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10-22-2008, 03:37 PM
God Our Strength
“Sing for joy to God our strength.” Psalms 81:1
How thankful I am that I do not have to become a good Christian in my own strength! What a burden that would be and what an utter failure I would be! God has promised that he will be our strength and God is faithful to keep His promises. Exodus 15:2 tells us, “The Lord is my strength.” Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength.” Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him that gives me strength.” There is no question where the strength to overcome comes from; and it is not us! God will do the impossible in our lives. He will be our strength. Yes, the victorious Christian’s strength comes from God; now that is cause for rejoicing! Let us sing for joy, because we no longer have to struggle to be good, we do not have to attempt to perfect our character on our own; we have only to call upon the Lord and ask for His help. God will finish the work He began in us. (Phil. 1:6) He will give us the strength to overcome. He will enable us to do the impossible. For in Him, all things are possible. (Matt. 19:26) God is our strength; let’s praise Him for that and sing for joy!
Father, how blessed we are that we do not have to attempt the impossible. For too long, many of us have been trying to be good Christians on our own. Help us LORD, to realize we can do nothing of ourselves; we need you to do the work in us. Help us to submit ourselves to that end. Give us your strength that we might be victorious. How we rejoice that you will complete what you began in us! Make us like you! We rejoice in that promise. May our song of joy never end. Amen Quiet Waters
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I said 'Stop thinking about it!'
"DO NOT REMEMBER THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE. DO NOT THINK ABOUT THE THINGS OF THE PAST. SEE, I WILL DO A NEW THING."
Isaiah 43: 19-18 (NLT)
Heard of David Beckham? Of course you have. Yet there was a time nobody knew him. He started out as most kids, loving football, dreaming of playing for his country. He played whenever he could and kept on practising. The mistakes he made, didn't stop him from keeping on trying, neither did getting beat! He concentrated on his future, not what he couldn't do or had done wrong. He made his first Premier League appearance for Man United on 2 April 1995, in a 0-0 draw against Leeds United. It could have been all over for Beckham then, except he had a pretty cool manager, Alex Ferguson, who choose to do something new. Instead of buying star players when experienced players left, he let the youth players replace them. He was criticised for it...especially when the season started with a 3-1 defeat! But Alex saw the potential in these young guys, he saw their hard work, dedication and determination. He did something new, so they could have a chance to fulfil their dreams. For Beckham... the rest, as we say, is History.
Imagine if had a manager like that, who'd take a risk on you so you could fulfil your dreams! Well guess what? U DO!!! God is the best manager you could ever have. He sees your potential and wants to unlock it! So get out there; God wants you on his team! Word4U2Day
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Make straight the crooked pathways of my life
Create in me a new heart full of vigor and zeal for Your work's sake, Oh Lord.
Purify my soul from all sin and renew a right spirit within me, Oh God.
Open the doors of opportunity to me to reach the souls and hearts of many with Your Blessed Message of truth and love, Oh Lord Jesus.
Make straight the crooked pathways of my life and remove from me all things that hinder Your work in my life which are not expedient, Oh Precious One.
Let Your Ways by my ways and grant to me faith unlimited that I may move mountains and destroy the strongholds of Satan by Your Right Hand of Power, Oh Almighty God.
Father, grant unto me victory unto victory, joy unto joy, glory unto glory now and forever.
Amen.
©10/23/2001 Jim Welch
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The Carpenter's Eye
We had been shopping for the place where God wants us to build the radio studio we so desperately needed. And we were looking at a possible location - a big barn of a room with a high ceiling and totally bare. Well, I saw a big, bare room. But not Kasey. He's a carpenter. And he started talking about this wall here and that partition there - the control room in that corner, where the doors would be, how we could soundproof the floor - it was amazing! He was seeing all kinds of things in that room that I sure couldn't see! But, then, that's the great thing about carpenters!
I think that's how Jesus looks at you. After all, He's a carpenter, you know. His earthly father Joseph was one and Jesus grew up with a carpenter's skills - and a carpenter's eye - to see what someone could become not just what they are.
The blueprint is given to us in our word for today from the Word of God, Ephesians 2:10. And it is an eye-opener, really, as to who you really are and why you're here. "We are God's workmanship." You are no random assembly of molecules - you are a handmade, one-of-a-kind masterpiece creation of Almighty God. You may not have been treated like you're that valuable - but that's who you really ARE. And your Creator is the One who says so. Now, here's what the whole statement says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Now when Jesus looks at you, it's like my friend the carpenter looking at that empty room. He sees what that room could be after his skilled hands are finished renewing it. Jesus knows the masterpiece you were created to become . . . the difference you were created to make . . . the value you are created to have. That's what He sees. Maybe other people have only seen the bare room. And maybe you have been made to feel pretty worthless . . . incompetent . . . unloved . . . unworthy. But they don't see what Jesus sees - what you were born to be.
