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10-09-2008, 03:11 PM
Life has many good things, but if we walk with Jesus Christ and look at God’s best, it’s a level higher than just “good.”
-Luis Palau
Get some exercise today, walk with God.
Children are able to trust and praise God without doubts or reservations, as we get older, many of us find this more and more difficult to do, so we should ask God to give us childlike faith, removing any barriers to having a closer walk with him.
Circumstances are never so bad that we are beyond God's help.
Our lives are but a breath and our eternity is in the hands of Jesus Christ.
The Bible guides us to real treasure.
Day by day, we can count on God's love for us.
God is always by our side to love and support us.
When we cast our anxieties on God, God will sustain and comfort us.
God delights in us in all the stages of our spiritual growth.
God uses every small act of love for larger purposes.
Jesus Christ helps us lay down our burdens.
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How many people in our lives could be touched if we prayed in this way, 1) ask God to increase their faith and change their lives, 2) ask God to help them know what He wants them to do, 3) ask God to give them deep spiritual understanding, 4) ask God to help them live for Him, 5) ask God to give them more knowledge of Himself, 6) ask God to give them strength for endurance and 7) ask God to fill them with joy, strength, and thankfulness. Author Unknown
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One Day at a Time
“Do not worry about tomorrow.” – Matthew 6:34 NIV
Max Lucado says, “Worry is to joy what a vacuum cleaner is to dirt; you might as well attach your heart to a happiness-sucker and flip the switch.” Jesus said, “Don’t get worked up about... tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” When it looks like things are falling apart, Paul reminds us, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28 NIV). When it seems like the world’s gone mad, don’t forget God “existed before anything else... and He holds all creation together” (Colossians 1:17 NLT). When worry whispers, “God doesn’t know what you need,” remember God promised to “meet all your needs” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).
Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” You won’t get the wisdom or resources to handle tomorrow’s problems till you need them. When we “go confidently to the throne... [we’ll] find kindness, which will help us at the right time” (Hebrews 4:16 GWT).
Over a century ago Charles Spurgeon said: “Enough for today is all we can enjoy. We cannot eat, drink, or wear more than today’s supply of food and clothing. The surplus gives us the care of storing it and the anxiety that someone might steal it. One staff aids a traveler; a bunch of staves is a heavy burden. Enough is as good as a feast, and more than gluttony can enjoy. Enough is all we should expect; a craving for more is ungratefulness. When our Father doesn’t give you more, be content with your daily allowance.” Author Uknown
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LOVE IS NOT BOASTFUL…IS NOT PROUD
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4
Have you ever pondered the various attitudes that relate to pride? Look at them…boastful, vain, self-praising, conceited, arrogant, self-centered, inconsiderate, over-bearing, haughty, self-important, rash, puffed-up, insidious…WOW! What a terrible thing to have pride characterize our life. How destructive, abusive, and vicious it is to anyone’s life, but even more in the life of a believer! No wonder these tentacles of pride have such devastating effects.
Pride is taken passively by the world, excusable, easily forgotten, and simply as a matter of course. But how do you think God looks at pride? Solomon said, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:16). Pride is the deceiving cloak that hides its deathly tentacles. God abhors the proud…“they are an abomination to Him” (Proverbs 3:34). He scorns them and “knows them afar off as objects whom He disdains to look upon” (Psalm 138:6).
Oswald Chambers wrote so graphically regarding pride in the believer: “Pride is the deification of self, and this today in some of us is not the order of the Pharisee, but of the publican. To say, ‘Oh, I’m no saint,’ is acceptable to human pride, but it is unconscious blasphemy against God. It literally means that you defy God to make you a saint, ‘I am much too weak and hopeless.’ Humility before men may be unconscious blasphemy before God. Why are you not a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not believe God can make you one.”
Pride has but one objective…our defeat and destruction empowered by Satan himself. We must recognize that in ourselves we are no match for the enemy of our soul. Weakness and dependence upon God will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest Himself in our lives. Satan is stronger, wiser, and more cunning than we are. God will not impose Himself on us when we have a proud, boastful, independent attitude that has no time for HIM.
To guard against these destructive elements of pride let us...
Remember what we once were…“Look to the rock whence you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit, whence you were digged” (Isaiah 51:1). When we recall what we were, there can only be humiliation before God, who made us a “new creation” in Him.
Consider what we still are. We still have our “old nature” that ever seeks to gratify the fleshly lusts. We have to daily mortify the "old nature" and appropriate all God has given to us.
Be aware of the deceitfulness of our own hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Guard against the tendency to sin. “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
See the hand of God in it all. Acknowledge your own unworthiness. Adorn your life with a contrite heart and a pure spirit. Recognize your dependence upon God. Be thankful for the grace that has made you what you are. Let your life be a faithful, consistent, and an effective testimony in every phase of your life.
The prosperity of the soul is that which alone is of any eternal value. Keep your eyes fixed on our Lord Jesus Christ, responsive to all HE wants to do in your life! --Ed Powell
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FORGIVENESS
When I was a sophomore in college, I fell head over heels in love with a young lady who didn't return my affections. I was loath to take the hints she dropped until, finally, she began to shower attention upon a young man I felt unworthy of her. My pride and jealousy surfaced then and destroyed the relationship. I was crushed.
Many young people know this experience...and most bounce back quickly from it. But not me. The rejection left an ache in my heart, shattering my confidence.
Later I taught school in the Midwest. One day a colleague confronted me. "It seems like you turn away when anyone tries to be your friend. Why? I care for you, but when I reach out, you back off."
Well, I was startled and perplexed. But after some reflection it became clear to me: I had been using that early rejection as a shield against others because I hadn't found it in my heart to forgive that young lady. Then a healing began. I knew that the rejection was not the problem- it was the way in which I had reacted to it. Our Savior asked forgiveness for those taking His very life. On a far lesser scale, why couldn't I do the same?
Do you still harbor feelings of regret and distrust over something that happened back in your past? Or maybe it's as recent as yesterday- or this morning? Then let's pray right now: Lord, when loving fails, help me to forgive and then trust Your healing love. --Oscar Greene
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Miserable Comforters
How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? Job 19:2
A great deal of the book of Job contains discussions Job had with three of his friends. These friends supposedly came to comfort Job during his suffering, but they spent most of their time telling him he must have some sin in his life that caused his suffering. Understandably, Job called them "miserable comforters" (Job 16:2). Their continuous preaching did little to comfort Job, but rather they were breaking him "in pieces with words" (Job 19:2).
As a man, I have a tendency to want to fix things. When a friend is going through hard times, I often try to figure out the solution to her problem. I analyze every angle and come up with possible theories. Meanwhile, my friend is only looking for comfort. She may ask for solutions in the future, but until then my job is to comfort her.
When my dad died, the biggest comfort I received was having friends who listened to me as I shared my grief. I remember little of what they said to me, but I remember they were there for me as I mourned. Their presence was what mattered. Other people comforted me by doing the legwork to try to get me to Indiana for the funeral. I didn't make it to the funeral, but I was touched by the work they did on my behalf.
