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10-19-2008, 04:23 AM
Today I will ...welcome Jesus to dwell as King of my life.
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Trained by Saving Grace
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14
who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself
His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Titus 2
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Sing A New Song
PSALM 96:1 NIV
1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
No doubt God, who makes every snowflake different, enjoys new things.
Five times Scripture tells us to sing to the Lord a new song.
You, with God's help, can sing a song to the Lord that's never been sung before.
Don't say you can't do it! God made your mouth and He can give you words to sing.
God is a Creator, and you are His child. Step out in faith. Ask the Lord to help you.
PSALM 105:2 NASB
2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders.
Get by yourself and practice. Sing a new song. Make it up as you go. If you mess up, God won't
laugh at you. It may not be very good. But every parent cherishes their child's first attempts.
Make a joyful noise. Rejoice in the Lord. Both you and the Lord will enjoy it.
EPHESIANS 5:19 NIV
19 . . . Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
After you practice in private, you may even want to try it in public.
SAY THIS: I will sing a new song to the Lord.
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Don't Let Feelings Rule
October 19
This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life.
—Psalm 119:50
God showed me that we are always going to have feelings, and that denying the existence of them is
not godly. We do have to learn how to manage them, so they don’t manage us.
If we live by our feelings, we will be destroyed, because our feelings aren’t always in line with God’s
truth. We are to walk by faith in His promises, and not by sight or how things appear or the way we
feel (See 2 Corinthians 5:7). Ask God to keep your feelings balanced with the truth of His Word
today.
From the book Starting Your Day Right
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Daily Thoughts
A Time to Think To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that
sustain life, not the top. —Robert M. Pirsig
To Act Share your love now while you have the chance.
To Pray Lord, let me never be ashamed to display and share what’s truly important—my feelings.
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Get Close to Positive People.
Make a list of your friends to determine who is the most positive thinker among them and deliberately
cultivate his society. Do not abandon your negative friends, but get closer to those with a positive
point of view. Once you have absorbed their spirit, go back to your negative friends and give them
your newly acquired thought pattern without taking on their negativism.
No. 93 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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NACR Daily Meditation
Sunday 19th of October 2008
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
There are many ways to become an orphan. Some children become orphans
when their parents die. Others become functional orphans when their parents
divorce. Other people become orphans as a result of their parent’s emotional
unavailability. Anyone who has been neglected, abandoned, or abused by
people who were important in their life will appreciate what it is like
to be an orphan. It is a painful and lonely experience. Orphans doubt
their ability to sustain intimate relationships and find it difficult to
trust others. Experiences of abandonment leave us full of loneliness, fear
and self-loathing.
Jesus understood the acute pain that orphans experience. In this text
he responds to that deep pain with a promise of relationship. "I will
not leave you as orphans," Jesus says, "I will not abandon you.
You will not be without family because I will come to you."
In Jesus we see most clearly that God is attentive and available to us
when we feel abandoned or neglected. God respects our needs and responds
to our desires for relationship. God calls us out of the brokenness and
dysfunction of our very personal orphanage into the community and fellowship
of God’s family. We are no longer orphans. We are God’s children.
Lord, I know about being an orphan.
I know about abandonment.
Thank you for understanding my fear of separation.
Thank you for understanding my need for your presence.
Come.
Be present today with me.
I want to spend time with you.
Amen.
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Cease Censoring
Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
“If Sam really loved God, he would join a Bible study.” “Marguerite would lose weight, if she really
cared.” “Sarah’s house is a mess, she must really be a loser.” “Eric’s a jerk. He always disagrees
with my ideas.” “Janice wears too much makeup for a pastor’s wife.”
Although we may not say things like this out loud, we sometimes think them. This attitude places us
as judge over another’s motives, actions, and temperament traits. Some of us grew up with a
condemning authority figure looming over our heads. We then were conditioned to be critical.
Censorious thoughts are second nature to us. They steal our ability to live in joy and harmony with
each other.
When we let go of trying to make everything right, the critical attitude begins to fade. We do not have
to be perfect all the time; neither do our loved ones, business associates, children’s teachers, or the
pastor and his wife. The attitude of “judge not” can start deep within us. As we admit the truth about
ourselves and cease condemning others for our own inadequacies and imperfections, we are set
free to enjoy each other.
Lord, help me stop judging others
according to my own biased perceptions.
This is new for me.
