refrain from anger and turn from wrath." Psalm 37:8 NIV
"In your anger do not sin." Ephesians 4:26 NIV

Thoughts for Today
The Bible tells us to refrain from anger. It also tells us to be angry, but not to sin. Although this first

sounds like a contradiction, a study of the Scriptures reveals that there are times when anger is

accepted and appropriate—and other times when it is not. The Bible teaches that it is what makes

us angry and how we express it that determine whether anger is right or wrong.

Throughout the Old Testament we read time and again of God's anger—always directed at people's

sin. And in the New Testament, Jesus expressed his anger and cleansed the temple of the greedy

money changers who were showing dishonor and disrespect and defiling and disrupting God's

house. And so we know that there are times when anger is the most appropriate behavior. But what

about when we become angry for selfish reasons … or express our anger in spiteful ways? In your

anger do not sin.

Consider this…
What is the source of your anger? Do you get angry when you are denied something you want? Or

because someone didn't respond to you the way you desired? … Or are you angry because God is

being dishonored? What is making you angry … and what are you going to do about it? The answers

to these questions will determine the right and the wrong of it.

Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I have become angry for the wrong reasons and the times I have

expressed anger in hurtful ways. I pray that you will help me not to sin in my anger. In Jesus' name

…

These thoughts were drawn from…
Anger: Our Master or Our Servant—Creative Use of a Powerful Emotion by Larry Heath. This study

offers a clear explanation of anger, what causes it, and how to recognize when you are sinning with

anger. It not only ministers to church members, but serves as a powerful evangelistic tool. Note:

This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way.

However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

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Senior Living - October 6

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The

kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” --Mark 1:14-15

There was once a ranger in the Yellowstone National Park that led a group of hikers to a fire lookout.

The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the various flowers and animals in the park, that

he ignored the messages coming through his two-way radio.

They soon became distracting while he was talking, so he just switched his radio off. But as the

group neared the tower at the top of the mountain, they were met by a nearly breathless lookout. He

asked why the ranger hadn’t responded to any of the messages on his radio.

A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were frantically trying to warn

them of the danger that followed. When we ignore the message God sends, we put ourselves, our

loved ones, and those around us in danger. It is so important to keep constant communication with

the Lord.

Are there those around you who don’t know of the danger that lies ahead if they aren’t believers in

Jesus? Do they know that Satan stalks them day and night looking to devour them? As believers, it is

our responsibility to make sure others know of the most important message in the world—the saving

knowledge of Jesus!

The message is clear and should be passed along with urgency. Warn those you love of what

awaits them if they don’t answer the call of Jesus. Open the lines of communication and seek to be

a witness to others toward the path of righteousness.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Ask the Lord to open the right opportunities for you to share Christ with

those in your life that aren’t believers. Pray that He will give you the words to say and the answers to

give as you share the message of hope and truth.

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Walking the Fence
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So,

because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. —

Revelation 3:15,16

Everyone at one time or another has tried to keep his balance while walking on a fence. Sometimes

we make it and sometimes we fall. When it comes to obedience, far too many Christians try to "walk

the fence." They keep one foot in the Spirit while one foot flirts with the world. These are some of the

unhappiest people in the world.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "I never saw anybody try to walk on both sides of the street but a

drunken man; he tried it, and it was awkward work indeed; but I have seen many people in a moral

point of view try to walk on both sides of the street, and I thought there was some kind of intoxication

in them."

If God is God and Christ is our Savior, let us give our undivided attention and whole hearts to God. A

lukewarm Christian never has the joy of knowing the fullness of God. Obedience is the key to real

faith. This is real faith: believing and acting obediently regardless of circumstances.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Read today’s scripture passage and define what it means by being hot, cold and lukewarm.
2. Are there areas of your life where you are walking the fence? Make a decision today to get off the

fence and walk in obedience.

FURTHER READING:
Romans 12:11

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Parenting by Design - Oct. 6, 2008

Sharing the joy

Psalm 9:1-2: “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad

and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High” (NIV).

Remember catching fireflies in jars? Taking a nature walk? Watching a huge thunderstorm roll in?

Hearing the bubbling of a stream you could not see? God’s creation speaks of His majesty and our

hearts learn to sing of His praise.

In an age when a click of a finger can open up hours of media entertainment for our children, it can

be tempting to tune out. Pulling away from the television and taking your children on a walk may put

you behind on housework, but it can prepare them to praise the Most High!

Take the time to share the joy of nature with your children, and tell them of His wonders.

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Monday, October 6, 2008

The Passover Lamb


It was now only two days before the Passover and the Festival
of Unleavened Bread. The leading priests and teachers of the
law were trying to find a way to arrest Jesus without the
people seeing it. Then they could kill him.

-- Mark 14:1 (ERV)


KEY THOUGHT:
In all the Gospels, the Passover festival plays a huge part. This is
partially because Passover was so important to the Jewish people and
the Hebrew faith. However, Jesus comes to earth to be the Passover lamb
that was slain for the sin of the people. For Mark's Gospel, the images
of Isaiah 53 merge with the theme of Passover and Jesus paying the
ransom to set sinners free. Jesus is our Passover lamb -- the sacrifice
that brings our freedom from sin.


TODAY'S PRAYER:
Father, thank you for providing the sacrifice for my sin at such a
great cost. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for paying the price for my sin. In
Jesus' name. Amen.