We can comfort the hurting by having hearts of compassion. Our willingness to listen and "weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15) will mean more than any words we could say. We can also show loving concern by offering to help in any way. Our friend may refuse the help, but will probably be touched by our offer.
What kind of comforter are you? --Jason Mitchener
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Giving is the only antidote to greed.
Jesus says, in Matthew 6:24, No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Jesus is making the point that our heart's highest loyalty will be for only one thing. We can't be equally devoted to two things; ultimately one will win out over the other.
If money is the most important thing to you (i.e., if you're greedy), then you will serve your money more than you serve God. And you will find it very difficult to follow God's instructions to give to others: If there is a poor man among your brothers ... do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
If it's true that no one can serve two masters, then the best way to fight against greed is to make sure that your master (your highest loyalty) is God—not money. Follow God above all else; that way your money will follow God, too.
John writes, If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1 John 3:17). That sounds rather harsh at first, but it's really no different than what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24. If you love your money more than God, then you'll keep your money for yourself rather than giving it away to help others. The only way you'll give generously to others is if you love God more than you love your money. So, how do you know if you love God more than money? By examining what you do with your money: Do you keep most of it, or give most of it?
If you want to fight against greed (that is, if you want to love God more than your money), then you'll follow God's instructions to give—give to the poor, give generously, give joyfully, give liberally, and give regularly. Giving is the best weapon against greed. Weekly Wisdom
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Life transformation is rooted in mind transformation.
Where your mind goes, your actions follow. Whatever you think about will dictate your behavior, your attitude, and (ultimately) your direction in life. Your thoughts are sort of like a rudder—they steer the rest of your body.
Considering the influence of your mind on your life, it's no surprise Paul emphasizes that in order for our lives to be changed by Christ our thoughts must first be changed by Him: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). How are we to be transformed? By renewing (changing, refocusing) our minds so that they reflect the mind of Christ.
If our minds are so important, then it's quite understandable that the devil would fight to gain a foothold in our thoughts. Paul writes, in 2 Corinthians 4:4, The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
What better place for the devil to attack people than in their minds? As thunder follows lighting, so actions follow thoughts. And if Satan can turn your thoughts against God, your actions will assuredly follow.
Therefore, it's imperative that you set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). And when you focus your mind on God, it's only a matter of time before your actions, your passions, your attitudes—your whole life—become focused on God. Weekly Wisdom
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WHY NOT NOW GOD?
Why does God wait when we plead for His swift response?
When Jesus' good friend Lazarus lay desperately ill, He was told about it by Lazarus's two sisters. They must have hoped He would come immediately. But in John 11:5-6 we read, Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. While Jesus lingered, Lazarus died.
At times it is very difficult for us to reconcile God's perfect love with His perfect timing. We may struggle to understand why He would delay when His intervention could save those we love. Like Martha and Mary, we tell Jesus, in effect, Lord, if You have been here, my brother would not have died (v. 21-32).
No one involved in this situation could imagine the miracle Jesus would perform. Nor could they fathom what He wanted to teach them--that He is the resurrection and the life for all who believe (v.25).
We may never fully understand why God waits when we plead with Him to act swiftly. But when the mystery of His timing remains hidden, we can cling to the certainly of His matchless wisdom and His unfailing love.
O GOD, MAKE ME ONE OF THOSE RAREST SOULS
WHO WILLINGLY WAIT FOR THY TIME;
MY IMPATIENT WILL MUST BE LOST IN THINE OWN,
AND THY WILL FOREVER BE MINE.
Our Daily Bread
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GOD'S TODAY
Don't let yourself be torn between yesterday and tomorrow. Live always and only God's today. Accept surprises that upset your plans, shatter your dreams,give a completely different turn to your day and - who knows? to your life. It is not chance, Leave the Father free Himself to weave The pattern of your days. --Dam Helder Camara, A Thousand Reasons fOr Living, DLT, London, 1984
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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Remember that trees move with the wind and sway with a breeze; if they did not, they would break. The same is true for you spiritually. You must be flexible in order to stay in the flow of My Holy Spirit. By "flexible" I do not mean compromising in the sense of moral and spiritual integrity, but I do mean that your situations and circumstances will require elasticity. Yet, in all these things, you must hold fast to your faith in Me, says the Lord. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
I am bringing My people to a point of choice on a many levels. You will make decisions that will change the course of your life and what you value. History is in the making, and what you choose will produce a supernatural harvest of exponential increase. It is important that you consider the ultimate outcome of your options, before activating your choices. Be wise at this crucial point in time, says the Lord. Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
Beloved, I am shining a light of revelation on your own heart to see and understand the places where you lack spiritual integrity. If you will be courageous enough to allow the dark and hidden aspects of your attitudes, motives, and self-interest to be brought to the light, you will find great and lasting freedom. There is no other way to come to a full and effective repentance than to be honest without trying to protect or justify yourself, says the Lord. Matthew 3:8 "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance."
Stir up your most holy faith by way of reminder of all that I have performed in your life, says the Lord. You will be tempted to bemoan your current situation or look at your life with regret, but that perspective will not benefit you. Rather, rejoice in My goodness, knowing that I have walked with you and brought you through much adversity. I have directed your steps and rescued you repeatedly from the works and plans of the enemy against you. Rejoice, and again I say rejoice! Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Rise above fear, flesh, and earthly things so that you can hear My voice, says the Lord. There are many things that compete for your attention. Yet, I do not compete, but stand quietly by waiting for you to come and seek My face so that you can get the wisdom and direction that you need. Focusing your view on things not spiritual will only lead to confusion. But, discernment by My Spirit will lead to good judgment and righteous direction. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
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The Trumpet by Bill Burns
"Set the trumpet to your mouth!" Hosea 8:1
Come, My children, and receive that which I am presenting to you in these days. Come higher. Come to a new place of faith. Expand your horizons. Strengthen your tent stakes, and establish a tabernacle of My presence in your life. Come up the ladder that I have provided for you into the glory of heaven. Come boldly before My throne and receive all that I have for you in this season, says the Lord. Now is the time to hunt fervently for what I have placed in your life to be discovered. Come with faith and joy and peace. I will not upbraid you nor will I condemn you because you seek. Is it not written that if you ask you will receive; if you seek you shall find; if you knock the door will be opened? The treasure that I have laid up for you is now being uncovered as you use your faith to receive.
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God's Vessels
Jesus is the potter and you
and I are the clay;
And although we're cracked
and broken we'll not be thrown away!
He will take our broken pieces
and remold us once again;
He will use these mended
vessels to bring the lost ones in.
We might not be perfected
but He will use us anyway;
To pour His love out on those
ones who are lost or gone astray!
He'll repair the broken pieces
and one day we'll be complete;
We'll have made it through the
fires and be able to take the heat!
He'll repair all of our weakness
and in His hands we will be
strong; We'll be made whole
and perfect and to Him we will belong!
Although we are just vessels
and made of dirt and clay;
In God's eyes we are beautiful
in our own special way!