I need your merciful touch.
2008 Joan C. Webb
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Love Worth Finding
October 19
Seizing Opportunities to Serve
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37? He was on a journey, but
stopped and helped a bruised and broken man. He didn’t make excuses saying, “It’s none of my
business.” It was a golden moment, and he took it.
All around you are people who need the compassion of Christ. They need you to see their pain as a
golden opportunity to serve them in the name of Jesus.
The chief enemy to kindness is busyness. We have our priorities, our jobs, our duties, our
responsibilities, and we’re too busy. But if we’re too busy to be kind, we’re too busy.
What’s on your schedule for today? If someone had a flat tire, could you fix it? If someone called and
needed a ride to the hospital, could you take them? Clear the way for Jesus, my friend.
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X-Ray Machines
Luke climbed into the dentist's chair and laid his head back to have his teeth checked by Dr. Post. "I
don't see any cavities today," Dr. Post announced after a few minutes, "but we'll get a better look
with an x-ray picture."
As Luke waited for the x-ray to be developed, he looked around the dentist's office. On the wall, there
was a poster with pictures and instructions on how to brush teeth, and on a shelf, Luke saw a model
of a tooth. "You must like teeth," he said when Dr. Post came back into the room.
The doctor laughed. "Teeth are important, and we need to keep them healthy," he said. "Tell me,
Luke-how often do you brush your teeth?"
"Every day," said Luke. "Sometimes more than once! Mom makes me."
Just then Dr. Post's assistant handed him the x-ray pictures of Luke's teeth. "Oops!" said Dr. Post,
as he studied the x-rays. "You do have some decay in one of your molars."
Luke groaned. "I almost wish x-ray machines didn't exist," he said. "Then you wouldn't know about
the decay and drill on my tooth."
"Whoa!" protested the doctor. "You should be glad we found the decay and can clean it out before it
gets worse. Relax!"
"Relax?" asked Luke as he watched Dr. Post prepare a drill.
Dr. Post smiled. "Sure," he said. "There's only a small amount of decay, and it won't take long to fix
it." After he finished the drilling, the dentist spoke thoughtfully. "You know, Luke, an x-ray machine is
something like the Bible."
Luke grinned. "Having my Sunday school teacher for my dentist means I get a lesson here as well
as on Sunday," he said.
"Yes," said Dr. Post with a chuckle, "and it's a good lesson. You see, the x-ray showed decay that I
couldn't see with my eyes. And sometimes God's Word shows us sin-decay in our lives-that no one
else can see. When that happens, we need to quickly drill it out."
"Confess it and get rid of it before it gets worse, right?" asked Luke.
"Right!" agreed Dr. Post. "I'm glad to see that's a lesson you already learned."
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you use God's x-ray machine-the Bible-to look at your heart and life? Sin may be hidden from
others, but it's never hidden from God. Sometimes you may not realize that you're doing something
wrong until it's pointed out to you. Whenever God's Word makes you aware of sin in your life, "drill it
out." Go to Him and ask Him to forgive you and to help you turn from it.
TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The word of God is . . . a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
-----
Have You Met My Jesus?
Have you met Him? Maybe you know Him by another name?
I AM – John 8:58; 18:5; Exodus 3:14
Savior – John 4:42; Isa. 40:28; John 5:27; Matt 25: 31-46; Joel 3:12; John 1:3; Isa. 40:28
Judge – John 5:27; Matt. 25:31-46; Joel 3:12
Light – John 8:12; Isa. 60:19-20
Redeemer – Rev. 5:9, Hosea 13:14
Rock – I Cor. 10:4; Psalm 18:2
Forgiver of Sins – Mark 2:7, 10; Jeremiah 31:34
Do you know Him by any of these names? If your answer is no, allow me to introduce Christ. He is
the only Begotten Son of God. He was born of a virgin and raised in Nazareth. He began his ministry,
and called to follow Him twelve men. Maybe you’ve heard of some of them? There were Peter,
James, John, Timothy, Matthew, Andrew Thaddeus, Thomas, Barthlolomew, James the son of
Alphaeus, Simon - and you’ve most certainly of Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Jesus died on the cross of Calvary. Why you ask? Because He loves you! Before you were born, he
knitted you in your mother’s womb. Jeremiah 1:5 He knew as He created you, that you would sin
against Him. Therefore, the only remedy was the shedding of His blood to make you whiter than
snow. He loves you so much, and wants you to spend eternity with Him.