And here's why you may have missed knowing how much you really are worth. You're missing the One who GAVE you your worth. You're missing Jesus. The Bible says that we have marked up this masterpiece God made with our self-centered living - God calls it sin. And our sin has built a wall between us and the God we were made by and made for. So, we're cut off from the One who loves and values us most. So much that He thought you were worth sending His Son to die for!
And you will never really know how valuable you really are until you open your heart to the One who loved you enough to die for you. You and I did the sinning. Jesus did the dying. And you don't have to spend one more day away from the One who made you to be a masterpiece. The One who sees you through His Carpenter's eye - and sees one He created with His hands, paid for with His blood, and one He wants to forgive, restore, and renew.
But it's your move now. He made His on the cross. Now you have two choices - put your trust in Him to be your own Savior from your own sin - or tell Him, "No thanks, Jesus. I'll just settle for more of the same." Daily Wisdom
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Devotional For Dieters
October 23
Psalm 118:13-14
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Going home to Mother's was murder on the diet. Stacy dreaded it. She knew the minute she walked in, her mother would ask her why she wasn't eating right, and then, for the next week, her mother would shove fattening, although delicious, dishes in front of her face. Going home required a double measure of strength. At those times, Stacy had to pray doubly hard. Sometimes it worked, sometimes she gave in. In the end, though, Stacy was glad to have God to turn to. Once back in her own apartment, He gave her all the resolve she needed to get right back on her diet. Truly, the Lord was her strength and her salvation.
Today's thought: I need saving from that which I would devour!
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A BUNCH OF MIRACLES
“My ideas about miracles were drastically revised right then.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 11:5
“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” Job 9:10
For what it’s worth: My life turned out to be horror and misery. That convinced me there would be no miracles in my life. And I could never have believed there would be so many, all initiated simply by walking into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. First, there was a seed of hope planted into the hardened heart and empty soul of this hopeless drunk. As I miraculously stayed sober that seed grew into a whole forest full of hope. During that time many more miracles matured: I grew able to trust; I began to know that I was lovable and could be loved; I gained some worth and knew I was worthwhile; I came to believe that a Higher Power could not only make me sane, but love and care for me – unconditionally; and, instead of distancing myself from Him, I want to grow closer. Yes, I am a living, breathing miracle. More accurately, I am a living, breathing bunch of miracles.
God bless you!
Joe W.
“Sing for joy to God our strength.” Psalms 81:1
How thankful I am that I do not have to become a good Christian in my own strength! What a burden that would be and what an utter failure I would be! God has promised that he will be our strength and God is faithful to keep His promises. Exodus 15:2 tells us, “The Lord is my strength.” Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength.” Paul tells us in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him that gives me strength.” There is no question where the strength to overcome comes from; and it is not us! God will do the impossible in our lives. He will be our strength. Yes, the victorious Christian’s strength comes from God; now that is cause for rejoicing! Let us sing for joy, because we no longer have to struggle to be good, we do not have to attempt to perfect our character on our own; we have only to call upon the Lord and ask for His help. God will finish the work He began in us. (Phil. 1:6) He will give us the strength to overcome. He will enable us to do the impossible. For in Him, all things are possible. (Matt. 19:26) God is our strength; let’s praise Him for that and sing for joy!
Father, how blessed we are that we do not have to attempt the impossible. For too long, many of us have been trying to be good Christians on our own. Help us LORD, to realize we can do nothing of ourselves; we need you to do the work in us. Help us to submit ourselves to that end. Give us your strength that we might be victorious. How we rejoice that you will complete what you began in us! Make us like you! We rejoice in that promise. May our song of joy never end. Amen Quiet Waters
-----
I said 'Stop thinking about it!'
"DO NOT REMEMBER THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE. DO NOT THINK ABOUT THE THINGS OF THE PAST. SEE, I WILL DO A NEW THING."
Isaiah 43: 19-18 (NLT)
Heard of David Beckham? Of course you have. Yet there was a time nobody knew him. He started out as most kids, loving football, dreaming of playing for his country. He played whenever he could and kept on practising. The mistakes he made, didn't stop him from keeping on trying, neither did getting beat! He concentrated on his future, not what he couldn't do or had done wrong. He made his first Premier League appearance for Man United on 2 April 1995, in a 0-0 draw against Leeds United. It could have been all over for Beckham then, except he had a pretty cool manager, Alex Ferguson, who choose to do something new. Instead of buying star players when experienced players left, he let the youth players replace them. He was criticised for it...especially when the season started with a 3-1 defeat! But Alex saw the potential in these young guys, he saw their hard work, dedication and determination. He did something new, so they could have a chance to fulfil their dreams. For Beckham... the rest, as we say, is History.