~Helen Johnson~
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Jesus Is The Answer
The answer Is Jesus
To the questions of life,
He's the only solution
To sorrows and strife.
The answer is Jesus
When we lose our way,
He's the anchor we cling to
When we go astray.
The answer is Jesus
To each sinner's prayer,
He died on the cross
Our burdens to bear.
The answer is Jesus
Each day of the year,
He's the blessed assurance
We have nothing to fear.
The answer is Jesus
To the questions of life,
He's the only solution
To sorrows and strife.
--Clay Harrison
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Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6
Jesus Greater Than Moses
1Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. 3Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. Hebrews 3:1-6
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory. Isaiah 60:19
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No Brother Left Behind by J. Randal Matheny, editor
"No child left behind" is a government program designed to improve the American educational system. It appears to be the old idea of throwing money at a problem. (Churches do the same thing in missions.) While the sentiment of not letting any child fall behind in school is laudable, the execution may well lack in its effectiveness.
Spiritually, no brother or sister should be left behind. No fellow saint should be forgotten or neglected.
This desire to keep up with all the disciples has made finding a meeting place for the church in São José dos Campos problematic. People are scattered across our chopped-up city, and some live in nearby towns. Many depend on buses, and finding a place near where the routes come together is difficult.
But it's worth the effort.
Jesus Cared for All
Jesus talked about caring for the little people, the least in the kingdom (Matthew 25:40, 45). He personally cared for those left behind: the children, women, sinners (put the word in quotation marks, since we all are), publicans, the sick and diseased, the demon possessed, the foreigners.
Jesus used a child as an object lesson. "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great" (Luke 9:48 ESV).
"Receiving" in this verse means welcoming, seeing to needs, accepting, caring for, valuing as worthy of service.
Giving a little one a cup of water for Jesus' sake brings great reward (Matthew 10:42).
On the other hand, tripping up one of them brings the Lord's heavy condemnation upon one's head (Matthew 18:6). These seemingly unimportant guys have angels who "always see the face of [Jesus'] Father who is in heaven" (v. 8). They are well connected. So you don't want to forget or harm one of his little ones, because "it is not the will of [the] Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish" (v. 14).
Now these are just some of Jesus' teaching about "No Brother Left Behind."
Apostle Paul Embraced All
And we've not even gotten to the epistles yet. Space fails me to tell of Paul's concern for the weak in faith (Romans 14). This apostle goes to extreme lengths not to burden anyone (2 Corinthians 8:13; 11:9; 12:13- 16; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8) and insists that others not be put upon (1 Timothy 5:6), but the follower of Jesus must be willing to bear
another's burden, especially when dealing with another's transgression (Galatians 6.1-2). No brother left behind.
No matter the little person's problem or station or progress or story. Don't leave any one behind.
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all" (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Hebrews, Jude, Revelation, Too!
The Hebrews writer quotes the Old Testament to note the change in spiritual regime. In the new covenant, the little folk matter. "And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest" (Hebrews 8:11). In the Kingdom, there is room for all. Access to the divine
throne for the masses. Doors thrown open. No saint left behind.
Good old Jude, who rants at the false teachers, is tender toward the weak and wavering. "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh" (Jude 22-23). For the brother of the Lord, those who doubt, don't boot out. Even those who seem to be goners, whom we might want to wash our hands of, still deserve heroic measures to save. Mercy in last-ditch rescue attempts trumps smugness and arm-crossing every time.
John reveals Jesus' words to the Philadelphian church. "I know you have but little power" (Revelation 3:8). More little guys. More wallflowers that nobody notices. But the Lord says he'll make the false Jews come and bow down before them (v. 9). The humble will be exalted. The Lord will do this. He isn't going to forget the least in the kingdom. When he tells them, "I
know your works" (v. 8a), it's an assurance to them.
Why does this matter? That weak one, that doubting Thomas, that wavering soul, that wilting heart, is "the brother for whom Christ died" (1 Corinthians 8:11). To wound the conscience of the weak is to "sin against Christ" (v. 12). To let the little guy drop off the map is to insult the Lord's sacrifice for all.
No brother left behind. May both our sentiment and our execution be worthy of the Lord.
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Where Eagles Fly by DON FRANKLIN
"Come be a part of the flock of God - the eagles of God - the visionaries, the dreamers, those that fly high with the Lord."
I am causing a stirring within you even as an eagle stirs its nest I am stirring you, saith the Lord. I am going to cause you to rise up even as the eagle does upon wings and soar into the heights with Me. You are going to leave everything behind and you're going to come away with Me, my beloved and you're going to commune with Me, and you're going to walk with Me and talk with Me.
Come up on high with the wings of the eagle and follow into the realm of the Holy Spirit. Listen to God, pray to God, obey what God tells you in your heart to do.
Become excited about the things of God. Become excited about God again. Become excited about the things of the Spirit in your heart. Love God; teach your young ones to love God. Go beyond where this generation has gone; go beyond, saith the Lord. Go on into the realm of following the Holy Spirit in your life and doing the things that He asks you to do and become excited about the things that He brings you into.
For they will prosper; they will work. The things that I show you, the things that I lead you into, they will be blessed of God. When others are failing, you will be succeeding. When others' plans go astray you will be on track because you will trade your plans in for mine where others won't.
So don't be afraid to walk out, step out with God and follow the pathway that He leads you on. Become once again excited about the gifts and the things of the spirit. Do not allow the jadedness and the depression of others to so fill your spirit that you become one with them. But come up into the Heavenlies and become one with Me, and once again walk in the ways of the Lord.
Pray, pray much; pray heavily in the Holy Ghost. Do not be afraid to prophesy. Do not be afraid to move in the Spirit. Do not be afraid to try those things that you feel are from the Lord.
And you will knock on doors and I will open the ones that are of Me. Don't be afraid to knock. Don't be afraid to seek. Don't be afraid to dream, children. Don't let others steal your dreams because theirs have been crushed. Let your dreams be of exalting Me. Let your dreams be of my kingdom. Dream the dreams of Joseph, children. Dream the dreams of God, and I will water them and I will prosper them and I will take you where I promised you.
Rise up above it all, saith the Lord. Reject all the pessimism, doubt, and fear and depression in your spirit. It is not of you and it is not of Me. Go into that realm with God where there are bluebirds singing, where there is happiness, where there is joy. That is to be your portion of the kingdom; that is where you belong.
"In your presence, Lord that's where we belong and in your presence there is fullness of joy."
So, come into my presence and reject the rest, saith God, all of it. Reject all of it. Don't allow a shred of depression, fear, doubt, guilt or jadedness come along with you, but rise up in the Lord. Rise up in the things of the Lord and be happy, saith God. Be happy in Me.
Believe in your deliverer. Believe in the One of Israel. Let him establish you. Don't worry about position; don't worry about the how. For the Lord, I the Lord your God, will take care of the where, the when and the how. Just worry about connecting, reconnecting with Me strongly and staying in my presence daily, daily, daily.