So, do you want to know Him? Ok! All you need to do is ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and to
come live in your heart. Once you have, He will never leave you. When you die, you will live eternally
with Him. Go ahead, Beloved, He is waiting with His arms open wide. He loves you.
Love,
One of His
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Overcoming the World
“In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” John 16:33
Now that’s good news! Jesus overcame the devil and he overcame the world and so can we through
HIM! We will not find victory in our own abilities or in our own strength. In John 15:5, Jesus tells us
this very thing, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.” Of our own selves we can do nothin; it is
only through Christ that we bear fruit and gain victory over the world. Did not the Father say he called
the weak and the foolish to be his? He did so in order that his power and glory might be evident to all
who observe us. God is in charge of our destiny. Jesus went before us and in his strength and
through his power the victory will be ours just as it was for him. This present evil world is filled with
heartache and suffering: there is no question about that. Yes, even Jesus suffered and died. Even so
must we if we are to follow in his footsteps. Tribulation will come, but so will victory. That is the
promise given here by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He overcame the world and so will we with
his help.
Father, thank you for not leaving us to overcome in our own strength and power. What utter failures
we would be without your help! Continue to give us your power and your strength that through our
weakness your strength and power might be evident. Thank you for the victory in Christ you have
promised us. We grab hold of that promise and pray that all glory and honor and praise would be
yours. Amen Quiet Waters
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Jesus Is All
Matthew 5:6
Pastor Carl H Stevens
Have you ever tried to face a problem without God? It is a mistake that is made daily. We try to attack our situations in our own strength. The results are always the same - failure. "For without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5b).
Many people and their problems never change, even though the Scriptures teach us that we are changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord (2). These people that are never changed are troubled with the same burdens. They try, but do not triumph. They go to war, but never win. They have eternal life, but not abundant life. Why does this happen? "For without me ye can do nothing."
Without Him, we are nothing. Oh! How we need to hunger and thirst after Him (1), seeking His kingdom first (3). We need to let the Word of God abide in our soul. Without Him, we will live in presumption. Without Him, our testimony will be worthless; our viewpoint, natural. We will never be satisfied. "All my longings lie open before you, O Lord" (Psalm 38:9a, NIV). As you go through your day, realize the importance of having Jesus as your all in all.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
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I will sing of His Glory forever
All of Heaven shakes when the Holy Angels sing praises to God.
The multitude of angels stretches from horizon to horizon as far as the eye can see.
Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God forever. Amen.
Let us then add our voice and join in with singing with that great celestial choir and sing with our whole heart praises unto our God. Amen.
It is our reasonable service to sing of His Glory and His Power.
So what prevents you from singing praises unto Him?
The day is coming when we too shall be caught up to Heaven to join that mighty choir and sing of His Glory forever. Amen.
I will sing of His Glory forever. Amen!
©10/19/2001 Jim Welch
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Devotional For Dieters
October 19
Matthew 6:16
'Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.'
Everyone knew enough to stay out of Kevin's way when he was on a diet. The man became a raving lunatic. He couldn't get along with anybody. Connie felt he acted that way just to let everyone know he was on a diet. Then, when he gave up on it, nobody had the nerve to suggest he give it another try. It was his way of justifying not having to diet. Connie just wished he'd quit putting on such performances; it made everyone else miserable. Our diets need to be our business, unless we turn to others for help. We diet for the wrong reasons if all we want is sympathy or attention. God will give strength to those who are sincere, but He is unable to help those who really don't want help.
Today's thought: My diet will not become a burden to anyone else!
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October 19, 2008
Looks Can Be Deceiving
READ: Matthew 15:1-11
These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. —Matthew 15:8
On June 22, 2002, a 33-year-old pitching star for the St. Louis Cardinals was found dead in his Chicago hotel room. He was young, physically active, and appeared to be in good health. However, the autopsy revealed that he had a 90-percent blockage in two of three coronary arteries, an enlarged heart, and a blood clot in one of the arteries. His appearance misled many to think that he was physically healthy.
Jesus said that appearances can deceive people into thinking that they are spiritually healthy. After the Pharisees accused Him and His followers of breaking religious traditions by not washing their hands before they ate, Jesus said that the Pharisees had laid aside commands of God for man-made, religious traditions. He reminded them that kingdom righteousness was not an outside-in job but an inside-out, transforming work of God. Jesus said that they looked impressive spiritually, but their hearts were diseased and distant: “[They] honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matt. 15:8). Their talk never matched their walk, thus producing the illegitimate child of hypocrisy.