Imagine if had a manager like that, who'd take a risk on you so you could fulfil your dreams! Well guess what? U DO!!! God is the best manager you could ever have. He sees your potential and wants to unlock it! So get out there; God wants you on his team! Word4U2Day
-----
Make straight the crooked pathways of my life
Create in me a new heart full of vigor and zeal for Your work's sake, Oh Lord.
Purify my soul from all sin and renew a right spirit within me, Oh God.
Open the doors of opportunity to me to reach the souls and hearts of many with Your Blessed Message of truth and love, Oh Lord Jesus.
Make straight the crooked pathways of my life and remove from me all things that hinder Your work in my life which are not expedient, Oh Precious One.
Let Your Ways by my ways and grant to me faith unlimited that I may move mountains and destroy the strongholds of Satan by Your Right Hand of Power, Oh Almighty God.
Father, grant unto me victory unto victory, joy unto joy, glory unto glory now and forever.
Amen.
©10/23/2001 Jim Welch
-----
The Carpenter's Eye
We had been shopping for the place where God wants us to build the radio studio we so desperately needed. And we were looking at a possible location - a big barn of a room with a high ceiling and totally bare. Well, I saw a big, bare room. But not Kasey. He's a carpenter. And he started talking about this wall here and that partition there - the control room in that corner, where the doors would be, how we could soundproof the floor - it was amazing! He was seeing all kinds of things in that room that I sure couldn't see! But, then, that's the great thing about carpenters!
I think that's how Jesus looks at you. After all, He's a carpenter, you know. His earthly father Joseph was one and Jesus grew up with a carpenter's skills - and a carpenter's eye - to see what someone could become not just what they are.
The blueprint is given to us in our word for today from the Word of God, Ephesians 2:10. And it is an eye-opener, really, as to who you really are and why you're here. "We are God's workmanship." You are no random assembly of molecules - you are a handmade, one-of-a-kind masterpiece creation of Almighty God. You may not have been treated like you're that valuable - but that's who you really ARE. And your Creator is the One who says so. Now, here's what the whole statement says, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Now when Jesus looks at you, it's like my friend the carpenter looking at that empty room. He sees what that room could be after his skilled hands are finished renewing it. Jesus knows the masterpiece you were created to become . . . the difference you were created to make . . . the value you are created to have. That's what He sees. Maybe other people have only seen the bare room. And maybe you have been made to feel pretty worthless . . . incompetent . . . unloved . . . unworthy. But they don't see what Jesus sees - what you were born to be.
And here's why you may have missed knowing how much you really are worth. You're missing the One who GAVE you your worth. You're missing Jesus. The Bible says that we have marked up this masterpiece God made with our self-centered living - God calls it sin. And our sin has built a wall between us and the God we were made by and made for. So, we're cut off from the One who loves and values us most. So much that He thought you were worth sending His Son to die for!
And you will never really know how valuable you really are until you open your heart to the One who loved you enough to die for you. You and I did the sinning. Jesus did the dying. And you don't have to spend one more day away from the One who made you to be a masterpiece. The One who sees you through His Carpenter's eye - and sees one He created with His hands, paid for with His blood, and one He wants to forgive, restore, and renew.
But it's your move now. He made His on the cross. Now you have two choices - put your trust in Him to be your own Savior from your own sin - or tell Him, "No thanks, Jesus. I'll just settle for more of the same." Daily Wisdom
-----
Devotional For Dieters
October 23
Psalm 118:13-14
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
Going home to Mother's was murder on the diet. Stacy dreaded it. She knew the minute she walked in, her mother would ask her why she wasn't eating right, and then, for the next week, her mother would shove fattening, although delicious, dishes in front of her face. Going home required a double measure of strength. At those times, Stacy had to pray doubly hard. Sometimes it worked, sometimes she gave in. In the end, though, Stacy was glad to have God to turn to. Once back in her own apartment, He gave her all the resolve she needed to get right back on her diet. Truly, the Lord was her strength and her salvation.
Today's thought: I need saving from that which I would devour!
-----
A BUNCH OF MIRACLES
“My ideas about miracles were drastically revised right then.” Alcoholics Anonymous, page 11:5
“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” Job 9:10
For what it’s worth: My life turned out to be horror and misery. That convinced me there would be no miracles in my life. And I could never have believed there would be so many, all initiated simply by walking into a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. First, there was a seed of hope planted into the hardened heart and empty soul of this hopeless drunk. As I miraculously stayed sober that seed grew into a whole forest full of hope. During that time many more miracles matured: I grew able to trust; I began to know that I was lovable and could be loved; I gained some worth and knew I was worthwhile; I came to believe that a Higher Power could not only make me sane, but love and care for me – unconditionally; and, instead of distancing myself from Him, I want to grow closer. Yes, I am a living, breathing miracle. More accurately, I am a living, breathing bunch of miracles.
God bless you!
Joe W.