The stirring of the Lord is upon you. The stirring of the Lord is upon you. Not the stirring of the church; not the manipulation of man trying to use you, but the stirring of the Lord. The eagle's nest is stirred by the hand of God.
May you rise up as young eagles of God full of strength and power and soaring where no one can come along to depress you, no one can come along as a hidden agent to drag you back down to earth, no one can come along pretending to be a friend while all along their mission and their job is to grab you by those legs and talons and pull you back down to their level, to earth.
Come to the camp of eagles where only eagles are allowed where you may fly and soar together, where you won't bump into one another and won't crush one another, but you will compliment one another, where you are like birds of a prey, birds of a feather. Come be a part of the flock of God - the eagles of God - the visionaries, the dreamers, those that fly high with the Lord.
Yes, God did make all of the creatures of the earth. He did make the rhinoceros. He did make the giraffe. He did make the land animals. But let the plodders plod, let the swimmers swim, let the lumbering beast lumber through their jungles, but come let the eagle soar above it all with intense visions and dreams of God.
Take your place in the Body of Christ high above it all. On eagle's wings shall I bare thee, on eagle's wings.
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Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep:
May God guard me through the night
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen.
--Traditional
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Read Through The Bible
Leviticus 13
Regulations About Infectious Skin Diseases
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 2 "When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a bright spot on his skin that may become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. 3 The priest is to examine the sore on his skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is an infectious skin disease. When the priest examines him, he shall pronounce him ceremonially unclean. 4 If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. 5 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to keep him in isolation another seven days. 6 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a rash. The man must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. 7 But if the rash does spread in his skin after he has shown himself to the priest to be pronounced clean, he must appear before the priest again. 8 The priest is to examine him, and if the rash has spread in the skin, he shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious disease. 9 "When anyone has an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to the priest. 10 The priest is to examine him, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic skin disease and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He is not to put him in isolation, because he is already unclean. 12 "If the disease breaks out all over his skin and, so far as the priest can see, it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, 13 the priest is to examine him, and if the disease has covered his whole body, he shall pronounce that person clean. Since it has all turned white, he is clean. 14 But whenever raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. 15 When the priest sees the raw flesh, he shall pronounce him unclean. The raw flesh is unclean; he has an infectious disease. 16 Should the raw flesh change and turn white, he must go to the priest. 17 The priest is to examine him, and if the sores have turned white, the priest shall pronounce the infected person clean; then he will be clean. 18 "When someone has a boil on his skin and it heals, 19 and in the place where the boil was, a white swelling or reddish-white spot appears, he must present himself to the priest. 20 The priest is to examine it, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious skin disease that has broken out where the boil was. 21 But if, when the priest examines it, there is no white hair in it and it is not more than skin deep and has faded, then the priest is to put him in isolation for seven days. 22 If it is spreading in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is infectious. 23 But if the spot is unchanged and has not spread, it is only a scar from the boil, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. 24 "When someone has a burn on his skin and a reddish-white or white spot appears in the raw flesh of the burn, 25 the priest is to examine the spot, and if the hair in it has turned white, and it appears to be more than skin deep, it is an infectious disease that has broken out in the burn. The priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious skin disease. 26 But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the spot and if it is not more than skin deep and has faded, then the priest is to put him in isolation for seven days. 27 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if it is spreading in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious skin disease. 28 If, however, the spot is unchanged and has not spread in the skin but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scar from the burn. 29 "If a man or woman has a sore on the head or on the chin, 30 the priest is to examine the sore, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest shall pronounce that person unclean; it is an itch, an infectious disease of the head or chin. 31 But if, when the priest examines this kind of sore, it does not seem to be more than skin deep and there is no black hair in it, then the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. 32 On the seventh day the priest is to examine the sore, and if the itch has not spread and there is no yellow hair in it and it does not appear to be more than skin deep, 33 he must be shaved except for the diseased area, and the priest is to keep him in isolation another seven days. 34 On the seventh day the priest is to examine the itch, and if it has not spread in the skin and appears to be no more than skin deep, the priest shall pronounce him clean. He must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. 35 But if the itch does spread in the skin after he is pronounced clean, 36 the priest is to examine him, and if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest does not need to look for yellow hair; the person is unclean. 37 If, however, in his judgment it is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, the itch is healed. He is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. 38 "When a man or woman has white spots on the skin, 39 the priest is to examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; that person is clean. 40 "When a man has lost his hair and is bald, he is clean. 41 If he has lost his hair from the front of his scalp and has a bald forehead, he is clean. 42 But if he has a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease breaking out on his head or forehead. 43 The priest is to examine him, and if the swollen sore on his head or forehead is reddish-white like an infectious skin disease, 44 the man is diseased and is unclean. The priest shall pronounce him unclean because of the sore on his head. 45 "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!' 46 As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.
Regulations About Mildew
47 "If any clothing is contaminated with mildew—any woolen or linen clothing, 48 any woven or knitted material of linen or wool, any leather or anything made of leather- 49 and if the contamination in the clothing, or leather, or woven or knitted material, or any leather article, is greenish or reddish, it is a spreading mildew and must be shown to the priest. 50 The priest is to examine the mildew and isolate the affected article for seven days. 51 On the seventh day he is to examine it, and if the mildew has spread in the clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or the leather, whatever its use, it is a destructive mildew; the article is unclean. 52 He must burn up the clothing, or the woven or knitted material of wool or linen, or any leather article that has the contamination in it, because the mildew is destructive; the article must be burned up. 53 "But if, when the priest examines it, the mildew has not spread in the clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or the leather article, 54 he shall order that the contaminated article be washed. Then he is to isolate it for another seven days. 55 After the affected article has been washed, the priest is to examine it, and if the mildew has not changed its appearance, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. Burn it with fire, whether the mildew has affected one side or the other. 56 If, when the priest examines it, the mildew has faded after the article has been washed, he is to tear the contaminated part out of the clothing, or the leather, or the woven or knitted material. 57 But if it reappears in the clothing, or in the woven or knitted material, or in the leather article, it is spreading, and whatever has the mildew must be burned with fire. 58 The clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or any leather article that has been washed and is rid of the mildew, must be washed again, and it will be clean." 59 These are the regulations concerning contamination by mildew in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean.
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Dear Father, we praise You for Your goodness to us, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with us. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. Give us the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. May this be a new era for us, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.
Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. If you do not have Jesus in your life and wish to ask Jesus into your life please go to this link now to do so: http://www.cyberrecovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=95 . Jesus is calling you to live a life that matters.
-Luis Palau
Get some exercise today, walk with God.
Children are able to trust and praise God without doubts or reservations, as we get older, many of us find this more and more difficult to do, so we should ask God to give us childlike faith, removing any barriers to having a closer walk with him.
Circumstances are never so bad that we are beyond God's help.
Our lives are but a breath and our eternity is in the hands of Jesus Christ.
The Bible guides us to real treasure.
Day by day, we can count on God's love for us.
God is always by our side to love and support us.