Spiritual health is not determined by how we look, but by how we live. Let’s ask God to search us, know our hearts, test us, and lead us in His way (Ps. 139:23-24). — Marvin Williams
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —Orr
Š 1964 Singspiration
As we talk the talk, let’s make sure we walk the walk.
Our Daily Bread
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\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Human Tragedy of the Divine Grace
"The Son of Man will go {and die}. The Scriptures say this
will happen. But it will be very bad for the person who gives
the Son of Man {to be killed}. It would be better for that
person if he were never born."
-- Mark 14:21 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
While God planned for Jesus' death to be the atoning sacrifice for sin
and while it was God's will that Jesus go to the Cross, this does not
mitigate the sin of those who orchestrated his murder. Both God's plan
and the plot of evil men placed Jesus on the Cross. The one betraying
Jesus will have to face judgment for what he has done.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Father, may I never, ever outlive my love and loyalty to you and your
Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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AN OLD DEPRESSED DRUNK
“In some circumstances we have gone out deliberately to get drunk, feeling ourselves justified by nervousness, anger, worry, depression, jealousy or the like.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 37
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.” Psalm 107:13
For what it's worth: For years I drank alcohol when depressed. I did not realize the insanity of that behavior until I was sober a number of years in Alcoholics Anonymous. Moreover, I did not understand the magnitude of the blessing that kept me sober even though the depression continued undiagnosed and untreated. In my thirteenth year of sobriety in AA, I was hospitalized and diagnosed with major depression. Over the years since then, despite professional treatment, bouts with depression reoccur. When they are severe enough, it is even difficult to pray. My Heavenly Father knows of my distress and always carries me through, usually without me even thinking of a drink of alcohol. Now, that is down right miraculous for an old depressed drunk!
God bless you!
Joe W.
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Trained by Saving Grace
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14
who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself
His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you. Titus 2
-----
Sing A New Song
PSALM 96:1 NIV
1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
No doubt God, who makes every snowflake different, enjoys new things.
Five times Scripture tells us to sing to the Lord a new song.
You, with God's help, can sing a song to the Lord that's never been sung before.
Don't say you can't do it! God made your mouth and He can give you words to sing.
God is a Creator, and you are His child. Step out in faith. Ask the Lord to help you.
PSALM 105:2 NASB
2 Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders.
Get by yourself and practice. Sing a new song. Make it up as you go. If you mess up, God won't
laugh at you. It may not be very good. But every parent cherishes their child's first attempts.
Make a joyful noise. Rejoice in the Lord. Both you and the Lord will enjoy it.
EPHESIANS 5:19 NIV
19 . . . Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
After you practice in private, you may even want to try it in public.
SAY THIS: I will sing a new song to the Lord.
-----
Don't Let Feelings Rule
October 19
This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life.
—Psalm 119:50
God showed me that we are always going to have feelings, and that denying the existence of them is
not godly. We do have to learn how to manage them, so they don’t manage us.
If we live by our feelings, we will be destroyed, because our feelings aren’t always in line with God’s
truth. We are to walk by faith in His promises, and not by sight or how things appear or the way we
feel (See 2 Corinthians 5:7). Ask God to keep your feelings balanced with the truth of His Word
today.
From the book Starting Your Day Right
-----
Daily Thoughts
A Time to Think To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain that
sustain life, not the top. —Robert M. Pirsig
To Act Share your love now while you have the chance.
To Pray Lord, let me never be ashamed to display and share what’s truly important—my feelings.
-----
Get Close to Positive People.
Make a list of your friends to determine who is the most positive thinker among them and deliberately
cultivate his society. Do not abandon your negative friends, but get closer to those with a positive
point of view. Once you have absorbed their spirit, go back to your negative friends and give them
your newly acquired thought pattern without taking on their negativism.
No. 93 in a series of 100 Power Thoughts from The Power of Positive Thinking, the All-Time
inspirational Best-Selling Book by Norman Vincent Peale.
-----
NACR Daily Meditation
Sunday 19th of October 2008
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18
There are many ways to become an orphan. Some children become orphans
when their parents die. Others become functional orphans when their parents
divorce. Other people become orphans as a result of their parent’s emotional
unavailability. Anyone who has been neglected, abandoned, or abused by
people who were important in their life will appreciate what it is like
to be an orphan. It is a painful and lonely experience. Orphans doubt
their ability to sustain intimate relationships and find it difficult to
trust others. Experiences of abandonment leave us full of loneliness, fear
and self-loathing.
Jesus understood the acute pain that orphans experience. In this text
he responds to that deep pain with a promise of relationship. "I will
not leave you as orphans," Jesus says, "I will not abandon you.
You will not be without family because I will come to you."
In Jesus we see most clearly that God is attentive and available to us
when we feel abandoned or neglected. God respects our needs and responds
to our desires for relationship. God calls us out of the brokenness and
dysfunction of our very personal orphanage into the community and fellowship
of God’s family. We are no longer orphans. We are God’s children.
Lord, I know about being an orphan.
I know about abandonment.
Thank you for understanding my fear of separation.
Thank you for understanding my need for your presence.
Come.
Be present today with me.
I want to spend time with you.
Amen.
-----
Cease Censoring
Matthew 7:1: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
“If Sam really loved God, he would join a Bible study.” “Marguerite would lose weight, if she really
cared.” “Sarah’s house is a mess, she must really be a loser.” “Eric’s a jerk. He always disagrees
with my ideas.” “Janice wears too much makeup for a pastor’s wife.”
Although we may not say things like this out loud, we sometimes think them. This attitude places us
as judge over another’s motives, actions, and temperament traits. Some of us grew up with a
condemning authority figure looming over our heads. We then were conditioned to be critical.
Censorious thoughts are second nature to us. They steal our ability to live in joy and harmony with
each other.
When we let go of trying to make everything right, the critical attitude begins to fade. We do not have
to be perfect all the time; neither do our loved ones, business associates, children’s teachers, or the
pastor and his wife. The attitude of “judge not” can start deep within us. As we admit the truth about
ourselves and cease condemning others for our own inadequacies and imperfections, we are set
free to enjoy each other.
Lord, help me stop judging others
according to my own biased perceptions.
This is new for me.
I need your merciful touch.
2008 Joan C. Webb
-----
Love Worth Finding
October 19
Seizing Opportunities to Serve
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the
household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37? He was on a journey, but
stopped and helped a bruised and broken man. He didn’t make excuses saying, “It’s none of my
business.” It was a golden moment, and he took it.
All around you are people who need the compassion of Christ. They need you to see their pain as a
golden opportunity to serve them in the name of Jesus.
The chief enemy to kindness is busyness. We have our priorities, our jobs, our duties, our
responsibilities, and we’re too busy. But if we’re too busy to be kind, we’re too busy.
What’s on your schedule for today? If someone had a flat tire, could you fix it? If someone called and
needed a ride to the hospital, could you take them? Clear the way for Jesus, my friend.
-----
X-Ray Machines
Luke climbed into the dentist's chair and laid his head back to have his teeth checked by Dr. Post. "I
don't see any cavities today," Dr. Post announced after a few minutes, "but we'll get a better look
with an x-ray picture."
As Luke waited for the x-ray to be developed, he looked around the dentist's office. On the wall, there
was a poster with pictures and instructions on how to brush teeth, and on a shelf, Luke saw a model
of a tooth. "You must like teeth," he said when Dr. Post came back into the room.
The doctor laughed. "Teeth are important, and we need to keep them healthy," he said. "Tell me,
Luke-how often do you brush your teeth?"
"Every day," said Luke. "Sometimes more than once! Mom makes me."
Just then Dr. Post's assistant handed him the x-ray pictures of Luke's teeth. "Oops!" said Dr. Post,
as he studied the x-rays. "You do have some decay in one of your molars."
Luke groaned. "I almost wish x-ray machines didn't exist," he said. "Then you wouldn't know about
the decay and drill on my tooth."
"Whoa!" protested the doctor. "You should be glad we found the decay and can clean it out before it
gets worse. Relax!"
"Relax?" asked Luke as he watched Dr. Post prepare a drill.
Dr. Post smiled. "Sure," he said. "There's only a small amount of decay, and it won't take long to fix
it." After he finished the drilling, the dentist spoke thoughtfully. "You know, Luke, an x-ray machine is
something like the Bible."