When we cast our anxieties on God, God will sustain and comfort us.
God delights in us in all the stages of our spiritual growth.
God uses every small act of love for larger purposes.
Jesus Christ helps us lay down our burdens.
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How many people in our lives could be touched if we prayed in this way, 1) ask God to increase their faith and change their lives, 2) ask God to help them know what He wants them to do, 3) ask God to give them deep spiritual understanding, 4) ask God to help them live for Him, 5) ask God to give them more knowledge of Himself, 6) ask God to give them strength for endurance and 7) ask God to fill them with joy, strength, and thankfulness. Author Unknown
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One Day at a Time
“Do not worry about tomorrow.” – Matthew 6:34 NIV
Max Lucado says, “Worry is to joy what a vacuum cleaner is to dirt; you might as well attach your heart to a happiness-sucker and flip the switch.” Jesus said, “Don’t get worked up about... tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” When it looks like things are falling apart, Paul reminds us, “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28 NIV). When it seems like the world’s gone mad, don’t forget God “existed before anything else... and He holds all creation together” (Colossians 1:17 NLT). When worry whispers, “God doesn’t know what you need,” remember God promised to “meet all your needs” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).
Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” You won’t get the wisdom or resources to handle tomorrow’s problems till you need them. When we “go confidently to the throne... [we’ll] find kindness, which will help us at the right time” (Hebrews 4:16 GWT).
Over a century ago Charles Spurgeon said: “Enough for today is all we can enjoy. We cannot eat, drink, or wear more than today’s supply of food and clothing. The surplus gives us the care of storing it and the anxiety that someone might steal it. One staff aids a traveler; a bunch of staves is a heavy burden. Enough is as good as a feast, and more than gluttony can enjoy. Enough is all we should expect; a craving for more is ungratefulness. When our Father doesn’t give you more, be content with your daily allowance.” Author Uknown
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LOVE IS NOT BOASTFUL…IS NOT PROUD
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” 1 Corinthians 13:4
Have you ever pondered the various attitudes that relate to pride? Look at them…boastful, vain, self-praising, conceited, arrogant, self-centered, inconsiderate, over-bearing, haughty, self-important, rash, puffed-up, insidious…WOW! What a terrible thing to have pride characterize our life. How destructive, abusive, and vicious it is to anyone’s life, but even more in the life of a believer! No wonder these tentacles of pride have such devastating effects.
Pride is taken passively by the world, excusable, easily forgotten, and simply as a matter of course. But how do you think God looks at pride? Solomon said, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:16). Pride is the deceiving cloak that hides its deathly tentacles. God abhors the proud…“they are an abomination to Him” (Proverbs 3:34). He scorns them and “knows them afar off as objects whom He disdains to look upon” (Psalm 138:6).
Oswald Chambers wrote so graphically regarding pride in the believer: “Pride is the deification of self, and this today in some of us is not the order of the Pharisee, but of the publican. To say, ‘Oh, I’m no saint,’ is acceptable to human pride, but it is unconscious blasphemy against God. It literally means that you defy God to make you a saint, ‘I am much too weak and hopeless.’ Humility before men may be unconscious blasphemy before God. Why are you not a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not believe God can make you one.”
Pride has but one objective…our defeat and destruction empowered by Satan himself. We must recognize that in ourselves we are no match for the enemy of our soul. Weakness and dependence upon God will always be the occasion for the Spirit of God to manifest Himself in our lives. Satan is stronger, wiser, and more cunning than we are. God will not impose Himself on us when we have a proud, boastful, independent attitude that has no time for HIM.
To guard against these destructive elements of pride let us...
Remember what we once were…“Look to the rock whence you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit, whence you were digged” (Isaiah 51:1). When we recall what we were, there can only be humiliation before God, who made us a “new creation” in Him.
Consider what we still are. We still have our “old nature” that ever seeks to gratify the fleshly lusts. We have to daily mortify the "old nature" and appropriate all God has given to us.
Be aware of the deceitfulness of our own hearts. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it” (Jeremiah 17:9).
Guard against the tendency to sin. “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
See the hand of God in it all. Acknowledge your own unworthiness. Adorn your life with a contrite heart and a pure spirit. Recognize your dependence upon God. Be thankful for the grace that has made you what you are. Let your life be a faithful, consistent, and an effective testimony in every phase of your life.
The prosperity of the soul is that which alone is of any eternal value. Keep your eyes fixed on our Lord Jesus Christ, responsive to all HE wants to do in your life! --Ed Powell
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FORGIVENESS
When I was a sophomore in college, I fell head over heels in love with a young lady who didn't return my affections. I was loath to take the hints she dropped until, finally, she began to shower attention upon a young man I felt unworthy of her. My pride and jealousy surfaced then and destroyed the relationship. I was crushed.
Many young people know this experience...and most bounce back quickly from it. But not me. The rejection left an ache in my heart, shattering my confidence.
Later I taught school in the Midwest. One day a colleague confronted me. "It seems like you turn away when anyone tries to be your friend. Why? I care for you, but when I reach out, you back off."
Well, I was startled and perplexed. But after some reflection it became clear to me: I had been using that early rejection as a shield against others because I hadn't found it in my heart to forgive that young lady. Then a healing began. I knew that the rejection was not the problem- it was the way in which I had reacted to it. Our Savior asked forgiveness for those taking His very life. On a far lesser scale, why couldn't I do the same?
Do you still harbor feelings of regret and distrust over something that happened back in your past? Or maybe it's as recent as yesterday- or this morning? Then let's pray right now: Lord, when loving fails, help me to forgive and then trust Your healing love. --Oscar Greene
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Miserable Comforters
How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? Job 19:2
A great deal of the book of Job contains discussions Job had with three of his friends. These friends supposedly came to comfort Job during his suffering, but they spent most of their time telling him he must have some sin in his life that caused his suffering. Understandably, Job called them "miserable comforters" (Job 16:2). Their continuous preaching did little to comfort Job, but rather they were breaking him "in pieces with words" (Job 19:2).
As a man, I have a tendency to want to fix things. When a friend is going through hard times, I often try to figure out the solution to her problem. I analyze every angle and come up with possible theories. Meanwhile, my friend is only looking for comfort. She may ask for solutions in the future, but until then my job is to comfort her.
When my dad died, the biggest comfort I received was having friends who listened to me as I shared my grief. I remember little of what they said to me, but I remember they were there for me as I mourned. Their presence was what mattered. Other people comforted me by doing the legwork to try to get me to Indiana for the funeral. I didn't make it to the funeral, but I was touched by the work they did on my behalf.
We can comfort the hurting by having hearts of compassion. Our willingness to listen and "weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15) will mean more than any words we could say. We can also show loving concern by offering to help in any way. Our friend may refuse the help, but will probably be touched by our offer.
What kind of comforter are you? --Jason Mitchener
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Giving is the only antidote to greed.
Jesus says, in Matthew 6:24, No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Jesus is making the point that our heart's highest loyalty will be for only one thing. We can't be equally devoted to two things; ultimately one will win out over the other.