Luke grinned. "Having my Sunday school teacher for my dentist means I get a lesson here as well
as on Sunday," he said.
"Yes," said Dr. Post with a chuckle, "and it's a good lesson. You see, the x-ray showed decay that I
couldn't see with my eyes. And sometimes God's Word shows us sin-decay in our lives-that no one
else can see. When that happens, we need to quickly drill it out."
"Confess it and get rid of it before it gets worse, right?" asked Luke.
"Right!" agreed Dr. Post. "I'm glad to see that's a lesson you already learned."
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you use God's x-ray machine-the Bible-to look at your heart and life? Sin may be hidden from
others, but it's never hidden from God. Sometimes you may not realize that you're doing something
wrong until it's pointed out to you. Whenever God's Word makes you aware of sin in your life, "drill it
out." Go to Him and ask Him to forgive you and to help you turn from it.
TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
The word of God is . . . a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
-----
Have You Met My Jesus?
Have you met Him? Maybe you know Him by another name?
I AM – John 8:58; 18:5; Exodus 3:14
Savior – John 4:42; Isa. 40:28; John 5:27; Matt 25: 31-46; Joel 3:12; John 1:3; Isa. 40:28
Judge – John 5:27; Matt. 25:31-46; Joel 3:12
Light – John 8:12; Isa. 60:19-20
Redeemer – Rev. 5:9, Hosea 13:14
Rock – I Cor. 10:4; Psalm 18:2
Forgiver of Sins – Mark 2:7, 10; Jeremiah 31:34
Do you know Him by any of these names? If your answer is no, allow me to introduce Christ. He is
the only Begotten Son of God. He was born of a virgin and raised in Nazareth. He began his ministry,
and called to follow Him twelve men. Maybe you’ve heard of some of them? There were Peter,
James, John, Timothy, Matthew, Andrew Thaddeus, Thomas, Barthlolomew, James the son of
Alphaeus, Simon - and you’ve most certainly of Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Jesus died on the cross of Calvary. Why you ask? Because He loves you! Before you were born, he
knitted you in your mother’s womb. Jeremiah 1:5 He knew as He created you, that you would sin
against Him. Therefore, the only remedy was the shedding of His blood to make you whiter than
snow. He loves you so much, and wants you to spend eternity with Him.
So, do you want to know Him? Ok! All you need to do is ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and to
come live in your heart. Once you have, He will never leave you. When you die, you will live eternally
with Him. Go ahead, Beloved, He is waiting with His arms open wide. He loves you.
Love,
One of His
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Overcoming the World
“In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!” John 16:33
Now that’s good news! Jesus overcame the devil and he overcame the world and so can we through
HIM! We will not find victory in our own abilities or in our own strength. In John 15:5, Jesus tells us
this very thing, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same
beareth much fruit: for apart from me ye can do nothing.” Of our own selves we can do nothin; it is
only through Christ that we bear fruit and gain victory over the world. Did not the Father say he called
the weak and the foolish to be his? He did so in order that his power and glory might be evident to all
who observe us. God is in charge of our destiny. Jesus went before us and in his strength and
through his power the victory will be ours just as it was for him. This present evil world is filled with
heartache and suffering: there is no question about that. Yes, even Jesus suffered and died. Even so
must we if we are to follow in his footsteps. Tribulation will come, but so will victory. That is the
promise given here by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He overcame the world and so will we with
his help.
Father, thank you for not leaving us to overcome in our own strength and power. What utter failures
we would be without your help! Continue to give us your power and your strength that through our
weakness your strength and power might be evident. Thank you for the victory in Christ you have
promised us. We grab hold of that promise and pray that all glory and honor and praise would be
yours. Amen Quiet Waters
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Jesus Is All
Matthew 5:6
Pastor Carl H Stevens
Have you ever tried to face a problem without God? It is a mistake that is made daily. We try to attack our situations in our own strength. The results are always the same - failure. "For without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5b).
Many people and their problems never change, even though the Scriptures teach us that we are changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord (2). These people that are never changed are troubled with the same burdens. They try, but do not triumph. They go to war, but never win. They have eternal life, but not abundant life. Why does this happen? "For without me ye can do nothing."
Without Him, we are nothing. Oh! How we need to hunger and thirst after Him (1), seeking His kingdom first (3). We need to let the Word of God abide in our soul. Without Him, we will live in presumption. Without Him, our testimony will be worthless; our viewpoint, natural. We will never be satisfied. "All my longings lie open before you, O Lord" (Psalm 38:9a, NIV). As you go through your day, realize the importance of having Jesus as your all in all.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 3:18
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
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I will sing of His Glory forever
All of Heaven shakes when the Holy Angels sing praises to God.
The multitude of angels stretches from horizon to horizon as far as the eye can see.
Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God forever. Amen.
Let us then add our voice and join in with singing with that great celestial choir and sing with our whole heart praises unto our God. Amen.
It is our reasonable service to sing of His Glory and His Power.
So what prevents you from singing praises unto Him?
The day is coming when we too shall be caught up to Heaven to join that mighty choir and sing of His Glory forever. Amen.
I will sing of His Glory forever. Amen!
©10/19/2001 Jim Welch
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Devotional For Dieters
October 19
Matthew 6:16
'Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.'
Everyone knew enough to stay out of Kevin's way when he was on a diet. The man became a raving lunatic. He couldn't get along with anybody. Connie felt he acted that way just to let everyone know he was on a diet. Then, when he gave up on it, nobody had the nerve to suggest he give it another try. It was his way of justifying not having to diet. Connie just wished he'd quit putting on such performances; it made everyone else miserable. Our diets need to be our business, unless we turn to others for help. We diet for the wrong reasons if all we want is sympathy or attention. God will give strength to those who are sincere, but He is unable to help those who really don't want help.
Today's thought: My diet will not become a burden to anyone else!
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October 19, 2008
Looks Can Be Deceiving
READ: Matthew 15:1-11
These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. —Matthew 15:8
On June 22, 2002, a 33-year-old pitching star for the St. Louis Cardinals was found dead in his Chicago hotel room. He was young, physically active, and appeared to be in good health. However, the autopsy revealed that he had a 90-percent blockage in two of three coronary arteries, an enlarged heart, and a blood clot in one of the arteries. His appearance misled many to think that he was physically healthy.
Jesus said that appearances can deceive people into thinking that they are spiritually healthy. After the Pharisees accused Him and His followers of breaking religious traditions by not washing their hands before they ate, Jesus said that the Pharisees had laid aside commands of God for man-made, religious traditions. He reminded them that kingdom righteousness was not an outside-in job but an inside-out, transforming work of God. Jesus said that they looked impressive spiritually, but their hearts were diseased and distant: “[They] honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me” (Matt. 15:8). Their talk never matched their walk, thus producing the illegitimate child of hypocrisy.
Spiritual health is not determined by how we look, but by how we live. Let’s ask God to search us, know our hearts, test us, and lead us in His way (Ps. 139:23-24). — Marvin Williams
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —Orr
Š 1964 Singspiration
As we talk the talk, let’s make sure we walk the walk.
Our Daily Bread
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\ / WHAT JESUS DID! -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Human Tragedy of the Divine Grace
"The Son of Man will go {and die}. The Scriptures say this
will happen. But it will be very bad for the person who gives
the Son of Man {to be killed}. It would be better for that
person if he were never born."
-- Mark 14:21 (ERV)
KEY THOUGHT:
While God planned for Jesus' death to be the atoning sacrifice for sin
and while it was God's will that Jesus go to the Cross, this does not
mitigate the sin of those who orchestrated his murder. Both God's plan
and the plot of evil men placed Jesus on the Cross. The one betraying
Jesus will have to face judgment for what he has done.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
Father, may I never, ever outlive my love and loyalty to you and your
Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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AN OLD DEPRESSED DRUNK
“In some circumstances we have gone out deliberately to get drunk, feeling ourselves justified by nervousness, anger, worry, depression, jealousy or the like.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 37
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.” Psalm 107:13
For what it's worth: For years I drank alcohol when depressed. I did not realize the insanity of that behavior until I was sober a number of years in Alcoholics Anonymous. Moreover, I did not understand the magnitude of the blessing that kept me sober even though the depression continued undiagnosed and untreated. In my thirteenth year of sobriety in AA, I was hospitalized and diagnosed with major depression. Over the years since then, despite professional treatment, bouts with depression reoccur. When they are severe enough, it is even difficult to pray. My Heavenly Father knows of my distress and always carries me through, usually without me even thinking of a drink of alcohol. Now, that is down right miraculous for an old depressed drunk!
God bless you!
Joe W.