If money is the most important thing to you (i.e., if you're greedy), then you will serve your money more than you serve God. And you will find it very difficult to follow God's instructions to give to others: If there is a poor man among your brothers ... do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).
If it's true that no one can serve two masters, then the best way to fight against greed is to make sure that your master (your highest loyalty) is God—not money. Follow God above all else; that way your money will follow God, too.
John writes, If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1 John 3:17). That sounds rather harsh at first, but it's really no different than what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24. If you love your money more than God, then you'll keep your money for yourself rather than giving it away to help others. The only way you'll give generously to others is if you love God more than you love your money. So, how do you know if you love God more than money? By examining what you do with your money: Do you keep most of it, or give most of it?
If you want to fight against greed (that is, if you want to love God more than your money), then you'll follow God's instructions to give—give to the poor, give generously, give joyfully, give liberally, and give regularly. Giving is the best weapon against greed. Weekly Wisdom
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Life transformation is rooted in mind transformation.
Where your mind goes, your actions follow. Whatever you think about will dictate your behavior, your attitude, and (ultimately) your direction in life. Your thoughts are sort of like a rudder—they steer the rest of your body.
Considering the influence of your mind on your life, it's no surprise Paul emphasizes that in order for our lives to be changed by Christ our thoughts must first be changed by Him: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2). How are we to be transformed? By renewing (changing, refocusing) our minds so that they reflect the mind of Christ.
If our minds are so important, then it's quite understandable that the devil would fight to gain a foothold in our thoughts. Paul writes, in 2 Corinthians 4:4, The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
What better place for the devil to attack people than in their minds? As thunder follows lighting, so actions follow thoughts. And if Satan can turn your thoughts against God, your actions will assuredly follow.
Therefore, it's imperative that you set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2). And when you focus your mind on God, it's only a matter of time before your actions, your passions, your attitudes—your whole life—become focused on God. Weekly Wisdom
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WHY NOT NOW GOD?
Why does God wait when we plead for His swift response?
When Jesus' good friend Lazarus lay desperately ill, He was told about it by Lazarus's two sisters. They must have hoped He would come immediately. But in John 11:5-6 we read, Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. While Jesus lingered, Lazarus died.
At times it is very difficult for us to reconcile God's perfect love with His perfect timing. We may struggle to understand why He would delay when His intervention could save those we love. Like Martha and Mary, we tell Jesus, in effect, Lord, if You have been here, my brother would not have died (v. 21-32).
No one involved in this situation could imagine the miracle Jesus would perform. Nor could they fathom what He wanted to teach them--that He is the resurrection and the life for all who believe (v.25).
We may never fully understand why God waits when we plead with Him to act swiftly. But when the mystery of His timing remains hidden, we can cling to the certainly of His matchless wisdom and His unfailing love.
O GOD, MAKE ME ONE OF THOSE RAREST SOULS
WHO WILLINGLY WAIT FOR THY TIME;
MY IMPATIENT WILL MUST BE LOST IN THINE OWN,
AND THY WILL FOREVER BE MINE.
Our Daily Bread
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GOD'S TODAY
Don't let yourself be torn between yesterday and tomorrow. Live always and only God's today. Accept surprises that upset your plans, shatter your dreams,give a completely different turn to your day and - who knows? to your life. It is not chance, Leave the Father free Himself to weave The pattern of your days. --Dam Helder Camara, A Thousand Reasons fOr Living, DLT, London, 1984
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Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns
Remember that trees move with the wind and sway with a breeze; if they did not, they would break. The same is true for you spiritually. You must be flexible in order to stay in the flow of My Holy Spirit. By "flexible" I do not mean compromising in the sense of moral and spiritual integrity, but I do mean that your situations and circumstances will require elasticity. Yet, in all these things, you must hold fast to your faith in Me, says the Lord. Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
I am bringing My people to a point of choice on a many levels. You will make decisions that will change the course of your life and what you value. History is in the making, and what you choose will produce a supernatural harvest of exponential increase. It is important that you consider the ultimate outcome of your options, before activating your choices. Be wise at this crucial point in time, says the Lord. Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
Beloved, I am shining a light of revelation on your own heart to see and understand the places where you lack spiritual integrity. If you will be courageous enough to allow the dark and hidden aspects of your attitudes, motives, and self-interest to be brought to the light, you will find great and lasting freedom. There is no other way to come to a full and effective repentance than to be honest without trying to protect or justify yourself, says the Lord. Matthew 3:8 "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance."
Stir up your most holy faith by way of reminder of all that I have performed in your life, says the Lord. You will be tempted to bemoan your current situation or look at your life with regret, but that perspective will not benefit you. Rather, rejoice in My goodness, knowing that I have walked with you and brought you through much adversity. I have directed your steps and rescued you repeatedly from the works and plans of the enemy against you. Rejoice, and again I say rejoice! Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Rise above fear, flesh, and earthly things so that you can hear My voice, says the Lord. There are many things that compete for your attention. Yet, I do not compete, but stand quietly by waiting for you to come and seek My face so that you can get the wisdom and direction that you need. Focusing your view on things not spiritual will only lead to confusion. But, discernment by My Spirit will lead to good judgment and righteous direction. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
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The Trumpet by Bill Burns
"Set the trumpet to your mouth!" Hosea 8:1
Come, My children, and receive that which I am presenting to you in these days. Come higher. Come to a new place of faith. Expand your horizons. Strengthen your tent stakes, and establish a tabernacle of My presence in your life. Come up the ladder that I have provided for you into the glory of heaven. Come boldly before My throne and receive all that I have for you in this season, says the Lord. Now is the time to hunt fervently for what I have placed in your life to be discovered. Come with faith and joy and peace. I will not upbraid you nor will I condemn you because you seek. Is it not written that if you ask you will receive; if you seek you shall find; if you knock the door will be opened? The treasure that I have laid up for you is now being uncovered as you use your faith to receive.
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God's Vessels
Jesus is the potter and you
and I are the clay;
And although we're cracked
and broken we'll not be thrown away!
He will take our broken pieces
and remold us once again;
He will use these mended
vessels to bring the lost ones in.
We might not be perfected
but He will use us anyway;
To pour His love out on those
ones who are lost or gone astray!
He'll repair the broken pieces
and one day we'll be complete;
We'll have made it through the
fires and be able to take the heat!
He'll repair all of our weakness
and in His hands we will be
strong; We'll be made whole
and perfect and to Him we will belong!
Although we are just vessels
and made of dirt and clay;
In God's eyes we are beautiful
in our own special way!
~Helen Johnson~
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Jesus Is The Answer
The answer Is Jesus
To the questions of life,
He's the only solution
To sorrows and strife.
The answer is Jesus
When we lose our way,
He's the anchor we cling to
When we go astray.
The answer is Jesus
To each sinner's prayer,
He died on the cross
Our burdens to bear.
The answer is Jesus
Each day of the year,
He's the blessed assurance
We have nothing to fear.
The answer is Jesus
To the questions of life,
He's the only solution
To sorrows and strife.
--Clay Harrison
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Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6
Jesus Greater Than Moses
1Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. 2He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God's house. 3Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. 4For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. 5Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast. Hebrews 3:1-6
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory. Isaiah 60:19
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No Brother Left Behind by J. Randal Matheny, editor
"No child left behind" is a government program designed to improve the American educational system. It appears to be the old idea of throwing money at a problem. (Churches do the same thing in missions.) While the sentiment of not letting any child fall behind in school is laudable, the execution may well lack in its effectiveness.
Spiritually, no brother or sister should be left behind. No fellow saint should be forgotten or neglected.
This desire to keep up with all the disciples has made finding a meeting place for the church in São José dos Campos problematic. People are scattered across our chopped-up city, and some live in nearby towns. Many depend on buses, and finding a place near where the routes come together is difficult.
But it's worth the effort.
Jesus Cared for All
Jesus talked about caring for the little people, the least in the kingdom (Matthew 25:40, 45). He personally cared for those left behind: the children, women, sinners (put the word in quotation marks, since we all are), publicans, the sick and diseased, the demon possessed, the foreigners.
Jesus used a child as an object lesson. "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great" (Luke 9:48 ESV).
"Receiving" in this verse means welcoming, seeing to needs, accepting, caring for, valuing as worthy of service.
Giving a little one a cup of water for Jesus' sake brings great reward (Matthew 10:42).
On the other hand, tripping up one of them brings the Lord's heavy condemnation upon one's head (Matthew 18:6). These seemingly unimportant guys have angels who "always see the face of [Jesus'] Father who is in heaven" (v. 8). They are well connected. So you don't want to forget or harm one of his little ones, because "it is not the will of [the] Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish" (v. 14).
Now these are just some of Jesus' teaching about "No Brother Left Behind."
Apostle Paul Embraced All
And we've not even gotten to the epistles yet. Space fails me to tell of Paul's concern for the weak in faith (Romans 14). This apostle goes to extreme lengths not to burden anyone (2 Corinthians 8:13; 11:9; 12:13- 16; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8) and insists that others not be put upon (1 Timothy 5:6), but the follower of Jesus must be willing to bear
another's burden, especially when dealing with another's transgression (Galatians 6.1-2). No brother left behind.
No matter the little person's problem or station or progress or story. Don't leave any one behind.
"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all" (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Hebrews, Jude, Revelation, Too!
The Hebrews writer quotes the Old Testament to note the change in spiritual regime. In the new covenant, the little folk matter. "And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest" (Hebrews 8:11). In the Kingdom, there is room for all. Access to the divine
throne for the masses. Doors thrown open. No saint left behind.
Good old Jude, who rants at the false teachers, is tender toward the weak and wavering. "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh" (Jude 22-23). For the brother of the Lord, those who doubt, don't boot out. Even those who seem to be goners, whom we might want to wash our hands of, still deserve heroic measures to save. Mercy in last-ditch rescue attempts trumps smugness and arm-crossing every time.
John reveals Jesus' words to the Philadelphian church. "I know you have but little power" (Revelation 3:8). More little guys. More wallflowers that nobody notices. But the Lord says he'll make the false Jews come and bow down before them (v. 9). The humble will be exalted. The Lord will do this. He isn't going to forget the least in the kingdom. When he tells them, "I
know your works" (v. 8a), it's an assurance to them.
Why does this matter? That weak one, that doubting Thomas, that wavering soul, that wilting heart, is "the brother for whom Christ died" (1 Corinthians 8:11). To wound the conscience of the weak is to "sin against Christ" (v. 12). To let the little guy drop off the map is to insult the Lord's sacrifice for all.
No brother left behind. May both our sentiment and our execution be worthy of the Lord.
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Where Eagles Fly by DON FRANKLIN
"Come be a part of the flock of God - the eagles of God - the visionaries, the dreamers, those that fly high with the Lord."
I am causing a stirring within you even as an eagle stirs its nest I am stirring you, saith the Lord. I am going to cause you to rise up even as the eagle does upon wings and soar into the heights with Me. You are going to leave everything behind and you're going to come away with Me, my beloved and you're going to commune with Me, and you're going to walk with Me and talk with Me.
Come up on high with the wings of the eagle and follow into the realm of the Holy Spirit. Listen to God, pray to God, obey what God tells you in your heart to do.
Become excited about the things of God. Become excited about God again. Become excited about the things of the Spirit in your heart. Love God; teach your young ones to love God. Go beyond where this generation has gone; go beyond, saith the Lord. Go on into the realm of following the Holy Spirit in your life and doing the things that He asks you to do and become excited about the things that He brings you into.
For they will prosper; they will work. The things that I show you, the things that I lead you into, they will be blessed of God. When others are failing, you will be succeeding. When others' plans go astray you will be on track because you will trade your plans in for mine where others won't.
So don't be afraid to walk out, step out with God and follow the pathway that He leads you on. Become once again excited about the gifts and the things of the spirit. Do not allow the jadedness and the depression of others to so fill your spirit that you become one with them. But come up into the Heavenlies and become one with Me, and once again walk in the ways of the Lord.
Pray, pray much; pray heavily in the Holy Ghost. Do not be afraid to prophesy. Do not be afraid to move in the Spirit. Do not be afraid to try those things that you feel are from the Lord.
And you will knock on doors and I will open the ones that are of Me. Don't be afraid to knock. Don't be afraid to seek. Don't be afraid to dream, children. Don't let others steal your dreams because theirs have been crushed. Let your dreams be of exalting Me. Let your dreams be of my kingdom. Dream the dreams of Joseph, children. Dream the dreams of God, and I will water them and I will prosper them and I will take you where I promised you.
Rise up above it all, saith the Lord. Reject all the pessimism, doubt, and fear and depression in your spirit. It is not of you and it is not of Me. Go into that realm with God where there are bluebirds singing, where there is happiness, where there is joy. That is to be your portion of the kingdom; that is where you belong.
"In your presence, Lord that's where we belong and in your presence there is fullness of joy."
So, come into my presence and reject the rest, saith God, all of it. Reject all of it. Don't allow a shred of depression, fear, doubt, guilt or jadedness come along with you, but rise up in the Lord. Rise up in the things of the Lord and be happy, saith God. Be happy in Me.
Believe in your deliverer. Believe in the One of Israel. Let him establish you. Don't worry about position; don't worry about the how. For the Lord, I the Lord your God, will take care of the where, the when and the how. Just worry about connecting, reconnecting with Me strongly and staying in my presence daily, daily, daily.
The stirring of the Lord is upon you. The stirring of the Lord is upon you. Not the stirring of the church; not the manipulation of man trying to use you, but the stirring of the Lord. The eagle's nest is stirred by the hand of God.
May you rise up as young eagles of God full of strength and power and soaring where no one can come along to depress you, no one can come along as a hidden agent to drag you back down to earth, no one can come along pretending to be a friend while all along their mission and their job is to grab you by those legs and talons and pull you back down to their level, to earth.
Come to the camp of eagles where only eagles are allowed where you may fly and soar together, where you won't bump into one another and won't crush one another, but you will compliment one another, where you are like birds of a prey, birds of a feather. Come be a part of the flock of God - the eagles of God - the visionaries, the dreamers, those that fly high with the Lord.
Yes, God did make all of the creatures of the earth. He did make the rhinoceros. He did make the giraffe. He did make the land animals. But let the plodders plod, let the swimmers swim, let the lumbering beast lumber through their jungles, but come let the eagle soar above it all with intense visions and dreams of God.
Take your place in the Body of Christ high above it all. On eagle's wings shall I bare thee, on eagle's wings.
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Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep:
May God guard me through the night
And wake me with the morning light.
Amen.
--Traditional
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Read Through The Bible
Leviticus 13
Regulations About Infectious Skin Diseases
1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 2 "When anyone has a swelling or a rash or a bright spot on his skin that may become an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. 3 The priest is to examine the sore on his skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is an infectious skin disease. When the priest examines him, he shall pronounce him ceremonially unclean. 4 If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. 5 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if he sees that the sore is unchanged and has not spread in the skin, he is to keep him in isolation another seven days. 6 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him again, and if the sore has faded and has not spread in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a rash. The man must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. 7 But if the rash does spread in his skin after he has shown himself to the priest to be pronounced clean, he must appear before the priest again. 8 The priest is to examine him, and if the rash has spread in the skin, he shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious disease. 9 "When anyone has an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to the priest. 10 The priest is to examine him, and if there is a white swelling in the skin that has turned the hair white and if there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic skin disease and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He is not to put him in isolation, because he is already unclean. 12 "If the disease breaks out all over his skin and, so far as the priest can see, it covers all the skin of the infected person from head to foot, 13 the priest is to examine him, and if the disease has covered his whole body, he shall pronounce that person clean. Since it has all turned white, he is clean. 14 But whenever raw flesh appears on him, he will be unclean. 15 When the priest sees the raw flesh, he shall pronounce him unclean. The raw flesh is unclean; he has an infectious disease. 16 Should the raw flesh change and turn white, he must go to the priest. 17 The priest is to examine him, and if the sores have turned white, the priest shall pronounce the infected person clean; then he will be clean. 18 "When someone has a boil on his skin and it heals, 19 and in the place where the boil was, a white swelling or reddish-white spot appears, he must present himself to the priest. 20 The priest is to examine it, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is an infectious skin disease that has broken out where the boil was. 21 But if, when the priest examines it, there is no white hair in it and it is not more than skin deep and has faded, then the priest is to put him in isolation for seven days. 22 If it is spreading in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is infectious. 23 But if the spot is unchanged and has not spread, it is only a scar from the boil, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. 24 "When someone has a burn on his skin and a reddish-white or white spot appears in the raw flesh of the burn, 25 the priest is to examine the spot, and if the hair in it has turned white, and it appears to be more than skin deep, it is an infectious disease that has broken out in the burn. The priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious skin disease. 26 But if the priest examines it and there is no white hair in the spot and if it is not more than skin deep and has faded, then the priest is to put him in isolation for seven days. 27 On the seventh day the priest is to examine him, and if it is spreading in the skin, the priest shall pronounce him unclean; it is an infectious skin disease. 28 If, however, the spot is unchanged and has not spread in the skin but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn, and the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scar from the burn. 29 "If a man or woman has a sore on the head or on the chin, 30 the priest is to examine the sore, and if it appears to be more than skin deep and the hair in it is yellow and thin, the priest shall pronounce that person unclean; it is an itch, an infectious disease of the head or chin. 31 But if, when the priest examines this kind of sore, it does not seem to be more than skin deep and there is no black hair in it, then the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days. 32 On the seventh day the priest is to examine the sore, and if the itch has not spread and there is no yellow hair in it and it does not appear to be more than skin deep, 33 he must be shaved except for the diseased area, and the priest is to keep him in isolation another seven days. 34 On the seventh day the priest is to examine the itch, and if it has not spread in the skin and appears to be no more than skin deep, the priest shall pronounce him clean. He must wash his clothes, and he will be clean. 35 But if the itch does spread in the skin after he is pronounced clean, 36 the priest is to examine him, and if the itch has spread in the skin, the priest does not need to look for yellow hair; the person is unclean. 37 If, however, in his judgment it is unchanged and black hair has grown in it, the itch is healed. He is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean. 38 "When a man or woman has white spots on the skin, 39 the priest is to examine them, and if the spots are dull white, it is a harmless rash that has broken out on the skin; that person is clean. 40 "When a man has lost his hair and is bald, he is clean. 41 If he has lost his hair from the front of his scalp and has a bald forehead, he is clean. 42 But if he has a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is an infectious disease breaking out on his head or forehead. 43 The priest is to examine him, and if the swollen sore on his head or forehead is reddish-white like an infectious skin disease, 44 the man is diseased and is unclean. The priest shall pronounce him unclean because of the sore on his head. 45 "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, 'Unclean! Unclean!' 46 As long as he has the infection he remains unclean. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.
Regulations About Mildew
47 "If any clothing is contaminated with mildew—any woolen or linen clothing, 48 any woven or knitted material of linen or wool, any leather or anything made of leather- 49 and if the contamination in the clothing, or leather, or woven or knitted material, or any leather article, is greenish or reddish, it is a spreading mildew and must be shown to the priest. 50 The priest is to examine the mildew and isolate the affected article for seven days. 51 On the seventh day he is to examine it, and if the mildew has spread in the clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or the leather, whatever its use, it is a destructive mildew; the article is unclean. 52 He must burn up the clothing, or the woven or knitted material of wool or linen, or any leather article that has the contamination in it, because the mildew is destructive; the article must be burned up. 53 "But if, when the priest examines it, the mildew has not spread in the clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or the leather article, 54 he shall order that the contaminated article be washed. Then he is to isolate it for another seven days. 55 After the affected article has been washed, the priest is to examine it, and if the mildew has not changed its appearance, even though it has not spread, it is unclean. Burn it with fire, whether the mildew has affected one side or the other. 56 If, when the priest examines it, the mildew has faded after the article has been washed, he is to tear the contaminated part out of the clothing, or the leather, or the woven or knitted material. 57 But if it reappears in the clothing, or in the woven or knitted material, or in the leather article, it is spreading, and whatever has the mildew must be burned with fire. 58 The clothing, or the woven or knitted material, or any leather article that has been washed and is rid of the mildew, must be washed again, and it will be clean." 59 These are the regulations concerning contamination by mildew in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean.
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Dear Father, we praise You for Your goodness to us, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with us. We deeply need a moral and spiritual renewal to help us meet the many problems we face. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. Give us the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. May this be a new era for us, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.
Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. If you do not have Jesus in your life and wish to ask Jesus into your life please go to this link now to do so: http://www.cyberrecovery.net/forums/showthread.php?t=95 . Jesus is calling you to live a life that matters.